Experience South Africa

Itinerary

17-Day Itinerary

• Day 1

  Fly overnight to Johannesburg.

• Day 2 - 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. Later, we will all meet at the hotel reception for a briefing on the tour and have chance to meet up with your fellow travellers.

• Day 3 - Johannesburg – Mpumalanga

  This morning, we leave for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld.

  We travel along the circular Panorama Route via Graskop, visiting the view sites of the Blyde River Canyon, home to the Three Rondavels, and 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, we visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes before heading to our accommodation.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 4 - Mpumalanga

  Enjoy an early morning game drive in a closed vehicle. Start the day with the 'Big Five' (rhino, buffalo, lions, leopards and elephants), 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 will be provided today.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 5 - Mpumalanga – Eswatini (Swaziland)

  This morning after breakfast, we check out and depart on our journey to Eswatini (Swaziland), an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience introduces us to the charming people of Eswatini and their traditions.

  Later, we head south to our hotel, nestled in the mountainous peaks of Eswatini (Swaziland) for an overnight stay.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 6 - Eswatini (Swaziland) – St Lucia and Surrounds

  This morning, we journey through Eswatini (Swaziland), visiting Ngwenya Glass, where a small group of Eswatini craftsmen and women create beautiful handmade items from recycled glass. Our next stop is The Swazi Candles Centre where you will experience local artisans creating colourful, handmade candles. 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 in the late afternoon for your overnight stay.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 7 - St Lucia and Surrounds – Durban

  Today, you have the opportunity to take an optional open-vehicle game drive in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve before heading off to Durban. An orientation tour of Durban, that travels along the Golden Mile, the beachfront promenade, The Point Waterfront and harbour, introduces us to this multicultural, vibrant seaside city. The tour concludes with a visit to the Durban Botanic Gardens before arriving at our hotel late afternoon.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 8 - Durban – Drakensberg

  Today, enjoy a leisurely breakfast or perhaps take an early morning cab ride to the bustling Umhlanga Beach for a stroll along the promenade mile; it buzzes with energy as surfers, joggers and cyclists take to this seaside playground.

  We then head to the majestic Southern Drakensberg Mountains. We proceed on a visit to the 300ft high Howick Falls, continuing through the southern Midlands Meander route and arriving at our hotel mid-afternoon.

  Your afternoon is at leisure to soak up the surroundings! Go fishing, hiking or even horse riding and enjoy the fresh mountain air (all at own cost).

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 9 - Drakensberg

  Enjoy a full day at leisure to soak up the surroundings of the magnificent Southern Drakensberg Mountains. There are also many leisure activities at the resort.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 10 - 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 (at own cost) outside the capital of Mthata.

  We travel past Nelson Mandela’s birth place and house, arriving late afternoon at our accommodation in Chinsta East, on the beautiful, unspoilt Eastern Cape coast.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 11 - Eastern Cape Coast – Tsitsikamma

  We awake to the sounds of crashing waves and have the morning at leisure to unwind with beach sand between our toes. The beach stretches uninterrupted for many kilometres, and the thick indigenous beach forest is a haven for an amazing variety of bird life.

  This afternoon we set off heading south to the Tsitsikamma Forest area.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 12 - Tsitsikamma – Knysna

  Today, our journey continues towards the Cape. We visit the Tsitsikamma Forest, which provides incredibly scenic walking opportunities. A short walk to the Storms River Mouth offers magnificent views of the gorge and river below.

  We arrive in Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, in the late afternoon to check in to our hotel.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 13 - Knysna – Oudtshoorn

  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 spectacular caves with their magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites.

  We stay overnight in the Oudtshoorn area.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 14 - Oudtshoorn – Cape Town

  Today’s journey travels along the famous Route 62 and through Little Karoo, ending in Cape Town. On the way, we stop off to sample top quality port style wines in Calitzdorp, before continuing via Worcester and the Huguenot Tunnel, arriving in Cape Town in the late afternoon.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 15 - Cape Town

  Enjoy a full day at leisure in Cape Town. Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafes, and restaurants as well as colourful craft markets. Alternatively relax on one of Cape Town's pristine beaches.

  Overnight in Cape Town.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 16 - Cape Town

  This morning after breakfast, check out of the hotel by 11:00 hrs. The remainder of the day will be at leisure until your transfer to Cape Town International Airport.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 17

  Arrive in the UK.

Accommodation

You will stay in standard rooms at 3 or 4-star hotels throughout your holiday in the hotels listed below, or similar.

You will stay for one night at the Protea Hotel or Tambo, two nights at the Hippo Hollow Country Estate, one night at the Piggs Peak Hotel, one night at the Anew Hotel Hluhluwe, one night at the Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge.

You will then stay for two nights at the Drakensberg Gardens Hotel, one night at the Crawford’s Beach Lodge, one night at the Tsitsikamma Village Inn, one night at the Premier Hotel The Moorings, one night at the Protea Hotel Riempie Estate, and two nights at the Sunsquare Cape Town Gardens.