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Luxury Self Drive Tour - 18 Days (Code SD11) |
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 The Luxury Self Drive tour is focussed on clients that would like to enjoy the luxury of private lodges and fine five star hotels in combination with a self drive experience.
Most of the regional flights have been replaced. It is an itinerary for those who like to drive and see the countryside between regions. It combines safari experiences in the Northern Part of South Africa with a self drive experience of the Garden Route, Winelands and Cape Town. The drive between Walkersons and Phinda can be replaced with a flight. |
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Self Drive Tour Detail |
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| Self Drive Tour Prices vary depending on the time of year and the size of your traveling party. Please send us a request with your particular requirements. We will return a detailed, no obligation quotation to you, within 24hrs of receiving the request. We can quote you in any currency of your choice. Bookings confirmed with a deposit more than six months in advance are subject to a discount of 5%. |
| Self Drive Tour Price: |
From R71 323 to R82 481 (South African Rand) per person sharing |
| Self Drive Starting Date: |
Any date specified by clients, this is a private tour |
| Tour Starting Point: |
Anywhere in Johannesburg or Pretoria |
| Tour Ending Point: |
Anywhere in Cape Town |
| What is Included: |
Below the detailed itinerary |
| What is Excluded: |
Below the detailed itinerary |
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Self Drive Tour Itinerary |
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Day 1: Kruger National Park
Clients are met upon arrival at Johannesburg International( O. R. Tambo) Airport by a representative of African Sky Safaris and Tours who presents them with their self drive tour itinerary, a map book of South Africa as well as a GPS on which a suggested route has been pre programmed. The locations of the suggested activities and places of interest we suggest in this itinerary are also logged in the GPS. At this time clients are also presented with accommodation and other relevant vouchers which they will require on their self drive tour.
The Representative spends an hour with guests going over the route and offering suggestions and advice. All members of the African Sky Team have years of experience in conducting tours and safaris in South and Southern Africa. He or she should be able to answer any questions clients might have regarding their self drive holiday. The representative then assists them with collecting their rental car after which clients embark on their self drive holiday of South Africa. Guest will now venture into the beautiful and varied South African territory and travel through the Mpumalanga Province. Your journey will take you over the Long Tom Pass the highest road in South Africa. The Long Tom Pass gets its name from the Long Tom cannons used during the Anglo-Boer war. This area is also rich in vegetation, eucalyptus and pine trees are planted here and the scene is dominated by the peaks of Mount Anderson and Mauchsberg. Through the picturesque Sabi area. Visit to Pilgrims Rest is worth your while. The uniqueness of this historic village is vividly evident in its museums and historic sites. It offers the visitor a fascinating window into the past and captures the spirit of a bygone era and its people in their quest for gold. Guest will then make their way to Lion Sands an award-winning private game reserve, which is situated in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and is the only private reserve to have access to the perennial Sabie River, which it shares with the Kruger National Park.
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| Overnight: Lion Sands River Lodge |
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| Meals: Dinner |
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Day 2-4: Kruger National Park
The next few days will be spent exploring and experiencing the incredible delights of the African Bush. Activities at Lion Sands Private Game Reserve include game drives, game walks, bush breakfasts/dinners, full moon walks, river tours, safari lunches and wildlife lectures. Guests interested in astronomy, can enjoy stargazing on evening game drives. The game drives at Lion Sands are included and are conducted by an experienced ranger and tracker from open 4X4 vehicles
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| Overnight: Lion Sands River Lodge |
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| Meals: Full Board |
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Day 5: Mpumalanga Highlands
Guest will leave the Reserve and travel through the magnificent Lowveld countryside. En route to Walkersons guest can visit the Blyde River Gorge and Bourke's Luck where the Unique Geological features of the potholes are admired. Gods Window and beautiful walks to delightful falls like the Mac Mac and Bridal Veil are to be found in this area. Guest will overnight at Walkersons in Dullstroom. Walkersons offers warm hospitality and fine dining. The vistas are breathtaking surrounding the Lodge and guests can relax and enjoy a bottle of wine from their vintage collection. Dullstroom is a quaint little town of unique and unusual shops and restaurants. Well known too for the amazing fly fishing experiences. |
| Overnight: Walkersons |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 6: Maputoland
Leaving the Mpumalanga area and entering the lush Kwa Zulu Natal guest will experience the splendid scenery ranging from Savannah Grassland to forested hills and Banana Plantations bringing the diversity of South Africa to life as the road meanders south to the rolling hills of Zululand. Guest make their way to Phinda Forest Lodge lying within the 15 000 hectares/3 800 acres of Phinda Private Game Reserve, in the Maputaland region of KwaZulu-Natal.
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| Overnight: Phinda Forest Lodge |
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| Meals: Full Board |
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Day 7-8: Maputoland
Phinda is located in Maputaland, with easy access to many of the diverse and fascinating attractions in the region. Guest can discover the beautiful St Lucia Wetlands the largest estuarine system in Africa, Sodwana Bay a scuba diver's and nature lover's delight, and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi game park famous for bringing the White Rhino back from extinction. Guest can enjoy game-drives, interpretive bush walks, canoeing on the Mzinene River, White Rhino tracking, or watch the sunrise or sunset whilst enjoying a Mzinene Riverboat Cruise. Two game drives on open 4X4 vehicles are included daily at Phinda Forest Lodge |
| Overnight: Phinda Forest Lodge |
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| Meals: Full Board |
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Day 9-10: Shamwari
Breakfast is followed by a drive to Durban, from where guests will fly to Port Elizabeth where they will collect another vehicle and drive to Shamwari Game reserve. The reserve is home to Africa’s Big 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard). The 25 000 hectare reserve boasts five eco-systems, thus enabling the support of many forms of plant, animal and bird life. Guests can indulge in the many activities available at the Lodge. Between game drives guests can fill their time with relaxing, reading, spa treatments, swimming, enjoying delicious cuisine, a game walk, or a visit to one of the two Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary. Two game drives on open 4X4 vehicles are included daily at Shamwari
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| Overnight: Shamwari Bayethe |
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| Meals: Full Board |
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Day 11: Garden Route
Guests can enjoy a last morning game drive followed by breakfast after which they will travel South to Knysna, the jewel of the garden route.The drive will take guests through the Tsitsikamma National Park and a quick stop at Storms River Mouth, to take a short walk to the famous Big Tree. A Yellowwood giant standing 36.6 meters high and is estimated to be +/- 800 years old. The scenic route then makes its way south en route to Natures Valley, which is reached after descending the Grootrivier Pass into the valley below where the town is located adjacent to the Grootrivier Lagoon. This river also marks the Western Boundary of the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve. Guests will continue to their accommodation at St James in Knysna. St James is nestled on the shores of the famous Knysna Lagoon where guests can enjoy dramatic views. |
| Overnight: St James of Knysna |
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| Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 12-13: Garden Route
Knysna is primarily built on the northern shore of a large warm-water estuary, fed by the Knysna River. The estuary opens to the ocean after passing between “The Heads”, and has become infamous due to the loss of boats and fishermen passing through their treacherous and unpredictable waters. Guests can board a ferry crossing the lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Featherbed Nature Reserve is a prime example of eco-tourism and in order to protect the splendor of the natural beauty, visitor numbers are limited. During the afternoon The Knysna Elephant Sanctuary will offer guests a closer look at the African Elephant by touching and feeding these gentle giants. Guests can also make their way through George and travel to Oudshoorn crossing the Outeniqua Mountains. Oudtshoorn is a large and modern town that relies mostly on farming and the ever-present ostrich industry. Guests can visit a local ostrich farm where they can experience an ostrich race, stand on the ostrich eggs and cuddle little chicks. The Cango Caves is another site that is worth exploring. The extensive cave system of tunnels and chambers go on for over four kilometers of which only about a quarter of this is open to visitors. If cheetahs are an interest for you a visit to the Cango Wildlife Ranch is a must. The ranch is one of the leading cheetah breeders in South Africa where guests are permitted to enter a fenced area to interact with a tame Cheetah. |
| Overnight: St James of Knysna |
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| Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 14-15: Winelands
Guest will now embark on a drive along Route 62 passing the towns of Calitzdorp, Ladismith, Barrydale, Ashton and Robertson before they reach Franschhoek.A place of interest en route is Sheilam Cactus Gardens, sometimes known as Little Mexico. It is home of about 3000 of the weirdest and most interesting exotic cactus plants. The wine industry in Robertson has grown from less than 25 cellars to more than 50 registered wine cellars as of today. There are a number of wine cellars that receive the highest awards both locally and internationally every year. Robertson wine cellars include Graham Beck, Springfield, Bon Cap, Majors Hill and the Excelsior Estate. Guests will continue to the idyllic town of Franschoek and book into their accommodation Le Franschoek one of the most romantic Cape winelands getaways. Le Franschoek is set on an original Franschoek country retreat with a contemporary Cape feel, but retains the charm of the original estate. The neighbouring estates are some of the wine route's finest. The picturesque vineyards are only a stone's throw away and allow you the opportunity to explore all that the Cape Winelands have on offer. |
| Overnight: Le Franschhoek |
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| Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 16-17: Cape Town
Atlantic View Villa is quietly nestled high above Camps Bay promenade at the foot of Table Mountain. For he next two days guests will be at leisure to explore the fairest city of Cape Town. Guests are just a few minutes away from the city centre. Places of interest will include the cable car ride up Table Mountain, the V& A Waterfront, Kirstenbosch Gardens and of course a visit to this wonderful city without time spent on the beautiful soft white stretches of beach at Camps Bay, Clifton and Llandudno would just not be a complete visit. |
| Overnight: Atlantic View |
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| Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 18: Cape Town
Your last day in the Mother City can be spent doing the last minute shopping or delighting in the fine cuisine Cape town prides themselves on. Guest will then make their way to the Cape Town International Airport and hand in their vehicle. They will then board their flight home.. |
| Overnight: None |
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| Meals: Breakfast |
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| African Sky has been offering self drive tours in South Africa for more than 10 years. If none of our self drive packages meet with your approval we will gladly tailor make an Itinerary to suit your requirements. |
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- Accommodation as specified in the Itinerary
- Meals as specified in the Itinerary
- One Way Flight from Durban to George
- Tourism Levy
- All Applicable Taxes
- All Park Fees if Applicable
- Toyota Corolla 1.6 or Similar Vehicle for 1-4 Clients
- Toyota Quantum or Similar Vehicle for 5-8 Clients
- Europcar Super Cover Insurance
- The vehicles included are Europcar Group C and Group E vehicles and could be replaced with a similar vehicle depending on fleet availability.
- International Airfare (Getting to South Africa and getting back home)
- Personal and Medical Insurance
- Activities suggested in the Itinerary
- Entrance Fees to places mentioned in the suggested itinerary
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Meals not specifically stated in the itinerary
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Luxury Self Drive Tour Includes: 
