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Grand South African Tour (Code T36) |
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Day 1: Sun City
Guests are met upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg from where the tour travels in a westerly direction past the Hartebeestpoort Dam which lies at the foot of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range. The results of carbon dating has indicated this mountain range to be one of the worlds oldest. A brief stop at Hartebeestpoort Dam from where sweeping views of this scenic area can be enjoyed is followed by an onward journey to Sun City. Sun City is reached within around two hours after departing from the airport. The afternoon is spent relaxing after the long journey. |
| Overnight: Palace Hotel |
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| Meals: None |
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Day 2: Sun City
During the morning we visit the local crocodile sanctuary where these ancient creatures can be admired at close quarters. Their habits and behavior come under the spotlight before enjoying a game drive in the Pilanesberg National Park which is adjacent to Sun City. This 55 000 Ha nature reserve is home to the big five as well as a large diversity of grassland game species. A first sighting of the gracious mammals of Africa in their natural surroundings is sure to be a memorable experience. The afternoon is spent at leisure affording guests the opportunity to explore the many different entertainment options available at the Sun City resort. |
| Overnight: Palace Hotel |
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| Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 3: Mpumalanga Highlands
After breakfast the tour passes through the coal rich Highveld en-route to the town of Dullstroom. Dullstroom is a quaint town dominated by colonial architecture and surroundings which are characterized by clear mountain streams and beautiful hills and dales. Before reaching the overnight destination of Walkersons a visit is made to the Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Center which plays an important role in the protection of the raptor species through the creation of public awareness of the plight of these majestic birds. |
| Overnight: Walkersons |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 4: Greater Kruger National Park
The day is devoted to gentle country pursuits on the magnificent 1500 hectare estate. The estate offers beautiful forest and river walks as well as walking trails into the nature reserve where indigenous game abides in a mountain wilderness renowned for its bird life and prolific flowers. The estate is a haven for the fly fisherman and if you are so inclined some time can be devoted to the pursuit of the Rainbow and Golden trout in clear mountain streams. |
| Overnight: Lion Sands River Lodge |
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| Meals: Full Board |
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Day 5: Greater Kruger National Park
We leave behind the Walkersons Estate as the tour makes its way to the heavily wooded eastern Escarpment where the scenic Long Tom Pass leads the way to the Town of Sabi. The pass takes its name from the Long Tom Cannon which still stands on a hill, where the Boer forces held one of their last positions during the Anglo Boer War. The tour then travels on to Graskop exploring some of the escarpments many waterfalls. A stop is made en-route at the Berlin Falls with its sheer 80m drop before visiting the Mac Mac Falls. The tour then crosses the escarpment and descends onto the Lowveld and the heart of South Africa's Big Five country where Exeter is reached during the mid afternoon. The late afternoon is devoted to a first open 4X4 safari in the Kruger wilderness. The Greater Kruger National Park is home to the greatest diversity of different mammal species on the African continent and it is one of the worlds largest and most important conservation areas. |
| Overnight: Lion Sands River Lodge |
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| Meals: Full Board |
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Day 6: Greater Kruger National Park
The African dawn is filled with bird song and the sounds of a land awakening to the new day as a first open 4X4 safari is conducted by your experienced ranger and tracker. The possibility of finding predators on a kill made during the night adds to the excitement. The safari returns to camp for a late breakfast after which guests are allowed some time for relaxation or a bush walk before embarking on an afternoon safari which is extended into the evening. |
| Overnight: Lion Sands River Lodge |
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| Meals: Full Board |
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Day 7: Cape Town
A last morning safari is followed by breakfast after which guests are transferred to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport for a flight to Cape Town. Guests are met upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport from where the tour makes its way to the hotel which is situated on Cape Town's famous V & A Waterfront. The late afternoon is spent at leisure. |
| Overnight: Cape Grace |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 8: Cape Town
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| Breakfast is followed by a short drive to Table Mountain where we embark on a cable car ride to the top of the mountain. Table Mountain has come to be synonymous with Cape Town and is one of the worlds most recognizable landmarks. Standing 1086m tall, the summit of the Mountain offers guests unsurpassed views of the city of Cape Town, Robben Island and the peninsula. Unique species of Fynbos are on display and the Table Mountain national park is home to quite a few mammal species. After the descent from Table Mountain some time is devoted exploring South Africa's oldest city as we visit some notable landmarks and historic sights including the Castle and the Rhodes memorial. |
| Overnight: Cape Grace |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 9: Cape Town
A morning visit to Robben Island offers guests some unique insights into the history of this infamous Island which has played such an important role in South Africa's past. It is most famous for the fact that President Nelson Mandela spent a large part of his 27 year incarceration on the Island. The prison has since been turned into a museum and is the focus of the Robben Island excursion. Other highlights include a visit to the limestone quarry and the view of Cape Town which can be enjoyed from the Island. Upon returning to the mainland we devote the afternoon to exploring the famous Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
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| Overnight: Cape Grace |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 10: Cape Town
Chapman's Peak drive, cut from rigid mountains which line the Atlantic leads the tour to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve ending at Cape Point, it is reputed to be the place where the stormy waters of the Atlantic meet the calming influence of the Indian Ocean. The reserve is home to several species of Fauna and a great diversity of Flora. Upon returning to Cape Town the tour traces the Indian Ocean and we stop at Boulders, which is home to a large colony of African Penguins, so called for the resemblance of their call to the bray of a donkey. Some time spent admiring these flightless birds, which are an endangered species, is followed by a return trip to Cape Town. |
| Overnight: Cape Grace |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 11: Winelands
Chapman's Peak drive, cut from rigid mountains which line the Atlantic leads the tour to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve ending at Cape Point, it is reputed to be the place where the stormy waters of the Atlantic meet the calming influence of the Indian Ocean. The reserve is home to several species of Fauna and a great diversity of Flora. Upon returning to Cape Town the tour traces the Indian Ocean and we stop at Boulders, which is home to a large colony of African Penguins, so called for the resemblance of their call to the bray of a donkey. Some time spent admiring these flightless birds, which are an endangered species, is followed by a return trip to Cape Town. |
| Overnight: Grand Roche |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 12: Winelands
The stark contrast between vineyards and harsh mountains creates the perfect backdrop to a tour of the historical town of Stellenbosch. The town is the oldest in South Africa after Cape Town, and is undoubtedly the most scenic and historically-preserved town in Southern Africa. Oak-lined streets next to water furrows compliment the many fine examples of elegant Cape Dutch, Victorian and Georgian architecture - all part of this unique "Town of Oaks".
The town, ideally situated in a magnificent mountain valley, boasts a mild Mediterranean climate. The Stellenbosch Wine route is the oldest, largest, and probably the most visited of the Southwest Cape’s wine routes. Many of the estates are very old, their gabled, whitewashed Cape Dutch Homesteads, rolling vineyards and shade-dappled grounds lovely beyond measure. We visit two of these fine estates where the art of wine making in South Africa is experienced first hand. A large variety of cultivars can be sampled and a specific cultivar which appeals to your palette is sure to be found. |
| Overnight: Grand Roche |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 13: Garden Route
After breakfast the tour travels through the town of Somerset West and over Sir Lowery's Pass to Swellendam, situated at the foot of the Langeberge. Unique architecture set against the backdrop of mountain scenery endows the town with a special character. Following the N2 highway in a Northerly direction we reach the town of Mossel Bay. It is generally regarded as the southern entry point to the majestic garden route. The Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Dias first set foot on shore here 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 as respectively a post office and watering hole to seafarers in centuries past. It is also home to a replica of the vessel in which Bartholomew Dias reached these shores, a gift from the Portuguese to South Africa upon the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of his voyage. We reach the overnight destination during the late afternoon. |
| Overnight: St James of Knysna |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 14: 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 one of the highlights of the Garden Route tour. It 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: St James of Knysna |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 15: 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. After a tasty lunch guests will be taken on a short drive to an Ostrich Farm where we focus on the farming of these largest of the world’s 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: St James of Knysna |
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| Meals: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 16: Departure
After breakfast guests are transferred to George Airport for a flight to Johannesburg where they are met and assisted in transferring to a flight back to their country of origin after a memorable tour of South Africa. |
| Overnight: None |
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| Meals: Breakfast |
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| African Sky has been conducting quality South Africa Tours and African Tours for more than 10 years. We offer both luxury tours as well as family tours in South Africa and Southern Africa. If none of our standard South African Tour itineraries meet with your approval, we will gladly tailor make a tour to suit your requirements. |
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- Accommodation as specified in the Itinerary
- Flight from Kruger Mpumalanga to Cape Town
- Flight from George to Johannesburg
- Services of a registered guide/Resident Rangers
- Meals as specified in the Itinerary
- Tourism Levy
- All Applicable Taxes
- All Land Transportation in air conditioned vehicles
- All Activities and Entrance fees to places mentioned in the itinerary
- All Park Fees if Applicable
- International Airfare (Getting to South Africa and getting back home)
- Personal and Medical Insurance
- Activities not specifically stated in the itinerary
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Meals not specifically stated in the itinerary
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The Grand South African Tour is a private South African tour which is accompanied by an experienced African Sky guide. The tour can start on any date specified by clients. 
Grand South African Tour Includes: 
