Your itinerary
1. London to Cape
Town
Your door-to-door driver takes you to London Heathrow for your
non-stop overnight flight to Cape Town with South African
Airways.
2. Cape Town
Reaching Cape Town today enjoy an orientation tour of South
Africa's oldest city and acable car trip up Table Mountain (weather
permitting) for views of the city cradled between Table Mountain,
Lion's Head, Signal Hill and the ocean. Unpack at the Protea Hotel
President (3 diamond) and relax for the rest of the day. Your home
for four nights is just minutes from the Victoria and Alfred
Waterfront.
3. Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula
Your first full day of sightseeing on the Cape Peninsula begins
with a leisurely walk in Kirstenbosch Gardens before a drive around
the Atlantic Seaboard via Hout Bay. Visit the Cape of Good Hope
Nature Reserve and take the funicular to see where the Atlantic and
Indian Oceans meet. Afterwards, head along the Indian Ocean coast
to see the penguins at Boulders Beach and drive through the
historic naval village of Simon's Town. B
4. The
Winelands or Cape Town
Join today's optional tour to the dramatic mountains and
vine-smothered fertile valleys that characterise the Winelands
region (bookable locally): visit Paarl and Stellenbosch, stop for
wine tasting at two well-known estates and see the Huguenot
Memorial and the Afrikaans Language Monument before heading back to
Cape Town. Alternatively, spend the day exploring Cape Town at your
leisure, perhaps taking an oceanfront walk, strolling through
tranquil gardens or visiting the museums and markets. B
5. Cape
Town
Relax with a day at leisure in the 'Mother City' of Africa.
Cultural Cape Town has much to offer including Robben Island prison
where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated, the Two Oceans Aquarium, the
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and elegant shopping malls selling a
vast array of local crafts and luxury items. B
6. Cape
Town to Oudtshoorn
Journey by road over the scenic Sir Lowry's Pass and then on to
the seaside village of Hermanus, famous as a favourite breeding
site of the Southern Right Whale, which you might see at certain
times of the year. Continue along the Swellendam and Tradouw Pass
and join Route 62, heading through the largely undeveloped Klein
Karoo area. Reaching Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of South
Africa, check in at the 3 diamond Queens Hotel for one night. B
7.
Oudtshoorn to Knysna
Explore the vast, cool limestone caverns of Cango Caves and
enjoy a visit to an ostrich farm on your journey today. Continue
along the Outeniqua Mountain Pass towards the coastal town of
Knysna, set beside a shallow lagoon and famous for its oysters.
Make yourself at home at the Protea Hotel Knysna Quays (4 diamond)
for two nights' stay. B L
8.
George, Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe and Knysna
A morning trip to George, whose highlight is the return journey
aboard the famous Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, named after the local
mountain range - relax as the old steam train winds its way through
the most stunning parts of the Garden Route. This afternoon, join
an optional cruise on the Knysna Lagoon or a visit to the
Featherbed Nature Reserve, or spend time at leisure. B
9.
Knysna, Port Elizabeth and Durban
Pass through a diverse landscape en route to Port Elizabeth
today, taking in Plettenberg Bay, the spectacular Tsitsikamma
forests and the dramatic gorge at the mouth of Storm's River. Fly
to Durban this afternoon, for two nights at the 3 diamond Southern
Sun Elangeni (formerly the Holiday Inn) on the beachfront of
Durban's Golden Mile. B
10.
Zululand (KwaZulu Natal)
Combining the former Zululand and Natal, KwaZulu Natal is one of
South Africa's smallest provinces. Explore an ancient native
African heritage, the fascinating Zulu culture, as you journey into
its heart. Enjoy the Zulu Kraal experience with dancing and a
traditional lunch in the village before returning to your hotel
late afternoon. B L
11.
Durban, Johannesburg and Kruger National Park
Fly to Johannesburg then make the five-hour drive to Kruger
National Park, home to a variety of animals, plants, birds and
insects. Relax at a 3 diamond chalet in one of the park's
well-equipped rest camps. B D
12.
Kruger National Park to Lion Sands Private Game
Reserve
An early-morning game drive through Kruger gives you the
opportunity to watch wildlife such as impala, zebra, hippos,
elephants, giraffes, antelopes, cheetahs and lions in their natural
habitats. Later, settle into your luxury thatched chalet at the
Lion Sands Private Game Reserve (4 diamond), bordering Kruger in
the Sabi Sand area, for the next two nights. B L D
13. Lion
Sands Private Game Reserve
Accompanied by a ranger and a tracker, whose knowledge and
training bring out the best in a day like this, start early this
morning for a drive around the reserve in an open-topped 4x4
vehicle, wildlife watching. This evening, head out again for an
extraordinary night drive. B L D
14. Lion
Sands Private Game Reserve to Magaliesburg
Enjoy your last early-morning game drive before setting off on
the scenic journey to Magaliesburg and the 4 diamond Mount Grace
Country House Hotel, a country retreat in the Magaliesburg
Mountains. B
15.
Magaliesburg
Take time today to relax in this beautiful setting, enjoy the
hotel's atmosphere and facilities and think back on all you have
seen on your tour. B
16.
Magaliesburg to Sandton City and flight home
Spend the morning at leisure before journeying to Sandton, with
a short sightseeing stop in Pretoria, for your homeward-bound
flight. Alternatively continue with your extended holiday, perhaps
with a trip to Victoria Falls. B
Travel notes
This is a fairly relaxed tour that allows you plenty of time to
unwind in Cape Town and Magaliesburg. Join an organised tour of
Cape Town, or just take it easy. While there are some long
journeys, the scenery along the way is never less than spectacular.
Along the Garden Route you'll see ostriches, crocodiles, big seas
and empty beaches. Although the journey to the Kruger National Park
is long and the accommodation there quite basic, this is where your
safari really begins.
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