15 Day South African Surprise

Day 1: Sunday - Johannesburg Upon arrival you will be met and assisted to your shuttle transfer service to the hotel. You have the remainder of the day at leisure until 19h00 when we all meet at the hotel reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet up with your fellow travellers. Day 2: Monday - Johannesburg - Mpumalanga This morning we leave 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; gasp at the glory 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. [Breakfast] Distance travelled today: 500 kms Day 3: Tuesday - Mpumalanga: Kruger Park We have a bright and early start to the day in order to experience the wonders of exploring the Kruger National Park in our closed vehicle. Spend a morning with the Big Five in the Kruger National Park. 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 bird life that abounds. We return to our hotel around lunch time and your afternoon is at leisure. [Packed Breakfast] Distance travelled today: 200 kms Day 4: Wednesday - Mpumalanga - Esatwini (Swaziland) This morning after breakfast, we check out and depart on our journey to Swaziland. We proceed south to Malalane and then onto Swaziland where this afternoon you will visit a real Chief’s village and have the fantastic opportunity to gain an authentic knowledge of traditional Swazi culture. [Breakfast] Distance travelled today: 280 kms Day 5: Thursday - Swaziland - St Lucia and Surrounds This morning we journey through Swaziland into Zululand. Our 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 Umfolozi area for your overnight stay. [Breakfast] Distance travelled today: 350 kms Day 6: Friday - St Lucia and Surrounds - Durban Guests have the option to lie in or take an optional morning boat cruise (own account) or simply soak up the atmosphere of this tourist town St Lucia before heading off later in the morning towards Durban. An orientation tour introduces us to this multicultural, vibrant seaside city before arriving at our hotel late afternoon. [Breakfast] Distance travelled today: 320 kms Day 7: Saturday - Durban - Drakensberg This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast or perhaps take an early morning cab ride 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. We proceed on a visit to the 300 foot high Howick Falls, continuing through the Southern Midlands Meander Route, arriving at our hotel mid-afternoon. Your afternoon is at leisure to soak up the surroundings, or go fishing, hiking and even horse riding in clean mountain air (own account). [Breakfast & Dinner] Distance travelled today: 280 kms Day 8: 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. [Breakfast & Dinner] Day 9: Monday - Drakensberg - Eastern Cape Coast This morning we continue south to the Eastern Cape entering the fourth of the provinces and the birth place of Nelson Mandela (fondly known as Madiba). En route we see the old traditional way of life in the homeland area known as the Transkei and stop for lunch (own account) outside the capital of Umtata. We continue via Nelson Mandela’s birth place and house, arriving late afternoon at our accommodation in Chinsta East, on the beautiful, unspoilt Eastern Cape Coast. [Breakfast & Dinner] Distance travelled today: 520 kms Day 10: Tuesday - Eastern Cape Coast - Port Elizabeth We awake to the sounds of the crashing waves and have the morning at leisure to unwind with beach sand between our toes. The beach stretches on uninterrupted for many kilometres and the thick indigenous beach forest is a haven for an amazing variety of birdlife. We set off heading south to Port Elizabeth. [Breakfast] Distance travelled today: 340 kms Day 11: Wednesday - Port Elizabeth - Knysna Today our 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 for check in at our hotel. [Breakfast & Dinner] Distance travelled today: 300 kms Day 12: Thursday - Knysna - Oudtshoorn - Mossel Bay After breakfast, we travel inland over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the ‘feather capital of the world’ because of its ostrich industry. We visit a working ostrich farm and then explore the famous Cango Caves. Walk around the famous Cango Caves with their magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Overnight in Mossel Bay. [Breakfast] Distance travelled today: 360 kms Day 13: Friday - Mossel Bay - Cape Town Today’s journey ends in Cape Town. On the way we 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. We drive via Swellendam, Worcester and through the Huguenot Tunnel before arriving in Cape Town in the late afternoon. [Breakfast] Distance travelled today: 420 kms Day 14: Saturday - Cape Town (escorted) 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. [Breakfast] Day 15: Sunday - Cape Town This morning after breakfast, check out of the hotel by 11h00. The remainder of the day will be at leisure until your transfer to Cape Town International airport. [Breakfast] OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS: Enhance the journey with optional excursions on the tour, available for pre-booking, subject to minimum of 2 people travelling: Rates valid 01/01/20 – 31/12/20: DAY 3 – TUESDAY: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – FULL DAY OPEN VEHICLE SAFARI – Priced from R 1 040.00 per person Join a full day open vehicle safari with a highly qualified field guide who is eager to share their knowledge and passion for this unique wilderness area. DAY 5 – THURSDAY HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI PARK – AFTERNOON OPEN VEHICLE SAFARI – Priced from R 870.00 per person Enjoy an afternoon, 3-hour open vehicle safari into the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Africa’s oldest game reserve and world renowned for its highly successful white rhino conservation programme. DAY 6 – FRIDAY – ST LUCIA: GAME VIEWING BOAT CRUISE – Priced from R 340.00 per person Enjoy a game viewing boat cruise in St Lucia (depending on weather conditions), getting up close to the sights and sounds of hippos and crocodiles and marvelling at the plentiful birdlife. DAY 8 – SUNDAY – SANI PASS: 4X4 ADVENTURE TOUR – Priced from R 1 425.00 per person Join a 4x4 tour up Sani Pass and into the tiny mountain Kingdom of Lesotho (passport required) which includes lunch at the highest pub in Africa. DAY 14 – SATURDAY – CAPE TOWN: KAAPSE STORIES DINNER THEATRE – Priced from R 770.00 per person Enjoy an evening of song, theatre and delicious Cape food that serves as a perfect welcome to the mother city. DAY 14 – SATURDAY – CAPE TOWN: FULL DAY CAPE PENINSULA TOUR – Priced from R 1 300.00 per person Join this full day tour that explores the dramatic coastline of the Cape Peninsula including a visit to Boulders Beach penguin colony (entrance fee for own account) and Cape Point Nature Reserve. DAY 14 – SATURDAY – CAPE TOWN – FULL DAY CAPE WINELANDS TOUR – Priced from R 1 065.00 per person While South Africa's fertile valleys are world famous for their crisp white and classic French-style red wines, the area is also a treasury of rustic beauty and sprawling estates shaded by giant oak trees. Visit the country's principal wine routes of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

Optional Excursions 2

Optional Excursions