SPECTACULAR SOUTH AFRICA
SPECTACULAR SOUTH AFRICA
A wonderful 14-night tour which includes visits to some of South Africa's most iconic sights. The stunning scenery and magnificent wildlife will leave you breathless.
3 nights Cape Town - 1 night Hermanus - 1 night Oudtshoorn - 2 nights Knysna - 1 night Tsitsikamma - 1 night Durban - 1 night Zululand - 1 night Eswatini - 3 nights Mpumalanga
Day 1 - Tuesday Depart
Depart from the UK to Cape Town.
Day 2 - Wednesday Cape Town
On arrival in Cape Town you are met by your representative and assisted to your transfer. The remainder of the day is at leisure (unescorted).
Overnight: Floreal House or similar.
Overnight: Floreal House or similar.
Day 3 - Thursday Cape Town
After breakfast meet your tour guide and fellow travellers and set out to the picturesque Winelands, where century old vineyards are surrounded by awe inspiring mountain scenery. With extraordinary wine estates in Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek and fascinating historical landmarks to explore, your highly knowledgeable tour guide will discuss the many possibilities and tailor-make a memorable Winelands experience for the whole group.
Distance travelled: 200 kms
Overnight: Floreal House or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Distance travelled: 200 kms
Overnight: Floreal House or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 - Friday Cape Town
This morning ascend one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature - majestic Table Mountain (weather permitting), for unrivalled views of Cape Town. Drive along Millionaires Paradise to Camps Bay, heading towards the charming working harbour at Hout Bay. Continue along legendary Chapman's Peak Drive (if open) hugging the cliffs and enjoying the breathtaking ocean views. After lunch (payable locally) visit the wild and beautiful Cape of Good Hope, an integral part of the world-renowned Cape Floral Kingdom.
Distance travelled: 200 kms
Overnight: Floreal House or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Distance travelled: 200 kms
Overnight: Floreal House or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 - Saturday Cape Town - Hermanus
Depart Cape Town after breakfast. A stunning coastal drive to the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden with its delicate coastal Fynbos. We also seek out the small breeding colony of African Penguins at Stoney Point. In the "Hemel en Aarde" region, one of South Africa's newest wine routes, indulge in a wine tasting at a boutique winery before arriving in Hermanus.
Distance travelled: 200 kms
Overnight: Misty Waves Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Distance travelled: 200 kms
Overnight: Misty Waves Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 - Sunday Hermanus - Oudtshoorn
This morning explore the unique cliff paths of Hermanus and enjoy outstanding views of Walker Bay. During the months of July - November, the possibility of whale sightings could add further excitement to our explorations. Depart late morning stopping for a late lunch (payable locally) in the pretty village of Barrydale on the scenic "Route 62", then onward to Oudtshoorn.
Distance travelled today: 380 kms
Overnight: La Plume Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Distance travelled today: 380 kms
Overnight: La Plume Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 - Monday Oudtshoorn - Knysna
An opportunity to visit the Cango Caves, filled with wonderful stalactite and stalagmite formations. Then enjoy a guided tour at an ostrich farm, which will give an insight into why Oudtshoorn is known as the "feather capital of the world". Travel via the panoramic Outeniqua Pass to Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa.
Distance travelled: 220 kms
Overnight: Knysna Hollow or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Distance travelled: 220 kms
Overnight: Knysna Hollow or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 - Tuesday Knysna
This morning cruise the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve, where you will learn more about the fascinating history, fauna and flora of the area. Return for lunch. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure (unescorted) to further explore the charming village of Knysna.
Distance travelled: 20 kms
Overnight: Knysna Hollow or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Distance travelled: 20 kms
Overnight: Knysna Hollow or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 9 - Wednesday Knysna - Tsitsikamma
Depart Knysna after breakfast and travel to Plettenberg Bay for an ocean safari (weather permitting). During the summer months you may encounter bottlenose and common dolphins as well as seals in their natural environment. During the winter months you may see southern right and humpback whales. For those brave souls, this afternoon you will have the opportunity to attempt the world's highest bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge (payable locally and weather permitting). We arrive late afternoon at the picturesque village of Storms River.
Distance travelled: 130 kms
Overnight: Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Distance travelled: 130 kms
Overnight: Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 - Thursday Tsitsikamma - Port Elizabeth - Durban - Umhlanga
This morning immerse yourself in the splendour and tranquillity of the Tsitsikamma National Park and head to the Storms River Mouth for unrivalled views of the Indian Ocean (weather permitting). Continue your journey to Port Elizabeth airport for our onward flight to Durban (price not included and flight needs to be booked for after 2.30pm). On arrival in Durban we will be met and transferred to our accommodation for the evening, on the tropical North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
Distance travelled: 280 kms
Overnight: The Oyster Box or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Distance travelled: 280 kms
Overnight: The Oyster Box or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 - Friday Durban - Zululand
After breakfast head north to the tiny village of St Lucia, a World Heritage Site and one of South Africa's wilderness treasures. A cruise on the St Lucia Estuary (weather permitting) affords us wonderful photographic opportunities as we may encounter large pods of hippos, the occasional Nile crocodile and prolific birdlife. Continue to a private game reserve where you can experience the unique richness that this peaceful region has to offer. Enjoy an afternoon game drive within the heart of Big Five territory. After winding down with sundowners, marvel at the spectacular sunsets and continue searching for elusive nocturnal creatures.
Distance travelled: 350 kms
Overnight: Ubizane Wildlife Reserve or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner & 1 Game Activity
Distance travelled: 350 kms
Overnight: Ubizane Wildlife Reserve or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner & 1 Game Activity
Day 12 - Saturday Zululand - Eswatini (swaziland)
This morning will be an early start with tea, coffee and rusks after which you will set out on an early morning safari in search of the Big Five, enjoying the delightful scenery and excellent safari opportunity. After breakfast travel north and cross the border into the tiny Kingdom of Eswatini, a former British Protection Territory, now ruled by King MsWati III. Arrive in the afternoon at your luxury lodge set in a beautiful, secure estate with stunning views of the Royal Mdzimba Mountains.
Distance travelled: 320 kms
Overnight: The Royal Villas or similar
Meals: Breakfast & 1 Game Activity
Distance travelled: 320 kms
Overnight: The Royal Villas or similar
Meals: Breakfast & 1 Game Activity
Day 13 - Sunday Eswatini - Mpumalanga
After breakfast visit a chief's village to gain an insight into the fascinating traditional Eswatini culture and the resident's invitation to participate in the cultural practices. Afterwards, we cross the border back into South Africa for an afternoon arrival in the lush Sabie River Valley.
Distance travelled: 330 kms
Overnight: Country Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Distance travelled: 330 kms
Overnight: Country Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 14 - Monday Mpumalanga
Today we traverse the glorious Panorama route taking in the spectacular God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and Three Rondavels at Blyde River Canyon. Our safari adventure continues at Kapama Private Game Reserve described as an African Eden. The reserve is a wilderness paradise. After checking in, depart on an open vehicle safari accompanied by a ranger and tracker, in search of a diverse range of animal and bird species and hope to encounter the Big Five, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo.
Distance travelled: 280 kms
Overnight: Kapama River Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner & 1 Game Activity
Distance travelled: 280 kms
Overnight: Kapama River Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner & 1 Game Activity
Day 15 - Tuesday Mpumalanga
The day starts with an early morning safari. While seeing big game is always exhilarating, there are many other smaller species that are also captivating, and birding enthusiasts will be delighted at the approximately 350 species of birds recorded on the reserve. Return to the lodge for a few hours of relaxation. In the afternoon gather for high tea, before heading out for the afternoon safari. As darkness falls, the nocturnal animals of the bush come out. A variety of completely different species can be seen on the night drive back to the lodge.
Distance travelled: 90 kms
Overnight: Kapama River Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & 2 Game Activities
Distance travelled: 90 kms
Overnight: Kapama River Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & 2 Game Activities
Day 16 - Wednesday Mpumalanga - Hoedspruit - Johannesburg - Depart
Enjoy a final early morning open vehicle safari, before returning to the lodge for brunch. Check out and transfer to nearby Hoedspruit's Eastgate Airport for your onward flight to Johannesburg (from 12 noon onwards), where you will then connect for onward flight to the UK.
Meals: Breakfast
Meals: Breakfast
HIGHLIGHTS
> Vibrant Cape Town
> Scenic Garden Route
> Stay in a private game lodge
> Exclusive selected boutique-style properties
> Guest number limited to 8 in luxury vehicle
> Vibrant Cape Town
> Scenic Garden Route
> Stay in a private game lodge
> Exclusive selected boutique-style properties
> Guest number limited to 8 in luxury vehicle