SOUTH AFRICA HIGHLIGHTS

Depart the UK to Cape Town.

After an early morning departure from Cape Town, travel along Sir Lowry's Pass, with its magnificent views from the top, to Grabouw and Elgin, a lush landscape surrounded by majestic mountains. Continue to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. The area has largely been untouched and unexplored with its rugged coastline being the graveyard for many a ship. After this thrilling experience, continue via historic Swellendam, the third oldest town in South Africa, to Mossel Bay, from where the Garden Route extends to the Storms River in the east.
Distance travelled: 507 kms
Overnight: Diaz Hotel & Resort or similar

After breakfast continue to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world and home to the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves. Visit an ostrich farm for a guided tour. Enjoy a wine tasting at a local wine estate before setting off on a tour of the Cango Caves, one of the world's great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages.
Distance travelled: 155 kms
Overnight: La Plume Guest House or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, travel over the Outeniqua Pass to George, the sixth oldest town in South Africa, with many historical landmarks like the Slave Tree and King Edward VII Library building, said to be the best example of Edwardian architecture in the town. The tour travels via Wilderness, an attractive holiday resort, to Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route. Enjoy a lagoon cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve (weather permitting), where you can take a trailer ride to the top of the Western Head to enjoy panoramic views of the town and lagoon, returning for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this charming town set around a natural harbour lagoon.
Distance travelled: 134 kms
Overnight: Rex Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Today you'll have the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the Knysna area, with a visit to the Garden of Eden, set in the lush, green, indigenous Knysna forest. The major attraction is the forest itself, beautiful yellow wood trees, thick green foliage and streams. Afterwards an opportunity to visit Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, where you will be able to see a variety of primates roaming free in the forest. The sanctuary is well known for its efforts to rehabilitate and free previously caged primates. Continue to the famous Eastern Head, enjoying spectacular views of the Knysna Heads (weather permitting). Afterwards travel to Brenton on Sea, a breathtaking holiday location and a nature lover's paradise with its unspoilt beaches and peaceful surroundings. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure.
Distance travelled: 110 kms
Overnight: Rex Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Travel to Plettenberg Bay, the jewel of the Garden Route, before visiting Birds of Eden sanctuary, the biggest single free flight aviary in the world. The sanctuary was developed to create a safe environment in which to release a large collection of free-flight African birds. Continue to Bloukrans Bridge, the highest single span arch bridge in the world, currently offering the highest commercially operated Bungee Jump in the world. Visit the Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea.
Distance travelled: 100 kms
Overnight: Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Head eastwards along the Tsitsikamma Forest to Port Elizabeth, known as the "friendly city" with a wonderful climate. Travel to Port Elizabeth Airport for an onward flight to Johannesburg (not included in tour price and must be booked for departure after 2.30pm), where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax (unescorted).
Distance travelled: 185 kms
Overnight: Holiday Inn Sandton or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Spend a full day exploring Soweto and the surrounds. The tour starts with a visit to the prestigious Apartheid Museum, located in Johannesburg's Ormondo suburb. The museum covers the full history of the Apartheid era in South Africa. Continue to Soweto for a tour through this vibrant township, visit the Hector Peterson Memorial that commemorates the role of the country's students in the struggle against Apartheid. Continue to the Liliesleaf Heritage Site for a tour. Once known as Liliesleaf Farm, this fascinating heritage site is closely linked to the Rivonia Treason Trial that lead to Nelson Mandela's incarceration. In the early 1960's Liliesleaf was a sanctuary where most prominent leaders of South Africa's struggle against Apartheid sought shelter, attended secret meetings and engaged in key debates on political and military policy and strategy. You will learn in detail what happened during those days and the ultimate arrest of Nelson Mandela.
Distance travelled: 100 kms
Overnight: Holiday Inn Sandton or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a full day at leisure (unescorted). Perhaps join a walking tour through downtown Johannesburg (payable locally) or enjoy some shopping at Nelson Mandela Square, home to a variety of shops and boutiques catering for all tastes and budgets.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Sandton or similar
Meals: Breakfast

This morning head east to the Mpumalanga region. After freshening up at your lodge enter the world-famous Kruger National Park and spend the afternoon game viewing in your closed touring vehicle. The park offers some of the best game viewing and wildlife opportunities in the world. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Distance travelled today: 430 kms
Overnight: Protea Hotel Kruger Gate or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

The day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a thrilling open vehicle game drive (with English speaking game ranger) through Kruger National Park with pre-packed breakfast. Your guide will endeavour to spoil you with sightings of the "Big Five", general game and prolific bird life. Return to the lodge for lunch (payable locally) and a short siesta. In the afternoon we will journey once again through the magnificent expanses of the Kruger National Park, unrivalled in its diversity of flora and fauna. Enjoy an afternoon of game viewing in your closed touring vehicle pursuing the 'Big Five' and other rare and endangered species. Optional (payable locally) open vehicle game drives are available.
Distance travelled: 250 kms
Overnight: Protea Hotel Kruger Gate or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Enjoy breakfast before setting out to explore the magnificent Panorama Route, one of the most scenic routes in the region, offering glorious views, spectacular landscapes and exquisite waterfalls. Visit majestic sights including God's Window, the Three Rondavels and Blyde River Canyon - the third largest canyon of its kind in the world, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the charming village of Graskop, one of the first gold mining camps in the country. Optional (payable locally) open vehicle game drives are available, should you prefer not to join the Panorama Route tour.
Distance travelled: 260 kms
Overnight: Protea Hotel Kruger Gate or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Enjoy breakfast before starting the return journey to Johannesburg. Arrive in Johannesburg, at OR Tambo International Airport, at approximately 2.30pm, where the tour ends. Depart on your return flight to the UK.
Distance travelled: 400 kms
Meals: Breakfast