Description

From Johannesburg, our journey takes us to the quaint historical mining town of Pilgrim's Rest, and on through the breathtaking scenery of Blyde River Canyon and God's Window. We're en route to one of the world's most famous game parks, Kruger National Park, and here, in open safari vehicles, we'll be excitedly tracking the spoor of the legendary Big Five. Our travels then take us to the little Kingdom of Swaziland for an authentic cultural experience and traditional craft market, before we embark on a lazy cruise of Lake St Lucia, a world heritage site, and enjoy ample sightings of the resident hippos and crocodiles. Heading down the coast, we'll journey through the dense, cool forest of age-old trees in the exquisite Tsitsikamma National Park. We then board our ferry for the scenic crossing to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, right at the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon. And from the oysters of Knysna to the ostriches of Oudshoorn, we're in the feather capital of the world. One of the world's most majestic sights is that of whales breaching off the Cape coast, and if we're fortunate - July to November only - that's just what we'll see. Hermanus offers the best land-based whale watching in the world! The Cape coast is well worth exploring, and we'll be winding our way along this exquisite coastline, photo opportunities a-plenty. And for the wine lovers among us, no trip to South Africa is complete without a signature wine-tasting at one of the Cape's famed wine estates. You'll love the setting and the sipping!

Itinerary

Day 1: (Sun) Johannesburg
Touch down at OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the magnificent suburban shopping malls or take an optional Soweto Tour (own account).

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Wanderers or similar

Day 2: (Mon) Pretoria / Mpumalanga (BD)
Depart by 07h30 and leave Johannesburg's distinctive skyline and head for Pretoria, South Africa's capital city, for a short orientation tour, before continuing to Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. We travel via the historic towns of Witbank, Dullstroom and Lydenburg, passing over the famous Long Tom Pass onto the small town of Sabie. This afternoon explore the living history in the form of Pilgrim's Rest, the old mining village where gold was first discovered.

Accommodation: The Royal Hotel or similar
Meals: Break Fast & Dinner

Day 3: (Tue) Kruger National Park (BD)
This morning gasp at the glory that is God's Window, a boundless view of forested mountains and fertile plains, and visit the spectacular Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa. We explore the quaint village of Graskop before arriving mid afternoon at our overnight hotel.

Accommodation: Perry's Bridge Hollow or similar
Meals: Break Fast & Dinner

Day 4: (Wed) A full day 'Big Five' game viewing in Kruger National Park (B)
Set off before breakfast in an open safari vehicle in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard, and all manner of wondrous wildlife, birds and plant species. Savour the magic of this enormous wilderness.

Accommodation: Perry's Bridge Hollow or similar
Meals: Break Fast

Day 5: (Thu) The Kingdom of Swaziland (BLD)
Enjoy an enchanting drive to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, a former British Protection Territory, now ruled by King MsWati III. Witness a Swazi cultural experience before visiting the famous Ngwenya Glass Factory to see master craftsmen fashion collectable figures and functional art out of molten glass. We continue through the capital city, Mbabane, known for its vibrant markets packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings. Spend the night in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley.

Accommodation: Lugogo Sun or similar
Meals: Break Fast , Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: (Fri) The Kingdom of the Zulu's (B) Visit the Swazi Candle Factory, teeming with exquisite wax artworks in every shape and colour imaginable. Then on into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. Arrive mid afternoon at the town of St Lucia, a World Heritage Site and home to hippo, crocodile and no less than 367 bird species.
Accommodation: Elephant Lake Hotel or similar
Clients have the option to purchase an exciting afternoon open safari vehicle game drive into Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Meals: Break Fast

Day 7: (Sat) Durban (B)
This morning enjoy a cruise on Lake St Lucia before departing for Durban. Hug the lush KwaZulu-Natal coastline en route to Durban, watching the sugar cane fields do their own version of the Mexican wave at the urging of the wind. Check into your hotel just before lunch (own account). The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure, or you may opt take an optional afternoon Durban City Tour (own account).

Accommodation: Royal Palm or similar
Meals: Break Fast

Day 8: (Sun) Port Elizabeth / Knysna (BD)
Morning at leisure until your collection and transfer to the airport for your mid morning flight to Port Elizabeth (cost of flight not included). There you'll be met by a new guide who'll, upon everyone arriving, take you through the glorious, indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest, before reaching Knysna, perhaps South Africa's most visually stunning resort, in the heart of the famous Garden Route.

Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Hotel or similar
Meals: Break Fast & Dinner

Day 9: (Mon) Knysna (BL)
Cruise on the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Enjoy an amazing view of the imposing sandstone 'Heads' which guard the sea entrance to Knysna's huge tidal lagoon, and the forests, marshes and pristine beaches beyond. After lunch the remainder of the day at leisure, to enjoy this lovely and special town.

Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Hotel or similar
Meals: Break Fast & Lunch

Day 10: (Tue) Oudtshoorn (BL)
This morning we enjoy the wonderful views of the spectacular Outeniqua Pass en route to Oudtshoorn, the 'feather capital of the world', so named because it's the centre of South Africa's ostrich industry. After lunch, we learn more about these hardy, enigmatic creatures during a tour of an ostrich farm. We then head underground for a fascinating tour of the Cango Caves, one of South Africa's most incredible natural wonders.

Accommodation: Oudtshoorn Inn or similar
Meals: Break Fast & Lunch

Day 11: (Wed) Cape Town (B)
A day of magnificent vistas. Enjoy the everchanging passing canvas as we travel to Cape Town. During the whale season we will travel via the seaside village of Hermanus in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the southern right whales, which frolic offshore (July to November only). Out of season we will return to Cape Town along 'Route 62', South Africa's version of America's 'Route 66'.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel President or similar
Meals: Break Fast

Day 12: (Thu) Cape Peninsula (B)
A full day touring of the ruggedly beautiful Cape Peninsula via the Atlantic seaboard. We stop at the fishing village of Hout Bay, where you can opt to take a cruise (own account) to Seal Island to watch the antics of these natural performers. Then we continue to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, before stopping off to see the lovable penguins at Boulders Beach. We drive through the quaint naval village of Simon's Town on our way back to Cape Town.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel President or similar
Meals: Break Fast

Day 13: (Fri) Cape Winelands (B)
Journey into the beautiful and tranquil Cape Winelands, visiting both Paarl and Stellenbosch before stopping for wine tasting at two well known estates. A visit to the Huguenot Memorial Museum and the Afrikaans Language Monument provides a historical perspective.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel President or similar
Meals: Break Fast

Day 14: (Sat) Cape Town (B)
This brings us to the end of our 'World in One Country'. Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: Break Fast

Inclusions

• Returns AirFares From Heathrow.
• Tour in air-conditioned micro-buses or 18-seater mini-buses.
• Discover South Africa with our professional Tour Guides.
• Rooms with private facilities, on a twin share basis.
• All accommodation is of a 3 star standard.
• 13 Breakfasts.
• 3 Lunches.
• 4 Dinners.
• Airport transfers included.
• Hotel porterage included.
• Kruger National Park Conservation Levy included.