South African Essentials
16 Day Tour

Price Per person double occupancy

Dates
Request a quote or call 800-322-0788 for more information.

Price Includes: 15 nights at 3 & 4 star hotels and game lodges (as listed or similar), sightseeing and entrance fees as listed in itinerary, all ground transportation, bilingual English/German speaking guide, 15 breakfasts, 4 dinners.

Not Included: International and domestic airfare (call for a quote), airport transfers (can be added at an extra cost), gratuities to guide/drivers, hotel porterage, optional tours, 16 lunches, 11 dinners, optional travel insurance.

Deposit Required: $300 per person will reserve your place. A $100 service fee will be charged for cancellation at any time in addition to our normal payment and cancellation policy.

Day 1: DAY OF ARRIVAL (±30km)

Dumela! Welcome to Johannesburg, Egoli, Place of Gold, where more than 40% of the world’s gold has been mined since the 1800’s. Johannesburg is one of the fifty largest metropolitan areas in the world and is also the world’s largest landlocked city. Today you will be at leisure or alternatively take an optional guided Johannesburg City half day tour (own account and excluding lunch). Share highlights of our City of Gold and its great historic and modern significance bridged by Nelson Mandela, joining two cultures and erecting the pillars of our Constitution. Return to your hotel late afternoon, where you will be met by your tourist guide for a tour briefing at 18h30. Tonight enjoy dinner (own account) at your hotel, Crowne Plaza – The Rosebank Hotel, or similar. Crowne Plaza – The Rosebank Hotel or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 2: JOHANNESBURG to OHRIGSTAD via DULLSTROOM (±365km)

Your tour today starts from your hotel where you will be collected by our professional tourist guide. We then head east to the rich poetic expanses of Mpumalanga, place where the sun rises, via Dullstroom to Ohrigstad. Enjoy lunch (own account) in the picturesque village of Dullstroom, renowned for its trout fly-fishing and natural beauty. We then venture further into the sub-tropical Lowveld passing Mashishing (Lydenburg) to our destination, Hannah Game Lodge, or similar, near Ohrigstad. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks (own account) before tucking into dinner (own account) in this idyllic bushveld setting. Hannah Game Lodge or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 3: OHRIGSTAD to HAZYVIEW via PANORAMA ROUTE (±190km)

This morning you will be taken on an optional nature drive (own account) on the reserve. On this nature drive, expect to see plains game such as the rare Sable, oryx, giraffe, zebra and serval. Leaving Ohrigstad you will travel through the Panorama Route along the Blyde River Canyon to Graskop. The awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon is the largest green canyon in the world and is the start of today’s trip along the beautiful Panorama Route. This route also includes: The Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Wonder View, the highest viewpoint on this route, and Mac Mac Falls. These are some of the country’s most beautiful views and cherished natural marvels. We stop for lunch (own account) in South Africa's first mining village, Pilgrim's Rest. A National Monument and open air museum, Pilgrim's Rest offers you a glimpse into the gold rush days of old. We arrive in the late afternoon at Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort, your overnight accommodation, on the fringes of Hazyview. Relax before easing into a leisurely dinner at the hotel. Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast

Day 4: FULL DAY IN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Leaving the hotel after an early breakfast we travel to the iconic Kruger National Park. Enjoy a guided closed vehicle game drive prowling the bushveld looking for the Big Five, their friends and natural enemies, inside the legendary Kruger National Park, a place where elephants always have the right of way. The Kruger National Park covers 19,485km² and runs 360km from north to south. It supports a staggering variety of fauna and flora including 147 mammals and 507 birds species, some rare and indigenous to the area. Staying inside the park, fill up on lunch (own account) while enjoying the wild scenery at one of the park’s rest camps, before continuing on your bush adventure. We exit the Kruger National Park and head back to the hotel to freshen up and enjoy pre-dinner drinks (own account) before tucking into dinner. Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast

Optional full day safari in an Open Safari Vehicle available (own account and excluding lunch)

Day 5: HAZYVIEW to HLUHLUWE via SWAZILAND (±470km)

Departing the hotel after an early breakfast, we travel east on the N4, with a comfort stop in the Malelane area, before entering the warm and welcoming Kingdom of Swaziland at Mangana Border post. Swaziland is a beautiful and culturally rich country. We drive through 1000 year old hardwood vegetation and shallower pans of the Hlane Royal National Park. Hlane is the Kingdom's largest protected area and together with its neighbouring parks, makes up the vast bushveld expanse known as the Lubombo Conservancy. We stop for lunch (own account) at Nisela Safari Lodge. Exiting Swaziland at Lavumisa Border post, we enter the sub-tropical Zulu Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa and make our way to Hluhluwe. We arrive towards early evening in time for dinner (own account) at Bonamanzi Game Park, this evening's accommodation. Bonamanzi Game Park or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 6: HLUHLUWE to DURBAN via ST LUCIA (±340km)

Wake up charmed in this piece of paradise on the Elephant Coast. Today sees us travelling to Durban via Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park and St. Lucia. Enjoy an early morning breakfast before being whisked away on a closed vehicle game drive in the nearby Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park. Historically, the hunting grounds of Zulu Kings such as Dingiswayo and Shaka, Hluhluwe and Umfolozi became the first game reserves in Africa and are the only area in KwaZulu-Natal where the Big Five can be found. The second part of our morning takes us to St. Lucia, the only town in South Africa that lies inside a nature reserve, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This park is a World Heritage Site and the largest estuarine system in Africa. Enjoy some time at leisure or take an optional boat cruise (own account) around the estuary. With rare and wild birdlife, mangrove swamps and vegetated sand dunes it makes for an interesting and educational cruise. Savour the sensational views of the lake while you enjoy lunch (own account). A few hours’ drive down along the North Coast, takes you south east to the tropical and eclectic city of Durban, on the warm Indian Ocean. After a short orientation of Durban city, check in at your hotel, the historic Protea Hotel Edward, or similar, on the Golden Mile. The Golden Mile is popular expanse of beachfront which includes a charming stretch of golden beaches, hotels, art deco buildings and restaurants. Catch a ride on one of the colourful Zulu rickshaws along the beachfront, a uniquely Durban activity. This evening enjoy dinner out (own account) at one of the many local restaurants Durban has to offer along the Golden Mile. Protea Hotel Edward or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 7: DURBAN to COFFEE BAY via SOUTH COAST (±503km)

Sit down to an early breakfast, at the hotel, before departing the city of Durban for Coffee Bay via the KwaZulu-Natal South coast. Passing through the many beachside hamlets and resort towns along the South Coast we drive inland to our lunch stop (own account) in Kokstad. We continue along the N2 highway into the Wild Coast also known as the Transkei or Pondoland, in the Eastern Cape. This drive will present you with incredible untamed views of green rolling hills and rugged cliff faces, dotted with colourful traditional rondawels and free roaming cows and goats. With an unassuming beauty hidden from the modern world, it is a place where African Time makes sense. The wild coast has a history as wild and rich as its coastal shores. It is a very traditional area where little has changed through the ages. Our final port of call for the day, is your hotel, Ocean View Hotel, or similar, situated in Coffee Bay. The village of Coffee Bay derives its name from a ship that ran aground here in 1893 with a cargo of coffee beans. Admire the lovely views before gathering for a dinner of local fare, in this friendly setting. Ocean View Hotel or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast

Day 8: FULL DAY AT LEISURE

Awaken to the calming and refreshing sounds of the ocean and enjoy breakfast along with the views. Today is yours; enjoy a full day at leisure. Spend the day taking part in the many optional activities offered in the area. Choose from hikes, snorkelling or fishing to the more adrenalin filled activities like abseiling, quad biking and rock climbing. Alternatively enjoy a more relaxed approach and spend the day on the beach, discover the legendary Hole-in-the-Wall with its mythology or just shop around for local crafts, while meeting the friendly amaPondo people. Enjoy lunch at your own pace or at a venue in the area (all own account). Round off the day with pre-dinner drinks (own account) before savouring dinner at your hotel, Ocean View Hotel, or similar. Ocean View Hotel or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast

Day 9: COFFEE BAY to PORT ALFRED via WILD COAST (±460km)

An early breakfast and departure will see you travelling from the mystical beauty of Coffee Bay to the marina town of Port Alfred via Qunu, the birth place of Nelson Mandela. Qunu, which is part of the former Transkei, consists of a number of little villages which have recently enjoyed much attention and growth as Mandela’s birth place. These are the green hills and pastures that Madiba herded sheep and cattle and which today still remains his family home. An area steeped in ancient Xhosa traditions and culture, taking you back to a simpler and humbler time. We venture further south along onto the coastal road to East London. Lunch will be had en route (own account). The coastal road brings you to Port Alfred at the heart of the Sunshine Coast, on the banks of the Kowie River. We arrive late afternoon at your riverfront hotel, Halyards Hotel or similar. Enjoy some refreshing drinks (own account) before savouring the delightful local cuisine (own account). Halyards Hotel or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 10: PORT ALFRED to PLETTENBERG BAY via KAROO & EASTERN GARDEN ROUTE (±380km)

After an early breakfast we take a boat cruise (weather permitting) along the scenic Kowie River before leaving the Sunshine Coast and travelling inland via the historical university town of Grahamstown and along the Garden Route. Grahamstown proudly owns the only genuine Victorian Camera Obscura in the Southern Hemisphere. We then travel via Storm’s River Mouth to the Garden Route. The Garden Route derives its name from the ecologically diverse vegetation present in the area, which lies between the Indian Ocean and the Tsitsikamma Mountains. Tsitsikamma is the ancient San name meaning place of abundant water, an enchanting and fabled part of the country. We lunch in the Tsitsikamma (own account) before experiencing the wonderful views on the suspension bridge of the Storms River mouth. Here you will observe the Storms River meeting the Indian Ocean in grand splendour. Your final stop for the day finds you in Keurboomstrand, near Plettenberg Bay at your hotel, The Dunes Hotel & Resort, or similar. Enjoy some time at leisure or take advantage of the resort’s private access to the 8km stretch of beach. This evening take pleasure in the oceanic ambience while you will dine at the resort’s elegant restaurant (own account). The Dunes Hotel & Resort or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 11: FULL DAY AT LEISURE

Breakfast at the hotel. Optional full day tour available to Featherbed Nature Reserve and Elephant Park in Knysna (own account and includes lunch). The Dunes Hotel & Resort or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 12: PLETTENBERG BAY to OUDTSHOORN via CANGO CAVES (±160km)

After a hearty breakfast we depart Keurboomstrand for the Klein Karoo via the scenic Knysna and surrounds. This morning’s excursion presents you with some wonderful photographic opportunities at the lookout points at the Knysna Lagoon and the Heads. We travel inland to the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn, driving over the Outeniqua Pass. This Pass constructed by prisoners of war from 1943 – 1951 now bridges the coastal Garden Route and the semi-arid Klein Karoo. For lunch (own account) we arrive at an ostrich farm on the outskirts Oudtshoorn. A tour of the farm will introduce you to these strange and exotic birds, as well as the ostrich industry. In the Cango Valley we discover the spectacular subterranean world of the Cango Caves. This 20 million year old world wonder features an impressive display of gold and vermillion dripstone stalagmites and stalactites. Enjoy some time at leisure when you arrive at this evening’s accommodation at Protea Hotel Riempie Estate, or similar. Delight in its charming country setting as you enjoy a dinner (own account) of local fare and hospitality. Protea Hotel Riempie Estate or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 13: OUDTSHOORN to STELLENBOSCH via ROUTE 62 (±410km)

After a farm styled breakfast, our journey takes us south, via Route 62, to Stellenbosch in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Route 62 is an iconic route with intoxicating and ever changing landscapes. Running along orchard lined valleys, towering mountain ranges, rivers and indigenous fynbos, Route 62 bridges the Western and Eastern Cape through the Klein Karoo, and includes what is possibly the world's longest wine route. We lunch at the charming town of Barrydale (own account). Next up on our trip is a visit to an award winning brandy distillery in Robertson, where you’ll have a fun and educational experience in brandy tasting and food paring. We journey further into the heart of the Winelands and arrive, late afternoon, in the beautiful and heritage proud town of Stellenbosch and see you safely to your hotel, Protea Hotel Stellenbosch, or similar. Take some time at leisure to enjoy the comfortable and luxurious settings and views before drinks and dinner (own account) at one the hotel’s restaurants. Protea Hotel Stellenbosch or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 14: STELLENBOSCH to CAPE TOWN via CAPE WINELANDS (±100km)

Enjoy a Cape breakfast before embarking on this morning’s walking tour of Stellenbosch. Explore the town’s historic sites and colonial Cape Dutch architecture and some of the country’s oldest buildings, along its leafy streets and mountainous backdrop. After the cultural town tour, we venture further into the Winelands via Paarl and onto the city of Cape Town. We stop for lunch and a wine tasting (own account) at one of the many stellar wine farms in Paarl, which is South Africa’s third oldest town and is a beautiful town that gets its name from the enormous granite pluton that shimmers like a pearl (or paarl in Dutch) after rain showers. This huge granite pluton makes up Paarl Mountain and is the second largest granite projection on the planet. On a hill overlooking Paarl we stop off at the Afrikaanse Taalmonument (Afrikaans Language Monument), where we learn more about this beautiful structure and museum. Officially unveiled on the 10th October 1975, it was built to commemorate Afrikaans being declared an official language of South Africa, separate to that of Dutch. Departing the Winelands we travel along the N1 highway to the ever rich and beautiful Cape Town. Arrive at your hotel, where you will have some time at leisure. This evening’s dinner will be enjoyed at the hotel (own account). Inn on the Square or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 15: FULL DAY AT LEISURE in CAPE TOWN (±135km)

Cape Town lingers on the edge of Africa where oceans meet and cultures fuse under the ever watch of the majestic Table Mountain and is the oldest city in South Africa. After breakfast, spend the morning at leisure discovering your Mother City or join an optional guided, full day Cape Point tour (own account), which incorporates the Cape Point, Boulder's beach (entrance fee for own account) and Kirstenbosch Gardens. This evening enjoy more of the Cape’s cuisine and wines, when you dine out or alternatively at your hotel (own account). Inn on the Square or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 16: DAY OF DEPARTURE (±20km)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before spending the last day of the tour at your leisure. Alternatively select an optional Table Mountain and city tour (own account). Table Mountain’s original name was Hoeri 'kwaggo, sea mountain, then named Taboa da Caba, Table of the Cape by Portuguese which now is a unique conservation area which presents its visitors with the best views of Cape Town, Enjoy the revolving cable car ride up the mountain to marvel at its panoramic views (weather permitting and own account). At your Cape Town hotel we'll say hamba kahle, good bye. Your transfer to Cape Town International Airport is not included in the package price and must be booked separately.