South Africa :: SOUTH AFRICAN SURPRISE - 15 Days

FULLY ESCORTED TOURING
SOUTH AFRICAN SURPRISE - 15 Days
Johannesburg • Hazyview • Kruger National Park • Swaziland • St Lucia • Durban • Drakensberg
• East London • Port Elizabeth • Knysna • Oudtshoorn • Cape Town

Unbeatable value for money from Africa Viza Travel

Highlights

• See the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window.
• Spend a day with the lions and the elephants in the Kruger National Park
  (in a closed vehicle).
• Visit a traditional African craft market in the Kingdom of Swaziland.
• Explore and soak up the atmosphere in the tourist town of St Lucia, situated within the World Heritage Site.
• Tour the city of Durban, the cultural melting pot of South Africa.
• Relax or go hiking in the majestic Drakensberg Mountains part of the World Heritage Site.
• Travel through the Eastern Cape where the British settled in 1820.
• Get close to mother nature at her best by walking amongst the ancient trees in the Tsitsikamma National Park.
• Walk (the more adventurous may crawl!) around the famous Cango Caves with their magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
• Ride an ostrich or just enjoy an ostrich farm experience in Oudtshoorn -
• ‘ostrich capital of the world’.
• Discover Cape Town and all its splendour.

Included
Transportation

• Tour in air-conditioned 7-seater microbuses, 16/18-seater mini-buses or 25/44 seater luxury coaches (the fewer the passengers the smaller the vehicle to be used).

Professionally Escorted

• Discover the wonders of South Africa with our enthusiastic, vibrant and
  professional Tour Guides.

Accommodation

• Accommodation is on a twin share basis, and all rooms have private facilities.
  All accommodation is of a 3 star standard.

Dining Inclusions

• 14 breakfasts and 5 dinners included.  

Plus

• Arrival airport transfer included.   
• Full day visit to the Kruger National Park.
• Kruger National Park Conservation Levy included.
• Sightseeing/orientation in East London and Port Elizabeth.
• Hotel porterage included.

Please Note

• Accommodation check in on Day 1 is from 14h00.

Day 1: (Sun) Johannesburg
Upon arrival you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. You are under own arrangements until 19h00 when we all meet at the hotel reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet up with your fellow travellers.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel Waterfront or similar

Day 2: (Mon) Johannesburg / Hazyview                                               (BD)
This morning we leave for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. Travel along the circular Panorama Route via Graskop, visiting the view sites of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa; gasp at the glory of God’s Window, with a boundless view of mountains and fertile plains and finally a visit to Bourke’s Luck Potholes before heading to Hazyview.
Accommodation: Hippo Hollow Country Estate or similar

Day 3: (Tue) Kruger National Park                                                        (B)
A bright and early start to the day in order to enjoy the wonders of exploring the Kruger National Park in your closed vehicle. Enter the park and keep a lookout for the wonderful flora and bird life that abounds. The Kruger National Park is an internationally renowned game reserve of nearly 2 million hectares and supports the largest variety of wildlife species on the African continent. Spend the day in search of game before returning to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hippo Hollow Country Estate or similar

Optional full day open safari vehicle game drive in Kruger National Park available.

Day 4: (Wed) Hazyview / Swaziland                                                    (B)
This morning after breakfast, check out and depart on your journey to Swaziland. We proceed south through to Malalane and then onto Swaziland. Visit the famous Ngwenya Glass Factory before arriving at the hotel for overnight stay.
Accommodation: Lugogo Sun or similar

Day 5: (Thu) Swaziland /  St Lucia and surrounds                               (B)
This morning we journey through Swaziland into Zululand stopping en route to bargain for curios and souvenirs at the roadside markets. Our journey continues into the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal where ancient traditions and modern cultures of both Zulu and Settler have combined into a vibrant society living in peace and harmony. The World Heritage Site of St Lucia offers the opportunity of sighting many hippos, crocodile and bird life.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel St Lucia or similar

Optional afternoon sundowner St Lucia Boat Cruise available.

Day 6: (Fri) St Lucia and surrounds / Durban                                       (BD)
Guests have the option to lie in or take an optional morning open safari game drive (own account) before heading off later in the morning towards Durban. We visit the Botanic Gardens and continue with a city centre orientation tour before arriving at our hotel late afternoon.
Accommodation: Tropicana Hotel or similar

Optional morning open safari vehicle game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park available.

Day 7: (Sat) Durban / Drakensberg                                                       (BD)
Today we head into the majestic Southern Drakensberg Mountains. We proceed on a visit to the 300 feet Howick Falls, continuing through the Southern Midlands Meander Route, arriving at our hotel mid afternoon. Your afternoon is at leisure to soak up the surroundings, or go fishing, hiking and even horse riding in clean mountain air.
Accommodation: Drakensberg Gardens Hotel or similar

Day 8: (Sun) Drakensberg                                                                    (BD)
Full day at leisure to soak up the surround-ings of the magnificent Southern Drakensberg Mountains.
Optional 4x4 Adventure tour up Sani Pass and into Lesotho available (Passport required).
Accommodation: Drakensberg Gardens Hotel or similar

Day 9: (Mon) Drakensberg / East London                                             (B)
This morning we depart and continue south to East London. En route we first stop at Umtata to visit the area where our most famous citizen, Nelson Mandela, was born and grew up. After visiting the museum dedicated to the life and achievements of this incredible man, we continue and arrive late afternoon in East London, the only river port in Southern Africa. Check in for your overnight accommodation.
Accommodation: The Kennaway Hotel or similar

Day 10: (Tue) Port Elizabeth                                                                (B)
After breakfast, check out and travel through East London for a short orientation tour. Continue through ‘Settler Country’ via Port Alfred towards Grahamstown. Visit the 1820 Settler Memorial before continuing onto Port Elizabeth. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Port Elizabeth’s beaches are magnificent and justifiably world famous.
Accommodation: The Paxton Hotel or similar

Day 11: (Wed) Port Elizabeth / Knysna                                                 (B)
Today our journey continues towards the Cape. Visit the Tsitsikamma Forest, which provides scenic walking opportunities. A short walk to the Storms River Mouth offers some magnificent views of the gorge and river below. Arrive in Knysna late afternoon for check in at our hotel, our base for the next 2 nights.
Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate or similar

Day 12: (Thu) Oudtshoorn                                                                    (BD)
After breakfast, we travel inland over the spec-tacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the ‘feather capital of the world’ because of its ostrich industry. Visit the famous Cango Caves and an Ostrich Farm where you have the opportunity of riding one of these giant birds. Return to Knysna for overnight.
Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate or similar

Day 13: (Fri) Knysna / Cape Town                                                        (B)
Today’s journey ends in Cape Town. On the way we stop off in Mossel Bay to visit the famous Post Office Tree, the Bartholomeus Diaz Museum and Shell Museum. We drive via Swellendam, Worcester and through the Huguenot Tunnel before arriving in Cape Town in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Hollow on the Square or similar

Day 14: (Sat) Cape Town                                                                     (B)
Enjoy a day of leisure in the ‘Mother City’ and a visit to the V&A Waterfront is recommended.
Accommodation: Hollow on the Square or similar

Optional full day Winelands or Peninsula tour is available.

Day 15: (Sun) Cape Town                                                                    (B)
This morning after breakfast, check out of the hotel by 11h00 after which the remainder of the day will be under your own arrangements.

An Unforgettable 15 days

Departure Dates

2009
12, 26 Apr	17 May	14 Jun
19 Jul	16 Aug	06, 20 Sep
11, 25 Oct