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DAY 1
South African Airways overnight flight from
Heathrow to Johannesburg.
DAY 2
On arrival you will be met by a
representative and depart for the
nearby capital, Pretoria, for a city tour en
route to your hotel. The government buildings. and Voortrekker Monument are just two
places of interest visited before a welcome
dinner in the Protea Hotel Waterfront where
you stay overnight.
DAY 3
Journey through Mpumulanga province today,
through the incredibly scenic Panorama
Route including stops at Blyde River Canyon
and God’s Window before arriving at the
Protea Hotel Kruger Gate, just yards from the
world famous Kruger National Park. Dinner
is in the open-air boma (weather permitting).
DAY 4
An early start this morning for a full days
safari in an open safari vehicle exploring
the Kruger Park (breakfast pack included).
English speaking rangers will guide you in
search of the ‘Big 5’ plus possibly cheetah
and wild dog. Lunch (own account) is taken
at one of the park’s rest camps before
more game spotting in the afternoon.
Overnight at Protea Kruger Gate.
DAY 5
After breakfast at the hotel enjoy an
enchanting drive to the tiny Kingdom of
Swaziland where you will visit the Matsama
cultural village, the Ngwenya Glass Works,
capital Mbabane and it’s vibrant markets.
Overnight at Tum’s George Hotel in Manzini.
DAY 6
Visit the Swazi Candle Factory this morning
en route south through Swaziland to
Zululand. A relatively unexplored area of
the country, it has magnificent scenery and
wildlife and is home to South Africa’s oldest
National Park, the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi.
Arrive in Hluhluwe (pronounced ‘shushluway’) in the afternoon and spend
the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at
Bushlands Lodge.
DAY 7
Early morning game drive in open safari
vehicle in the National Park, well known as
one of the best for Rhino spotting. Return
to the hotel for lunch (own account) before
embarking on a boat safari on Lake St
Lucia, a World Heritage site, in the afternoon
where you might spot hippos and plentiful
bird life. Overnight at Bushlands Lodge.
DAY 8
Travel inland today towards the majestic and
historic Drakensberg Mountains. En route
take a battlefield tour including two of the
most famous from the Anglo-Zulu wars –
Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, where the feats
of British Soldiers were immortalised in the
film ‘Zulu’. Overnight at Sandford Park hotel.
DAY 9
Drive approx. 3½ hours south to Durban for
your flight (South African Airlines or similar)
to Port Elizabeth, arriving in the afternoon
where you will transfer to your hotel
overlooking the Indian Ocean. Rest of day
is at leisure. Overnight at Paxton Hotel.
DAY 10
Begin your coastal journey westwards to
Tsitsikamma, a beautiful mountainous
region with secluded valleys and deep
gorges (one home to the world’s highest
bungy jump). An optional walk to the
suspension bridge at the river mouth is
available before continuing to Plettenberg
Bay, stopping at Monkeyland – the world’s
first free roaming multi-species primate
sanctuary. Continue in the afternoon to the famous oyster town of Knysna, nestled
along the shores of the stunning lagoon.
Time permitting embark on an optional
sunset cruise. Overnight at Protea Hotel
Knysna Quays.
DAY 11
After breakfast visit the ostrich capital of
the world, Oudtshoorn, take a tour of a
working ostrich farm and visit the impressive
Cango Caves for a tour of their vast interior.
Overnight at Hlangana Lodge.
DAY 12
The ‘alternative’ Garden Route awaits today,
as you travel along route 62 towards Cape
Town. Regarded as more interesting and
scenic than the coastal motorway, you will
pass through the Breede River Valley and
Klein Karoo, two of South Africa’s most
diverse regions and home to much-underrated
wine estates also. On arrival in Cape Town
the rest of the day is at leisure to explore
the ‘Mother City’s shopping, food and nightlife.
Three nights are spent at the Premier
Cape Manor hotel, just a five minute taxi
from the Victoria and Alfred waterfront.
DAY 13
Explore the famed Cape Peninsula today
on a full day tour, visiting Table Mountain
(including cable car ride to the top –
weather permitting), passing the beaches
of Camps Bay and Llandudno en route to
the pretty harbour of Hout Bay, where you
can take an optional 40 minute cruise to
Seal Island and the chance of spotting a
great white shark (weather permitting).
Continue to the Cape Point Nature Reserve
and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach
before returning to your hotel.
DAY 14
A spot of indulgence today as you enjoy a
full day tour of the beautiful winelands
region. Visit the Hugenot museum in
Franschhoek before stopping at one of the
many fine vineyards for some wine tasting,
then onto Stellenbosch for the chance to
explore the famous and historic university
town. A second wine tasting and cellar tour
follows before returning to Cape Town.
DAY 15
After breakfast use the day to explore the
city at your own pace before your evening
South African Airways flight to Heathrow,
arriving the next day.
MEAL PLAN: Breakfast throughout, plus dinner on
Days 2, 3 and 4.
ESCORTED: Best of South Africa is escorted from
Day 2 to Day 15 by an English speaking guide.
The tour includes:
■ Accommodation in medium class hotels or
lodges. Alternatives to those listed may be used
according to local availability
■ Sightseeing and entrance fees
■ Transport in people carrier on minibus, and
four-wheel drive vehicle in The Kruger
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