15 day ESSENTIALS TOUR

[Download a brochure for this tour]

Main Attractions:

• See the spectacular Panorama Route featuring the Blyde River Canyon, God's Window and various waterfall
• Spend a day game viewing in the world famous Kruger National Park in a closed vehicle
• Visit a traditional African craft market in the Kingdom of Swaziland
• Explore and soak up the atmosphere in the town of St Lucia - a World Heritage Site
• Tour the city of Durban, the cultural 'melting pot' of South Africa
• Relax or go hiking in the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, part of a World Heritage Site
• Discover the beauty of the untamed Wild Coast, popular for its magnificent unspoilt beaches
• Travel through the Eastern Cape where the British settled in 1820
• Tsitsikamma National Park
• Walk around the famous Cango Caves with their magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites, stalagmites and the famous "Drain Room"
• Ride an ostrich or just enjoy an ostrich farm experience in Oudtshoorn
• Spend quality time enjoying the 'mother city' of Cape Town and Table Mountain

Day 1

On arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure until 19h00 when we all, after making your own way to the hotel, meet at the hotel reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet up with your fellow passengers. 

Accommodation: PH Waterfront in Centurion or similar

Day 2

This morning we leave for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the lowveld. Travel along the circular Panorama Route via Graskop, visiting the view sites of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa; gasp at the glory of God's Window, with a boundless view of mountains and fertile plains and finally a visit to Bourke's Luck Potholes before heading to Hazyview.

Accommodation: Hippo Hollow Country Estate or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3

A bright and early start to the day in order to enjoy the wonders of exploring the Kruger National Park in your closed vehicle. Enter the park and keep a lookout for the wonderful flora and bird life that abounds. The Kruger National Park is an internationally renowned game reserve of nearly 2 million hectares and supports the largest variety of wildlife species on the African continent. Spend the day in search of game before returning to your hotel. Optional full day open safari vehicle game drive in Kruger National Park available.

Accommodation: Hippo Hollow Country Estate or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4

This morning after breakfast, check out and depart on your journey to Swaziland. We proceed south through to Malalane and then onto Swaziland. Visit the famous Ngwenya Glass Factory before arriving at the hotel for overnight stay.

Accommodation: Lugogo Sun or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5

This morning we journey through Swaziland into Zululand stopping en-route to bargain for curios and souvenirs at the roadside markets. Our journey continues into the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal where ancient traditions and modern cultures of both Zulu and settler have combined into a vibrant society living in peace and harmony. The World Heritage Site of St Lucia offers the opportunity of sighting many hippos, crocodile and bird life. Optional afternoon open safari vehicle game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi available.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel St Lucia or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6

Guests have the option to lie in or take an optional St Lucia Boat Cruise (not included) before heading off later in the morning towards Durban. We visit the botanical gardens and continue with a city centre orientation tour, including a stop at the famous Indian Market. This evening we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Durban hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7

A very early start this morning as we head into the majestic Drakensberg Mountains. Day at leisure soaking up the surroundings, or go fishing, hiking, playing bowls or tennis and even horse riding in clean mountain air. Optional 4x4 Adventure tour up Sani Pass and into Lesotho available.

Accommodation: Drakensberg Gardens Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8

After breakfast this morning, we depart and set off for the wild untamed coast of the Transkei. We make our way south towards the coast but not without first visiting Umtata to visit the area where our most famous citizen, Nelson Mandela, was born and grew up. After visiting the town, we continue and arrive mid afternoon at our coastal hotel, which offers some of the most incredible views of this spectacular coastline

Accommodation: Ocean View Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9

Spend the morning taking in more of the magnificent scenery before we depart and continue south to East London, the only river port in Southern Africa. Check in for your overnight accommodation.

Accommodation: The Kennaway Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast 

Day 10

After breakfast, check out and travel through East London for a short orientation city tour. Continue through 'settler country' via Port Alfred towards Grahamstown. Visit the 1820 Settler Memorial before continuing onto Port Elizabeth. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Port Elizabeth's beaches are magnificent and justifiably world famous.

Accommodation: Paxton Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast 

Day 11

Check out of your hotel after breakfast and our journey continues towards the Cape. Visit the Tsitsikamma Forest, which provides scenic walking opportunities. A short walk to the bridge over the Storm's River offers some magnificent views of the gorge and river below. Arrive in Knysna mid afternoon and check in at the charming overnight accommodation.

Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate or similar

Meals included: Breakfast 

Day 12

After breakfast travel inland over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the 'feather capital of the world' because of its ostrich industry. Visit the famous Cango Caves and an ostrich farm where you have the opportunity of riding one of these giant birds. Return to Knysna for overnight.

Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate or similar

Meals included: Breakfast 

Day 13

Today's journey ends in Cape Town. On the way we stop off in Mossel Bay to visit the famous Post Office Tree, the Bartholomeus Diaz Museum and Shell Museum. We drive via Swellendam, Worcester and through Huguenot Tunnel before arriving in Cape Town in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Hollow on the Square Cape Town City Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast 

Day 14

Enjoy a day of leisure in the 'Mother City' and a visit to the V&A Waterfront is recommended. Optional full day Winelands or Peninsula tour is available.

Accommodation: Hollow on the Square Cape Town City Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast 

Day 15

This morning after breakfast, you will be under own arrangements until you transfer to the airport for your international flight home.

Meals included: Breakfast