South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA – truly a world in one country, is a unique and beautiful country with dramatic contrasts of culture and scenery. The many faces range from the profusion of animal life in the many game viewing areas to the cosmopolitan city life of Johannesburg. One must not miss the scenic beauty of Cape Town and the ‘Garden Route’.

There is so much to see and do in South Africa! We appreciate your time and interests vary, so we have put together modules for you to combine as you wish to build YOUR itinerary. Here are some samples to get you thinking…

WILDLIFE & CULTURE (5 Days)

DAY 1   Depart from Johannesburg and travel to Lydenburg.  Travel via the Long Tom Pass onto the Lone Creed Falls before arriving at your hotel or lodge.

DAY 2   Travel via Pilgrim’s Rest to the Panorama Route featuring the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window and Lisbon Falls. Proceed to your game lodge, arriving in time for tea. Evening game drive in an open safari Landrover with an experienced Ranger and Tracker. Return to the lodge for dinner.

DAY 3   Today leave for Kruger National Park for game viewing. Established in 1898 this National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its animal life. Animals which may be seen include lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, buffalo, giraffe and many species of antelope as well as prolific plant and birdlife.

DAY 4   Today travel via Komatiepoort through Eastern Swaziland and along the Lebombo Mountains. Leave Swaziland and proceed to your game lodge in time for afternoon tea and game drive in open safari Landrover. Return to the lodge for dinner.

DAY 5   Early morning game drive in an open safari Landrover in the reserve. After breakfast spend some time in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, South Africa’s oldest Game Reserve before driving along the coast to Durban for drop off at your hotel or the airport.

Once in Durban there is a multitude of experiences to enjoy; a day in the mountains, visit Shakaland and the authentic Zulu Kraal, the Natal Battlefields, the KwaMashu Township, golf and much more.

CLASSIC SAFARI (4 Days)

DAY 1   Depart Johannesburg and travel via Witbank, Belfast and Lydenburg and over the Long Tom Pass. Continue via Sabie to the historic Pilgrim’s Rest where the richest gold deposits in South Africa were discovered in 1873.

DAY 2   Depart Pilgrim’s Rest for the Lisbon Waterfalls, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondawels at the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. Continue towards the Kruger National Park, which is unrivalled in the in the diversity of its animal life.

DAY 3   Early game viewing in the Kruger Park with breakfast enroute. Animals which may be seen include lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, buffalo, giraffe and many species of antelope. Arrive in time for afternoon tea, followed by an evening game drive in an open safari Landrover.

DAY 4   An early morning bush walk where you have the opportunity to learn about the small species of Africa’s Animal Kingdom. After breakfast return to Johannesburg via the Strijdom Tunnel, Abel Erasmus Pass, Lydenburg and Belfast. Arrive late afternoon at your hotel or the airport.

KRUGER FLY-IN PACKAGES
Instead of the overland safari to the Kruger Area you may prefer a Fly-in Package.  The cost will vary depending on the lodge used.

MAGICAL GARDEN ROUTE (4 Days)

DAY 1   Depart Port Elizabeth and head for the magnificent Tsitsikamma Forests. Drive through the Bloukrans and Groot River Passes to Plettenberg Bay for a short stop. Continue towards the ‘Garden of Eden’ and Knysna with its terrific lagoon. Afterwards travel via Wilderness to George.

DAY 2   After breakfast there is a choice of a number of activities. Enjoy spectacular views across the lagoon.

DAY 3   An action-packed day begins with a scenic drive through Wilderness to Mossel Bay and the famous ‘Post Office Tree’. Continue over the Robinson Pass covered in Fynbos vegetation and experience the sudden change to semi-desert. Arrive in Oudtshoorn, the ‘Ostrich City’ and visit the famous Cango Caves.

DAY 4   Depart Outshoorn and travel through the semi-desert areas of the ‘Klein Karoo’ and visit the towns of Calitzdorp and Barrydale. Continue through Montagu and Robertson to Worcester. Travel over the Du Toit’s Kloof Pass and finally on to Cape Town where you will stop at your hotel or the airport.

Before embarking on the overland trip you may want to extend your time in the Port Elizabeth area. You can have a daytrip or overnight stay at the Shamwari Game Reserve, Amakhala Game Reserve or another.

Another option is the Addo National Park, a unique place in the story of the struggle to conserve the African elephant. It is home to the densest population of elephant in the world. Take a daytrip or overnight for a more leisurely pace.

THE FAIREST CAPE (4 Days)

DAY 1   Arrive in Cape Town, known throughout the world for its scenic splendor and sophistication.

DAY 2   An early morning tour takes you directly to the cableway and up the famous Table Mountain while your guide explains the varying flora and fauna. You then take a city tour which includes the Malay Quarter. Walk through the Castle of Good Hope before driving through to Milnerton for a spectacular view of Table Mountain and the city. Enroute back you will visit the Cape Town Diamond Works.

DAY 3   Full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula. Visit the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens before traveling along the coast to the Cape of Good Hope Reserve. Board the Funicular (optional) to reach the hillcrest. Continue for a visit to a penguin colony. Return via Chapman’s Peak, Hout Bay, with a short stop at the harbor, Sea Point and the city before returning to your hotel.

DAY 4   Full day tour of the Winelands. First a visit to Paarl before continuing to Franschoek to enjoy some wine tasting at a local wine farm. Passing through the beautiful Franschoek Valley head for a historic wine farm for some more wine tasting in Stellenbosch. After a tour through this historic town return to Cape Town.

DAY 5   Depart Cape Town for your next adventure…

Should you have more time the above can be done in a more leisurely pace.

SUN CITY (3 Days)

The resort of Sun City, also known as Africa’s Kingdom of Pleasure, is nestled in the hills of the Pilanesberg and is a place like no other.

DAY 1   Arrive in Sun City where you have superb accommodations in four very different hotels, as well as sizzling entertainment, world-class casinos, extensive sporting facilities including the world famous Gary Player GC and the Lost City GC. Leisure facilities include a Water World which offers a full range of watersports and the Valley of Waves. For the ecologically minded the Pilanesberg National Park is adjacent boasting the much sought after “Big Five”.

DAY 2   Full day to enjoy the multitude of activities or just relax.

DAY 3   Depart for…

FLY/SELF DRIVE — Independent travelers may want to go as you please.  We can book your accommodation and a rental car and if you like optional tours.

TRAINS — Incorporating a train ride along the way is romantic and scenic..
The Blue Train travels between Johannesburg and Cape Town. The fares are one way and include the accommodation selected and all meals.

ROVOS RAIL– Enjoy a steam train journey. There are various opportunities, all of which include accommodation, meals and beverages. Departures are one way on selected dates.

South Africa lends itself beautifully to special interest travel. Whether you are interested in wildlife, culture, wine, golf, hiking, motorbiking, surfing and much more…

ACCOMMODATION – There is a tremendous variety in South Africa ranging from budget to deluxe hotels as well as smaller, private country hotels and lodges.