South Africa Odyssey

Day 1  Johannesburg, South Africa                  
On arrival in Johannesburg at OR Tambo International Airport, you’ll be met by your representative and transferred to your hotel. Johannesburg is the largest and most populous city in South Africa. It is also the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade, due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. The remainder of the day is at leisure & unescorted. Why not enjoy a sightseeing tour or simply relax at your hotel. At 19h00 we will meet up at reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet fellow travellers.

Day 2  Johannesburg to Mpumalanga        
Depart Johannesburg after breakfast for a long drive, heading to the Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country”. Dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld, we travel past the small town of Waterval Boven, nestled in the Drakensberg Mountains. Continue through spectacular scenery to the historic logging town of Sabie, once a gold mining town, before visiting the beautiful and unspoilt Mac-Mac Falls, a 65-metre waterfall on the Mac-Mac River. Arrive late afternoon into Hazyview, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park.

Day 3  Mpumalanga        
After an early morning breakfast, we’ll drive along the spectacular “Panorama Route”, offering views of amazing scenery including the 26 kilometre-long Blyde River Canyon (home to the Three Rondavels), Bourke’s Luck Potholes’ and historic God’s Window, a breathtaking view (weather permitting) of the edge of the escarpment taking in the Kruger National Park. We arrive back in Hazyview in the late afternoon, where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax.

Day 4  Kruger National Park          
The day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a thrilling open vehicle game safari (with English speaking game ranger) through the Kruger National Park with pre-packed breakfast. Kruger is one of the world’s greatest national parks, home to a stunning array of wildlife. Search for the ‘Big Five’ (rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant) as well as prolific birdlife and numerous other game species. The game safari includes a presentation of the Anti-Poaching Dog Unit (Project Watchdog), that was established because of the increase in rhino poaching worldwide. Learn about the dogs that are trained to track poachers in the field, detect firearms, ammunition and wildlife products that enter and exit through the Kruger National Park gates. The afternoon is at leisure at your hotel. An afternoon open vehicle game drive is available as an extension to the morning game drive.

Day 5  Mpumalanga to Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini        
This morning we travel to eSwatini (Swaziland), an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience introduces us to the charming people of eSwatini and their traditions. Visit the Ngwenya glass factory, where visitors can watch talented glass blowers create a range of exquisite wares made from recycled glass, before travelling further to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for a night in eSwatini and a sumptuous dinner at your hotel.

Day 6  Ezulwini to Zululand        
After breakfast, visit the Swazi candle factory, where visitors can watch wax artists make beautiful candles. Continue south through eSwatini, before re-entering South Africa and embarking on a long drive into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. There is an option to enjoy an afternoon open-vehicle game safari (optional and payable locally) in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhino. Overnight in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi region.

Day 7  Zululand to Tsitsikamma        
The day begins with an early breakfast before departing for Durban, travelling past traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. We arrive at Durban (Umhlanga) airport for the short southward flight to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where we will be met by our representative and once everyone has arrived, we head westwards along the Garden Route, which follows the Indian Ocean coastline, and is bordered inland by soaring mountain ranges and indigenous forests. Overnight in the Tsitsikamma area.

Day 8  Tsitsikamma to Knysna                  
After breakfast, visit the spectacularly beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea. Afterwards, we’ll continue our travels to Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon, in the heart of the Garden Route. Sit down for dinner at Drydock Restaurant, renowned for dishes with glorious aromas and flavours, using the finest local ingredients and freshly picked herbs from the region.

Day 9  Knysna to Oudtshoorn        
Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the “ostrich capital” and the centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. Along the way, visit ‘Dolphin Point’, an extraordinary viewpoint in Wilderness. In Oudtshoorn, we’ll visit an Ostrich Farm for a fun-filled interactive tour and light lunch that includes local specialities such as Ostrich Steak, before taking a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. We will arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon, in time to check in and relax before dinner.

Day 10  Oudtshoorn to Hermanus            
There is an option (for own account and subject to availability) to enjoy an early morning Meerkat Safari. Witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities (weather permitting). After this thrilling experience, head back for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, the journey continues through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale, where you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, to interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom, learning more about this rural community. A portion of the trip monies go towards our Barrydale Farm School Development Fund, that supports local education of underprivileged children in rural communities.  (The school visit is subject to the school being open). Continue via the Tradouw’s pass to Swellendam and then further to the seaside resort of Hermanus, known as the heart of the whale route, offering the best land-based whale watching (August-November) in the world.

Day 11  Hermanus to Cape Town        
After a leisurely breakfast, depart Hermanus and continue to Somerset West, travelling via the spectacularly scenic coastal road and then onwards to Stellenbosch, set in the beautiful Cape Winelands. You’ll have some free time to explore the town’s oak-shaded streets, cafés, boutiques, and art galleries before travelling to Cape Town for overnight.

Day 12  Cape Town                
Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join a sightseeing tour to Table Mountain (own account) or join us for a Marine Big Five Safari (for own account), where you may see great white sharks, whales, Cape fur seals and a variety of seabirds on a 2-hour boat cruise with marine biologists on hand to explain more about these amazing animals that visit our shores. Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafes and restaurants as well as colourful craft markets. Enjoy a fun filled evening with interactive entertainment and delectable food at Gold Restaurant. Overnight in Cape Town.

Day 13  Cape Town              
Enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay (where you can enjoy an optional and for own account seal island boat cruise) and then on to Cape Point where (by tradition) it is said that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. We'll return to Cape Town by way of Simon's Town, where we visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee for own account), Fish Hoek fishing village and Muizenberg. Overnight in Cape Town.

Day 14  Cape Town                      
Enjoy some last minute shopping (unescorted) or sightseeing (own account). The Robben Island Tour (for own account & time permitting), which departs from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, offers a fascinating excursion or perhaps just wander through the variety of shops and boutiques catering for all tastes and budgets. Later you will be transferred to the airport, harbour or railway station for your onward journey.