Escorted tour of the undiscovered Transkei Wild Coast. Journey along the ruggedly gorgeous coastline to the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, the untouched beaches of Port St. Johns and Addo National Park
Day 1: Arrive in Durban Arrive at Durban International Airport and meet your Tour Leader, who will introduce you to the rural beauty of the Wild Coast. On arrival, you will be escorted on a half day tour of Durban City (depending on the time available). We will explore the temples, churches and architecture Durban is blessed with. Drive past the beautiful City Hall and Playhouse theatre complex before reaching the Indian market where you'll have time to explore. Take a peek inside the Emanuel Cathedral before we head off to the informal settlement of Cato Manor.
After which, you will then travel 2-hours to your luxury guesthouse on the warm South Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Relax and unwind on the patio in your lush sub-tropical surroundings, overlooking the warm Indian Ocean.
Day 2: Port St. Johns This morning start discovering the unspoilt beauty of the aptly-named Wild Coast of the undiscovered Transkei, birth place of Nelson Mandela.
This magnificent stretch of coastline, extending from Durban to Port Elizabeth, is off the main tourist track as for many years it was quite inaccessible. However investment in recent years by the South African government has improved infrastructure and roads, meaning this wild and dramatic coastal region is now easily accessible for travellers with a sense of adventure and prepared to stay in charming 3-star accommodation in spectacular and unspoilt locations.
After a scenic 4-hour journey through the rolling hills and lush tropical forests of the Transkei, check into your remote Wild Coast beach resort and enjoy a relaxing dinner in this place of great beauty, peace and tranquillity.
Days 3 and 4: Port St. Johns Umngazi River Lodge is a spectacular destination, perched on the panoramic hillside of the Umngazi River mouth, overlooking the scenic splendour of the Wild Coast. It combines luxurious style with the rural untouched beauty of the Wild coast. Your luxury bungalow is beautifully nestled amongst the kaleidoscopic of fauna and flora with a view of the sea that only rugged coastline of Pondoland can offer.
You will spend your days at your own leisure, taking in as many (or as few) activities as you wish. The optional activities available include fishing off the beaches to spectacular walking trails along the cliffs and through the forests. Scuba diving, cycling, bird-watching and many other holiday activities are also available. Alternatively, simply relax by the swimming pool or on the warm sweeping Indian Ocean beaches under endless blue skies – the choice is yours!
Day 5: Mazeppa Bay This morning we continue our journey southwards along the Wild Coast to Mazeppa Bay, a scenic journey of about 4-hours.
At the bustling Xhosa town of Umtata near his home village of Qunu, we will visit the Nelson Mandela Museum. The museum houses a fascinating collection of photographs, personal memorabilia, documents, gifts and children’s artwork dedicated to the apartheid struggle and its leader.
In the afternoon, we check into the Mazeppa Bay Hotel less than 10m from the Wild Coast shore. Mazeppa derives its name from the ship, the Mazeppa, which ran aground here while looking for shelter on its way to Delagoa Bay (now Maputo) from Port Natal in 1842.
Relax and enjoy the unspoilt beaches and natural beauty of the dramatic Wild Coast, the undiscovered jewel of South Africa.
Day 6: Mazeppa Bay Nestled in a beautiful setting of palms and tropical plants, Mazeppa Bay is one the most beautiful and remote areas in South Africa. It is characterized by it's own Island and depending on the tide, it is sometimes accessible by a quaint suspension bridge, which joins the Island to the main beach.
The Hotel has kept its old style and charm, which keeps families coming back generation after generation, where friends are made and people have a chance to take a step back from their busy lives to really relax with their loved ones.
The bird life at Mazeppa is quite spectacular, and this can be experienced by going on one of the many walks around the Hotel. The Manubi Indigenous forest being a particular delight for bird and plant lovers alike, while other walks include the One Mile beach across to the One Mile rocks where at the end of the beach, a World War II patrol plane crashed while trying to make an emergency landing on the beach.
Mazeppa Bay is a place of true peace and tranquillity, which will leave you completely revitalised and relaxed.
Day 7: Grahamstown Today we continue to the university town of Grahamstown, famous for its many schools and churches and host to South Africa’s largest English National Arts Festival in July each year.
Learn more about the fascinating history of the 1820 Settlers sent out from Britain to colonise this area and their ensuing conflict with the local Xhosa tribes during the Frontier Wars, as we explore this historic area.
Check into your luxury guesthouse in Grahamstown for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Addo Elephant National Park This morning we depart for Addo Elephant National Park, a scenic 2hours drive. On arrival at the malaria-free Addo Elephant National Park, we will check into your luxury lodge, before embarking on your first evening Game Drive. This open-top safari will give you the opportunity to view these magnificent animals which once roamed free in this area and were saved from extinction by this national park, which has also preserved the rare Cape buffalo and the flying dung beetle.
After checking you in, your host will return to Durban, leaving you to enjoy your new location under the auspices of your lodge hosts.
Day 9: Addo Elephant National Park Your day will begin with an early morning Game Drive where your guide will introduce you to the wonders of this magnificent wildlife area on the 4 hour Safari. Addo is renowned for its Elephant population, while there is always a chance of glimpsing the other members of the Big 5. After-which you will experience a hearty English Breakfast.
The mid-day period will be yours to relax around the pool or in your air-conditioned room. As late afternoon arrives, you will be escorted to a near by Private Game Reserve to track Lions as the African Sun slowly goes down, ending this experience with scrumptious a meal in African style restaurant or “boma”. After-which, you will be transferred back to your lodge.
Here, you can enjoy a night cap under the stars of the African sky, before climbing in to be for your final night in Africa.
Day 10: Port Elizabeth After your scrumptious breakfast, you will depart for Port Elizabeth, a scenic 3 hour drive. But, before you think it is all over, there is one more surprise… Your final destination will be the Addo Elephant Sanctuary, where you will get the opportunity to walk with and ride on these beautiful, gentle giants. This 3 hour experience will blow you away and is a great way to end this fantastic holiday.
You will then head to Port Elizabeth Airport in order to catch your onward flight.
Your appetite for adventure sufficed? Want more? Why not combine this experience with one of our other tours?
Want to be more independent? Let us know! We can offer this tour as completely self drive! ________________________________________________________________________________________ What Is Included: • All airport and ground transfers in air-conditioned vehicles • Accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis • Services of a fully qualified guide according to your itinerary • Activities specified in itinerary, including transfers and entrance charges
What Is Not Included: • International & domestic flights • Lunches & dinners (unless specified) • Drinks & refreshments • Tips for porters and restaurants • Telephone calls, laundry & other incidental personal expenditure • Visa fees, in countries where these apply • Airport departure taxes, in countries where these apply
Important Notice: • All activities are subject to prevailing weather conditions ________________________________________________________________________________________
Price Discounts per person:
Group of 4 to 6 people pay £ 1,465.00 (£ 430.00 discount per person sharing!) Group of 6 to 8 people pay £ 1,315.00 (£ 580.00 discount per person sharing!)
