A WORLD IN ONE COUNTRY TOUR
HIGHLIGHTS
•- Explore the historic town of Pilgram's Rest.
•- View the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and Gods Window
•- Seek out the Big Five in the Kruger National Park in open safari vehicles
•- Visit a traditional African craft market in the kingdom of Swaziland.
•- Enjoy a Swazi cultural experience.
•- Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake St Lucia - a World Heritage Site.
•- Stroll through the Tsitsikamma National Park, renowned for its age-old trees.
•- Journey via ferry to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, situated at the entrance to Knysna Lagoon.
•- Discover the Cango Caves with its magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
•- Enjoy an ostrich farm experience.
•- The best land-based whale watching in the world is in Hermanus (Seasonal July to November only)
INCLUDED
Transportation
•- Tour in air-conditioned micro-buses or 18-seater mini-buses
Professionally Escorted
•- Discover South Africa with our professional Tour Guide
Accomodation
•- Rooms with private facilities, on a twin share basis.
•- All accommodation is of a 3 star standard.
Dining Inclusions
•- 13 Breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
Plus
•- Airport transfers included
•- Hotel porterage included.
•- Kruger National Park Conservation Levy included.
Please Note
•- The internal flight between Durban and Port Elizabeth is not included.
•- Planet can assist you in obtaining these flights. Clients are requested to book flight SA1336 departing 12h30 to arrive in Port Elizabeth at 13h45. Should guests arrive earlier, we are happy to take care of them until the arrival of the scheduled flight.
Details of itinerary:
Day 1
(Sun) Johannesburg
Touch down at OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the magnificent suburban shopping malls or take an optional Soweto tour (own account).
Accommodation: Protea Hotel Wanderers or similar
Day 2
(Mon) Pretoria / Mpumalanga
Depart by 07h30 and leave Johannesburg's distinctive skyline and head for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Loweveld. We travel via the historic towns of Witbank, Dullstroom and Lydenburg, Passing over the Famous Long Tom Pass onto the small town of Sabie. This afternoon explore the living history in the form of Pilgram's Rest, the old mining village where gold was first discovered.
Accommodation: The Royal Hotel or similar
Day 3
(Tue) Kruger National Park
This morning gasp at the glory that is God's Window, a boundless view of forested mountains and fertile plains, and visit the spectacular Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa. We arrive at our overnight hotel in time for a welcome sundowner (own account).
Accommodation: Kruger-Rest camp or similar
Day 4
(Wed) Kruger National Park
A full day “Big Five” game viewing in Kruger National Park.
Set off before breakfast in an open safari vehicle in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard, and all manners of ‘wondrous wildlife, birds and plant species. Savour the magic of this enormous wilderness.
Accommodation: Kruger-Rest camp or similar
Day5
(Thu) The Kingdom Of Swaziland
Enjoy an enchanting drive to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, a former British Protection Territory, now ruled by King Mswati lll. Witness a Swazi cultural experience before visiting the famous Ngwenya Glass Factory to see master craftsmen fashion collectable Figure and Functional art out of molten glass. We continue through the capital city, Mbabane, known for its vibrant markets packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings. Spend the night in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley.
Accommodation: Lugogo Sun or similar
Day6
(Fri)) The Zulu Kingdom.
Visit the Swazi candle Factory, teeming with exquisite wax artwork in every shape and color imaginable. Then on into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. Arrive mid afternoon at the town of St Lucia, a world Heritage Site and home to hippo, crocodile and no less than 367 bird species.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel St Lucia or similar
Day7
(sat) Durban
This morning enjoy a cruise on Lake St Lucia before departing for Durban. Hug the lush Kwazulu-Natal Coastline en route to Durban, watching the sugar cane fields do their own version of the Mexican wave at urging of the wind. Check into your hotel just before lunch (own account). The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure, or you may opt take an optional afternoon Durban City Tour (own account).
Accommodation: Protea Hotel Umhlanga or similar
Day8
(Sun) Port Elizabeth / Knysna
Morning at leisure until your collection and transfer to the airport for your mid morning flight to Port Elizabeth (cost of flight not included). There you’ll be met by a new guide who’ll upon every arriving, take you through the glorious, indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest, before reaching Knysna, perhaps South Africa’s most visually stunning resort, in the heart of the Famous Garden Route.
Accommodation: Knysna Log Inn or similar
Day9
(Mon) Knysna
Cruise on the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Feather Nature Reserve. Enjoy an amazing view of the imposing sandstone ‘Heads’ which guards the sea entrance to Knysna’s huge tidal lagoon, and the forest, marshes and pristine beach beyond. After lunch the reminder of the day at, to enjoy this lovely and special town.
Accommodation: Knysna Log Inn or similar
Day10
(Tue) Oudtshoorn
This morning we enjoy the wonderful views of the spectacular Outeniqua Pass en route to Oudstroorn, the ‘Feather Capital of the world’ so named because it’s the centre of South Africa’s ostrich industry. After lunch, we learn more about these hardy, enigmatic creatures during a tour of an ostrich farm. We then head underground for a fascinating tour of the Cango Caves, one of South Africa’s most incredible natural wonders.
Accommodation: Queens Hotel or similar
Day11
(Wed) Cape Town
A day of magnificent vista. Enjoy the ever-changing passing canvas as we travel to Cape Town. During the whale season we travel via the seaside village of Hermanus in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the southern rights whales, which frolic offshore (July to November only). Out of season we will return to Cape Town along ‘Route 62’, South Africa’s version of America’s Route 66’.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel President or similar
Day12
(Thu) Cape Peninsula
A full day touring of the ruggedly beautiful Cape Peninsula via the Atlantic seaboard. We stop at the fishing village of Hout bay, where you can opt to take a cruise (own account) to Seal Island to watch the antics of these natural performers. Then we continue to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, before stopping of to see the lovable penguins at boulders beach. We drive through the quaint naval village of Simon’s Town on our way back to Cape Town.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel President or similar
Day13
(Fri) Winelands
Journey onto the beautiful and tranquil Cape Winelands, Visit both Paarl and Stellenbosch before stopping for wine tasting at two well known estates. A visit to the Huguenot Memorial Museum and the Afrikaans Language Monument provides a historical perspective.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel President or similar
Day14
(Sat) Cape Town
This brings us to the end of our ‘World in One Country’. Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
