SILVER CLASS SOUTH AFRICAN EXPLORER – 14 Days Southbound
Tour Information:
- Days: 14 Days and 13 Nights
- Min/Max Participants: Vehicle of appropriate size as per individual tours
- Departure: Sunday – OR Tambo International by arrangement
- Accommodation: Upper 3 star hotels and private lodges
- Vehicle: Luxury Sedan / Luxury Microbus / Luxury Mini Coach
- Flights: Flights are required between Durban and Port Elizabeth, which are not included in the cost. We can assist with flights where required.
- Driver/Guide: Services of THETA registered driver/guide throughout tour. Game drives with experienced rangers
- Languages Available: English – German. Various language guides available on request
- Visa/Passport: Multiple entry visas for South Africa where applicable. For Swaziland entry, passport and visa conditions apply.
Highlights at a Glance:
Johannesburg • Mpumalanga • Panorama Route • Kruger National Park • Swaziland • Hluhluwe Game Reserve • iSimangaliso Wetland Park • Shakaland • Durban • Port Elizabeth • Garden Route • Cape Town • Cape Peninsula
Added Value – Touring Documentation Pack • VIP Card • Vodafone Mobile Phone Rental
ITINERARY
Day 1:
On arrival in Johannesburg, your expert guide will meet and transfer you to your hotel (private basis). Embark on a half day city tour of Johannesburg. Highlights of this half day tour include: Johannesburg city sightseeing, Nelson Mandela Bridge, Newtown and Constitution Hill. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Crowne Plaza Rosebank or similar – Bed and Breakfast basis
Day 2: Mpumalanga – Dullstroom – Lydenburg – Sabie
Depart Johannesburg and travel to Mpumalanga, (‘Place where the Sun rises’). Today’s route takes us via the historic towns of Witbank, Dullstroom and Lydenburg. Continue along the Long Tom Pass to the quaint town of Sabie. Visit the Lone Creek Waterfalls before arriving at your elegant hideaway.
Lone Creek River Lodge (Timber Cottages) or similar – bed and breakfast basis
Day 3: Kruger National Park
After an early morning breakfast, enter the world famous Kruger National Park, unrivalled for its diversity of flora, fauna and bird life, seeking the Big Five. Leave the park and continue to your private game lodge. Arrive in time for afternoon tea, followed by an evening game drive in an open safari vehicle. Return to the lodge for dinner under the stars (weather permitting).
Makalali Private Game Reserve or similar – Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis + 2 game viewing activities
Day 4: Panorama Route
After an early morning bush walk or game drive and breakfast leave the lodge and travel via the Panorama Route featuring the Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window and Mac Mac Waterfalls. Arrive at your overnight destination late afternoon.
Casa do Sol – Bed and Breakfast basis
Day 5: Kingdom of Swaziland – Ubizane Game Reserve
After breakfast enter the Kruger National Park. Exit the park and travel to the Kingdom of Swaziland. The scenic drive winds through the Lebombo Mountains, Mbabane, Manzini and sugar cane areas of Big Bend. Re-enter South Africa near the town of Mkuze and proceed to your hotel in the town of Hluhluwe.
Protea Hotel Hluhluwe or similar – Bed and Breakfast basis
Day 6: Hluhluwe Game Reserve – St.Lucia – Durban
Early morning breakfast followed by a game drive in the closed vehicle in Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Visit iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site (previously known as The Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park). Enjoy a river cruise on the estuary. Highlights include prolific wetlands bird life, fish eagles, hippo and crocodiles. Continue south along Indian Ocean coastline, arriving in the bustling city of Durban during the late afternoon. Drop off at your hotel in Durban.
Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge or similar – Bed and Breakfast basis
Day 7: Durban
Depart Durban and travel to Eshowe, as well as the authentic Zulu Kraal of Shakaland. 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. Please note that this excursion is not included in the package price. For those not taking the tour, enjoy the day at leisure in Durban.
Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge or similar – Bed and Breakfast basis
Day 8: Durban – Port Elizabeth
Morning at leisure. Semi-private transfer to King Shaka International Airport for your flight to Port Elizabeth (flight not included, can be booked by Flight Zone). On arrival at Port Elizabeth Airport, semi-private transfer to your beachfront hotel.
Protea Hotel Marine or similar – Bed and Breakfast basis
Day 9: Tsitsikamma – Wilderness
Departing Port Elizabeth, explore the Garden Route. Attractions include the Tsitsikamma Forest area (home to the Knysna Loerie), where photographic opportunities abound. The daring might attempt the suspension bridge spanning the spectacular Storms River. After lunch (not included) continue to the quaint seaside area of Knysna, also known as the Oyster Capital of South Africa. Dinner (not included) is available at one of the nearby restaurants at the Waterfront.
Protea Hotel Knysna Quays or similar – Bed and Breakfast basis
Day 10: Plettenberg Bay – Ocean Safari – Monkeyland – Birds Of Eden
TIGK TOUR – Nature’s Beauty and Nostalgia – After breakfast you take a walk to the Knysna Waterfront and embark on the Featherbed Nature Reserve ferry. On arrival we take a ‘Unimog’ (tractor driven wagon) ride to the top of the Western Head. An optional hike can be taken through the indigenous Knysna forest to the restaurant area where lunch (not included) is served. Upon returning to Knysna, enjoy an interactive elephant experience. Return to the hotel via a scenic sightseeing drive in the late afternoon. Dinner (not included) is available at one of the many restaurants at the Waterfront.
Protea Hotel Knysna Quays or similar – Bed and Breakfast basis
Day 11: Ostrich Farm – Cango Caves – Cango Wildlife Ranch
TIGO TOUR – Klein Karoo Kaleidoscope – Experience the stunning views of the Outeniqua Pass as we travel towards the Klein Karoo’s capital – Oudtshoorn. Here we visit the Safari Ostrich Ranch for a guided tour and traditional ostrich lunch (not included). After lunch, visit the Cango Caves, where a guided tour allows us to explore the ancient stalagmites and stalactites. En route back to Knysna, visit endangered animals at the Cango Wildlife Ranch. Dinner (not included) is available at one of the many restaurants at the Waterfront
Protea Hotel Knysna Quays or similar – Bed and Breakfast basis
Day 12: Mossel Bay – Route 62 – Wine Tasting – Cape Town
After breakfast, your journey to Cape Town begins, visiting the Diaz Museum in Mossel Bay and then passing Barrydale. Enjoy a wine tasting and typical South African lunch (not included). Continue through the Little Karoo to Montagu, Robertson and Worcester. The adventure ends with drop-off at your hotel in Cape Town.
Protea Hotel Fire and Ice! or similar – Bed and Breakfast basis
Day 13: Cape Peninsula – Cape Point – Chapman’s Peak -Simonstown – Winelands
Full day Cape Highlights tour (English Only). This full day tour includes| Camps Bay; Hout Bay; Chapman’s Peak (subject to the road being open); the Cape of Good Hope Reserve; Simonstown; Muizenberg; one wine tasting of South African wines at a local wine estate; the University town of Stellenbosch..
Protea Hotel Fire and Ice! or similar – Bed and Breakfast basis
Day 14: Cape Town
Private transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your homebound flight.