The South African Essentials
Johannesburg to Cape Town tcwt

Days
15 Days and 14 Nights

Highlights at a glance
• Johannesburg • Mpumalanga • Panorama Route •
Kruger National Park • Swaziland • Hluhluwe Game
Reserve • iSimangaliso Wetland Park • Durban •
Drakensberg • Wild Coast • Port Elizabeth • Garden
Route • Cape Town • Cape Peninsula

Min/Max Participants
Two / Twenty five

Departure
2011 Nov 14, 28May 14 June 18 July 16 Aug 6, 20 Sept 10, 24 Oct 15,29

Accommodation
Upper 3 star hotels and private game lodges

Vehicle
Luxury Sedan / Microbus/ Coach

Driver/Guide Services of THETA registered driver/ guide throughout the tour.

Open Safari Vehicle.

Safari  guide
Languages Available
English - German. Other language guides available on
request booked on a private basis
Visa / Passport
Multiple entry visas for South Africa where
applicable. For Swaziland entry, passport and visa
conditions apply

Included
Meals: 14 breakfasts; 3 dinners;

Entrance fees: Blyde River Canyon; Mac Mac Falls;
Bourke’s Luck Potholes; Conservations fee into
Kruger; Mandela Museum; Cango Caves; Safari
Ostrich Farm; Wildlife Cheetah Ranch


DAY 1 | MONDAY
Pick up from your Sandton hotel, depart Johannesburg and travel via Witbank, Belfast and
Lydenburg, then crossing over the Long Tom Pass and arrive via the Mac Mac Falls in the small town
of Pilgrim’s Rest, where the richest alluvial gold deposits in South Africa were discovered. We reach
our destination, Ohrigstadt, in time for dinner (not included).
Hannah Lodge or similar - bed and breakfast

DAY 2 | TUESDAY
We depart the lodge travelling along the Panorama Route visiting the sites of the Blyde River Canyon
(one of the natural wonders of Africa), God’s Window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes before arriving at
our destination on the outskirts of Hazyview.
Casa Do Sol Hotel & Resort or similar - dinner, bed and breakfast

DAY 3 | WEDNESDAY
Spend the day in the Kruger National Park, looking for the wonderful flora and fauna. This park was
proclaimed in 1926 and covers an area of about 21 500 km2. The topography of the park is consistent
except for the mountainous South-Western section. From mammals, predators, reptiles and birds, there may be many opportunities for you to see the Big Five and capture your
experience on camera.

Optional full day game drive in an open safari vehicle is available.

Casa Do Sol Hotel & Resort or similar - dinner, bed and breakfast

DAY 4 | THURSDAY
Travel through Swaziland, visiting the Ngwenya Glass factory and stopping for some traditional curios and souvenirs. Enjoy the views of the local population and their
ways of living. Continue on through the border into KwaZulu-Natal to your overnight hotel.
Protea Hotel Hluhluwe or similar - bed and breakfast

DAY 5 | FRIDAY
After a leisurely breakfast go on an optional open safari game drive into the well-known Hluhluwe Game Reserve or an optional boat cruise in the greater St. Lucia
Wetlands Park, also known as iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Arrive at your hotel in Durban after a short orientational city tour.
Balmoral Hotel or similar - bed and breakfast

DAY 6 | SATURDAY
Leaving the coastal city of Durban we head into the great Drakensberg Mountains. This route is extremely scenic and passes many sights of magnificent beauty. Visit
the Himeville Museum. Arrive at your destination.
Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Spa Resort or similar - bed and breakfast

DAY 7 | SUNDAY
Full day at leisure to enjoy the wonderful views of the magnificent southern Drakensberg Mountains. Optional 4x4 adventure tour up Sani Pass and into Lesotho is
available (passport and visa required).
Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Spa Resort or similar - bed and breakfast

DAY 8 | MONDAY
An early departure leaves you with a view of the beautiful Sani Pass region, which for a long time was the only way for the people to transport products such as mohair,
wool and peas from Lesotho to Natal.

Make your way to your to the old Transkei region on the Wild Coast where you will overnight.
Mbotyi Hotel or similar - dinner, bed and breakfast

DAY 9 | TUESDAY
After breakfast we head towards the Eastern Cape, passing through Umtata and visitng the Mandela Museum on our way to East London.

This city at the mouth of
the Buffalo River is South Africa’s only River Port. After lunch (not included) we stop in Grahamstown (fondly known as the city of Saints).

This town is well known for
its elegant 19th century architecture including historical buildings and beautiful churches. Arrive at your hotel in Port Elizabeth late afternoon.
Kelway Hotel or similar - bed and breakfast

DAY 10 | WEDNESDAY
After breakfast we head towards the famous Garden Route, stopping at Storm’s River where photographic opportunities abound. Enjoy lunch at the first and only wine
estate this far east of the Western Cape (not included). Arrive at your overnight destination.
The Dunes Hotel and Resort or similar - bed and breakfast

DAY 11 | THURSDAY
Full day at leisure. Spend the day next to the pool or take a walk on the beach.

Optional full day tour available: this tour starts with a trip to Knysna Waterfront,
then head towards the Western Head and enter the Featherbed Nature Reserve.

A unimog drawn trailer will take you up to the reserve where you will enjoy lunch
(included).

On the way back to your hotel you stop for an interactive experience with the gentle giants at the Knysna Elephant Park.
The Dunes Hotel and Resort or similar - bed and breakfast

DAY 12 | FRIDAY
Arrive in Oudtshoorn via George and the Outeniqua Pass. Visit the Safari Ostrich Show Farm, which is an operating farm where visitors can see large groups of these
wonderful birds.

A guided tour allows us to explore the ancient stalactites and stalagmites of the Cango Caves. A visit to the Cango Wildlife Ranch and Valley of
Ancients and endangered species gives you a glimpse of many endangered animals in a safe environment.
Protea Hotel Riempie Estate or similar - bed and breakfast

DAY 13 | SATURDAY
Leaving via Route 62, driving through the Little Karoo to Montagu, Robertson and Worcester on our way to Cape Town. Lunch en route (not included).
Protea Hotel Fire and Ice or similar - bed and breakfast

DAY 14 | SUNDAY
Day at leisure in the “Mother City”. Optional full day Cape Point Tour available:sights of this tour include Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens; Cape of Good Hope Reserve;
the funicular (optional extra) to reach the hillcrest at Cape of Good Hope; the penguin colony at Boulders Beach (optional) Chapman’s Peak (subject to the road being
open); Hout Bay stop at the harbor; Sea Point.
Protea Hotel Fire and Ice or similar - bed and breakfast

DAY 15 | MONDAY
Optional morning Table Mountain (subject to cable way being open) and city tour available. Transfer to Cape Town international Airport in time for your homebound