GRAND TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA
15 Days/14 Nights Package
Visiting Kruger National Park, Swaziland, Zululand
and Lake St Lucia, The Wild Coast, Port Elizabeth and
The Garden Route, Oudtshoorn the Ostrich capital
and the beautiful city of Cape Town.
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK The largest National Park in South Africa. Established in 1889, is more than
2 million hectares, and larger than Wales. More than 146 mammal species,
507 bird species and 400 different tree types call this spectacular
"Bushveld" home. It is only five hours drive or an hour’s flight from
Johannesburg. Direct flights are also available from Cape Town, Durban and
Port Elizabeth.
Departure Dates: 2008
January 26
February 09, 15
March 01
April 05
May 10
August 10
September 05, 14
October 03, 18
November 07, 21
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL JOHANNESBURG
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL SOUTH AFRICA
On arrival in Johannesburg our representative will meet
you at the airport and transfer you to the Protea Hotel
Wanderers where you will be accommodated overnight
including breakfast. From the Hotel Wanderers, you can
venture into Sandton, Rosebank or the Melrose Arch
Precinct, which are minutes away and offer some of the
finest shopping and dining experiences on the continent.
DAY 2 – JOHANNESBURG
TO THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Depart at 07:30 and travel across the Gauteng Highveld
descending into the subtropical Lowveld region of
Mpumalanga, towards the world famous Kruger National
Park. More than two million hectares makes up the Kruger
National Park which boasts more than 146 mammal species,
507 bird species and 400 different tree varieties.
Entering the Park in the late afternoon some time is
spent game viewing before arriving at your
accommodation, situated just outside the Paul Kruger
Gate. Overnight Hotel Kruger Gate Lodge including
breakfast and dinner. (BD)
DAY 3 - KRUGER
NATIONAL PARK
We begin the day with an early breakfast in order to
commence game viewing soon after sunrise. A full day is
spent inside the Kruger National Park in search of wild
animals. Optional four wheel drive open vehicles for
your full day game drive are available. No guarantees
can be given that you will encounter the "Big Five"
(lion, rhino, elephant, leopard and buffalo), but you
are certain of seeing at very close quarters, an
abundance of antelope, birds, mammals and possibly
reptiles. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon in
good time for drinks and dinner. Overnight Protea Hotel
Kruger Gate Lodge including breakfast and dinner. (BD)
DAY 4 - KRUGER TO
SWAZILAND
We depart this wildlife sanctuary and proceed towards
the independent Kingdom of Swaziland. During the
fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, an African people of
Nguni descent migrated southward from Central Africa and
eventually, during the mid-18th century, a group of them
settled in the area now called Swaziland. These people,
the Nkosi Dlamini, became the Swazis, and today both
names live on. Nkosi means ‘king’ and Dlamini is the
surname of the royal family. The country derives its
actual name from a later king, Mswati I but another
name, Ngwane, is an alternate word for Swaziland. Travel
through the capitalcity, Mbabane, before arriving at
your accommodation, situated on its own private estate
in the heart of Swaziland. Rest of the day is at leisure
to enjoy the facilities surrounding the hotel. Overnight
Forresters Arms Lodge including breakfast and dinner.
(BD)
DAY 5 - SWAZILAND TO
ST LUCIA
Today we visit one of the local markets and the Swazi
Candle factory. Here you can watch the creative process
and meet the artisans who make the Light from Africa
shine through their handmade candles authentic to the
Kingdom of Swaziland. Continue through the small land
-locked country before re-entering South Africa where
the warm welcome of the locals in another kingdom awaits
you, the Kingdom of the Zulus in the Kwa-Zulu Natal
province. Proceed to your hotel situated on the banks of
the St Lucia Estuary, entrance point to the southern
portion of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and Game
Reserve. It is also the core access point to Fist Rocks,
Mission Rocks and Cape Vidal. Arrival in the late
afternoon. Overnight at the Protea Hotel St Lucia
including breakfast. (B)
DAY 6 - ST LUCIA –
HLUHLUWE GAME RESERVE
Today there is a choice of optional activities including
morning or afternoon game drives in the Hluhluwe Game
Reserve, an Eco cruise on Lake St Lucia, guided nature
walks or a visit to the Crocodile & Snake Park.
Isimangiliso (The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park) was
proclaimed South Africa's first World Heritage Site in
December 1999. It is considered an amazing natural
phenomenon because of the occurrence of five ecosystems
within a relatively small area (260 000 ha). The vast
mosaic of habitats includes: marine systems such as
coral reefs, beach and coastal forests; salt and
freshwater marshes; open estuarine waters; lush coastal
plains and drier woodland areas. Overnight at the Hotel
St Lucia including breakfast. (B)
DAY 7 ST LUCIA TO
DURBAN
The tour continues to Shakaland, an authentic Zulu
Village. Feel the pulsating rhythm of mysterious and
magical Africa as you re-live the excitement and romance
of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus, in this
authentic re-creation of the Great Kraal overlooking the
Phobane Lake. Experience the sight of assegai-wielding
warriors, share the fascinating secrets of the Sangomas
(witch doctors) and witness traditional customs such as
tribal dancing, spear making and the beer-drinking
ceremonies. Lunch is included at Shakaland, before
heading off to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Arrive in the bustling harbour city of Durban, filled
with its markets, street vendors and friendly locals.
Rest of the day is at leisure. Durban formerly known as
Port Natal - A natural port that has grown into one of
South Africa's best-known and most popular coastal
resorts and commercial ports with its stretches of safe
sandy beaches. Overnight at the Hotel Edward including
breakfast and lunch. (BL)
DAY 8 - DURBAN TO
THE WILD COAST
We depart the city of Durban and travel to the rural
area along the Eastern Cape coast, known as the Wild
Coast. All the wild places of this world have a secret,
a barrier, a portal - something that makes them hard to
find or difficult to get to. The Wild Coast, on the
eastern seaboard of South Africa, has its own secrets.
It’s a land that has been lost in time. The modern world
has passed by the Wild Coast – a combination of history,
geography and politics has left it largely undeveloped
and unexplored. Most roads are still gravelled; the
byways unused, the population still live as they have
done for centuries. There are many things that have been
left undisturbed by the busy outside world. They are
waiting to be discovered. You will arrive late in the
afternoon at your hotel, at Coffee Bay, in the heart of
the old Transkei. There is no trace of the wrecked ship
with its cargo of coffee beans that gave Coffee Bay its
name, but there are plenty of other attractions for
visitors. Coffee Bay has the delightful ambience of a
tropical ski village, with rustic hotels, lodges, bars
and open-air lounges all within walking distance of each
other, and each trying to outpicturesque its neighbour.
Overnight at the Ocean View Hotel including breakfast
and dinner. (BD)
DAY 9 - FULL DAY
EXPLORING THE WILD COAST
This morning you are escorted by a local guide and given
some insight into the Xhosa tribe’s customs and
traditions. Visit the nearby village where you can meet
the local people. Your visit may also coincide with
special events happening in and around Coffee Bay such
as traditional weddings, baptism or manhood initiation.
In the afternoon, weather permitting you may wish to
take an optional excursion to the Hole-in-the-Wall - a
natural hole created in the rock face by the might of
the ocean. It is a vast landmark – a cliff that looms
out of the sea with a huge tunnel scored neatly through
the middle. This famous natural feature has the Xhosa
name esiKhaleni (the place of sound). Ocean View Hotel
including breakfast and dinner. (BD)
DAY 10 - COFFEE BAY
TO PORT ELIZABETH
Today we travel south along the N2 crossing the Kei
River and enter 1820 Settler Country. After a long
journey the tour continues to Port Elizabeth, set along
the beautiful shores of Algoa Bay and known as the
Friendly City! Arrival at the hotel late afternoon.
Overnight at the Hotel Edward including breakfast. (B)
DAY 11 - PORT
ELIZABETH TO KNYSNA
Leave the Eastern Cape and travel to the Garden Route,
one of the country’s most beautiful and scenic
locations. Your journey will take you through dense
indigenous forests, woodlands, lakes and lagoons to
Knysna, known as the Jewel of the Garden Route. Knysna
is one of the Southern Cape coast's best-known holiday
destinations, situated between lush forests and the
shores of the peaceful lagoon - it offers many
activities and attractions of a wide variety. The most
well known attraction being The Heads, which are two
great sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon,
connecting the estuary with the sea. The Knysna Lagoon
is one of the few places along the coast and in the
world that supports an oyster hatchery, and the Knysna
oysters are reputedly among the tastiest in the world.
Arrival in the afternoon, where the remainder of the day
is spent at leisure Overnight at the Hotel Knysna Quays
including breakfast. (B)
DAY 12 - GARDEN
ROUTE
After breakfast you are taken to the Knysna harbour to
board a ferry which will take you for a tour of the
Featherbed Nature Reserve, including lunch. The Nature
Reserve is a unique 150 ha private reserve, encompassing
the whole of the Western Head of Knysna and is one of
South Africa’s Natural Heritage Sites. Overnight at the
Hotel Knysna Quays including breakfast and lunch. (BL)
DAY 13 - KNYSNA VIA
OUDTSHOORN TO CAPE TOWN
Depart Knysna in the early morning to travel inland
along the winding Outeniqua Pass, to the Ostrich capital
of the world, Oudtshoorn. Here you visit a working
ostrich ranch for a tour. Those daring enough may even
get the chance to ride an Ostrich! Continue along the
famous Route 62 through the semi-desert, and winelands
region to the N1 highway, which leads to Cape Town. Your
journey will take you through the towns of Robertson and
Worcester before arriving in the late afternoon in the
Mother City. Overnight at the Hotel Sea Point including
breakfast. (B).
DAY 14 - CAPE TOWN
A day at leisure to take in the sights and sounds of
Cape Town or join one of many optional tours such as a
half-day city and Table Mountain , a full day Cape
Peninsula , a full day Winelands , a full day Township &
Robben Island Tour or take the opportunity to explore
the city on your own. Overnight at the Hotel Sea Point
including breakfast. (B)
DAY 15 – DEPARTURE
The morning is at leisure for some last minute shopping
before you are collected and transferred to Cape Town
Airport or better still – stay on for a few more days
and really get to know Cape Town. (B)
Included:
• Accommodation as stated or similar
• Breakfast on all days
• Lunch on days 7 & 12
• Dinner on days 2, 3, 4, 8 & 9
• Transportation in luxury air-conditioned vehicle
• Services of a professional English-speaking Tourist
Guide
• Entrance fees and excursions where applicable
• Welcome pack
• Porterage.
Prices available for Cape Town extensions in the hotel
of your choice.
Key to Inclusions:
(B) Breakfast
(L) Lunch
(D) Dinner
(B&B) Bed & Breakfast
(FB) Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
15 Days/14 Nights Package
Cost Per Person
Twin
Single
Jan - Nov 08
$2345
$3320
Included:
accommodation as stated or similar, breakfast on
all days, lunch on days 7 & 12, dinner on days
2,3,8,&9 . Transport in luxury air conditioned
vehicle. Services of a professional English
speaking tourist guide, entrance fees and
excursions where applicable and porterage.
Excluded: All airfares and airport taxes,
All other meals not mentioned, all excursions
and entrances other than stated above, Items of
a personal nature such as tips, beverages,
laundry.
Day Trips Available - We have a number of
additional half or full day optional excursions
available to extend your stay. Please contact us for
details.
Have you considered adding
to your South Africa trip - perhaps Safaris elsewhere in Africa.
This way
you can experience different types of animals and scenery?
Please confirm prices with Bench International prior
to booking your trip.
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