ESSENTIAL SOUTH AFRICA South Africa, Swaziland

Transcription

1 ESSENTIAL SOUTH AFRICA South Africa, Swaziland 16 day group tour (standard accommodation) This journey joins Johannesburg, the gold capital of South Africa, with the vibrant coastal capital of Cape Town. Along the way view the Big Five in Kruger National Park, whale watch in the Western Cape and meet the people from the Kingdom of Swaziland and Zululand. Visit many popular highlights and some locally known gems. Also available in reverse order from Cape Town to Johannesburg. Page 1

2 Cape Town Price includes: accommodation as listed 15 breakfasts and 5 dinners transport and services of an English speaking guide whilst on tour. tour excursions: two game drives within the Kruger National Park in the enclosed tour vehicle,* visit to Swaziland, St Lucia estuary boat cruise, Hluhluwe game drive in open sided vehicle, visit to Tsitsikamma National Park, Cango Caves tour, ostrich farm tour in Oudtshoorn, lookout visit at Knysna, Stellenbosch walking tour, entrance & conservation fees. *optional open sided game drives in the Kruger National Park are available on request (own expense) Price excludes: International flights. Medical and travel insurance. Tips and porterage. Meals and drinks not listed. B - breakfast L - lunch D - dinner Johannesburg to Cape Town (WEL7680) Accommodation: standard Departs: selected Mondays (bi-lingual departure) Itinerary overview: Day 1: South Africa, Johannesburg, Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton Day 2: South Africa, Hazyview, Casa do Sol Hotel (BD) Day 3: South Africa, Hazyview, Casa do Sol Hotel (BD) Day 4: South Africa, Kruger National Park, Pestana Kruger Lodge (BD) Day 5: South Africa, Hluhluwe, DumaZulu Lodge (B) Day 6: South Africa, Hluhluwe, DumaZulu Lodge (B) Day 7: South Africa, Port Edward, Wild Coast Sun (B) Day 8: South Africa, Mthatha, Garden Court Mthatha (BD) Day 9: South Africa, Port Alfred, Royal St Andrews Lodge (BD) Day 10: South Africa, Plettenberg Bay, The Dunes Leisure Resort (B) Day 11: South Africa, Plettenberg Bay, The Dunes Leisure Resort (B) Day 12: South Africa, Oudtshoorn, Hotel Protea Riempie Estate (B) Day 13: South Africa, Stellenbosch, Protea Hotel Stellenbosch (B) Day 14: South Africa, Cape Town, The President Hotel (B) Day 15: South Africa, Cape Town, The President Hotel (B) Day 16: South Africa, Cape Town - ends (B) This tour is easily combined with a visit to Victoria Falls and the surrounding game parks in Zimbabwe and Botswana. See our Falls Experience add-ons and our selection of combined Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta pre-designed itineraries. Page 2

3 Essential South Africa (southbound) Day 1: Johannesburg Today is a joining day for the group. It is at leisure to enjoy the city. A range of optional excursions can be prebooked for those arriving early in the day. Your guide will meet you this evening at 6:30pm for a tour briefing where you will meet your fellow travellers. Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton. Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton Located in the heart of the bustling business and entertainment hub of Sandton, the Protea Hotel Balalaika features two sections, the Balalaika and the Crown Court. Each property has its own landscaped gardens and sparkling swimming pool where guests can relax and unwind. Two restaurants provide on-site dining, including the popular Bull Run Restaurant for steakhouse favorites. Boasting 330 stylish guest rooms and suites, each room is air-conditioned and tastefully furnished in a classic, comfortable style with its own en suite bathroom. Ideally situated the Balalaika offers convenient access to the shops and restaurants of Sandton at a reasonable price. Day 2: Panorama Route After breakfast you leave Johannesburg and travel along the Panorama Route to Hazyview, on the outskirts of Kruger National Park. The Panorama Route includes the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels, which are amongst the world s largest green canyons. Along the way you visit Bourke s Luck Potholes and Wonder View, the highest viewpoint on the route. These sights offer some of the country s most beautiful views and cherished natural marvels. En route you stop for lunch (own account) in Graskop, then arrive in the late afternoon at your overnight accommodation. Relax prior to a leisurely dinner at the hotel. Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort (BD). Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort Situated within the 500 hectare llanga nature reserve, Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort is an oasis of tranquil pools, deeply shaded glades and flower gardens. The hotel has 54 comfortable en suite casas leading on to the gardens. The restaurant and bar areas lead onto an outdoor terrace overlooking gardens where zebra often graze. Facilities include tennis courts, several swimming pools and a spa treatment centre. Day 3: Kruger National Park After an early breakfast you travel to the iconic Kruger National Park. You enjoy a guided game drive in your enclosed tour vehicle* prowling the bushveld looking for wildlife inside the national park. The game drive is taken in our tour vehicle with your tour guide. An optional game drive, in an open sided ranger guided vehicle, can be booked on tour at your own expense. The Kruger National Park covers 19,485 square kilometres. It supports a staggering variety of fauna and flora including 147 mammals and 507 birds species, some rare and indigenous to the area. SAN Parks manage the park and provide good accessible roads and trails for visitors to drive on. Animals come quite close to the road, with some animals, such as lion, actually preferring to enjoy the heat from the sun on the roads rather than in the bush. Lunch is enjoyed inside the park (own account) while enjoying the wildness at one of the park s rest camps, before continuing on your bush adventure. In the afternoon you head back to the hotel to freshen up and perhaps enjoy pre-dinner drinks before an evening meal. Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort (BD). Page 3 Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort

4 Zulu warriors Day 4: Kruger National Park Enjoy an early breakfast before spending a second day on a guided closed vehicle game drive* in Kruger National Park. Enjoy lunch in the park (own account), followed by continued game viewing. In the afternoon you exit the park at Malelane Gate and head to your lodge situated on the fringes of the famous park. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks (own account) on the deck overlooking the Crocodile River and Southern Kruger National Park, before taking dinner at the hotel. * This game drive is taken in the tour vehicle with your tour guide. An optional game drive, in an open sided ranger guided vehicle can be booked on tour at your own expense. Pestana Kruger Lodge (BD). Pestana Kruger Lodge Pestana Kruger Lodge is a deluxe four-star property near Kruger National Park, located only 150 metres from Malelane Gate. The lodge is surrounded by marvellous gardens and offers a fantastic view of the Crocodile River, where hippos and several wildlife species can be seen. The comfortable 74 rooms have an earthy décor with an African touch and provide a relaxing environment close to nature. Day 5: Swaziland - Hluhluwe Having enjoyed an early breakfast you travel to the welcoming Kingdom of Swaziland. Swaziland is an absolute monarchy with a population of around one million. Its devoted king, Mswati II and his people are dedicated to retaining their culture and it is not uncommon to see locals in traditional dress. This beautiful country has vast areas protected as national parks affording travellers wildlife encounters and scenic wonders. Ezulwini Valley is commonly known as the Valley of Heaven and the valley contains a number of notable wildlife sanctuaries and crafts markets. Enjoy lunch (own account) en route. On exiting Swaziland you enter the sub-tropical Zulu Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa. We make our way to Hluhluwe where your accommodation is located, arriving in the early evening in time for dinner (own account). DumaZulu Lodge (B). DumaZulu Lodge Located in the heart of Zululand near Hluhluwe, Gooderson DumaZulu Traditional Zulu Village is as much a living cultural museum as it is a lodge. Cultural guides give guests a rare insight into local customs and activities allow guests to enjoy a range of activities. The lodge consists of 23 rounded traditional huts built in a circle around a central cattle kraal to resemble a traditional Zulu village. The hits exteriors are designed to reflect the different tribes of Southern Africa; Zulu, Swazi, North Sotho, Xhosa, Venda, Tsonga and Ndebele. Comfortable interiors reflect the rustic, warm colours of Africa with burnt oranges, rich reds and deep browns dominating the décor. Each unit includes an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities. This unique lodge is a place of learning, offering guests a great insight into the Zulu culture. Day 6: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park After a hearty breakfast you depart in an open vehicle for a morning game drive in the nearby Hluhluwe- Umfolozi Park. This park is the only area in KwaZulu-Natal where the Big Five can be found. Historically the hunting grounds of the Zulu kings, Hluhluwe and Umfolozi are world famous reserves. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. There are numerous activities to be enjoyed in the area, these include the Zulu cultural show, or the bird and reptile park (own account). DumaZulu Lodge (B). Day 7: Port Edward via St Lucia Leaving the lodge after an early morning breakfast, you travel to St Lucia. At St Lucia enjoy a boat cruise around the estuary. See rare wildlife and birdlife, mangrove swamps and vegetated sand dunes that make for an interesting cruise. St Lucia is the only town in South Africa that lies inside a World Heritage Site, the isimangaliso Wetland Park. This is the largest estuarine system in Africa. Page 4

5 Essential South Africa (southbound) After our boat cruise we enjoy lunch (own account). The tour departs for lovely town of Port Edward on the south coast. This evening enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in this seaside town (own account). Wild Coast Sun (B). Wild Coast Sun Located in the seaside town of Port Edward, Wild Coast Sun offers friendly four- star accommodation with plenty of facilities. With a wide range of activities available at this spacious 750-hectare resort, this popular resort has something for everyone. Surrounded by the lush beauty of the Eastern Cape, the Wild Coast Sun is the ideal choice for tourists and travellers looking for beachfront holiday accommodation in Port Edward that offers both leisure and adventure activities along the South Coast. The hotels Wild Waves Water Park features some of South Africa s best aquatic rides and water slides, while the Mtamvuna River and nearby beaches offer visitors countless water-based activities. Day 8: Mthatha After breakfast you depart San Lameer for Mthatha, home to former President Nelson Mandela. Tuck into lunch en route (own account). Follow the Mandela Route which moves through Bishop, home of the provincial government, and take a scenic drive on the N2 to Mthatha where the Nelson Mandela Museum is located. Arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon before enjoying dinner. Garden Court Mthatha (BD). Garden Court Mthatha Garden Court offers 292 en suite rooms, including standard and executive rooms. Each room is furnished with stylish touches along with a host of comforts that make you feel at home. Amenities provided include tea and coffee making facilities, television with DSTV, air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi and wakeup facility. Day 9: Port Alfred Today you travel to the marina town of Port Alfred, via the Xhosa village of Qunu where Nelson Mandela grew up. Qunu, which is part of the former Transkei, holds to the Xhosa traditions and consists of a number of small villages. These are the green hills and pastures where Nelson Mandela herded sheep and cattle and which today remains the site of his family home. Venture further south along the coastal road to East London, enjoying lunch en route (own account). The coastal road brings you to Port Alfred at the heart of the Sunshine Coast, on the banks of the Kowie River. There s time to freshen-up before sitting down to enjoy dinner. Royal St Andrews Lodge (BD). Royal St Andrews Lodge This boutique, 60-room lodge is a historical icon in Port Alfred. Recently refurbished, it is neat and modern and offers free Wi-Fi and excellent service and hospitality. The recently re-opened Highlander Pub and Thistle Restaurant within the complex offer a broad menu and great quality food. Day 10: Plettenberg Bay Today you take a boat cruise along the scenic Kowie River, before travelling inland along the Garden Route and the Tsitsikamma mountains. The Garden Route derives its name from the ecologically diverse vegetation present in the area, which lies between the Indian Ocean and the Tsitsikamma Mountains. Tsitsikamma is the ancient San name meaning place of abundant water, but is today known as one of South Africa s most famous national parks. Port Alfred Kowie River Tsitsikamma National Park Page 5

6 Protea Hotel Riempie Estate We stop to cross the suspension bridge at Storms River mouth, where the Storms River meets the Indian Ocean. Your two night stop is at Keurboomstrand, near Plettenberg Bay. Your resort has private access to an eight kilometre stretch of pristine beachfront. The Dunes Leisure Resort (B). The Dunes Leisure Resort Located in the heart of the garden route, The Dunes is a superior hotel within walking distance from the unspoiled Keurbooms Beach and just minutes from the premier resort town of Plettenberg Bay. Spacious and elegantly appointed, the rooms are decorated with sophisticated stylishness. Facilities in all the rooms include air conditioning, bar fridge, satellite TV and tea and coffee making facilities. Each room features king or twin size beds and en suite bathrooms. Day 11: Plettenberg Bay Enjoy a day at leisure. Stroll along the beach, take a swim or enjoy an optional excursion such as a visit to Featherbed Nature Reserve and the Elephant Park in nearby Knysna. The Dunes Leisure Resort (B). Day 12: Oudtshoorn We head to the semi-arid Klein Karoo via the popular seaside resort of Knysna. At Knysna we take time to visit its famous lookouts for views of the town, the lagoon and ocean. Driving over the Outeniqua Pass we stop at an ostrich farm on the outskirts of our overnight stop in Oudtshoorn. A tour of the farm introduces you to these strange and exotic birds as well as the ostrich industry which accounted for much of South Africa s wealth in the Victorian era. In the Cango Valley we discover the spectacular subterranean world of the Cango Caves. These 20 million year old caves feature an impressive display of stalagmites and stalactites. We take a guided tour before continuing to the rural capital of the Karoo, Oudtshoorn, for the night. Hotel Protea Riempie Estate (B). Hotel Protea Riempie Estate Protea Hotel Riempie Estate is situated on a private estate in Oudtshoorn. The hotel offers comfortable accommodation in 40 tastefully decorated chalets and rondavels. A quiet and relaxing atmosphere and an attention to detail and personal service, makes your stay at Riempie Estate an unforgettable experience. The thatch roofed communal areas surround a delightful swimming pool making the hotel a relaxing and ambient location. Day 13: Stellenbosch This morning you journey west via Route 62 to Stellenbosch in the heart of the Cape Winelands. This well known route runs along orchard lined valleys, towering mountain ranges, rivers and indigenous fynbos. En route you visit an award winning brandy distillery in Robertson, where you ll have a fun and an educational experience brandy tasting. We journey further into the heart of the Winelands arriving at Stellenbosch in the late afternoon. Stellenbosch was established by Dutch colonists and today it is a mixture of past and present with a large university and vibrant café culture. It features historical monuments, manicured parklands and well preserved Dutch colonialstyle architecture. Protea Hotel Stellenbosch (B). Protea Hotel Stellenbosch Surrounded by international golf courses and wine estates, overlooking the Blaauwklippen Valley and Helderberg Mountains, the Protea Hotel Stellenbosch offers guests the best of the Cape winelands. The hotel boasts 180 well -appointed bedrooms, consisting of executive suites, deluxe and standard rooms which can combine for families. The hotel is situated on a lake which offers extensive views to the local wineries and easy access to wineries. Page 6

7 Day 14: Cape Town This morning you take a walking tour of Stellenbosch. Explore the town s historic sites and colonial Cape Dutch architecture and some of the country s oldest buildings. After the cultural town tour we drive to Cape Town, stopping for a wine tasting at one of the many stellar wine farms in Paarl. Paarl is South Africa s third oldest town. It gets it name from the enormous granite pluton that shimmers like a pearl (or paarl in Dutch) after rain showers. We continue to our last stop, Cape Town. Similar to all harbour cities, Cape Town has a laid-back atmosphere, great beaches and a harbour with a vibrant waterfront atmosphere. Add to this what is possibly the most dramatic backdrop in the world, the flat topped, massive Table Mountain and you can see why so many travellers include Cape Town in their visit to South Africa. An appealing and relaxing city, Cape Town will entice you. The President Hotel (B). The President Hotel Located on the beachfront at Bantry Bay President Hotel offers easy access to all major tourist attractions, public transport and the central business district. The hotels position and layout is such that most of the spacious rooms overlook the Atlantic Ocean, Table Mountain, Lions Head or Signal Hill. The Hotel comprises 116 apartments and 233 rooms. Rooms are sea or mountain facing and apartments offer a separate lounge and dinette. Soak up the resort-style vibe as you sample the sumptuous cuisine or a refreshing cocktail while overlooking the rim-flow pool and Atlantic Ocean. Other services include a full service restaurant, bar, rim-flow pool, in-room spa, hair salon and 24-hour room service. Day 15: Cape Town Today is at your leisure to enjoy the many activities and sights that Cape Town offers. Choose from a range of optional experiences (own expense) such as a guided tour of Robben Island, the infamous prison where Nelson Mandela was interned, a day viewing either the Cape Point Reserve or the historical sights of the city, or a journey to the top of Table Mountain on the rotating cable car. The President Hotel (B). Day 16: Cape Town- ends Your tour ends after breakfast. (B). Essential South Africa (southbound) Passenger information: The tour operator may have to re-route the itinerary or change the accommodation in rare cases of nonavailability. Prices may vary when booking seasons overlap. Bookings over Christmas, New Year and Easter incur holiday supplements. As prices are calculated in foreign currencies it may become necessary to add a currency surcharge. Prices for flights, airport taxes, park fees, and government taxes may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed on. Please request our full cancellation policy if required. Le Vendome Hotel Page 7