Day 01: Arrive Johannesburg (SOUTH AFRICA)

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, we are met and transferred to our hotel. Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa. It is known as the source for South Africa’s gold and diamond trade, due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. The remainder of the day is at leisure and unescorted. Possibility here to experience an afternoon tour of Soweto, the suburb that captures the history of South Africa’s struggle for equality – please contact Bestway Tours & Safaris for pricing. We can enjoy a sightseeing tour or simply relax at our hotel. At 19h00, we will meet up at reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet fellow travellers.

Overnight: Protea Wanderers Hotel (Premium), Johannesburg (1 night)

Day 02: Johannesburg/Mpumalanga (Drive)

Depart Johannesburg after breakfast as we make our way to Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city, for a short orientation tour. Afterwards we continue our journey to the Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country”. Making our way into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld, we travel via the historic towns of Dullstroom and Lydenburg. After traversing the famous Long Tom Pass, we arrive late afternoon in Hazyview, the safari hub of Kruger National Park.

Overnight: Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel (Premium), Mpumalanga (3 nights) (B)

Day 03: Mpumalanga

After an early morning breakfast, we drive along the spectacular “Panorama Route”. The spectacular scenery along this road includes the 26 kilometre-long Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and historic God’s Window, which offers a breathtaking view (weather permitting) of Kruger National Park’s escarpment. We arrive back in Hazyview in the early afternoon, where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or join an optional afternoon game safari. (B)

Day 04: Mpumalanga

The day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a thrilling open vehicle safari (with English speaking game ranger) with pre-packed breakfast through Kruger National Park, a highlight of African safari trips. Kruger is one of the world’s greatest national parks, home to a stunning array of wildlife. Search for the Big Five (rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant) as well as prolific bird life and numerous other game. The afternoon is at leisure at our hotel. Late afternoon optional open vehicle game drives available (please contact Bestway Tours & Safaris for pricing). (B)

Day 05: Mpumalanga/Exulwini Valley (ESWATINI) (Drive)

This morning, we travel to Eswatini (Swaziland), known for its beautiful scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience introduces us to the charming people of Eswatini (Swaziland) and their traditions. We travel via the capital city, Mbabane, on to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for an African shopping experience at the Ezulwini Craft Market, which is packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings.

Overnight: Royal Swazi Sun (Premium), Eswatini (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 06: Eswatini/Hluhluwe-Umfolozi region (ZULULAND) (Drive)

After breakfast, we will continue south through Eswatini, before re-entering South Africa. Travel into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. There is an option to enjoy an afternoon open vehicle safari with English speaking game ranger (please contact Bestway Tours & Safaris for pricing) in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora. This reserve is well known for its conservation of black and white rhino. Overnight in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi region.

Overnight: Anew Hotel Hluhluwe (Premium), Zululand (1 night) (B)

Day 07: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi region/Durban (Umhlanga) (SOUTH AFRICA) (Drive)

This morning, we join a cruise on Lake St Lucia (weather permitting) before departing for Durban. Our journey takes us past traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. We arrive early afternoon with the balance of the day at leisure to enjoy the golden beaches of the Indian Ocean. We have the option here to enjoy an afternoon tour of Durban and discover the unique atmosphere and beckoning beaches of this cultural melting pot (contact Bestway Tours & Safaris for pricing).

Overnight: Protea Hotel Umhlanga (Luxury), Durban (1 night) (B)

Day 08: Durban (Umhlanga)/Port Elizabeth (Flight)/Knysna (Drive)

After breakfast, transfer to Durban (Umhlanga) airport for the short southward flight to Port Elizabeth, where we will be met by our representative. Once everyone has arrived, we set off to explore the magnificent beauty of the indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest. We visit the stunning Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). Our hotel is in Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route.

Overnight: (Rex Hotel (Superior), Knysna (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 09: Knysna

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll enjoy a lagoon cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, where we can take a trailer ride to the top of the Western Head to enjoy panoramic views of the town and lagoon, returning for lunch under the milk wood trees. Afternoon is at leisure to further explore this charming town set around a natural harbour lagoon. (B, D)

Day 10: Knysna/Oudtshoorn (Drive)

Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the “ostrich capital” and the centre of the world’s ostrich farming industry. We’ll visit an Ostrich Farm for a guided tour and light lunch, before taking a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. We arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon, with the balance of the day free.

Overnight: Hlangana Lodge (Superior) Oudtshoorn (1 night) (B, D)

Day 11: Oudtshoorn/Franschhoek (Drive)

This morning, we have the exciting option to join a Meerkat safari (subject to availability – contact Bestway Tours & Safaris for pricing), where we can see these fascinating wild creatures pop out from their burrows, bask in the sun, and hunt for their morning meal (weather permitting). We then head back for a delicious breakfast. Our journey continues through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale, where we will have the unique opportunity to visit a local farm school, interact with the children and teachers here, and spend time learning about local farming activities (subject to school being open). Afterwards we travel on to Montagu, a picturesque and historic spa town, before continuing to Franschhoek, where we will spend the night. French Huguenots settled in this picturesque village more than 300 years ago, bringing with them their age-old French wine and food culture. The area is now surrounded by spectacular vineyards.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Franschhoek, Franschhoek (1 night) (B)

Day 12: Franschhoek/Cape Town (Drive)

After a leisurely breakfast, our expert guide will take us through Franschhoek village, sharing the unique history of the French Huguenots who settled here. We will also visit the Huguenot Memorial Museum. Savour a wine tasting before continuing to Cape Town.

Overnight: President Hotel (Premium), Cape Town (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 13: Cape Town

Enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay (where we can enjoy an optional and for own account seal island boat cruise) and then on to Cape Point where (by tradition) it is said that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. We'll return to Cape Town by way of Simon's Town, where we visit the penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee for own account), Fish Hoek fishing village and Muizenberg. (B)

Day 14: Depart Cape Town

Enjoy some last minute shopping (unescorted) or sightseeing (for own account). The Robben Island Tour (for own account and time permitting), which departs from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, offers a fascinating excursion. Later we are transferred to the airport for our return flight. A great opportunity here to extend our adventure with additional nights in Cape Town, or to other parts of Africa, including Tanzania, Botswana or Victoria Falls. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 25 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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