This tour covers a large part of the Northern Savannah (bush veld) biome of South Africa, the tour will take you through Pretoria, steeped in history, the Panorama Route of the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, the world-renowned Kruger National Park, the Pilanesberg National Parks and Sun City. The area you travel is rich in culture where you can meet various groups of people such as the Swazi, Shangaan, Ndebele, Venda, Tswana and Pedi.
This tour involves a standard 11 day tour with the option of a 4 day Cape Town add-on, with the option of 3,4 or 5 star accommodation.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Morning arrival in South Africa, your guide will meet you upon arrival in Johannesburg at the O R Tambo International Airport. Depart to Pretoria for a city tour that includes the Voortrekker Monument, Paul Kruger House, Church Square and Union Buildings. Lunch in Pretoria. Overnight at Muldersdrift just outside Pretoria, dinner at the Carnivore restaurant. Accommodation: Misty Hills Hotel ***. Includes: (D).
Day 2: Travel via Middelburg and Lydenburg to Hazyview situated in the province of Mpumalanga, exploring en route the scenic wonders of the Panorama Route. The cylindrical potholes at Bourke’s Luck, scenic views from God’s Window and breathtaking Blyde River Canyon – third deepest in the world rivaling America’s Grand Canyon. Overnight in Hazyview. Accommodation: The Hazyview Hotel ***. Includes: (B).
Day 3: Today is spent in the Kruger National Park, 20 000 km2 (the size of Wales) of pristine African bush in search of the “Big 5” and a host of other animals. Overnight in Hazyview. Accommodation: The Hazyview Hotel ***. Includes: (B).
Day 4: Free to relax or try a new adventure: river rafting on Lower Sabie River (depending on local conditions), ‘kloofing’ or canoeing downriver over waterfalls and cliffs or exploring the bush on a 4WD quad bike. This evening if local conditions permit, you may like to visit Shangana traditional village to learn about the life, customs and traditions of the Shangaan people, visit the local healer and watch their singing and dancing while sharing a traditional feast in typical huts.
Day 5: Visit Kapama Cheetah Breeding and Research Center and Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Center, dedicated to the conservation of endangered species and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife. Overnight and dinner at the Karongwe private game reserve roamed by the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Accommodation: Ingwe Game Lodge ***. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 6: After an early morning game drive in an open vehicle in the reserve, we depart for the world-renowned Kruger National Park (KNP), enter the park through Phalaborwa Gate, spend the rest of the day in the KNP. Overnight in the KNP. Accommodation: Letaba Camp ***. Includes: (B).
Day 7: Enjoy a full day traveling north through the KNP. The KNP is known to be the most diverse park in the world with 140 mammals, 119 reptiles, ± 506 bird, 55 amphibians and ± 1980 plant species. Dinner will be a traditional “braai” – barbecue prepared by your guide. Overnight in the KNP. Accommodation: Punda Maria Camp ***. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 8: Still in the far northern reaches of the KNP, we do a guided tour on foot with the parks ranger to the Thulamela Ruins, former seat of wicked King Ingwe and beautiful Queen Losha, visit Crook’s Corner on the border between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Dinner will be a traditional “potjie” – stew prepared by your guide. Overnight in the park. Accommodation: Punda Maria Camp ***. Optional activities: Enjoy a sunset or evening game drive in an open vehicle with a park ranger. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 9: Depart from the park via Punda Maria Gate. Travel to Tzaneen, visit Modjadji Cycad Forest Reserve, see the oldest and largest baobab tree in the world – with a pub inside its trunk, and visit Sapeco Tea Estate, lunch on the estate at the Pekoe View Tea Garden. Overnight in the beautiful Magoebaskloof Valley. Accommodation: Magoebaskloof Hotel ***. Includes: (B).
Day 10: Travel to Warmbaths (Bela Bela) via Pietersburg (Polokwane), visit Bakone Malapa a Northern Sotho living museum and the Makapan`s Valley World Heritage site where hominids lived 3 million years ago. Overnight near Warmbaths. Accommodation: Protea Hotel Shangri-la ***. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 11: Drive back to Johannesburg the commercial hub of South Africa. Township tour of Soweto, visit the very moving Hector Pieterson Museum and Nelson Mandela’s House - reflect on the “Apartheid” era of South Africa’s history. Last minute shopping before your departure. Includes: (B).
Cape Town Add-on Tour
Travel to JIA, catch your flight to Cape Town at about 15:00. Your guide will meet you on arrival in Cape Town to transfer you to your hotel. Dinner will be served at a restaurant on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Accommodation: Brenwin Guest House ***, President Hotel **** or Commodore Hotel *****. Includes: (D).
Day 12: Take a scenic drive around the Cape of Good Hope. Visit Hout Bay and the Cape Fur Seal colony on Duiker Island, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Cape Point and the Boulders – Penguins. Have lunch in Simonstown. Optional and weather permitting – we take the cable way up Table Mountain. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Cape Town. Accommodation: Brenwin Guest House ***, President Hotel **** or Commodore Hotel *****. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 13: A day to do what you please – shopping or just relax at the hotel or optional - visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens or you could visit Robben Island, the place where Mr. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. Overnight in Cape Town. Accommodation: Brenwin Guest House ***, President Hotel **** or Commodore Hotel *****. Includes: (B).
Day 14: Wine tasting and cellar tour at one of the wine estates along the Cape’s world-renowned Stellenbosch Wine Route, also spend some time in the picturesque towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Enjoy sundowners on Signal Hill before your farewell dinner at Vijff Vlieghen (Five Flies) Restaurant. Overnight in Cape Town. Accommodation: Brenwin Guest House ***, President Hotel **** or Commodore Hotel *****. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 15: Morning at leisure. There will be time for last minute shopping and lunch at the V & A Waterfront, weather permitting an optional helicopter flip over the Cape Peninsula. Transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your flight home. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Guide
- Meals as indicated
- Conservation fees
- All entrance fees as per itinerary.
Price Excludes:
- Air tickets
- Passport and visa fees
- Airport tax
- Insurance
- Phone calls
- Facsimiles
- Beverages
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Excess baggage.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Cultural Journey
National Parks
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