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The Grand South African Adventure - Detailed Information

DAY 1

On arrival in Johannesburg, an expert driver/guide, who will privately transfer you to your northern suburbs hotel, will meet you. Enjoy a half-day Rebirth of a Nation Tour consisting of Johannesburg city sightseeing, Nelson Mandela Bridge, Newtown and Constitution Hill. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Melrose Arch Hotel or similar bed and breakfast basis

DAY 2

Depart from Johannesburg and travel to the 'Province of the Rising Sun', Mpumalanga, via the historic towns of Witbank, Dullstroom and Lydenburg. Travel over the famous Long Tom Pass on to the small town of Sabie. Visit the Lone Creek Waterfalls before arriving at your elegant hideaway. Enjoy a delectable dinner that can only be described as a 'culinary masterpiece'. Lone Creek River Lodge (River Suites) or similar dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 3

Enjoy a full English breakfast on the verandah overlooking the Sabie River before departing via Pilgrim's Rest to the breathtaking Panorama Route featuring the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, God's Window and Lisbon Waterfalls. Proceed to the exclusive private game lodge, arriving in time for high tea. Late afternoon game drive in an open safari vehicle with an experienced ranger and tracker who will endeavor to spoil you with sightings of the 'Big Five'. Enjoy a safari style bush dinner under the stars (weather permitting). Sabi Sabi Game Lodge or similar dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 2 game viewing activities

DAY 4

An early morning bush walk or game drive. After brunch leave for the Kruger National Park. Established in 1898, this National Park of over 2 million hectares is unrivalled in the diversity of its flora and fauna. Leave the Kruger Park and continue onward to the Kingdom of Swaziland, visiting the capital city of Mbabane. Visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory with a late afternoon arrival at the luxury hotel situated in the majestic Ezulwini Valley. Fine dining and an evening of entertainment and excitement awaits you. Royal Swazi Sun Hotel and Casino or similar dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 5

After a sumptuous breakfast, visit a typical Swazi Market and the Swazi candle factory. Travel through pineapple plantations and beautiful mountainous scenery, leave Swaziland and proceed to the next exclusive private game lodge. After high tea, set out on an afternoon game drive in an open safari vehicle. Experienced game rangers and trackers are sure to enthrall you with the best game viewing this private reserve has to offer. Enjoy a truly African cultural experience and bush dinner (weather permitting) before retiring to your luxurious villa. Thanda Private Game Reserve or similar dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 2 game viewing activities.

DAY 6

Enjoy an early morning game drive. After brunch, travel to St Lucia, a World Heritage Site. Set out on a river cruise over the estuary known as 'birder's paradise'. Here pelicans, fish eagles, hippos and crocodiles may be seen. Drive through sugar cane plantations along the Indian Ocean seaboard toward the bustling city of Durban where the day concludes at a luxurious resort hotel in Durban's pristine North coast. Zimbali Lodge or similar bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 7

Enjoy a full day at leisure. This jewel in the crown of KwaZulu-Natal's pristine coastline offers its guests the opportunity to relax or explore. The hotel itself is sheer luxury and provides a myriad contexts for relaxation. For the ultimate in self-indulgence, treat yourself to a day soaking up the sun and enjoying the beaches of the warm Indian Ocean. Zimbali Lodge - bed and breakfast basis

DAY 8

Morning at leisure followed by a private transfer to Durban International Airport for the scheduled flight to Port Elizabeth (not included). You are met on arrival in Port Elizabeth and transferred to the hotel. Protea Hotel Marine (Loft Wing) or similar bed and breakfast basis

DAY 9

Departing Port Elizabeth, enter the Garden Route via the high forests of the Tsitsikama Mountains. Spectacular scenery awaits you as we cross the bridge over the Storms River where photographic opportunities abound. Attractions to be visited through the Tsitsikama Forest area include the Big Tree and the suspension bridge over Storms River mouth where we will take a meal stop (not included). Continue to Nature's Valley and enjoy a short stroll on the beach. Travel to the 'millionaires playground' of Plettenberg Bay to the exclusive hotel with its spectacular views. Enjoy a superb dinner served in the dinning room or terrace (weather permitting). The Plettenberg or similar - dinner, bed and breakfast basis

DAY 10

After breakfast, depart on a fascinating ocean safari adventure where various whales, dolphins, penguins and seals can be seen in their natural habitat (weather and sea conditions permitting). Between noon and early afternoon, relax and enjoy a meal option of your choice (not included). After lunch, enjoy a hard earned lazy afternoon at the hotel, around the pool or soaking up the sun on the spectacular beach. For those interested in Knysna, your driver/guide will perform an afternoon excursion to the 'oyster capital' where you can stroll along the Knysna waterfront and observe the famous heads from the top of the eastern Knysna Head. Here, spectacular panoramic views of the lagoon may also be enjoyed. In the early evening, freshen up for an elegantly presented and sumptuous dinner. The Plettenberg or similar - dinner, bed and breakfast basis

DAY 11

After breakfast, start the day with a scenic drive through Knysna, Wilderness, Dolphin Point and George. Continue over the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn. Time permitting; an optional extra tour of the Crocodile and Cheetah Park is available. The remainder of the afternoon is spent visiting the Cango Caves for a fully guided tour. After returning to the hotel, enjoy a hearty dinner served in the elegant dining room famous for its ostrich fare and fine wines. Rosenhof Country House or similar dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 12

After an early breakfast, our journey to Cape Town begins. Leaving the Klein Karoo, visit the towns of Calitzdorp and Barrydale where the true diversity of landscape is highlighted through the ever-changing semi-desert areas. Traverse the famous 'Route 62', passing through the towns of Roberston and on to Worcester via Montagu. The day ends with the first glimpse of Table Mountain, from the top of Du Toit's Kloof Pass and drop off at your hotel or at Cape Town International Airport.