South African Explorer
16 days from £2899
Jul 2012 - Nov 2012
Your accommodation
Typical of the hotels we use are the Protea Hotel Victoria Junction in Cape Town, the Protea Riempie Hotel in Oudtshoorn, the Protea Hotel Knysna Quays in Knysna, the Kelway Hotel in Port Elizabeth, the Emdoneni Hotel in Hluhluwe, Forresters Arms in Swaziland, Nkambeni Tented Lodge for Kruger National Park and Protea Hotel Hazyview at Hazyview. All bedrooms feature private facilities and are air-conditioned where appropriate. There will be a restaurant and bar in most locations. Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.
Your itinerary
Day 1: UK/Cape Town
Depart on your overnight scheduled flight to Cape Town.
Day 2: Cape Town
Arrival in Cape Town where there will be a short orientation tour of the city prior to transferring to your hotel for a three night stay. En route to the hotel we will have the opportunity of a cable car ride up to the top of Table Mountain for breathtaking views (weather permitting). Cape Town enjoys an incomparable setting between the sparkling Atlantic Ocean and the majestic backdrop of Table Mountain. A welcome drink will be served on arrival.
Meals: Dinner
Day 3: Winelands
Today there will be a full day optional excursion to the Winelands. This spectacular tour takes you through the vineyard covered valleys with an included wine tasting.
Meals: Breakfast / dinner
Day 4: Cape of Good Hope & Simon’s Town
Today we have an optional full day excursion, including a fantastic drive to the Cape of Good Hope. Visits will be made to Simon’s Town to see the penguins and the splendid Botanical Gardens before returning to Cape Town.
Meals: Breakfast / dinner
Day 5: Oudtshoorn
Depart Cape Town and take the scenic drive to Oudtshoorn for an overnight stay. A stop will be made at Hermanus during the whale season (Sept-Nov).
Meals: Breakfast / dinner
Day 6: Knysna
Today there will be an included sightseeing tour of the area around Oudtshoorn. This includes the spectacular Cango Caves and a guided visit to an ostrich farm. This afternoon continue to Knysna where two nights’ accommodation has been arranged. The Garden Route, stretching eastwards to Port Elizabeth, is one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines with bays and beaches, towering cliffs, mountain ranges, forests and rivers.
Meals: Breakfast / dinner
Day 7: Featherbed Nature Reserve
Included cruise on the Knysna lagoon (weather permitting) – between the beautiful headlands of Knynsa with views back to the town. Free time this afternoon to relax and explore the shops and waterfront at Knysna.
Meals: Breakfast / lunch
Day 8: Port Elizabeth
Continue along the magnificent Garden Route to Plettenberg Bay with its superb beaches. There will also be the chance to walk to the Storm’s River Bridge and see Tsitsikamma Coastal Park. Continue to Port Elizabeth before a short orientation tour and then transferring to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast / dinner
Day 9: Durban
This morning we take a morning flight from Port Elizabeth to Durban before beginning our journey north into Zululand. We arrive at your next lodge in time to take lunch, before an included game drive in the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve, famous for both black and white Rhino, elephant, buffalo, leopard and lion. Inland, the game reserves of Zululand are amongst the most impressive in South Africa. Distinctive ‘beehive’ and rondavel homes dot the landscape. Stay overnight in Hluhluwe.
Meals: Breakfast / dinner
Day 10: Swaziland
Today we cross the border into Swaziland, a small but beautiful country bordered on three sides by South Africa, yet a totally independent and ancient tribal kingdom. One night’s accommodation has been arranged.
Meals: Breakfast / dinner
Day 11: Kruger National Park
This morning you will drive through Swaziland, continuing northwards into South Africa again and drive towards Kruger National Park. Two nights’ accommodation has been arranged at a private game lodge bordering the Park. A late afternoon game drive is included today before returning to the lodge to relax by the open fire. Dinner is included at the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast / dinner
Day 12: Kruger National Park
Situated in Mpumalanga, Kruger National Park is an internationally renowned game reserve. Kruger (roughly the size of Wales) has the greatest variety of animals of any of the African game parks. It boasts 130 species of mammal. You will have a chance to take an optional game drive.
Meals: Breakfast / dinner
Day 13: Hazyview
Enjoy an optional game drive in Kruger National Park before continuing to Hazyview and your lodge. You’ll stay here for two nights with time to relax. This afternoon, take the opportunity to come face to face with an elephant. You’ll be able to touch, feed and take a short ride on one of these gentle giants on this optional excursion.
Meals: Breakfast / dinner
Day 14: Blyde River Canyon
Today you will enjoy some magnificent scenery as you drive into the mountains. You will be able to view Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, with its view over the Low Veld, and Blyde River Canyon.
Meals: Breakfast / dinner
Day 15: Johannesburg/UK
Travel back to Johannesburg airport for your return flight to the UK.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16: UK
Arrival in the UK.
Alternatively, if you'd prefer to book by phone, please call our sales team on 0844 567 8841 and quote tour code SLSA.
Highlights
- Stay in historic, cosmopolitan Cape Town
- Sample the local wines on an optional wine tasting excursion
- Take a game drive to see the fantastic wildlife in Kruger National Park
- Travel along the beautiful ‘Garden Route’ coastline
- Explore the spectacular Cango Caves
- Take in the breathtaking panorama of the Cape Bay from the top of Table Mountain
Holiday ideas
South African Explorer with the Victoria Falls add-on
Jul 2012 - Nov 2012 departures
21 days from £4098
