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We combine the best wild
life and wilderness areas, also blended with the rugged beauty
so synonymous with the African continent. It incorporates
the areas in the diverse KwaZulu-Natal with habitats such
as lakes, rivers, dune forests, beaches, mangrove forests
and sub-tropical vegetation to the scenic mounains of Swaziland,
and Mpumalanga with its mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and
pockets of primal forests. The famous Kruger National Park,
as well as a private game lodge adjoining the park, is included.
Here we are treated to open vehicle game drives with powerful
spotlights in search of the nocturnal animals and game viewing
on foot! The ultimate experience - what an adrenaline rush!
We relax in Durban, South Africa’s holiday mecca with the
luke warm Indian Ocean and sub-tropical, all year round summer.
We visit Drakensberg Mountains for some mild to a little more
strenuous walks to experience great scenic views. We visit
some of the world's best preserved ancient rock art and drive
up the incredible almost 3000 m high Sani Pass into Lesotho
with four by four vehicles. .
The coastline southwards between Durban and Cape Town encompasses
a huge diversity of habitats. From the hilly grasslands with
Xhosa huts dotted around the ridges, green valleys, crystal
clear streams and the wild unspoilt coastline of the Eastern
Cape (the former homeland of Transkei), to the mountains,
lakes, cliffs and dense indigenous forests of the Cape South
Coast, aptly called the Garden Route. The natural beauty and
lush vegetation will captivate even the well travelled.
The Art Capital of South Africa, Grahamstown, and the Addo
National Elephant Park supporting some 400 elephants,
lion, Cape buffalo and black rhino amongst other animals,
are two highlights in the Eastern Region.
We also visit the semi-arid valley, called the Little Karoo.
This region in turn offers natural wonders such as the Cango
Caves and its ideal habitat for ostrich farming makes it the
ostrich mecca of the world. The tour ends in Cape Town and
you have just experienced some of the most beautiful areas
in South Africa and arguably the world!
Johannesburg
– Dullstroom – Sabie – Panoramic Route
Our first day on tour takes us from Johannesburg via Middelburg,
Dullstroom and Lydenburg to Pilgrim´s Rest, the early gold
mining town turned into a living museum. Rich deposits of
alluvial gold were found here at the end of the 19th century,
hence the existence of the town deep in the mountains. We
overnight in Sabie in the Lone Creek River Lodge.
Panoramic Route –
Private Game Reserve
We visit Lone Creek Falls and travel via Graskop to marvel
at scenic areas such God’s Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes,
Blyde River Canyon, and some of the spectacular waterfalls
in the area. Finally we descend to the Lowveld via Abel Erasmus
pass and the Strijdom Tunnel to arrive at Mohlabetsi in the
Balule private game reserve. This afternoon our encounter
with Africa's wildlife begins as we travel on an open vehicle
to search for the game. Enjoy a great dinner under the stars
tonight (weather permitting). Overnight at Mohlabetsi.
Private Game Reserve – Kruger National Park
After an early morning hike, searching for the wild on foot,
and breakfast we enter the Kruger National Park and spend
the rest of day in this magnificent reserve around 2 million
ha in extent. We overnight in the reserve in one of the camps.
Kruger National Park - Swaziland
We rise early for a game drive and return for breakfast in
the camp. We spend the rest of the morning in the reserve
and depart in the afternoon for the mountain Kingdom of Swaziland.
We visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory and travel via Mbabane,
the capital of Swaziland, to Foresters Arms, our
hotel in the mountains at Mhlambanyatsi.
Swaziland
– Zululand – Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
We visit the well-known Swazi Candles factory and the big
arts and crafts market in the Ezulwini Valley, and drive past the
National Stadium and the parliament buildings on our way to
Manzini, the country's industrial centre. We travel further
past Big Bend with the country's largest sugar plantations
to the South African border. We continue to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
Park game reserve and arrive late afternoon at our overnight
stop - Hilltop Camp. Here we join a late afternoon/early
evening game drive on open safari vehicles equipped with high
powered spotlights to search for the shy nocturnal animals.
Dinner follows.
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
Park – Lake St Lucia - Durban
After an early breakfast we do our final game drive before
travelling to the village of St Lucia. Here we join a boat
cruise of the famous Lake St Lucia Estuary, a paradise with
bird species such as fish eagle, Goliath heron and many more.
Your guide will show you the world of the hippo and the crocodile
and the other mystic inhabitants of the "deep". After this
unforgettable experience we travel to Durban, South Africa’s
holiday mecca.
Durban – Natal Midlands – Drakensberg Mountains.
Drive inland to Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal,
for a brief city tour. Stop at the railway station where Mahatma
Gandhi was thrown off the train because of the colour of his
skin, and see the waiting room where, in the silence of the
night, he formulated his philosophy of passive resistance.
Visit the Church of the Vow that was built as a result of
the Battle of Blood River between the Voortrekkers and the
Zulus in 1838. Continue to Howick where we visit the 100m
high Falls, and stop at the monument erected on the spot where
Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962. Continue through an area
of gentle pastoral beauty called the Natal Midlands. We pass
through grassy plains scattered with villages and lush farmlands
where plump cattle and thoroughbred horses graze. We enter
the Weenen Game Reserve for an afternoon of game viewing.
We have a good chance of seeing, amongst others, white rhino,
giraffe and zebra. Afterwards we stop at the place where Winston
Churchill was arrested by the Boers during the Anglo-Boer
War. Then we travel to our hotel from where you can enjoy
magnificent views while enjoying sundowners.
Drakensberg Mountains
After breakfast we travel through QwaQwa, a former homeland,
and watch the locals busy with their daily chores in this
remote land. We arrive at the Sentinel, some 3200 meters above
sea level, for a picnic lunch and some easy, or more strenuous,
walks to viewpoints of the sheer drops into the Amphitheatre.
For those VERY energetic souls, there is a stiff walk and
climb up a chain ladder to the summit (weather permitting).
Here you find the source of the mighty Tugela River and where
it rushes over the edge of the cliffs to plummet down for
hundreds of meters to the bottom; in total nearly a kilometre.
After this unforgettable experience we return to our hotel
late afternoon.
Drakensberg Mountains – Giant’s Castle
We depart after breakfast and drive to the Giant's
Castle area for an easy walk to some of the country's best
preserved ancient rock paintings. We have a peek into the
mystical existence of these strange little people who became
extinct at the beginning of the previous century. This afternoon
we have time to take some hikes into the mountains. The scenery
and views are magnificent! Dinner and overnight at Giant's
Castle complex.
Giant's Castle – Southern Drakensberg Mountains
Today we travel along these magnificent mountains
and enjoy the views. Visit some quaint art and craft shops
in the upper Midlands Meander - many artistic people fled
the hectic pace of the big cities and made their new homes
in this very beautiful area. There is no limit to inspiration
here if inspiration comes from natural beauty! Then we travel
to Underberg, a picturesque little village situated in the
foothills of the majestic Drakensberg Mountains. Our hotel
is in the lap of the mountain with peaks towering over 3000m
(10 000 ft) above sea level. Dinner and overnight are at our
hotel.
Sani Pass -
Durban
After breakfast we set off to Sani Pass, named after
the primitive people who lived in the area millennia ago,
on a four-wheel drive with hair raising bends and breathtaking
views to the top of the mountain. Lunch is served at the top
in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho some 3000m above sea level.
We return early afternoon, change vehicles and drive back
to Durban
Durban
Durban is an intriguing cultural blend of
East, West and Africa, which with its endless summer climate,
effervescent and lukewarm ocean lined with golden beaches,
offers a subtropical carnival atmosphere all year round. Our
tour of this bustling metropolis boasting the busiest port
in Africa and often called the cultural 'melting pot' of South
Africa, includes a drive past the so-called Apartheid Beaches,
the Golden Mile, the impressive developments at the new Point
Waterfront area, and the city centre. We stop at the Indian
Market where you can bargain for souvenirs and spices. Our
last visit is to the Botanical Gardens. You have the option
of being dropped off at the end of the tour at the Ushaka
Marine world with its world-class aquarium, and many shops
and restaurants. Return to your hotel with our bus or
spend the rest of the afternoon here and take a taxi back
to the hotel.
Durban
A free day in Durban to enjoy last minute
shopping or the warm sunny beaches.
Durban – South Coast – Wild Coast
The drive from Durban along the South Coast
takes you through lush subtropical vegetation and numerous
holiday villages dotted along the seaboard. We visit the scenic
Oribi Gorge and some beautiful little beaches. We enter the
Eastern Cape at the former homeland of Transkei and work our
way to the Wlid Coast – a rugged and deserted coast line with
exceptional beauty – and arrive at Cremorne Lodge for overnight.
This afternoon we explore the beach and some amazing scenic
sites.
Wild Coast – Umtata – East London
Before breakfast we enjoy another breathtaking
walk. Then breakfast and travel via Port St Johns to Umtata,
the capital of the former homeland. After a visit to the Nelson
Mandela museum we travel further south to East London, the
only river port in South Africa, and the place where a prehistoric
coelacanth was caught in 1938. Overnight at Quarry Lake Inn.
East London – Addo Elephant Park – Port Elizabeth
This morning's journey is along the coast
and we enjoy the lush vegetation and rugged coastline. We
visit Port Alfred, an outstanding holiday village situated
on the Kowie river mouth and travel to Grahamstown. The small
cathedral city is considered the art capital of South Africa
and is steeped in history. At the Addo National Elephant Park
game reserve we have an excellent chance of an encounter with
these giants of the bush amongst other animals. This afternoon
we reach Port Elizabeth, the fifth biggest city in the country,
set on the shores of the Algoa Bay and also called the “Friendly
City”. Overnight at Fifth Avenue Beach House.
Port Elizabeth – Garden Route
We depart from Port Elizabeth, along the
N2 national route to the Storms River with the impressive
Paul Sauer Bridge across the valley towering some 139 m above
the river. Our next stop is at Tsitsikamma National Park (Khoisan
for “The place of much water”) stretching more than 100
km of wild and rocky coastline characterised by massive
cliffs, narrow isolated beaches and shady indigenous forests
along the river valleys. Now, truly in the famous Garden Route
of the Cape, we traverse more magnificently scenic river valley
passes to Knysna on the edge of the Knysna Lagoon with its
entrance to the sea guarded by two promontories known as 'The
Heads'. The area also falls within a National Park proclaimed
to conserve the extraordinary natural beauty of the Lakeland
and adjacent indigenous forests. Knysna offers shopping opportunities
of unusual, locally made, art and craft, etc. Overnight at
the Fish Eagle Lodge.
Garden Route - Oudtshoorn
We explore the lake areas, the Wilderness
National Park and travel via the scenic Montagu Pass to Oudsthoorn
also known as the 'Feather Capital' of the world, as by far
the largest concentration of ostrich farms in the world are
found here. We visit the Cango Caves, regarded as one of South
Africa's foremost natural wonders. The fascinating calcite
caves comprise an underground wonderland of stalactites and
stalagmites. Overnight at La Plume Guest Lodge.
Oudtshoorn – Mossel Bay – Cape Town
After an early start we visit to an ostrich
show farm for some unique experiences, including ostrich racing.
A ride on the back of an ostrich is not for the fainthearted.
Our route to Mossel Bay takes us over the Outeniqua Mountains
via Robinson's Pass. Here we visit arguably the oldest post
office in Africa, the Post Office Tree, and the site of the
first landfall, made by the Portuguese explorer Bartholomew
Diaz in 1488. After an early lunch we travel via Swellendam
to Cape Town where we arrive late afternoon.
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