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Taste of South Africa |
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A Self-drive tour and safari through South Africa |
Ref: SA03
15 days
from £1968 (minimum 2 passengers)
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Destination:
South Africa
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Go Back
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This two week self drive tour takes in the main sights of South Africa including the Kruger National Park where you can see lots of game including the Big Five, Durban, the stunning Garden Route and ends up in Cape Town. You can explore the beautiful scenery at your own pace and there is so much to do and see you will have had a very good introduction to this wonderful country on this trip. See Cape Town and the beautiful countryside around the Cape; See the Big 5 in the Kruger National Park; Drive along the stunning Garden Route one of the most spectacular parts of South Africa; Visit Durban and the Indian Ocean coast; Visit the Kingdom of Swaziland.
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 good, 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 form 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. | Day 2 | Arrive Johannesburg and catch a connecting flight to Skukuza airport. You will be met and then start your trip with the drive to the Kruger National Park. | Day 3 | Explore the Kruger National Park and look for the Big 5. The Kruger National Park, the biggest in South Africa, is one of the most repositories of the bird and animal life in the world. For centuries, the land between the Sabie and Crocodile Rivers was no more than a vast tract of African savannah. Attempts at permanent human settlement had mostly failed as mosquito and tsetse fly infestation made life intolerable, if not perilous. The Stone Age San, the only Africans able to adapt to the harsh conditions of this untamed environment, given their nomadic, self-sufficient lifestyle, were first to dwell here. They no longer hunt in the arid areas of the park, but evidence of their habitation remains in the form of rock artwork, documenting their survival techniques.
Centuries later, after permanent European settlement, the area became an official hunting ground. This was until President Paul Kruger decided, on 28 March 1898, to create a sanctuary for the diminishing populations of local fauna. | Day 4 | Explore the Kruger National Park. The park features excellent drives and trails through both dense bush and dry scrub. It is divided between the Northern Province and Mpumalanga, with the formers region getting the lion's share and extending southwards to the Olifants River and as far north as the Limpopo River. It is a premier local and international game park, featuring over 250,000 mammalian inhabitants falling into 147 species including all of the "Big Five": 300 black rhino, 2,500 white rhino, 8,000 elephant, 900 leopard, 15,000 buffalo and 2,000 lion, as well as 507 bird, 336 tree, 49 fish, 34 amphibian and 114 reptile species. | Day 5 | Drive to Nelspruit Airport in time for the flight to Durban, a fantastic city on the shores of the Indian Ocean. Situated high Durban’s prestigious Berea with commanding views, The Palms offers quiet luxury and comfort for the discerning guest. Antiques and stylish surroundings. Bedrooms have en suite bathrooms with television, in-house video channel and tea trays. Breakfast on the secluded terrace on sunny days, or indoors in the lovely dining room. Choose from a variety of restaurants in the burgeoning little ‘Chelsea’ of Florida Road, enjoy a round of golf, spend a day at the races, explore the nearby Botanical Gardens, all conveniently situated nearby. Durban central and the ICC only 5 minutes away. | Day 6 | Explore Durban beaches, golf, gardens and great restaurants on your day at leisure. | Day 7 | Drop your car at Durban airport before flying to the town of George on the world famous Garden Route. Pick up another car at George and drive approx 45 minutes to Wilderness Manor. On the beautiful Wilderness Lagoon, within walking distance of beaches and village restaurants, lies Wilderness Manor, an elegant guesthouse in a breathtaking setting. Exquisitely decorated home has an ambience of tranquillity, serenity and style. Relax in a spacious guest lodge or the billiard and reading room exuding an Afro-Colonial style with oriental rugs, antiques, art and collectibles. Enjoy superb views from balconies overlooking the lagoon and retire to stylish en suite bedrooms with white cotton linen, bathrobes, telephone, TV and bar fridge. Explore the Garden Route. Mountain bikes and beach accessories. | Day 8 | Spend the day exploring the Wilderness area. | Day 9 | Your final day exploring Wilderness. | Day 10 | Drive to historic Swellendam, a pretty colonial town between the Garden Route and Cape Town. (225 kilometres, approx 3 - 3 ½ hours) and your accommodation, Adin and Sharons hideaway. Winners of 1997, 1998 and 1999 National AA Awards for B&B of the year and winners of past Satour Awards, Adin and Sharon would love to welcome you to their hideaway nestling behind their Victorian cottage in secure surroundings, in a quiet side street, in historic Swellendam. Three spacious and well-appointed en suite bedrooms with air-conditioning open onto an extensive garden with 500 roses bushes. Furnished with antiques, Adin’s hand crafted furniture, fridge, tea tray, honesty bar and home comforts. Their generous hospitality is reflected in the superb breakfasts, convivial sundowners and Adin’s extensive knowledge of the area and personalised maps to your next destination. Walk to fine restaurants. | Day 11 | Self drive 225 kilometres, approx 3 -3 ½ hours to the Afton Grove Guest House. Ideally situated on the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive in the heart of the Peninsula, 20 minutes to the City. Cape Point and winelands, Afton Grove is set in tranquil parklike grounds. Spacious, Cape-style cottages are set in the magnificent two acre garden, overlooking a sparkling swimming pool. All en suite with television, telephone, tea and coffee trays. Each has private entrance and secure parking bay. Minutes from top restaurants, beaches, mountains, golf courses and famous Cape attractions. Horse riding, bird watching, barbecues and picnics arranged. Travel desk and laundry facilities. | Day 12 | We have allowed a couple of days for Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There is Table Mountain to climb, either by Cable car or foot, the newly developed waterfront to explore, as well as the old fort and Robbin island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was held. Overnight at the Afton Grove. | Day 13 | Cape Town. Today you may like to explore the Cape Peninsula, visiting the Cape of Good Hope, the penguins at Boulder Bay or the Botanical Gardens. Otherwise you can enjoy a last meal and some souvenir shopping at the Waterfront. | Day 14 | Drop car off at Cape Town airport in time for the return flight home. | Day 15 | Arrive UK. |
Accomodation - Click Here for Full Accomodation Information
|  Satara/Berg-en-dal Camps
Berg-en-dal is arguably one of the most attractive camps in the Kruger Park. The camp is situated on the bank of the Matjulu Spruit (spring) with a dam bordering the camp with dry riverbeds on the northern & southern side. The buildings in Berg-en-Dal are set within natural bush & the gardens planted with flowering shrubs and aloes. Great care has been taken to preserve the natural vegetation in the camp area. The camp is surrounded by rocky hillsides covered in Malelane Mountain Bush veld (woodland), which attracts a variety of grazers. 1 x Room with private facilities on a room only basis in 2 of the Kruger Parks official camps. more >> |  Wilderness Manor
On the beautiful Wilderness Lagoon, within walking distance of beaches and village restaurants, lies Wilderness Manor, an elegant guest house in a breathtaking setting. Exquisitely decorated home has an ambience of tranquility, serenity and style. Relax in a spacious guest lounge or the billiard and reading room exuding an Afro-Colonial style with oriental rugs, antiques, art and collectibles. Enjoy superb views from balconies overlooking the lagoon and retire to stylish en suite bedrooms with white cotton linen, bathrobes, telephone, TV and bar fridge. Explore the Garden Route. Mountain bikes and beach accessories.
1 x Double/twin room with private facilities on a bed & breakfast basis more >> |
Departures Between | Price from | 01 Jan 05 - 20 Apr 05
25 Aug 05 - 11 Dec 05 | *£1968 | 21 Apr 05 - 10 Jul 05 | *£1890 | 11 Jul 05 - 24 Aug 05 | *£2052 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Price is per person based on two people sharing and includes:
· International and domestic flights
· Meet and greet upon arrival
· Personalized driving itinerary
· Car hire based on a Group B Avis vehicle
· Accommodation on bed and breakfast basis, except at Kruger where room only
· 24 hour emergency back up
Not included: Main meals, petrol, drinks and other personal expenditure.
This holiday is offered by and booked with Real Africa ATOL 6115.
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Taste of South Africa
A Self-drive tour and safari through South Africa
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