The South African Explorer (CT - JHB) is a 14 day / 13 night package tour by African Blue Tours & Travel

Day 1: Cape Town
On arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met by a professional guide and transferred to the hotel in Tamboerskloof. Afternoon at leisure for shopping at the Waterfront.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice or similar - bed and breakfast basis

Day 2: Cape Town
Full Day Cape Highlights tour (English only). This full day tour includes: Camps Bay; Hout Bay; Chapman's Peak (subject to the road being open); the Cape of Good Hope Reserve; Simonstown; Muizenberg; one wine tasting of South African wines at a local wine estate; the University town of Stellenbosch.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice or similar - bed and breakfast basis

Day 3: Cape Town to Wilderness
Depart Cape Town driving over Du Toit’s Kloof Pass to the town of Robertson. Pass Montagu, a quaint country village and enjoy a wine tasting en-route. This is followed by a traditional South African lunch (included) in Barrydale. After lunch, our journey to the beautiful Wilderness continues, visiting the Diaz Museum in Mossel Bay. Dinner (not included) is available at the hotel or at one of the nearby restaurants.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Wilderness Resort or similar - bed and breakfast basis including lunch

Day 4: Wilderness
From your hotel in Wilderness, travel to the Knysna Waterfront and embark on the Featherbed Nature Reserve ferry. On arrival we take a ‘Unimog’ (tractor driven wagon) ride to the top of the western head. An optional hike can be taken through the indigenous Knysna forest to the restaurant area where lunch (included) is served. Upon returning to Knysna, enjoy an interactive elephant experience. Return to Wilderness via a scenic sightseeing drive in the late afternoon.Dinner (not included) is available at the hotel or at one of the nearby restaurants.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Wilderness Resort or similar - bed and breakfast basis including lunch

Day 5: Wilderness
Experience the stunning views of the Outeniqua Pass as we travel towards the Klein Karoo’s capital - Oudtshoorn. Here we visit the Safari Ostrich Ranch for a guided tour and traditional ostrich lunch (included). After lunch, visit the Cango Caves, where a guided tour allows us to explore the ancient stalagmites and stalactites. En-route back to Wilderness, visit endangered animals at the Cango Wildlife Ranch. Dinner (not included) is available at the hotel or at one of the nearby restaurants.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Wilderness Resort or similar - bed and breakfast basis including lunch

Day 6: Wilderness to Port Elizabeth
Depart along the Garden Route, passing through Sedgefield, Knysna, South Africa’s ‘oyster capital’ and Plettenberg Bay. Attractions in the Tsitsikamma Forest area include the Big Tree and the scenic Storms River Mouth. Your tour ends in Port Elizabeth with an afternoon drop off at your hotel.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Marine or similar - bed and breakfast basis

Day 7: Port Elizabeth to Durban
Morning at leisure, semi-private transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport for flight to Durban (not included). Semi-private transfer from Durban International Airport to your hotel.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Umhlanga or similar - bed and breakfast basis

Day 8: Durban
Optional full day tour of Shakaland.
Depart Durban and travel to Eshowe and the authentic Zulu Kraal of Shakaland. Feel the pulsating rhythm of Africa as you re-live the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus. Experience the sight of assegaai wielding warriors, share the fascinating secrets of Sangomas and witness traditional customs such as tribal dancing, spear making and the beer making ceremony. Traditional Zulu lunch will be served. For those not taking the tour, enjoy the day at leisure. Please note that this excursion is not included in the package price.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Umhlanga or similar - bed and breakfast basis

Day 9: Durban to Hluhluwe
Morning departure from your hotel in Durban, travelling north through KwaZulu-Natal towards St. Lucia, visit iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site (previously known as The Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park). Enjoy a river cruise on the estuary and view prolific wetlands bird life, fish eagles, hippo and crocodiles. Enjoy a game drive in your closed vehicle through the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Arrive at your Maputaland game reserve late afternoon. Dinner will be served under the African sky (weather permitting).

Overnight: Ubizane Game Reserve or similar - dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 1 game viewing activity

Day 10: Hluhluwe to Hazyview
After an early breakfast, travel via the town of Mkuze and enter the Kingdom of Swaziland. Travel via the Lebombo Mountains through north eastern Swaziland. Re-enter South Africa and travel through Kruger National Park to arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon. Relax and enjoy dinner in the elegant dining room.

Overnight: Casa Do Sol Hotel or similar - dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Day 11: Hazyview to Kruger National Park
Breakfast early and enter the world famous Kruger National Park established in 1898. This national park spans over two million hectares in unrivalled diversity of flora and fauna. Spend the day in search of the Big 5, general wildlife and prolific bird life. Exit the park at Orpen Gate and arrive at your private game lodge for afternoon tea. Enjoy an evening game drive in an open safari vehicle. Return to the lodge for dinner.

Overnight: Makalali Private Game Reserve or similar - dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 2 game viewing activities

Day 12: Kruger National Park to Sabie
Early morning game drive followed by breakfast. Experience the breathtaking Panorama Route featuring the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels, Bourke's Luck Potholes and God's Window. Continue to the quaint mining town of Pilgrim's Rest, Mac Mac Waterfalls and Sabie. A dinner at the lodge completes the day.

Overnight: Lone Creek River Lodge (Timber Cottages) or similar - dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Day 13: Sabie to Johannesburg
After a hearty breakfast on the veranda overlooking the Sabi River, our journey to Johannesburg begins with a visit to the Lone Creek Waterfall. Travel over the historic Long Tom Pass to the towns of Lydenburg, Dullstroom and Witbank. Drop off at your hotel.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Wanderers or similar - bed and breakfast basis

Day 14: Johannesburg
Enjoy a morning tour of Soweto (English only), including a fascinating glimpse of bustling neighbourhood life, two Nobel Prizewinners' previous residences, the Hector Peterson memorial and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

Return to your hotel by lunchtime and continue on a private transfer to OR Tambo International Airport in time for your homebound flight.