Magnificent South Africa
23 days / 22 nights Cape Town – Oudtshoorn – Knysna - Port Elizabeth – Swaziland - Kruger National Park - Victoria Falls - Pretoria
BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF OUR POPULAR TOURS, WHICH CAN BE MODIFIED AND ENHANCED TO MEET YOUR PERSONAL INTERESTS AND REQUIREMENTS.
DAY 1 - 2: CAPE TOWN On arrival at Cape Town International airport, you will be welcomed by one of Finding Africa representative who will provide you all the documents necessary for your journey. Spend the two days visiting the Mother Cities famous attractions such as Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Castle of Good Hope, Bo-Kaap, the Company Garden, National South African Museum, Green Market Square, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Point, Simons Town and Robben Island. DAY 3: CAPE TOWN PENINSULA We suggest that you spend one of your days discovering the magnificent Cape peninsula, which is known as one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the region with picturesque landscapes, historical coastal villages and beaches. Commence your journey in Hout Bay’s harbour, where you can take a ferry to Duiker Island and visit its seal colony (weather permitting). When open to the public, drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive, which offers a spectacular scenic drive along a mountain pass above the sea cliffs. This road will take you to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, the southern most tip of the peninsula. Continue your drive to Boulders Beach on the southern False Bay coast, which is famous for its thriving colony of 3000 Jackass penguins. And the tour is not complete without a visit to Simon’s Town (founded in 1741 and now the principal South African Naval base). DAY 4: CAPE WINELANDS Spend the day in the Cape winelands discovering the rich countryside of the region. Start your tour with a visit to the town of Franschhoek, also known as the “French Corner”, gourmet capital of South Africa. Situated between magnificent valleys and wine estates, it is the ideal place to wander in the streets and take the opportunity to have a look at the numerous art galleries, art shops and antique stores, as well as some of the most well known restaurants in the country. Visit some of the many world class wine estates along the Stellenbosch Wine Route and sample their produce at informal wine tastings. DAY 5: SWELLENDAM While you are travelling along the R62 towards the semi-desert landscape of the Little Karoo, you will pass through the Port Wine region of Calitzdorp. We suggest that you stop and experience a port tasting at one of the port wine estates along the route. Continue along Route 62 towards Swellendam by travelling through Barrydale and Tradouw's Pass. Swellendam is a small historical town established in 1745 at the foot of the Langeberg mountains. Visit its historical and cultural Drostdy Museum, which served as seat of the Magistrate for 100 years until 1846. DAY 6: OUDTSHOORN Continue your journey along the famous R 62 to the “Ostrich Capital” of South Africa, the town of Oudtshoorn, surrounded by the majestic Outeniqua Mountains in the South and the mighty Swartberg in the North. Visit the Safari Ostrich Farm where you will lean about these large flightless birds and their behaviour. Visit the renowned Cango Caves, regarded as one of South Africa’s greatest natural wonders. Although the extensive system of tunnels and chambers go on for over four kilometers, about a quarter of this is open to visitors, who can view the caves on guided tours. The caves contain spectacular halls and grand limestone formations as well as some rather small passages on the Adventure Tour. DAYS 7 & 8: KNYSNA Knysna is a town of exquisite beauty, with landscapes marrying the oceans, mountains and valleys, which are covered in Fynbos. Knysna nestles around a lagoon and estuary, provides an ideal habitat for the cultivation of oysters. The town offers many art shops, tantalizing restaurants and a bustling Waterfront. Take a ferry from the Knysna Waterfront on a unique eco-experience along the lagoon and estuary, towards the western side of the Knysna Heads, where the privately owned Featherbed Nature Reserve is located. You will have the opportunity to do a 4x4 drive up the steep slopes to reach some of the most spectacular views that Knysna has to offer, the mountains and the ocean. DAY 9: PORT ELIZABETH After an early breakfast you will depart towards Tsitsikamma situated in the Eastern Cape province. Be sure to visit Monkeyland, “Birds of Eden” and for adventure seekers The Bloukrans River Bridge, where you can do the world highest bungee-jumping (216 m). One can also visit Stormsriver Adventures, which takes you on a Canopy Tour of the Tsitsikamma National Park – famous for its indigenous Yellowwood forest. Thereafter, carry on towards Port Elizabeth. Check-in at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day wandering along Marine Drive, enjoying the atmosphere of the beaches, shops and restaurants. DAY 10: DURBAN Durban is the principal urban centre of KwaZulu Natal, situated on the East Coast of South Africa. During your stay in Durban, activities such visiting the historical monuments, a walk along the 6 km beachfront, known as the Golden Mile, can be enjoyed. We suggest that you visit the uShaka Marine World, one of the top aquariums in South Africa. Here you will also be able to see many displays of penguins, dolphins and seals. There are many water park activities to be enjoyed. DAY 11: PONGOLA Pongola is situated between the Swaziland border and the Pongolo River, in the Mpumalanga Province. This town was developed around the irrigation scheme started here during the depression years of the early 1930s. DAYS 12 & 13: SWAZILAND Head towards the border post of Lavumisa to enter the Kingdom of Swaziland, the second smallest kingdom in Africa and one of three ruling monarchies left in Africa. Visit the Candle Factory in Malkerns Valley, Guava Gallery (the only manufacturing jeweler in Swaziland, their designs are unique and created from a diversity of material such as gold, silver, elephant and giraffe hairs, and stainless steel.) and the Ngwenya Glass factory. This well known African glass factory produces each object by hand. You will be able to watch the glassblowers in action and follow the whole process from blowing to polishing. DAYS 14 & 15: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK Kruger is undoubtedly the flagship of the South African National Parks and is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. With a little luck you will see the Big Five (elephant, black rhinoceros, buffalo, leopard and lion). Stay at a luxury bush lodge, observe the animal in their natural habitat at dawn and at dusk on 4x4 game drives DAYS 16 & 17: WHITE RIVER Drive along the impressive Panorama Route, stopping at the Mac Mac Falls and pools. Later moving on to the spectacular view, known as "God’s Window”. Stop at the Bourke's Luck Potholes, this phenomenon was caused by the gravel-laden water and other abrasive materials that have sculptured the rock and have formed potholes. End the Panorama Route with the sightseeing of the Blyde River Canyon and admire the "Rondawels", three huge cylindrical rocks that rise from the top of the farthest Canyon wall. On your way back to White River, take time to stop at Pilgrim's Rest, South Africa’s oldest mining town, which has been proclaimed a national monument. DAYS 18 - 20: VICTORIA FALLS – ZAMBIA After your breakfast, drive to Nelspruit airport where you will drop your car off and take your flight towards Livingstone (Zambia) with a stopover in Johannesburg. During your stay, we suggest you take a guided tour to discover the famous Victoria Falls. These falls form a huge curtain of water over 100 meters high, which dump 550 million gallons of water every minute. This natural phenomenon, discovered by Dr. David Livingstone, gives rise to many local legends and stories. One can partake of the many activities on offer at Victoria Falls, such as: white water rafting, fishing, gorge swinging, helicopter trips, a tour of the Mukuni village, game drives, and many others. DAY 21: PRETORIA In the morning, you will be transferred to Livingstone airport where you will take a flight to Johannesburg. On your arrival you will depart for a guided city tour of the capital of South Africa, Pretoria. Also known as the "Jacaranda City", Pretoria is famous for its colourful gardens and streets, especially in September when some 80 000 Jacaranda trees flourish and give the city a purple hue. The tour includes visits to the Voortrekker Monument, Church Square, Kruger House, Union Building, which houses the offices of the State President. You will then be transferred to your accommodation, where you will have dinner and spend the night. DAY 22: JOHANNESBURG Take a guided tour of the Sterkfontein Caves which were discovered in 1896 when the Italian Guigimo Martinaglia, who was searching for lime and gold, blasted his way into the caves. This place is now regarded as one of the world's most important archeological sites and was recently proclaimed a World Heritage Site known as the “Cradle of Humankind”. Afterwards you will leave for Gold Reef City which was built around the original No.14 shaft of Crown Mines. The guided tour includes an underground visit 220 meters below the surface, a gold pour and tribal dancing, providing the visitor with an in-depth look at the gold mining industry in South Africa. DAY 23: RETURN FLIGHT An exciting tour of the city of Johannesburg, which is the capital of Gauteng, awaits you after breakfast. You will be visiting some of the most famous and historical monuments in Johannesburg. Included in the itinerary is Soweto. This area was developed for exclusive black occupation under the apartheid system from the early 1950s and is occupied by more than 2 million people. The tour will take you to the most symbolic places of the Apartheid era: Mandela Museum, Hector Petersen Memorial, Regina Mundi Church, etc. Lunch will be arranged in a traditional “shabeen” (township bar-restaurant) where you will have the opportunity to meet people from the community. In the afternoon, visit the Apartheid Museum. Afterwards you will be transferred to OR Tambo Johannesburg airport where you will catch your return flight. PLEASE NOTE: This programme can be modified at any time due to unforeseen circumstances such as the suppliers’ availability, transport and weather permitting.
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