South Africa - 15 day Fully Escorted Tour - South African Surprise

Johannesburg | Hazyview | Kruger National Park | Swaziland | St Lucia | Durban | Drakensberg | Transkei | East London | Port Elizabeth | Knysna | Oudtshoorn | Cape Town


Escorted Tours An unforgettable 15 days in one of the world's most exciting and diverse countries! This incredible tour takes in the best South Africa has to offer with it's variety, fun and adventure.

Highlights
  • See the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window.
  • Spend a day with the lions and the elephants in the Kruger National Park (in a closed vehicle).
  • Visit a traditional African craft market in the Kingdom of Swaziland.
  • Explore and soak up the atmosphere in the tourist town of St Lucia, situated within the World Heritage Site.
  • Tour the city of Durban, the cultural melting pot of South Africa.
  • Relax or go hiking in the majestic Drakensberg Mountains part of the World Heritage Site.
  • Travel through the Eastern Cape where the British settled in 1820.
  • Get close to mother nature at her best by walking amongst the ancient trees in the Tsitsikamma National Park.
  • Walk (the more adventurous may crawl!) around the famous Cango Caves with their magnifi cent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
  • Ride an ostrich or just enjoy an ostrich farm experience in Oudtshoorn - ‘ostrich capital of the world’.
  • Discover Cape Town and all its splendour.
Itinerary

Day 1: (Sun)    Johannesburg 
Upon arrival you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. You are under own arrangements until 19h00 when we all meet at the hotel reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet up with your fellow travellers. Accommodation: Protea Hotel Waterfront or similar or similar.
 
Day 2: (Mon)   Johannesburg / Hazyview  (BD)
This morning we leave for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. Travel along the circular Panorama Route via Graskop, visiting the view sites of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa; gasp at the glory of God’s Window, with a boundless view of mountains and fertile plains and finally a visit to Bourke’s Luck Potholes before heading to Hazyview. Accommodation: Hippo Hollow or similar.

Day 3: (Tue)   Kruger National Park   (B)
A bright and early start to the day in order to enjoy the wonders of exploring the Kruger National Park in your closed vehicle. Enter the park and keep a lookout for the wonderful fl ora and bird life that abounds. The Kruger National Park is an internationally renowned game reserve of nearly 2 million hectares and supports the largest variety of wildlife species on the African continent. Spend the day in search of game before returning to your hotel. Accommodation:  Hippo Hollow or similar. 

Day 4: (Wed)    Hazyview / Swaziland   (B)
This morning after breakfast, check out and depart on your journey to Swaziland. We proceed south through to Malalane and then onto Swaziland. Visit the famous Ngwenya Glass Factory before arriving at the hotel for overnight stay. Accommodation: Lugogo Sun or similar. 
 
Day 5: (Thu)    Swaziland / St Lucia and surrounds    (B)
This morning we journey through Swaziland into Zululand stopping en route to bargain for curios and souvenirs at the roadside markets. Our journey continues into the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal where ancient traditions and modern cultures of both Zulu and Settler have combined into a vibrant society living in peace and harmony. The World Heritage Site of St Lucia offers the opportunity of sighting many hippos, crocodile and bird life. Accommodation: Protea Hotel St Lucia or similar. 

Optional afternoon sundowner St Lucia Boat Cruise available.

Day 6: (Fri)    St Lucia / Durban    (B)
Guests have the option to lie in or take an optional morning open safari game drive (own account) before heading off later in the morning towards Durban. We visit the Botanic Gardens and continue with a city centre orientation tour before arriving at our hotel late afternoon. Accommodation: Tropicana Hotel or similar.

Optional morning open safari vehicle game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park available.

Day 7: (Sat)    Durban / Drakensberg   (BD)
Today we head into the majestic Southern Drakensberg Mountains. We proceed on a visit to the 300 feet Howick Falls, continuing through the Southern Midlands Meander Route, arriving at our hotel mid afternoon. Your afternoon is at leisure to soak up the surroundings, or go fi shing, hiking and even horse riding in clean mountain air. Accomodation: Drakensberg Gardens Hotel or similar. 

Day 8: (Sun)    Drakensberg / Wild Coast    (BD)
Full day at leisure to soak up the surroundings of the magnificent Southern Drakensberg Mountains. Accommodation: Drakensbreg Gardens Hotel or similar.

Optional 4x4 Adventure tour up Sani Pass into Lesotho available (Passport required).

Day 9: (Mon)    Drakensberg/ East London    (B)
This morning we depart and continue south to East London. En route we first stop at Umtata to visit the area where our most famous citizen, Nelson Mandela, was born and grew up. After visiting the museum dedicated to the life and achievements of this incredible man, we continue and arrive late afternoon in East London, the only river port in Southern Africa. Check in for your overnight accommodation.  Accommodation: The Kennaway Hotel or similar. 

Day 10: (Tue)   Port Elizabeth  (B)
After breakfast, check out and travel through East London for a short orientation tour. Continue through ‘Settler Country’ via Port Alfred towards Grahamstown. Visit the 1820 Settler Memorial before continuing onto Port Elizabeth. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Port Elizabeth’s beaches are magnifi cent and justifiably world famous. Accomodation: The Paxton Hotel or similar

Day 11: (Wed)   Port Elizabeth / Knysna   (BD)
Today our journey continues towards the Cape. Visit the Tsitsikamma Forest, which provides scenic walking opportunities. A short walk to the Storms River Mouth offers some magnifi cent views of the gorge and river below. Arrive in Knysna late afternoon for check in at our hotel, our base for the next 2 nights. Accomodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate or similar

Day 12: (Thu)   Oudtshoorn     (B)
After breakfast, we travel inland over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the ‘feather capital of the world’ because of its ostrich industry. Visit the famous Cango Caves and an Ostrich Farm where you have the opportunity of riding one of these giant birds. Return to Knysna for overnight. Accomodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate or similar

Day 13: (Fri)    Knysna / Cape Town    (B)
Today’s journey ends in Cape Town. On the way we stop off in Mossel Bay to visit the famous Post Office Tree, the Bartholomeus Diaz Museum and Shell Museum. We drive via Swellendam, Worcester and through the Huguenot Tunnel before arriving in Cape Town in the late afternoon. Accomodation: Hollow on the Square or similar

Day 14: (Sat)    Cape Town     (B)
Enjoy a day of leisure in the ‘Mother City’ and a visit to the V&A Waterfront is recommended. Accomodation: Hollow on the Square or similar

Optional full day Winelands or Peninsula tour is available.

Day 15: (Sun)   Cape Town     (B)
This morning after breakfast, check out of the hotel by 11h00 after which the remainder of the day will be under your own arrangements.

 Includes
  • Transportation
    Tour in air-conditioned 7-seater microbuses, 16/18-seater mini-buses or 25/44 seater luxury coaches (the fewer the passengers the smaller the vehicle to be used).
  • Professionally Escorted
    Discover the wonders of South Africa with our enthusiastic, vibrant and professional Tour Guides.
  • Accommodation
    Accommodation is on a twin share basis, and all rooms have private facilities. All accommodation is of a 3 star standard.
  • Dining Inclusions
    14 breakfasts and 5 dinners included.
  • Plus
    Arrival airport transfer included.
    Full day visit to the Kruger National Park.
    Kruger National Park Conservation Levy included.
    Sightseeing/orientation in East London and Port Elizabeth.
    Hotel porterage included.
  • Please Note
    Accommodation check in on Day 1 is from 14h00.
SPECIAL OFFER

SAVE AN ADDITIONAL 15% FROM PRICES SHOWN FOR TOURS DEPARTING* 14 JUNE 2009

 Price & Departures

  Twin Single
South African Surprise
01 November 2008 to 30 April 2009 £1063 £1302
01 May 2009 to 31 August 2009 £1063 £1302
01 September 2009 to 31 October 2009 £1063 £1302


*ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT APPLIES ONLY TO TOUR PRICE, EXCLUDES ANY PRE/POST TOUR EXTENSIONS AND IS NOT VALID ON SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY
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