The South African Explorer

Cape Town to Johannesburg

Day 01
With our last sight of majestic Table Mountain, we wave good-bye to the 'mother city' of Cape Town and arrive in the town of Stellenbosch. Take a fascinating stroll through 'Oom Samie se Winkel' - Stellenbosch's first trading store, and admire the historical beauty of the heart of the winelands. Travelling over the Helshoogte Pass to Franschhoek, we pass through the town of Robertson. From here, we arrive in Montagu in time for a delectable country luncheon at Mimosa Lodge reputed as a place of fine hospitality and superb cuisine. After lunch, we continue through the Little Karoo before Barrydale until we arrive in the Tradouw Valley. From here, we take a nostalgic trip on a vintage tractor through the vineyards of the Joubert Tradouw Cellars, where we enjoy a cellar tour and wine tasting. Crossing the Tradouw Pass, our journey to the beautiful town of Wilderness begins. Driving through Mossel Bay, marvel at the splendour of 'Dolphin Point' before arrival at our seaside paradise resort.
Protea Hotel Wilderness Resort or similar - bed and breakfast including lunch

Day 02
From our hotel in Wilderness, we board the famous Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe and travel to Knysna. On arrival at the Knysna Waterfront, we embark on the Featherbed Nature Reserve's ferry, nature trail and lunch. After the ferry returns to the Featherbed Ferry Terminus, the day's adventure ends with a scenic drive back to Wilderness for drop off at your hotel.
Protea Hotel Wilderness Resort or similar - bed and breakfast including lunch

Day 03
The day's adventure begins as we depart Wilderness to the historic town of Mossel Bay. Our tour continues via the Robertson Pass to the town of Oudtshoorn. Here we visit the Safari Ostrich Show Farm and enjoy a traditional lunch. The day continues with a fully guided tour of the Cango Caves as well as the Cango Wildlife Ranch and Valley of Ancients endangered species breeding facility. The day concludes with a scenic drive over the Outeniqua Pass to George and onward to Wilderness where you will be dropped off at your hotel.
Protea Hotel Wilderness Resort or similar - bed and breakfast including lunch

Day 04
Leaving the quaint seaside village of Wilderness we continue via Sedgefield to South Africa's 'oyster capital', Knysna. After a short refreshment stop at Knysna's East Head, continue via the 'millionaires playground' of Plettenberg Bay to the Tsitsikamma Forest area. Attractions here include the Big Tree and the Garden of Eden. After lunch at the scenic Storms River mouth (not included), Gaze in awe at the scenery whilst crossing the bridge over the Storms River where photographic opportunities abound. Leaving the Garden Route via the high forests of the Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Groot River Passes and Bloukrans, we arrive in Port Elizabeth for drop off at your beachfront hotel.
Protea Hotel Marine - bed and breakfast basis

Day 05
Morning at leisure, semi-private transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport for flight to Durban (not included). Semi-private transfer from Durban International Airport to your hotel.
Protea Hotel Umhlanga or similar - bed and breakfast basis

Day 06
Optional full day tour of Shakaland. Depart Durban and travel to Eshowe and the authentic Zulu Kraal of Shakaland. Feel the pulsating rhythm of Africa as you re-live the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus. Experience the sight of assegaai wielding warriors, share the fascinating secrets of Sangomas and witness traditional customs such as tribal dancing, spear making and the beer making ceremony. Traditional Zulu lunch will be served. For those not taking the tour, enjoy the day at leisure. Please note that this excursion is not included in the package price.
Protea Hotel Umhlanga or similar - bed and breakfast basis

Day 07
Leaving Durban, drive through sugar cane plantations along the Indian Ocean seaboard to St Lucia, a World Heritage Site and enjoy a river cruise on the estuary. Here you may see pelicans, fish eagles, hippos and crocodiles. Continue to a Maputaland Game Reserve and enjoy a late afternoon game drive in Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Return to the lodge for a hearty dinner served under the African sky (weather permitting).
Gazebo Safari Lodge or similar - dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 1 game viewing activity

Day 08
After an early breakfast, enter the Kingdom of Swaziland at Goelela border post. Continue via the Lebombo Mountains through eastern Swaziland and exit at Mananga border post. Travel to the next private game lodge, with its awe-inspiring views, bordering the Kruger National Park. Arrive in time for high tea and late afternoon game viewing in an open safari vehicle with an experienced ranger and tracker. Return to the lodge for dinner where an African feast awaits you.
Bongani Mountain Lodge or similar - dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 2 game viewing activities

Day 09
Participate in an early morning bush walk or game drive. After breakfast, depart for the world famous Kruger National Park for game viewing. Stretching over two million hectares, it is unrivalled in its diversity of flora and fauna. Exit the park and travel to your safari hotel in a lush sub-tropical 'Garden of Eden' setting arriving in the late afternoon. Return to your hotel for dinner under the stars in a traditional African Boma (weather permitting).
Protea Hotel Kruger Gate or similar - dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 2 game viewing activities

Day 10
Early morning game drive in the Kruger National Park. An open safari vehicle is available as an optional extra. After returning to the hotel for breakfast, travel via Kowyn's Pass to Graskop. Explore the breathtaking Panorama Route featuring the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels, Bourke's Luck Potholes, God's Window and various waterfalls. Continue with a short visit to the historic town of Pilgrim's Rest, Mac Mac Waterfalls and Sabie. A superb meal complements and completes the day.
Lone Creek River Lodge (Timber Cottages) or similar - dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Day 11
After a hearty breakfast on the verandah overlooking the Sabie River, our journey to Johannesburg begins with a visit to the Lone Creek Waterfalls. Travel over the historical Long Tom Pass to the towns of Lydenburg, Dullstroom and Witbank. Our tour ends with a drop off at your hotel in one of Johannesburg's affluent northern suburbs.
Protea Hotel Wanderers or similar - bed and breakfast basis

Day 12
Enjoy a morning tour of Soweto including a fascinating glimpse of bustling neighbourhood life, two Nobel Prizewinners' previous residences, the Hector Peterson memorial and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Return to your hotel by lunchtime and continue on a private transfer to Johannesburg International Airport in time for your homebound flight.

AT A GLANCE

Accommodation
- Upper 3 and 4 star hotels and private game lodges

Flights
- Flight from Port Elizabeth to Durban, not included
- Flights may be arranged through your agent or our central ticketing entity The Flight Zone

Driver / Guide
- Services of SA Tourism registered driver/guides throughout the tour
- Wildlife viewing with an experienced local guide/ranger and tracker

Main Attractions
- Magical Cape Town featuring: Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, Malay Quarter, world famous and award-winning wine estates
- The ostrich capital of Oudtshoorn, with a fully guided tour of an ostrich farm and the Cango Caves
- The oyster capital of Knysna. Lagoon boat cruise opportunity
- Scenic Garden Route featuring attractions such as Bloukrans, Stormsriver, Tsitsikamma Forest, Big Tree and Nature s Valley
- Optional Shakaland cultural experience
- Pristine unspoilt Kwazulu-Natal beaches
- Greater St Lucia Wetlands National Park, a World Heritage Site - estuary river cruise
- Maputaland Reserve featuring an open safari game drive in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve
- World famous Kruger National Park, rich in fauna and flora, with game viewing in open safari vehicles
- Panorama Route featuring Pilgrim s Rest, Blyde River Canyon, Bourke s Luck Potholes, God s Window and Lisbon Falls
- Cultural and historical Johannesburg, featuring Constitution Hill, Newtown and the northern suburbs