Splendour of South Africa

South Africa

Splendour of South Africa

13 Feb, 2025 -02 Mar, 2025 From USD $2750 pp
Johannesburg , Hazyview ( Mpumalanga ) E Swatini , Zululand ,
Durban ( Umhlanga ) Port Elizabeth , Knysna , Outshoorn , Capetown

The South Africa Odyssey is an exceptional, long wandering journey through South Africa. From city life to adventure, wildlife to culture, breath-taking scenery to sun-soaked coasts, South Africa is a premier travel destination.

Our Odyssey begins in Johannesburg and travels through Mpumalanga, with visits along the Panorama Route as well as the Kruger National Park, a safari extravaganza.

Once you have encountered the wildlife of the country, you will then travel to the Kingdom of eSwatini, where a vibrant cultural journey inspires. Zululand is where ancient kings once hunted, where the Big Five now roam, conserved, and protected.

The last leg of the odyssey is a Garden Route journey ending with a few days spent in the city of Cape Town.

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Our Destination Specialist – Rose, offers you a wealth of knowledge, experience, and commitment to serve with passion. She has served the Travel Community since 1990 and personally escorts most Group Tours.

Highlights

Open Vehicle Game Safari at Kruger National Park

Guided Tour of Congo Caves

Cruise on Lake St Lucia

Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour including Cape of Good Hope

Outstanding drive along the Panoramic and Garden Routes

Cable care to Table Mountain and the vibrant Cape town waterfront

Itinerary

DAY 1 JOHANNESBURG SUNDAY

Guests arriving at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport will be met by a representative and transferred to their hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. (unescorted) Overnight in Johannesburg.

DAY 2 JOHANNESBURG – MPUMALANGA MONDAY

Departure from Johannesburg, travelling to Pretoria. Arrive in Pretoria, short orientation tour around the Union Buildings, to view the statue of Nelson Mandela.
Depart Pretoria and travel to Dullstroom.
Arrive in Dullstroom for lunch (for own account).
Depart Dullstroom and travel via Lydenburg, Long Tom Pass to Sabie.
Continue to your hotel in Hazyview for dinner and overnight. (BD)

DAY 3 MPUMALANGA TUESDAY

An early departure from your hotel, travelling towards the famous Blyde River (Happy River) Canyon for a scenic stop. Arrive at the Three Rondawels – South Africa’s 2nd most photographed natural phenomenon after Table Mountain.
Depart for Bourke’s Luck Potholes.
Arrive at Bourke’s Luck Potholes for a scenic stop.
Depart Bourke’s Luck Potholes for God’s Window, travelling through Eucalyptus and Pine plantations.
Arrive at God’s Window for a view of the edge of the escarpment taking in the Kruger National Park and the huge plantations of the so-called Lowveld.
Depart God’s Window and travel to Graskop.
Arrive in Graskop for a lunch stop (lunch for own account)
Depart Graskop and return to your hotel in Hazyview.
Arrive in Hazyview for dinner and overnight. (BD)

DAY 4 MPUMALANGA – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK WEDNESDAY

*Wake up times for Day 4:
Sep – March 04h00; April 04h30; May – Aug 05h00
INFORMATION:
• No feeding of animals in the park
• No picking of flowers /plants in Park Laundry opportunity

This morning guests are met at the Hotel for an open vehicle game drive in the Kruger National Park. In this world-famous reserve, we should encounter the full spectrum of wildlife – from the “Big Five” to insects and sunbirds. There is a stop to enjoy a packed breakfast.
Remainder of the morning is spent searching for the “Big Five”. The game drive concludes with a visit to the KNP Anti Poaching Dog Unit.
Arrive back at your hotel in time for lunch – optional and for own account.
Remainder of afternoon at leisure or take an open vehicle game drive (for guest own account & subject to availability).
Dinner and overnight in Hazyview. (BD)

DAY 5 MPUMALANGA – ESWATINI (SWAZILAND) THURSDAY

INFORMATION
• Passports are necessary at the border post.
• Certain Nationalities require visas and have to be obtained before travel
– pax to check with their travel agents

After an early breakfast, we depart Hazyview and enter the Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland) and travel through beautiful countryside (plantations).
Stop at Komati valley look-out point for scenic photo opportunity.
Depart and travel along hilly road to a Cultural Village.
Visit Matsamo Cultural Village for a tour and lunch.
Depart Matsamo Cultural Village and travel to the Ngwenya glass factory. There is time to explore the factory through the viewing deck where you can watch the local craftsmen at work. There is also a shop where you can buy various products.
Depart glass factory for your hotel.
Arrive in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley and check in to your hotel.
Dinner at your hotel.
Overnight in Eswatini (Swaziland). Refreshment stop, coffee shop (BLD)
INFORMATION:
The people of Eswatini don’t like photos taken of them. In their culture every photo taken takes away the spirits of their ancestors.

DAY 6 ESWATINI (SWAZILAND) – ZULULAND FRIDAY

INFORMATION:
Passports are necessary at the border post
After breakfast we depart the Hotel and travel southwards towards the border. Visit the Candle Centre and Market en route.
Enter northern Zululand.
Arrive at your hotel with the opportunity to have lunch (for own account).
Remainder of the afternoon is at leisure or alternatively enjoy an optional (for own account) afternoon game drive in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve.
Overnight in the Greater Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Region. (B)

DAY 7 ZULULAND – UMHLANGA SATURDAY

After breakfast, travel to Lake St Lucia for a 2 hr boat cruise
(dependant on favourable weather conditions)
After the cruise on Lake St Lucia, depart for Durban. En route we pass traditional Zulu kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields.
Arrive in Durban (Umhlanga) and check into your hotel. The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Overnight in Durban (Umhlanga). (B)

DAY 8 UMHLANGA – PORT ELIZABETH – KNYSNA SUNDAY

You are transferred from your hotel to King Shaka International airport for your flight to Port Elizabeth.
Once everyone has arrived, head westwards towards the Tsitsikamma Mountains and indigenous forests to Knysna.
Arrive in Knysna for overnight. Breakfast included (B)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Flight Durban to Port Elizabeth is excluded from the tour price PLEASE NOTE:
Please book DUR/PLZ flight to arrive in Port Elizabeth at approximately 15h35
INFORMATION
• No laundry facilities available due to short stays at hotels.
• Shopping, banks, etc. at Knysna, Oudtshoorn
• Remember comfortable walking shoes for tomorrow

DAY 9 KNYSNA MONDAY

After breakfast, depart for Tsitsikamma National Park.
On arrival at Tsitsikamma National Park, there is time to enjoy a walk to Storms River Mouth.
Depart Tsitsikamma National Park for Plettenberg Bay.
Enjoy lunch en route.
Depart Plettenberg Bay and continue to Knysna.
Arrive Knysna Forest for visit to Dalene Matthee Big Tree & Memorial
Return to Knysna for dinner and overnight.
Arrive in Knysna. (BLD)

DAY 10 KNYSNA – OUDTSHOORN TUESDAY

Depart for Oudtshoorn (via the Outeniqua Pass) with a view stop at the ‘Dolphin Point’.
Visit an Ostrich Farm for a tour & light lunch and a visit to the curio shop.
Depart the Ostrich farm for the Cango Caves for a tour, exploring the vast limestone caverns known as the Cango Caves.
Depart the Cango Caves for your hotel in Oudtshoorn.
Arrive at your hotel. Check in. Overnight in Oudtshoorn.
Tour ±1 hr Curio shop, restaurant (BL)

DAY 11 OUDTSHOORN – CAPE TOWN WEDNESDAY

Early morning Meerkat Safari (optional, for own account & weather permitting).
Return to hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast travel through the ‘Little Karoo’ towards Cape Town via Ladismith and the Huisrivier Pass, stopping briefly at a viewpoint on the pass.
Arrive at Ladismith for a refreshment stop before departing for Montagu via Barrydale.
Community visit to farm school (if open) in Barrydale area.
Continue to Montagu.
Arrive Montagu in time for lunch (optional & for own account) Depart Montagu and continue to Cape Town via Worcester. Arrive in Worcester for a quick comfort stop before continuing to Cape Town via the Du Toit’s Kloof Pass. Time permitting; there is a stop at a viewpoint on the pass.
Arrive in Cape Town for overnight. (B)

ENHANCE YOUR TOUR:
FRANSCCHOEK WINELANDS OPTION – USD $ 200 pp
Option to experience an overnight in Franschhoek at an additional cost, re-joining the tour on Day 12 in Cape Town. The tour will travel via Franschhoek if there are guests booked on the Franschhoek Winelands Option.

DAY 12 CAPE TOWN (UNESCORTED) THURSDAY

Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join an optional day tour (for own account).
Transfer from hotel to Gold Restaurant for dinner.
Overnight in Cape Town (BD)

DAY 13 CAPE TOWN FRIDAY

Enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula. Drive through Hout Bay (optional and for own account seal island cruise – weather permitting), via Chapman’s Peak (if open), to Cape Point. Return to Cape Town via Simon’s Town and a visit the Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee for own account). Overnight in Cape Town (B)

DAY 14 DEPARTURE DAY SATURDAY

Departure day.
Guests will be transferred to the airport, harbour or railway station for their onward journey.

DEPARTING JOHANNESBURG – ENDING CAPETOWN
DURATION 14 Days – Minimum 2 guests
DEPARTURE DAY Sunday, selected departure dates ( PLEASE INQUIRE )
PICK UP SERVICE From Sandton area hotels, others on request
LANGUAGE DEPATURES All departures in English

INCLUDES

• 13 Breakfasts
• 3 Lunches
• 6 Dinners
• Accommodation
• Transport
• Porterage at hotels
• Sightseeing as specified

EXCLUDES

Flight and departure tax between Durban and Port Elizabeth Recommended flight FA421 etd DUR ± 14h05 / eta PLZ ± 15h35 Check visa requirements for Eswatini (Swaziland).

OPTIONAL DAY TOURS Optional Day Tours are available to be pre-booked.

TOUR ACCOMMODATION

Day 1 Sunday Protea Hotel Balalaika or similar
Day 2 Monday Hazyview Sun or similar
Day 3 Tuesday Hazyview Sun or similar
Day 4 Wednesday Hazyview Sun or similar
Day 5 Thursday The Royal Villas or similar
Day 6 Friday Anew Hotel Hluhluwe or similar
Day 7 Saturday Protea Hotel Umhlanga or similar
Day 8 Sunday Rex Hotel or similar
Day 9 Monday Rex Hotel or similar
Day 10 Tuesday Hlangana Lodge or similar
Day 11 Wednesday President Hotel or similar
Franschhoek Winelands Option
Day 12 Thursday President Hotel or similar
Day 13 Friday President Hotel or similar

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

Enhance your journey with an optional excursion, available for pre-booking, subject to a minimum of 2 adults travelling: Rates include a fuel levy that is subject to change, should there be further increases to the fuel price

DAY 1 – SUNDAY – JOHANNESBURG – AFTERNOON SOWETO TOUR Soweto is unlike any suburb you’ve ever seen or been to, yet the history of struggle encapsulated here is a cornerstone of the South African story. USD $ 100 pp

DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – AFTERNOON OPEN VEHICLE GAME SAFARI For the wildlife enthusiasts a second open vehicle safari, as an extension to the morning safari, in one of the world’s most renowned game reserves. USD $ 100 pp

DAY 6 – FRIDAY – HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI PARK – AFTERNOON OPEN VEHICLE GAME SAFARI Enjoy an afternoon, 3-hour open vehicle game safari into the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Africa’s oldest game reserve and world renowned for its highly successful white rhino conservation programme. USD $ 100 pp

DAY 11 – WEDNESDAY – OUDTSHOORN – MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience – EARLY MORNING MEERKAT SAFARI There is an option 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 & subject to availability at the time of booking). A portion of the monies paid by guests for this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience go towards the Buffelsdrift Foundation, that focusses on Wildlife conservation in the Klein Karoo region, habitat conservation and the local community. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land. USD $ 75 pp

DAY 12 – THURSDAY – CAPE TOWN – MORNING TABLE MOUNTAIN & CAPE TOWN CITY, excluding the cost of the Table Mountain cable way ticket. Travel by cable car to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting), then descend to further explore the city. USD $ 75 pp

Four nights getaway to Mauritius enquire for details

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