Somak South Africa 2022-23 Brochure

South Africa is an amazing country. One could never tire of the glorious scenery, the magnificent wildlife, the fascinating attractions and the warmth of the people. 14 Nights 1 night Johannesburg – 2 nights Mpumalanga – 1 night eSwatini – 1 night St Lucia – 1 night Durban – 2 nights Drakensberg – 1 night Eastern Cape Coast – 1 night Port Elizabeth 1 night Knysna – 1 night Mossel Bay – 2 nights Cape Town Day 1 Saturday – Depart Depart from the UK to Johannesburg. Day 2 Sunday – Johannesburg On arrival met by our local representative and transferred by shuttle to the hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure until 7pm when you will meet at the hotel reception for a tour briefing and a chance to meet your fellow travellers. Overnight: Protea Hotel OR Tambo or similar Day 3 Monday – Johannesburg – Mpumalanga Morning depart for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. Travel along the circular Panorama Route via Graskop, visiting the view sites of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa. Marvel at the beauty of God's Window, with a boundless view of mountains and fertile plains and finally a visit to Bourke's Luck Potholes before heading to Hazyview. Distance travelled: 500 km Overnight: Hippo Hollow Country Estate or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 4 Tuesday – Mpumalanga Early start to experience the Kruger National Park in your closed vehicle. The Kruger National Park is an internationally renowned game reserve of nearly 2 million hectares and supports the largest variety of wildlife species on the African continent. Keep a lookout for the wonderful flora and birdlife that abounds. Return to the hotel around lunch time for an afternoon of leisure. Distance travelled: 200 km Optional: Kruger National Park – full day open safari vehicle from £68 per person Overnight: Hippo Hollow Country Estate or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 5 Wednesday – Mpumalanga – eSwatini (Swaziland) After breakfast, depart for eSwatini, proceed south to Malalane and then onto eSwatini. Afternoon visit a real chief's village and have a fantastic opportunity to gain an authentic knowledge of traditional eSwatini culture. Distance travelled: 280 km Overnight: Lugogo Sun or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 6 Thursday – eSwatini – St Lucia and surrounds Journey through eSwatini into Zululand. The journey continues into the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal where ancient traditions and modern cultures of both Zulu and Settler have combined into a vibrant society living in peace and harmony. Arrive this afternoon in the iMfolozi area for your overnight stay. Distance travelled: 350 km Optional: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park – Afternoon open safari vehicle from £54 per person Overnight: Anew Hotel Hluhluwe or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 7 Friday – St Lucia and surrounds – Durban You have the choice to lie in or take an optional morning boat cruise (payable locally) or simply soak up the atmosphere of the tourist town of St Lucia before heading off later in the morning towards Durban. An orientation tour introduces you to this multicultural, vibrant seaside city before arriving at your hotel late in the afternoon. Optional: St Lucia – game viewing boat cruise from £22 per person Overnight: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Umhlanga Ridge Meals: Breakfast Day 8 Saturday – Durban – Drakensberg Enjoy a leisurely breakfast or perhaps take an early morning cab ride (payable locally) to the bustling Umhlanga Beach for a stroll along the Promenade Mile, which buzzes with energy as surfers, joggers and cyclists take to this seaside playground. Then we head into the majestic Southern Drakensberg Mountains. Visit to the 300-foot-high Howick Falls, continuing through the Southern Midlands Meander Route, arriving at your hotel mid-afternoon. Leisure time to soak up the surroundings, or go fishing, hiking and even horse riding in clean mountain air (payable locally). Distance travelled: 280 km Optional: Sani Pass – 4x4 adventure tour from £90 per person Overnight: Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Spa Resort or similar Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Day 9 Sunday – Drakensberg Enjoy a full day at leisure to soak up the surroundings of the magnificent Southern Drakensberg Mountains. There are also many leisure activities to be enjoyed at the Resort. Overnight: Drakensberg Gardens Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Day 10 Monday – Drakensberg – Eastern Cape Coast In the morning continue south to the Eastern Cape, entering the fourth of the provinces and the birthplace of Nelson Mandela; en route see the old traditional way of life in the homeland area known as the Transkei and stop for lunch (payable locally) outside the capital of Umtata. Continue via Nelson Mandela's birthplace and house, arriving late afternoon at your accommodation in Chintsa East, on the beautiful, unspoilt Eastern Cape Coast. Distance travelled: 520 km Overnight: Crawford's Beach Lodge or similar Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Day 11 Tuesday – Eastern Cape Coast – Port Elizabeth Morning at leisure before heading south to Port Elizabeth. Distance travelled: 340 km Overnight: Garden Court Kings Beach or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 12 Wednesday – Port Elizabeth – Knysna Today the journey continues towards the Cape. Visit the Tsitsikamma Forest, which provides scenic walking opportunities. A short walk to the Storms River Mouth offers some magnificent views of the gorge and river below. Arrive in Knysna late afternoon. Distance travelled: 300 km Overnight: Premier Hotel The Moorings or similar Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Day 13 Thursday – Knysna – Oudtshoorn – Mossel Bay After breakfast, travel inland over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the 'feather capital of the world'. Visit a working ostrich farm and explore the famous Cango Caves. Walk around the Caves with their magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Distance travelled: 360 km Overnight: Diaz Hotel & Resort or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 14 Friday – Mossel Bay – Cape Town Today's journey ends in Cape Town. On the way stop off in Albertinia to visit a well-known aloe factory. In this area, the Cape aloe grows wild on many farms, and is still harvested in the traditional, labour-intensive way, providing a livelihood for unskilled, independent tappers. Drive via Swellendam, Worcester and through the Huguenot Tunnel before arriving in Cape Town in the late afternoon. Distance travelled: 420 km Overnight: SunSquare Cape Town Gardens or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 15 Saturday – Cape Town (unescorted) Enjoy a day of leisure in the 'Mother City' where a visit to the V&A Waterfront is recommended. Enjoy quality time exploring this beautiful city. Optional in Cape Town: Kaapse Stories dinner theatre from £50 per person Full day Cape Peninsula tour from £80 per person Full day Cape Winelands Tour from £67 per person Overnight: SunSquare Cape Town Gardens or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 16 Sunday – Cape Town After breakfast, check out of the hotel by 11am. Remainder of the day at leisure before your transfer to Cape Town International airport for flight home. Meals: Breakfast HIGHLIGHTS > Safari in Kruger National Park > Majestic Drakensberg Mountains > Scenic Garden Route > Vibrant Cape Town Group tour size normally a maximum of 40 guests. 27 www.somak.co.uk