A World In One Country Tour

Day 2

Johannesburg to Mpumalanga

Following breakfast you will depart Johannesburg heading towards Pretoria, South Africa’s executive capital city, for a short orientation tour. Your Journey will then continue on to the Mpumalanga Province, or ‘Paradise Country’ as it is known. You will travel through the verdant subtropical Lowveld region, passing the historic towns of Dullstroom and Lydenburg, and across the scenic Long Tom Pass towards Sabie. Your final destination of the day is Hazyview, arriving late afternoon into the safari hub of the Kruger National Park.

Breakfast included

Day 3

Mpumalanga

After finishing breakfast, you’ll set off on an exhilarating drive along the awe-inspiring Panorama Route. You’ll enjoy the breathtaking natural scenery of Blyde River Canyon - home of the Three Rondavels - Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window (weather permitting). You’ll return to Hazyview in the late afternoon, with the rest of the day to spend as you please. One option is to enjoy an enchanting Shangaan cultural dinner experience (additional charge), where you’ll get an insight into this fascinating tribe, enjoying authentic African cuisine and traditional storytelling and entertainment.

Breakfast included

Optional Excursion:

Optional Excursions (additional charge, pre-booking required, subject to availability and a minimum of 2 adults travelling)

Day 4

Mpumalanga

Start your day with an early morning coffee or tea, before venturing out into Kruger National Park for a thrilling open-vehicle game drive, which includes a pre-packed breakfast. An English-speaking game ranger will accompany you on your adventure, with the aim of helping you find members of South Africa’s magnificent ‘Big Five’ (lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo), as well as a whole host of other species of animals and birds. Your safari experience also includes a visit to Kruger National Park’s Anti-Poaching Dog Unit (Project Watchdog), which was set up to combat the illegal poaching of rhino. You will get the chance to meet the highly trained dogs and discover how they track poachers and detect firearms, ammunition and wildlife products entering or leaving the park gates. On returning to your hotel, you can enjoy an afternoon of relaxation, or choose to go in search of more wonderful wildlife on an open-vehicle game drive (additional charge applies). The option of an al fresco bridge dinner (additional charge applies) is on offer in the evening, with your meal served under the stars overlooking the picturesque Sabie River.

Breakfast included

Optional Excursions:

Optional Excursions (additional charge, pre-booking required, subject to availability and a minimum of 2 adults travelling)

Day 5

Mpumalanga to Eswatini (Swaziland)

Your morning will see you travelling from Mpumalanga to Eswantini (formerly Swaziland), an independent kingdom landlocked within the borders of South Africa. You’ll get an introduction to the people of Eswatini and their traditions during an interactive cultural experience, which includes lunch. Your journey will then take you through the nation’s capital Mbabane and on to the Ezulwini Valley, where you’ll stay overnight after enjoying dinner at your hotel.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 6

Eswatini (Swaziland) to Zululand

Following breakfast, you’ll travel south through Eswantini and back into South Africa, to Zululand, where you’ll pass traditional round huts and be treated to jaw-dropping scenery. In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to enjoy an open-vehicle safari in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve (additional charge applies), a site which plays an important part in the conservation of black and white rhino. Your day will end with an overnight stop in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi region.

Breakfast included

Optional Excursions:

Optional Excursions (additional charge, pre-booking required, subject to availability and a minimum of 2 adults travelling)

Day 7

Zululand to Durban (Umhlanga)

You’ll start the seventh day of your South Africa tour with a leisurely cruise on Lake St Lucia (weather permitting), before setting off for Durban. Your journey will take you past traditional Zulu settlements, fields of sugarcane and eucalyptus plantations. You’ll arrive in Durban in the early afternoon and be able to spend the rest of the day at your leisure. A visit to the city’s golden beaches and a splash in the refreshing Indian Ocean is a great option. The day concludes with an overnight stop in Durban.

Breakfast included

Day 8

Durban (Umhlanga) to Knysna

After breakfast you will head to Durban airport, from where you will fly to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), in the Eastern Cape. On arrival, you will be met by the tour representatives and be taken to explore the enchanting scenery of Tsitsikamma Forest. You will visit the Tsitsikamma National Park and get to experience the beauty of Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). The next stop will be the town of Knysna, in the Western Cape, which sits beside a beautiful lagoon and is famous for its oysters. Located at the heart of the Garden Route, it is the perfect spot for an overnight stay.

Breakfast included

Day 9

Knysna

On finishing breakfast, you’ll be taken to visit the mystical Knysna Forests. You will also stop at the Dalene Matthee Big Tree Memorial, an ancient Yellowwood tree that was named in honour of author Dalene Matthee who wrote four books on the Knysna Forests. Diepwalle Tea Garden is then the destination for a traditional lunch and local treats, before you head to the Forest Legends Museum for an insight into the area’s past. You will see the ‘Old Suzie’ steam engine, which was used to generate power and carry logs, and visit the Old Forester’s House - once home of David Ernest Huchins, who led the way for the sustainable management of the indigenous forest. You’ll finish the day at Drydock Restaurant, in Knysna, where you’ll enjoy a dinner created using local ingredients and herbs native to the region, before staying overnight in the town.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 10

Knysna to Oudtshoorn

The ‘ostrich capital of the world’, Oudtshoorn, is your destination after breakfast. Your journey there will take you along the Outeniqua Pass, stopping at the awe-inspiring ‘Map of Africa’ viewpoint, in Wilderness, en route. On arrival in Oudtshoorn, you’ll enjoy an interactive tour of an ostrich farm and be able to sample local culinary specialities such as ostrich steak, during a delicious light lunch. Afterwards, you’ll head to the incredible Cango Caves to take in the spectacular limestone caverns that have been sculpted by nature over millions of years. You will then be taken to your hotel for the night, in Oudtshoorn, where you can spend the rest of the day recharging your batteries.

Breakfast and lunch included

Day 11 (Standard Option)

Oudtshoorn to Cape Town

The option to enjoy an early morning meerkat safari is offered on day 11 of your tour (additional charge applies, subject to availability, weather permitting). You’ll get to witness these delightful creatures emerging from their burrows and watch them in their natural habitat, all before breakfast. After devouring the most important meal of the day, your South African journey will continue through an area known as Little Karoo, to Barrydale. Here you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, where you will meet children and teachers, and learn all about community life (visit subject to school being open on day of tour). You’ll then continue on to South Africa’s legislative capital, Cape Town, where you will spend the night.

Breakfast included

Optional Excursions:

A share of the excursion cost for this Make Travel Matter? Experience goes towards the Buffelsdrift Foundation, in its work to conserve wildlife in the Klein Karoo region of South Africa and help the local community.

Optional Excursions (additional charge, pre-booking required, subject to availability and a minimum of 2 adults travelling)

Day 11 (Franschhoek Winelands Option)

Oudtshoorn to Franschhoek

After breakfast in Oudtshoorn, you’ll travel to picturesque Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands. Surrounded by centuries-old vineyards, the town is known for its exquisite local cuisine and exceptional wine. This stems from its rich history following the arrival of French Huguenots more than 300 years ago. Fleeing France after Protestantism was banned in the country in 1685, they brought with them their wine and food culture, and helped shape the area’s famous culinary landscape.

Breakfast included

Franschhoek Winelands Option (subject to availability, additional charge)

Immerse yourself in the beauty, culture and flavours of South Africa’s magnificent Cape Winelands by taking advantage of this optional two-day experience.

Day 12 (Standard Option)

Cape Town (Unescorted)

Following breakfast, you’ll have a full day of leisure to explore the delights of Cape Town. Maybe take a sightseeing tour of the city to discover landmarks including the breathtaking Table Mountain. A marine ‘big five’ safari is another option, allowing you to take to the seas around Cape Town in search of Southern Right Whales, Great White Sharks, dolphins (Indo-Pacific Bottlenose, Common and Humpbacked), Cape Fur Seals and African penguins. Another option is a visit to Robben Island for a poignant tour of the prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years (prior booking required). Cape Town is also home to a myriad of superb bars, cafes, restaurants, shops and craft markets. At the end of your day of exploring, you will enjoy dinner and interactive entertainment at Gold Restaurant, before an overnight stay in the city.

Breakfast and dinner included

Optional Excursions:

A share of the excursion cost for this Make Travel Matter? Experience goes towards the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, for conservation and research programmes to protect the marine habitat around Dyer Island.

Optional Excursions (additional charge, pre-booking required, subject to availability and a minimum of 2 adults travelling)

Day 12 (Franschhoek Winelands Option)

Franschhoek to Cape Town

On finishing your breakfast, you’ll be introduced to your tour guide, before setting off to explore the winelands of Paarl and Stellenbosch. As well as being treated to glorious natural scenery, you’ll also explore some of the wonderful wine estates and local landmarks the area is famous for, and enjoy two wine tastings and a fascinating cellar tour. When your experience is complete, you will continue on to Cape Town, where you will rejoin the main tour.

Breakfast included

Franschhoek Winelands Option (subject to availability, additional charge)

Immerse yourself in the beauty, culture and flavours of South Africa’s magnificent Cape Winelands by taking advantage of this optional two-day experience.

Day 13

Cape Town

After finishing breakfast, you will be taken to enjoy the captivating scenery of the Cape Peninsula on a full day’s tour of this wondrous coastal region. Your journey will take you through the charming seaside suburb of Sea Point to the harbour town of Hout Bay. Here you have the option of enjoying a seal island boat cruise (additional charge). You’ll then be treated to even more mesmerising views at Cape Point. Your drive back to Cape Town will see you stop at Simon’s Town - where you’ll have the chance to visit the penguin colony at Boulders Beach (additional charge) - as well as the town of Fish Hoek. The day ends with an overnight stay in Cape Town.

Breakfast included

Day 14

Cape Town

When breakfast is over, the time is your own to explore more of Cape Town. Later on in the day you’ll be transferred to the airport, harbour or railway station for your onward journey.

Breakfast included