WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 14 nights’ accommodation
- 14 Breakfasts and 4 Dinners
- Arrival airport shuttle transfer and departure transfer included
- Full Day visit to the Kruger National Park
- Kruger National Park Conservation Levy included
- Hotel porterage included
- (Please note that conservation levies are subject to increase without prior notice and is at the discretion of the game park.)
south africa sampler
Spend two weeks discovering all that makes South Africa one of the world’s most diverse and colourful destinations. Take in natural sights such as Blyde River Canyon, explore the historic lands of the Zulus and Swazis, follow the magnificent South African coastline, and immerse yourself in the beauty, wine, and culture of the Cape. On this tour, a maximum of 40 guests are escorted by a local professional tourist guide. All departures are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 guests. Transportation is in air-conditioned luxury vehicles and tours are only conducted in English.
This 15-day South Africa trip takes you from Johannesburg to Cape Town, exploring the best of the country in all its diversity.
Take a night in Johannesburg to shake off any jetlag, meet your fellow travellers, and receive a tour briefing before leaving for the lush Lowveld. You’ll follow the Panorama Route to catch the view over Blyde River Canyon from God’s Window. This is a region filled with interesting geographical features formed by the canyon’s waterways. Your journey through natural South Africa continues the following day in Kruger National Park, arguably the country’s most famous wildlife region. Keep an eye out for the ‘Big 5’ – lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo – along with other animals on your morning game drive, before your guide explores more of the park with you later in the day.
Strike another great Southern African country off your list the following day as you explore Swaziland. This independent kingdom is the smallest country in the Southern Hemisphere, preserving Swazi culture and the region’s wildlife with equal enthusiasm. Then, from Swaziland to Zululand, return to South Africa and learn about the unique cultural balance that has shaped this region. Enjoy an open vehicle safari in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park on your own account if you wish. You may also opt for a cruise from St Lucia, a popular coastal destination among South Africans. The surrounding wetland is home to hippos, crocodiles, and over 360 bird species. Spend the night in the popular seaside city of Durban.
Head for the Southern Drakensberg Mountains, a region of South Africa blessed with immense waterfalls, serene lakes and soaring rocky peaks. The afternoon is yours to explore this magnificent region as you wish, hiking, horseback riding, or fishing, for example. At extra cost, you may take an excursion into the tiny kingdom of Lesotho. There’s also a rich human heritage in the Drakensbergs, with cave art by the San/Bushman people dating back at least 4000 years. No matter your interest, there’s plenty to explore.
Journey to the Eastern Cape, home to the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, and the glorious beaches that line the way to Port Elizabeth. You’ll eventually reach the Garden Route, one of the most beautiful coastal regions in the world…not to mention the world’s feather capital. After following this incredible coast for 50 miles or so you will reach Oudtshoorn, renowned for its ostrich farms, one of which you’ll visit for a first-hand glimpse at this thriving industry. This is also home to the Cango Caves, which you can walk or crawl through, depending on your appetite for adventure!
Arrive at last in Cape Town, The Mother City widely considered to be among the world’s most beautiful. The heartbeat of culture and history in the Western Cape, Cape Town invites you to explore its stories with a dinner theatre experience on your first night. Afterwards, explore the city as you will. You may take a full day Peninsula Tour, which takes you some of the more far flung sights such as Boulders Beach and the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Wine lovers may prefer to head into the Winelands to sample South Africa’s famous bold reds and sweet whites right at the source. There are also plenty of activities available in Cape Town proper, such as a trip to the top of Table Mountain, a visit to the former political prison of Robben Island, or the Walk to Freedom, an informative tour telling the stories of, and beyond Apartheid.
Day 1 Arrive Johannesburg On arrival at the OR Tambo Johannesburg International airport, you will be met and assisted to your shuttle transfer service to the hotel. Please note that the shuttle transfer is available between 6.15am and 10.45pm. If you arrive earlier or later than this, please note an extra transfer cost will be incurred. You have the remainder of the day at leisure until 7.00pm when you will meet at the hotel reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet up with your fellow travellers. Duration 1 Night Accommodation Protea Hotel by Marriott OR Tambo Day 2 Hazyview This morning after breakfast, you will leave for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. Your travels take you along the circular Panorama Route via Graskop, visiting the view sites of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa. This canyon is the third largest in the world, after the Grand Canyon in the US and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia. You will also get the chance to gasp at the glory of God’s Window, with a boundless view of mountains and fertile plains. God’s Window is undoubtedly the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve’s most spectacular viewpoint, with astonishing views over South Africa’s lowveld. At God’s Window, majestic cliffs plunge down 700m and, on a clear day, you’ll be able to see over the famous Kruger National Park towards the Lebombo Mountains. Last stop for the day before heading to Hazyview is at the Bourke’s Luck Potholes. This natural water feature marks the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon. Through countless eons the swirling whirlpools which occur as the Treur River plunges into the Blyde River caused waterborne sand and rock to grind huge, cylindrical potholes into the bedrock of the river. The Potholes were named after a gold digger, Tom Burke, who staked a claim nearby. Although his claim did not produce a single ounce of gold, he correctly predicted that large gold deposits would be found in the area. Distance travelled today is 500km. Meal Plan Breakfast Duration 2 Nights Accommodation Hippo Hollow Day 3 Kruger National Park An early to start to your safari day, setting off before breakfast in a closed vehicle in search of the Big 5 which are lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard, and of course not to forget all manner of wondrous wildlife, birds and plant species, a packed breakfast will be provided on your journey. The morning is spent with a professional driver/guide. Due to government regulations at the park, vehicles coming into the park for day visits need to stay on the paved roads and are not able to enter into the surrounding bushveld. You will return to your hotel in the early evening in time for dinner. Meal Plan Breakfast Day 4 Swaziland This morning after breakfast, you will check out and depart on your journey to Swaziland. You will proceed south to Malalane and then onto Swaziland where this afternoon you will visit a real Chief’s village and have the fantastic opportunity to gain an authentic knowledge of traditional Swazi culture. The tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, a former British Protection Territory, now ruled by King MsWati III. The capital city, Mbabane, known for its vibrant markets packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings. Swaziland, the smallest country in the Southern Hemisphere, is among the most easy-going and laid back regions. Swazis are more likely to celebrate for fun than demonstrate for reform. A progressive and hands on attitude towards wildlife preservation has endowed it with a striking set of national parks. Distance travelled today is 261kms. Meal Plan Breakfast Duration 1 Night Accommodation Lugogo Sun Day 5 St Lucia and surrounds Today you journey through Swaziland into Zululand stopping en route to bargain for curios and souvenirs at the roadside markets. Your journey continues into the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal where ancient traditions and modern cultures of both Zulus and Settlers have combined into a vibrant society living in peace and harmony. You arrive this afternoon in the Umfolozi area for your overnight stay. There is an option to take an open vehicle safari in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, this is at an extra cost and can be booked with your driver/guide in destination. Distance travelled today is 435kms. Meal Plan Breakfast Duration 1 Night Accommodation Anew Hotel Hluhluwe and Safaris Day 6 St Lucia and surrounds / Durban Enjoy a leisurely morning soaking up the atmosphere of this tourist town St Lucia or take an optional morning boat cruise, which is at an extra cost and can be booked with your driver/guide in destination. This small coastal town is a World heritage Site and home to hippo, crocodile and no less than 367 bird species. Once the guests that have chosen to cruise return, your journey continues towards Durban. Once you arrive in Durban an orientation tour introduces you to this multicultural, vibrant seaside city before arriving at your hotel in Umhlanga in the late afternoon. Distance travelled today 290kms. Meal Plan Breakfast Duration 1 Night Accommodation Protea Hotel by Marriott Umhlanga Ridge Day 7 Drakensberg This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast or perhaps stroll over to the “Gateway Theatre of Shopping” located opposite the hotel, for a touch of retail therapy. Later you head into the majestic Southern Drakensberg Mountains. You will proceed on a visit to the 300 foot high Howick Falls, continuing through the Southern Midlands Meander Route and arriving at your 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 (own account). Distance travelled today is 255kms. Meal Plan Breakfast and Dinner Duration 2 Nights Accommodation Drakensberg Gardens Hotel Day 8 Drakensberg You have a full day at leisure to soak up the surroundings of the magnificent Southern Drakensberg Mountains. There is also the option to take a 4×4 adventure tour up Sani Pass and into the tiny kingdom of Lesotho (passport required) which also includes a lunch at Africa’s highest pub. This excursion as at an extra cost and can be arranged with your driver/guide in destination. The Drakensberg Mountains were proclaimed World Heritage site in 2000, South Africa’s first premier mountain wilderness and cultural site, on the border of South Africa and Lesotho and is mostly a vast national park, called now the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. This spectacular natural landscape also has many rock shelters, containing the largest and most concentrated group of San/Bushmen paintings (more than 6000 sites and featuring 22 000 paintings) in Africa, south of the Sahara. These were created by the San people over a period of at least 4000 yrs. The highest range in Southern Africa, the “Dragon Mountains” or the “Barrier of Spears”, reach their highest peaks along the border with Lesotho. Meal Plan Breakfast and Dinner Day 9 Eastern Cape Coast This morning you continue south to the Eastern Cape entering the fourth of the provinces and the birth place of Nelson Mandela (fondly known as Madiba). En route you will see the old traditional way of life in the homeland area known as the Transkei and stop for lunch (own account) outside the capital of Umtata. You then continue via Nelson Mandela’s birth place and house, arriving late afternoon at our accommodation in Chinsta East, on the beautiful, unspoilt Eastern Cape Coast. Distance travelled today is 520kms. Meal Plan Breakfast and Dinner Duration 1 Night Accommodation Crawfords Beach Lodge Day 10 Eastern Cape Coast You awake to the sounds of the crashing waves and have the morning at leisure to unwind with beach sand between our toes. The beach stretches on uninterrupted for many kilometers and the thick indigenous beach forest is a haven for an amazing variety of birdlife. You will set off after lunch heading south towards Port Elizabeth. Distance travelled today is 340kms. Meal Plan Breakfast Duration 1 Night Accommodation Garden Court Kings Beach Day 11 Knysna Today your journey continues towards the Cape. Visit the Tsitsikamma Forest, which provides scenic walking opportunities. The Tsitsikamma National Park is a protected area on the Garden Route, Western Cape and Eastern Cape, South Africa. It is well known a coastal reserve for its indigenous forests, dramatic coastline, and the Otter Trail. The park covers an 80 kilometers (50 miles) long stretch of coastline. A short walk to the Storms River Mouth offers some magnificent views of the gorge and river below. You then travel onto Knysna to arrive late afternoon. Distance travelled today is 300kms. Meal Plan Breakfast and Dinner Duration 1 Night Accommodation Premier Resort The Moorings Day 12 Oudtshoorn After breakfast, you travel inland over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the ‘feather capital of the world’ because of its ostrich industry. You will visit a working ostrich farm and then explore the famous Cango Caves. Walk (the more adventurous may crawl!) around the famous Cango Caves with their magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Oudtshoorn is located in an oasis-like setting in a fertile valley, called the “Little Karoo”, cupped by the Swartberg Mountains in the North and the Outeniqua and Langeberg Mountain Ranges in the South. Distance travelled today is 315kms. Meal Plan Breakfast Duration 1 Night Accommodation Diaz Hotel & Resort Day 13 Cape Town Today you will journey towards your last city stop on your trip – the mother city of Cape Town. On the way you will stop off in Mossel Bay to visit the famous Post Office Tree, the Bartholomeus Diaz Museum and Shell Museum. You will drive via Swellendam, Worcester and through the Huguenot Tunnel before arriving in Cape Town in the late afternoon. There is an option to attend a dinner theatre tonight, Kaapse Stories, which is an evening of song, theatre and delicious South African cuisine at Richards Supper Club. This is at an extra cost and can be arranged with your driver/guide in destination. Distance travelled today is 540kms. Meal Plan Breakfast Duration 2 Nights Accommodation Sun Square Cape Town Gardens Day 14 Cape Town Enjoy a day of leisure in the ‘Mother City’ where a visit to the A Waterfront is recommended. You may want to take advantage of one of the optional tours, a full day Peninsula Tour which includes the dramatic coastline of the Cape Peninsula including a visit to the Boulders Beach penguin colony and the Cape Point Nature Reserve. The alternative is to take part in a full day Cape Winelands tour, which is a day celebrating the glorious grape as well as the exceptional winelands region and heavenly scenery. Both of these tours are at an extra cost and can be pre-booked. Meal Plan Breakfast Day 15 Depart Cape Town This morning after breakfast, please check out of the hotel by 11.00am. The remainder of the day will be at leisure until your transfer to Cape Town International airport. Meal Plan Breakfast VIEW ITINERARY
Pricing & Departures
| Travel Dates | From |
| Mar 8; Apr 12, 2020 | $1,949 |
| May 10, 2020 | $1,949 |
| Jun 7; Jul 5, 19; Aug 2, 16; Sep 6; Oct 4, 18, 2020 | $1,949 |
| Nov 1, 15; Dec 6, 2020 | $1,949 |
Additional departure dates & cities are available, ask a Travel Team Agent for details
Or, call 1.800.788.0829 to speak with one of our travel experts.
Notes:
- Land Only Package
- Package includes domestic flights per itinerary
- Prices in US dollars unless otherwise noted
- We have limited space on this package and it is subject to availability and prior sale
- All package prices are per person based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted
- Prices reflect cash discount
- Due to constantly changing policies to baggage restrictions, please check with your airline directly for latest updates and restrictions
- Information, including prices are subject to change without notice
- Restrictions and change and/or cancel penalties apply
- UBI-600-307-872-WA
