Itinerary

Day 1

Our first day on tour takes us from Johannesburg via Middelburg, Dullstroom and Lydenburg to Pilgrim�s Rest, the early gold mining town turned into a living museum. Rich deposits of alluvial gold were found here at the end of the 19th century, hence the existence of the town deep in the mountains. We continue to Sabie and overnight in the Lone Creek River Lodge..

Day 2

We visit Lone Creek Falls and travel via Graskop to marvel at scenic areas such as God�s Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon, and some of the spectacular waterfalls in the area. Finally we descend to the Lowveld via Abel Erasmus pass and the Strijdom Tunnel to arrive at Mohlabetsi in the Balule private game reserve. This afternoon our encounter with Africa's wildlife begins as we travel on an open vehicle to search for the game. Enjoy a great dinner under the stars tonight (weather permitting). Overnight at Mohlabetsi.

Day 3

After an early morning hike, searching for the wild on foot, and breakfast we enter the Kruger National Park and spend the rest of day in this magnificent reserve around 2 million ha in extent. We overnight in the reserve in one of the camps.

Day 4

We rise early for a game drive and return for breakfast in the camp. We spend the rest of the morning in the reserve and depart in the afternoon for the mountain Kingdom of Swaziland. We visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory, and travel via Mbabane, the capital city of Swaziland, to Foresters Arms, our hotel in the mountains at Mhlambanyatsi..

Day 5

We visit the well-known Swazi Candles factory and the big arts and crafts market in the Ezulwini Valley and drive past the National Stadium and the parliament buildings on our way to Manzini, the country's industrial centre. We drive further past Big Bend with the country's largest sugar plantations to the South African border. We continue to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park game reserve and arrive late afternoon at our overnight stop - Hilltop Camp. Here we join a late afternoon/early night game drive on open safari vehicles equipped with high powered spotlights to search for the shy nocturnal animals.

Day 6

After an early breakfast we do our final game drive before travelling to the village of St Lucia. Here we join a boat cruise on the famous Lake St Lucia, a paradise with bird species such as fish eagle, Goliath heron and many more. Your guide will show you the world of the hippo and the crocodile and the other mystic inhabitants of the "deep". After this unforgettable experience we travel to Durban, South Africa�s holiday mecca.

Day 7

Durban is an intriguing cultural blend of East, West and Africa, which with its endless summer climate, effervescent and lukewarm ocean lined with golden beaches, offers a subtropical carnival atmosphere all year round. Our tour of this bustling metropolis boasting the busiest port in Africa and often called the cultural 'melting pot' of South Africa, includes a drive past the so-called Apartheid Beaches, the Golden Mile, the impressive developments at the new Point Waterfront area, and the city centre. We stop at the Indian Market where you can bargain for souvenirs and spices. Our last visit is to the Botanical Gardens. You have the option of being dropped off at the end of the tour at the Ushaka Marine world with its world-class aquarium, and many shops and restaurants. Return to your hotel with our bus or spend the rest of the afternoon here and take a taxi back to the hotel.

Day 8

An early transfer to the local airport for a flight to Port Elizabeth where this leg of our tour begins.
Depart Port Elizabeth at 09h00. Our first stop is Storms River with the impressive Paul Sauer Bridge across the valley towering some 139 metres above the river. We visit the Tsitsikamma National Park (Khoisan for 'The place of much water') stretching over 100 kilometres of wild and rocky coastline characterised by massive cliffs, narrow isolated beaches and shady indigenous forests along the river valleys. Then we traverse through magnificently scenic river valley passes to Plettenberg Bay for a short visit. Continue to Knysna. We join a sundowner cruise on the lagoon. Overnight at Fish Eagle Lodge or similar.

Day 9

Spend the morning in Knysna visiting the �Heads� etc. Knysna also offers shopping opportunities of unusual locally made art and craft, etc. This afternoon we board the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe Train, an antique steam train, to George, a unique way to experience some of the most magical views on the Garden Route and Wilderness National Park.
We travel over the Outeniqua Mountains to the Little Karoo and stay at luxury guest lodge on a working ostrich farm. Overnight La Plume Guest Lodge.
Spend the morning in Knysna visiting the �Heads� etc. Knysna also offers shopping opportunities of unusual locally made art and craft, etc. This afternoon we board the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe Train, an antique steam train, to George, a unique way to experience some of the most magical views on the Garden Route and Wilderness National Park.
We travel over the Outeniqua Mountains to the Little Karoo and stay at luxury guest lodge on a working ostrich farm. Overnight La Plume Guest Lodge.

Day 10

We visit an Ostrich Show Farm for some unique experiences including ostrich racing. A ride on a back of an ostrich is not for the fainthearted. We visit the Cango Caves, regarded as one of South Africa's foremost natural wonders. The fascinating calcite caves comprises an underground wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites. Visit Oudtshoorn, also called the "Feather Capital" of the world, as over ninety percent of the world's ostrich farms are found here. Continue to Mossel Bay for overnight.

Day 11

We visit arguably the oldest post office in Africa, the Post Office Tree and the site of the first landfall, made by the Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Dias in 1488. Continue to Hermanus, the best place in the World to spot Whales from land � (July to Dec). After lunch depart for Cape Town via the beautiful coastal route between Hermanus and Gordonï's Bay, arriving late afternoon.

Day 12

Cape Town, Tavern of the Seas, with the majestic Table Mountain as a backdrop, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. An electric mix of architectural styles, cobble stone streets and cultural diversity enhance the cosmopolitan ambience. Some of the highlights we visit are Signal Hill, Malay Quarters, Castle of Good Hope, Companies Gardens and Government Avenue, House of Parliament, S.A. Museum and final drive to Milnerton for a full view of Table Mountain with the city in its lap.
The afternoon is at your leisure to explore the city yourself.

Day 13

Dominated by Indigo Mountains, the Cape wine routes are immensely popular throughout the year. The wine lands provide wonderful opportunities for wine lovers to sample some noble vintages and explore exquisitely furnished Cape Dutch Manor Houses.
Highlights of this tour include Paarl with its rich history of wine making and the role it played in the development of the Afrikaans language, Franschhoek Valley where French settlers settled after fleeing persecution in France in the late 17th century, We visit some of this area�s most famous wine estates.
We spend time in Stellenbosch with its many historic buildings and some unique shopping opportunities. A great tour to sample some of South Africa�s best wine!

Day 14

The Cape Peninsula forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom and more indigenous plant species per square meter are found here than anywhere else on earth. Both coastlines of the Peninsula have more than a hundred beaches with dazzling white sands to choose from and this tour offers magnificent viewpoints to some of them.
On this round-trip of the Peninsula we visit the following highlights:
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens with over four thousand species of indigenous plants of which some 2 600 are endemic to the Peninsula.
Groot Constantia the oldest winemaking Estate in South Africa.
Muizenberg with its magnificent 35 km stretch of beaches, Simon's Town where the South African Navy is based and Boulders Beach for the unique encounter with Cape Jackass Penguins � never shy to perform!
We take a walk (funicular ride optional) to the top of Cape Point in the fynbos rich Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve at the most Southern point of the Table Mountain National Park
Our route back to Cape Town take us via a spectacular scenic drive over Chapman's Peak (this road is sometimes closed) and the quaint Village of Hout Bay, after some tourist shopping or an optional and time permitting short boat trip to the Seal Island, we return via Camps Bay to the city late afternoon, after an eventful day.

Day 15

After breakfast, we collect you for your return flight.
End of our services

Extra Information

Inclusions -

accommodation, breakfasts, dinners while on tour, entrances mentioned, conservation fees

Exclusions -

lunches, dinners in Durban and Cape Town, anything mentioned as optional

Extras -

This tour is an excellent way to explore South Africa's most popular and beautiful areas in two weeks - and in affordable luxury!

Days before and after the tour can be added or you may remove days in Cape Town.

Family or small group discounts available.

Please let us know your requirements.