14 Days / 13 Nights
Day 1 Sun: Johannesburg
Touch down at OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the magnificent suburban shopping malls or take an optional Soweto Tour (own account).
Day 2 Mon: Pretoria / Mpumalanga
Depart this morning and leave Johannesburg's distinctive skyline and head for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. We travel via the historic towns of Witbank, Dullstroom and Lydenburg, passing over the famous Long Tom Pass onto the small town of Sabie. This afternoon explore living history in the form of Pilgrim's Rest, the old mining village where gold was first discovered. (BD)
Day 3 Tue: Kruger National Park
This morning enjoy glorious vistas of God's Window, a boundless view of forested mountains and fertile plains, and visit the spectacular Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa. We arrive at our overnight hotel in time for a welcome sundowner (own account). (BD)
Day 4 Wed: A full day Big Five game viewing in Kruger National Park
Set off before breakfast in an open safari vehicle in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard, and all manner of wildlife, birds and plant species. Savour the magic of this enormous wildlife sanctuary that is world renowned as pioneers in nature conservation, game capture and re-location. (B)
Day 5 Thu: The Kingdom of Swaziland
Enjoy an enchanting drive to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, a former British Protection Territory, now ruled by King MsWati III. Witness a Swazi cultural experience before visiting the famous Ngwenya Glass Factory to see master craftsmen fashion collectable figures and functional art out of molten glass. We continue through the capital city, Mbabane, known for its vibrant markets packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings. Spend the night in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley. (BLD)
Day 6 Fri: The Kingdom of the Zulu's
Visit the Swazi Candle Factory, teeming with exquisite wax artworks in every shape and colour imaginable. Then on into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. Arrive mid afternoon at the town of St Lucia, a World Heritage Site and home to hippo, crocodile and no less than 367 bird species. (B)
Visitors have the option to purchase an exciting afternoon open safari vehicle game drive into the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. Hluhluwe is home to Africa's Big Five, and are credited in their conservation success of saving the white rhino from the brink of extinction.
Day 7 Sat: Durban
This morning enjoy a cruise on Lake St Lucia before departing for Durban. Hug the lush KwaZulu-Natal coastline en route to Durban, watching the sugar cane fields do their own version of the Mexican wave at the urging of the wind. Check into your hotel just before lunch (own account). The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure, or you may opt take an optional afternoon Durban City Tour (own account). (B)
Day 8 Sun: Port Elizabeth / Knysna
Morning at leisure until your collection and transfer to the airport for your mid morning flight to Port Elizabeth (cost of flight not included). There you will be met by your new guide who will, upon everyone arriving, take you through the glorious, indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest, before reaching Knysna, perhaps South Africa's most visually arresting resort, in the heart of the famous Garden Route. (BD)
Day 9 Mon: Knysna
Cruise on the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Enjoy an amazing view of the imposing sandstone 'Heads' which guard the sea entrance to Knysna’s huge tidal lagoon, and the forests, marshes and pristine beaches beyond. After lunch the remainder of the day at leisure, to enjoy this lovely and special town. (BL)
Day 10 Tue: Oudtshoorn
This morning we enjoy the wonderful views of the spectacular Outeniqua Pass en route to Oudtshoorn, the 'feather capital of the world', so named because it is the centre of South Africa's ostrich industry. After lunch, we learn more about these hardy, enigmatic creatures during a tour of an ostrich farm. We then head underground for a fascinating tour of the Cango Caves, one of South Africa's most incredible natural wonders. (BL)
Day 11 Wed: Cape Town
A day of magnificent vistas. Enjoy the ever-changing passing canvas as we travel to Cape Town. During the whale season we will travel via the seaside village of Hermanus in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the southern right whales, which frolic offshore (July to November only). Out of season we will return to Cape Town along 'Route 62', South Africa's version of America's 'Route 66'. (B)
Day 12 Thu: Cape Peninsula
Today enjoy a full day touring the ruggedly beautiful Cape Peninsula via the Atlantic seaboard. We stop at the fishing village of Hout Bay, where you can opt to take a cruise (own account) to Seal Island to watch the antics of these natural performers. Then we continue to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, before stopping off to see the lovable penguins at Boulders Beach. We drive through the quaint naval village of Simon's Town on our way back to Cape Town. (B)
Day 13 Fri: Cape Winelands
Journey into the beautiful and tranquil Cape Winelands, visiting both Paarl and Stellenbosch before stopping for wine tasting at two well known estates. A visit to the Huguenot Memorial Museum and the Afrikaans Language Monument provides a historical perspective. (B)
Day 14 Sat: Cape Town
Today is at leisure to pursue independent activities. Check out at 12:00noon. Transfer to the airport this evening for your departing flight. (B)
