South Africa: A World in One Country
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A birds eye view of Thonga beach lodge, Zululand ©www.thompsonsafrica.com
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View of Table Mountain ©www.thompsonsafrica.com
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Looking at the view from Lion's Head in Cape Town, with Table Mountain in the background ©South Africa Tourism
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Durban beach waves ©www.thompsonsafrica.com
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Isandlwana Battlefields ©www.thompsonsafrica.com
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Durban beach ©www.thompsonsafrica.com
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Aerial view of Durban ©www.thompsonsafrica.com
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Table Mountain Cable Car ©www.thompsonsafrica.com
Discover the sensational beauty of South Africa during this excellent tour. A Glorious 14-day Southern African experience, where you’ll see and savour the immense richness of the country. From a safari omthe wilds of Kruger National Park to the cosmopolitan sophistication of Cape Town, you’ll come to understand why South Africa is dubbed ‘A World in One Country’.
Highlights include an early morning game drive in Kruger National Park in search of the ‘Big Five’ – rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard and elephant. A visit to the tiny Kingdom of Eswatini (formally Swaziland) provides a cultural interaction with the local people.
In cosmopolitan Durban, dip your feet in the Indian Ocean and wander the sandy golden beaches which contrasts sharply to the exquisitely beautiful lagoon and ancient forests, of Knysna (pronounced ny-znah). The adventure ends in Cape Town – a special blend of up-to-the-minute vibrancy, unforgettable history and culture, and stunning natural beauty – all under the watchful gaze of iconic Table Mountain.
Dates
Dates on request
Suggested Itinerary by Air
Day 1
Fly to Johannesburg
Make your way to London Heathrow and travel overnight to Johannesburg.
Day 2
Arrive South Africa
After clearing customs & immigration you will be met and transferred to the hotel. You will have the rest of the day to relax and acclimatise.
Day 3
Pretoris & Mpumalanga
Depart early morning and head for Pretoria, the capital of South Africa for a short tour before heading to Mpumlanga. Dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld, travelling via the historic towns of Dullstroom and Lydenburg. After traversing the famous Long Tom Pass, we travel via Sabie and arrive late afternoon in Hazyview, the safari hub of Kruger National Park. Check into a hotel for next 3 nights accommodation.
Day 4
Panorama Route
After a sumptuous early morning breakfast, 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 arriving back in Hazyview in the early afternoon. The afternoon can be spent relaxing in the hotel.
Day 5
Big 5 Game Drive
This morning rise early for your morning’s game drive. There is simply nothing to beat that rising feeling of anticipation and excitement as you enter the nearby park in the half-light of the spectacular African dawn, surrounded by the noise of a unique ‘dawn chorus’. Which animal will you spot first? Perhaps an elephant, a family of warthogs or possibly even the elusive cheetah. The experienced game rangers know the best tracks and waterholes whilst their stories will amuse, inform and fascinate you. Most have lived here all their lives, accumulating a vast wealth of knowledge! In the afternoon you can relax at the hotel or you could book an afternoon Game experience in Kruger National Park.
Day 6
The Kingdom of Swaziland
Check out of the hotel and enjoy an enchanting drive to the Tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, a former British Protection Territory, now ruled by King MsWati III. An interactive cultural experience introduces us to the charming people of Swaizland and their traditions. Continue to the capital city, Mbabane and then onto the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for a true African shopping experience at the vibrant craft market. Check into the hotel late afternoon for 1 nights accommodation.
Day 7
The Kingdom of the Zulu’s
Today you travel into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. Check into the hotel mid- afternoon for 1 night.
Day 8
Durban
In the morning enjoy a cruise on Lake St Lucia before departing for Durban. Travelling along the lush KwaZulu-Natal coastline, watching the sugar cane fields doing their version of a Mexican wave at the urging of the wind. Arrive into Durban in the early afternoon and the rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps enjoy the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and relax on the golden beaches.
Day 9
Port Elizabeth / Knysna
After breakfast you will be transported to the airport for the short flight to Port Elizabeth, on arrival you will be net by the guide and you will set off to explore Tsitskamma section of the Garden route National Park. Here you are treated to magnificent coastal views and soak up the glorious, indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest. In the late afternoon arrive into Knysna, perhaps South Africa’s most visually stunning resort. Check into your hotel for the next 2 nights.
Day 10
Knysna
Today we take a ferry across the lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, a South African Natural Heritage site. Enjoy an amazing view of the imposing sandstone ‘heads’ which guard the sea entrance to Knysna’s huge tidal lagoon, the forests, marshes and pristine beaches beyond. Afternoon at leisure to explore the town.
Day 11
Oudtshoorn
This morning you head out to the fascinating Cango Caves, one of South Africa’s most incredible natural wonders and enjoy the wonderful views of the spectacular Outeniqua Pass. Oudsthoorn is known as the ‘feather capital of the world’ so names as it is the centre of the South African ostrich industry. After a lunch which includes ostrich steak, you will learn all about these hardy and enigmatic creatures on a farm tour.
Day 12
Cape Town
After breakfast there is time to explore Mossell Bay visiting the famous Post Office Tree, the Bartholomeus Diaz museum and shell museum. Drive to via the towns of Swellendam, Robertson and Worcester (route 62) then through the Hugenot Tunnel. The Iconic Table Mountain greets you as you arrive in Cape Town.
Day 13
Cape Town – Long Walk to Freedom
Visit the riveting District Six Museum for a sharp reminder of the past before a tour of Langa Township, the oldest apartheid housing scheme in the Cape, visiting a local market, Arts & Crafts centre, as well as a traditional healer. Visit a local B&B as well as a crèche providing local children with a safe haven and fun. We want you to enjoy a hands-on experience of life in a township, so we also include a visit to Khayelistsha and Gugulethu. In the afternoon visit the infamous Robben Island, ‘home’ to Nelson Mandela for so many years.
Day 14
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 and the onto Cape Point where it is said the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. You’ll reurn by way of Simon’s Town where you visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach, Fish Hoek fishing village and Muizenberg.
Day 15
Cape Town
Today you have a full day to relax and explore the city at your own pace! Perhaps visit Table Mountain or spend time at the beach. Cape Town is packed with attractions, excellent bars, cafes and restaurants as well as colourful market before transferring to the airport for your evening flight back to London Heathrow.
Day 16
Arrive back in the UK
You arrive back into the airport in the early hours of the morning.
A selection of hotels will be used on the tour and price is based on the following properties:
Johannesburg – Protea Hotel Wanderes
Hazyview – Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel
Swaziland – Royal Swazi Sun
Zululand – Anew Hotel Hluhlwe and Safaris
Durban – Protea Hotel Umhlanga
Kynsa – Rex Hotel
Oudtshoorn – Hlangana Lodge
Cape Town – President Hotel
Rooms will be standard rooms and properties may change depending upon date of travel.
Travel Seasons:
High Season – September to April and Low season – May to August.
Visa Requirements:
British passport holders visiting South Africa for tourist purposes, for under 90 days do not need a visa.
Greatdays Holidays Limited has an ATOL licence (4279) and many of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate
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A group is 10 persons or more. Greatdays Holidays Limited has an ATOL licence (4279) and all of our air package tours are protected under this licence. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the Civil Aviation Authority will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any monies you have paid to us for an advance booking. All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this email are financially protected by the ATOL scheme.
