Day 1: (Sun) Johannesburg
Touch down at Johannesburg International Airport where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the magnificent suburban shopping malls or take an optional Johannesburg City Tour (own account).
Accommodation: Rosebank Hotel or similar
Day 2: (Mon) Pretoria / Mpumalanga (BLD)
Leave Johannesburg's distinctive skyline and head for Pretoria, South Africa's capital city. Marvel at this country's miraculous transformation while visiting the Voortrekker Monument, regarded as a shrine to the Afrikaaner community. On to the world famous Premier Diamond Mines, which produced Africa's biggest diamond, the Cullinan, from which the Great Star of Africa was cut to grace the scepter of the British Crown Jewels. After lunch we leave for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld.
Accommodation: The Royal Hotel or similar
Day 3: (Tue) The Lowveld & The Kruger National Park (BD)
Explore living history at of Pilgrim's Rest, the old mining village where gold was first discovered; gasp at the glory of God's Window, a boundless view of mountains and fertile plains, and visit the spectacular Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa. We arrive at our Kruger National Park camp in time for a welcome sundowner in the African bushveld.
Accommodation: Kruger Rest Camp or similar
Day 4: (Wed) A full day's Big Five game viewing in Kruger (B)
Set off before breakfast in open safari vehicles in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard, and all manner of wondrous wildlife, birds and plant species. Savour the magic of this enormous wilderness.
Accommodation: Kruger Rest Camp or similar
Day 5: (Thu) The Kingdom of Swaziland (BLD)
Enjoy an enchanting drive to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, a former British Protection Territory, now ruled by King MsWati III. Witness a Swazi cultural experience before visiting the famous Ngwenya Glass Works to see master craftsmen fashion collectable figures and functional art out of molten glass. Our next stop is the capital city Mbabane, known for its vibrant markets packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings. Spend the night in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley.
Accommodation: Ezulweni Sun or similar
Day 6: (Fri) The Kingdom of the Zulu's (B)
Visit the Swazi Candle Factory, teeming with exquisite wax artworks in every shape and colour imaginable. Then on into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. Arrive mid afternoon at the town of St Lucia, a World Heritage Site and home to hippo, crocodile and no less than 367 bird species.
Accommodation: Elephant Lake Hotel or similar
*Clients have the option to purchase an exciting afternoon open vehicle game drive into Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve.
Day 7: (Sat) Durban (B)
This morning enjoy a cruise on Lake St Lucia before departing for Durban. Hug the lush KwaZulu-Natal coastline en-route to Durban, watching the sugar cane fields do their own version of the Mexican wave at the urging of the wind. Check into your hotel just before lunch (own account). Explore the beachfront and its many attractions at leisure, or take an optional afternoon Durban City Tour (own account).
Accommodation: Protea Hotel Edward or similar
Day 8: (Sun) Port Elizabeth / Knysna (BD)
An early start. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Port Elizabeth (cost of flight not included). There you'll be met by a new guide who'll take you through the glorious, indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest. We make several scenic stops before arriving at Knysna, perhaps South Africa's most visually stunning resort in the heart of the famous Garden
Route. Dinner and overnight in Knysna.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel Knysna Quays or similar
Day 9: (Mon) Kynsna (BL)
Cruise on the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Enjoy an amazing view of the imposing sandstone Heads which guard the sea entrance to Knysna's huge tidal lagoon, and the forests, marshes and pristine beaches beyond. After lunch the remainder of the day at leisure, to enjoy this lovely and special town.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel Knysna Quays or similar
Day 10: (Tue) Cango Caves & Oudtshoorn (BL)
This morning we embark on a nostalgic steam train journey aboard the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, by far the best way to get from Knysna to Wilderness. We then enjoy the wonderful views of the spectacular Outeniqua Pass en-route to Oudtshoorn, the Feather Capital of the World, so named because it's the centre of South Africa's ostrich industry. After lunch, we learn more about these hardy, enigmatic creatures during a tour of an ostrich farm. We then head underground for a fascinating tour of the Cango Caves, one of South Africas most incredible natural wonders. Overnight in Oudtshoorn.
Accommodation: Queens Hotel or similar
Please note during the period 01 May - 31 August 2005 the Outenique Choo Tjoe does not operate on Tuesdays and clients will do the train journey on the Monday afternoon, instead of the day at leisure.
Day 11: (Wed) Cape Town (B)
A day of magnificent vistas. Enjoy the ever-changing passing canvas as we travel to Cape Town. During the whale season we will travel via the seaside village of Hermanus in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the Southern Right Whales, which frolic offshore (July to November only). Out of season we will return to Cape Town along Route 62, South Africa version of America's Route 66.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel President or similar
Day 12: (Thu) Cape Peninsula (B)
A full-day's touring of the ruggedly beautiful Cape Peninsula via the Atlantic seaboard. We stop at the fishing village of Hout Bay, where you can opt to take a cruise (own account) to Seal Island to watch the antics of these natural performers. Then we carry on along the Indian Ocean coastline to Boulders Beach for close encounters with another of the Cape's adorable creatures penguins. We drive through the quaint naval village of Simon's Town on our way back to Cape Town.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel President or similar
Day 13: (Fri) Cape Winelands (B)
A tour highlight. Journey into the beautiful and tranquil Cape Winelands. Sip some of South Africa's finest wines at two well-known estates in Paarl and Stellenbosch. A visit to the Huguenot Memorial and the Afrikaans Language Monument provides a historical perspective.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel President or similar
Day 14: (Sat) Cape Town (B)
This brings us to the end of our World in One Country. Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Highlights
- Visit the diamond mine that produced the Great Star of Africa.
- View the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and God's Window.
- Seek out the Big Five in the Kruger National Park in open safari vehicles.
- Visit a traditional African craft market in the Kingdom of Swaziland.
- Enjoy a Swazi cultural experience.
- Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake St Lucia. A World Heritage Site.
- Swim, bathe, and surf along the pristine beaches of Durban's 'Golden Mile'.
- Stroll through the Tsitsikamma National Park, renowned for its age-old trees.
- Journey via ferry to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, situated at the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon.
- Travel by vintage steam train on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe passing breathtaking coastal scenery.
- Discover the Cango Caves with its magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
- Enjoy an ostrich farm experience.
- The best land-based whale watching in the world, is in Hermanus. (Seasonal July to Nov).
- Explore the coastline of the Cape Peninsula.
- Enjoy wine tasting at some of the Capes most famous wine estates.
Included
- Transportation
- Tour in air-conditioned micro-buses or 16-seater mini-buses.
- Professionally Escorted
- Discover South Africa with our professional tour guides.
- Accommodation
- Rooms with private facilities, on a twin share basis.
- Dining Inclusions
- 13 Breakfasts.
- 4 Lunches.
- 4 Dinners.
Plus
- Airport transfers included.
- Hotel porterage included.
- Kruger National Park Conservation Levy included.
Please Note
The internal flight between Durban and Port Elizabeth is not included. Amatikulu Tours can assist you in obtaining these flights. Clients are requested to book flights that arrive in Port Elizabeth no later than 12h30.
Visa conditions apply for Swaziland and passports are required. |
