Group Trip – South African Odyssey with Joan Pierre
Johannesburg • Eswatini • Hluhluwe • Durban • Knysna • Oudtshoorn • Cape Town
Tour Overview
On this jam-packed 14 day itinerary we’ll go from the fast paced, bustling city life of Johannesburg to an unforgettable safari, to the coastal Garden Route, including a stay in the breathtaking winelands and ending at the Mother City – Cape Town.
Includes all breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners and a cocktail reception.
Includes/Excludes
Includes:
- International air fare (from Toronto, New York or Washington DC)
- Internal flight (Durban to Port Elizabeth)
- All accommodation, transport, meals and entrance fees to sightseeing venues as stated in the itinerary above
- Porterage at airports and hotels (1 x standard piece of luggage per person)
- Local English-speaking driver on all transfers
- Local English-speaking driver/guide on all sightseeing excursions
Excludes:
- All other airfares
- All other accommodation
- All other meals
- All other transport
- All other sightseeing
- Gratuities for meals, tourist guides, drivers, game rangers and trackers
- Personal expenses such as alcoholic and other beverages, telephone calls and laundry
- Any other services not mentioned above
Travel Insurance:
We consider adequate travel insurance to be essential. Travel insurance is widely available to purchase. It is the personal responsibility of each traveller to ensure that they have adequate travel insurance cover. Please read the policy details carefully. It is each traveller’s personal responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover purchased is suitable and adequate for their particular needs. Travelead will not be responsible or liable for any consequence of any nature arising from the failure to comply with the responsibility of providing for adequate travel insurance cover.
Rates
$6,899 (Single supplement $1,000)
Day to Day Itinerary
Johannesburg
Day 1: On arrival in Johannesburg, you’ll be met by your representative and transferred from the airport to your hotel. You have the remainder of the day at leisure until 7 p.m. when we will all meet at the hotel reception for a welcome dinner and a briefing on the tour.
Day 2: After breakfast we depart on a half tour of Soweto and Apartheid museum. Soweto is an urban area of the city of Johannesburg. The population has historically been overwhelmingly black and some of the watershed events in the struggle against Apartheid occurred in this township. On this tour we will see the sights of Soweto including Winnie & Nelson Mandela’s former house, Desmond Tutu’s House, the Hector Peterson Memorial and Walter Sisulu Freedom Square. Afterwards we will head towards the Apartheid Museum. Once there you will have the opportunity to learn more about Apartheid and the resilient movement against it. We’ll stop for lunch at a typical shabeen for a traditional African meal.
Day 3: Today is a day of leisure. Take some time to relax or shop at the world-famous Sandton mall or enjoy a cocktail at Mandela Square. We’ll meet in the late afternoon for a cocktail reception where you’ll have an opportunities to meet and greet local South Africans.
About Accommodation: Situated in the upscale area of Sandton, the Protea Balalaika is a lovely gem which offers leafy surroundings and tranquility. this country style hotel offers a heritage experience. Escape to the beautiful gardens with sparkling swimming pools. Rooms offer a modern setup with a vintage touch to celebrate the timelessness and calm of a bygone era.
Eswatini
Day 4: It’s an early start to the day as we start our road trip to Eswatini formerly known as Swaziland, one of the smallest countries on the African continent. This mountainous wonderland is home to one of last remaining monarchies. We’ll visit Ngwenya Glass situated in a large indigenous garden and is considered a major attraction in Swaziland.
About Accommodation: Mountain Inn is a charming hotel situated only 3kms from Mbabane city centre. The Mountain Inn offers superb cuisines, satellite television in all rooms and free Wi-Fi – with breath-taking views embracing the space and grandeur of Ezulwini Valley – the valley of heaven.
Meals: Breakfast
Hluhluwe Umfolozi
Day 5: After breakfast, we begin our road trip to Hluhluwe Umfolozi. This area has fast become the top destination in KwaZulu Natal and for good reason. In 1999 it was declared as South Africa’s very first world heritage site.
After lunch we’ll embark on a safari drive. You’ll have excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, including the renowned Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), prolific birdlife and numerous other games. The diversity of wildlife in the park makes for an unforgettable safari experience. When you return from your afternoon game drive, enjoy a dinner under the stars.
Day 6: This morning you’ll need to be up early to embark on a thrilling morning game drive. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure and later its ‘all-aboard’ as we set sail for a 2-hour boat cruise to observe the Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species on the St. Lucia Estuary.
About Accommodation: Protea Hotel Umfolozi River is ideally located in the Greater Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve area, just 40 km north of Richards Bay. Set in the heart of Zululand, you’ll find the rooms extremely comfortable and all the amenities to make your stay perfect.
Meals: 1 Lunch and 2 Dinners
Durban
Day 7: After an early morning breakfast, we begin a 3 hour drive to the coastal city of Durban. We’ll do a short city tour to get a glimpse of this bustling port city and its spectacular beaches. Later we check into our hotel in the North part of Durban. Rest of the day at leisure. Take advantage of the Umhlanga Coastline which is host to numerous pubs, restaurants and shopping experiences. Or spend a restful day at the beach. Join us for an authentic Curry Buffet (at own expense) at the Oyster Box hotel this evening. Set in the casual, Mediterranean-inspired Ocean Terrace, with gorgeous views across the Indian Ocean.
About Accommodation: The Protea Hotel Durban is your gateway to golden beaches, lush surroundings and the exhilaration of holidaying in an idyllic part of Durban. You’ll stunning views overlooking the KwaZulu-Natal coast, excellent dining and superior rooms.
Meals: Breakfast
Knysna
Day 8: This morning we make our way to Durban’s international airport, King Shaka to board our short plane ride to Gqeberha (formally known as Port Elizabeth). Once we arrive, we immediately head towards the Garden Route. We’ll stop in Jeffrey’s Bay for a quick lunch and make another stop at Plettenburg Bay which has some of the most beautiful beaches in South Africa. By late afternoon, we will arrive in Knysna and check into our hotel. This evening you can take a stroll along the beautiful Knysna boardwalk, do some shopping or have dinner at one of the many restaurants.
About Accommodation: The Protea Hotel Knysna Quays offers a spectacular outlook of the popular coastal town of Knysna. The hotel is nestled in the heart of the Garden Route and offers a unique experience with premium accommodation accentuated with scenic beauty and natural surrounds. Renowned as the perfect holiday destination, the hotel is set on the Knysna Quays Waterfront with the lagoon just steps away.
Meals: Breakfast
Oudtshoorn
Day 9: After breakfast, we take a drive along the picturesque mountains to see the spectacular underground wonder of the Klein Karoo – the Cango Caves. Situated in a limestone ridge parallel to the well-known Swartberg Mountains, you will find the finest dripstone caverns, with their vast halls and towering formations. Later this afternoon, we visit an ostrich farm to learn more about these remarkable birds and their fascinating nature.
About Accomodation: Get ready for incredible experience – stay in a luxury tented accommodation in Oudtshoorn at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. The lodge is just outside the ostrich capital of South Africa. The main restaurant features an expansive deck that overlooks the waterhole where you may see animals drinking as magnificent sunsets.
Meals: Breakfast
Oudtshoorn
Day 10: This morning we make our way to Cape Town with a short stop in Stellenbosch for a wine tasting and lunch. Then we make our way into Cape Town, affectionately known as the Mother City. Before we check into our hotel, we stop at the beautiful waterfront where there are numerous activities including shopping at the V&A mall or simply enjoy a cocktail and the view.
Day 11: Our day begins with a visit to Table Mountain (weather permitting). Enjoy spectacular views of the city from this amazing vantage point. Later we take a spectacular scenic drive along the Atlantic coast, passing through the cosmopolitan suburb of Sea Point and Camps Bay with its glorious views of the Twelve Apostles, part of the Table Mountain range. From here we travel to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, rich in indigenous fauna and flora. You will be able to see the union of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans (as per legend), and may even feel the brisk wind that is dubbed the “Cape Doctor” for its presumed curative powers. Following the coastline along False Bay, we’ll stop at a Penguin colony before returning to Cape Town.
Day 12: This afternoon, we’ll have tea at the famous Mount Nelson Hotel which offers the perfect combination of leafy tranquility and contemporary buzz. Various optional tours will be available in the morning.
Day 13: Today we’ll visit Robben Island. This island is best known Internationally as being the place where Nelson Mandela and many other famous anti-apartheid activists were imprisoned. Once the ferry embarks on the island, guests will visit the maximum-security prison, meet an ex-political prisoner and explore the island on a bus tour accompanied by an experienced guide. The tour takes approximately 3.5 hours including the one-hour return ferry trip. Later this afternoon, we’ll visit the Museum of Contemporary African Art.
Tonight, we get together with fellow-travelers for a Farewell dinner.
About Accomodation: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Cape Town places many luxuries at your fingertips. Thanks to our hotel’s incomparable city center location in Tamboerskloof, you’ll find yourself just a short walk or drive from an abundance of Cape Town’s most celebrated attractions, such as Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Kloof Street and the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
Meals: Breakfast, Tea & 1 Dinner
Departure Day
Day14: This morning after breakfast, check out of the hotel by 11h00. The remainder of the day will be at leisure until your transfer to Cape Town International airport.