Description

Our South African Surprise offers you the finest taste of the country, where each day presents another contrast, another opportunity, another facet of life here - from the cosmopolitan beauty of Cape Town, to an unforgettable ostrich ride in the 'Ostrich Capital of the World'; from a hike or stroll in the awe-inspiring Drakensberg Mountains, to St Lucia's memorable lakes and their inhabitants...both destinations are World Heritage sites. You'll buy African curios at a traditional craft market in the Kingdom of Swaziland, tour the cultural melting pot of Durban city, and journey through the eastern Cape where the British settled in 1820. You'll travel by luxury bus, you'll walk, you'll ride, you'll stroll through the ancient trees in the Tsitsikamma National Park...and yes, you'll relax in the beauty of it all. South Africa's an extraordinary country, and in 15 glorious days, you'll be under its skin.

Itinerary

Day 1: (Sun) Johannesburg
Upon arrival you will be met and assisted to your shuttle transfer service to the 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: Peermont Metcourt Hotel or similar

Day 2: (Mon) Johannesburg / Hazyview
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 Country Estate or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3:(Tue) Kruger National Park (B)
A bright and early start to the day in ordert to enjoy the wonders of exploring the Kruger National Park in your closed vehicle. Enter the park and keep a lookout for the wonderful flora 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.

Optional full day open safari vehicle game drive in Kruger National Park available.

Accommodation: Hippo Hollow Country Estate or similar
Meals: Breakfast

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
Meals: Breakfast

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: Elephant Lake Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: (Fri) St Lucia and surrounds / Durban (BD)
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.

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

Accommodation: Tropicana Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

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 fishing, hiking and even horse riding in clean mountain air.

Accommodation: Drakensberg Gardens Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 8: (Sun) Drakensberg (BD)
Full day at leisure to soak up the surroundings of the magnificent Southern Drakensberg Mountains.

Accommodation: Drakensberg Gardens Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

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
Meals: Breakfast

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 magnificent and justifiably world famous.

Accommodation: The Paxton Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: (Wed) Port Elizabeth / Knysna (B)
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 magnificent 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.

Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12: (Thu) Oudtshoorn (BD)
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.

Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

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.

Accommodation: Fountains Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

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.

Accommodation: Fountains Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

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.
Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions

• Returns AirFares From Heathrow.
• 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).
• Discover the wonders of South Africa with our enthusiastic, vibrant and professional Tour Guides.
• Accommodation is on a twin share basis, and all rooms have private facilities. All accommodation is of a 3 star standard.
• 14 Breakfasts.
• 5 Dinners.
• 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.