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15 Day a World in One Country Tour |
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This tour of South Africa Includes :
All regional flights as per the itinerary
All accommodation as per the itinerary
All meals as per the itinerary
All entrance fees to places mentioned in the itinerary
All land transportation in air conditioned vehicles
Services of a registered guide / resident rangers
Tour Excludes :
International airfare
Items of a personal nature, gratuities
Personal and medical insurance
Drinks
Price: Price List
Starting Point : Johannesburg
Ending Point: Cape Town |
The tour can start on any date specified by clients.
All of our South Africa Tours are private and are conducted solely for the party reserving the tour.
Click on the name of the property to view details about the Hotel, Lodge or Guest House. |
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Day 1: Pretoria
Guests are met upon arrival at Johannesburg International Airport from where the tour makes its way to Pretoria , South Africa's capital city. After check in at the hotel we dedicate some time to exploring the city as we visit first the Union Buildings. Designed by the famous British Architect Sir Herbert Baker , the building houses the office of the South African president and is set overlooking Pretoria. |
| Overnight: Lombardy |
Meals: Dinner |
Day 2: Mpumalanga
After breakfast the tour travels east through the coal rich Highveld and the rolling hills of Mpumalanga to the village of Dullstroom. The area surrounding Dullstroom is a windswept grassland which is dominated by the 2332m high "Die Berg" (the mountain), which is the highest point between the Limpopo and Vaal Rivers. A visit is made to the Dullstroom Bird Of Prey and Rehabilitation Center which was established in 1997 in order to promote awareness of the raptor species and their growing plight as endangered species. Then its on to the overnight destination of Mount Sheba. The forest surrounding Mount Sheba is home to a multitude of small creatures and birds and has numerous carefully worn exquisite forest paths that reveal the quiet grace of the flora and the fauna. |
| Overnight: Mount Sheba |
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
Day 3: Mpumalanga
The Mpumalanga Panoramic Route is the focus of the day. Here visits are made to the Blyde River Gorge dominated by the triplet peaks of the Three Rondavels and Bourke's Luck where the Unique Geological features of the potholes are admired. Gods Window is then reached, a cleft in the edge of the escarpment from where magnificent views of the Lowveld can be enjoyed. God's Window is situated in a patch of indigenous forest where many flowering and aromatic plants flourish. A visit is also made to the historical mining village of Pilgrims Rest. It is one of the most perfect examples in the world, of a mining town born during the excitement of an alluvial gold rush. Gold was discovered here in 1873 and the town was declared a national monument in 1986.Guests will have a gold digging and panning demonstration before traveling to the overnight destination. |
| Overnight: Mount Sheba |
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
Day 4: Greater Kruger National Park
Splendid scenery abound as the tour makes its way to the Shangaan Cultural village where guests are led from the Marula Market by a trained guide who explains how the Shangaan traditionally collect food from their environment, and the way in which traditional farming is conducted. The route leads up to a traditional Shangaan Village which is the residence of a Headman, his wives and his children. In the village some time is devoted to getting some insight into the history and culture of the Shangaan.
Kruger National Park is a short drive from the Cultural Village. The Park is named after the sitting president of the old Transvaal republic who proclaimed the Sabi Reserve in 1897. This reserve was the beginnings of the Kruger National Park as it is known today. Approximately two million hectares in extent, the Park is internationally renowned as one of the worlds foremost conservation areas. The late afternoon is devoted to a first game drive in search of Africa's Legendary Big Five in an area where many other mammal and bird species grace the African Savannah and give meaning to the words " Spirit of Africa". |
| Overnight: Kruger Gate Lodge |
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
Day 5: Greater Kruger National Park
The area is a paradise for the wildlife enthusiast with close to one hundred and fifty different mammal species ranging from Brant's climbing Mouse weighing no more than a few grams to the mighty African Elephant which can weigh up to seven thousand kilograms. The identified bird species in the area number more than five hundred and the area is blessed with an abundance of flora. An early morning and late afternoon game drive in the company of your experienced guide affords the opportunity to enjoy the natural treasures of this part of Africa. The unique insight and knowledge of the guide is sure to add to the enjoyment and understanding of the habits and behavior of the different species. |
| Overnight: Kruger Gate Lodge |
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
Day 6: Swaziland
A last morning game drive in Kruger is followed by a late breakfast. The tour makes its way South, passing through Nelspruit, the capital of Mpumalanga province en route to the South African border with Swaziland at Oshoek. The tiny mountain Kingdom of Swaziland is one of the smallest self contained sovereign states in the world. The Swazi are a friendly and colorful people who are renowned for their artistry. Before reaching the overnight destination set in the Ezulwini "Heaven Valley" we visit a local craft market and a Swazi candle maker. |
| Overnight: Lugogo Sun |
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
Day 7: Zululand
Its off to an early start as the tour heads south, and the Mountain Kingdom of Swaziland gives way to the rolling hills of Zululand as the tour travels south, and into the heart of the area which is home to the proud Zulu nation. Once led by the legendary King Shaka - one of Africa’s greatest kings who inspired fear and admiration in the hearts of his enemies and subjects alike. Shakaland is reached around lunch time. Shakaland is built on the site where the original Zulu clan settled in the 18th century. The village was used in the epic Shaka Zulu film. The cultural experience highlights the traditional accommodation , food preparation and social structures which are traditionally adhered to by the Zulu. It is also a showcase for the traditional dress, weapons and dance of this, South Africa’s warrior nation. |
| Overnight: Shakaland |
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
Day 8: Garden Route
Guests are transferred to Durban International Airport for a flight to George. From George Airport they are transferred to George Station where they board the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe. The Choo-Tjoe is the very last of the scheduled South African steam railway services and it plies between George and Knysna daily. The Choo-Tjoe starts its journey from George and puffs its way through Victoria Bay, over the Kaaiman’s River Bridge, through Wilderness and over the Goukamma Valley before descending to Knysna. Some dramatic scenery, which bring to life the grandeur of the garden route, enjoyed by a means of travel which remind one of a gentler and more romantic age, is sure to make this an unforgettable experience. Guests are met at Knysna Station from where they are transferred to the overnight destination. |
| Overnight: Knysna Quays |
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
Day 9: Garden Route
The Outeniqua Mountains form the barrier which divides the semi arid interior from the lush coastal plains of the Garden Route. The tour crosses this barrier via the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich Capital of the World. The town is situated in the great valley which is known as the little Karoo, with the Langeberge and Outeniqua ranges forming its boundary to the east and the Swartberge forming its Western boundary. Our first stop is the Cango Caves which lie in the foothills of the Swartberge. A great cave system which is amongst the worlds largest and is blessed with elaborate drip stone formations, the highest of which stands 12.6m tall. The caves extend up to about 1600m into the Limestone rich Hills and is a truly impressive sight. Some time for lunch is followed by a short drive to an Ostrich Farm where we focus on the farming of these largest of the Worlds Birds. Great fortunes where built in the heyday of the industry when the feathers where prized fashion accessories. Today the meat with its low fat content is sought after in a world ever more preoccupied by healthy living and the leather is prized raw material in the production of fashion accessories. The brave can even endeavor an Ostrich Ride before we travel to the overnight destination. |
| Overnight: Knysna Quays |
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
Day 10: Garden Route
After breakfast the tour crosses the Knysna Lagoon by Ferry to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. A unique 150 ha private Nature Reserve which encompasses the entire Western Head of Knysna with spectacular views across the Lagoon and the ocean as well as the treacherous passage between the two which claimed many a ship during Knysna's days as an exporter of timber. The reserve is one of South Africa's heritage sights and is home to two of the Garden Route's icons, namely the Knysna Loerie and the Blue Duiker, one of Africa's smallest antelope species.
The afternoon brings the tour to Plettenberg Bay where the finest beaches in the Garden Route offer the perfect sunning experience , relaxing in the sun or braving the waves of the Indian Ocean. The tour makes its way back to the overnight destination after a wonderfully relaxing afternoon. |
| Overnight: Knysna Quays |
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
Day 11: Overberg
After breakfast the tour travels to the Coastal City of Mossel Bay. It is here where the Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Dias set foot on shore in 1488 and we dedicate some time to visiting the museum which bears his name. The museum stands not far from the Milkwood Tree and fountain which served respectively as a post office and watering hole to sea farers in centuries past. Then its on to the town of Swellendam, set in a well watered valley at the foot of the Langeberge. Unique architecture and a visit to the Drostdy Museum which housed the magistracy of the area and is today a fine period museum is followed by a trip through wheat fields to Arniston. The Village takes its name from a tragic shipwreck which occurred in these treacherous waters in 1815. The village is situated a stone’s throw from the Southern Tip of Africa and the coastline surrounding it is noted for its bizarre marine erosions of which the most famous is the Waenhuiskrans, an enormous cavern eroded from the cliffs within walking distance of Arniston. After a visit to the Waenhuiskrans we retire to the overnight destination. |
| Overnight: Arniston |
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
Day 12: Cape Town
After breakfast the tour makes it's way to Hermanus, South Africa's best known whale watching center. Here the Southern Right Whale can potentially be spotted in Walker Bay on the shores of which the Town of Hermanus is situated. These whales frequent the waters of South Africa's coastline during the months of June to November. They travel approximately 2000 km's from the Southern Ocean to give birth in the sheltered bays of our coastline. From Hermanus the tour traces the spectacular coastal route via the towns of Betties Bay and Rooi Els. En Route several stops are made at vantage points from where the Whales could be spotted. Passing through Gordon's Bay the tour then makes its way to Cape Town, the South African mother city set beneath the protection of Table Mountain. |
| Overnight: Portswood |
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
Day 13: Cape Town
The day is spent exploring one of the world's most beautiful cities. Table Mountain, arguably the most famous natural landmark in Africa is first on the agenda. From Table Mountain one of the most impressive views of the world can be enjoyed, the Indian Ocean and the deep blue waters of the Atlantic and the Cape peninsula which sinks away and allows these two great oceans to meet at Cape Point.. We also visit the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens which had its conception when the mining magnate and philanthropist Cecil Rhodes donated the land to the people of South Africa. The garden is home to 4000 of the 18000 species of Flora which are found in South Africa and creates a most remarkable display. It is the memorial to one of Africa's greatest son's from where sweeping views of the entire Cape Flats can be enjoyed. |
| Overnight: Portswood |
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
Day 14: Cape Town
The Cape Winelands are the focus of the day as the tour makes its way along the N2 to Somerset West where we visit the Vergelegen Estate set on a hill not far from town. This wine estate is steeped in history and still produces some of South Africa's finest wines. A short introduction to wine making by a local expert is followed by an opportunity to sample some of South Africa's finest. The rest of the day is devoted to visiting some of the other fine wine estates in the area before returning to Cape Town during the late afternoon. |
| Overnight: Portswood |
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
Day 15: Departure
A short ferry ride from the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront brings guests to Robben Island. This infamous Island only 574 Ha in extent , measuring 3,5 by 2 km, has played an important role in South Africa's long and turbulent history. Views which can be enjoyed of the Cape Peninsula and the South African mother city make the ferry ride quite an enjoyable experience. Home to President Nelson Mandela for a large part of his 27 year incarceration, the prison has since been turned into a museum and the tour is conducted by an ex political prisoner who has had first hand experience of the conditions on the Island. Visits are made to the prison building as well as to the lime stone quarry where the prisoners where forced to work. Some wildlife have been re-introduced to the Island and a glimpse might be enjoyed of one of Africa's animals in these surroundings. The duration of the Robben Island excursion including the return ferry rides is about four hours which would bring guests back to the V& A waterfront around lunch time. Guests are then transferred to Cape Town International Airport for a flight back to their country of origin after enjoying one of our most comprehensive South Africa Tours |
| Overnight: None |
Meals: Breakfast |
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| A brief description of this South African Tour |
A tour encompassing eight distinct areas of South Africa. This tour is ideally suited to the traveling party who intends combining the highlights of the country with some of the beaten track areas.
For the first time visitor it offers a significant oversight of the country and brings meaning to the words "a World in One Country"
All of our South Africa Tours can be customized to suit your specific requirements. |
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