Itinerary: Southern Africa Adventure
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, and one of the greenest cities. If arriving 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) We head to Soweto today, heart of the struggle against apartheid, and visit the house where Nelson Mandela lived, as well as the excellent Hector Pieterson Museum which chronicles the 1976 Soweto uprisings. We have lunch at a local shebeen (tavern) before travelling east via Nelspruit. We stop between Sabie and Hazyview 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: KRUGER/JOHANNESBURG (Thu) Time for an optional early morning game drive into the Kruger (pay locally - approx. £48), before departing for Johannesburg, a drive of approx. 5 hours. Overnight at Protea Balalaika, a 4-star hotel.
DAY 7: JOHANNESBURG/LIVINGSTONE (Fri) This morning we are transferred to the airport for our international flight to Zambia. This afternoon, a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River awaits - watch the sun set over Africa, giving us a chance to spot elephant and rhino on the banks of the river. We stay at the relaxed 3-star Zambezi Sun for the next 3 nights.
DAY 8: LIVINGSTONE (Sat) This morning meet up with our Zambian guide who will escort us around the Falls sharing some facts and history along the way. This afternoon, we are collected for a tour of Mukuni Village, home to the Leya people. Here we have an opportunity to learn about their interesting culture whilst being shown around the village homes and Chief Mukuni’s Palace, as well as having the opportunity to sample traditional food and beer.
DAY 9: LIVINGSTONE (Sun) A day at leisure to enjoy the surroundings or participate in an optional excursion (both pre-bookable - see panel). Why not try a morning or afternoon Elephant Back Safari or a full day trip into Botswana, to Chobe National Park?
DAY 10: LIVINGSTONE/JOHANNESBURG (Mon) Transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg and onward international flight home.
DAY 11: Arrive UK (Tue)
OPTIONAL 4-NIGHT CAPE TOWN EXTENSION
DAY 10: LIVINGSTONE/JOHANNESBURG/CAPE TOWN (Mon) Transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg and onto Cape Town. On arrival, transfer to Winchester Mansions for the next 4 nights. This evening is at leisure.
DAY 11: CAPE TOWN (Tues) This morning, discover Cape Town – or the “Mother City” as it is affectionately known. Weather permitting, we will ascend Table Mountain (optional - pay locally, approx £10) for spectacular views over the entire Cape Peninsula. In the city itself, we visit the Castle and the historic city centre, as well as the Houses of Parliament and Company Gardens. We will also stop at the colourful Malay Quarter and bustling market at Greenmarket Square. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city at our own pace - why not visit the vibrant Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a working harbour, with many shops, restaurants and outdoor performers.
DAY 12: CAPE PENINSULA (Wed) After breakfast set off for the Cape of Good Hope – a drive that takes you along the incredible Atlantic seaboard, through exclusive areas such as Clifton and Camp’s Bay, and the quaint village and little fishing harbour of Hout Bay . We continue to Cape Point, the symbolic meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. We return via Simon’s Town, a village with charming Victorian architecture, and a breeding Colony of African Penguins on Boulders beach! A last stop at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens before heading back to Cape Town.
DAY 13: WINELANDS (Thu) This morning, set off for one of the Cape’s first farming districts, Paarl. A cellar tour and winetasting here is followed by a visit to Franschhoek, the 17th Century French Huguenot town, which is now billed as the gourmet capital of South Africa. There is time for a winetasting in this picturesque town before continuing onto Stellenbosch, via the Helshoogte Pass. The second oldest settlement in South Africa after Cape Town, Stellenbosch’s oak lined streets and famed Cape Dutch architecture make it one of the most charming towns in the country. The final winetasting of the day is followed by the journey back to Cape Town.
DAY 14: CAPE TOWN (Fri) Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
DAY 15: Arrive UK (Sat)
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