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South Africa

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The whole world in one country

South Africa's diverse geography includes the dramatic coastal scenery of the famous Garden Route, the verdant 'Winelands' with their mountain backdrop, and of course the savannah grasslands and jungle landscapes of the spectacular National Parks. South Africa really does have it all.

NB: For departures until 31 December 2009, this holiday will be subject to a surcharge, which will be added to the price and shown on your invoice. Click here for more details.

Day One

Fly to Cape Town. With only two hours' time difference, despite the length of the journey, there's little 'jet-lag' from which to recover.

Day Two

Welcome to South Africa! Enjoy a short tour of Cape Town as you transfer to your hotel. South Africa's most visited city is a place of romance and natural beauty nestled on a mountainous peninsula leading to the Cape of Good Hope, flanked by the Atlantic Ocean and with majestic Table Mountain rising in its midst.

This afternoon join our optional excursion to ascend Table Mountain in a rotating cable car, turning in an unforgettable 360? panorama as you climb to the 1000-metre high summit.

Day Three

Rest and relax or join our optional excursion to the famous 'Winelands' area. You'll call at Franschhoek, regarded as the culinary capital of the Western Cape, and visit delightful Stellenbosch, South Africa's second oldest European settlement. During the day, there will be wine tasting, a cellar tour, and the opportunity to purchase some truly excellent wines, before you return to Cape Town.

Day Four

Today's full-day included tour of the Cape Peninsula will reveal treacherous Cape Point, where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean; the beach resort of Boulders (with its colony of penguins!); Kirstenbosch, famous for its Botanical Gardens; Hout Bay, where you might take an optional cruise to famous 'Seal Island'; and - weather permitting - the breathtakingly scenic Chapman's Peak Drive.

Day Five

Today you'll drive to sun-blessed Oudtshoorn, known as the 'Ostrich Capital of the World', stunningly set in the midst of the 'Little Karoo' plain. The world's strangest, largest and often most valuable bird has been farmed here for 130 years, firstly for its plumage and more recently for its meat, samples of which will be offered at lunchtime.

This afternoon, you'll visit the world-renowned Cango Caves, vast limestone grottoes with extraordinary calcium formations built up over thousands of years. After a tour, you'll head over the scenic Outeniqua Pass, to spend the night in the classic seaside town of Wilderness.

Day Six

In the sleepy harbour town of Mossel Bay you'll visit the famous Old Post Office Tree or take an optional 'Whale-Watch' cruise out into the bay. After lunch you'll head to the charming, elegant coastal resort of Knysna, your base for tonight.

Day Seven

This morning you'll continue on the Garden Route. You'll call at 'Big Tree' and 'Storms River Mouth', heading towards the Tsitsikamma National Park, where undergrowth stretching right to the ocean's edge provides habitats for birds, monkeys and small antelope, and on to the bustling, 'Friendly City' of Port Elizabeth.

Day Eight

Fly to the port city of Durban, with its surfers' beaches, its bustling boulevard - the 'Golden Mile' - its cosmopolitan air, open spaces and modern buildings. Your hotel tonight is in Umhlanga Rocks, north of the city centre, which overlooking the beautiful bathing beach of the same name.

Day Nine

Visit the fascinating Shakaland Cultural Village, where the traditions of the Zulu nation are celebrated and explained. Enjoy a Zulu lunch followed by entertainment and dancing, then head out on an afternoon Game Drive in the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve, famed as the refuge which saved the White Rhino from extinction.

Day 10

Today you'll cross the border into the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland. A British Protectorate until 1968, the country - ruled over by English-educated King Mswati - mixes the colonial with the traiditional, and the friendly Swazis offer a warm welcome to their beautiful homeland.

Day 11

Today begins with visits to the Swazi Candle Factory and Swazi Craft Market before you re-cross the South African border to stop at the edge of the famed Kruger National Park. Join an optional Game Drive into the park, or head straight to the hotel at Hazyview, your base for the last two nights of your holiday.

Day 12

The final full day of your holiday begins with an unforgettable open-top Game Drive in the world-famous Kruger National Park, Africa's oldest wildlife conservation area. After a packed breakfast in the park, your drive will take you into the wilderness, and with luck you'll encounter impala, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra, or perhaps even lions, rhinos, elephants, leopards and buffalos.

Around noon you'll depart on the scenic Panorama Route. Buy lunch at the beautifully preserved 'goldrush' town of Pilgrim's Rest, climb through mountain passes to stunning Blyde River Canyon and stop at 'God's Window', with its stunning views of distant Mozambique.

Day 13

Today you'll head west to the South African capital Pretoria. Time permitting, you'll enjoy a short tour of the 'Jacaranda City' before continuing to Johannesburg Airport to board your flight home.

Day 14

Arrive home at the end of a truly unforgettable holiday.

 
 

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