Sensational South AfricaEscorted Tour, South Africa

This South Africa tour offers you a wonderfully diverse experience of a remarkable country. Head out to spot the Big Five and other local inhabitants on a 4 wheel-drive safari in the renowned Kruger National Park, then travel the dramatic Garden Route coastal road, before taking a cruise across the wildlife-rich Knysna lagoon. Finally, spend four nights exploring beautiful Cape Town, including Table Mountain and Boulders Beach (where characterful penguins waddle across the sand).

WHAT'S INCLUDED

11 nights in hotels and 2 in flight (accommodation as specified or similar)

International and internal flights as detailed. Prices are based on return flights with South African Airways from London Heathrow - inbound via Johannesburg. Supplements may apply from other airports

16 meals: 11 breakfasts (days 3-13) 1 lunch (day 8) 4 dinners (days 3-5 and 9)

VIP door-to-door travel service

Local tour manager

Travel in destination by coach

Porterage

10 included excursions and visits

Pretoria orientation tour

Visits to Voortrekker Monument; and Pilgrim’s Rest and God’s Window

Game drive in Kruger National Park

Tsitsikamma National Park, Storms River & the Garden Route

Visit to Featherbed Nature Reserve

Tour of ostrich farm

Spectacular Route 62 from Oudtshoorn to Swellendam

City tour of Cape Town including Table Mountain cable car ride (weather permitting)

Tour to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point (including Boulders Beach)

ITINERARY

Day 1 UK - In flight

VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2 Johannesburg - Pretoria - Sandton

On arrival into Johannesburg you’ll embark on an orientation tour of Pretoria, which will include a stop at the substantial hilltop monument that commemorates the settling of South Africa’s interior by the Boer pioneers, known as Voortrekkers. You’ll stay overnight at the Protea Balalaika Hotel (4-Star), located in Sandton, a hub for both tourism and business, and where there are plentiful shopping opportunities.

Day 3 Sandton - Panorama Route - Kruger National Park

You’ll head east this morning into the state of Mpumalanga. Your journey follows part of the famous Panorama route, which includes Pilgrim’s Rest, declared a national monument to the days of the late 19th century gold rush. Weather permitting you will make a stop at God’s Window for an amazing view from the top of the Drakensburg Escarpment, several hundred metres down to the Lowveld below. You’ll continue to the Protea Kruger Gate Hotel (4-Star) or Pestana Kruger Lodge (4-Star) for a three night stay. Dinner is included tonight.

Day 4 Kruger National Park

An unforgettable day as you embark on a full-day game drive in the iconic Kruger National Park. Your 4x4 safari vehicles offer the best views of the surrounding area and hopefully all of the ‘big five’- lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino. There is always something to see as nearly 150 different species of mammal reside in the park, together with hundreds of bird species and the Lowveld flora. After your fascinating day you’ll return to your hotel.

Day 5 Kruger National Park

A full day at leisure. You can relax at the poolside of your hotel, or alternatively you can return to Kruger National Park on an optional game drive for more magnificent wildlife viewing.

Day 6 Kruger National Park - Port Elizabeth

This morning you’ll drive to Johannesburg Airport and fly to Port Elizabeth, located on South Africa’s Eastern Cape and named in 1820 by the governor of Cape Colony after his late wife. On arrival you’ll transfer to the Protea Marine Hotel (4-Star) or Boardwalk Hotel (4-Star) for an overnight stay.

Day 7 Port Elizabeth - Tsitsikamma National Park - Knysna

You’ll leave Port Elizabeth this morning and head west to Tsitsikamma National Park, now part of the wider Garden Route National Park. You’ll stop at Storms River and view the forest and famous dramatic coastline. Later you’ll continue to Knysna, located in the heart of, and synonymous with, the Garden Route. You’ll stay for two nights in this popular town, at the Protea Knysna Quays (4-Star).

Day 8 Knysna

This morning you’ll board a ferry sailing across the Knysna Lagoon to the western headland. On arrival you are taken up into the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Stops are made at the magnificent viewpoints and the specialist guide highlights the history of the area together with its flora and fauna. There is time for an optional guided walk through the coastal forest and fynbos before a tasty included lunch. Later you’ll return to Knysna where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 9 Knysna - Cape Town

Leaving Knysna behind, you’ll cross the Outeniqua Mountains that separate the lush coastal area and the more arid Klein Karoo. You’ll arrive in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, where you’ll have a guided tour of a working ostrich farm. After your fascinating tour you’ll continue your journey west to Cape Town. You’ll stay for four nights at the Southern Sun The Cullinan Hotel (5-Star).

Day 10 Cape Town

This morning you’ll embark on a half-day tour of this world-famous city, that has a backdrop of Table Mountain, which, together with Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Devil’s Peak, wrap three sides of the central ‘city bowl’. Weather permitting you’ll will take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain for some amazing views. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy Cape Town at your leisure.

Day 11 Cape Town

Cape Town sits at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula and your journey today takes us to the extreme south of the peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, the majority of which is encompassed by Table Mountain National Park. You’ll also make stops at Chapman’s Peak, Hout Bay, Simon’s Town and Boulders Beach, home to the endangered African Penguins. After an unforgettable day you’ll return to Cape Town.

Day 12 Cape Town

A full day at leisure. South Africa is rightly proud of its wine industry and today you will be able to take an optional winelands excursion which includes a cellar tour and tasting of local wines. Alternatively, you may wish to travel to the Victoria and Alfred waterfront with its wide selection of top-class shops and restaurants.

Day 13 Cape Town - In flight

Some free time this morning before you transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Day 14 UK

Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

Sensational South Africa is located in Escorted Tour, South Africa. Accommodation rating is the operators own rating and may not be the official rating. Hotel details correct at 25/03/2020