Transport

Greetings and transfers by AC vehicles in Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town Transportation by AC vehicles during the tour

Meals

All breakfasts + 4 dinners (16 meals)

Guide

English-speaking local guides during the tour 2 days open safari vehicle game drives with accredited English-speaking nature tour guides as per itinerary 1 game drive in Kruger National Park in a closed vehicle 1 game drive in iSimangaliso Wetland Park with accredited English-speaking nature tour guides as per itinerary

Others

All visits and entrance fees as per itinerary St Lucia Estuary boat cruise Sunset Knysna oyster cruise Ocean safari All taxes and fees

Flights

Internal flight between Durban and Port Elizabeth

Accommodation

1 night in Johannesburg at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Balalaika 4* hotel (or similar) in a standard room 1 night in Hoedspruit at the Makalali Main Lodge 4* hotel (or similar) in a standard room 1 night in Hazyview at the Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort 4* hotel (or similar) in a standard room 1 night in Eswatini at the Mantenga Lodge 3* hotel (or similar) in a standard room 1 night in St Lucia at the Forest Lodge 4* hotel (or similar) in a standard room 1 night in Umhlanga at the Capital Pearls 4* hotel (or similar) in a standard room 1 night in Port Elizabeth at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Marine 4* hotel (or similar) in a standard room 2 nights in Knysna at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays 3.5* hotel (or similar) in a standard room 1 night in Oudtshoorn at the Surval Boutique Olive Estate 4* hotel (or similar) in a standard room 2 nights in Cape Town at the SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl 4* hotel (or similar) in a standard room

Not included:

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Others

International flights are not included Baggage fees (if applicable) Tips: Guides, drivers and hotel staff Meals and beverages unless otherwise mentioned Personal expenses and optional activities

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Johannesburg (South Africa)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Johannesburg (South Africa)

Arrival at the airport in Johannesburg. You will be greeted by your local representative, and transferred to your hotel in Johannesburg, one of South Africa’s 3 capital cities. The rest of the day is free to relax in your hotel’s facilities.
Day 2 Johannesburg - Dullstroom - Makalali Game Reserve
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Johannesburg - Dullstroom - Makalali Game Reserve

After breakfast at the hotel, you will travel east to the province of Limpopo, via Dullstroom. You will stop for lunch (own account) en route and arrive at a private game reserve to enjoy a guided, open vehicle game drive. Look out for the great animals of Africa, and try to catch a glimpse of lions, African elephants, Cape buffalo, African leopards or black rhinoceroses, among many others. At sunset, treat yourself with some snacks and drinks in the middle of the African savannah, carefully prepared by your guide - an experience like no other. In the evening, return to your lodge, located in the heart of Makalali Game Reserve, and enjoy the view over the plains. (Breakfast-Dinner)
Day 3 Makalali Game Reserve - Panorama Route - Hazyview
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Makalali Game Reserve - Panorama Route - Hazyview

Experience an early morning start in the bushveld on a guided, open vehicle game drive. You will enjoy coffee and rusks in the bush before returning to the lodge for breakfast.

After lunch, continue toward one of South Africa’s most magnificent attractions on the Panorama Route: the Three Rondavels and Blyde River Canyon, considered the world’s largest green canyon. The Panorama Route affords guests memorable views of the most significant sites in this mountainous area, including God’s Window, a breathtaking vantage point offering panoramic views of verdant cliffs and tropical forests, and Bourkes Luck Potholes, spectacular geological formations created by river erosion. Lunch (not included) along this scenic route. Your day will end in Hazyview, a charming farming town renowned for its banana and macadamia nut plantations. Dinner and overnight at your hotel. (Breakfast-Dinner)
Day 4 Hazyview - Kruger National Park (South Africa) - Eswatini (Former Swaziland)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hazyview - Kruger National Park (South Africa) - Eswatini (Former Swaziland)

Early breakfast at the hotel before heading toward Mpumalanga’s flagship attraction, Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves, covering almost 20,000 square kilometers. . Kruger National Park became South Africa’s first national park in 1926. A closed vehicle game drive will allow you to take in the park and view the ’Big 5’ and other fauna and flora: you’ll have the chance to observe over 700 animal and 1900 plant species!

Following lunch (not included) en route, you will drive via the Jeppes Reef border post the Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, a small landlocked country between South Africa and Mozambique, renowned for its traditional craftsmanship. Arrival at the hotel later in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in the capital’s region. (Breakfast-Dinner)
Day 5 Eswatini - St Lucia (South Africa)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Eswatini - St Lucia (South Africa)

Following breakfast, you will visit the Swazi Candle Factory and Crafts Market, the ideal place to pick up authentic souvenirs to take home. You will then exit Eswatini at Lavumisa border post and enter South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province in an area colloquially referred to as the Elephant Coast. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at your hotel in St-Lucia and have the opportunity to freshen up. The town is a paradise for nature lovers, thanks to its wonderful beaches, estuaries, forests and sand dunes. Overnight in St Lucia. (Breakfast)
Day 6 St Lucia - Umhlanga
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

St Lucia - Umhlanga

Before breakfast, you will embark on an open safari vehicle and enjoy a game drive through South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a colloquial reference roughly translated as ’miracle and wonder’. Later, enjoy an eco-friendly boat cruise on the estuary, where you’ll have the opportunity to observe hippos, crocodiles, and a plethora of bird species in their natural habitat. Enjoy lunch (not included) with a stunning view of the lake before departing for Umhlanga, a vibrant beach city just outside of Durban. Spend the night in the comfort of your hotel in Umhlanga. (Breakfast)
Day 7 Umhlanga - Durban - Port Elizabeth
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Umhlanga - Durban - Port Elizabeth

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and take the morning off for a pleasant stroll along the magnificent sandy beach of Umhlanga, famous for its turquoise waters and panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.

At the time arranged with your tour leader, you will be transferred from the hotel to King Shaka International Airport for a flight to Port Elizabeth. Greetings and transfer to your hotel. The evening is free for you to relax or discover your surroundings. (Breakfast)
Day 8 Port Elizabeth - Tsitsikamma Forest - Knysna
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Port Elizabeth - Tsitsikamma Forest - Knysna

After breakfast, you will head west to Knysna via Storms River and the Tsitsikamma Forest in the heart of the "Garden Route", home to bird species you won’t see anywhere else. You will then stop at Storms River to enjoy a short walk to the very famous suspension bridge to take in the views.

Enjoy lunch (not included) in the Tsitsikamma Forest area, home to century-old trees, then continue on to the picturesque town of Knysna, renowned for its lagoon. Upon arrival, you will board the informative Knysna oyster cruise to sample oysters and enjoy a sundowner. (Breakfast)
Day 9 Knysna - Plettenberg Bay - Knysna
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Knysna - Plettenberg Bay - Knysna

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, and depending on weather conditions, you’ll head to Lookout Beach for a sea excursion dedicated to the observation and conservation of marine mammals. This marine safari will not only allow you to admire whales, dolphins and seals up close, but also to learn more about their marine habitat and conservation efforts to protect them. Back on land after this adventure, you’ll have free time for lunch (not included), while soaking up the natural beauty of the area.

In the afternoon, you will take a guided tour of the Qolweni Township, school, and crèche. Like many townships in South Africa, Qolweni has a complex history marked by the socio-economic challenges inherited from the apartheid era. However, they are also vibrant places where culture, community and resilience are at the heart of daily life. This is a development program: allocated tour proceeds fund the education of Qolweni’s children. You are invited to donate pencils, books, and other stationery. After the scenic drive back to Knysna, spend the afternoon at leisure to explore the village of Knysna. (Breakfast)
Day 10 Knysna - Oudtshoorn
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Knysna - Oudtshoorn

After breakfast, you’ll head for Oudtshoorn via the Outeniqua Pass. Oudtshoorn is the main town in the Klein Karoo, a semi-arid desert bordered by rugged mountain ranges. Lunch (not included) on a farm in the Cango Valley. You’ll visit an olive plantation, including a tasting accompanied by Protea rosé or a good fruit juice. The day continues with a visit to the Cango Caves, a network of limestone caves famous for their spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations dating back millions of years. Overnight in Oudtshoorn. (Breakfast-Dinner)
Day 11 Oudtshoorn - Cape Town
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Oudtshoorn - Cape Town

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, head off to an ostrich farm for a highly entertaining guided tractor tour. Surprising as it may seem, Oudtshoorn is South Africa’s ostrich capital! On this tour, you’ll learn about the historical and economic impact of ostrich farming in the region, and see these fascinating birds up close.You could even try standing on an egg and see for yourself: It doesn’t break! After the tour, you’ll head off along the picturesque Route 62, also known as the Wine Route, where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a wine tasting (not included) at one of the region’s many renowned vineyards, while taking in the breathtaking scenery of the Tradouw Valley. Lunch (not included) en route. You’ll arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, where you can relax before spending the night in Cape Town. (Breakfast)
Day 12 Cape Town
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Cape Town

After breakfast, you will join a guided full-day Cape Point tour. You’ll set off along the Atlantic coast via Chapman’s Peak, a famous scenic coastal road, to discover the Cape Peninsula and Cape Point, the most south-westerly point of the peninsula, well known for its impressive cliffs. You’ll visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve, where you can see the Boulders penguin colony (not included), coastal villages and the famous Rhodes Memorial. Evening and overnight in Cape Town. (Breakfast)
Day 13 Cape Town
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Cape Town

After enjoying a final breakfast at your hotel, take some free time before joining the transfer to the airport for your flight home, carrying with you memories of a remarkable journey. (Breakfast)

-End of services-

Important: Be sure to contact your travel health professional to find out if you need any special vaccinations or medications for your trip at least six weeks before you leave

+10

13 days tour

Magnificent South Africa

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Magnificent South Africa

Johannesburg (South Africa)

Johannesburg - Dullstroom - Makalali Game Reserve

Makalali Game Reserve - Panorama Route - Hazyview

Hazyview - Kruger National Park (South Africa) - Eswatini (Former Swaziland)

Eswatini - St Lucia (South Africa)

St Lucia - Umhlanga

Umhlanga - Durban - Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth - Tsitsikamma Forest - Knysna

Knysna - Plettenberg Bay - Knysna

Knysna - Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn - Cape Town

Cape Town

Cape Town

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