South Africa Uncovered 2016

Transcription

1 South Africa Uncovered days/18 nights September 4-22, 2016 JOHANNESBURG KRUGER HLUHLUWE GARDEN ROUTE CAPE TOWN Highlights Inner city rejuvenation in Johannesburg Soweto and the apartheid museum Panorama Route Authentic Cultural Experiences Wildlife & Conservation Cape Town Garden Route Whale Route

2 Itinerary Day 1 - Sunday Upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, you would be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight Protea Balalaika (standard room) or similar Day 2 Monday (B) Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and the morning free. Afternoon collection from your hotel for a scheduled afternoon Johannesburg City Tour. Explore the area close to City Hall, Newtown Cultural Precinct and Maboneng Precinct, which has completely transformed the Market Theatre and surrounds. Overnight Protea Balalaika (standard room) or similar Day 3 - Tuesday (BL) Breakfast at the hotel followed by a morning visit to Soweto. It is from here that most of the struggle was fought against the injustices of the apartheid regime and is home to sites of historical importance. Enjoy lunch followed by a visit to the Apartheid museum. Overnight Protea Balalaika (standard room) or similar Day 4 Wednesday (B) Depart Johannesburg and travel to the Land of the Rising Sun Mpumalanga via the magnificent Panorama Route. Time and weather permitting, stop at God s Window. Late afternoon arrival at the hotel. Check in and dinner at leisure. Overnight Perry s Bridge Hollow (standard room) or similar

3 Day 5 Thursday (B) Early morning departure from the hotel with breakfast packs to the Kruger National Park for a morning of game viewing through to the south of the reserve. Exit the Kruger Park via Malelane and continue to the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland. Continue to the Nsangwini Rock Shelter which is the largest example of San art in the country and is said to provide the most comprehensive display in Swaziland. The paintings are remarkably clear and informative interpretations are given by members of the Nsangwini community, who manage and maintain the site. After spending some time at the Mbabane craft markets, arrive at your hotel located in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley. Overnight Lugogo Sun (standard room) or similar Day 6 Friday (B) Breakfast at the hotel followed by a visit to the Swazi Candle Factory. Continue to the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy a hands-on experience of our neighbouring lady chief 'Inkhosikati' in her homestead 'Umphakatsi' - a very real glimpse into Swaziland's culture. This insightful visit is followed by a sunset game drive with a trained Swazi ranger. Return to the hotel for overnight. Overnight Lugogo Sun (standard room) or similar Day 7 Saturday (BD) Breakfast and check-out of the hotel. Enjoy the drive through the southern region of Swaziland. After border formalities, continue to the town of Hluhluwe. Enjoy dinner at the hotel before retiring for the night. Overnight Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge (standard room) or similar

4 Day 8 Sunday (BD) Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a morning cultural experience by visiting an authentic village to see how the Zulu people have managed to merge their traditional lifestyle within a westernised culture of South Africa. This visit is followed by an afternoon game drive into the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve. End the day with dinner at the hotel. Overnight Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge (standard room) or similar Day 9 Monday (B) Continue the journey along the Elephant Coast of KwaZulu-Natal to St Lucia, located at the southern extremity of the isimangaliso Wetland Park a World Heritage Site. Here you embark on an estuarine boat trip which provides an opportunity to view crocodiles, hippo and numerous bird species, including the elusive Fish Eagle, in their natural habitat. Continue to King Shaka International Airport where you will connect with your late afternoon/evening flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for overnight.

5 Day 10 Tuesday (B) Depart Cape Town and travel along Route 62 to Barrydale for lunch (not included in cost). Continue to Oudtshoorn the feather capital of the world. Visit a working ostrich farm for a guided tour. Check into your accommodation in the late afternoon. Overnight Hlangana Lodge (standard room) or similar Day 11 Wednesday (B) Enjoy a morning tour of the Cango Caves one of the natural wonders of the world. Continue to the lagoon side town of Knysna the gem of the Garden Route. Enjoy an oyster farm tour. This is a hands on, indoor oyster demonstration where you learn all about this famous delicacy. Remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight Knysna Hollow Country Estate (standard room) or similar Day 12 Thursday (B) Enjoy breakfast at the hotel followed by a boat trip on the lagoon to the Knysna Heads. Continue to The Crags near Plettenberg Bay where you would visit Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary and Birds of Eden - current winners of the Lilizela Tourism Visitor Experience of the Year Award - 'Wildlife Encounters', among other accolades in responsible/ conservation tourism. Spend some time in the town of Plettenberg Bay or on the white sandy beaches before returning to Knysna for overnight. Overnight Knysna Hollow Country Estate (standard room) or similar

6 Day 13 Friday (B) Breakfast and check-out of the hotel. Travel to Mossel Bay where we will visit the Bartholomeu Diaz Maritime Museum and the Old Post Office Tree. Continue the journey to Swellendam which is the third oldest town in South Africa. Here you shall stop for lunch (to own account), and, time permitting, visit the old Dutch Reformed Church. The day ends on arrival at the coastal village of Hermanus. Overnight Auberge Burgundy (standard room) or similar Day 14 Saturday (B) A myriad of activities and sites of interest abound in the immediate vicinity of Hermanus. Start the day with a drive into town for a stroll along the cliff paths and a visit to the old harbor museum. During season (July to December) you may be lucky enough to spot whales frolicking in the bay. Continue to Creation Wines for a wine tasting experience. An option also exists to embark on a boat trip or Shark Cage Diving (to own account). Overnight Auberge Burgundy (standard room) or similar Day 15 Sunday (B) After breakfast, proceed to Cape Town, the Mother City. Morning visit to the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, situated in the centre of the coastal fynbos where the flora is at its richest. The Garden is also renowned for its waterfalls and amber pools. Continue to Stony Point Penguin breeding colony which is near an old abandoned whaling station. Continue the scenic drive along the route also known as the Cape Riviera. There are many stops along the way for panoramic views and photo opportunities. Arrive in Cape Town in the afternoon and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

7 Day 16 Monday (B) Afternoon collection from the hotel for a scheduled City Tour a geographical and cultural extravaganza showing you Cape Town from its historical beginnings to modern buildings and malls. Return to the hotel in the early evening. Day 17 Tuesday (B) This morning you will be collected for your full day Cape Point & Peninsula Tour an awe-inspiring tour passing magnificent beaches, breath-taking views and historic and picturesque coastal villages to the towering headland known as Cape Point. The tour ends upon return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Day 18 Wednesday (B) Today you embark on a scheduled full day Cape Winelands Tour. This is a delightful drive, which winds its way to the heart of the Cape Winelands through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads. Return to Cape Town during the late afternoon. Day 19 Thursday (B) Breakfast and check-out of the hotel. Today you shall be collected for your transfer to Cape Town International Airport where you would connect with your onward flight arrangements. Cost Included $4,100 PER PERSON SHARING $4,635 SINGLE TRAVELER Arrival transfer from airport to Sandton hotel on Day 1 and transfer to the airport on Day 19 is included Domestic flight from Durban to Cape Town Accommodation as stipulated in the itinerary Breakfast daily, other meals as stipulated in the itinerary Services of an English Speaking Driver-Guide Touring and Transfers in an air-conditioned small coach with luggage trailer (where necessary) Entrance Fees for included touring as per itinerary National Park fees are included Excluded International flights Any additional domestic flights that may be required for connections or extensions Beverages with meals unless specified No Guide on Safari (lodge Staff and Lodge Rangers host clients) Items of a personal nature (curio purchases, spa treatments etc)