Effortless South Africa is a 15 day / 14 night package tour by Jamela Africa Safaris

Day 1: Johannesburg to Mpumalanga
Upon your arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport a Representative will welcome you and hand over your travel documents to you. You will also be assisted with the collection of your rental vehicle. Our Representative will go through your travel documents with you and provide you with some self-drive tips and suggest places of interest that you might want to visit along your journey.

Spend two nights at your choice of the following hotels or guesthouses:
Rissington Inn, in a courtyard room (dinner, bed & breakfast)
Or Cybele Forest Lodge & Health Spa, in a garden cottage (bed & breakfast).

Overnight: Cybele Forest Lodge & Health Spa

Day 2: Mpumulanga
As you travel into the cool of the forest country, deeper and higher, far into the mountains you will find Cybele Forest Lodge and Health Spa. Set on three hundred acres of African paradise, The Lodge is a charming old farmhouse with a wide verandah where you can sip sundowners whilst looking out over the magnificent gardens. Let the world slip away as you watch the monkeys cavorting in the giant Turpentine Trees. Take in the cool violet of the Jacaranda, the shocking pink of the Tibouchina and the scarlet umbrella of the African Flame Tree.

Wander down to the large secluded swimming pool with its comfortable sun beds. Here you can relax and listen to the creaking of the Bluegum Trees in the forest breeze and breathe in the heady aromas of Frangipani, Gardenia and Buddleia. In striking contrast to the vivid colours and lush greenery of the garden, the interior of The Lodge is warm and inviting. Furnished throughout with antiques, original art and exquisite fabrics, the main house is a most relaxing place to read a book or to browse through one of the many current magazines from all over the world. Daydream on the verandah, or visit the Bar to enjoy a drink or a special cocktail before sampling the Lodge's legendary cuisine.

Optional extra activity - Helicopter Adventures:
Undoubtedly, the most spectacular way of experiencing the scenic highlights of South Africa, a helicopter flight is not to be missed. The helicopter can be chartered at any time during the day. Note that good clear weather conditions are essential. Bell Jetrangers, seating four passengers, are also an ideal way of viewing the area - in grand style! The selection of unforgettable helicopter adventures in Mpumalanga is world famous. Some of the tours on offer are as follows:

Mountain Magic - An exhilarating flight, that takes you where few men have ventured before. Swoop over deep and mysterious gorges, through lush valleys bursting with vegetation and colour; hover above roaring rivers and cascading waterfalls; continue through God's Window alongside the fascinating and dramatic rock formations of the Blyde River Canyon and the curious Three Rondavels. Descend, landing on a remote mountain with a breathtaking view over the Mpumalanga Lowveld. Enjoy a delicious breakfast, brunch or lunch accompanied by sparkling wine. Listen for the call of the Mountain Reedbuck, or watch an eagle soaring overhead. This is where rivers, mountains and indigenous forests come together.

Waterfall Wonder - A dramatic flight over the vast pine forests on the slopes of the Drakensberg to Graskop, God's Window, Lisbon and Berlin Falls. This is a shorter flight, but just as exhilarating!

Pilgrim's Pioneer - This flight allows you to experience helicopter flying and to marvel at the vastness of the forests; flying over many of the main attractions such as God's Window and Mac Mac Falls, then landing at Pilgrim's Rest, where you may have a drink at the historic Royal Hotel and explore the gold mining town before returning over some truly spectacular scenery.

Mac Mac and Back - Fly over the forests to Mac Mac Falls, returning down the river valley. This overview of the area provides great photographic opportunities. This shorter flight is available when the helicopter is already in the area and is taken before or after one of the other adventures described. Prices for flights, where the helicopter has to be called in specifically, are available on request.

Winged Safari - As the call of the Bushveld beckons lift off from the Lodge by helicopter and fly a few hundred feet above the trees into the heart of Africa. Land at a remote clearing carved out of the bush and you will have arrived at one of Africa's top private game reserves. An open Land Rover and a qualified game ranger await you. This is Big 5 country - Leopard, Lion, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo. Your knowledgeable game ranger and tracker will offer you a fascinating insight into the natural habitats of smaller mammals, birds and reptiles on the way. As the magical drive draws to a close, you are left with a deep and lasting impression of the magnificence of Africa's wildlife. This is where wildlife, the bush and ecology interact. This is the real Africa! After your game drive, enjoy a delicious breakfast at the game lodge. The flight back to your hotel will happen after breakfast.

Overnight: Cybele Forest Lodge

Day 3: Mpumulanga to Sabi Sand Game Reserve
After breakfast depart for the safari experience of a lifetime. Spend two nights at your choice of the following Private Game Lodges:
Kirkman’s Kamp in a cottage, fully inclusive basis (three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local branded spirits and beers, teas and coffees, two game drives daily in open safari vehicles, refreshments on game drives, one hour nature walks subject to availability and accompanied by experienced and armed trackers, laundry and emergency medical evacuation insurance).
Or Exeter Dulini Lodge, in a suite, fully inclusive basis (three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local branded spirits and beers, teas and coffees, two game drives daily in open safari vehicles, refreshments on game drives, one hour nature walks subject to availability and accompanied by experienced and armed trackers, laundry and emergency medical evacuation insurance).

Overnight: Exeter Dulini Lodge

Day 4: Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Game drives at Exeter are made memorable not only by frequent sightings of Africa’s Big Five, but also because this exclusive western property of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve borders the Kruger National Park. Its habitats are home to an extraordinary range of wildlife and bird species.

Overnight: Exeter Dulini Lodge

Day 5: Sabi Sands Game Reserve to Swaziland
Depart for the Kingdom of Swaziland, rich in cultural attractions and scenic beauty. Spend one night at Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge, in a standard en-suite room (dinner, bed & breakfast basis).

Overnight: Reilly’s Rock Hilltop

Day 6: Swaziland to KwaZulu Natal
The journey now travels through Swaziland and back into South Africa, into the province of KwaZulu Natal. Spend two nights at your choice of the following game lodges:
Zululand Tree Lodge, in a standard room, full board basis (three meals, two scheduled game drives per day and bush walks).
Or Phinda Private Game Reserve, at either Mountain Lodge or Forest Lodge, in a suite, fully inclusive basis (three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local branded spirits and beers, teas and coffees, two game drives daily in open safari vehicles, refreshments on game drives, one hour nature walks subject to availability and accompanied by experienced and armed trackers, laundry and emergency medical evacuation insurance).

Overnight: Phinda Forest Lodge

Day 7: KwaZulu Natal
Twice daily interpretive game drives, nature walks, riverboat cruises and canoe trips along the Mzinene River are enjoyed at no additional cost. As Phinda is close to the Indian Ocean, several optional beach-related adventures are also on offer, from scuba diving and deep-sea fishing to spectacular air safaris.

Overnight: Phinda Forest Lodge

Day 8: KwaZulu Natal
Depart for Durban. Spend one night at your choice of the following hotels:
Garden Court Marine Parade, in a standard room (bed & breakfast basis).
Or Beverly Hills Hotel, in a standard room (bed & breakfast basis).

Overnight: Beverly Hills Hotel

Day 9: KwaZulu Natal to Garden Route
Drive to Durban Airport for your scheduled flight to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape (flight excluded). Pick up a rental car at the airport and begin the Garden Route section of your tour.

Spend two nights at your choice of the following hotels or guesthouses:
The Graywood Hotel (Knysna), in a timber log room (bed & breakfast basis).
Or The Plettenberg Hotel (Plettenberg Bay), in a standard room (bed & breakfast basis).

Overnight: The Plettenberg Hotel

Day 10: Garden Route
Day at leisure in the Garden Route.

Optional activities:
Ferry cruise on Knysna Lagoon
Visit to Tsisikamma Forest
Featherbed Nature Reserve
Monkeyland
Dolphin cruise

Overnight: The Plettenberg Hotel

Day 11: Garden Route to Oudsthoorn
Travel inland over the majestic Outeniqua Mountains to Oudtshoorn. Spend one night at your choice of the following hotels or guesthouses:
De Opstal, in a standard room (bed & breakfast basis).
Or Rosenhof Country House, in a standard room (dinner, bed & breakfast basis).

Overnight: Rosenhof Country House

Day 12: Oudtshoorn
Day at leisure in Oudtshoorn.

Optional activities:
Cango Caves
Ostrich farm
Outeniqua Choo Choo train

Overnight: Rosenhof Country House

Day 13: Oudtshoorn to Cape Town
Depart Oudtshoorn and travel to Cape Town. Spend three nights at your choice of the following hotels:
Park Inn Greenmarket Square Hotel, in a standard room (bed & breakfast basis).
Or The Twelve Apostles Hotel, in a mountain facing room (bed & breakfast basis).

Overnight: The Twelve Apostles Hotel

Day 14: Cape Town
Day at leisure in Cape Town.

Optional day tours available on request:
Cape Point and Penguin colony
WInelands
Township tour and boat trip to Robben Island
City tour and Table Mountain
Whales in Hermanus (seasonl Jul-Nov)
Shark cage dive Gansbaai
Deep sea fishing safari

Overnight: The Twelve Apostles Hotel

Day 15: Cape Town
Today it is time to depart Cape Town. Drop off your rental car at Cape Town Airport before connecting with your flight home. Tour ends.