Experience South Africa
Experience South Africa
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Experience South Africa
17 Days Starting in Johannesburg, South Africa and ending in Cape Town, South Africa
Visiting: Johannesburg, Mpumalanga, Kruger National Park, Eswatini, Durban, Drakensberg, Eastern Cape, Tsitsikamma, Oudtshoorn, Cape Town, United Kingdom
Tour operator:
Tour code:
csa
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through South Africa with the "Experience South Africa" tour. This adventure takes you through the stunning landscapes of the Panorama Route, where you'll marvel at the Blyde River Canyon and God's Window. Enjoy a thrilling game drive in Kruger National Park, home to the iconic 'Big Five'. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Eswatini, visiting local artisans at Ngwenya Glass and The Swazi Candles Centre. Discover Durban's multicultural charm with a tour along the Golden Mile and a visit to the Botanic Gardens. Explore the majestic Southern Drakensberg Mountains and the scenic Tsitsikamma Forest. Visit the famous Cango Caves and a working ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn. Conclude your journey with leisure time in Cape Town, exploring its attractions and pristine beaches. With comfortable accommodations and select meals included, this tour offers a perfect blend of wildlife, culture, and natural beauty.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Johannesburg
Fly overnight to Johannesburg.
Day 2 Johannesburg
Location: Johannesburg
Upon arrival, you will be met and assisted to your shuttle transfer service to the hotel. You have the remainder of the day at leisure. Later, we will all meet at the hotel reception for a briefing on the tour and have chance to meet up with your fellow travellers.
Day 3 : Johannesburg – Mpumalanga
Location: Mpumalanga
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we leave for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. We travel along the circular Panorama Route via Graskop, visiting the view sites of the Blyde River Canyon, home to the Three Rondavels, and one of the natural wonders of Africa. Gasp at the glory of God’s Window, with a boundless view of mountains and fertile plains, and finally, we visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes before heading to our accommodation.
Day 4 : Mpumalanga
Location: Kruger National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy an early morning game drive in a closed vehicle. Start the day with the 'Big Five' (rhino, buffalo, lions, leopards and elephants), in the Kruger National Park. The Kruger National Park is an internationally renowned game reserve of nearly 2 million hectares and supports the largest variety of wildlife species on the African continent. Keep a lookout for the wonderful flora and bird life that abounds. We return to our hotel around lunch time and your afternoon is at leisure. Packed breakfast will be provided today.
Day 5 : Mpumalanga – Eswatini (Swaziland)
Location: Eswatini
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning after breakfast, we check out and depart on our journey to Eswatini (Swaziland), an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience introduces us to the charming people of Eswatini and their traditions. Later, we head south to our hotel, nestled in the mountainous peaks of Eswatini (Swaziland) for an overnight stay.
Day 6 : Eswatini (Swaziland) – St Lucia And Surrounds
Location: Eswatini
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we journey through Eswatini (Swaziland), visiting Ngwenya Glass, where a small group of Eswatini craftsmen and women create beautiful handmade items from recycled glass. Our next stop is The Swazi Candles Centre where you will experience local artisans creating colourful, handmade candles. Our journey continues into the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal where ancient traditions and modern cultures of both Zulu and Settler have combined into a vibrant society living in peace and harmony. Arrive in the late afternoon for your overnight stay.
Day 7 : St Lucia And Surrounds – Durban
Location: Durban
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, you have the opportunity to take an optional open-vehicle game drive in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve before heading off to Durban. An orientation tour of Durban, that travels along the Golden Mile, the beachfront promenade, The Point Waterfront and harbour, introduces us to this multicultural, vibrant seaside city. The tour concludes with a visit to the Durban Botanic Gardens before arriving at our hotel late afternoon.
Day 8 : Durban – Drakensberg
Location: Drakensberg
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, enjoy a leisurely breakfast or perhaps take an early morning cab ride to the bustling Umhlanga Beach for a stroll along the promenade mile; it buzzes with energy as surfers, joggers and cyclists take to this seaside playground. We then head to the majestic Southern Drakensberg Mountains. We proceed on a visit to the 300ft high Howick Falls, continuing through the southern Midlands Meander route and arriving at our hotel mid-afternoon. Your afternoon is at leisure to soak up the surroundings! Go fishing, hiking or even horse riding and enjoy the fresh mountain air (all at own cost).
Day 9 : Drakensberg
Location: Drakensberg
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a full day at leisure to soak up the surroundings of the magnificent Southern Drakensberg Mountains. There are also many leisure activities at the resort.
Day 10 : Drakensberg – Eastern Cape Coast
Location: Eastern Cape
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, we continue south to the Eastern Cape, entering the fourth of the provinces and the birth place of Nelson Mandela (fondly known as Madiba). En-route, we see the old traditional way of life in the homeland area known as the Transkei, and stop for lunch (at own cost) outside the capital of Mthata. We travel past Nelson Mandela’s birth place and house, arriving late afternoon at our accommodation in Chinsta East, on the beautiful, unspoilt Eastern Cape coast.
Day 11 : Eastern Cape Coast – Tsitsikamma
Location: Tsitsikamma
Meals Included: Breakfast
We awake to the sounds of crashing waves and have the morning at leisure to unwind with beach sand between our toes. The beach stretches uninterrupted for many kilometres, and the thick indigenous beach forest is a haven for an amazing variety of bird life. This afternoon we set off heading south to the Tsitsikamma Forest area.
Day 12 : Tsitsikamma – Knysna
Location: Tsitsikamma
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, our journey continues towards the Cape. We visit the Tsitsikamma Forest, which provides incredibly scenic walking opportunities. A short walk to the Storms River Mouth offers magnificent views of the gorge and river below. We arrive in Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, in the late afternoon to check in to our hotel.
Day 13 : Knysna – Oudtshoorn
Location: Oudtshoorn
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we travel inland over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the ‘feather capital of the world’ because of its ostrich industry. We visit a working ostrich farm and then explore the famous Cango Caves. Walk around the spectacular caves with their magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites. We stay overnight in the Oudtshoorn area.
Day 14 : Oudtshoorn – Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today’s journey travels along the famous Route 62 and through Little Karoo, ending in Cape Town. On the way, we stop off to sample top quality port style wines in Calitzdorp, before continuing via Worcester and the Huguenot Tunnel, arriving in Cape Town in the late afternoon.
Day 15 : Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Cape Town. Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafes, and restaurants as well as colourful craft markets. Alternatively relax on one of Cape Town's pristine beaches. Overnight in Cape Town.
Day 16 : Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning after breakfast, check out of the hotel by 11:00 hrs. The remainder of the day will be at leisure until your transfer to Cape Town International Airport.
Day 17
Location: United Kingdom
Arrive in the UK.
What's Included
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Meals
The tour includes 14 breakfasts and 4 dinners.
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Game Drive
An early morning game drive in a closed vehicle in Kruger National Park is included.
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Cultural Experience
An interactive cultural experience in Eswatini is included.
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Orientation Tour of Durban
An orientation tour of Durban, including the Golden Mile and Durban Botanic Gardens, is included.
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Visit to Howick Falls
A visit to the 300ft high Howick Falls is included.
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Visit to Tsitsikamma Forest
A visit to the Tsitsikamma Forest with scenic walking opportunities is included.
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Visit to Cango Caves
A visit to the famous Cango Caves is included.
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Wine Tasting
A stop to sample top quality port style wines in Calitzdorp is included.
What's Not Included
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Optional Game Drive
The optional open-vehicle game drive in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve is not included.
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Leisure Activities
Leisure activities such as fishing, hiking, or horse riding in the Drakensberg Mountains are at your own cost.
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Lunch
Lunch is not included and is at your own cost.
Accommodation
You will stay in standard rooms at 3 or 4-star hotels throughout your holiday, including one night at the Protea Hotel or Tambo, two nights at the Hippo Hollow Country Estate, and various other hotels, culminating in two nights at the Sunsquare Cape Town Gardens.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes shuttle transfers and travel along scenic routes such as the Panorama Route and Route 62. An early morning game drive in a closed vehicle in Kruger National Park is also included.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in standard rooms at 3 or 4-star hotels throughout your holiday. The accommodations include one night at the Protea Hotel or Tambo, two nights at the Hippo Hollow Country Estate, one night at the Piggs Peak Hotel, one night at the Anew Hotel Hluhluwe, one night at the Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge, two nights at the Drakensberg Gardens Hotel, one night at the Crawford’s Beach Lodge, one night at the Tsitsikamma Village Inn, one night at the Premier Hotel The Moorings, one night at the Protea Hotel Riempie Estate, and two nights at the Sunsquare Cape Town Gardens.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour includes 14 breakfasts and 4 dinners. Lunch is not included and is at your own cost.
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What wildlife experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes an early morning game drive in a closed vehicle in Kruger National Park, where you can see the 'Big Five' and a diverse array of wildlife.
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What cultural experiences are part of the tour?
The tour includes an interactive cultural experience in Eswatini, where you will be introduced to the charming people of Eswatini and their traditions. You will also visit Ngwenya Glass and The Swazi Candles Centre to see local artisans at work.
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What are some of the key highlights of the tour?
Key highlights include exploring the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga, experiencing a game drive in Kruger National Park, immersing in the culture of Eswatini, discovering Durban's charm, marveling at the Drakensberg Mountains and Howick Falls, walking through Tsitsikamma Forest, visiting the Cango Caves and an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn, and enjoying leisure time in Cape Town.
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Is there an option for an open-vehicle game drive?
Yes, there is an optional open-vehicle game drive in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, but it is not included in the tour package and would be at your own cost.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
40 years
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?
Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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