Unique South Africa Group Tour
Day 1: Arrival Johannesburg to Pretoria
Arrive at Oliver Tambo International Airport where your Fairfield Tours guide will meet you. Depart for Pretoria where you will overnight before embarking on this Unique South Africa group tour.
Overnight: Burgerspark Hotel, Pretoria (BB)
Day 2: Pretoria
Pay a visit to the Premier Mine, an underground diamond mine owned by De Beers. The mine is situated in the town of Cullinan, 40 kilometres east of Pretoria. Established in 1902, it was renamed the Cullinan Diamond Mine in November 2003 in celebration of its centenary. The mine rose to prominence in 1905, when the Cullinan Diamond - at the time the largest gem diamond ever - was discovered here.
Return to Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. Discover the fascinating history of 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. Visit Kruger House – the house of the man that dared to challenge the might of the British Empire – Paul Kruger. Drive around Church Square that reflects a variety of architectural styles of Pretoria from the turn of the century. Visit the Voortrekker Monument and Museum - commemorating the Great Trek of the white pioneers into the hinterland. Return to your hotel.
Overnight: Burgerspark Hotel, Pretoria (BB)
Day 3: Pretoria to White River
Enjoy breakfast, check out. Travel to the province of Mpumalanga. Follow the route past maize-fields and coalfields of the Witbank and Middelburg area. Continue in the direction of the picturesque White River region of Mpumalanga. Enjoy dinner at your lodge. (Own account)
Overnight: Pine Lake Inn, White River (BB)
Day 4: Panorama Route
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.
Overnight: Pine Lake Inn, White River (BB)
Day 5: White River to Kruger National Park to White River
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 350 kilometres, 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 a full day safari on an open vehicle. Expert guides should increase your chances of seeing all members of the “Big Five” plus other magnificent wild species. Return to your lodge.
Overnight: Pine Lake Inn, White River (BB)
Day 6: White River to Swaziland
Travel towards the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, the second smallest country in Africa, and one of only three African Monarchies. It is rugged, remote and unspoiled. Enter Swaziland through the Jeppe’s Reef border post. This route to Mbabane is one of the most beautiful, with its champagne air, rolling mountains covered in majestic indigenous growth, green pines and fragrant eucalyptus, and breathtaking views. 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 (Time Permitting). Visit the Swazi Craft Market and browse the many art and crafts stalls. Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Overnight: Mantenga Cultural Village, Swaziland (BB)
Day 7: Swaziland to Zululand
Travel to the Malkerns Valley to visit Swazi Candles, situated in a farmhouse environment where Swazi craftsmen and women mould each candle to its unique and individual shape. Travel to the Lavumisa border post via Big Bend. Exit Swaziland at the Golela border post and continue to Umvubu Bay (Zulu for hippopotamus) in the Northern section of the Pongola Game Reserve from where you have the option to depart on a boat cruise on the Pongolapoort Dam. Enjoy a relaxed 1 to 2 hour cruise on the 21 meter Fish Eagle boat while having lunch on the sun-deck and taking note of your tranquil surroundings.
Travel to your lodge where you can enjoy the tranquillity of the African Bush, relax next to the pool and enjoy dinner.
Overnight: Bayala Game Lodge, Hluhluwe (BB)
Day 8: Zululand & Hluhluwe National Park
Continue to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve where you have the option of enjoying an open vehicle game drive, the Reserve lies in the valley of the Hluhluwe River and is an area of wide-open spaces, changing savannah landscapes, bush and mountains. It is one of the largest game parks in South Africa and it is most renowned for its conservation of the white rhino.
On your return from the game-drive, travel to Vula Zulu, for an African Cultural experience of the Zulu people. Learn about traditional weapons, jewellery and be entertained by their dancing. Return to your lodge where you can enjoy a traditional South African boma braai under the stars.
Overnight: Bayala Game Lodge, Hluhluwe (BB)
Day 9 : Zululand to Durban
Today you will travel to Durban, one of South Africa’s most popular seaside resorts. Durban has a cultural mix of East, West and African. Appropriately enough, the Zulu name for Durban is e’Thekwini, meaning “The Place where the Earth and Ocean Meet.” The golden beaches attract pleasure seekers all year round. Depart on a Durban City Tour. Drive by the Juma Mosque, the largest mosque in the Southern Hemisphere en-route to the colourful Indian Spice Market. Visit the Botanical Gardens regarded by many as one of South Africa’s most beautiful gardens, abundant with bird life, boasting an orchid house and cycad collection among other plant species. Check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure, strolling on the beach or swimming in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Overnight: Garden Court North Beach, Durban (BB)
Day 10: Durban to Drakensberg
After breakfast and check out, travel to the majestic Drakensberg Mountains. Visit the Royal Natal National Park situated in the Northern Drakensberg. Follow one of the many hiking trails, escorted by an English speaking tour guide to the Amphitheatre, a rock wall of around 5 kilometres in length, and approximately 500 metres in height. Continue to the rocks in the area bearing Bushman (San) paintings and view this fascinating historic art. Travel to your resort where you can spend the night in South Africa enjoying the fresh champagne air and magnificent views of the mountains.
Overnight: Mount Aux Sources, Drakensberg (BB)
Day 11: Drakensberg to Bloemfontein
Today you will have an early morning start and travel via, the very beautiful, Golden Gate Reserve, where you will make a short photo stop and view the colourful sandstone formations. Continue to Bloemfontein, the sixth largest city in South Africa, Capital City of the Free State and also The Judicial Capital of South Africa. Visit the Women’s Memorial, the only monument in the world commemorating women and children’s suffering in a war. Continue on an orientation tour of the city and view historical buildings such as the City Hall, Old Presidency, buildings of judicial implication, the Anglican Cathedral, railway station and the Dutch Reformed twin tower church. Continue to your hotel where you will spend the night.
Overnight: City Lodge Bloemfontein, Bloemfontein (BB)
Day 12: Bloemfontein to Graaff Reinet
After breakfast depart for Graaff-Reinet. Travel via the towns of Colesburg and Middelburg. Graaff-Reinet is also known as the gem of the Great Karoo. This is the fourth oldest town in South Africa and it has retained much of its 19th Century charm and rural atmosphere. Lining the streets of this historic town, are rows of Victorian dwellings, typical Karoo houses and Cape Dutch buildings.
You have the option of a tour to the Valley of Desolation, situated in the mountains 700 metres above town in the Karoo National Park surrounding Graaff-Reinet. A steep and narrow road leads into the mountains that surround the valley. Experience the wonderful views of Graaff-Reinet and of the endless expanse of the surrounding Karoo. The valley was formed millions of years ago by weathering erosion. Heat and cold, drought and water caused the rocks to crumble and brought about the bizarre rock formations. Sheer cliffs and precariously balanced columns of Dolerite rise 120 metres from the valley floor, against the timeless backdrop of the vast plains of the Camdeboo.
Discover the diversity of fauna and flora. There are over 220 recorded species of birdlife, 336 plants and 43 mammals. Catch a glimpse of the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra, plenty of Kudu, Buffalo, the majestic Black Eagle and the Kori Bustard, the heaviest flying bird in the world.
Overnight: Karoo Park, Graaff-Reinet (BB)
Day 13: Graaff Reinet to Port Elizabeth
Proceed to the Addo Elephant Park. Here you could view elephants from the view point and experience the results of an impressive conservation program, which saved the Addo Elephant from extinction. Today there is close to 450 elephants in this park, which graze on very different vegetation to what is found in the Kruger National Park. It is believed that the “Spekboom” which the elephants eat in this region make them very fertile. You have the option of travelling through the Park in an open game drive vehicle. (ZAR160.00).
Travel to Port Elizabeth, the “Friendly City” an orientation tour will take you down to Donkin Street with several charming Victorian double-story terrace houses dating from the 1800s facing the Donkin reserve. View the Feather Market Centre, the hub of the ostrich feather trade during the last century. Continue to your hotel where you will enjoy panoramic sea views over Algoa Bay.
Overnight: Chapman Manor House, Port Elizabeth (BB)
Day 14: Port Elizabeth to Wilderness
Today you will travel to one of the most beautiful regions of South Africa, The Garden Route. Take the short, but beautiful walk through indigenous forest to the Big Tree. Trees of nearly 800 years old are still reaching for the sky. Continue to the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park, one of the country’s longest, narrowest and most spectacular parks, encompasses nearly 80 km of the Cape’s coastal strip. Much of the fascination of this park lies in its wealth of both terrestrial and aquatic animals and plants, and their interaction. Roughly in the middle of the park is the mouth of the Storm’s River. A hiking trail takes you to the hanging bridge across the river, affording superb views of the sea. Travel deeper into the Garden Route, via the quaint little town of Knysna, voted as South Africa’s favourite town. Continue to the beautiful village of Wilderness where you will overnight.
Overnight: Wilderness Beach Hotel, Wilderness (BB)
Day 15: Wilderness & Knysna
Today you will return to Knysna. It is situated on a huge tidal lagoon that opens to the sea through a narrow, treacherous inlet, and is guarded by steep sandstone cliffs on either side, known as The Heads. Enjoy a boat cruise on the Knysna Lagoon to Featherbed Nature Reserve which is only accessible by boat. Take a stroll on the Nature Reserve while enjoying your natural surroundings. Return to Knysna and experience the atmosphere of this beautiful little town, browsing through the many little shops at the Knysna Waterfront before returning to your hotel in Wilderness.
Overnight: Wilderness Beach Hotel, Wilderness (BB)
Day 16: Wilderness to Oudtshoorn
Travel via the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world. A visit to the world-renowned Cango Caves, described as one of the great natural wonders of the world, is not to be missed. Continue to an Ostrich Farm for a guided tour that offers comprehensive information regarding the ostrich and the ostrich industry. Enjoy dinner at your hotel or at one of the excellent restaurants in the neighbourhood.
Overnight: Oudtshoorn Inn, Oudtshoorn (BB)
Day 17: Oudtshoorn to Cape Town
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: Cape Town Lodge, Cape Town (BB)
Day 18: Full Day Peninsula Tour
Continue to the “Republic of Hout Bay”. Embark on a boat trip to Duiker Island to view the seal colony frolicking in the sea around the island and various sea birds. View the sentinel from where guards watched the horizon for approaching enemy war ships in the early days of the Cape Colony. Proceed to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, forming part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, which encloses more than 4500 plant species (fynbos) (the highest concentration of different species in such a small area anywhere in the world). As the funicular take you to the Lighthouse at Cape Point, imagine for a moment what it must have been like to sail round this point in the days of Dutch and Portuguese seafarers, in their small sailing ships, bringing spices and silk to Europe from the Far East. This is where the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean supposedly meet.
The tour then takes you to Simon's Town to visit the Jackass Penguin colony (also known as African Penguins), one of the only two breeding colonies on the mainland, at Boulders.
Pay a visit to the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the third most popular tourist attraction in the Western Cape. Kirstenbosch is the oldest and largest botanical garden in South Africa, and was established on 01 July 1913 through an act of Parliament as a result of a bequest of Cecil Rhodes to the peoples of a unified South Africa (camphor and fig trees planted on his request are still to be seen as well as an almond hedge planted by 150 French shipwrecked people who were given food and shelter by Dutch Governor Jan Van Riebeeck some 340 years ago). Today, over 22,000 indigenous plants, and a research unit and library, attract researchers and botanists from all over the world. The gardens are magnificent, glorying in lush shrubs and exuberant blooms, which trail off into fynbos, covering a huge expanse of the rugged eastern slopes and wooded ravines of Table Mountain.
Overnight: Cape Town Lodge, Cape Town (BB)
Day 19: Full Day Winelands
Enjoy breakfast and depart for a day in the Cape Winelands. First, visit Stellenbosch, the 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. Continue to Franschhoek over the “Helshoogte Pass” and pass the Boschendal Wine Estate, where the French Huguenots planted the first vine. Land was allocated to some 200 Huguenots that fled persecution in France, in what is known as “Le Quartier Francais”. This is a delightful place to browse through quaint shops selling arts and crafts, art galleries and antique stores. Enjoy a wine tasting and cellar tour at any of the leading wine estates in the area. Visit the Afrikaans Language Monument, commemorating the survival and dynamic growth of this young language. Situated in the Paarl Rock Nature Reserve, from where you enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Overnight: Cape Town Lodge, Cape Town (BB)
Day 20: Cape Town / Departure
A day at leisure before you depart. Suggested optional excursions are:
- Half Day City Tour.
- Cape Town Safari.
- Half Day Township Cultural Experience.
- Shopping at the V&A Waterfront or Canal Walk Shopping Centre.
- Harbour Champagne cruise (1 hour).
- Two Oceans Aquarium where you see marine life of the southern oceans.
- Visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
- Helicopter flight across the peninsula.
Or simply spend the time relaxing and doing some shopping at the V&A Waterfront. Late afternoon transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your outbound flight.
Contact Us for a quotation or to tailor make this tour.
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