Itinerary-GRP-SA-12D9N-Boulder-Beach-penguins

GROUP – 12 Days / 9 Nights

This fantastic tour will take you to the best places South Africa and Swaziland can offer. In addition

to numerous occasions to spot the Big Five, you will discover what makes South Africa the

Rainbow Country: its cultural diversity will surprise and amaze you.

 
 
 
 

Your Itinerary

Day 1: Home Cape Town

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Day 2: Cape Town

Day 3: Cape Peninsula

Day 4: Cape Wine Lands  Durban

Day 5: Durban > KwaZulu Natal

Day 6: KwaZulu Natal > Swaziland

Day 7: Swaziland > Kruger National Park

Day 8: Kruger National Park

Day 9: Kruger National Park > Blyde River Canyon > Pilgrim’s Rest

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Day 10: Pilgrim’s Rest > Pretoria

Day 11: Pretoria > Soweto > Johannesburg  Home

Day 12: Home

Day 1: Home  Cape Town

Fly to Cape Town.

Diner and night on the plane.

Day 2: Cape Town

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On arriving at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the

city centre for the start of your amazing trip in South Africa!

You will discover Cape Town, the “Mother city” passing by the Houses of Parliament, The Castle

(oldest building in South Africa), the old Malay Quarter, known as the Bo-Kaap. You will walk through

the Company Gardens and visit the South Africa Museum.

At the end of the day, you will go up to Signal Hill or jump into a cable car to access the top of Table

Mountain. A fantastic view over the city is waiting for you!

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Day 3: Cape Peninsula

Today you will enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, starting with a boat cruise from Hout Bay

to view the seals at Seal Island and then continue via the scenic Chapmans Peak pass to the Cape of

Good Hope Nature Reserve. On your way back to the city, you will visit the breeding colony of

penguins at Boulders’ Beach.

At the end of the afternoon, you will be taken to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens and

discover the great variety of plants and trees Africa can offer.

For dinner, you will be transferred to Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, situated in Cape Town’s

working harbour, where there are a myriad of restaurants, hotels, shops and craft markets. Fresh

sea breezes and the warm sun add zest to a cosmopolitan, vibrant atmosphere. Experience the city’s

nightlife at your own pace.

Several interesting museums are also located there such as The Springbok Experience and the Cape

Town Diamond Museum.

Day 4: Cape Wine Lands  Durban

You will discover today the Cape Wine Lands, a region dedicated to viticulture. Gourmet food and

fantastic wine are on the menu!

During the day, you will visit Stellenbosch, in the heart of the Cape Wine Lands and Franschhoek,

situated in the “Valley of the Vignerons” and settled by the French Huguenots in the 16th Century.

You will learn about the History of the region and its early settlers when visiting the museum and its

memorial.

You will enjoy lunch at one of the many gourmet restaurants and finally try some of the best wines

this region offers during a wine tasting.

You will be transferred to Cape Town International Airport for your flight to Johannesburg.

Day 5: Durban > KwaZulu Natal

In the morning, you will go for a quick tour of 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.

After this visit, you will take the road towards Maputaland/ Hluhluwe, passing by sugar cane fields,

eucalyptus and pine plantations. You will discover the land of the Zulu tribe which settled in this

region at the beginning of the 17th century. They planted grain which they was brought to them by

Portuguese traders and hunted the local wild animal population.

By the end of the day, you will reach your first reserve!

Day 6: KwaZulu Natal > Swaziland

Early in the morning, you will set off in a 4×4 on your safari to one of the reserves, the region being

known for its large population of white rhinoceros.

You will continue by road, entering 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.

Mid-afternoon, you will reach the oldest Swazi national park, The Mlilwane Royal Reserve, where

you will meet with local rangers and go on a walking safari.

Day 7: Swaziland > Kruger National Park

You will have the opportunity to visit of a Swazi cultural village. You will learn more about the Swazi

culture and enjoy a spectacle of song and dance.

On your way out of Swaziland, you will be able to visit craft markets and acquire some of the most

beautiful items Swaziland produces: candles, glasses, wooden items etc.

You will reach your hotel/ camp/ lodge nearby the mythic Kruger National Park in the afternoon.

Day 8: Kruger National Park

This entire day will be dedicated to the discovery of the very well-known national park, the Kruger

National Park.

This reserve was created by former President Paul Kruger in 1898 as a sanctuary for animals, which

currently comprise about 450 different birds, 106 different types of mammals, ie elephant, rhino,

giraffe, zebra, hippo’s, kudu, impala, and lion . The park is about 220 miles long and 37 miles wide,

but there is every chance of seeing the Big 5, ie Lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant.

Suggested activity: full day or half day 4×4 Game Drive + professional ranger

Day 9: Kruger National Park > Blyde River Canyon > Pilgrim’s Rest

Kruger National Park

Today you will visit the beautiful region of Drakensberg, which is a South African geological wonder

and which is known as the Panorama Route. Follow this scenic route as it winds its way long the

Blyde River Canyon. Some of the views are the most beautiful from God’s Window’s, and the Three

Rondavels, which are three huge rocks that appear in the form of Zulu huts some 700 m above the

river. You will also see the Bourke’s Luck Potholes which are one of the most beautiful examples of

rocks formed by the force of the water and stones.

You will be able to relax after your long journey in this pretty village known for its old gold mines.

Your guide will take you for a walk about and explained you the History of those 19th century

pioneers coming in this town to find their fortunes in gold.

Day 10: Pilgrim’s Rest > Pretoria

En route to Pretoria, you will travel through the Kwandebele area where the Ndebele people come

from, and who are well known for their colourful houses and paintings.

You will stop at a working farm, where you will enjoy lunch and take a tour of a local Ndebele

Village.

Coming closer to Pretoria, you will stop and visit the Premier Diamond Mine where Thomas Cullinan

discovered in 1905 the biggest diamond in history, weighing 3024, 75 carats. This diamond was

divided into 7 parts and currently the biggest section forms part of the crown of the Queen of

England.

Day 11: Pretoria > Soweto > Johannesburg  Home

For your last in South Africa, you will first enjoy a city orientation tour of Pretoria known for its

flowering Jacaranda trees during spring and summer. You will visit the Voortrekker Monument,

drive by the Union Buildings, seat of the Government, and the main square in Pretoria, namely

Church Square, where you will also see the statue of Paul Kruger (President during 1884 – 1901).

After visiting the Apartheid Museum en route, you will be able to discover the most famous

township in South Africa: Soweto! This panoramic visit will be guided by an inhabitant of Soweto and

he/she will share with you the daily life and the History of this area.

For lunch, you will be taken to a local Shebeen (restaurant), and will meet several Soweto

inhabitants.

After having said them good bye, you will be transferred back to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport

for your flight home.

Day 12: Home

Your unforgettable holiday ends here!

 

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