African Blue Tours

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

At a Glance

• Tour duration: 3 days / 2 nights
• Group size: 2 to 25 people per tour
• Tour departs from: Johannesburg
• Price: From R39300 to R52700 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: Protea Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris

7. DAY 7: Umfolozi to Durban

   This morning enjoy a cruise on Lake St Lucia before departing for Durban. Hug the lush KwaZulu-Natal coastline en route to Durban, watching the sugar cane fields do their own version of the Mexican wave at the urging of the wind. We arrive into Durban early afternoon and the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure, to enjoy the golden beaches and warm waters of the Indian Ocean or take a stroll along the lively promenade

   OVERNIGHT: Protea Hotel Edward or similar

8. DAY 8: Port Elizabeth to Knysna

   We enjoy breakfast before being collected and transferred to the airport for a morning flight (cost of flight not included) to Port Elizabeth.
   We will be met by our new tour director and once everyone has arrived, we set off to explore the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park. Here we are treated to magnificent coastal views and to soak up the beauty of the glorious, indigenousTsitsikamma Forest. Late this afternoon we arrive in Knysna, perhaps South Africa’s most visually stunning resort, in the heart of the famous Garden Route.

   OVERNIGHT: Knysna Hollow Country Estate or similar

9. DAY 9: Knysna

   Cruise on the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve . Enjoy an amazing view of the imposing sandstone ‘Heads’ which guard the sea entrance to Knysna’s huge tidal lagoon, and the forests, marshes and pristine beaches beyond. After lunch we have the remainder of the day at leisure, to enjoy this lovely and special town.

   OVERNIGHT: Knysna Hollow Country Estate or similar

10. DAY 10: Knysna to Oudtshoorn

    This morning we enjoy the wonderful views of the spectacular Outeniqua Pass en route to Oudtshoorn, the ‘feather capital of the world’, so named because it’s the centre of South Africa’s ostrich industry. After lunch, which features Ostrich Steak on the menu, we learn more about these hardy, enigmatic creatures during a tour of an ostrich farm. We then head underground for a fascinating tour of the Cango Caves, one of South Africa’s most incredible natural wonders.

    OVERNIGHT: Queens Hotel or similar

11. DAY 11: Oudtshoorn to Cape Town

    This is a day of magnificent vistas. Enjoy the ever-changing passing canvas as we travel to Cape Town. During the whale season we will travel via the seaside village of Hermanus in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the southern right whales, which frolic offshore (July to November only). Out of season we will return to Cape Town along ‘Route 62’, South Africa’s version of America’s 'Route 66'.

    OVERNIGHT: Protea Hotel President or similar

12. DAY 12: Cape Peninsula to Cape Town

    A full day touring of the ruggedly beautiful Cape Peninsula winding our way through some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. We stop at the fishing village of Hout Bay, where you can opt to take a cruise (own account) to Seal Island to watch the antics of these natural performers. Then we continue to the Cape Point
    Nature Reserve, before stopping off to see the lovable penguins at Boulders Beach. We drive through the quaint naval village of Simon’s Town on our way back to Cape Town.

    OVERNIGHT: Protea Hotel President or similar

13. DAY 13: Cape Winelands to Cape Town

    We journey into the beautiful and tranquil Cape Winelands, visiting both Paarl and Stellenbosch before stopping for wine tasting at two well-known estates. Visits to the Huguenot Memorial Museum and the Afrikaans Language Monument provide a historical perspective.

    OVERNIGHT: Protea Hotel President 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.