Duration: 17 Nights
Departs Sundays
DAY 1 - SUNDAY JOHANNESBURG (D)
On arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation in one of this city's green suburbs. The economic
heart of South Africa, Johannesburg has a wonderful energy, and is also one of the greenest - more trees have been planted here
than anywhere else in the world. This evening, your group will all meet up with your guide for a welcome dinner. Overnight at
Melrose Lodge.
DAY 2 - MONDAY MPUMALANGA (BL)
This morning after breakfast we head south for Soweto, heart of the struggle against apartheid. There is much history here, including
the houses where Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu lived, as well as the monument to the Soweto uprisings of 1976. But there is
also a very warm and friendly people, whom we will meet during a lunch stop at one of the local shebeens (pubs). From here, we head
east, before stopping for overnight in one of the towns near the escarpment, which will be revealed to us tomorrow. Overnight at the
Windmill Wine Cottages (or similar).
DAY 3 - TUESDAY KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (BD)
We set off this morning to discover the scenic splendour of this region. First stop is the little gold mining town of Pilgrim's Rest,
discovered at the turn of the century during a short lived gold rush and perfectly preserved, before we join the Panorama Route,
taking in the strange rock formations at Bourke's Luck Potholes, the impressive Lisbon Falls, and the highlight - Blyde River Canyon,
the third largest canyon in the world. Dinner and overnight on the edge of the Kruger National Park at Needles Lodge (or similar).
DAY 4 - TUESDAY KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (BD)
An early start as you join your ranger in an open vehicle for your safari into the Kruger National Park. A full day here will allow
you the opportunity to spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) as well as a host of other animals in this huge
wilderness. Return to your lodge for dinner and a chance to discuss today's sightings!
DAY 5 - THURSDAY SWAZILAND - ZULULAND (BD)
Depart after an early breakfast and enter the independent kingdom of Swaziland. With its green hills and indigenous forests, it is
known as the Switzerland of Africa - and it is equally well known for its excellent markets where craft and curio sellers from all
over Africa bring their goods for sale. You will have the opportunity to stop at one of these markets en route, before entering
northern Zululand. Here we will check into our lodge for dinner and overnight. Overnight at White Elephant Bush Lodge (or similar)
DAY 6 - FRIDAY ZULULAND (BD)
This morning you will embark on a boat cruise on one of Zululand's most scenic lakes, giving you the opportunity to spot hippos,
crocodiles and fish eagles. Return to your lodge early this afternoon, with an optional activity available to you - either a game
drive in open vehicle, or a walking safari, both accompanied by your expert ranger. This area is rich in elephant and rhinoceros as
well as being one of the most pristine areas in South Africa. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7 - SATURDAY DURBAN (B)
We follow the sugar cane fields of KwaZulu Natal south after breakfast, arriving in Durban late this morning. We visit the impressive
new uShaka Marine World, one of the largest marine worlds in the Southern Hemisphere - particularly renowned for the large shark
tank! This afternoon is at leisure, with an opportunity to have a swim in the Indian Ocean. Overnight at Goble Palms Guest House
(or similar).
DAY 8 - SUNDAY WILD COAST (BD)
Depart this morning for South Africa's most splendid and undiscovered coastlines - the Wild Coast. Your route takes you over the
spectacular Umtamvuma river and bridge, where you enter the Transkei, home to the Xhosa tribe. The scenery is very rural, with bright
coloured huts dotting the hilly landscape. Arrive at the coast and check in to your lodge, with time to wander the wide expanses of beach.
Dinner this evening and overnight at Mbotyi River Lodge (or similar)
DAY 9 - MONDAY WILD COAST (BD)
A leisurely morning today doing as you wish: watching the dolphins, lazing by the pool or on the beach or walking the length of
the sand and the lagoons. This afternoon, a local Xhosa guide will join us and take us through his village, explaining their
customs and history, as well as their close link with the environment. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
DAY 10 - TUESDAY EAST LONDON (B)
We head inland after breakfast to the main city of this area, Umtata. This is the area of Nelson Mandela's clan, and also where
he was born and grew up. We stop at the Nelson Mandela Museum which tells not only of his life story, but also has fascinating
audio and visual material of his trial and incarceration. Here a local guide joins us and we travel to the nearby village of Qunu,
where Mandela grew up and has now retired to. From here we continue via the Great Kei River to the city of East London for overnight
at Quarry Lake Inn (or similar).
DAY 11 - WEDNESDAY GRAHAMSTOWN/ PORT ELIZABETH (B)
Our route today travels along the coast, passing the local holiday villages and towns of the Eastern Cape, before we drive inland
after the Great Fish River to the little town of Bathurst. This is Settler Country, colonised by English settlers in the 1820's,
and scene of bloody conflict between them and the native Xhosas. Bathurst is a very tiny piece of England in Africa, with its lanes
and settler houses - as well as an infamous pub. We travel a bit further to graceful Grahamstown, known as the City of Spires because
of its many cathedrals, before continuing to Port Elizabeth, capital of the Eastern Cape for overnight at Fifth Avenue Beach House
(or similar).
DAY 12 - THURSDAY KNYSNA (BL)
We set off this morning for the famed Garden Route, driving first through the immense indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest,and stopping
at the breathtaking Storm's River Mouth. From here, we drive to Plettenberg Bay, where lunch is a special treat at the Relais
and Chateaux hotel, The Plettenberg, with unrivalled views of the sea. It is a short drive to Knysna, unofficial capital of the
Garden Route, ideally situated on the Knysna Lagoon. We start our orientation of the town from the top of the Heads, great cliffs
that guard the entrance to the lagoon and the town, before checking in for 2 nights at The Waterfront Lodge located on the lagoon
(or similar).
DAY 13 - FRIDAY KNYSNA (BL)
A leisurely start today as we join the ferry on Knysna lagoon at about 10:30 and set off for Featherbed Nature Reserve, where we
are met by all terrain vehicles that will take us up to the top of the Heads. We return to the lagoon for lunch before setting
off for the town of Knysna again. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure in the town. Overnight in Knysna.
DAY 14 - SATURDAY OUDTSHOORN (BL)
Leaving Knysna after breakfast, our drive takes us over the Outeniqua Mountains, where we leave the lush scenery of the Garden
Route and we enter the Klein Karoo, a semi desert region, characterized by small country towns. We arrive in Oudtshoorn, famous
as the ostrich farming capital of the world and a place where these comical birds are still a vital industry. We visit an ostrich
farm, where we also enjoy lunch before visiting the Cango Caves, one of Africa's largest accessible grottos. Overnight at De Opstal
(or similar).
DAY 15 - SUNDAY WINELANDS/CAPE TOWN (BL)
After breakfast, we drive along Route 62, passing provincial towns such as Barrydale and Montagu, before we enter the Cape Winelands.
Our first stop is the quaint French Huguenot village of Franschhoek, with its oak lined streets and pavement cafes. We will stop at
one of the nearby wine estates for a wine tasting and lunch, before driving on to Stellenbosch, the second oldest settlement in
South Africa after Cape Town. There will be plenty of opportunity to discover the old town center and famed Cape Dutch architecture.
From here, it is a short drive to Cape Town where we check in for 3 nights at the Cape Town Hollow, chosen for its charm and ideal
location.
DAY 16 - MONDAY CAPE TOWN (B)
This morning you will discover Cape Town - or the "Mother City" as it is affectionately known. Rich in history - you will visit
the Castle, and the historic city centre, as well as the Houses of Parliament and Company Gardens. We will also stop at the
colourful Malay Quarter and bustling market at Greenmarket Square. Weather permitting, we will ascend Table Mountain (own cost)
for spectacular views over the entire Cape Peninsula. At the end of the tour, you may choose to be dropped off at your accommodation
or at the vibrant Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a working harbour, with many shops, restaurants and outdoor performers. The rest
of the day is yours at leisure to explore the city at your own pace.
DAY 17 - TUESDAY CAPE TOWN (B)
Set off on this morning after breakfast for the Cape of Good Hope - a drive that takes you along the incredible Atlantic seaboard,
through exclusive areas such as Clifton and Camp's Bay, and the little fishing harbour of Hout Bay, where we will stop fora cruise
to Seal Island to see the Cape Fur Seals. We continue to Cape Point where we ascend by funicular to the top to witness the symbolic
meeting of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. We return via Simon's Town and the breeding Colony of African Penguins on the beach
there. Dinner this evening is a special arrangement in the township of Langa, where will enjoy traditional African food, and the
most talented young African musicians. Overnight in Cape Town.
DAY 18 - WEDNESDAY CAPE TOWN (B) B - Breakfeast only BL - Breakfeast and Lunch
BD - Breakfeast and Dinner
Please bear in mind: We do specify the overnight accommodation on our tours on this
site so that you can get a feel for the charm and quality of what we use on tour. Because these establishments are small in
size, we may occasionally substitute an alternative option. This will be of the same, or of higher quality and standard and
always carefully selected by us. You will always have the final accommodation list given to you at the time of booking with
full details of each overnight.
Please note: Conservation levy of R120 for the Kruger National Park not included in the tour price.
A day to say farewell to your fellow travellers and guide. You will be transferred to the airport in time for your outbound
international flight with many happy memories and stories to tell those at home.