South African Highlights - 12D/11N

Aare River photo by courtesy of South African Tourist BoardA comprehensive tour that ‘highlights’the ‘must-see-and-do’ experiences in South Africa. Journey through an area aplty described as the Garden Route, where age-old indigenous forests brush the sky and charming coastal hamlets hug the coastline. Journey into Zululand, heartland of the Zulu Warrior. Venture further north and into the Kruger National Park, for a safari experience that will create lasting memories. Safari gives way to expansive vistas across the Blyde River Canyon and picture postcard waterfalls. Join us on our ‘highlights’ tour, you will not be dissappointed.

Highlights:

  • Enjoy an ostrich farm experience.
  • Discover the Cango Caves with its magnificient dripstone formations of stalacites and stalagmites.
  • Stroll through the Tsitsikamma National Park, renowned for its age-old trees.
  • Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake St. Lucia - a World Heratige Site.
  • View the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window.
  • Enjoy the waterfalls and vistas of the Blyde River Canyon and Panorama Route.
  • Sample oysters in Knysna, and induge in some retail therapy in this charming arts and crafts town.

Includes: Tour in air-conditioned micro-buses or mini coach; Discover South Africa with our professional Tour Guides; 3- to 4-star standard rooms with private facilities; 11 breakfast, 3 lunches, 4 dinners; hotel porterage; Kruger National Park Conservation Levy

Not Included: All domestic and international airfare and airport taxes. Tips and expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc. Other tours &
meals not mentioned in the program. Travel & Personal accident insurance.

Please Note: The internal flight between Port Elizabeth and Durban on Day 5 is not included. Visa conditions apply for Swaziland and passports are required. All departures guaranteed in English-German. Please indicate language of preference at time of booking.

Itinerary:

  • Day 1: Cape Town / Wilderness Leave Cape Town and head to Worchester. Drive over Du Toits Kloof Pass, through the Paarl valley to the town of Robertson. Pass Montagu and enjoy a wine tasting en route. Followed by a traditional South African lunch in typical country restaurant in Barrydale. Countinue through the little Karoo, traversing the Treadouw Pass. Visit the Diaz Museum in Mossel Bay. Arrive in the village of Wilderness Accomodations at Protea Hotel Wildnerness or similar. (L)
  • Day 2: Knysna Travel to Knysna to embark on the Featherbed Nature reserve ferry from the Knysna waterfront. Take a tour of Western Head on tractor driven wagon. Hike through the Knysna Forest to where lunch will be served. Enjoy an interactive elephant experience upon leaving Knysna. (B,L)
  • Day 3: Oudtshroon Start on Outeniqua Pass travelling towards the Klein Karoo’s capital, Oudtshroon. Visit an ostrich farm. Enjoy a traditional ostrich lunch. Proceed to Cango Caves for guided tour. Travel to Cango Wildlife Ranch where guide shows rare and endangered animals. Returns to Wildenrness via scenic drive through George. (B,L)
  • Day 4: Tsitsikamma / Port Elizabeth Continue via Sedgefield to South Africa’s ‘oyster capital’, Knysna. Refreshment at East Head. Continue via Plettenberg Bay to the Tsitsikamma Forest area. Visit the scenic Storms River Mouth. Leaving Garden Route via forests of the Tsitsikamma to arrive in Port Elizabeth. Accomodations at Protea Hotel Marine or similar. (B)
  • Day 5: Port Elizabeth / Durban Morning at leisure. Transferred to Port Elizabeth airport for flight to Durban (NOT included). Upon arrival in Durban, transfer to Protea Hotel Umhlanga or similar. (B)
  • Day 6: Durban Optional full day tour of Shakaland. Depart Durban and travel to Shakaland and have a cultural experience of the Zulu’s. Those not participating in the tour enjoy a day at leisure in Durban. *Note: excursion is not included in the total tour package price. (B)
  • Day 7: St. Lucia and the Kingdom of the Zulu’s Leaving Durban, drive along the Indian Ocean seaboard to St. Lucia, a World Heratige Site and enjoy a river cruise, where you may see pelicans, fish eagles, hippos, and crocodiles. Continue to a Maputaland Game Reserve and enjoy a late afternoon game drive in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Return to the Ubizane Game Reserve or similar for overnight. (B,D)
  • Day 8: Swaziland / Hazyview Travel via the town of Pongola to enter the Kingdom of Swaziland. Drive via the Lebombo Mountains through Swaziland. Arrive at Casa Dol Sol Hotel or similar. (B,D)
  • Day 9: Kruger National Park Enter the Kruger National Park and spend the day looking for the ‘Big 5′, general game, and bird life. Exit Park at Orpen Gate and arrive at Makalali Private Game Reserve or similar for overnight. (B,D)
  • Day 10: Mpumalanga Early morning game drive followed by breakfast. Experience Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, and various waterfalls. Short visit to Pilgrim’s Rest, Mac Mac Waterfalls, and Sabie. Accomodation at Lone Creek River Lodge (Timber Cottages) or similar. (B,D)
  • Day 11: Johannesburg After breakfast overlooking the Sabie Rive, continue to Johannesburg via Lone Creek Waterfalls, Long Tom Pass, and towns of Lydenburg, Dullstroom, and Witbank. Accomodation at Protea Hotel Wanderers or similar. (B)
  • Day 12: Johannesburg Morning tour of Soweto. Return to hotel by lunchtime for transfer to airport. (B)

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    Also tagged with: Adventure Expeditions, Escorted Journeys, Africa, South Africa, Swaziland, Educational, Shopping, Cultural, Nature / Ecology, Game Lodge, Join-In Tour, Hosted Tours, Photography


    Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs

    Insure My Trip We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.