$ 3699

Upon arrival in Cape Town, you will meet one of our representatives who will assist you in being transferred to your hotel. Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

| Overnight Cape Town

After breakfast at your hotel, you will head on a Cape Town city tour. Cape Town was originally established as a refreshment station in 1652 for the trade between Europe and the Far East. This morning clients will be taken on an orientation tour of the city center, which will include a drive by the Houses of Parliament, The Castle the oldest building in South Africa. the old Malay Quarter, known as the Bo-Kaap, and will take a walk through the Company Gardens.

Enjoy a traditional Cape Malay lunch in one of the local restaurants in the Bo-Kaap district (no alcohol will be available at the restaurant). In the afternoon, ascend Table Mountain by cable car and enjoy the most beautiful panoramic views of the city, the Atlantic Ocean, and Robben Island. The Table Mountain range has about 1,400 species of flowers and is also home to the rock hyrax, a furry little creature often found on the rocks, basking in the sun.
Visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the first garden to be established to the conservation of a country’s indigenous flora.

Note: Visit to Table Mountain is weather dependent. Should the excursion not be possible, it will be moved to the following day, or the day after, depending on the weather.
Afterward, return to your hotel for overnight.

| Overnight in Cape Town

|  Breakfast, Lunch 

Breakfast at your hotel. Drive along the Atlantic Coastline passing the areas called Sea Point, Clifton, and Camps Bay before arriving in Hout Bay, a small fishing village, dominated by the scenic Chapman’s Peak Pass.  Hout Bay is one of the most beautiful and popular places on the Cape Peninsula and is a highlight of any holiday in South Africa. The fishing village of Hout Bay was probably established in about 1867 when a German immigrant, Jacob Trautmann, began to farm and fish in the area. Starting with a boat cruise from Hout Bay to view the seals at Seal Island, where you will see thousands of Cape Fur Seals basking on the rocks, or frolicking in the cold Atlantic Ocean.  Return to the harbor and browse the local craft market.

Stop at The Original T-BAG Designs, originated with the desire to improve the daily quality of impoverished South Africans, Original Tea Bag Designs produces a range of high quality, innovative, handmade products. Continue via the False Bay coastline to Simon’s Town,  which is home to the South African Navy. It is located on the shores of False Bay, on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula. For more than two centuries it has been an important naval base and harbor. The town is named after Simon van der Stel, an early governor of the Cape Colony. The beautiful Boulders Beach is one of Cape Town’s most visited beaches and the only place in the world where you get close to African Penguins Lunch at leisure. Continue to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The area has been declared a National World Heritage Site and abounds with buck, baboons and Cape Zebra, as well as over 50 species of birds. Rugged rocks and sheer cliffs towering more than 200 meters above the sea cut into the ocean but that is not its sole allure; many visitors are drawn to the area because of its rich maritime history. Named the ‘Cape of Storms’ by Bartolomeu Dias in 1488; the ‘Point’ was treated with respect by sailors for centuries. Fog, as well as violent storms and dangerous rocks, have caused that over the centuries shipwrecks have dotted the coastline. Visit the lighthouse first completed in 1859; it still stands at 249 meters above sea-level and offers a magnificent view.

At the end of the afternoon, we will return to Cape Town. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

| Overnight in Capetown

|  Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at your hotel. Depart to Stellenbosch, the Stellenbosch Wine Route was the first wine route to have been developed 40 years ago. The town is currently surrounded by approximately 100,000 hectares of vineyards. The wines of the Cape have a worldwide reputation for quality. It is in this region where you will see various examples of Cape Dutch architecture and about 60 of these houses have been declared national monuments. Stellenbosch is also a well-known University Town.

Visit the Seven Sisters Vineyard (subject to availability); The Seven Sisters wine brand evolved from its association with the seven Brutus sisters of Paternoster. The Brutus family lived in a small fishing village on the western coast. The Brutus sisters and their baby brother left the tranquillity of their sleepy town at a very early age when the family was evicted from their home. They yearned to return but were not able to do so give the unfavorable circumstances of the time.

Continue to the town of Stellenbosch where you will have some free time for shopping and enjoy lunch at your own expense.Following lunch, travel to Franschhoek – this area was settled by the French Huguenots in 1689 and this Valley of the Vignerons is also known for its quality wines and beautiful scenery. You will have some leisure time in this small village for shopping.

Depart for Montagu Depart for Little Karoo and admire the spectacular scenery along Route 62. Cross the Breede River Valley and pass Robertson and Ashton along the way. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

| Overnight in Montagu

|  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Breakfast at your hotel. Head for Oudtshoorn, where we will visit an ostrich breeding farm. The first ostrich show farm opened for business in 1930 and, as a result of tourism and its related leather and curios businesses – and later as a result of the meat trade – ostrich numbers peaked at about 100,000 in the 1980s and have remained at that level ever since. South Africa already started exporting ostrich feathers to Europe in 1821 and today, a number of highly professional ostrich show farms offer regular farm tours – and the ostrich remains one of Oudtshoorn’s most fascinating attractions. Biltong, dried meat, is much appreciated as a snack, and the ostrich skin is used for the making of handbags, shoes, belts, etc.

Enjoy lunch on an ostrich farm. After lunch, visit the Cango Caves and take a guided walk through the magnificent stalagmite formations.  Famous throughout South Africa, these caves constitute a major tourist attraction in the region. A series of lights have been put in place to reveal the numerous treasures and caves.  Here you will see, amongst other features, Cleopatra’s Needle, 9 meters high, and dating back 150, 000 years.

Check-in at your hotel, dinner, and overnight.

| Overnight in Oudtshoorn

|  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at your hotel. Depart for Knysna, known for its precious wood. Enjoy a boat cruise on the Knysna Lagoon, to the Featherbed Nature Reserve which is only accessible by boat. Upon arrival at the reserve, an open trailer will take you through the reserve, which is known for its indigenous vegetation. You will enjoy the view over the lagoon, and the area known as  “The Heads” being two huge sandstone cliffs which mark the entry of the Knysna Lagoon from the Indian Ocean.

Enjoy lunch during the visit before returning to Knysna.

Check-in at your hotel before having some leisure time.

Dinner at a restaurant in the Waterfront.

| Overnight in Knysna

|  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at your hotel. Journey along the Garden Route and cross South Africa’s Garden of Eden, a combination of deserted beaches, peaceful lagoons, tropical forests, and majestic mountains. Depart via Plettenberg Bay, and briefly visit this charming seaside resort about 30 minutes’ drive from Knysna. The thousand-year-old Big Tree can be spotted between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Lunch at leisure.

In the late afternoon, you will be transferred to the Cape Town Airport for the flight to Durban (not included, to be booked by agent). Upon arrival at King Shaka International Airport, you will be transferred to the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant.

| Overnight in Umhlanga

|  Breakfast,  Dinner

Following breakfast at your hotel, you will head on a Durban city tour. Durban has about 1 million inhabitants and has the biggest harbor in South Africa. The majority of the population is of Indian origin, hence the number of temples and mosques, as well as shops specializing in Indian products.

We will continue with a visit to Shakaland. Shakaland is a living museum of the life and times of the Zulu empire and you can relive the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus, in this authentic re-creation of the Great Kraal overlooking the Phobane Lake. Experience the sight of assegai-wielding warriors, share the fascinating secrets of the Sangomas, and witness traditional customs such as tribal dancing, spear making, and the beer-drinking ceremonies.

Continue north towards Maputaland, passing by sugar cane fields, eucalyptus, and pine plantations. The Zulu tribe settled in this region at the beginning of the 17th century. They planted grain which was brought by Portuguese traders and hunted the local wild animal population. Elephants were very common in this region and sought after for their ivory.

After, proceed to check-in at your lodge. You will enjoy a Boma dinner under the African sky (weather permitting).

| Overnight in Hluhluwe

|  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Set off on a 4×4 for your safari on the private reserve. Some wildlife you can expect to see on the reserve includes elephants, white rhinos, hippos, buffalos, cheetahs, leopards, and a wide variety of buck species. Afterward, you will return to the lodge for breakfast.

The day continues with entering the Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland), an independent country ruled by H.M. King Mswati III. Eswatini has maintained its cultural traditions and although English is widely spoken, the dominant language in Siswati. Many of its local inhabitants still consult with an Inyanga witch doctor to ward away evil spirits, or with a Sangoma who is mostly consulted for health reasons.

Head to the Mlilwane Royal Reserve, which is the oldest Swazi National Park. You will meet with the local rangers and enjoy a walking safari where you will learn about the local fauna and flora in the area. Lunch will be provided on the reserve.

Afterward, you will visit the popular Candle Factory, known throughout Swaziland for its variety of candles in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Visit the Swazi Market with its locally produced products if time permits. Visit the Ngwenya Glass factory, known for its beautiful glass ornaments, glasses, and souvenirs (time permitting – the factory is closed Saturdays & Sundays).

Finally, you will be transferred to your lodge for check-in, where you will also enjoy dinner.

| Overnight in Mbabane 

|  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast at your hotel, travel through Piggs Peak, named after William Pigg, a prospector who found gold at this location. Mining took place from 1889 – 1954 but currently only timber is being produced for use in the construction industry. Return to South Africa at the Jeppe’s Reef border post. Continue to Hazyview and visit Elephant Whispers. Elephant Whispers is dedicated to securing the future of the African Elephant where you will have Elephant interaction. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant.

After, continue to the Kapama Private Game Reserve. There will be time to settle in at the lodge before taking another 4×4 for a late-afternoon safari. Discover nocturnal wildlife on a night safari. Return to the lodge and enjoy dinner in the Boma seating arranged around an open fire under the African sky (weather permitting).

| Overnight in Kapama Private Game Reseve

|  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart by sunrise on an early morning game drive with the ranger where you will the opportunity of seeing the Big 5 – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos. Return to the lodge for breakfast. +

Enjoy time at leisure to enjoy the lodge’s facilities.

In the late afternoon, depart for a second 4×4 game drive for the day on a 3-hour game drive in the bush. Return to the lodge for dinner.

| Overnight in Kapama Private Game Reserve

|  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a 4×4 safari in the Private Reserve before having breakfast at the lodge. The region of Drakensberg is brimming with natural treasures. Depart for the Blyde River Canyon, with its spectacular gorge, is 26 km long and the 3 Rondavels are rocky massifs that look like traditional Zulu huts. Continue towards Bourke’s Luck Potholes where paths and footbridges take visitors to view the 900 meter deep holes of cylindrical forms formed by fluvial erosion and floods. Enjoy the view of the Drakensberg Mountains in the distance; stop at God’s Window just outside Graskop for a panoramic view across the valley.

Enjoy lunch in Pilgrims Rest at the Royal Hotel. This small village was renovated in the style of the gold rush around 1870 when pioneers tried to find their fortunes in gold. Before departing the area, attend a demonstration as to how gold was panned for in the old days and then have a look around the various shops and crafts on display in Pilgrim’s Rest. Continue via the Long Tom Pass to Misty Mountain Lodge for overnight. Dinner to be served at the lodge.

| Overnight in Sabie

|  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at your hotel. Traversing across wide-open spaces, the coach will take you to the Steenkampberg mountains to a height of 2330 meters. Stop at the Corn & Cob Country Restaurant and enjoy authentic South African home-cooked meals. During your stop, visit the Ndebele Village. Ndebele women give a cultural show on their traditions. Guests can also try local beer and mopane worms.

You will continue to Premier Diamond Mine also known as the Cullinan Mine. Visit the still active Diamond Mine particularly known for its discovery of the 3,106 carats Cullinan Diamond which was given to King Edward VII of England on his 66th birthday. Visit Voortrekker Monument which was founded to commemorate the Great Trek by white pioneers and is an essential monument to the Afrikaner history.

You will also visit Church Square with a variety of architectural styles. Ride past the Union Buildings, administrative headquarters of the South African government, with its beautiful gardens overlooking the city. At the end of the day, you will check-in your hotel for dinner and overnight.

| Overnight in Johannesburg

|  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Apartheid Museum. The museum opened in 2001 and is acknowledged as the pre-eminent museum in the world dealing with 20th century South Africa at the heart of the apartheid story. A series of 22 individual exhibition areas takes the visitor throughout a dramatic emotional journey that tells a story of a state-sanctioned system based on racial discrimination and the struggle of the majority to overthrow tyranny. The museum is a beacon of hope showing the world how South Africa is coming to terms with its oppressive past and working towards a future that all South Africans can call their own.

Depart for Soweto, a city developed as a township for black people under the apartheid system. Soweto is inhabited by over two million people, with homes ranging from extravagant mansions to makeshift shacks.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Visit Mandela House where the former president Nelson Mandela lived with his first two wives from 1946 to 1961 before his arrest. The house which is now a museum still has many of Mr. Mandela’s photographs and possessions.

Note: Ensure to book your flight for a departure of 6:30 PM or later to avoid disruption with today’s planned activity.

|  Breakfast, Lunch