|
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 magnifi cent 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 sceptre 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) Kruger National Park (BD)
Explore living history at Pilgrim’s Rest, the old mining village where gold was fi rst 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 rest camp in time for a welcome sundowner (own account) in the African bushveld.Accommodation: Kruger - Rest Camp or similar
Day 4: (Wed) A full day ‘Big Five’ game viewing in Kruger National Park (B)
Set off before breakfast in open safari vehicle 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 Factory to see master craftsmen fashion collectable fi gures 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 ValleyAccommodation: Lugogo 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 speciesAccommodation: Elephant Lake Hotel or similar
*Clients have the option to purchase an exciting afternoon open safari 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 fi elds 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 fl ight to Port Elizabeth (cost of fl ight 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: Knysna Log-Inn or similar
Day 9: (Mon) Knysna (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: Knysna Log-Inn or similar
Day 10: (Tue) 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 Africa’s most incredible natural wonders. Overnight in Oudtshoorn.Accommodation: Queens Hotel or similar
Please note during the period 01 May – 31 August 2007 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 magnifi cent vistas. Enjoy the everchanging 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 (Jul to Nov). 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 touring of the ruggedly beautiful Cape Peninsula via the Atlantic seaboard. We stop at the fi shing 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)
Journey into the beautiful and tranquil Cape Winelands. Sip some of South Africa’s fi nest wines at two well known estates in Paarl and Stellenbosch. A visit to the Huguenot Memorial Museum 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 fl ight home.
|
