Grand Tour of South Africa - Private or Group - 14 days

Join a small group on an itinerary carefully designed to include many of South Africa’s most popular destinations, including beautiful wilderness areas, vibrant cities, spectacular scenery, exciting wildlife, and sun-drenched beaches.  Travel the magnificent Garden Route, explore Capetown, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, enjoy game drives and boat cruises in search of rhino, hippo and crocodile, view the third largest canyon in the world, visit the tiny kingdom of Swaziland and a Zulu homeland, experience an “elephant Encounter”, gaze at breathtaking scenery, sip wine in the famous Winelands region, walk the magnificent beaches on the Golden Mile.  The list is long and varied, providing an unforgettable journey through an incredibly diverse, beautiful, and fascinating country.

Day 1 

Depart Johannesburg and travel to the ‘Land of the Rising Sun – Mpumalanga – via the magnificent Panorama Route. The most spectacular stretch of the Panorama Route is the Blyde River Canyon. From many well-positioned vantage points one has a view of the 33 km long gorge, which starts at “Bourke’s Luck Potholes” and ends at the “Three Rondavels”. Time and weather permitting, stop at God’s Window and the Mac Mac Falls. Late afternoon arrival at your hotel. Check in and freshen up before dinner.
Meals Included: Dinner
Overnight:  Perry’s Bridge Hollow (standard room) or similar.

Day 2 

Early this morning you will depart on an open vehicle safari through the Kruger National Park. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. At nearly 2 million hectares, the reserve is the flagship of South African National Parks and is home to an impressive number of flora and fauna. Return to your hotel in the afternoon and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. You will have the option to return to the Kruger National Park to absorb the tranquil beauty of an evening safari (additional charge).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight:  Perry’s Bridge Hollow (standard room) or similar.

Day 3 

After breakfast, travel to the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland. This tiny mountainous kingdom is filled with bygone African traditions and culture and offers beautiful scenery and attractions such as game reserves and art & craft outlets to name a few. Enjoy a showcase of the traditional Swazi culture followed by lunch at the Matsamo Cultural Village. Continue to the Ngwenya Glass Works to see master craftsmen create beautiful sculptures and artwork from molten glass. After spending some time at the Mbabane craft markets, arrive at your hotel located in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight:  Royal Swazi Sun (standard room) or similar.

Day 4 

Enjoy a morning visit to the Swazi Candle Factory where each candle is made and finished by hand using the age-old technique “millefiore”. No two are the same and the range boasts an astonishing array of patterns, shapes and designs. Continue via Big Bend into KwaZulu Natal. Arrive at your hotel in the afternoon, in time to embark on an afternoon scenic drive up the Ubombo Mountains, offering views over Lake Jozini. At the summit and as the setting sun transforms the sky into a tapestry of colours, stop for sundowners. The drive will be combined with a visit to a local and authentic Zulu homestead for a glimpse into Zulu life in today’s world. Return to the hotel for dinner on the terrace (weather permitting) or in the classically styled restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner 
Overnight:  Ghost Mountain Inn (standard room) or similar.

Day 5 

This morning is at leisure, with the option to go on a morning safari if you wish (for your own account). This afternoon you will transfer to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve for an afternoon of game viewing. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve covers a combined area of 90 000ha and it was here that the white rhino was saved from extinction. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. End the day with dinner at the hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Ghost Mountain Inn (standard room) or similar.

Day 6 

Continue the journey along the Elephant Coast of KwaZulu Natal to St Lucia, located at the southern extremity of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site. Here you embark on an estuarine boat trip which provides an opportunity to view crocodiles, hippo and numerous bird species, including the elusive African Kingfisher Eagle, in their natural habitat. Continue to Durban, where east meets west; a city beneath which beats the pulse of Africa. Arrive during the afternoon at your hotel which is located on the Gold Mile – Durban’s distinctive beach front.
Meals Included: Breakfast,
Overnight: Southern Sun Elangeni (standard room) or similar OR  Protea Hotel Edward (standard room) or similar 

Day 7 

This morning you will embark on a brief Durban City Tour where you will spend the morning discovering the cultural and historical contrasts of the city. Check in at Durban International Airport for your afternoon domestic flight to Port Elizabeth (flight cost not included). On arrival at Port Elizabeth Airport, transfer to your hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Radisson Blu Port Elizabeth (standard room) or similar.

Day 8 

Depart Port Elizabeth and travel via the coastline to the beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park. Described as the ‘garden of the Garden Route’, the Tsitsikamma actually deserves a more vivid description to encapsulate the beauty of the place. Enjoy a walk along the suspension bridge across the Storms River mouth gorge which offers visitors incredible views and photo opportunities. Continue to Plettenberg Bay for dinner and overnight.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Hog Hollow (standard room) or similar.

Day 9 

After breakfast, get up-close-and-personal with nature at the Knysna Elephant Park. With the help of the resident African elephants and the well-informed guides, you will learn about the sad and mystical story of the Knysna Elephants. The visit presents you with the opportunity to touch, feed and photograph these gentle giants. After lunch (to own account), travel to Plettenberg Bay for a visit to Birds of Eden – the largest free-flight bird aviary in the world. Birds of Eden stems from the need to create a safe environment in which to release a large collection of free-flight African birds and the sanctuary also enables bird owners to apply to release their pet birds into the sanctuary, after undergoing rehabilitation. Time permitting you have the option of embarking on a Whale & Dolphin boat experience (weather permitting and to own account) before returning to the lodge.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Hog Hollow (standard room) or similar.

Day 10 

After breakfast and check-out formalities, proceed on an informative cruise up the Keurbooms River.  Continue to the lagoon side town of Knysna – the gem of the Garden Route.  Enjoy some time at leisure at the Knysna Waterfront Complex before travelling to Oudtshoorn – the ‘feather capital’ of the world due to its large ostrich industry.  Visit a working ostrich farm for a guided tour.  Check into your accommodation in the late afternoon before enjoying dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: De Opstal Country Lodge (standard room) or similar

Day 11 

Breakfast and check-out of the hotel. Enjoy a morning tour of the Cango Caves before departing Oudtshoorn. The Cango Caves is one of the natural wonders of the world and has become a major drawcard to the Karoo area. Afterward, travel via Route 62 to Barrydale for lunch (to own account). Arrive in Cape Town around 18h00.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Southern Sun Waterfront (standard room) or similar   OR Pepper Club Luxury Hotel & Spa (standard room) or similar 

Day 12 

This morning you embark on a full day Cape Point & Peninsula Tour – an awe-inspiring tour passing magnificent beaches, breathtaking views and historic & picturesque coastal villages to the towering headland known as Cape Point. The tour ends upon return to your hotel during the late afternoon.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Southern Sun Waterfront (standard room) or similar OR  Pepper Club Luxury Hotel & Spa (standard room) or similar

Day 13 

Today you embark on a full day Cape Winelands Tour. This is a delightful drive, which winds its way to the heart of the Cape Winelands through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads. Return to Cape Town during the late afternoon.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Southern Sun Waterfront (standard room) or similar  OR Pepper Club Luxury Hotel & Spa (standard room) or similar

Day 14 

Breakfast and check-out of the hotel. Morning collection from the hotel for a City Tour – a geographical and cultural extravaganza showing you Cape Town from its historical beginnings to the dazzling modern shopping malls of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Your tour ends with drop-off at Cape Town International Airport.