| South Africa | Sandton |
| Soweto | Knysna |
| Cape Town |
|
Departs
from your home address in the UK - 'tour only' option available without flights
on request.
South Africa’s cosmopolitan cities, posh resorts, expansive desert, magnificent wildlife and fertile wine country combine with a harmonious mix of many cultures to create a beautiful mosaic to discover on this 13-day tour. Explore Soweto, birthplace of Nelson Mandela, and dine with locals at a shebeen (tavern). Search out the “Big Five” during open-air safari game drives. Travel the lush Garden Route between the mountains and the balmy Indian Ocean. Visit a working ostrich farm. Spend four leisurely nights in Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Itinerary
Day 1: Overnight Flight
One country with a world of treasures, South Africa awaits your arrival. Breathtaking mountain scenery, winding coastlines, remarkable cultural diversity and abundant wildlife in its natural habitat comprise this incredible experience.
Day 2: Sandton, South Africa - Tour Begins
Your journey begins in Sandton, a city established in 1969. Famous for its rich veins of gold and other valuable minerals, it is now the bustling cosmopolitan centre of greater Johannesburg. Gather this evening with your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3: Sandton - Soweto - Sandton
Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. A guided tour of Soweto - South West Township - showcases luxurious mansions and informal settlements as you learn about the historic significance of the area. Experience the regional lifestyle when joining locals for lunch at a nearby Shebeen or house tavern. This afternoon, visit the Apartheid Museum for a look into the dynamic history of racial segregation in South Africa. (B, L)
Day 4: Panoramic Route - Kruger National Park
Travel through the spectacular Drakensburg Mountain Range en route to Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa. Scenic wonders surround you as you pass through the Blyde River Canyon, made mostly of red sandstone and known as one of Africa's greatest natural wonders. Set against the triplet mountain formation of the Three Rondovals, resembling traditional round houses of the indigenous people, the canyon is the third largest in the world. Along this magnificent route you will also see Bourke's Luck Potholes, the dramatic natural cylinders shaped by millions of years of natural erosion caused by fast flowing sand-filled waters. (B, D)
Day 5: Kruger National Park - Safari Game Drive
Have your cameras ready for an unforgettable day of adventure and excitement! Enjoy a full day open air vehicle safari game drive. A local expert leads you in search of the Big 5 - elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino - and provides insight into these fascinating animals along the way. Watch carefully - you may also see a graceful impala, dazzling zebra or gorgeous giraffe. (B, D)
Day 6: Kruger National Park - Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth
Travel back to Johannesburg to board your flight to Port Elizabeth, today one of South Africa's major ports. Founded in 1820 as a place to house British settlers, this coastal town is the gateway to the Garden Route, a scenic stretch of coastline set between mountain ranges and the Indian Ocean. (B)
Day 7: Port Elizabeth - Knysna
Journey through the Tsitsikamma Forest, a natural gem along the Garden Route. Known for its gorges and steep cliffs, the indigenous forest is home to hundreds of species of birdlife. Continue along the southern coast where a jagged shoreline meets quaint villages. Arrive in the picturesque resort town of Knysna, in the heart of the Garden Route. This afternoon, your township tour will highlight the diversity of this community followed by a touching experience as you visit a school. Learn about the efforts of the Collette Foundation and the local community to conquer the challenges of educating the children of the region. Enjoy a relaxing dinner at one of Knysna's waterfront restaurants. (B, D)
Day 8: Knysna
Today you visit nearby Featherbed Nature Reserve. Begin with a lagoon cruise out to the famous Knysna Heads which mark the entrance to the lagoon. Next, board a 4x4 vehicle and travel deep into the forest. Discover the local flora and fauna during a leisurely-paced nature walk. Enjoy lunch amongst the ancient milkwood trees - so called because of their white latex sap - before your return cruise. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to independently explore Knysna's charming waterfront. (B, L)
Day 9: Knysna - Oudtshoorn - Cape Town
Travel to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of South Africa. Enjoy a guided tour of one of the oldest working ostrich farms in the area and, if you wish, go for a ride on one of these great birds! An outdoor barbecue lunch caps off an amazing day. Next, you journey to captivating Cape Town. (B, L)
Day 10: Cape Town
A panoramic tour of the beautiful harbourside city of Cape Town celebrates its noted architecture which fuses the traditions of French, German and Dutch influences. Enjoy a thrilling ride on a cable car as it whisks you to an altitude of more than 3,000 feet, landing atop the aptly named and flat-topped Table Mountain. The views below of Cape Town, Robben Island, and Lion's Head will leave you breathless. Return to the city via Table Bay, passing through the Malay Quartre with its mosques and minarets, and stopping at the Milnerton Lighthouse. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to discover charming Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, known for its shopping and entertainment venues. (B)
Day 11: Cape Town
Explore the coastal scenery and charming towns that populate the Cape Peninsula. Travel out to Cape Point, stopping for a visit with the penguins at Boulder Beach. On your return, explore the fascinating and famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, home to over 5,000 species of plants native to South Africa. (B)
Day 12: Cape Town
Discover the enchanting beauty of the famous Cape Winelands region with its colourful mountainous landscape and endless vineyards. Visit local wine farms and learn about the history of wine making in this region while you enjoy sampling some of the local wines. Return to Cape Town this afternoon. This evening, experience a unique farewell to Africa as you enjoy an after-hours guided tour of the fascinating African Gold Museum, followed by a traditional African dining experience! (B, D)
Day 13: Cape Town - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today in Cape Town. (B)
Day 14: Arrive U.K.
Meal Basis: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner