The best of South Africa, self drive tour with hand picked accommodation, an exclusive Big 5 Game Reserve, the Garden Route, the Karoo, the Winelands and Cape Town one of the world's greatest cities.
Overall operator rating 9.3/10 from 3 trip reviews
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I would like to say that my wife Anna and I experienced a fantastic time in my recent trip to South Africa. The country and the places I visited in particular (Cape Town/Garden Route/Port Elizabeth/Idwala Lodge were brilliant and better than I expected. My accommodation was well thought out and the tourist guidance by Colin was first class.
Colin would bend backwards in making sure that everything was fine, and I would not hesitate in using him again, for a country that I will definately be returning to sometime.
2
Client:
Paul Egerton - from United Kingdom
Trip:
currently unavailable
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
Our holiday was excellent, it went very smoothly.
We had no issues with any of the bookings, the accomodation was as described and the people very friendly and accomodatiing. All details were as agreed and the operator was always helpful.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to South Africa and felt that the 11-day itinerary arranged for us was excellent and gave us a the opportunity to see so many different places of interest, beautiful landscapes and memorable experiences. The accommodation was simply first class, and all the "optional" suggestions we found very useful. We loved the South African people - so friendly and courteous, the weather, and the delicious food.
A couple of things which were disappointing - Bush Sands no longer has predators, so although the safari was enjoyable, my much anticipated chance to see big cats in the wild did not materialise. Bush Sands removed the predators back in May 2005. Also, in Storms River, they were not doing the black water rafting - something to do with their licence, but again, this had been the case for some while, and my husband was very disappointed to miss the opportunity to experience that.
At the vineyard in Franshoek, they had a large function on the only day we were there, so we were unable to eat in their highly recommended restaurant overlooking the valley or to tour the vineyard and sample the wine.
These are disappointments which could be avoided if the operator regularly check that everything on offer is currently available.
However, overall we had a wonderful holiday and would certainly recommend this operator to our friends back in the UK.
Itinerary
Our Company was established in 1998 to show guests, less visited and magical parts of Southern Africa.
We are members of SATSA (South African Touring Services Association) which requires, stringent insurance, financial and ethical controls.
SELF DRIVE TOUR
South Africa is an ideal country for self drive car hire. To hire a car in South Africa is like stepping back 30 years.
The roads are un congested few motorways just good old fashioned A roads. From Port Elizabeth to the Tsitsikamma National Park is 100 miles 160 km's there is little traffic, no traffic lights and at legal speeds the journey is less than an hour and a quarter.
The roads are well maintained we drive on the left hand side of the road. and petrol is around 4 Rand per litre 1/3 of the price in the U. K.
I T I N E R A R Y
Day 1. Collect you hire car from the airport and make the ten minute drive to our Beach House, which is located 50 metres from Hobie Beach and within easy walking distance of excellent restaurants and the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Centre.
Day 2-3. At leisure in Port Elizabeth, walk along the beach, visit the craft market along the beach front or simply sit by the swimming pool and enjoy the weather.
Port Elizabeth is not only a great place for water sports, surfing, sailing jet skis, diving let us know what you would like and we can organise. There are also four first class Golf Courses including the Humewood Links course, regularly voted in to the top 5 in the country.
There is also a stunning coastline the Sacramento trail is a particularly rewarding 10 kilometer coastal walk from Skoenmakerskop to Sardinia Bay.
We include a visit to a Township school you will be amazed at how much can be achieved with so little resources.
Day 4-5. Leave Port Elizabeth for the Addo Elephant National Park.
Addo Elephant National Park, has the highest density Elephant Population in the World. The Park is also being extended at an incredible rate it now covers 125,000 hectares 309,000 acres which is an area 4 times the size of Malta and is expanding to 492,000 hectares 1.2 million acres which will be 1/4 of the Size of Wales and 16 times the size of Malta. The Addo National Park now includes a coastal section home to Africa's largest penguin and gannet population, you are now able to see the "big 7" lion, elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo, whale, and great white shark.
There is more to the Addo Elephant National Park however than the "big 7", there are countless other species, Cape buffalo, Black rhino, Eland, Kudu, Bushbuck, Red hartebeest, Grysbok and Duiker, Jackals, Antbear, Bushpig, Vervet monkeys and Zebra, to name a few. The flightless dung beetle is unique to the park, you will here a lot about theses when you visit. 6 out of the world's 7 biomes are found here and a huge number of bird species.
For the first time since 1849 lions now roam free there are six in total released in October, they have been separated in to two groups at different ends of the park. Spotted Hyenas required to dispose of the animal carcases have also been reintroduced.
The area is completely malaria free and no medication is required,
Spend two nights at the brand new exclusive Pumba Safari Lodge in a Private Game Reserve, home to Africa’s Big 5 plus giraffe to seldom seen leopard, 22 species of antelope and the near extinct white lion.
The lodge is set amongst dense bushveld, overlooking Lake Kareiga, where the animals come to drink. The main lodge offers terrific views from its terraced timber deck complete with bushveld pool. Included are all meals, drinks (excluding the vintage wine collection) and game activities.
Day 6. Move on to the Tsitsikamma National Park. with overnight accommodation at the Tsitsikamma Forest Inn in Storms River at the entrance to the Park.
There are many optional activities, for those brave enough, the worlds highest bungee jump with a drop of 216 metres. Enjoy some of the magic walks in the Tsitsikamma National Park, take a tree top canopy tour suspended in the giant Outinequa Yellowwood trees.
Day 7 and day 8.
Option 1. Visit Plettenburg Bay and travel to Knysna which is in the heart of the South African Lake District.
Stay overnight at Leisure Isle Lodge which was recently voted one of South Africa’s top three Guest Lodges. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Knysna's world renowned the Lodge is positioned on the picturesque shores of Bollard Bay.
It is only minutes from central Knysna, yet far enough a field to afford guests a little peace and tranquillity. The Island also boasts the most unique 'sea level' vistas of the famous Knysna Heads, Outeniqua mountain range and the evergreen Featherbed Nature Reserve.
Option 2. Take the short drive to Plettenburg Bay
Overnight accommodation and wonderful evening meal at the Tsala Tree Top Lodge The accommodation is located in ten exclusive tree houses high in the Outinequa forest.
Each house has it’s own plunge pool, they are approached by elevated walkways from the main house and reception area.
We include the outstanding evening meal.
Day 9 and day 10. Travel on to Oudtshoorn located in the semi desert Karoo. Visit the Kango Caves, stay overnight at Die Opstal a working Ostrich farm, with great accommodation.
The Lodge consists of a group of typical Little Karoo farm buildings, beautifully restored and fitted with modern conveniences, set in lush, tranquil garden surroundings. The complex has a swimming pool and a rustic restaurant where traditional breakfasts and hearty farm-style dinners are served.
We offer an optional 54 km downhill cycle ride starting at the top of the Swartberg pass with hairpin bends waterfalls and rock pools, you will cycle back to Outshoorn via the Cango Caves, an ostrich farm (ride an ostrich) wildlife ranch and camel farm.
Day 11. Onwards to Mossel Bay with accommodation at the Historic Old Post Office Tree.
You can take a walk round the fishing boats in the harbour, visit the Diaz museum or take a cage dive, where you would be lowered into the water wearing breathing apparatus, you should then come face to face with a great white. Rather you than me !!!!
Day 12. Breakfast in Mossel Bay and leave for a 3 hour drive to the wine growing district stop overnight in the village of Franschhoek. South Africa makes great red wine you will stay in a cottage in one of the vineyards. Naturally you will get the chance to sample the wine and have a tour of the vineyard.
Day 13. Take the short drive into Cape Town and see the awe inspiring Table Mountain for the first time. Your accommodation will be Table Mountain Lodge. Located on the slopes of the mountain but a few minutes walk from the City Centre and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
Day 14-15. At leisure in Cape Town. Cape town is one of the world’s greatest cities and has a great nightlife and excellent inexpensive restaurants. You can hike or take the cable car up Table Mountain, go to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront or take a boat trip to Robben Island. where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for 27 years.
Day 16. Final morning in South Africa drop your hire car at Cape Town airport.
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Price for this itinerary 14,000 ZAR per person for Option 1 18,000 ZAR for Option 2, using a group C car which is a Volkswagen Golf.
Included in the tour price:- Map and Guide book of South Africa. 16 days Unlimited mileage car hire. Full insurance with nil excess subject to car hire terms and conditions.
Day 1-3. Bed and Breakfast accommodation at Beach House. Visit to a Township School or Township Tour.
Day 4 Day 5. Accommodation at Pumba Safari Lodge. Included are all meals, drinks (excluding the vintage wine collection) and game activities.
Day 6. Breakfast at Pumba Safaris. Overnight accommodation at the Tsitsikamma Forest Inn.
Day 7-8. Breakfast at the Tsitsikamma Forest Inn.
Option 1. Accommodation with breakfast at Leisure Isle Lodge in Knysna.
Option 2. Accommodation at Tsala Tree Top Lodge with evening meal.
Day 9-10. Accommodation with breakfast at Die Opstal in Outshoorn.
Day 11. Overnight accommodation at Old Post Office tree in Mossel Bay.
Day 12. Breakfast at Old Post Office tree in Mossel Bay, Stay in a cottage a vineyards in Franschhoek.
Day 13. Accommodation at Table Mountain Lodge in Cape Town.
Day 14. Accommodation at Table Mountain Lodge in Cape Town.
Day 15. Accommodation at Table Mountain Lodge in Cape Town.
Day 16. Return hire car to Cape Town Airport.
Excluded: Fuel deposit 1000 ZAR. Telephone calls Bar account Items of a personal nature Gratuities Fines and vehicle damage not covered by insurance subject to terms and conditions of hire car company. Items not mentioned above.
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