Itinerary-FIT-History-&-Civilizations

16 days / 13 nights – Extension Nelson Mandela childhood land  (+ 3 days/ 3 nights) or / and Extension Meet with the San Tribe (+ 1 day / 1 night)

Self-drive tour with assistance at Johannesburg airport – Option: driver guide

Basis: Room only, Bed and Breakfast, Dinner/Breakfast and Bed or Full Board (all meals + bed)

Category: Standard or Superior or Luxury

Extend your stay with one of our extension trips!

Pre-book your activities before departure to benefit from your negotiated prices!

This trip offers a human experience: reconnect with Nature and share moments with fascinating people proud of their cultures and their history. Discover the uniqueness of South Africa, the Rainbow Nation

Highlights :

• Meet representatives of ancestral tribes and share them with unforgettable, unique and authentic moments

• Discover the complex history of this extraordinary country

• Follow the footsteps of Nelson Mandela in the lands of his childhood

• Explore its national parks and reserves, exceptional natural heritage for which the country fights to protect

Your Itinerary:

Day 1: Home > Johannesburg

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Day 2: Johannesburg > Soweto

Day 3: Johannesburg

Day 4: Johannesburg > Lydenburg

Day 5: Lydenburg > Pilgrim’sRest

Day 6: Pilgrim’sRest > Kruger National Park

Days 7 & 8: Kruger National Park

Day 9: Kruger National Park > Swaziland

Bushmans River - Eastern Cape

Day 10: Swaziland > Kwazulu Natal

Day 11: Kwazulu Natal > Saint Lucia > Durban

Day 12: Durban > Cape Town

Days 13 & 14: Cape Town

Day 15: Cape Town > Home

Day 16: Home

Extension: Nelson Mandela Childhood Land

CapeTown215

Extension: Meet with the San tribe and discover the West Coast

Day 1: Home QJohannesburg

Flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2: Johannesburg > Soweto

On arriving at Johannesburg, you will be met by our local representative which will hand over your travel documents and assist you with collecting your car.

Your two first days will be dedicated to the contemporary History of South Africa. Plenty of interesting museums to choose from.

Zulu dancers

Suggested activity: Visit Soweto with a local guide

Suggested activity: Dine in a Shebeen, typical african restaurant in the heart of Soweto

Suggested visit: Visit Nelson Mandela House

Suggested visit: Visit Hector Pieterson Museum

Accommodation: B&B in Soweto

Day 3: Johannesburg

The discovery of the fascinating South Africa History continues today!

Suggested visit: Constitution Hills

Suggested visit: Apartheid Museum

Suggested visit: Lilliesleaf et Rivonia

Suggested visit: Visit the new trendy areas full of art galleries, nice cafes and flea markets

Accommodation: Zulu Nyala Country Manor or similar

Day 4: Johannesburg > Lydenburg

You will take the road towards Lydenburg in Mpumalanga going through Kwandebele area where the « Ndebele » tribe lives. They are well known for their brightly colored houses and outfits. You will then enjoy the beautiful landscapes Long Tom Pass offers.

Suggested activity: Visit a Ndebele village

 

Accommodation: Misty Mountain or similar.

Day 5: Lydenburg > Pilgrim’sRest

Suggested visit: Panoramic road (God’s Window/ Three Rondavels/ Bourke’s Potholes)

Suggested visit: Visit Pilgrim’s Rest, a former settlement during the Gold Rush in the 19th century.

 

Accommodation: Royal Hotel or similar

Day 6: Pilgrim’sRest > Kruger National Park

Go to the Kruger Park for your full day game drive !

 

Accommodation: one of the Rest Camps in Kruger Park

Days 7 & 8: Kruger National Park

Suggested activity: Half or full day 4×4 game drive

Suggested activity: Interact with elephants

Accommodation: one of the Rest Camps in Kruger Park

Option: Stay in a private reserve OK

Day 9: Kruger National Park > Swaziland

You will drive to the King of Swaziland, an independent country, ruled by H.M. King Mswati III, crowned in April 1986. Swaziland has maintained its cultural traditions and although English is widely spoken, the dominant language is Siswati. Many of its local inhabitants still consult with an  “ Inyanga “, a witch doctor, to ward away evil spirits, or with a “ Sangoma”, who is mostly consulted for health reasons.

Suggested activity: Visit a traditional Swazi village

Suggested activity: Spend the day with a Swazi family and a local guide

 

Accommodation: Foresters Arms or similar

Day 10: Swaziland > Kwazulu Natal

Today, you will go to Zulu land and Hluhluwe area! On your way, you may stop at Swazi art craft markets and enjoy the relax atmosphere there.

Suggested activity: Visit a traditional Zulu village

 

Accommodation: Hilltop Camp or similar

 

Option : Stay at in private reserve OK

Day 11: Kwazulu Natal > Saint Lucia > Durban

You will go on a game drive in the legendary Hluhluwe reserve, famous for its exceptional concentration of white rhinos. You will also be able to see impalas, gnus, zebras, buffalos, giraffes, leopards, hyena, cheetah etc. You will then go to St Lucia and discover its wetlands (UNESCO Heritage site).

Suggested activity: Boat cruise on St Lucia wetlands.

Suggested activity: 4×4 Game Drive in Hluhluwe reserve

 

Accommodation: Sica’s Guest House or similar

Day 12: Durban Q Cape Town

You will have the time to visit Durban, the biggest harbour in South Africa.  The majority of the population is of Indian origin, hence the number of temples and mosques, as well as shops specialising in Indian products. You will later in the day reach the airport for your flight to Cape Town.

 

Accommodation: Rosedene Guest House or similar.

 

Extension Drakensberg/ Sani Pass OK

Extension: Nelson Mandela childhood land  OK

Days 13 & 14: Cape Town

During these three coming days, you will discover the great multi-cultural city of Cape and its surroundings with its fascinating history and natural beauty. Just walk on the streets, visit museums and art galleries, go up to Table Mountain to enjoy the view or join one of the many activities available.

We suggest you take a day to visit the Cape Peninsula: Boulders’ Beach, its natural reserve, go on a boat cruise in Hout bay or False Bay, watch whales in winter, go for a fantastic seafood experience at one of the renowned places etc. Explore the natural side of the city!

 

Another day visit:  Cape wine route! Visit Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, learn about the History of this area dedicated to wine. Gourmet food and grand cru are on the list!

Suggested activities:

City centre :

  • Malay cooking experience
  • Helicopter
  • Paragliding
  • Cape Canopy
  • Visit a Township
  • Table Mountain
  • Robben Island
Cape Peninsula :

  • Boat cruise from Hout Bay
  • Speed Boat in Hout Bay or False Bay
  • Kayak
  • Ostrich farm
  • Cage diving with the Great
  • Surf ay Jeffrey’s Bay
Wine Route :

  • Wine tasting in a well-known property
  • Horse riding and bicycle around vineyards
  • Half or full day riding a Harley Davison or driving a vintage car.

And plenty of restaurants you would love to book for your so you can enjoy the special South African twist (contact us)

 

Accommodation: Rosedene Guest House or similar.

Option: Stay in one of the prestigious hotels on the Wineland OK

Extension: Meet with the San tribe and discover the West Coast OK

Day 15: Cape Town Q Home

Last walk around Cape Town before reaching the airport for your return flight.

Day 16: Home

End of your trip to South Africa.

Extension: Nelson Mandela Childhood Land

Day 1: Durban > Port St John

Meet with your guide and drive to Port St Johns. Fantastic landscapes with its tropical flora on the Indian Ocean coast.

Accommodation: Sunlof B&B or similar

 

Day 2: Port St John > Mthatha > East London

Continue to Mthatha and Qunu in the area that was formerly called Transkei. This area, homeland of Nelson Mandela, has remained particularly wild with sandy beaches and primary forest.

You will visit the museum of Qunu where Mandela spent his early days and will then drive to  Mthatha.

Accommodation: Premier Hotel East London or similar

Day 3: East-London Q Cape Town

Extension: Meet with the San tribe and discover the West Coast

Stay another day and drive to the North to visit the San Cultural Center run by San tribe representatives. They will tell you about their History, their traditions and language. A special meal will be offered: their restaurant introduced modernity into their traditional San dishes.

You will then go to the West Coast national Park for a walk and admire the beautiful landscapes the park offers to its visitors.

 

Accommodation: Rosedene Guest House or similar.

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