South Africa & Beyond Private Guided Tour

Day 1

Soweto and Johannesburg

This morning we drive to Soweto where we have a local guide join us parting his intimate knowledge and experience of the largest ‘township’ in Africa. We visit Soweto Township, Freedom Square and Hector Pieterson museum and memorial.

A walking tour and drive will take you to various points of interest like the home of Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Winnie Mandela and the FNB stadium. We lunch in a well known African restaurant on Vilakazi Street. The most visited street in Soweto. Home to the late former present, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who still resides there with his wife Leah. We can, time permitting visit, Lilliesleaf where Nelson Mandela was captured which lead to the famous Rivonia trial. From here to Constitution Hill, you discover the secrets of the past and the tales of the true struggle for freedom.

Main Destination:

•  Soweto (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Accommodation:

• Lancaster House
• Mid-range guest house located in or near the park

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 2

Blyde River Canyon & Pilgrims Rest

Depart for the beautiful Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga. Follow the scenic Panorama Route and admire God’s Window, Three Rondavels, Blyde River Canyon, Long Tom Pass, the battlefields, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the various Canyon waterfalls. Pilgrim’s Rest is an authentic historical village dating from the first South African gold rush and now a National Monument.
Lunch

Time permitting, a swim in the beautiful MacMac pools to cool off.
Accommodation is on the edge of the canyon.

Distance Calculator: Sandton to Blyde River Canyon – 496 km
5 h 49 min via N12 (5 h 22 min without traffic).

Main Destination:

• Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve (Panorama Route, South Africa)

Accommodation:

• Graskop
• Mid-range hotel located just outside the park

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3

Kruger National Park

On arrive in the late morning at the famous Kruger Park and begin your visit with lunch on the banks of the mighty Sabie River. A glorious 4×4 sunset safari with professional ranger pursuing the Big 5 and other rare and endangered species. Enjoy a great barbecue dinner. Accommodation in National Park chalets.

Distance Calculator: Blyde River Canyon to Kruger National Park – 71.3 km
1 h 22 min via R40 (1 h 22 min without traffic).

Main Destination:

• Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Accommodation:

• Lower Sabie Rest Camp
• Mid-range bungalow located inside Southern Kruger

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4

Kruger National Park

Around 4.30 am you can leave camp for a 3 hr morning 4×4 safari with a professional ranger to witness the African Savannah and wildlife in all its splendour. Return to camp for a hearty breakfast followed by a full day safari with your guide. Accommodation in National Park chalets.
NB: If accommodation is outside the Kruger Park a Full day 4×4 safari with a professional ranger will replace the 2 x 3 hour game drives.

Main Destination:

• Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Accommodation:

• Lower Sabie Rest Camp
• Mid-range bungalow located inside Southern Kruger

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5

Kingdom of Swaziland

Depart for the Kingdom of Swaziland (passport required). The landscapes are very similar to those of Switzerland. You can visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory and the oldest mine in the world. At Mbabane, capital of Swaziland you can see the Royal Palace, Parliament, the Kings Mausoleum and a craft market in the Ezulwini Valley. Overnight “hotel de charme” bed and breakfast, dinner included.

Main Destination:

• Ezulwini Valley (Swaziland)

Accommodation:

• Mogi Boutique Hotel
• Mid-range guest house located in or near Southern Kruger

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6

Lake St Lucia, iSimangaliso Wetland Park

After breakfast we visit the Swaziland candle factory and “House of fire”. Before departing for St Lucia situated along the tropical coast of Zulu land. En route we visit a typical Swazi village and orphanage run by a lady who has no NGO or governmental aid but some how has given hope to many orphan children. An authentic experience that will leave us with fond memories of her courage. lunch on the way.

Upon arrival we take a cruise (included) on the St. Lucia wetlands, home to a multitude of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and a World Heritage Site. It is in this complex ecosystem where bush meets beach, mangrove and sand forests are home to a stupendous diversity of wildlife and flora. We have the opportunity to encounter hippos, crocodiles, eagles and maybe even the elusive leopard. Luxury B&B in the heart of the St Lucia wetland park.

Main Destination:

• Lake St Lucia (iSimangaliso WP, South Africa)

Accommodation:

• St Lucia Wetlands Guest House
• Mid-range guest house located in or near Southern Kruger

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve

Early morning start for St Lucia for Hluhluze / Umfolozi Park, the 2nd oldest national park in the world and home to the “B5″ and also renowned for saving the white rhino from extinction. You will spend the day exploring this vast reserve accompanied by a professional ranger in a 4×4.Late afternoon you return to St Lucia village. Dinner is at a restaurant of your choice.

Main Destination:

• Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve (South Africa)

Accommodation:

• St Lucia Wetlands Guest House
• Mid-range guest house located just outside Southern Kruger

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8

ISimangaliso Wetland Park to Cape Vidal

This morning we head into iSimangaliso Wetland Park (the worlds most diverse) where we visit the western and eastern shores exploring the incredible diversity with the opportunity to snorkel the world’s southern most coral reefs, home to hundreds of fish species. This is also the place where one can dive with the dolphins at Cape Vidal.

Or if the conditions are appropriate we can head north to Sodwana Bay where we have the opportunity to swim with the dolphins, snorkel among the richest coral reefs on earth or if you have your PADI qualification, scuba dive.

The coastline of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is the only remaining nesting site in Africa where Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles still lay their eggs. In the summer season you can partake in a night safari to visit these endangered marine animals.

Main Destination:

• Isimangaliso Wetland Park (South Africa)

Accommodation:

• St Lucia Wetlands Guest House
• Mid-range guest house located inside Southern Kruger

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 9

Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park

This morning we depart for the Drakensberg mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We stop for lunch at Howick, the peaceful capital of the Natal Midlands, where the Umgeni River plunges 95 m forming a spectacular waterfall.lunch

Then the Mandela Capture Site, where the late Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962 before the famous Rivonia trial when he was sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to Robben Island. A monument commemorates this event that changed the course of history.

We then head to the Drakensberg a World Heritage site known to the Zulu people as uKhahlamba meaning “Barrier of Spears”, the Drakensberg forms a majestic semi-circular border between KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and the inland mountain kingdom of Lesotho.

Main Destination:

• Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park (Drakensberg, South Africa)

Accommodation:

• Umzimkulu River Lodge
• Mid-range guest house located in or near Southern Kruger

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 10

Drakensberg up the Sani Pass into Lesotho

Many offered and optional activities are available in this region. Which may vary depending on where you are situated or would like to be situated in the Drakensberg. We can opt for an optional 4×4 excursion (highly recommended) and visit Lesotho for the day, via the Sani Pass, the highest in Africa, or similar if situated in the Northern Drakensberg.
We can choose to go on a guided hike to the famous cave paintings left by the Bushmen of about 4000 years Trek to the Tugela Falls, the worlds highest.

We visit the Golden Gate National Park, with it’s unique sandstone rock formations and wild life, browse around the pretty town of Clarence, with it’s many little restaurants.

Visit the historic battle fields of the 18th century where the English, Afrikaans and Zulu armies, engaged in bloody battles.

Main Destination:

• Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park (Drakensberg, South Africa)

Accommodation:

• Umzimkulu River Lodge
• Mid-range guest house located in or near Southern Kruger

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 11

The Wild Coast Coffee Bay

After breakfast you will set off for the Wild Coast one of the most unspoiled parts of the country where the population still lives in an authentic and traditional way. You will have the opportunity to visit Umtata and Nelson Mandela Museum, and a few miles away, Qunu, a small village where Nelson Mandela grew up and now hosts his final resting place. You will learn about the legends that have affected the course of history. Lunch finally you reach Coffee Bay, a haven for swimming, fishing and lazy occupations. This coastal is home to beautiful beaches, estuaries, lagoons and indigenous hard wood forests. Hotel accommodation on the beach.

Main Destination:

• Coffee Bay (South Africa)

Accommodation:

• Ocean View
• Mid-range hotel located in or near Southern Kruger

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 12

The Wild Coast

After breakfast you can take a hike along one of the most stunning coastlines in the world dotted with Xhosa huts and ‘kraals’ Fresh crayfish and oysters are on offer on the way. They will literally prepare it on the beach, where else can you expect such a delicacy at an incredibly reasonable price.
On our way to the “Hole in the Wall” a natural wonder, where the sea has tirelessly dug a hole in the cliff. The coast on either side of the Hole in the Wall is precipitous and notorious for the number of shipwrecks.
On return you may relax on the beach or take the opportunity to visit another prime ‘spot’ on this magic coastline. Accommodation at the hotel which is on the beach.

Main Destination:

• Hole in the Wall (South Africa)

Accommodation:

• Ocean View
• Mid-range hotel located in or near Southern Kruger

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)