| D1: Cape Town airport - Cape Town |
| Meet and Greet • Cape Town City Tour(n) • Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (o) • Victoria and Alfred Waterfront(n) |
| | - | Meet and greet at Cape Town International Airport. This personalised service sees your guide meet you off your flight. While you enjoy a complimentary beverage, our guide will explain your itinerary in detail, give you general advice and information that will help you along your trip. Before handing over your travel documents and escorting you to your onward transportation, our guide will assist you with any queries you may have before you embark on your holiday.
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| | - | Pick up your vehicle Europcar SA Classic Plus Category C Early Booker(1-6days) at Cape Town airport - Drop Off Cape Town airport (Day 4) - 4 days  |
| | - | Tour of Cape Town. Also known as the Mother City, Cape Town is a rare cultural gem, resulting from the amalgamation of different nationalities and indigenous tribes. Alongside high-rise office blocks, a harmonious blend of architectural styles has been meticulously preserved, including Edwardian, Victorian and Cape Dutch. Narrow, cobblestone streets and the Islamic character of the Bo-Kaap enhance the cosmopolitan ambiance. During the tour you will see the Castle of Good Hope – this pentagon-shaped fort is the oldest surviving building in South Africa, and the Company's Garden – a large public park, originally Jan van Riebeeck's vegetable garden, which he grew to feed the original colony as early as 1652. The tour of this beautiful city introduces you to a rich culture and history. (n) (n) |
| | - | Marvel at the views of Cape Town from the aerial cableway and plateau on Table Mountain. The Mother City is synonymous with the striking mountain that is flanked by Devil’s Peak to the east and Lion’s Head to the west, providing a dramatic backdrop to the city. Table Mountain holds an unusually rich biodiversity and forms part of the Cape Floral Region, a protected area. Rock hyrax, or dassie as they are locally known, are often seen scampering through the scrub and the views from the summit over Table Bay, Robben Island and the Atlantic seaboard are breathtaking. The cable cars depart every 10 to 15 minutes and rotate 360 degrees as they travel up to 302 metres above sea level, giving passengers panoramic views over the city. Five minutes is all it takes to reach the summit and once there you can marvel at the views, have a bite to eat in the restaurant or do a bit of shopping at the extensive curio shop. The cableway only operates when weather permits. (Optional rates: D1:Table Mountain Aerial Cableway) |
| | - | Explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, situated at South Africa’s oldest working harbour in the centre of Cape Town. Offering over 450 retail outlets selling everything from high-end fashion and jewellery to food and crafts, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is one of Cape Town’s most popular destinations, attracting in excess of 23 million visitors a year. Besides offering vibrant and chic indoor and outdoor shopping and restaurants, you can also watch fishing boats dock with fresh fish or see a container ship being towed into the harbour by a tug boat. Draw-bridges over the water open and close every so often to allow smaller sailing vessels access to the docks, while the Cape Wheel gives unsurpassed 360 degree views of the city, and the outdoor amphitheatre plays host to music, dance and theatrical performances throughout the year. (n) (n) |
| | - | Overnight: Hippo Boutique Hotel (Standard room - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D2: Cape Town |
| Hout Bay Seal Island Boat Trip(n) • Cape of Good Hope National Park(n) • Boulders Beach(n) • Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens(n) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Boat cruise from Hout Bay Harbour to Duiker Island. The island is a sanctuary for thousands of Cape fur seals (actually sea lions originating from the Antarctic) as well as a variety of seabirds including gannets, cormorants and sea gulls. It is illegal to land on the island, but the trip takes you within arm's reach of the seals who seem to know they're the centre of attention and put up a fantastic performance, diving and twisting with amazing speed and agility (weather permitting). (n) (n) |
| | - | Visit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, recognised globally for its extraordinary land formation, rich and diverse fauna and unique flora. The legendary Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope were key beacons for the early explorers and are the source of many myths and legends. In 1488, Bartholomew Dias named the peninsula the Cape of Storms. King John II of Portugal later gave it its actual name. The Cape of Good Hope is a scenic wonder, where soft white sandy beaches alternate with rugged stretches of rock and breathtaking cliffs. (n) (n) |
| | - | Get acquainted with African penguins at Boulders Beach. Named for the large, smooth, round boulders that form this coastline, Boulders Beach is one of the few remaining locations in the country where African penguins are able to roost and nest without interference from humans. While the beach itself is a popular bathing spot, it is equally shared with these black and white marine birds that are frequently seen sunning themselves on the rocks or taking a dive into the coolness of the Atlantic Ocean. The adjacent fynbos area holds their delicate nesting grounds, and raised, fenced walkways allow visitors to enter the area without disturbing the birds. Look for nests hidden in the sand and among the scrubland as breeding pairs carefully nurture and protect their eggs. African penguins are classified as endangered species and Boulders Beach is the only location in the world where humans can get close to these birds in their natural habitat. (n) (n) |
| | - | Discover Cape flora of every variety at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Delve into the immense wealth of biodiversity as you explore the Fragrance, Medicinal and Water Wise Gardens. Highlights at Kirstenbosch include the Peninsula Garden, containing many of the 2 500 plant species found on the Cape Peninsula, and the Protea Garden with numerous displays of the king protea, South Africa's national flower. The gardens were established in 1913 to promote, conserve and display the extraordinarily rich and diverse flora of southern Africa and today there are over 7 000 species in cultivation. Kirstenbosch is a World Heritage Site, covering 36 hectares set within a 528 hectare estate that contains protected mountainside supporting natural forest and fynbos along with a variety of animals and birds. (n) (n) |
| | - | Traditional Dinner: Gold Restaurant
Drum and dine in African style at GOLD Restaurant. This Pan-African experience melds African culinary traditions with modern flavours, serving up a sophisticated African feast that changes seasonally. Guests are given a 14-dish tasting menu served in individual and shared portions, as the country of origin, cooking techniques and spicing are explained. Before you sit down to dine, participate in an immersive drumming experience as you beat the djembe drums along with professional drummers. While you are eating, archetypal African stories are told through the form of live entertainment with the superb GOLD team, dressed in authentic traditional garments. (Optional rates: D2:Traditional diner at Gold) |
| | - | Overnight: Hippo Boutique Hotel (Standard room - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D3: Cape Town |
| Franschhoek Tour with Museum and Memorial(n) • Wine Tasting(o) • Stellenbosch Orientation(n) • Stellenbosch Village Museum(n) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Discover the wine producing village of Franschhoek. This charming town lies nestled between steep mountain slopes just outside Cape Town, situated in the heart of the Cape’s wine producing region. It is world-renowned for the excellent wines produced here and it is also regarded as the food and wine capital of South Africa, with its streets lined with many cafes and restaurants. Franschhoek was originally established by French Huguenot settlers in the late 1600s and your tour will include a visit to the Huguenot Memorial Museum, displaying a large number of artefacts that illustrate the early life of the Huguenots, and the beautiful French-inspired Huguenot Monument, dedicated to the cultural influences that the Huguenots brought to the Cape Colony. Enjoy strolling through tree-lined streets and exploring art galleries, organic markets, boutiques and award-winning restaurants. (n) (n) |
| | - | Lunch: Rickety Bridge Wine Estate (Optional rates: D3:Lunch +Wine Tasting) |
| | - | Cross the bridge to the historic Rickety Bridge Winery. Overlooking the majestic Wemmershoek Mountains, the origins of this wine estate date back to the late 1600s when farm land was first granted to French Huguenots who settled in the area. To enter the picturesque estate visitors must still cross a bridge that spans the Franschhoek River, much like French Huguenots did centuries before. Across the bridge, however, are surprising contemporary touches where a modern boutique-style winery produces award-winning wines, and a stylish tasting centre lies hidden in the vines. Rickety Bridge is well known for its tradition of winemaking, and your wine tasting will introduce you to a number of the estate’s cultivars. (Optional rates: D3:Lunch +Wine Tasting) |
| | - | Wander through the oak-lined streets of Stellenbosch. Lying at the foot of the Simonsberg mountains and within the grandiose Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch is internationally renowned for its award-winning wines, fantastic restaurants, trendy culture and historic buildings. The town is the perfect place to explore on foot with its many side-walk cafes and buzzy student vibe, owing to the large and prestigious university that is an icon of Stellenbosch culture. Many leading wine estates are found here including Spier, Tokara and Delheim, as well as some of the country’s best restaurants where dining can be an informal al fresco affair or something more elegant and black tie. Art lovers can explore the copious galleries while outdoor enthusiasts have plenty of nature activities available to them at Jonkershoek. (n) (n) |
| | - | Relive history at the Stellenbosch Village Museum. The historic village of Stellenbosch was developed around a Cape Dutch style town and the Stellenbosch Village Museum is composed of four different period houses, each representing the way people lived at that time and a different era in the architectural development of Stellenbosch. The Schreuder House was built in 1707 and depicts a modest pioneer cottage while the Bletterman House is a Cape Dutch H-shaped dwelling and an example of a gabled house from the 18th century. The Grosvernor House is a grand old mansion, whose furniture is indicative of the increasing influence of British taste on local design when neo-classicism was at the height of fashion. End your journey through time at the O.M. Bergh House, reflecting a typical middle-class Stellenbosch home during the mid-1800s. Guests may also stroll through the V.O.C. Kruithuis, the only remaining powder magazine in South Africa. (n) (n) |
| | - | Overnight: Hippo Boutique Hotel (Standard room - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D4: Cape Town - St. Lucia |
| St Lucia Walk(n) • Boat Trip St Lucia Estuary(o) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Flight CapeTown - Durban (Economy Class) (Optional rates: D4:Flight Cape Town - Durban) |
| | - | Pick up your vehicle Europcar SA Classic Plus Cover Category C (7-13days) at Durban airport - Drop Off Johannesburg OR Tambo (Day 12) - 9 days |
| | - | Travel to St. Lucia |
| | - | Take a walk through St.Lucia. A small, picturesque town which is an enclave within the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park. It is the only village located within a nature reserve and is your gateway to this natural wonder. There are many quaint restaurants, shops and pubs along St. Lucia's main street. With street names such as Hornbill Street, Pelican Street, Dolphin Avenue and Tuna Avenue, you are left in no doubt as to where the loyalties of this quaint little town lies. Conservation is a high priority in St. Lucia with tourism being the main source of income for many of the local people. (n) (n) |
| | - | Boat cruise on the Lake Saint Lucia Estuary. Situated within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the Lake Saint Lucia Estuary is a designated World Heritage Site that offers some of the most extraordinary waterscapes in the world. The network of coastal lakes, dunes, subtropical forests, swamps and wetland systems provides a haven for indigenous flora and fauna and the area is particularly popular with bird lovers. The Saint Lucia Estuary is one of the largest in Africa and this amazing mass of water is home to approximately 800 hippos and over 1 000 Nile crocodiles. Wildlife such as antelope and zebra graze its shores and birdlife is prolific with over 500 resident species including large flocks of pelicans, flamingos and ducks. (Optional rates: D4:St Lucia Cruise) |
| | - | Overnight: St Lucia Wetlands Guest House (Standard Room - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D5: St. Lucia - Hluhluwe |
| Cape Vidal (n) • 4x4 Game Drive (Hluhluwe)(o) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Drive in your vehicle through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's first World Heritage Site, to reach the remote bay of Cape Vidal. With access to the eastern shores of Lake St Lucia where a variety of game can be found, and long stretches of sheltered beaches along the Indian Ocean, Cape Vidal offers the best of beach and bush. Along the drive you could encounter buffalo, reedbuck and other antelope, while the lake is teeming with hippos and crocodiles. Stroll along the shoreline where you could spot humpback whales if you're visiting between May and November, and explore the dense coastal forests with your guide to observe hundreds of different types of birds. Remember to pack good walking shoes. (n) |
| | - | Three-hour 4x4 game drive in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. This 96 000 hectare reserve is the oldest proclaimed game reserve in Africa and boasts a wealth of wildlife, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog. Your safari will explore the northern side of the park, a scenic, hilly area with patches of dense bush. The reserve is well known for its black and white rhino conservation efforts and there are currently approximately 1 500 white rhino and 360 black rhino in Hluhluwe. The area is also well stocked with a variety of antelope species, including kudu, impala, waterbuck, bushbuck and nyala. This picturesque reserve has a number of excellent viewing hides that overlook the watering holes, allowing visitors the opportunity of close up wildlife viewing. (Optional rates: D5: 4x4 Huhluwe Game Drive) |
| | - | Overnight: Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge (Standard Room - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D6: Hluhluwe - Swaziland |
| Lavumisa Discover(n) • Guided Walk (2.5 hours)(o) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Travel to Swaziland |
| | - | Admire the contrasting landscape of Lavumisa while traversing Swaziland. This tiny, independent country is locked between the provinces of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, and Mozambique. The plains in the south-western part of Swaziland contrast sharply with the mountainous landscapes of the north and here you will discover lush sugarcane fields alternating with bush savannah dotted with Swazi kraals. Near the southern border post of Lavumisa, the Lubombo Mountains loom majestically in the near distance. This sweeping mountain range covers practically the entire eastern side of the country and forms the natural border between Swaziland and Mozambique. (n) (n) |
| | - | Embrace eco-tourism on a guided nature and wildlife walk at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. At just under 6 000 hectares, the reserve may be small, but is considered a pioneer conservation area where diverse habitats support a surprisingly extensive species list. Due to the relative absence of dangerous game, the sanctuary is ideal for walking safaris, where visitors can pass by herds of grazing antelope and soak up the distant views of Nyonyane Mountain (Execution Rock) with its striking granite peaks. Mlilwane’s wildlife is widely regarded as unusually tolerant of human presence, allowing for unparalleled experiences and photographic moments that are not easily captured anywhere else. Your Swazi guide will focus on your specific interest, be it birding or wildlife, as you explore the area’s diverse habitats of woodland, grassland, forest and river. Your walk includes bottled water. (Optional rates: D6:Mlilwane guided walk) |
| | - | Overnight: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (Rest Camp Hut - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D7: Swaziland - Kruger Park |
| Ngwenya Glass Factory(n) • Piggs Peak Discover(n) • Cultural Show at Matsamo(n) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Admire glass-masters at work at the Ngwenya Glass Factory. This glass blowing factory forms the central hub of an arts and craft village in Swaziland where visitors can watch craftsmen at work as they shape and mould molten glass into a variety of gorgeous pieces. The factory makes use of approximately 500 kg of recycled glass a day that is crushed down and then melted in a furnace before the upcycle process begins and the hot glass lava is transformed into new and beautiful shapes. As part of Ngwenya’s social upliftment programme, community members ranging from school children to adults are encouraged to collect discarded glass objects and bring them to the factory in return for payment. The village is also home to numerous other arts and crafts outlets, restaurants, cafes and a children’s playground area, making for an ideal family outing. (n) (n) |
| | - | Traverse the mountains towards Piggs Peak. Tucked away in the north western corner of Swaziland, Piggs Peak is a region once made famous for its spectacular gold mining and now an important supplier of timber. The beautiful mountainous landscape has led to the area often being referred to as the ‘Switzerland of Africa’, filled with sparkling waterfalls, three of the highest peaks in the Kingdom of Swaziland, Bushmen paintings, nature reserves and picturesque indigenous bushland. The town itself is filled with colourful African art and craft shops while slightly further afield you will find the historic Bulembu village, Emlembe, the highest mountain in Swaziland and the Maguga Dam. (n) (n) |
| | - | Visit to the Matsamo Cultural Park. Located at the Jeppes Reef border, not far from the Kruger National Park, this educational cultural village offers visitors an introduction to the Swazi people, their culture and traditions. It opened in 2000 to showcase the Swazi way of life and as a means for the Swazi people to celebrate their own culture, reminding younger generations of their rich heritage. The tour combines singing and dancing shows with an educational experience, highlighting the differences between Swazi and Western lifestyles and revealing why these differences have come about. Your visit will include rhythmic dancing performances, age-old folk songs and music with authentic African instruments. (n) (n) |
| | - | Travel to Kruger Park |
| | - | Overnight at the Camp: Nkambeni Safari Camp (Tent - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D8: Kruger Park |
| 4x4 Game Drive Full Day (Scheduled)(o) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Full day 4x4 game drive in the Kruger Park. Your scheduled departure will leave from your hotel at dawn as you set out in an open 4x4 safari vehicle for a short drive to one of the park's gates and into the Kruger National Park. It is one of the largest game reserves in Africa, stretching across a vast 18 989 square kilometres in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. With over 12 000 elephants, 27 000 African buffalo and 1 000 leopards, the Big Five is well represented. White rhino sightings are frequent, while spotting a black rhino may require some patience and a bit of luck. Lions are plentiful with over 2 000 stalking the plains. Overall, the Kruger supports 147 free roaming mammal species. Of the 517 species of birds here, 253 are resident and the reserve supports six diverse eco-systems. Your morning safari concludes at one of the rest camps inside the reserve giving you the opportunity to stretch and refresh. The 4x4 vehicle will allow you to get very close to the surrounding vegetation while your experienced ranger follows fresh animal spoor. Your safari concludes in the late afternoon before returning to the hotel. (Optional rates: D8:4x4 Kruger Game Drive) |
| | - | Overnight at the Camp: Nkambeni Safari Camp (Tent - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D9: Kruger Park - Graskop |
| Blyde River Canyon and Potholes(n) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Make your way towards the Blyde River Canyon and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. This seemingly endless river canyon is filled with some of the most beautifully scenic vistas in South Africa. The Bourke's Luck Potholes mark the beginning of the canyon and comprise intriguing geological formations at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur rivers. The canyon itself is 3rd largest in the world, covered in lush sub-tropical vegetation with an average depth of 750 metres and 25 kilometres in length. It consists mostly of red sandstone and has some of the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon on the planet. (n) (n) |
| | - | Overnight: Rustique Guest House (Large room bed and breakfast) |
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| D10: Graskop - Johannesburg |
| Dullstroom(n) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Travel to Johannesburg |
| | - | Hit the highlands in Dullstroom. This picturesque village in Mpumalanga is best known for its fly fishing dams, quaint shops and country restaurants. It forms part of the Highlands Meander where fly fishing rules and old timers exchange news in the local pub and are rumoured to still make their own moonshine. Brisk outdoor adventure waits as the area offers many adventure trails, rock climbing opportunities and hiking paths as well as being home to three varieties of crane species and a stunning array of blooming wild flowers. Dullstroom is also the site of South Africa’s only known breeding community of black leopards, although these unique cats are notoriously difficult to find. The brave can try some witbiltz, a South African version of moonshine. (n) (n) |
| | - | Overnight: Sandton Lodge (Standard suite - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D11: Johannesburg |
| Day Tour: Jo`burg, Soweto and Apartheid Museum FD(o) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Orientate yourself with greater Johannesburg on a full-day tour of Johannesburg, Soweto and the Apartheid Museum. Your explorations begin in the heart of bustling Johannesburg, the third largest city in Africa, as you seek out landmark buildings such as the Hillbrow Tower, one of the tallest towers in Africa, the sky-scraping Ponte City, Sentech and Carlton Centre Tower and the multi-million rand Nelson Mandela Bridge. South of city you will find the Apartheid Museum (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays) that showcases the notorious system of racial discrimination that became synonymous with South Africa from 1948 until 1994 when the country’s first fully democratic elections were held. The museum has two entrances labelled ‘white’ and ‘non-white’ giving visitors a tiny taste of some of apartheid’s prejudiced rules. More serious overtones to this system of racial classification can be observed inside the museum with harrowing personal testimonials and historical facts. Your tour rounds off with highlights of Soweto such as the match box houses, FNB “Soccer city” Stadium, Hector Pieterson Memorial, Vilakazi Street and Mandela House.
(Optional rates: D10:Joburg, Soweto & Apartheid Museum FD) |
| | - | Overnight: Sandton Lodge (Standard suite - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D12: Johannesburg - Victoria Falls |
| • Transfer • Cruise: Sunset |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Flight Johannesburg - Victoria Falls (Eco Class) One way (Optional rates: D10/11:Flight Johannesburg-Vic Falls-Johannesburg) |
| | - | Arrival at Victoria Falls, one of the most famous landmarks in the world and visited by thousands of tourists every year, yet the town of the same name remains small and filled with plenty of old-world frontier charm. Victoria Falls town is bright and friendly and a great place to browse craft markets and collect souvenirs of your African travels as you take some time to absorb the atmosphere and pick up a greater sense of the African cultures and the rich history that have shaped the Victoria Falls over time. Wildlife lovers may need to look no further than right in front of them as animals are known to roam the streets with cheeky baboons hanging around in the trees and occasionally even an elephant or two strolling across the road to the nearby Zambezi River. (n) (n) |
| | - | Transfer |
| | - | Soak up the beauty of Africa on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. The immense, calm waters of the Zambezi River lend themselves to leisurely boat cruises amongst the peace and tranquillity of the surrounding wilderness. From your lodge you will be taken to the jetty and begin your sailing journey upstream from the Victoria Falls. As you peacefully drift along the river you can admire the splashes of colour that the setting sun paints in the sky as well as watch the wildlife that congregates along the river banks in the coolness of the evening. Your wondrous cruise is rounded off with aperitifs and snacks served on board the boat. |
| | - | Overnight at the Lodge: Shearwater Explorers Village (Chalet - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D13: Victoria Falls - Johannesburg OR Tambo |
| Falls: Zimbabwe Side • Transfer |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | View one of the world’s natural wonders on a visit to the Zimbabwe side of the Victoria Falls. This enormous sheet of falling water was first discovered by David Livingstone in 1855, although it had been known to the local people for much longer than that. It is shared by two countries, Zambia to the north and Zimbabwe to the south. Around two thirds of the falls are located on the Zimbabwe side and this country is also considered to have more classical views of the mains falls with footpaths leading you to breathtaking viewpoints such as Devils Cataract, Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls and the very popular Rainbow Falls. The sights from here are considered some of the best on the planet while the sheer force of the tumbling water is a sensory treat as water plunges and tumbles, sending sprays of mist up into the skies. |
| | - | Transfer |
| | - | Flight Victoria Falls - Johannesburg (Economy Class) (Optional rates: D10/11:Flight Johannesburg-Vic Falls-Johannesburg) |
