Itinerary: Highlights of South Africa
DAY 1 (Sat) Depart UK for your overnight flight to South Africa. If travelling on KLM, depart UK on Sunday.
DAY 2 JOHANNESBURG (Sun) Arrive in Johannesburg, the economic heart of South Africa, which has a wonderful energy, and is also one of the greenest cities – more trees have been planted here than anywhere else in the world. If travelling on BA, there is time today for an optional city tour of Pretoria or Johannesburg (see panel). Meet up with your guide for a welcome dinner. Overnight at Melrose Place Guest Lodge, a 4-star guesthouse.
DAY 3 MPUMALANGA (Mon) This morning we head to Soweto, heart of the struggle against apartheid. There is much history here, including the houses where Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu lived, as well as the excellent Hector Pieterson Museum which chronicles the 1976 Soweto uprisings. Time for lunch at a local shebeen (tavern) before we head east via Nelspruit, stopping overnight near the escarpment, which is revealed to us tomorrow. Overnight at the Windmill Wine Cottages, 4-star cottages.
DAY 4 PANORAMA ROUTE (Tues) We set off to discover the scenic splendour of this region. First stop is the little Victorian gold mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest, before we join the Panorama Route, taking in Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Lisbon Falls, and the highlight – Blyde River Canyon, the world’s third largest canyon. Dinner and overnight on the edge of the Kruger National Park at Needles Lodge, a 4-star guesthouse.
DAY 5 KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (Wed) A very early start as we join the ranger in an open vehicle for a full day safari into the Kruger National Park, to try to spot the ‘Big Five’ and other game. Return to the lodge for dinner.
DAY 6 SWAZILAND – ZULULAND (Thu) An early breakfast before we enter the independent kingdom of Swaziland, known for its excellent craft and curios markets. We stop at one of these markets en route, before entering Zululand. Dinner and overnight at Mvubu Game Lodge, a 4-star lodge.
DAY 7 ZULULAND (Fri) Embark on a boat cruise on one of Zululand’s most scenic lakes, giving you the opportunity to spot hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles. Return to the lodge early afternoon, with an optional ranger-led activity available (pay locally - approx £11) – either an open vehicle game drive or a walking safari. This area is rich in elephant and rhino as well as being one of the most pristine areas in South Africa. Dinner at the lodge.
DAY 8 DURBAN/CAPE TOWN (Sat) Head south, past sugar cane fields, to Durban, where we visit the impressive new uShaka Marine World, renowned for the large shark tank! This afternoon, catch an onward flight to Cape Town and our hotel, the 4-star Winchester Mansions.
DAY 9 WINELANDS (Sun) Set off for Stellenbosch, the second oldest settlement in South Africa after Cape Town - its oak lined streets and famed Cape Dutch architecture make it one of the country’s most charming towns. Continue to Paarl, where we stop at the impressive Afrikaans Language Monument, before enjoying lunch and a wine tasting at one of the nearby wine estates. Onto Franschhoek, for another wine tasting, before checking into Maison Chablis, a 4-star guesthouse. An opportunity this evening to explore this French Huguenot town with its charming pavement cafes on our own.
DAY 10 OUDTSHOORN (Mon) We join scenic Route 62 today – an inland road that travels through the stark beauty of the Little Karoo, a semi desert region. We stop at the little village of Calitzdorp, famous for its Haanepoort grapes, before reaching Oudtshoorn, the world’s ostrich farming capital. Lunch and tour of an ostrich farm before visiting the Cango Caves, the largest accessible caverns in Africa. Overnight in Oudtshoorn at the Thorntree, a 4-star guesthouse.
DAY 11 KNYSNA (Tues) Travel over the Outeniqua mountains, to George and onto a most scenic coastal route, passing the magnificent beaches and lakes of Sedgefield and Wilderness to Knysna where we join the ferry for the Featherbed Nature Reserve - we are taken to the top of the cliffs by all-terrain vehicles for breathtaking views of the area. Lunch on the lagoon before we return to Knysna and Waterfront Lodge, a 4-star guesthouse on the lagoon.
DAY 12 KNYSNA (Wed) Today we drive east to the thick indigenous Forest of Tsitsikamma, where we head towards Storm’s River Mouth - here the Storm’s River meets the Indian Ocean amidst dramatic cliffs. We stop at a monkey sanctuary in the forest, before visiting an Elephant Park where we have a chance to interact with elephants. Dinner in Knysna.
DAY 13 CAPE TOWN (Thu) Heading west today, via the historic town of Swellendam with its Cape Dutch architecture, to the coastal town of Hermanus, world famous for its excellent land-based whale watching. Whales are in the bay June-November, but the location and views are special at any time. Lunch here at the Marine Hotel, a beacon of elegance on the coast. Continue via Sir Lowry’s Pass to Cape Town, for a 3-night stay at Winchester Mansions.
DAY 14 CAPE TOWN (Fri) This morning, discover Cape Town! We visit the Castle, and the historic city centre, as well as the Houses of Parliament and Company Gardens. We also stop at the colourful Malay Quarter and a bustling market. Weather permitting, we ascend Table Mountain (optional - pay locally, approx £10) for spectacular views over the entire Cape Peninsula. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city at your own pace - why not visit the vibrant Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a working harbour, with many shops, restaurants and outdoor performers?
DAY 15 CAPE TOWN (Sat) Set off for the Cape of Good Hope – a drive that takes us along the incredible Atlantic seaboard, through the little fishing harbour of Hout Bay, where we stop for a cruise to Seal Island to view the Cape Fur Seals. Continue to Cape Point where we ascend by funicular to witness the symbolic meeting of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Return via Simon’s Town and the breeding colony of African Penguins on the beach. Dinner this evening is a traditional African affair, with local cuisine and music by the most talented young African musicians.
DAY 16 CAPE TOWN (Sun) Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
DAY 17 Arrive UK (Mon)
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