| D1: Cape Town airport - Cape Town |
| Meet and Greet • Signal Hill • Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (Afternoon)(n) |
| | - | Meet and greet at Cape Town International Airport. Our guide will meet you at the airport upon your arrival before embarking on your guided tour. |
| | - | Embark on your guided tour aboard your coach: He will accompany you all along your circuit from Cape Town airport (Day 1) to Cape Town (Day 2) |
| | - | Take in Cape Town’s city sights from Signal Hill. This prominent Cape Town landmark is named for its original use, the practice of flying signal flags to communicate with passing ships. Its peaks provide breathtaking views across Table Bay harbour, the City Bowl and the Atlantic Ocean and the 350-metre high hill is a favourite destination for sundowners. Signal Hill lies adjacent to Lions Head, forming the ‘rump’ of the lion and is also the location from which the historic Noon Gun is fired. The guns were once used in combat and as a time signal for ships anchored in the harbour. Today this age-old tradition continues as they are fired at midday every day except Sundays and public holidays. By night Signal Hill becomes one of the most popular spots for romantic rendezvous as amorous couples make their way up the hill for sundowners and stunning views of the city at night. In summer this is also an excellent vantage spot from which to admire the floodlights that illuminate the steep embankments of Table Mountain. |
| | - | 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. (n) (n) |
| | - | Dinner: Protea Hotel By Marriott Mowbray |
| | - | Overnight: Protea Hotel By Marriott Mowbray (Guest Room - Bed and Breakfast(Decouverte)) |
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| D2: Cape Town |
| Hout Bay Seal Island Boat Trip • Chapman's Peak Drive • Cape of Good Hope National Park • Cape Point Certificate • Boulders Beach • Visit of Jewel Africa • Victoria and Alfred Waterfront |
| | - | 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). |
| | - | Drive along Cape Town's most scenic road: Chapman's Peak Drive. Hacked out of the face of the mountain between 1915 and 1922, Chapman's Peak connects Hout Bay with Noordhoek along one of the most dramatic marine routes in the world that hugs the coast of the Atlantic Seaboard for nine kilometres. Reopened to the public in 2003 after major safety works were completed, Chapman's Peak Drive climbs steadily from the harbour of Hout Bay, skirting 114 curves to follow the rocky coastline presenting some truly magnificent views of the sandy bays below. The combination of steep, almost thrilling rocky inclines, shimmering blue waters and expansive skies simply take the breath away. |
| | - | 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. |
| | - | Receive your Cape Point Certificate. Take home a keepsake of magnificent memories as you are awarded an official certificate of your travels to the most southwestern point of Africa. Cape Point is a mythical and charming area, surrounded by spectacular flora and fauna as well as some of the best wild and rugged coastal views in the world. While there you can take a funicular ride to the lighthouse at the summit, or choose to walk if your fitness levels allow, look out for whales, otters and other indigenous wildlife, take a hike through fynbos-covered mountains or explore the tidal pools and beaches. Impress your friends and prove you have stood at the edge of the meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans while surveying the seas of the notorious Cape of Storms, with your official Cape Point Certificate. |
| | - | Lunch: Dixies |
| | - | 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. |
| | - | Visit of Jewel Africa. Jewel Africa offers exclusive jewellery tours, personalised input from a master diamond cutter and access to a wealth of fine jewellery knowledge. Every aspect of your time spent at Jewel Africa will be underpinned by quality, expert service and cutting edge design combined with decades of skill - Enjoy a glass of proudly South African Sparkling wine while watching the fascinating process of jewellery manufacture. Spend time browsing their exclusive African Emporium packed full of authentic masterpieces, crafts, décor and gift items. |
| | - | 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. |
| | - | Dinner: Balducci Restaurant |
| | - | Overnight: Protea Hotel By Marriott Mowbray (Guest Room - Bed and Breakfast(Decouverte)) |
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| D3: Cape Town |
| Day at leisure • Stellenbosch Orientation(o) • Wine Tasting(o) • Franschhoek Orientation(o) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Day at leisure. |
| | - | Embark on your guided tour aboard your coach: He will accompany you all along your circuit from Cape Town (Day 3) to Cape Town (Day 3) (Optional rates: Winelands Tour and Dinner) |
| | - | 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. (Optional rates: Winelands Tour and Dinner) |
| | - | 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: Winelands Tour and Dinner) |
| | - | Lunch: Rickety Bridge Wine Estate & Restaurant |
| | - | Orientation tour of Franshhoek. This French corner of the Cape lies in one of the most beautiful wine valleys in the world, just 45 minutes from Cape Town and within half an hour's drive of the Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington and Somerset West wine routes. Originally known as the Valley of the Huguenots, a community of French Huguenots were granted land in this valley by the Dutch government of the Cape, after fleeing their homeland when Protestantism was outlawed in France in 1685. Today, many of the wine farms still bear their original French names and most of these farms have beautiful examples of Cape Dutch architecture. (Optional rates: Winelands Tour and Dinner) |
| | - | Dinner: Gold Restaurant
Prepare for a mind-blowing gastronomic experience at GOLD Restaurant. This Pan-African experience melds African culinary traditions with modern flavours, serving up a sophisticated African feast that changes seasonally. Just as African food is traditionally shared between family and friends, 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. While you are dining, archetypal African stories are told through the form of live entertainment with the superb GOLD team, dressed in authentic traditional garments, bringing ambience, warmth and knowledgeable service to your table. The 14 dishes incorporate starters, street food, main courses and two desserts, taking you on an exotic flavour tour across the African continent. (Optional rates: Winelands Tour and Dinner) |
| | - | Overnight: Protea Hotel By Marriott Mowbray (Guest Room - Bed and Breakfast(Decouverte)) |
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| D4: Cape Town - Durban |
| Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens • The Boomslang Tree Canopy Walkway • Cape Town City Tour • Mojo Market • Meet and Greet |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Embark on your guided tour aboard your coach: He will accompany you all along your circuit from Cape Town (Day 4) to Cape Town airport (Day 4) |
| | - | 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. |
| | - | Wind your way through the Boomslang Tree Canopy Walkway at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Like a moving snake, this amazing walkway winds, dips and rises through the Kirstenbosch Gardens in a long, slender and almost invisible trail. Continuing for 130 metres, the crescent-shaped walkway takes advantage of the meandering ground, touching the forest floor in two places before raising visitors up to 12 metres above the vegetation below. Although narrow, there are wide viewing points along the way, offering fantastic vistas of the abundant beauty that the Kirstenbosch Gardens hold. Move from the forest floor and through the leafy tips of trees before breaking through the canopy into vivid sunshine and panoramic sights of the surrounding mountains and distant Cape Flats. |
| | - | Lunch at own expense. |
| | - | 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. |
| | - | Go where trendy chic meets marketplace magic at the Mojo Market. This enticing market steps up the African souk experience by offering a food and lifestyle arena that also hosts a wellness zone, live entertainment and a globally infused vibe. Much more than just another farmer’s market, Mojo offers a unique lifestyle space where visitors can unwind while simultaneously enjoying the energy of the city. With a bit of everything to be found, the market caters to diverse clientelle and offers picturesque palm tree views of the Pavilion Pools and the Sea Point Promenade, giving the space a romantic look and feel, especially if visiting around sunset. Shoppers can browse through a variety of retail stalls, get a haircut, sample craft beer, and taste a selection of the best coffee roasts in the city before enjoying tunes from some of Cape Town’s finest musicians. Mojo Market is open seven days a week. |
| | - | Flight BA6313 Arr 19:30 CapeTown - Durban (Economy Class) (Optional rates: Flight Cape Town - Durban) |
| | - | Meet and Greet at Durban airport. |
| | - | Embark on your guided tour aboard your coach: He will accompany you all along your circuit from Durban airport (Day 4) to Johannesburg OR Tambo (Day 10) |
| | - | Dinner: The Waterfront Hotel |
| | - | Overnight: The Waterfront Hotel (Standard Room - Bed and Breakfast(Groups)) |
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| D5: Durban - Hluhluwe |
| Durban Golden Mile • Vukani Zulu Cultural Museum • Boat Trip St Lucia Estuary • Zulu Show |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Travel to Eshowe |
| | - | Discover Durban's 'Golden Mile'. This six-kilometre long stretch of sandy beach starts roughly at South Beach and uShaka Marine World and ends at the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World to the north. The Golden Mile is also a huge pleasure resort with dozens of swimming and splash pools, fountains and waterslides, curio markets and merry-go-rounds, uShaka Marine World, exotic restaurants, nightclubs and many hotels and apartment complexes directly at the beach. Swimming is good during most of the year due to the warm, subtropical climate, and the beaches are well monitored and protected by shark nets. An unusual feature at the Golden Mile is the Zulu Rikshas. The vehicles and their drivers are colourfully decorated. For a small fee, you can let yourself be pulled along the beach promenade. |
| | - | View the largest and most valuable collection of Zulu crafts in the world at the Vukani Zulu Cultural Museum. Don’t be deceived by the modest exterior – although housed in an unassuming building, the brilliant Vukani museum holds a wealth of Zulu cultural heritage. Taking pride of place is a collection of woven baskets by Reuben Ndwandwe, arguably the greatest Zulu basket weaver to have lived, as well as ceramic works by Nesta Nala, one of the leading proponents of the form. Other notable displays include ‘khamba’ pots, clay pots made for the communal drinking of Zulu traditional beer and beautifully embellished with intricate cross-hatching and other patterns. There are also carvings, beadwork and tapestries to browse through while tracing the origins of Zulu craftsmanship, deeply bound in tradition and culture. On sale is a selection of baskets and pottery by local artists, the exquisite quality of which far surpasses that found in local markets and craft shops. |
| | - | Travel to St. Lucia |
| | - | Lunch: Ocean Basket St Lucia |
| | - | 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. |
| | - | Enjoy an awe-inspiring display of traditional dancing with dancers wearing their cultural garb of cow hides and beads as they stomp and kick to the rhythmic beating of drums. |
| | - | Dinner: Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge |
| | - | Overnight: Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge (Standard Room - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D6: Hluhluwe - Swaziland |
| 4x4 Game Drive (Hluhluwe) • Lavumisa Discover • Swazi Candles • Manzini Market |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | 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. |
| | - | 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. |
| | - | Lunch: Sambane Coffee Shoppe |
| | - | Wax lyrical about the Swazi candlemakers at Malkerns. From its humble beginnings in an old cowshed the Swazi Candle Factory today exports beautiful candles throughout the world and holds the esteemed reputation of producing an amazing assortment of handcrafted wax wares. On any given weekday you will be able to view the approximately 200 craftspeople as they go about the process of moulding the pigmented wax into fascinating shapes and sizes, ranging from traditional shaped candles to African animal forms. Each candle is hand-finished, meaning that no two candles will ever look exactly the same. Swazi Candles is one of the most famous handicraft outlets in southern Africa and a favourite stop for visitors looking for gifts and souvenirs to take home. |
| | - | Behold a kaleidoscope of colour at the Manzini Market. The main tourist drawcard in the village of Manzini is its colourful and lively market, filled with community craft and a great variety of locally made, unusual and unique goods. This bohemian and eclectic space is typical of an African market, filled with a daily buzz of activity and colourful stalls selling everything from fruit and vegetables to traditional medicines, herbal cures to ailments, and a versatile mix of traditional and contemporary artefacts. Handicrafts from Swaziland and elsewhere in Africa are all on display with many of the stalls operated by women who manufacture their wares at their villages and make their way to the market to sell them. The market is closed on Sundays and public holidays. |
| | - | Dinner: Mantenga Lodge |
| | - | Overnight: Mantenga Lodge (Sheba Room - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D7: Swaziland - Kruger |
| Ngwenya Glass Factory • Piggs Peak Discover • Cultural Show at Matsamo • Vintage Motor Museum |
| | - | 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. |
| | - | 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. |
| | - | Traditional lunch: Matsamo Customs and Tradition Center |
| | - | 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, as well as traditional Swazi cuisine. Visitors also have the opportunity to explore Matsamo and interact with the villagers as they go about their daily activities, including cultivating their crops and fashioning beautiful craft works. |
| | - | Steer through motor history at the White River Motor Museum. Located at the Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre, this striking three-level complex houses an impressive collection of over 60 vintage vehicles, some dating back to the early 1900s when the first cartless horses, as automobiles were called at the time, where introduced to the general public. The museum is one of the few in the country that allows visitors to get up close to the vintage machines, the oldest of which include a Willys Overland, a Swift, and a famous Model T Ford. Admire the grand old 7-seater Packhard Phaeton with a giant 8-cylinder engine that was once owned by Lord Delamere and discovered on his Kenyan estate in the 1970s, and the star of the show, the 1936 Jaguar. This sleek model is one of only 314 ever built and the only one to exist in South Africa. |
| | - | Dinner: Casa Do Sol |
| | - | Overnight: Casa Do Sol (Casa - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast (Groups)) |
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| D8: Kruger |
| Kruger South Full Day Game Drive • 4x4 Game Drive Full Day (Scheduled)(o) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Venture into the wilds with a /- 8 hours safari in the Kruger National Park in your tour vehicle. This extraordinary wildlife arena initially opened its gates in 1926, becoming the first national park in South Africa. Today it is one of the largest game reserves on the continent, covering a staggering area of 18 989 square kilometres and extending 350 kilometres from north to south and 60 kilometres from east to west. The Big Five are all found in abundance and overall the park supports 147 species of free roaming mammals. Here you are also likely to encounter numerous species of antelope, elephant and perhaps even cheetah and the rare African wild dog. Bird watching is highly rewarding with over 500 species including a diverse assortment of raptors. |
| | - | 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: Kruger 4x4 Game Drive Full Day) |
| | - | Lunch: Cattle Baron (Skukuza Restaurant)
Lunch in the bush. |
| | - | Dinner: Casa Do Sol |
| | - | Overnight: Casa Do Sol (Casa - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast (Groups)) |
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| D9: Kruger - Johannesburg |
| Blyde River Canyon • Dullstroom |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Travel to Middelburg |
| | - | Witness nature at its best at the Blyde River Canyon. This spectacular piece of landscape carves its way through kilometres of red sandstone and is one of the most outstanding geological features in South Africa. It rates as one of the natural wonders of the world as well as one of the biggest canyons on the planet and presents immense natural beauty and wonder. Stunning vistas from legendary viewpoint such as God’s Window offer views as far afield as the Kruger National Park and Mozambique on a clear day. Other natural attractions include the Three Rondavels, probably one of the most beautiful view of the Canyon. Blyde River is home to over 1 000 species of flora, some of the most glorious waterfalls you could wish to see and is filled with an abundance of animal and bird life including the rare bald ibis that nests on the cliff ledges. |
| | - | 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. |
| | - | Buffet lunch: The Corn & Cob |
| | - | Travel to Johannesburg |
| | - | Boma dinner: Indaba Hotel Fourways Johannesburg
Overlooking the hotel's garden, Chief's Boma is the perfect place to sample traditional South African cuisine. At the sound of the marimba you will enjoy a buffet that includes a variety of game meat and a hint of Afrikaaner cuisine. |
| | - | Overnight: Indaba Hotel Fourways Johannesburg (Standard Room - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D10: Johannesburg |
| Pretoria Orientation Tour • Soweto Tour • Museum: Apartheid Museum |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Familiarise yourself with Afrikaans and African culture with a tour of Pretoria. The Jacaranda City, as Pretoria is fondly called, is the administrative and diplomatic centre of South Africa that once served as the headquarters for the old independent Transvaal Boere Republic. Here you will find some of the iconic landmarks that represent the old independent Transvaal as well as the new democratic South Africa. The Voortrekker Monument is a massive memorial ringed by ox wagons that commemorate the exodus of disillusioned Afrikaaners from the Cape, Church Square houses Die Raadsaal, the former parliament buildings of the Boer Republic, and the Paul Kruger House was the home of the Traansvaal Republic’s president. The Union Buildings stand proud and tall, built in 1910 and now house the official seat of the South African government as well as a nine-metre statue of former president Nelson Mandela. |
| | - | Get a taste of vibrant and gritty street life with a tour of Soweto. This township is located to the south-west of Johannesburg and is the biggest in the city, made famous for its role in the struggle against apartheid. Its roots trace back to the early days of gold mining when many migrant workers arrived in Johannesburg at the turn of the 20th century. As the ruling National Party tightened its hold on apartheid and forced black people out of white areas the township grew and today Soweto still supports close to 4-million people. Highlights of South Africa’s political history to be found in Soweto include the Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial, honouring the student protests of 1976; Walter Sisulu Square, where the Freedom Charter was signed; Vilakazi Street whose former residents includes two Nobel Peace Prize winners; and the brightly coloured Soweto Towers. |
| | - | Buffet lunch: Sakhumzi Restaurant
Soak up the jovial atmosphere at this traditional African styled restaurant, nestled in the heart of Soweto in Orlando West’s famous Vilakazi Street. The eatery was once an illegal bar or ‘shebeen’ during the apartheid era but is now a traditional local restaurant that specialises in African cuisine such as mogodu (tripe), mielie pap (corn flour) mutton stew, umleqwa (traditional-style steamed chicken) and much more. The area also has a rich historical background and Vilakazi Street in the only road in the world to have housed two Nobel laureates: Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. Get chatting with the locals as you socialise and enjoy your traditional South African lunch. |
| | - | Walk the path of racial segregation at the Apartheid Museum. This museum is dedicated to recounting the history of the rise and fall of apartheid in 20th century South Africa and focuses on the policy of racial segregation that was first enforced in the country in 1948, providing a very real image of what it was like to live in such a society. Repressive measures such as limiting the freedom of movement of non-whites and the Population Registration Act led to growing resistance from the disenfranchised and more punitive measures from the government, culminating in several state of emergencies being declared in the 1980s before apartheid was ended in the 1990s. The museum is suffused with personal narratives and whispered conversations that show a glimpse of the characters of people that helped shape our country, while interactive multimedia displays recreate the experience of racial segregation. (Closed from Monday to Wednesday) |
