Grand Escorted Tour of South Africa

This wonderful and popular tour from Johannesburg to Cape Town begins with the spectacular natural wonder of Blyde River Canyon then the wilds of Kruger National Park. Explore the fascinating Kingdom of Swaziland & Zululand, and travel along South Africa’s Garden Route and the famous vineyards. Your trip ends with the wonderful sophistication of the city of Cape Town.

This tour can also be designed as a Self Drive Itinerary, please ask us for details.

Day 1: Blyde River Canyon (D)

Depart Johannesburg and travel to the ‘Land of the Rising Sun – Mpumalanga via the magnificent Panorama Route. The most spectacular stretch of the Panorama Route is the Blyde River Canyon. From many well-positioned vantage points one has a view of the 33km long gorge, which starts at “Bourke’s Luck Potholes” and ends at the “Three Rondavels”. Time and weather permitting, stop at God’s Window and the Mac Mac Falls. Late afternoon arrival at your hotel. Check in and freshen up before dinner.
Overnight: Perry’s Bridge Hollow or similar

Day 2: Kruger National Park (B/D)

Early this morning we depart on an open vehicle safari through the Kruger National Park. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. At nearly 2 million hectares, the reserve is the flagship of South African National Parks and is home to an impressive number of flora and fauna. Return to Pthe hotel in the afternoon and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Perry’s Bridge Hollow or similar

Day 3: Swaziland (B/L)

After breakfast, travel to the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland. This tiny mountainous kingdom is filled with bygone African traditions and culture and offers beautiful scenery and attractions such as game reserves and art & craft outlets to name a few. Enjoy a showcase of the traditional Swazi culture followed by lunch at the Matsamo Cultural Village. After spending some time at the Mbabane craft markets, arrive at your hotel, located in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley.
Overnight: Royal Swazi Sun or similar

Day 4: KwaZulu Natal (B/D)

Enjoy a morning visit to the Swazi Candle Factory where each candle is made and finished by hand using the age-old technique “millefiore”. Continue via Big Bend into KwaZulu Natal. Arrive at your hotel in the afternoon, in time to embark on an afternoon scenic drive up the Ubombo Mountains, offering views over Lake Jozini. At the summit and as the setting sun transforms the sky into a tapestry of colours, stop for sundowners. Return to the hotel.
Overnight: Ghost Mountain Inn or similar

Day 5: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve (B/D)

This morning is at leisure, with the option to go on a morning safari if you wish (on your own account). This afternoon you will transfer to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve for an afternoon of game viewing. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve covers a combined area of 90,000ha and it was here that the white rhino was saved from extinction. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Ghost Mountain Inn or similar

Day 6: St. Lucia / Durban (B)

Continue the journey along the Elephant Coast of KwaZulu Natal to St. Lucia, located at the southern extremity of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site. Here you embark on an estuarine boat trip which provides an opportunity to view crocodiles, hippo and numerous bird species. Continue to Durban, where east meets west; a city beneath which beats the pulse of Africa. Arrive during the afternoon at your hotel, located on Durban’s distinctive beach front.
Overnight: Protea Hotel Edward or similar

Day 7: Durban / Port Elizabeth (B)

This morning, we depart on a brief Durban City Tour. Spend the morning discovering the cultural and historical contrasts of the city. Check in at Durban International Airport for your afternoon domestic flight to Port Elizabeth (flight price not included). On arrival at Port Elizabeth Airport, we transfer to your hotel.
Overnight Radisson Blu Port Elizabeth or similar

Day 8: Tsitsikamma National Park / Plettenburg Bay (B/D)

Depart Port Elizabeth and travel via the coastline to the beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park. Described as the ‘garden of the Garden Route’, the Tsitsikamma actually deserves a more vivid description to encapsulate the beauty of the place. Enjoy a walk along the suspension bridge across the Storms River mouth gorge which offers visitors incredible views and photo opportunities. Continue to Plettenberg Bay for overnight.
Overnight: Hog Hollow or similar

Day 9: Knysna Elephant Park / Plettenburg Bay (B/D)

After breakfast, get up-close-and-personal with nature at the Knysna Elephant Park. With the help of the resident African elephants and the well-informed guides, you will learn about the sad and mystical story of the Knysna Elephants. After lunch (on own account), travel to Plettenberg Bay for a visit to Birds of Eden – the largest free-flight bird aviary in the world. Time permitting, you have the option of embarking on a Whale & Dolphin boat experience (weather permitting and on own account) before returning to the lodge.
Overnight: Hog Hollow or similar

Day 10: Knysna / Oudtshoorn (B/D)

After breakfast, proceed on an informative cruise up the Keurbooms River. Continue to the lagoon side town of Knysna – the gem of the Garden Route. Enjoy some time at leisure at the Knysna Waterfront Complex before travelling to Oudtshoorn – the ‘feather capital’ of the world due to its large ostrich industry. Visit a working ostrich farm for a guided tour. Check into your lodge in the late afternoon.
Overnight: De Opstal Country Lodge or similar

Day 11: Cango Caves / Cape Town (B)

After breakfast, enjoy a morning tour of the Cango Caves before departing Oudtshoorn. The Cango Caves are one of the natural wonders of the world and has become a major drawcard to the Karoo area. Afterward, travel via Route 62 to Barrydale for lunch (on own account). Arrive in Cape Town around 6pm.
Overnight: Pepper Club Luxury Hotel & Spa or similar

Day 12: Cape Point / Cape Town (B)

This morning you embark on a full day Cape Point & Peninsula Tour – an awe-inspiring tour passing magnificent beaches, breathtaking views and historic and picturesque coastal villages to the towering headland known as Cape Point. The tour ends upon return to your hotel, late afternoon. Overnight: Pepper Club Luxury Hotel & Spa or similar

Day 13: Cape Winelands Tour (B)

Today we embark on a full day Cape Winelands Tour. This is a delightful drive, which winds its way to the heart of the Cape Winelands through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads. Return to Cape Town late afternoon.
Overnight: Pepper Club Luxury Hotel & Spa or similar

Day 14: Cape Town / Departure (B)

Check-out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and enjoy a morning City Tour – a geographical and cultural extravaganza showing you Cape Town from its historical beginnings to the dazzling modern shopping malls of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Your Tour ends with drop-off at Cape Town International Airport.

This Tour departs Mondays from Johannesburg.
Self-Drive option from £1,275pp in a Group B Hire Car, please ask for more details.

Price includes:

• Accommodation as specified
• National Park Fees
• Private transfers throughout
• Meals and touring as specified in the itinerary
• B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

The Tour departs with a minimum of 2 people, maximum of 16.
Prices vary according to season and are per person based on two people sharing together. Please ask us for more details and exclusions.