South Africa: A World In One Country 14 Days
14 Days : Johannesburg, Mpumalanga, Kruger National Park, eSwatubu, Zululand, Garden Route, Hermanus, Cape Town
Tour overview:
This 14-day itinerary includes many special details that make South Africa one of our most popular destinations. Sophisticated urban living, vast forested mountains, fertile plains, fascinating wildlife and magical cultural traditions all come together in a world of African adventure
Day 1 - Arrive Johannesburg
Arrive in Johannesburg, where you are met and escorted to your hotel. Afternoon optional tour (additional cost) of Soweto & Apartheid Museum, learning more about the struggle for freedom in South Africa. Evening tour briefing at the hotel where you will meet your guide and fellow travelers.
Day 2 - Johannesburg / Pretoria / Mpumalanga
Leave Johannesburg’s distinctive skyline behind 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 Dullstroom and Lydenburg. After traversing the famous Long Tom Pass, we travel via Sabie and arrive late afternoon into Hazyview, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park. (BD)
Day 3 - Mpumalanga - Panorama Route
Today we journey up the awe inspiring Panorama Route with its forested mountains and fertile plains. After viewing the Blyde River Canyon (home to the Three Rondavels), Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window before arriving back in Hazyview in the late afternoon. (BD)
Day 4 - Mpumalanga - Kruger National Park
Savor the magic of this enormous wildlife sanctuary on your morning game drive in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard, and all manner of wildlife, birds and plant species. The game safari includes a presentation of the Anti-Poaching Dog Unit (Project Watchdog) that was established because of the increase in rhino poaching worldwide. Learn about the dogs that are trained to track poachers in the field, detect firearms, ammunition and wildlife products that enter and exit through the Kruger National Park gates. The afternoon is free for an optional game drive (additional cost). (BD)
Day 5 - Mpumalanga / eSwatini (Swaziland)
This morning we travel to eSwatini (Swaziland), an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colorful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience introduces us to the charming people of eSwatini and their traditions. We travel via the capital city, Mbabane, and on to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley. (BLD)
Day 6 - eSwatini / Zululand
This morning we continue south through eSwatini, before re-entering South Africa. Travel into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. There is an optional (additional cost) afternoon open vehicle safari in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhino. (B)
Day 7 - – Zululand / Durban / Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) / Garden Route - Tsitsikamma
The day begins with an early departure for Durban, travelling past traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. We arrive at Durban Airport for the short southward flight (flight quoted separately) to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where we head westwards along the Garden Route, which follows the Indian Ocean coastline, and is bordered inland by soaring mountain ranges and indigenous forests. (B)
Day 8 - Garden Route – Tsitsikamma / Knysna
Visit the spectacularly beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea. Afterwards we’ll continue our travels to Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon, in the heart of the Garden Route. Enjoy a sunset cruise to the Knysna Heads, before sitting down for dinner at Drydock Restaurant, renowned for dishes with glorious aromas and flavours, using the finest local ingredients and freshly picked herbs from the region. (BD)
Day 9 - Garden Route – Knysna / Oudtshoorn
Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the “ostrich capital” and the centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. Along the way, visit ‘Dolphin Point’, an extraordinary viewpoint in Wilderness. In Oudtshoorn, we’ll visit an Ostrich Farm for a fun filled interactive tour and light lunch that includes local specialities such as Ostrich Steak, before taking a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. We will arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon. (BL)
Day 10 - Oudtshoorn / Hermanus
There is an option (additional cost) to enjoy an early morning Meerkat Safari. Witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities (weather permitting). After this thrilling experience, head back for a delicious breakfast. The journey continues through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale, where you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, to interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom, learning more about this rural community. (The school visit is subject to the school being open). Continue via the Tradouw’s pass to Swellendam and then further to the seaside resort of Hermanus, known as the heart of the whale route, offering the best land-based whale watching (August-November) in the world. (B)
Day 11 - Hermanus / Stellenbosch / Cape Town
Depart Hermanus and continue to Somerset West, travelling via the spectacularly scenic coastal road and then onwards to Stellenbosch, set in the beautiful Cape Winelands. You’ll have some free time to explore the town’s oak-shaded streets, cafés, boutiques, and art galleries before travelling to Cape Town. (B)
Day 12 - Cape Town
Enjoy a full day at leisure with optional excursions available. Perhaps join a sightseeing tour of Table Mountain & Kirstenbosch Gardens (additional cost) or join us for a Marine Big Five Safari (additional costt), where you may see great white sharks, whales, Cape fur seals and a variety of seabirds on a 2-hour boat cruise with marine biologists on hand to explain more about these amazing animals that visit our shores. Or join us for an optional (additional cost) authentic, local experience on a day out in the picturesque Cape Winelands. Visit Fairview, a local cheesery that specializes in the production of handmade, full flavored cheeses paired with a wine tasting, followed by a visit to Babylonstoren Wine Farm with its botanically diverse fruit and vegetable garden, incredible scenery, and warm hospitality for a second wine tasting Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafés, and restaurants as well as colorful craft markets. Enjoy a fun filled evening with interactive entertainment and delectable food at Gold Restaurant. (BD)
Day 13 - Cape Town – Cape Peninsula
Enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay (where you can enjoy an optional seal island boat cruise - additional cost) and then on to Cape Point where by tradition it is said that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. We’ll return to Cape Town by way of Simon’s Town, where we visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee additional cost), Fish Hoek fishing village and Muizenberg. (B)
Day 14 - Depart Cape Town
Day at leisure. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)