African Blue Tours

14 day A World in One Country (JHB-CT)

At a Glance

• Tour duration: 14 days / 13 nights
• Group size: 2 to 25 people per tour
• Tour departs from: Johannesburg
• Price: From R41500 to R45300 per person

Tour Highlights

• Panorama Route
• Kruger National Park
• Swaziland
• Cruise on Lake St Lucia
• Tsitsikamma forest
• Ostrich farm at Oudtshoorn
• Cango caves
• Garden Route
• Cape Peninsula
• Cape winelands

Suitable for those interested in Cultural, Sightseeing, Wildlife

Itinerary

1. DAY 1: Johannesburg

   Touch down at OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the magnificent suburban shopping malls or take an optional afternoon Soweto Tour (own account). At 19h00 we all meet up at reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet your fellow travellers.

   OVERNIGHT: Protea Hotel Wanderers or similar

2. DAY 2: Pretoria to Mpumalanga

   Depart by 08h30 and leave Johannesburg’s distinctive skyline and head for Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city, for a short orientation tour, before continuing to Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. We travel via the historic towns of Dullstroom and Lydenburg, on to your accommodation for the evening which is situated on the famous Long Tom Pass .
   The afternoon is at leisure to take in the panoramic views across the escarpment or to participate in one of the many activities such as mountain biking, hiking or trout fishing (activity costs for own account) which are on offer at the hotel.

   OVERNIGHT: Perry’s Bridge Boutique Hotel

3. DAY 3: Panorama Route

   This morning gasp at the glory that is God’s Window, a boundless view of forested mountains and fertile plains, and we explore Bourke’s Luck Potholes. After lunch (own account) we enjoy a leisurely interpretive boat cruise along the lush subtropical banks of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa. View Africa’s largest active tufa falls as well as the famous Three Rondavels.

   OVERNIGHT: Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel or similar

4. DAY 4: Kruger National Park

   Set off before breakfast in an open safari vehicle in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard, and all manner of wondrous wildlife, birds and plant species. Savour the magic of this enormous wilderness. We return to Hazyview around lunch time and you have the afternoon at leisure.

   OVERNIGHT: Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel or similar

5. DAY 5: Kingdom of Swaziland

   Enjoy an enchanting drive to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, a former British Protection Territory, now ruled by King MsWati III. An interactive cultural experience introduces us to the charming people of Swaziland and their traditions. We continue through the capital city, Mbabane, and on to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley.

   OVERNIGHT: Royal Swazi Spa or similar

6. DAY 6: The Kingdom of the Zulu's to Umfolozi

   We start the day with a true African shopping experience at the vibrant Ezulwini Craft Market which is packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings. Then on into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. We arrive mid-afternoon at our hotel in the Umfolozi.

   OVERNIGHT: Anew Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris

7. DAY 7: Umfolozi to Durban

   This morning we will join a cruise on Lake St Lucia (depending on favourable weather conditions) before
   departing for Durban. Our journey takes us past traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar
   cane fields. We arrive early afternoon and the remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the golden
   beaches of the Indian Ocean. Overnight in Durban (Umhlanga).

   OVERNIGHT: Protea Hotel by Marriott Durban Umhlanga or similar

8. DAY 8: Port Elizabeth to Knysna

   After breakfast, transfer to Durban (Umhlanga) airport for the short southward flight to Port Elizabeth, (cost of flight not included).
   
   We will be met by our guide, a local area expert, and once everyone has arrived, we set off to explore the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park. Here we are treated to stunning coastal scenery and can truly appreciate the wild, natural beauty of the indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River mouth.
   
   Late this afternoon we arrive in Knysna, South Africa’s most scenic and oft-visited towns, in the heart of the famous Garden Route.
   
   Overnight in Knysna.

   OVERNIGHT: Aha Rex Hotel or similar

9. DAY 9: Knysna

   After a leisurely breakfast we’ll enjoy a lagoon cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve (weather permitting), see the looming sandstone ‘Heads’ which guard the sea entrance to Knysna’s huge tidal lagoon, and the forests, marshes and white, wind-swept beaches beyond.
   
   After lunch we have the remainder of the day at leisure, to enjoy and explore this beautiful, relaxing town.

   OVERNIGHT: Aha Rex Hotel or similar

10. DAY 10: Knysna to Oudtshoorn

    Today we take the spiralling Outeniqua Pass en route to Oudtshoorn, known as the Ostrich capital of the world, so named because it’s the centre of South Africa’s ostrich industry. We’ll visit an Ostrich Farm for a guided tour and light lunch before heading for the base of the Swartberg mountains.
    
    We then head underground for a fascinating tour of the Cango Caves, with their dark, low ceilinged tunnels and huge open caverns.
    
    We will arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon, in time to check in and relax before dinner (for own account).
    
    Overnight in Oudtshoorn.

    OVERNIGHT: Hlangana Lodge or similar

11. DAY 11: Oudtshoorn to Cape Town

    There is an option (for own account and subject to availability) to enjoy an early morning Meerkat Safari. Witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities (weather permitting). After this thrilling experience, head back for a delicious breakfast.
    
    After breakfast, the journey continues through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale, where you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom learning more about the local farming community, before travelling to Montagu, a picturesque and historic spa town. (The school visit is subject to the school being open). Continue to Franschhoek, a picturesque village surrounded by spectacular vineyards, where French Huguenots settled more than 300 years ago, bringing with them their age-old French wine and food culture.
    
    From here you will be transferred to Cape Town, spectacularly set at the foot of Table Mountain.
    
    Overnight in Cape Town

    OVERNIGHT: President Hotel or similar

12. DAY 12: Cape Peninsula to Cape Town

    Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join a sightseeing tour to Table Mountain (own account) or simply explore the city. Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafes and restaurants as well as colourful craft markets. Alternatively relax on one of Cape Town’s many pristine beaches.
    
    Enjoy an evening of delicious Cape food, captivating theatre and entertaining tales and songs about the people of the Cape.
    
    Overnight in Cape Town

    OVERNIGHT: President Hotel or similar

13. DAY 13: Cape Winelands to Cape Town

    Enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery's in the world. Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay (where you can enjoy an optional and for own account seal island boat cruise) and then on to Cape Point with views of the famous Cape of Good Hope, the most south western point of Africa.
    
    We’ll return to Cape Town by way of Simon Town, where we visit the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee for own account), Fish Hoek fishing village and Muizenberg.

    OVERNIGHT: President Hotel or similar

14. DAY 14: Cape Town to Cape Town

    This brings us to the end of our ‘World in One Country’. Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

    TOUR ENDS

Note

Departure every sunday. Pick up at the Tambo International Airport to your hotel. ±19h00 briefing at the reception.

Pax.: 2-25 guests per vehicle, mostly smaller groups.

The internal flight between Durban and Port Elizabeth is not included. Please book flights to depart Durban (Umhlanga) before 09h00. Tour departs from Port Elizabeth between 10h00-10h30 on Day 8. Guests are recommended to book flight SA1334 departing at around 08h30 to arrive in Port Elizabeth at around 09h45. Any guests arriving after 10h30 will need to arrange for a transfer to join the group in Knysna. Visa conditions apply for Swaziland and passports are required.