- Array
-
Spectacular South Africa
| Resort: | Spectacular South Africa |
| Operator: | |
| Destination: | Africa, South Africa |
| Price From: | £1914.00 |
OverviewSouth Africas cosmopolitan cities, posh resorts, expansive desert, magnificent wildlife and fertile wine country combine with a harmonious mix of many cultures to create a beautiful mosaic to discover on this fascinating tour. Explore Soweto, birthplace of Nelson Mandela. Search out the Big Five during an open-air safari game drive. Visit the Featherbed Nature Preserve. Travel the lush Garden Route between the mountains and the balmy Indian Ocean. Visit a working ostrich farm. Relax among the vineyards in the winelands region. Indulge in a wine tasting and a wine pairing dinner. Relax during a leisurely 3-night stay in Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. ItineraryDay 1: Overnight FlightOne country with a world of treasures, South Africa awaits your arrival. Breathtaking mountain scenery, winding coastlines, remarkable cultural diversity and abundant wildlife in its natural habitat comprise this incredible experience. Day 2: Sandton, South Africa – Tour BeginsYour journey begins in Sandton, a city established in 1969. Famous for its rich veins of gold and other valuable minerals, it is now the bustling cosmopolitan center of greater Johannesburg. Day 3: Sandton – Soweto – SandtonToday your Tour Manager helps you discover the history of the languages you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases. Visit the Apartheid Museum which commemorates the rise and fall of apartheid in South Africa. A guided tour of Soweto South West Township showcases luxurious mansions and informal settlements as you learn about the historical significance of the area. Experience the regional lifestyle when joining locals for lunch at a nearby Shebeen, or house tavern. This afternoon, have some time to ponder history at Liliesleaf, the location of Nelson Mandelas arrest and the former center and place of refuge of the liberation movement. Gather this evening with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner. Day 4: Panoramic Route – Kruger National ParkTravel through the spectacular Northern Drakensberg Mountain Range en route to Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa. Scenic wonders surround you as you pass through the Blyde River Canyon, made mostly of red sandstone and known as one of Africa’s greatest natural wonders. Set against the triple mountain formation of the Three Rondovals, resembling traditional round houses of the indigenous people, the canyon is the third largest in the world. Along this magnificent route you will also see Bourkes Luck Potholes, the dramatic natural cylinders shaped by millions of years of natural erosion caused by fast-flowing sand-filled waters. This evening, enjoy a traditional BOMA dinner under the stars, where you may sample some local game meat! Day 5: Kruger National Park – Safari Game DriveHave your cameras ready for an unforgettable day of adventure and excitement! Enjoy a full-day open-air-vehicle safari game drive. A local expert leads you in search of the “Big 5” elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino and provides insight into these fascinating animals along the way. Watch carefully you may also see a graceful impala, dazzling zebra or gorgeous giraffe. Relax with a picnic lunch surrounded by giraffe in the natural beauty of Kruger National Park. Day 6: Kruger National Park – Johannesburg – George – KnysnaTravel back to Johannesburg to board your flight to George. Upon arrival, travel to the picturesque resort town of Knysna, in the heart of the Garden Route, to enjoy a 3-night stay. Day 7: KnysnaToday, visit nearby Featherbed Nature Reserve. Begin with a lagoon cruise out to the famous Knysna Heads which mark the entrance to the lagoon. Next, board a 4×4 vehicle and travel deep into the forest. Discover the local flora and fauna during a leisurely paced nature walk. Enjoy lunch amongst the ancient milkwood trees so called because of their white latex sap before your return cruise. This afternoon, visit Plettenberg Bay, a tranquil and charming town originally known as Bahia Formosa (or Beautiful Bay.) Enjoy views of beaches, dramatic rock formations and lagoons. Later you return to Knysna. Day 8: Knysna – Oudtshoorn – KnysnaThis mornings township tour will highlight the diversity of this community, followed by a touching experience as you visit a school.* Learn about the efforts of the Collette Foundation and the local community to conquer the challenges of educating the children of the region. Travel to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of South Africa. Enjoy a guided tour of one of the oldest working ostrich farms in the area, then enjoy a tractor safari through the farm viewing ostriches in various stages of development in the Lucerne fields. An outdoor barbecue lunch adds to an amazing day. Upon your return to Knysna, enjoy some time to independently explore the charming waterfront area. Day 9: Knysna – StellenboschBefore leaving the Garden Route, enjoy a visit to the Aloe Ferox region where you will enjoy an aloe-tapping demonstration and a stroll in the indigenous gardens. Next, journey to the heart of the beautiful winelands region, known for its colorful mountains and endless vineyards. This evening, enjoy a wine pairing dinner. Day 10: StellenboschLater this morning you set out on a walking tour of Stellenbosch one of the oldest European settlements in the region with a local expert. The afternoon is at leisure to explore, visit a museum or shop. Later, enjoy a wine tasting complemented by some local savories. Day 11: Stellenbosch – Cape TownThis morning, travel to Cape Town to enjoy a panoramic tour of this beautiful harborside city. Cape Town celebrates its noted architecture that fuses the traditions of the French, German and Dutch. Enjoy a thrilling ride on a cable car as it whisks you to an altitude of more than 3,000 feet, landing atop the aptly named and flat-topped Table Mountain.** The views of Cape Town, Robben Island and Lions Head will leave you breathless. Return to the city via Table Bay, passing through the Malay Quarter with its mosques and minarets. Make a special stop at the Milnerton Lighthouse. Day 12: Cape TownExplore the coastal scenery and charming towns that populate the Cape Peninsula. Travel out to Cape Point, stopping for a visit with the penguins at Boulders Beach. On your return, explore the fascinating and famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, home to over 5,000 species of plants native to South Africa. Day 13: Cape TownThe day is yours to explore Cape Town. Your Tour Manager is available to offer suggestions. This evening, experience a unique farewell to Africa as you enjoy a lesson on the djembe drums to learn the local beat. Then, experience a soothing hand washing ceremony before a communal African dining experience! Day 14: Cape Town – Tour EndsYour tour ends today in Cape Town. |
