Touring South Africa          ( WTS13SAE )

13 days / 12 nights
Johannesburg to Cape Town (or Cape Town to Johannesburg)

Staying in upper 3 and 4 star hotels and lodges and travelling in a small group with an expert local guide, see the highlights of South Africa from the cities to the mountains, the game country and coast!

SAFARI ITINERARY

1st Day  – Johannesburg, hotel accommodation 1 night

On arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met and transferred 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 Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia and the suburb of Rosebank.

2nd Day – Mpumalanga, cottages in a lodge garden, 1 night

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 on to the small town of Sabie. Visit the Lone Creek Waterfalls before arriving at your elegant hideaway, timber cottages surrounded by beautiful gardens. Enjoy a dinner that can only be described as a ‘culinary masterpiece’.
Dinner and breakfast
3rd Day – Game Lodge accommodation, 1 night

After breakfast, visit the Mac Mac Waterfalls. Along the Bonnet Pass pay a short visit to the historic town of Pilgrim’s 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 luxury safari hotel in a lush sub-tropical ‘Garden of Eden’ setting. Enter the Kruger National Park for a short introductory game drive in the late afternoon and return to your hotel for an eclectic table d’hôte dinner.
Dinner and breakfast

4th Day  – Game Lodge, 1 night

Early morning game drive in the Kruger National Park. An open safari vehicle is available as an optional extra. Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast in the Kruger National Park followed by further game viewing en route to another private game lodge. Arrive in time for high tea, and late afternoon game viewing in an open safari vehicle with an experienced ranger and tracker. Return to the lodge for dinner where an African feast awaits you.
Dinner and breakfast

5th Day – through Swaziland to Maputaland, lodge accommodation, 1 night

Participate in an early morning game activity. After breakfast depart via the Mananga border post through eastern Swaziland and along the Lebombo Mountains. Leave Swaziland at Golela border post and continue via the town of Pongola to a Maputaland safari lodge, arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner served in the Boma under the African sky (weather permitting).
Dinner and breakfast

6th Day – Umhlanga, Durban Hotel, 2 nights

After an early safari in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve 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, arrive in the bustling city of Durban for drop off at your hotel.
Breakfast

7th Day  – Umhlanga / Durban sightseeing

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 and 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.
Breakfast

8ht Day – Port Elizabeth, coastal hotel, 1 night

Morning at leisure and in time for your flight you will be transferred to Durban International Airport for your flight to Port Elizabeth (not included). On arrival at Port Elizabeth Airport you will be met and transferred to your beachfront hotel.
Breakfast

9th Day – Knysna, Waterfront Hotel, 1 night
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. Stop for a refreshment in the ‘millionaire’s 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.
Dinner & Breakfast

10th Day – Oudtshoorn, Country Lodge, 1 night

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 at a local restaurant famous for its ostrich fare and fine wines.
Dinner and breakfast

11th Day – Cape Town, hotel accommodation for 2 nights

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 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.
Breakfast

12th Day – Touring Cape Town

Full Day Cape Highlights Tour: travelling via Camps Bay, Hout Bay, and Chapman’s Peak to the Cape of Good Hope Reserve. Enjoying stunning views from the highest point and 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.
Breakfast

13th Day – Safari ends in Cape Town

Morning at leisure for last minute shopping at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and when the time comes you will be transferred to Cape Town International Airport for your onward flight.

DATES

Southbound from Johannesburg to Cape Town – from Johannesburg on Saturday

Departures from Cape Town to Johannesburg – from Cape Town on Monday