This tour encompasses the cream of South Africa, giving a taste of the diverse terrain, cultures, and 'attractions' that this amazing country offers.
Partly self drive, partly escorted, the tour is child and adult friendly, and un-pressured so the driver also has the chance to relax and enjoy everything, and the accommodation suggested is different from the normal. Self-catering and bed and breakfast establishments are unfailingly high quality and comfortable and food is wonderful, fresh and usually organic. The tours offered by the tour companies are not suitable for children; most of the time is spent charging down the motorways and in boring international hotels, and with no flexibility.
Hire Cars:
Group V Toyota Condor - spacious for children, luggage and higher off the ground for sight-seeing. Air-con, power steering
in most vehicles. Can be dropped off at Port Elizabeth and another picked up at Durban International Airport and dropped
off at Jan Smuts in Johannesburg.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY - Can be amended to encompass your personal interests and preferences.
DAY ONE
Arrive Cape Town International and chauffeur transfer to your chosen accommodation (free of charge).
Morning - relax, and settle in to your accommodation. Afternoon, World of Birds (largest bird park in the Southern Hemisphere).
Sunset Cruise to Seal Island with snacks and wine
OR Sunset Dinner Cruise to Chapmans Peak, The Sentinel, Seal Island and Maori Bay in Llandudno.
OR Braai (Barbecue) cruise to Chapmans Peak and The Sentinel.
OR Dinner at Mariners Wharf for a seafood dinner.
DAY TWO
Cape Point Tour
Follow the scenic coast road to Scarborough for coffee stop and exploration of the beautiful white sand beach.
Continue to The Cape of Good Hope National Park, to see the incredible fynbos and animals including giant tortoises,
ostriches paddling in the surf, baboon families, zebra and buck.
At the Point take the funicular railway up to the lighthouse, climb to the top for amazing view all around False Bay
and out over the South Atlantic. The Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet here and cause whirlpools and huge breakers.
The restaurant at the bottom of the railway is excellent for lunch.
Continue exploration of the Park, then continue round the False Bay coast to Boulders Beach (you can swim and sunbathe
with the penguins if you wish), walk along the cliff path to the breeding area where you see hundreds of penguins on #
their nests on the beach.
Next to historic Simonstown, the home of the South African Navy, with old colonnaded shops and pretty harbour. Tea
overlooking the harbour. Home via Red Hill, for fantastic views, on over Silvermine Mountain and through the Constantia Valley.
Picnic dinner on Chapmans Peak to watch the sunset.
DAY THREE
Cape Town City - suggestions
Table Mountain Cable Car to top.
City Tour
V&A Waterfront and Aquarium (superb)
Robben Island tour (must be booked in advance)
Dinner at The Waterfront or Traditional African Dinner in Cape Town.
DAY FOUR
Winelands
To Paarl, the Nederburg Estate for tasting and cellar tour.
Fairview Estate for cheese and wine tasting
Franshoek, the Boschendal Estate for a picnic lunch, light lunch or full South African lunch.
Over the Helshoogte Pass to Stellenbosch. City drive through historic town.
To Spier Cheetah and Raptor Park.
Overnight at Zandberg Farm - a working wine farm. Superior cottage with 2 bedrooms, bathroom, lounge with t.v. Breakfast
included. Or similar, to choice.
DAY FIVE
Hermanus
Via Somerset West (good beach) and the coastal route via Gordons Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond.
Afternoon at leisure in Hermanus.
Overnight bed and breakfast - Schulphoek, overlooking the beach.
DAY SIX
To Calitzdorp area
Via Caledon to Swellendam, tea at Drosty and view Historic and quaint buildings and museum. Swellendam was once
briefly a Republic.
Inland through breath-taking scenery via the Tradeauw Pass to Barrydale and Calitzdorp. Hot mineral springs are a
must for a dip in a prehistoric landscape.
Overnight - Port Wine
OR Red Stone Hills near majestic Swartburg Pass.
DAY SEVEN
Knysna
Via Oudtshoorn - amazing Cango Caves, Ostrich and Crocodile Park.
Over Outeniqua Pass to Knysna.
Overnight - Bitou River Lodge situated on the river with canoeing, pedalboats, horses and bird life. This is a little
way out of Knysna.
OR Knysna River Club - self catering 2-bedroomed cottages
OR Under Milkwood - more expensive 2-bedroomed cottages.
Perhaps take a sunset cruise on the John Benn around the lagoon and out to The Heads.
Morning at leisure to explore Knysna lagoon, afternoon Monkeyland near Plettenburg Bay (30 klms) is fun.
DAY EIGHT
Knysna
Choo Choo (wonderful old steam train) to George via the picturesque lakes of the Wilderness and Dolphin Point. You will
be collected in George by Pierre and taken the scenic drive to Mossel Bay, returning to Knysna.
DAY NINE
Port Elizabeth & Durban
Via Storms River Mouth (negotiate the little suspension footbridge) and Tsitsikamma Forest - trek the trail to view
the 600 year old Yellow-wood tree.
Port Elizabeth Airport. Flights can be cheaply booked on www.Kalulu.com.
Overnight in Durban at The Holiday Inn on North Beach or The Palace on Marine Parade.
Dinner at the superb Seafood Restaurant in Durban Harbour - ships arriving and departing literally pass your table.
DAY TEN
Shakaland
Explore Durban by Day - City Tour of Durban and Indian Market.
2 hour drive to Shakaland.. This is a Protea hotel, but is the original stage set for the movie Shaka-Zulu and is
a magnificent experience for adults and children.
Learn about the Zulu culture, visit a Sangoma and Witchdoctor.
Accommodation is in 'out of this world' Zulu huts - with all mod.cons!
Included is a cultural dancing and singing show, dinner, bed and breakfast.
DAY ELEVEN
Hhuhluwe and Umfolozi
2 hour drive to Umfolozi and Hhluhuwe Game Reserve. This is terrific. Self drive to waterholes and through park.
Evening Game Drive with Ranger. Early Morning Game Drive with Ranger.
Overnight at Hilltop Camp.
DAY TWELVE
Swaziland
Drive through Swaziland's magnificent scenery.
Overnight in Swaziland or carry on to Nelspruit, The Swaziland Ezuluweni Sun or Forresters Arms.
DAY THIRTEEN
Nelspruit or Kruger Park
Trips into Kruger Park - day and night drives with Ranger.
Overnight at Le Roca, including Breakfast on the Crocodile River. Dinner by arrangement. Watch game drink at
waterholes from the veranda. Excellent for children.
DAY FOURTEEN
Panorama Route Day Trip
Escorted tour inclusive of refreshments, to see Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, Pinnacle Rock, Bourke's Luck potholes and magnificent waterfalls, Pilgrims Rest. Jock of the Bushveld country.
DAY FIFTEEN
Johannesburg
City Tour.
Gold Reef City - Johannesburg in the pioneering days - go down a gold mine.
Depart home.