FULLY ESCORTED TOURING

SOUTH AFRICAN HIGHLIGHTS

12 Days

Cape Town • Oudtshoorn • Knysna • Port Elizabeth • Durban • Zululand • Kruger National Park • Panorama Route • Johannesburg

Highlights

• Enjoy an ostrich farm experience.

•  Discover the Cango Caves with its magnificent dripstone formations of
  stalactites and stalagmites.

• Stroll through the Tsitsikamma National Park, renowned for its age-old trees.

• Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake St Lucia – A World Heritage Site.

• Seek out the ‘Big Five’ in the Kruger National Park.

• View the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window.

Included

Transportation

• Tour in air-conditioned micro-buses.

Professionally Escorted

•  Discover South Africa with our professional Tour Guides.

Accommodation

• Rooms with private facilities, on a twin share basis.

Dining Inclusions

•  11 Breakfasts.

• 3 Lunches.

• 4 Dinners.

Plus

• Hotel porterage included.

•  Kruger National Park Conservation Levy included.

Please Note

• The internal flight between Port Elizabeth and Durban on day 5 is not included.

• Thompsons can assist you in obtaining these flights.

•  Visa conditions apply for Swaziland and passports are required.

• All departures guaranteed in English-German. Please indicate language of preference at time of booking.
   

Day 1: (Tue) Cape Town / Wilderness   (L)

With the last sight of majestic Table Mountain, we wave good-bye to the ‘Mother City’ - Cape Town and head off to Worcester. Driving over the Du Toits Kloof Pass, with stunning views over the Paarl valley, we continue to the town of Robertson. We pass Montagu, a quaint country village and enjoy a wine tasting en route. This is followed by a traditional South African lunch (included) in a typical country restaurant in Barrydale. After lunch, we continue through the little Karoo, traversing the Tradouw Pass. Our journey to the beautiful Wilderness continues, visiting the Diaz Museum in Mossel Bay. Arriving at the village of Wilderness we check in and enjoy a superb dinner [not included] at the hotel or one of the nearby restaurants, located within walking distance.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Wilderness Resort or similar

Day 2: (Wed) Knysna    (BL)

From our hotel in Wilderness, we travel to Knysna to embark on the Featherbed Nature Reserve ferry from the Knysna Waterfront. On arrival we undertake a ‘Unimog’/’tractor’ (tractor driven wagon) ride to the top of the Western Head. If
so wished, a hike can be taken through the indigenous Knysna forest, to the restaurant area where lunch (included)
will be enjoyed. On our return to Knysna, we depart for an interactive elephant experience. You are able to enjoy a very close encounter with these gigantic mammals. After this experience we depart on the scenic drive back to Wilderness for drop off at your hotel.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Wilderness Resort or similar

Day 3: (Thu) Oudtshoorn          (BL)

Our adventure starts by experiencing the views of the Outiniqua Pass toward the Klein Karoo’s capital - Oudtshoorn. Here we visit the Safari Ostrich Ranch where we are given a fun yet informative tour about these strange flightless birds, and their magnificent plumage. After enjoying a sumptuous traditional ostrich lunch (included), we proceed on to the world famous Cango Caves where a guided tour allows you to explore the ancient stalagmites and stalactites. We travel on to the Cango Wildlife Ranch where a fully guided tour takes us around very rare and endangered animals. The day concludes with a scenic drive back into George and onward to Wilderness where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Wilderness Resort or similar

Day 4: (Fri) Tsitsikamma / Port Elizabeth          (B)

Leaving the quaint seaside village of Wilderness we continue via Sedgefield to South Africa’s ‘oyster capital’, Knysna. After a short refreshment stop at Knysna’s East Head, continue via the ‘millionaires playground’ of Plettenberg Bay to the Tsitsikamma Forest area. Attractions here include the Big Tree. Remember to keep an eye out for the rare Knysna loerie. After lunch (not included) at the scenic Storms River Mouth, gaze in awe at the scenery whilst crossing the bridge over the Storms River where photographic opportunities abound. Leaving the Garden Route via the high forests of the Tsitsikamma we arrive in Port Elizabeth for drop off at your hotel.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Marine or similar

Day 5: (Sat) Port Elizabeth / Durban     (B)

Morning at leisure, then transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport for your flight to Durban (not included). Upon your arrival, you will be met and transferred from Durban International Airport to your hotel.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Umhlanga or similar

Day 6: (Sun) Durban     (B)

Optional full day tour of Shakaland. Depart Durban and travel to Eshowe and the authentic Zulu Kraal of Shakaland. Feel the pulsating rhythm of Africa as you re-live the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus. Experience the sight of assegai wielding warriors, share the fascinating secrets of Sangomas and witness traditional customs such as tribal dancing, spear making and the beer making ceremony. Traditional Zulu lunch will be served. For those not taking the tour, enjoy the day at leisure. Please note that this excursion is not included in the package price.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Umhlanga or similar

Day 7: (Mon) St Lucia and the Kingdom of the Zulu’s   (BD)

Leaving Durban, drive through sugar cane plantations along the Indian Ocean seaboard to St Lucia, a World Heritage Site and enjoy a river cruise on the estuary. Here you may see pelicans, fish eagles, hippos and crocodiles. Continue to a Maputaland Game Reserve and enjoy a late afternoon game drive in Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Return to the lodge for a hearty dinner served under the African sky (weather
permitting)

Accommodation: Ubizane Game Reserve or similar

Day 8: (Tue) Swaziland / Hazyview       (BD)

After an early breakfast, leave your lodge and travel via the town of Pongola to enter the Kingdom of Swaziland. Drive via the Lebombo Mountains through north-eastern Swaziland. Leave Swaziland and go via Nelspruit and arrive at your hotel, relax and enjoy a well deserved dinner in the elegant dining room

Accommodation: Casa Dol Sol Hotel or similar

Day 9: (Wed) Kruger National Park        (BD)

After breakfast enter the world famous Kruger National Park established in 1898. This national park spans over two million hectares in unrivalled diversity of flora and fauna. Spend the day looking for the ‘Big Five’, general game and prolific bird life. Exit the park at Orpen Gate and arrive at your private game lodge for afternoon tea. Leave for you evening game drive in an open safari vehicle. Return to the lodge for a diverse array of eclectic cuisine.

Accommodation: Makalali Private Game Reserve or similar (includes 2 game viewing activities)

Day 10: (Thu) Mpumalanga       (BD)

Early morning game drive followed by breakfast. Experience the breathtaking Pano-rama Route featuring the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window and various waterfalls. Continue with a short visit to the historic town of Pilgrim’s Rest, Mac Mac Waterfalls and Sabie. A superb meal complements and completes the day.

Accommodation: Lone Creek River Lodge
(Timber Cottages) or similar

Day 11: (Fri) Johannesburg      (B)

After a hearty breakfast on the verandah overlooking the Sabie River, our journey to Johannesburg begins with a visit to the Lone Creek Waterfalls. Travel over the historical Long Tom Pass to the towns of Lydenburg, Dullstroom and Witbank.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Wanderers or similar

Day 12: (Sat) Johannesburg      (B)

Enjoy a morning tour of Soweto including a fascinating glimpse of bustling neighborhood life, two Nobel Prize winners’ previous residences, the Hector Peterson Memorial and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Return to your hotel by lunch time where you will be collected and transferred to the airport in time for your home bound flight.