15 Nights – South Africa Odyssey Tour

On arrival in Johannesburg at OR Tambo International Airport, you’ll be met by your representative and transferred to your hotel. Johannesburg is the largest and most populous city in South Africa. It is also the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade, due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. The remainder of the day is at leisure & unescorted. Why not enjoy a sightseeing tour or simply relax at your hotel?

Depart Johannesburg after breakfast and travel to Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country”. We’ll drive along the spectacular “Panorama Route”, offering views of amazing scenery including the 26-kilometre-long Blyde River Canyon and historic God’s Window, a breathtaking view (weather permitting) of the edge of the escarpment taking in the Kruger National Park. Continue to an area near Hazyview for your overnight stay. [B]

Enjoy an early morning game drive in the Kruger National Park with a packed breakfast. Kruger is one of the world’s greatest national parks, home to a stunning array of wildlife. Search for the ‘Big Five’ (rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant) as well as prolific birdlife and numerous other game. The afternoon is at leisure at your hotel. Late afternoon open vehicle game drives are available (optional & for own account). [B]

The day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a thrilling open vehicle game drive through Kruger National Park with a pre-packed breakfast. The park offers some of the best game viewing and wildlife opportunities in the world, and the visitor will soon appreciate the challenges of managing this unique reserve. The afternoon is at leisure at your hotel, or you can join us on our Community visit to the Sizabantwana Children Care Centre for a tour and a brief look into the lives of the children that attend the centre. This visit offers you the opportunity to understand more about the rural communities and their lifestyles and to interact with them in a secure and optimistic environment. Return to your hotel, where open-vehicle game drives are available (optional and for your account). [B]

This morning we travel to Swaziland, an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. Visit the Ngwenya glass factory, where visitors can watch talented glassblowers create a range of enchanting African animals, birds and fish, as well as tableware, made from 100% recycled glass that is collected by the children of Swaziland. In the afternoon, the opportunity exists for a complimentary (optional) excursion to a Swazi candle factory, where visitors can watch Swazi wax artists make beautiful candles. Overnight in Swaziland. [B]

This morning we travel to Swaziland, an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. Visit the Ngwenya glass factory, where visitors can watch talented glassblowers create a range of enchanting African animals, birds and fish, as well as tableware, made from 100% recycled glass that is collected by the children of Swaziland. In the afternoon, the opportunity exists for a complimentary (optional) excursion to a Swazi candle factory, where visitors can watch Swazi wax artists make beautiful candles. Overnight in Swaziland. [B]

After breakfast, travel to a traditional Zulu village to experience the local culture, dancing and a delicious ethnic lunch. The journey continues to Durban, passing traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. Overnight in Durban. [B, L]

After breakfast, transfer to Durban airport for the short southward flight to Port Elizabeth, where you will be met by your representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or explore. Port Elizabeth, known as the “friendly city”, has a wonderful climate and offers plenty to see and do (in my opinion). Overnight in Port Elizabeth. [B]

Head westwards along the Garden Route, which follows the Indian Ocean coastline and is bordered inland by soaring mountain ranges and indigenous forests. You will visit the spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park and Storm's River Mouth on your way along the coast. You’ll arrive at your hotel in Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route. The afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore the town. Overnight in Knysna. [B, D]

After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll enjoy a lagoon cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, where you can take a trailer ride to the top of the Western Head to enjoy panoramic views of the town and lagoon, returning for lunch under the milkwood trees. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this charming town set around a natural harbour lagoon. [B, L]

Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, the centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. You’ll visit an Ostrich Farm for a guided tour, before taking a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. Late afternoon, you will travel to your hotel in time to check in and relax before dinner. Overnight in Oudtshoorn. [B, D]

After breakfast, travel through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale, where you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, interact with the children and teachers, and spend time with them in the classroom learning more about the local farming community, before continuing to Montagu, a picturesque and historic spa town. (The school visit is subject to the school being open.) Continue to Stellenbosch, the second oldest city in South Africa, surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountains with vineyards as a backdrop. [B]

After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a wine tasting in the Stellenbosch area, arguably the country’s most famous wine route. Then finally, onto Cape Town, the oldest city in South Africa, spectacularly set at the foot of Table Mountain, where the remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore the city (unescorted).

A full day at leisure. Perhaps enjoy 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. There is also the Two Oceans Aquarium, Robben Island or relax on one of Cape Town’s many beaches. Overnight in Cape Town. [B]

After a relaxing breakfast, you’ll have a full day at leisure. Why not join an optional tour of the Cape Peninsula (own account)? Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay and then to Cape Point where (by tradition) it is said that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Return to Cape Town through the historic naval base of Simon’s Town and Muizenberg to visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, a centre for the preservation of the region’s unique flora. Overnight in Cape Town. [B]

Enjoy some last-minute shopping (unescorted) or sightseeing (own). The Robben Island Tour, which departs from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, offers a fascinating excursion or perhaps just wander through the variety of shops and boutiques catering for all tastes and budgets. Later, you will be transferred to the airport, harbour or railway station for your onward journey. [B]

** END OF TOUR ** (Note: The itinerary described above may be subject to change depending on unforeseen circumstances, e.g. weather conditions.)