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Golf in South Africa
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A Self-drive golfing holiday in South Africa |
Ref: SA04
16 days
from £2295 (minimum 2 passengers)
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Destination:
South Africa
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South Africa has some of the finest and most challenging golf courses in the world, together with a beautiful and unique setting. This tour is designed to allow you to enjoy some of these courses, while still visiting the main cities and sites and fitting in some excellent game-viewing. While some play golf, there is plenty for the non-playing companion to do and everybody will return with an insight not only into the courses, but also the sights and culture of South Africa. Flanked to the east by the Indian Ocean and to the west by the Atlantic, South Africa is a world in one country. A kaleidoscope of natural wonders and scenic splendours. A huge country, South Africa is the fabled land of gold. A rolling panorama of sub-tropical forests and unspoilt beaches, of historic Cape Dutch houses nestling in golden, sunlit vineyards and magnificent mountains shrouded in silver mists. Of vast arid deserts and superb game reserves. Of sophisticated cities and quaint little hamlets.
Touring South Africa is a delight, with a first class network of rail, road and air services. The road system is magnificent – the best in Africa – and with driving on the left and the lack of traffic, driving is easy and stress free.
International cuisine, fine wines and a range of first class hotels and game lodges make South Africa a great destination.
Where to go
Cape Town, set between Table Mountain and the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The oldest city in South Africa, Cape Town is the country’s legislative capital. Cobblestone streets, colourful street markets and an array of excellent shops and restaurants make the town a delight to explore.
From Cape Town east to Port Elizabeth lies an area of extraordinary scenic beauty. Tranquil winelands give way to craggy mountains, small bays and golden beaches, towering cliffs and primeval forests of the Garden Route.
Further north is one of South Africa’s smallest provinces – Kwa Zulu Natal. An area of subtropical vegetation, untamed wilderness, golden beaches and colourful rickshaws. To the west rise the magnificent Drakensberg Mountains. Known to the Zulu people as Quathlamba, “the barrier of spears”, the peaks are snow capped in winter and offer spectacular walking during the summer months.
Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city, and for many the “gateway” to the country. Some 2 hours drive north west of Johannesburg lies the world famous resort of Sun City, a paradise for golfers and gamblers.
From Johannesburg the highveld of the Trasnvaal stretched for hundreds of miles, until in the east it reaches the northern manifestations of the Drakensberg Mountains and then terminates in breathtaking abruptness to firm an immense escarpment, which plunges hundreds of metres down into the lowveld. Both Mpumalanga – “the land of the rising sun” and the Northern Province abound with legend and history. This is an area of great natural beauty with spectacular waterfalls and forests, panoramic passes and magnificent mountains. This is also ‘Big Game Country’, home to a plethora of private game reserves and the world renowned Kruger National Park.
The size of Wales, the Kruger National Park stretches from Zimbabwe in the north some 300 kilometres south. It is bounded to east by Mozambique and to the west by the private games reserves of Umbabat, Timbavati, Manyeleti and Sabi Sand. The Kruger supports one of the greatest diversities of wildlife to be found anywhere in Africa and covers a multitude of ecosystems. No excitement can quite match the thrill of seeing wild animals in the natural habitat for the first time and the private game lodges of the Sabi Sand are renowned for their sightings of the ‘Big Five’.
When to go
In general South Africa’s climate is sunny and temperature throughout the year. However the best time for game viewing is the dry winter months – June to September. Winter nights can be extremely cold on safari so warm clothes are essential.
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate, with rains during the winter. So the best time for seeing the Cape, and Table Mountain, in all its glory are the summer months: November to March. The best time for flowers however is springtime, in either August or September.
Durban and Kwa Zulu Natal have a summer rainfall, and can be extremely hot and humid, so the best time for visiting this area is late summer, the winter or early spring. Rafting in South Africa is best during the rainy season, so if you’re looking for the thrills and spills of big white water you need to be there between December and February.
Whale watching is best in the winter months, and during this time proteas can be seen growing wild in the Riviers-Onderend and Outeniqua mountains.
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 | Click map to enlarge |
Day 1 | Depart the UK in the evening. | Day 2 | On arrival in Johannesburg collect your hire car and make your way to Sun City one of the world’s most unusual and exciting resorts, complete with casinos, lavish hotels, man made lakes and of course golf courses. Overnight in Cascades (or similar). All the rooms at the cascades face the tropical splendour of the hotels gardens and pool. Lush gardens, tropical birds and water features give the cascades its unique and relaxing atmosphere. It is also linked to Sun Citys glittering entertainment centre and casino, the Superbowl and the Lost Citys Hall of Treasures. | Day 3 | Today you can savour the delights of the superb Gary Player Country Club Bushveld Course (venue for the annual Million Dollar Challenge) and the Out of Africa Lost City Course. Both are international class layouts within a few hundred metres of each other. | Day 4 | Sun City. Another chance to enjoy the 2 superb courses as well as the other attractions and activities offered by South Africas premier resort | Day 5 | Sun City. Your last day to conquer the courses. | Day 6 | Leaving Sun City, you continue your journey to the city of Pretoria renowned for its colourful gardens, particularly in spring when the Jacaranda is in bloom. Pretoria dates back to the 1850s when the Voortrekkers arrive in the area. You stay overnight in a beautiful colonial luxury guesthouse. | Day 7 | An early morning departure takes you via Dullstroom, Lydenberg and the Long Tom Pass to Hazyview. Some visitors are drawn to the magnificent scenery and others to the history of the 1870s gold rush era. Aptly know as the Paradise Country few regions in the world can match the beauty of the mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests of this area. This is also big game country. Hazyview has a 9 hole Gary Player design course. Overnight tonight and tomorrow night in the Casa Do Sol or similar. | Day 8 | A second day to enjoy the course and the surrounding countryside. | Day 9 | Continue north to the Timbavati Game Reserve and Thornybush. Experience the magic of Africa at the luxurious private game lodge where exciting safaris, warm hospitality, innovative cuisine and sparkling pools offer a memorable experience. Thornybush Game Reserve is set 45 kms from the world famous Kruger National Park. Africa’s big five roam in the reserve’s 8,500 hectares and you will be taken on an open vehicle game drives. Overnight tonight and tomorrow night in Thornybush Game Lodge. | Day 10 | Day two in Thornybush Private Game Reserve, complete with game viewing. | Day 11 | After an early morning game drive and breakfast you drive to Hoedspruit airport for your flight to Cape Town. Your hotel in Cape Town is the Steenberg Country Estate with its fairways moulded and shaped into gentle slopes with strategically places bunkers. The beautiful lawns combined with the stately elegance of the Steenberg Homestead guarantees a relaxing and comfortable stay in glorious surroundings. Overnight tonight and tomorrow night in the Steenberg Country Hotel. | Day 12 | Day two in Cape Town staying at the Steenberg Country Hotel. | Day 13 | From the hills of Constantia, move into the centre of town, to the popular waterfront area. Cape Town has many challenging courses to offer the keen golfer, including the Royal Cape Golf Course, Stellenbosch Golf Course, the Milnerton Golf Course and many others, perfect for enjoyable days golfing in the South African sun. Overnight Commodore Hotel, Cape Town or similar. | Day 14 | A final day in Cape Town to take in the sights and do a little last minute shopping in the stores of the Waterfront development. | Day 15 | Transfer to the airport in time for your flight back to the UK. | Day 16 | Arrive UK. |
Departures Between | Price from | 25 Aug 03 - 11 Dec 03
21 Apr 04 - 10 Jul 04 | *£2295 | 1 Jan 04 - 20 Apr 04
25 Aug 04 - 11 Dec 04 | *£2395 | 11 Jul 03 - 24 Aug 03
26 Dec 03 - 31 Dec 03
11 Jul 04 - 24 Aug 04 | *£2465 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
Price is per person based on two people sharing and includes:
- International and domestic flights
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Meet and greet at Joburg airport on arrival
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Personal driving itinerary and welcome pack
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24 hr emergency back up
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Group B car (Toyota Corolla 1.6 or similar)
Accommodation on bed and breakfast (except at Hazyview and Thornybush where all your meals are included)-
4 and 5 star hotels throughout
Not included: Green fees or club hire etc. Any other services and meals not mentioned above. Petrol.
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Golf in South Africa
A Self-drive golfing holiday in South Africa
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