Day 1 (Friday):

International flights – USA to Johannesburg, South Africa

Overnight: En route

Day 2 (Saturday):

Arrive Johannesburg

Private arrival transfer to your hotel

Overnight: Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton. (Superior Room)

Day 3 (Sunday):  – we added an extra night

Morning free and at your leisure

After lunch (on your own account) embark on a guided afternoon city tour of Johannesburg. Share in the history of Johannesburg – the city of gold. Explore South Africa’s heritage; experience the street life of Newtown and take a trip to the Carlton Centre and Constitution Hill. Dinner (own account) is served at the hotel.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton. (Superior Room | B)

Day 4 (Monday):

JOHANNESBURG to HOEDSPRUIT AREA via DULLSTROOM

Guests are collected from the hotel and travel eastwards to the province of Limpopo, via Dullstroom. Stop for lunch (on your own account) en-route and arrive at Moditlo River Lodge located within the Blue Canyon Conservancy. Enjoy a guided, open vehicle game drive, viewing the ‘Big 5’ and other distinctive species including giraffe, zebra and cheetah. Return to the lodge for pre-dinner drinks (on your own account) and dinner (included).

Overnight: Moditlo River Lodge. (Superior Room | BD)

Day 5 (Tuesday):

HOEDSPRUIT to HAZYVIEW via PANORAMA ROUTE

Experience an early morning start in the bushveld on a guided, open vehicle game drive. The morning bushveld sights and sounds are different from the evening cacophony and with a bit of luck, some of the big cats may still be about after their night’s hunting. Enjoy coffee and rusks in the bush before returning to the lodge for breakfast.

After breakfast, head to one of Mpumalanga’s most magnificent topographical attractions, the Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels. The Blyde River Canyon is the largest green canyon in the world. The Panorama Route affords guests memorable views of the more significant sites in this area including God’s Window and the Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Lunch (own account) is enjoyed along this scenic route. The tour stops in Hazyview for the evening.

Overnight: Casa do Sol Hotel. (Superior Room | BD)

Day 6 (Wednesday):

HAZYVIEW to MTHETHOMUSHA GAME RESERVE via KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Depart Hazyview, heading towards Mpumalanga’s flagship attraction – the Kruger National Park. The Kruger National Park forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. This peace-park links the Kruger with Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe and the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique. It is 20 000 square kilometers in extent; roughly the size of the Netherlands. A closed vehicle game drive gives guests the opportunity to take in the park’s vastness and view the ‘Big 5’ and other fauna and flora. The park boasts a myriad of species including 145 species of mammal, 500 species of bird, 114 reptiles and 1 982 species of plant. Several historical and ancient archaeological sites dot the park; testament to a varied history. Enjoy lunch in the park (own account). Exit the park at Malelane Gate, en-route to the Mthethomusha Game Reserve and in time for an evening open safari vehicle game drive followed by dinner at the lodge.

Overnight: Bongani Mountain Lodge. (Superior Room | BD)

Day 7 (Thursday):

MTHETHOMUSHA GAME RESERVE to ST LUCIA via SWAZILAND

After an early breakfast, guests travel to St Lucia via the Kingdom of Swaziland. Swaziland is one of two kingdoms in Southern Africa and the smallest country in Africa. This landlocked kingdom is named after the 19th century King Mswati II and is today still largely reliant on ancient cultural tradition. Guests enter Swaziland at Mananga border post and have the opportunity to interact with the friendly Swazi people during the lunch stop (own account) en-route. Exit Swaziland at the Lavumisa Border post and enter South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province in an area colloquially referred to as the Elephant Coast. This region is acclaimed for its towering mountains, the warm Indian Ocean, tropical vegetation and a myriad of animal species. In the late afternoon guests arrive at the hotel and have the opportunity to freshen up before pre-dinner drinks and dinner (both own account). Guests have the option of a night game excursion (own account). NOTE: When entering the Kingdom of Swaziland, guests must ensure they are in possession of a valid passport and for nationals of applicable countries, multi-entry visa regulations apply (own account)

Overnight: Elephant Lake Hotel. (Superior Room | B)

Day 8 (Friday):

ST LUCIA to DURBAN

Discover South Africa’s first World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, meaning ‘miracle and wonder’. The 332 000-hectare park contains 3 major lake systems, 8 interlinking ecosystems, 700-year-old fishing traditions, most of South Africa’s remaining swamp forests, Africa’s largest estuarine system, 525 bird species, 25 000 year-old coastal dunes (amongst the highest in the world) and is home to the biggest hippo and crocodile populations in the country. Before breakfast embark on an open safari vehicle and enjoy a game drive through iSimangaliso. Observe hippopotamus, crocodiles and an abundance of birds on an eco-friendly boat cruise on the estuary. Have lunch (own account) while taking in the lake-vista before departing for the city of Durban.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Edward. (Superior Room | B)

Day 9 (Saturday):

DURBAN to PORT ELIZABETH – flight (own account and own arrangements)

Breakfast is enjoyed at the hotel and the morning spent at leisure. Take a walk along the promenade or a ride on a Zulu rickshaw to the beachfront market (own account). Guests are collected from the hotel and transferred to King Shaka International Airport for a flight to Port Elizabeth (flight not included) and, on arrival, met and transferred to a city hotel. Dinner (own account) is served at the hotel or at a restaurant of choice.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Marine. (Superior Room | B)

Day 10 (Sunday):

PORT ELIZABETH to KNYSNA via TSITSIKAMMA FOREST

After breakfast the tour travels westwards towards Knysna, via Storm’s River and the beautiful Tsitsikamma Forest. The tour’s first stop is in Storm’s River. Guests enjoy a short walk to and along a suspension bridge over the Storm’s River mouth taking in the seascape and the wild surf. Enjoy lunch (own account) in the Tsitsikamma Forest area. The tour continues further westwards to the acclaimed town of Knysna. Arrive and check in before embarking on a sunset Knysna oyster cruise (weather permitting). This is an informative and interactive cruise that introduces guests to the culinary delights of the wild Knysna oyster. Enjoy dinner at one of many restaurants on the Knysna Estuary (own account).

Overnight: Protea Hotel Knysna Quays. (Superior Room | B)

Day 11 (Monday):

KNYSNA to PLETTENBERG BAY and back

After breakfast the tour departs for Plettenberg Bay or “Plett” as it is colloquially known. Board a boat at Lookout Beach and enjoy an ocean excursion (weather permitting) with an emphasis on conservation. This excursion gives guests the opportunity to see whales, dolphin and seals in their natural habitat. Return to shore and enjoy a relaxing lunch (own account). In the afternoon take a guided tour of the Qolweni Township, school and crèche. This community development programme channels allocated tour proceeds into the education of Qolweni’s children. Guests are invited to donate pencils, books and other stationary. Take a scenic drive back to Knysna and spend time at leisure. In the early evening enjoy dinner at one of many restaurants on the Knysna Waterfront.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Knysna Quays. (Superior Room | B)

Day 12 (Tuesday):

KNYSNA to OUDTSHOORN via WILDERNESS

The tour departs for Oudtshoorn, in the Klein Karoo, via Wilderness and the Outeniqua Pass. The first scenic stop is in Wilderness. Guests enjoy the photo opportunities and sweeping views from the ‘Map of Africa’ lookout point (weather permitting) before continuing on to Oudtshoorn via the Outeniqua Pass. Enjoy lunch (own account) on an ostrich farm in the Cango Valley, on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn, before taking an informative tour of the farm. Guests are exposed to the mechanics of the feather industry. Guests spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. A traditional dinner is served at the lodge.

Overnight: Surval Boutique Olive Estate. (Superior Room | BD)

Day 13 (Wednesday):

OUDTSHOORN to CAPE TOWN via ROUTE 62

The tour departs for Cape Town, via the Cango Caves, on the iconic Route 62. After breakfast, guests enjoy an olive farm tour. A tasting, paired with Protea Rose or juice, is offered in the orchard. The tour continues on to the Cango Caves. This 20 million-year-old cave system, an international treasure located in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, is 4 kilometres in length and includes an extensive system of tunnels and chambers. Departing the Cango Caves, the tour traces Route 62, the region’s iconic freeway. Traversing a varied topography, the unique splendour of the semi-arid Klein Karoo, dramatic mountain vistas and tranquil Winelands, Route 62’s claim as South Africa’s own ‘Mother Road’ is difficult to argue. Enjoy a traditional Witblits tasting (own account) and the sweeping views of the Tradouw Valley. Lunch is enjoyed en-route (own account). This leg of the tour ends, late afternoon, at a Cape Town hotel. Guests enjoy dinner at the hotel or a city restaurant (own account).

Overnight: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice Cape Town. (Superior Room | B)

Day 14 (Thursday):

CAPE POINT FULL DAY TOUR

Cape Town offers a wide range of activities, sites and excursions including iconic beaches, the enigmatic Table Mountain, an eclectic night life, a myriad of shopping venues and much more. After breakfast join a guided full day Cape Point tour. Travel along the Atlantic seaboard to Cape Point via Chapman’s Peak and the Cape Peninsula. Visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve; Boulders penguin colony (own account) and the internationally-recognized Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Enjoy dinner at one of many city restaurants (own account).

Overnight: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice Cape Town. (Superior Room | B)

Day 15 (Friday):

Full day private tour or Cape Town

Meet your guide in the lobby and proceed on a full day tour of Cape Town.

Highlights of your full day tour: Morning visit to Table mountain including the cable car ride (Weather permitting), Malay Quarter, South Africa Jewish Museum, Iziko South Africa Museum, The Castle of Good Hope.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice Cape Town. (Superior Room | B)

Day 16 (Saturday):

Morning free to self-explore

Afternoon private transfer to Cape Town Airport

International Flights – Cape Town to Johannesburg to USA

Overnight: En route. (B)

Day 17 (Sunday):

Arrive home