WELCOME 2 AFRICA - SOUTH AFRICA TOURS!

THE SOUTH AFRICAN EXPLORER
13 DAYS/12 NIGHTS - JOHANNESBURG TO CAPE TOWN OR V.V.

Day 1
On arrival in Johannesburg you will be met by your expert guide, who will privately transfer you to your hotel. Half day Johannesburg city tour including the downtown historical buildings and the arty suburb of Melville. Return to your hotel via the Emmarentia Gardens and Rosebank.
Protea Hotel Wanderers or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 2
Depart from Johannesburg and travel to the 'Province of the Rising Sun', Mpumalanga, via the historic towns of Witbank, Dullstroom and Lydenburg. Travel over the famous Long Tom Pass onto the small town of Sabie. Visit the Lone Creek waterfalls before arriving at your elegant hideaway. Enjoy a delectable dinner that can only be described as a 'culinary masterpiece'.
Lone Creek River Lodge (Timber Cottages) or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Day 3
After breakfast, visit the Mac Mac waterfalls. Along the Bonnet Pass pay a short visit to the historic town of Pilgrims Rest, where the richest alluvial gold deposits in South Africa were discovered in 1873. Continue exploring the Panorama Route featuring: the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God's Window and various waterfalls. Travelling over Kowyn’s Pass to the Hazyview area, arrive at your night stop. Enter the Kruger National Park for a short introductory game drive in the late afternoon and return to the hotel for dinner under the stars in a traditional African Boma (weather permitting).
Protea Hotel Kruger Gate or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis including 2 game viewing activities

Day 4
Early morning game drive in the Kruger National Park. An open safari vehicle is available as an optional extra and at a surcharge. Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast before returning to the Kruger Park for further game viewing en route to the private game lodge. Arrive in time for high tea and late afternoon game viewing in an open safari vehicle with an experienced ranger & tracker. Return to the lodge for dinner where an African feast awaits you.
Bongani Mountain Lodge or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis including 1 game viewing activity

Day 5
An early morning bush walk or game drive (optional). After breakfast depart via Jeppe’s Reef through Eastern Swaziland and along the Lebombo Mountains. Leave Swaziland at Golela border post and continue via the town of Pongola to a Maputaland game lodge in the late afternoon. Dinner served under the African sky (weather permitting).
Ubizane Tree Lodge or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis including 2 game viewing activities

Day 6
After an early safari and breakfast, visit St Lucia, a World Heritage Site, and enjoy a river cruise on the estuary. Here you may see pelicans, fish eagles, hippo and crocodiles. After driving through sugar cane plantations along the Indian Ocean seaboard, you arrive in the bustling city of Durban.
Protea Hotel Umhlanga or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 7
Optional extra 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 Zulu’s. Experience the sight of assegaai - 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.
Protea Hotel Umhlanga or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 8
Morning at leisure. Semi-private transfer to Durban International Airport for your flight to Port Elizabeth (not included). On arrival at Port Elizabeth Airport, semi-private transfer to your beachfront hotel. Protea Hotel Marine - Port Elizabeth or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 9
Departing Port Elizabeth, enter the Garden Route via the high forests of the Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Bloukrans and Groot River passes. Attractions to be visited through the Tsitsikamma Forest area include the Big Tree and the Garden of Eden. Gaze in awe at the scenery whilst crossing the bridge over the Storms River where photographic opportunities abound. After a short refreshment stop in the 'millionaires' playground' of Plettenberg Bay reach South Africa’s 'oyster capital', Knysna. After checking into your waterfront hotel, you have sufficient time to enjoy a sunset cruise on the lagoon (optional extra) or a simple stroll through the village and Waterfront. Enjoy a superb dinner at a local restaurant on the Waterfront.
Protea Hotel Knysna Quays or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Day 10
Start the day with a scenic drive through Wilderness via Dolphin Point to historical Mossel Bay. Send a postcard to friends or relatives from the famous Post Office Tree before visiting the Diaz and Maritime museums with relics of famous explorers. Continue over the Robinson Pass to Oudtshoorn. Visit a local Ostrich farm before checking into your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is spent visiting the Cango Caves for a fully guided tour. Time permitting, an optional extra tour of the Crocodile and Cheetah Park is available. After returning to the hotel, enjoy a hearty dinner in the elegant dining room famous for its Ostrich fare and fine wines.
De Opstal Country Lodge or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Day 11
After an early breakfast, our journey to Cape Town begins. Leaving the Klein Karoo, visit the towns of Calitzdorp and Barrydale as the true diversity of landscapes is highlighted through the the ever-changing semi-desert areas. Over the folded sandstone mountains of the Huis River and Tradouw Passes, arrive at the charming town of Swellendam. After travelling the plateau of expansive apple orchards in and around Grabouw our day ends with the first glimpse of Table Mountain from the top of Sir Lowry's Pass.
Holiday Inn Cape Town Waterfront or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 12
Full Day Cape Highlights Tour: travelling via Camps Bay, Hout Bay, and Chapman's Peak to the Cape of Good Hope Reserve. After enjoying stunning views from the highest point, continue towards Simonstown and Muizenberg. After lunch (not included), sample some South African wines at a local wine estate. Travel through the University town of Stellenbosch before returning to the hotel in the early evening. Please note: the drive along Chapman's Peak is subject to the road being open.
Holiday Inn Cape Town Waterfront or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 13
Morning at leisure for last minute shopping at the Victoria & Alfred
Waterfront. Private transfer to Cape Town International Airport.

PRICES FROM 1ST OF DECEMBER 04 TO 30TH OF NOVEMBER 05:

Price per person sharing: R19635
Single supplement: R 5435
Departure: Saturday
Note: The tour can also be operated in the opposite direction departing Cape Town on Mondays