South Africa Surprise: 16 Days from $4,650 ex Australia

Join us on this amazing value 16 day tour (including flights from Australia) throughout South Africa and eSwatini (formerly Swaziland), visiting Kruger National Park, a Chief’s village, St Lucia, Durban, the Drakensberg Mountains, the Eastern Cape (birthplace of Nelson Mandela), the Garden Route including Port Elizabeth, Knysna, Oudtshoorn and Mossel Bay before arriving in the beautiful city of Cape Town with its Table Mountain backdrop and harbour. Travel by coach, stay in comfortable hotels and lodges with breakfast served daily plus four dinners. Enjoy a game drive in Kruger National Park and enjoy sightseeing enroute to Cape Town.

• Includes Return Economy Class airfares and taxes Australia to Johannesburg/Cape Town (South Africa)

Day 1: Australia to Johannesburg

Depart Australia on your flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2: Johannesburg

Upon arrival you will be met and assisted to your shuttle transfer service to the hotel. You have the remainder of the day at leisure until 19h00 when we all meet at the hotel reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet up with your fellow travellers.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel OR Tambo or similar
Meals: Own account

Day 3: Hazyview

This morning we leave for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. Travel along the circular Panorama Route via Graskop, visiting the view sites of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa; gasp at the glory of God’s Window, with a boundless view of mountains and fertile plains and finally a visit to Bourke’s Luck Potholes before heading to Hazyview.

Accommodation: Hippo Hollow Country Estate or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Hazyview

We have a bright and early start to the day in order to experience the wonders of exploring the Kruger National Park in our enclosed vehicle. Spend a morning with the Big Five in the Kruger National Park. The Kruger National Park is an internationally renowned game reserve of nearly 2 million hectares and supports the largest variety of wildlife species on the African continent. Keep a lookout for the wonderful flora and bird life that abounds. We return to our hotel around lunch time and your afternoon is at leisure.

Optional full day open safari vehicle game drive in Kruger National Park available.

Accommodation: Hippo Hollow Country Estate or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: eSwatini (formerly Swaziland)

This morning after breakfast, we check out and depart on our journey to Swaziland. We proceed south to Malalane and then onto eSwatini where this afternoon you will visit a real Chief’s village and have the fantastic opportunity to gain an authentic knowledge of traditional Swazi culture.

Accommodation: Lugogo Sun Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: St Lucia and Surrounds

This morning we journey through Swaziland into Zululand and into the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal where ancient traditions and modern cultures of both Zulu and Settler have combine, living in peace and harmony. Arrive in the Umfolozi region for your overnight stay.

Accommodation: Anew Hotel Hluhluwe or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: St Lucia and Durban

Guests have the option to lie in or take an optional morning boat cruise (own account) or simply soak up the atmosphere in the small tourist town of St Lucia before heading off later in the morning towards Durban. An orientation tour introduces us to this multicultural, vibrant seaside city before arriving at our hotel in the late afternoon.

Optional morning St Lucia Boat cruise available.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Drakensberg

This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast or perhaps enjoy a stroll along Durban’s golden mile which buzzes with energy as surfers, joggers and cyclists take to this seaside playground. Then we head into the majestic Southern Drakensberg Mountains. We proceed on a visit to the 300 foot high Howick Falls, continuing through the Southern Midlands Meander Route, arriving at our hotel in the mid-afternoon. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to go fishing, hiking or even horse riding in clean mountain air (own account).

Accommodation: Drakensberg Gardens Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 9 : Drakensberg

Today we have a full day at leisure to soak up the surroundings of the magnificent Southern Drakensberg Mountains. Today a host of optional leisure activities await you.

Accommodation: Drakensberg Gardens Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 10: Eastern Cape Coast

This morning we continue south to the Eastern Cape entering the fourth of the provinces and the birth place of Nelson Mandela (fondly known as Madiba). En route we see the old traditional way of life in the homeland area known as the Transkei and stop for lunch outside the capital of Umtata. We continue via Nelson Mandela’s birth place and house, arriving in the late afternoon at our accommodation in Chinsta East, on the beautiful, unspoilt Eastern Cape Coast.

Accommodation: Crawfords Beach Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 11: Eastern Cape Coast

We awake to the sounds of the crashing waves and have the morning at leisure to unwind with beach sand between our toes. The beach stretches on uninterrupted for many kilometres and the thick indigenous beach forest is a haven for an amazing variety of birdlife. We set off after lunch heading south to Port Elizabeth.

Accommodation: Garden Court King’s Beach or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12: Knysna

Today our journey continues towards the Cape. Visit the Tsitsikamma Forest, which provides scenic walking opportunities. A short walk to the Storms River Mouth offers some magnificent views of the gorge and river below. Arrive in Knysna in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Premier Knysna, The Moorings or similar
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 13: Oudtshoorn

After breakfast, we travel inland over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the ‘feather capital of the world’ because of its ostrich industry. We visit a working ostrich farm and then explore the famous Cango Caves. Walk (the more adventurous may crawl!) around the famous Cango Caves with their magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Continue to Mossel Bay for a visit of the famous Post Office Tree, the Bartholomeus Diaz museum and shell museum.

Accommodation: Garden Court Mossel Bay or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Cape Town

Today’s journey ends in Cape Town. On the way we stop off in Mossel Bay to visit the famous Post Office Tree, the Bartholomeus Diaz Museum and Shell Museum. We drive via Swellendam, Worcester and through the Huguenot Tunnel before arriving in Cape Town in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Sun Square Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 15: Cape Town

Enjoy a day of leisure in the ‘Mother City’ where a visit to the V&A Waterfront is recommended. Enjoy quality time exploring this beautiful city.

Optional full day Winelands or Peninsula tour is available.

Accommodation: Sun Square Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 16: Tour Ends

This morning after breakfast, check out of the hotel. The remainder of the day will be at leisure until your transfer to Cape Town International airport for your overnight flight via Johannesburg to Australia.

Accommodation: Tour ends
Meals: Breakfast

Day 17: Arrive Australia

Arrive in Perth and exit customs before your flight to your applicable capital city.

2019 Departure Dates

INCLUDES:

• Return Economy Class airfares & taxes Australia to Johannesburg/Cape Town (South Africa)
• Transportation in luxury microbus or coach
• 3 star accommodation throughout
• Breakfast daily
• 4 x Dinners
• All touring and sightseeing as per itinerary
• Porterage & VAT

EXCLUDES:

• Optional activities as outlined in itinerary
• Personal travel, medical and baggage insurance
• Any items and services not featured on the itinerary
• All services and items of a personal nature such as drinks, telephone calls and laundry
• Tips, gratuity to driver/guides

OPTIONAL 3 DAY EXTENSION TO VICTORIA FALLS

An option to see one of the most spectacular Natural Wonders of the World – the largest curtain of falling water on the planet.  Two night package, including flights and taxes.

• from $1,535 per person, twin share
• Single from $1,785 per person

Hippo Hollow Country Estate

Lugogo Sun Hotel

Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge

Drakensberg Gardens Resort

Premier Hotel Knysna, The Moorings

Sun Square Cape Town