World In One Country

Day 1: Arrival South Africa

Arrive at Johannesburg International Airport. Meet and greet your Fairfield Tours’ Tour Guide. Depart on your journey and take the highway through the outskirts of Johannesburg, also known as Egoli, “the place of gold”. Johannesburg is the largest city in southern Africa and the capital of Gauteng. It is typical of most modern industrial cities – its skyline jagged and stepped by slender skyscrapers. Transfer in your luxury coach to Pretoria.

In the afternoon depart on a Pretoria City Tour: Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa. It is called the “Jacaranda City”, renowned for its colourful gardens, shrubs and trees, particularly in spring when the more than 80 000 Jacaranda trees are blooming.

Visit the majestic administrative headquarters of the government, the Union Buildings. From Meintjieskop it provides lovely views of the city and the surrounding gardens. Continue to the Kruger House - the house of the man that dared to challenge the might of the British Empire - Paul Kruger. Visit the Voortrekker Monument and Museum - commemorating the Great Trek of the white pioneers into the hinterland. Dinner at leisure at hotel (for own account).

Overnight: Leriba Lodge, Pretoria - or alternative (BB)

Day 2: Pretoria to Ohrigstad

Enjoy breakfast and check out. Depart for Mpumalanga via Witbank and Middelburg. A few kilometres north of the small town of Middelburg lies the museum village of Botshabelo. It preserves the culture of the Ndebele, who belong to the large group of Nguni peoples. They presumably came around the 15th and 16th century from Natal to live here in a quasi-peaceful co-existence with other Nguni groups. When the Boers settled in the 18th century north of the Vaal River, many Ndebele were employed as farm workers. The cultural heritage became marginalised. Only the communities in the south managed to preserve their traditional ceremonies and still show their identity through the unique colourful decoration of their houses. In their wall painting they abstractly depict items they saw when they first came into contact with white people. For example, they imitate the geometrical shapes of a razor blade or letters of the alphabet. Just as colourful as the wall paintings are the clothes and beaded jewellery of the women. They are a reflection of the family´s social status.

Continue to the Hannah Lodge Private Reserve, situated near Ohrigstad in a 7 000 hectare game reserve. The farm abounds with 28 species of antelope, including the rare Sable antelope, Tsessebe, Mountain Reedbuck, Springbok and Gemsbok to name a few.

For the avid bird watcher there are over 250 species of birds on the Reserve - do not forget to bring your binoculars! Expect to see Ostriches, Guinea fowl and if you are lucky - a Secretary Bird stalking its prey in the grass.

Depart on a one and a half hour afternoon game drive in open 4 x 4 vehicles. Return to the lodge for dinner. Meals are a lavish affair at Hannah Lodge. Weather permitting you will be treated to a traditional evening in the open-air boma, under the Milkyway, next to open fires. Alternatively enjoy a sumptuous dinner in the thatched Waterbuck Restaurant. The menu features a vast spread of South African-Malayan cuisine as well as a large variety of venison (included).

Overnight: Hannah Lodge, Ohrigstad - or alternative (DBB)

Day 3: Ohrighstad to White River

Enjoy a delicious buffet style breakfast. Today you can explore the Panorama Route. On to Blyde River Canyon, the largest Green Canyon in the world and the third largest overall. View the Three Rondawels, huge cylinders of rock with hut-like pointy 'roofs', rising out of the far wall of the canyon. Continue to Bourke’s Luck Potholes where you throw a coin and make a wish at this magnificent water sculptured sandstone. Minor imperfections in the dolomite rock have been worn away by the swirling water with its load of grit and pebbles, causing “potholes” to appear. Thomas Bourke, an early owner of the farm on which this feature is situated, discovered gold at the bottom of the holes. Visit God’s Window for panoramic views.

Travel to Pilgrims Rest, the oldest mining town in South Africa, now a declared national monument. Take a stroll down the street of this old mining town and let your imagination take over. Soon your mind will transport you to yesteryear with golddiggers, oxwagons and the lively music from the canteens. Visit the beautiful Mac Mac Falls, one of the most photographed and unusual sites in the lowveld area. The Mac-Mac River plummets down 65 meters. It is named after Mac Mac village, the site of the gold rush of 1873. Continue to your hotel where you check in and freshen up before dinner (own account).

Overnight: Pine Lake Inn, White River - or alternative (BB)

Day 4: Kruger National Park

Kudu Bull Enjoy breakfast before you transfer to the Kruger National Park. You will now enter the largest Game Park in Africa. The Kruger National Park stretches north to south for about 350km, and is bordered by Mozambique to the east and Zimbabwe to the north. Its two million hectares of territory teem with life, including 147 mammal, 507 bird, 114 reptile, 34 amphibian, 336 tree and 49 fish species. You will have great opportunities to see the Big 5 animals of Africa, being the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, as well as a great deal of antelope and other African wildlife while traveling through the park in the luxury of your air-conditioned coach.

You have the option of an early morning safari on an open vehicle (own account). Expert guides should increase your chances of seeing all members of the “Big Five” plus other magnificent wild species. Return to your hotel. Enjoy dinner (own account) and overnight.

Overnight: Pine Lake Inn, White River - or alternative (BB)

DAY 5: Hazyview to Swaziland

Travel to the magnificent little Kingdom of Swaziland. Enter Swaziland at the Jeppes Reef border post and travel in the direction of Piggs Peak. Travel to the Ngwenya Glass Factory (Open Monday – Friday) and experience how the talented Swazi glass blowers create a range of enchanting African animals, marine life and tableware from 100% recycled glass collected for Ngwenya by the children of Swaziland. Visit the Craft Market near your hotel in the Ezulwini Valley. Continue to your hotel where you check in and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Dinner (own account) at your hotel or the Royal Swazi Sun where you have the opportunity to win a lot of money at the casino.

Overnight: Lugogo Sun, Swaziland - or alternative (BB)

Day 6: Swaziland to Bayala

Enjoy breakfast and check out. Drive via Big Bend and Manzini to Malkern’s Valley where you can pay a visit to the Candle Factory. The concept involves the cloaking of candle wax with a colourful intricately designed shell. Enter back into South Africa at the Lavumisa Border Post.

Travel to the Hluhluwe Umfolozi National Park for your afternoon game drive. This would be one of the highlights of your tour and is highly recommended. The Hluhluwe Reserve lies in the valley of the Hluhluwe River and is an area of wide open spaces, changing landscapes, savanna, bush and mountains. The Umfolozi Reserve is linked by a corridor with the White and Black Umfolozi rivers flowing through the park. The Game Reserve is acclaimed internationally for its conservation efforts. Besides the Big Five – rhino, elephant, leopard, lion and buffalo, there is an astonishing variety of wildlife to ensure a fascinating encounter for the visitor. The Park is home to the largest population of the southern white rhino. The area offers zulu crafts and culture as well as an abundance of birdlife.

Continue to your hotel where you check in and freshen up before dinner (own account).

Overnight: Bayala Game Lodge, Bayala - or alternative (BB)

Day 7: Bayala to the Drakensberg

Enjoy breakfast and check out. Travel via Vryheid, Dundee, Glenco and Ladysmith – this is the region of the Anglo-Boer War where you will find many memorials and museums. At Dundee you will pay a visit to the Talana Museum commemorating the first battle of the Anglo-Boer War at Talana Hill. This is a fascinating part of South Africa’s history. Continue to your lodge situated in the breathtakingly beautiful Drakensberg Mountains.

Check in and spend the afternoon at leisure to explore the beautiful surroundings.

Overnight: Mount Aux Sources, Drakensberg - or alternative (BB)

DAY 8: Drakensberg to Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth

Travel from the Drakensberg to Johannesburg where you board your domestic flight to Port Elizabeth.

Overnight: Summerstrand Inn, Port Elizabeth - or alternative (BB)

Day 9: Port Elizabeth to Knysna

Do a short city tour; see the Campanile, Kings Beach, Horse Memorial, and Donkin Street. Today you discover the Garden Route, on your route there is an endless natural garden of mountains, cliffs, forest, lakes, rivers and varying seashores, the spectacular scenery and majestic landscape marred only by the almost continuous ribbon of development along the coast. Do a walking trail to the Big Tree where trees of nearly 1000 years old are still reaching for the sky. Visit the Tsitsikamma National Park. At Storms River Mouth walk the short “Hanging Bridge” trail across the river. Check into your hotel and freshen up.

Continue to Knysna. Nestling on the banks of a shimmering lagoon Knysna is a natural paradise of lush indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches. Within the town, craft shops, flea-markets and cosy cafe’s beckon with small-town charm and hospitality.

Knysna is synonymous with fine indigenous timbers, and famed for the craftsmanship of its furniture and timber products. The area is a veritable Garden of Eden: home to the only forest elephant in South Africa, the unique Knysna seahorse and the Pansy shell, the brilliantly coloured Knysna Loerie, a plethora of waterfowl and forest birds, dolphins and visiting whales.

Check into your hotel & freshen up before dinner (own account).

Overnight: Knysna Hollow, Knysna - or alternative (BB)

Day 10: Knysna to Oudtshoorn

In the morning embark on a boat trip on the John Benn for spectacular views of the Knysna Heads from the Knysna Lagoon. The John Ben herself is beautifully appointed with upper and lower decks constructed of Yellowwood sourced from the Knysna Forest.

Transfer via Wilderness and George to Oudtshoorn, feather capital of the world. Visit Cango Ostrich Farm, see the whole farming process and learn all about the largest bird on earth. Enjoy a speciality lunch with Ostrich meat.

Visit the world famous Cango Caves described as one of the great natural wonders of the world. Sculpted by nature through the ages the fascinating limestone foundations occur in a variety of colours.

Overnight: Oudtshoorn Inn, Oudtshoorn - or alternative (BB)

Day 11: Oudtshoorn to Cape Town

Ostrich Today you travel to Cape Town on the "Route 62", one of the most beautiful travel routes in South Africa. The country road meanders through the fertile valleys of the Klein Karoo, past rugged rock formations. Time and again the road leads over steep passes, which open up to spectacular views of wide land.

Visit the Klipdrift Brand Home in Robertson which promises a generous dose of South African hospitality to all who come to visit. They have mixed informative tastings and tours through the world class brandy distillery with entertaining glimpses into the history of everyone’s favourite brandy.

Continue to Cape Town. Cape Town is South Africa’s oldest city and was founded by the first Dutch settlers who, led by Jan van Riebeeck, landed on the tip of Africa in April 1652. Set beneath the grandeur of Table Mountain, the area was described by English circumnavigator Francis Drake as “the fairest Cape in all the circumference of the earth”, though later, as a busy and hospitable port on the sea route to India, the town earned the name “tavern of the seas”.

Overnight: Southern Sun Waterfront, Cape Town - or alternative (BB)

DAY 12: Full Day Winelands Tour

Enjoy breakfast and depart for a day in the winelands. Visit the Afrikaans Language Monument, commemorating the survival and dynamic growth, against all odds, of this young language. Situated in the Paarl Rock Nature Reserve, you enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys from the foot of the monument. Enjoy a wine tasting at one of the leading wine estates in the area. Continue to Franschhoek. View what is described as “the most beautiful valley” from the top of Franschhoek Pass. Land was allocated to some 200 Huguenots that fled persecution in France, in what is known as “Le Quartier Francais”. Delightful place to browse through quaint shops selling arts and crafts, art galleries and antique stores. Visit Stellenbosch, second oldest town in South Africa. Stroll down Dorp Street with the longest row of preserved homes from the early Dutch settler days, now a declared national monument. Return to hotel. Enjoy dinner (own account).

Overnight: Southern Sun Waterfront, Cape Town - or alternative (BB)

Day 13: Full Day Peninsula Tour

Breakfast and depart on a Peninsula tour. Continue to the “Republic of Hout Bay”. Take a boat trip to Duiker Island, seal and sea bird sanctuary (weather permitting). In the event of poor weather you may visit “World of Birds”. See the wonderful selection of indigenous and exotic birds or go to visit Groot Constantia Wine Estate, first farm of Dutch Governor Simon van der Stel. Continue to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point where supposedly the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet. Visit the Jackass Penguins at Boulders, one of only two mainland breeding colonies. Visit world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Walk a few of the trails to view the huge variety of indigenous trees, flowers and fynbos. Return to hotel. Enjoy dinner (own account).