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South Africa - Explore: South African Surprise - 15 Days - 2009
Johannesburg | Hazyview | Kruger National Park | Swaziland | St Lucia | Durban | Drakensberg | East London | Port Elizabeth | Knysna | Oudtshoorn | Cape Town Print | Email
 
Price and Departures
Rates:
From R14350 Twin/ R17580 Single

Departs:
Sundays
 

CLICK HERE FOR A MAP OF THIS TOUR

remarkable tour at an equally remarkable price!
An unforgettable 15 days in one of the world's most exciting and diverse countries! 
This incredible tour is bursting with adventure, fun and variety - at unbeatable value for money!
From Johannesburg through to Cape Town, this tour will take you through some wild and unspoilt beaches, to wildlife and wilderness in the game reserves of Kruger and Hluhluwe. Marvel at the dramatic mountain scenery of the Drakensberg Mountain Range (a World Heritage Site), sample oysters in Knysna, ride an ostrich in Oudtshoorn and go underground into some of the largest caves on earth, with incredible salactite and stalagmite dripstone formations. 

 
Itinerary  Highlights

Day 1: (Sun) Johannesburg
Upon arrival you will 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 myriad of flora species and abundant bird life, that the Kruger is known for. Kruger  is an internationally acclaimed 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 your hotel for your 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 in the 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 Howick Falls, a cascading waterfall that drops 300 feet. Continuing through the Southern Midlands Meander Route, we arrive at our hotel mid afternoon. Your afternoon is at leisure to soak up your surroundings, or go fishing, hiking or 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 surroundings of the magnificent Southern Drakensberg Mountains.  Within this scenically arresting mountain range, the opportunities for nature hikes abound, whether it be a slow meander or a more lengthy 'serious hike', the waterfalls, streams/rivers and wildlife within these mountains are breathtaking. Accommodation: Drakensberg Gardens Hotel or similar
An optional 4x4 Adventure tour up Sani Pass and into Lesotho is available (Passport required).

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.  This beautiful 'lagoon-town' will be 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 spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the 'feather capital of the world' because of its thriving 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'. 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.

Optional Pre & Post Tours

Our tour starts in Johannesburg, where Thompsons offers a range of pre-departure optional day tours. See our Johannesburg day tours page for suggested options, or should you wish to extend your holiday in Cape Town at the end of the tour, we can assist with a range of day tours in Cape Town and her surrounds, including the Winelands, the Peninsula, Hermanus and more.

We offer a range of accommodation for holiday makers who may wish to extend their holiday. Use our accommodation search or click on the Cape Town or the Johannesburg pages for accommodation options in these cities.  If you would like to add other destinations to your holiday, we can easily assist with this - take a look at our packaged getaways for safaris, idyllic island break-aways in Mauritius or Mozambique and much more.  As travel specialists to Southern Africa we will be able to tailor make your holiday requirements.

Related Locations
  • South Africa
  • Garden Route
  • Cape Town
  • Kruger Park
  • Hluhluwe/Imfolozi
  • Zululand
  • Drakensberg
  • Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
  • Durban
    • 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.

    Hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains is a natural paradise

     Includes

    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   * 5 dinners

    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.

    The Cape Peninsula is rugged & beautiful

    EXCITING OPTIONA EXTRAS - FOR YOUR OWN ACCOUNT
    Please reference your itinerary to see where each of these optional extras can be 'slotted in' on tour.

    • Open 4x4 Safaris in the Kruger Park.
    • Open 4x4 Safaris in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
    • Game viewing boat cruises in St Lucia.
    • Zulu cultural experience in St Lucia.
    • 4x4 adventure tour up Sani Pass and into Lesotho (Passport required).
    • Quad biking, 4x4 excursions, guided walks in Transkei.
    • Boat Cruise on the Knysna Lagoon.
    • Full day tour to the Cape Winelands.
    • Scenic full day Cape Peninsula tour.  

     Price & Departures

    Validity Currency Twin Single
    01 Nov 08-31 Oct 09 ZAR 14350 17580
    DEPARTURE DATES 2008
    09, 23 Nov 

    DEPARTURE DATES 2009 
    04, 25 Jan
    08, 22 Feb 
    08, 22 Mar
    12, 26 Apr 
    17 May 
    14 Jun
    19 Jul 
    16 Aug 
    06, 20 Sep
    11, 25 Oct

    You will not be dissappointed in the magnificent views from Sani Pass!

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