South Africa Safari Tour

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

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ITINERARY

DAY 1: JOHANNESBURG | HOTEL : GRASKOP HOTEL | MEALS : DINNER

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met by your Private English-Speaking Guide. We have a relatively long day ahead of us, but fortunately we will be rewarded with some beautiful scenery along the way. First, we drive along the road to Middelburg and Belfast, and as we move away from Johannesburg the landscape becomes more beautiful and nature more magnificent. Fog often occurs in this mountainous region which can affect the day. We drive through South Africa’s famous trout areas to Dullstroom and through the Long Tom Pass.

DAY 2: PANORAMA ROUTE – MPUMALANGA | HOTEL : SANBONANI | MEALS : BREAKFAST

From here we head directly toward the eastern part of Mpumalanga. We drive along winding roads along the Panorama Route, the mountainous area offers one magnificent scene after another, where you often feel the urge to stop and enjoy the view. By God’s Window you can experience one of the most beautiful vantage points (weather permitting) and Bourke’s Luck Potholes are a unique rocky landscape where fierce tidal eddies drilled deep cylindrical holes in the bare rock

Finally; we stop at Blyde River Canyon, which compares favourably to the Grand Canyon, even though it is on a smaller scale. There are many great scenes in the area. The program also depends somewhat on the weather and the participants’ desire to wander around in the beautiful surroundings. Fog often occurs in this mountainous region which can affect the day.

DAY 3: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK SAFARI | HOTEL : SANBONANI | MEALS : BREAKFAST & LUNCH

Kruger is synonymous with safari, and we have done our best to plan some exciting and varied days in South Africa’s largest national park. As we drive the relatively short distance to Kruger National Park you can feel the climate change as you move from the cooler mountain air to the more humid lowland heat. As soon as you enter the gate into the Park we are on safari. Kruger National Park is the biggest National Park in South Africa with a total area of about 20 000 sq km which is almost the same size as Israel.

Our safari will consist of driving in open jeeps. Inside the park you will find tar roads as well as safari trails that will allow you to drive close to ponds. You will also be able to stop at observation points which are great for game viewing. And the game is here enough: it is possible to see up to 132 different species of mammals, 438 bird species, 104 reptiles and throughout 1771 plant species, of which 357 are tree and shrub species. The Kruger park was designed so that visitors only have access to a limited portion of the park to protect the wildlife.

Over the years, the game however got used to the cars and visitors which means that you might often see elephant, giraffe and various species of antelope graze close to the parked cars and it is not unusual for a pride of lions or a pair of cheetahs to obstruct the road.

The vast area gives the game the ultimate living conditions, but tourism also affects their daily life. The Lions have specialized in hunting giraffes on the tarred roads where their hard hooves slip, and the animals fall into the jaws of predators. Now the biggest portion of the lion’s diet is giraffe.

With luck, we might see the Big Five (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard) – they are all here, but the amount varies. Normally the grass grows high in May & June, after which the drier months will gradually transform most of the Kruger Park to a drier, yellow landscape. This makes animals easier to find as they tend to converge around the waterholes. We will spend the whole day in the Park on game drive and we will enjoy lunch in the park. Magnificent experiences await and the honour of sitting just a few meters away from the majestic elephant, the impressive rhino or a lion – all in a fully open vehicle.

Early in the evening we meet for a dinner (own account)

DAY 4: SAFARI IN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK | HOTEL : SANBONANI | MEALS : BREAKFAST & LUNCH

We will pick up where we left off yesterday. We will try to cover some areas that we could not reach on the first day, but it will all depend on the animals – we will see where the road will lead us. Yet, there are many restrictions from the park authorities to protect the animals, so we cannot guarantee where exactly the safari will take us

Tonight, we will go to the Shangaan River Club for a Boma Dinner.

DAY 5: HAZYVIEW – PRETORIA | HOTEL : ZEBRA COUNTRY LODGE | MEALS : BREAKFAST & DINNER

After breakfast, we drive back to Johannesburg, where we overnight at Zebra Country Lodge. A comfortable country living in a tranquil setting, has never been more accessible. This 400-ha nature reserve and country retreat, with a variety of general game, is located only a thirty minutes’ drive North-East of Pretoria.

Dinner to be enjoyed at the Ndebele Village

DAY 6: PORT ELIZABETH – KNYSNA | HOTEL : TSITSIKAMMA VILLAGE INN | MEALS : BREAKFAST

After breakfast, we depart for OR Tambo International Airport to be in time for our onward flight to Port Elizabeth.The coastal town of Port Elizabeth is the starting point for the beautiful Garden Route coastline that stretches all the way to Cape Town.

We drive along the beautiful coast to the Tsitsikamma National Park which is known for its rich birdlife, rare endemic flora as well as its rugged coastline. We will have a short walk in this beautiful park over the famous Storms River Mouth suspension bridge. After the refreshing walk we will continue to Knysna.

DAY 7: GARDEN ROUTE – KNYSNA / MOSSEL BAY | HOTEL : GREYWOOD | MEALS : BREAKFAST

Due to the fires we don’t know when this experience will be back up so for now they get a John Benn cruise with lunch on board. Rest of the day at leisure in Knysna Waterfront.

• Return ferry trip on the Knysna Lagoon to the Western Head.
• 4×4 vehicle & trailer drive up the headland onto the Reserve, stopping at spectacular viewpoints.
• Specialist guide giving information on history, fauna & flora.
• Optional guided 2.2km walk through coastal forest and fynbos into ancient sea caves.
• Wonderful family outing, suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

DAY 8: MOSSEL BAY – OUDTSHOORN | HOTEL : SWARTBERG COUNTRY MANOR | MEALS : BREAKFAST & DINNER

Today we will explore the interior. We will pass from the green Garden Route to the drier Karoo. You will see the landscape change as you cross the mountains via the passes of the region. We will visit the world famous Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn – this town used to be the Ostrich Capital of the world, so no visit will be complete without a visit to an Ostrich Farm where you will see a wide variety of Ostrich species while learning about the ostrich industry. The route goes through beautiful scenery with canyons and passes and green mountains.

DAY 9: ROBERTSON – CAPE TOWN | HOTEL : SOUTHERN SUN CAPE SUN | MEALS : BREAKFAST & DINNER

We depart after breakfast, travelling along Route 62, one of South Africa’s leading wine regions. Stopping en route for a wine tasting & lunch in Robertson, known as the “small town with a big heart”. Robertson has grown into one of the most attractive Cape Winelands towns. Victorian buildings, jacaranda-lined streets, columns of red and yellow cannas as well as bright bougainvilleas all form the back drop to this delightful town.

DAY 10: WALKING TOUR – CAPE TOWN | HOTEL : SOUTHERN SUN CAPE SUN | MEALS : BREAKFAST

Today we enjoy a guided tour of the Mother City. This tour is a fascinating introduction to the history of Cape Town, it incorporates visits to some of the most significant historic sites and attractions in the CBD. These include the bustling Greenmarket Square and Grand Parade, The Castle of Good Hope, the City Hall, District Six Museum, and various other gardens, cathedrals and buildings of interest – entrance fees for own account.

We’ve had some busy travel days, so we keep this afternoon free for your own adventure.

Example, you can take a trip up to the famous Table Mountain, which is one of Cape Town’s must-see activities – weather dependant. You can also go to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for many years. It will be guided in English as the island’s fascinating history is narrated by former detainees who have been imprisoned here. Robben Island can only be accessed by Ferry and this is weather dependant; we cannot guarantee that you will be able to visit the island. We cannot guarantee that a visit to the island is possible.

The afternoon could also be used to visit the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where there are numerous shops and delicious eateries. Clothing (including fashion), jewellery, art and more can be acquired at attractive prices.

DAY 11: CAPE PENINSULA | HOTEL : SOUTHERN SUN CAPE SUN | MEALS : BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER

After breakfast we will embark on a tour of the Cape Peninsula. We will drive along the beautiful coast to Hout Bay where we will take a short cruise to Duiker Island- home to a Cape Fur Seal colony. You will be able to view the seals as they play in the water and bask in the sun. Once back on solid ground we will drive over Chapmans Peak (if open) to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. This reserve is home to some antelope species, ostrich and baboon. You can take a walk up to the lighthouse from where you will have a spectacular view of the peninsula. We will then make our way to Simon’s Town for a well-deserved lunch. Rested and refreshed we will make our way to Boulders Beach – home of the African Penguin.

Tonight; we will end the tour with a Farewell Dinner at the hotel

DAY 12: CAPE TOWN | MEALS : BREAKFAST

Today is the last day of the tour. After breakfast, we say goodbye to our travel companions. Transfer to airport.