 |
 |
Choose from
(785) Africa travel packages |
| |
|
| Viewing: Kruger & Garden Route |
Package ID: 1785 |
|
|
| Kruger & Garden Route |
An truly fantastic escorted experience, combining a Kruger Safari, Cultural and Historical Johannesburg Tour and the beautiful Garden Route. Groups of 4 & more can get upto £1350 off!!
|
Itinerary Highlights:
Kruger National Park:
• 5 nights game park accommodation, with en-suite facilities
• At least 10 game viewing drives in the Kruger National Park
• Breakfasts & Dinners daily
Blyde River Canyon:
• 1 nights luxury guesthouse accommodation at Tanamera Guest House, with en-suite facilities
• Blyde River Canyon
• Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
• Breakfasts & Dinners daily
Johannesburg
• 2 nights luxury accommodation at Graton Guest Lodge, with en-suite facilities
• Tours of Soweto, Apartheid Museum, Sterkfontein Caves, and Lesedi Cultural Village
• Breakfasts & Dinners daily
Knysna
• 2 nights luxury accommodation, at the Knysna Terrace Lodge with en-suite facilities
• Tjoe-Tjoe Steam Train Ride
• Tour of Featherbed Nature Reserve
• Breakfasts & Dinners daily
Oudtshoorn
• 1 nights luxury guesthouse accommodation at the Altes Landhaus Guest House, with en-suite facilities
• Tours of Local Ostrich Farm & Cango Caves
• Breakfasts & Dinners daily
Hermanus
• 1 nights luxury guesthouse accommodation at Misty Waves Boutique Hotel, with en-suite facilities
• Whale watching boat ride in season (weather permitting)
• Breakfasts & Dinners daily
Cape Town & Franshoek
• 4 nights luxury accommodation at the
De Waterkant House, with en-suite facilities
• Tour of the Cape, Robben Island, Table Mountain & Township Tour
• Breakfasts & Dinners daily
________________________________________________________________________________________
What Is Included:
• All airport and ground transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
• Local Flights between Johannesburg and Hoedspruit (return), and Johannesburg and Cape Town (one-way)
• Accommodation on a Dinner, bed and breakfast basis (except in Cape Town where it will be on a
Bed & Breakfast basis only)
• Activities specified in itinerary, including transfers
• Guide/Host as per itinerary
• Guided Activities as per itinerary – weather permitting
• Access to 24 hour Travel Expert
What Is Not Included:
• International & domestic flights
• Lunches & dinners (unless specified)
• Optional Activity Fees (Table Mountain Cable Car, Hout Bay Boat Trip, and Boulders Penguin Sanctuary)
• 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
Please Note:
• All Activities are dependant on prevailing weather conditions
• All Cape Town Tours can be interchanged to fit your needs
________________________________________________________________________________________
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Johannesburg and onto the Kruger National Park
On arrival at Johannesburg International Airport (O.R. Tambo International) you will be met by your Safari host, who after a quick introduction and the collection of your luggage, he/she will load you all into your own air-conditioned private vehicle and head towards the world famous Kruger National Park.
You will take a scenic drive of approximately 4 hours to Malelane, where we enter this great conservation area. As we enter the Park and head to our overnight camp, Game viewing opportunities should present themselves almost immediately in this vast 2-million hectare game sanctuary the size of Wales. Hopefully we will come across many general game species, these can include Impala, Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Kudu and if we are lucky one or two of the Big 5.
The Kruger National Park offers a choice of seven camps, each situated in a different section of the park with its own unique flora and fauna: Skukuza, Letaba, Olifants, Lower Sabie, Pretoriuskop, Satara and Berg-en-Dal. Accommodation is in simple but in comfortable thatched game park bungalows, with each camp having a restaurant and a small shop.
On arrival at our Camp, your guide will book you into your chalets, and begin preparation of the evening meal. Sit back, relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the African night (exact camp subject to availability at time of booking).
Day 2 - 6: Kruger National Park
A typical day will start with a light snack, before we head out explore to the vast Kruger plains, which offer magnificent game viewing opportunities and the highest concentration of lion in the whole of Africa. Hopefully we will see at least one of the Big five today - lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino, before returning to camp for a hearty brunch.
As you will have the services of your private host/guide throughout your safari, you will have the flexibility of discussing preferred routes and traveling times with him each day. However we recommend setting off early each morning as the camp gates open (05h30 to 06h00 depending on the season), to take advantage of the best game viewing conditions of the day.
The rest of the morning can be spent relaxing at camp, reading or bird watching, before setting out again at the time of your choice (usually the late afternoon) for another game drive.
One game drive per day will be in an open-top game viewing vehicle operated by the Kruger National Park (either early morning, late afternoon or evening), with all other game drives taken with your host in an air-conditioned minibus, as this is more comfortable in the heat of the day. There will also be opportunity to explore the area by foot with experienced trails rangers either on your first or second morning.
During the trip, we will endeavour explore as much of Kruger as possible, by staying in Restcamps in the South and Central Regions of the Park.
In the evening, enjoy the balmy weather and pristine stars of the southern sky and Milky Way, as you have never seen them before – including the spectacular Southern Cross.
Day 7: Blyde River Canyon
After our final game drive, we leave the Kruger National Park, this morning and make our way along the beautiful Drakensberg Panorama Route as you drive through Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world.
You will also stop off at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where you have the unique opportunity of viewing wild lion, leopard, cheetah, eagles and vultures at close quarters. Animals found injured, poisoned or orphaned are given a second chance and released back into the wilds.
We will also view Mac Mac Falls, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the panoramic views from God’s Window. And if time permits, we will also make a brief stop at the historic mining village of Pilgrim’s Rest.
Check into your luxury guesthouse for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Johannesburg
After breakfast, we make our way back to Johannesburg. You will have 2 nights to experience one of the most amazing African City’s. Jozi (as it is known locally) is home to several amazing sites of historical and cultural importance.
On arrival you will book into your luxury accommodation in Sandton, Johannesburg. After a mid-day siesta, you will be collected by Johannesburg City Host, who will then escort you on a half day tour of Johannesburg and Soweto.
This Tour will take you through the beautiful and history of Johannesburg City -"the City of Gold" see the diverse lifestyles and historical buildings from 1886 when an Australian man named George Harrison discovered the first gold reef in Johannesburg. Experience the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg central from the "Top of Africa" - a 52 storey and highest building in Africa.
We then head to the South Western Township also known as Soweto. A Soweto experience is never the same, one of Africa’s largest, most vibrant and mythical townships it will grasp you imagination and have you singing Nkosi Sikilele before you leave this wonderful cultural location.
During our tour we will visit: the Mandela residence, the Hector Petersen Memorial, and a Shebeen - an African tavern where you can enjoy a drink and listen to traditional township music.
After all of this, we are sure you have a great night sleep in your luxury accommodation, but not before you try out one of many fantastic Restaurants in Nelson Mandela Square.
Day 9: Johannesburg
Today, we venture out of Johannesburg to visit the world renowned Sterkfontein Caves and Maropeng Centre. These 2,2 billion year old caves are the site of some the greatest scientific discoveries of century in the search for the origins of humankind, situated in the World Heritage Site of Gauteng province. An anthropological treasure house of the world where the famous Mrs. Ples - the oldest and most perfect human skull in the world, 2,5 million years old - was discovered in search for origins of humankind. Sites visited are some of the richest in Africa in human evolution. The enormous underground lake inside the cave is something that will stay with you forever.
On our return Journey, we will stop of at the tragic and touching Apartheid Museum. This extraordinarily powerful museum, with its large blown-up photographs, metal cages and numerous monitors exhibiting continuous replays of apartheid scenes will give you insight into the struggle that helped free this beautiful country.
Day 10: Johannesburg to Knysna via George
Our final morning Johannesburg will be spent at your own leisure, where may choose to either relax at your Accommodation, or you may choose to do some curio shopping at one of the local shopping centres. You will then be escorted to Johannesburg International Airport (O.R. Tambo International), where you will your Safari host will then assist in booking you onto 2 hour flight to George on the Garden Route. Your escort will bid his/her farewell.
Once in George, you will be met by your host, who will escort you to the lovely seaside town of Knysna. This little Town in the heart of the Garden Route is a tourist hub, known for its Oysters, arts and crafts and natural beauty. We will spend 2 nights exploring the area by road and by foot.
Check into your luxury hotel in Knysna and settle into your beautiful surroundings.
Day 11: Knysna
This morning we visit Featherbed Nature Reserve, situated on the Western Head – one of two magnificent sandstone cliffs guarding the entrance to the vast Knysna lagoon. This spectacular nature reserve is only accessible by ferry, followed by a short trailer ride to the top of the reserve, which offers panoramic views. Most visitors choose to return on foot via a 1-mile Guided Nature Walk through natural coastal forest onto the cliffs, through caves and along a scenic coastal path. A seafood buffet lunch is then served under the old Milkwood trees.
The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free to explore Knysna on foot.
In the evening we will dine at one of the famous Seafood Restaurants where you can tryout some of the local oysters (if you like).
Day 12: Oudtshoorn
After a late breakfast, you leave Knysna behind and continue our journey along the coast enjoying the dramatic and contrasting beauty of South Africa on your spectacular 2-hour drive to the arid Little Karoo.
On arrival in Oudtshoorn we visit an Ostrich Farm to view these huge flightless birds in their natural surroundings, before checking into your luxury guest farm for overnight and dinner. Here, we will take part in a guided Tour to the local Meerkat colony, to learn about their ecology and conservation. A fantastic experience for all.
In the evening, we will dine under the amazing Karoo night sky, enjoying a few of the local delicacies.
Day 13: Hermanus
Today, we visit the world-renowned Cango Caves – a vast series of underground halls and caverns formed over 20 million years ago in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains. The caves, which extend for over 3 miles, contain spectacular stalagmites and stalactites and offer relatively easy access.
After-which, we continue to George where, from mid August to mid May, you have the opportunity of boarding the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe. This is South Africa’s last remaining steam-hauled scheduled passenger train that, from Monday to Saturday, follows a spectacular coastal route from George to Mosselbay. The view of the Indian Ocean with its foaming waves crashing on to the seemingly endless beach is breath taking. When the train is not operating, we travel the same route by road.
You guide will then meet you at Mossel Bay, where you will continue your journey to the small seaside town of Hermanus, a scenic coastal drive of just under 2-hours.
From August to November, Southern Right and Humpback Whales come to breed in the safe coastal waters of the this lovely town, and because of its location, Hermanus has some of the best land-based whale watching holidays in the world. Once severely endangered, these magnificent creatures of the deep are now breeding successfully in the area due to a major international conservation effort.
On arrival you will be booked into you luxury accommodation, where you will have a beautiful sea view. Sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of the Cape beaches.
Day 14: Arrive in Cape Town
Our day starts at sunrise with a 3 – 4 hour whale watching tour. This experience will give you the opportunity to get close and personal with some of the largest mammals on earth. Out of whale season, we will take part in an eco-boat trip allowing us to get close with some of the more interesting wildlife of the ocean.
After a late breakfast, we will then take slow and scenic drive to Cape Town. Our route will follow the coast giving us further opportunities to see more aquatic wildlife and some breathtaking sea views.
On arrival in Cape Town you will book into your luxury accommodation conveniently situated on the foot of Table Mountain and overlooking the famous Camps Bay.
Check in and relax in your magnificent surroundings.
Day 15: Cape Town
You day begins with a scrumptious buffet breakfast while overlooking Camps Bay and all its beauty. You will then be transferred to the V & A Waterfront, where you will partake in a 4 hour tour of Robben Island. This touching experience will be led by an ex-inmate who will immerse you in the history of this island, which once held the great Nelson Mandela.
After Lunch, you will be collected by your guide for a sightseeing city tour of Cape Town. This tour will includes historical highlights of the area including the Castle of Good Hope and Signal Hill, with the tour coming to culmination on the top of Table Mountain.
Day 16: Cape Town
This morning your guide will collect you for a full day tour to of the Cape Peninsula.
This full day tour travels along the spectacular coastline of the Peninsula through charming historical villages. Visit the mythical meeting place of the two great oceans and experience the “Fairest Cape of all”. Highlights include Camps Bay & Clifton, Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, Noordhoek, Ostrich Viewing, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Penguin Colony, Simons Town, Constantia and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Day 17: Cape Town
Today, you may choose between either a Tour of the Cape Winelands or Township Tour.
The Tour of the renowned Cape Winelands, travels through the scenic Franschoek Valley where a handful of French Huguenot refugees started South Africa’s now famous wine industry. You will visit the historic towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschoek, and several different wine estates – sampling as you go! Enjoy a picnic lunch in the Winelands, with the option of visiting the Spier cheetah breeding project.
The Township Tour will introduce you to the multicultural side of Cape Town and a provide you with a chance to interact with the locals. You will travel to District Six where forced removals changed the lives of many people to informal settlements where traditional healers and shebeens add to the rich culture of township life, you’ll see it all
You will have time to do some final curio shopping before you are transferred to Cape Town International Airport for your onward flight.
(Tour Ends: 18:00)
________________________________________________________________________________________
Group Discounts:
3 - 6 Travellers: £ 2,145.00 per person sharing ( £1050 discount per person sharing!)
6 - 8 Travellers: £ 1845.00 per person sharing ( £1350 discount per person sharing!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
