South Africa Odyssey

Arrive into Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport. Go through Immigration, collect your luggage and clear Customs, then make your way into the Arrivals Hall where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa. It is also the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade, due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Protea Hotel Wanderers is a stylish hotel in the heart of Johannesburg's popular suburb of Illovo. Ideally located, it offers easy access to a number of excellent shopping and dining alternatives. Warm earthy tones, elegant decor and harmonious designs compliment the exceptional and intuitive service of this elegant city hotel.

Johannesburg

1 night at Protea Hotel Wanderers

[OPTIONAL ACTIVITY AND ADDITIONAL COST] Enjoy an afternoon tour of Soweto. Soweto is unlike any suburb you've ever seen or been to, yet the history of struggle encapsulated here is a cornerstone of the South African history.

At 19:00 you will meet up at reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet your fellow travellers.

After breakfast, depart Johannesburg and head to Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa, for a short orientation tour, before continuing to the Mpumalanga Province, known as Paradise Country. Dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld, you will travel via the historic towns of Dullstroom and Lydenburg. After traversing the famous Long Tom Pass, you will travel via Sabie and arrive late afternoon at your hotel in Hazyview, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park.

Perrys Bridge Hollow is situated around the Perrys Bridge Trading Post with its restaurants, bar, adventure centre and working brewery. This upmarket hotel is perfectly placed for exploration of this exciting cultural and Big 5 game region. The rooms, with their colonial decor but thoroughly modern amenities, are spacious and comfortable. Guests do not have to go far for exceptionally good food as the on-site Kuka Restaurant and Cocktail Bar is specialised in sumptuous Afro-chic meals.

Hazyview

3 nights at Perry's Bridge Hollow

After an early morning breakfast, you will depart on a drive along the spectacular Panorama Route, offering views of amazing scenery including the 26 kilometre-long Blyde River Canyon (home to the Three Rondavels), Bourkes Luck Potholes and historic Gods Window, a breathtaking view (weather permitting) of the edge of the escarpment taking in the Kruger National Park. You will arrive back in Hazyview in the early afternoon, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

[OPTIONAL ACTIVITY AND ADDITIONAL COST] Enjoy an African dinner feast and an evening of traditional Shangaan storytelling and entertainment.

The day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a thrilling open vehicle safari (with an English speaking game ranger) through the Kruger National Park with a pre-packed breakfast. Kruger is one of the worlds greatest National Parks, and is home to a stunning array of wildlife. Search for the Big 5 (rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant) as well as prolific birdlife and numerous other game animals. The afternoon is at leisure at the hotel.

[OPTIONAL ACTIVITY AND ADDITIONAL COST] For wildlife enthusiasts, enjoy a second game drive in the afternoon back in the Kruger National Park in search of more wildlife.

[OPTIONAL ACTIVITY AND ADDITIONAL COST] Experience an exclusive al fresco bridge dinner this evening, overlooking the magnificent Sabie River under a star-studded sky (this experience is weather permitting and subject to availability at the time of booking).

This morning you will travel to Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience introduces you to the charming people of Swaziland and their traditions. You will travel via the capital city, Mbabane, and onto the beautiful Ezulwini Valley.

The Royal Villas are set in a beautiful secure estate with stunning views of the Royal Mdzimba Mountains, just 10 minutes from the capital Mbabane.

Eswatini

1 night at The Royal Villas

After breakfast you will continue south through Eswatini, before re-entering South Africa. You continue your travels into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas, before reaching your overnight accommodation.

Rich in natural ambiance and with a distinctively African rhythm, Anew Hotel Hluhluwe invites guests to relish the untamed beauty of KwaZulu-Natal and rich cultural heritage of the Zulu people. Comfortable accommodation is in en-suite rooms with all modern amenities. Enjoy refreshing sundowners on the swimming pool terrace while a Zulu dance show is held under a magnificent Fever tree.

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

1 night at Anew Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris

[OPTIONAL ACTIVITY AND ADDITIONAL COST] Enjoy an afternoon guided game drive in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhino. The Park is the oldest game reserve in Africa.

This morning you will join a cruise on Lake St Lucia (depending on favourable weather conditions) before departing for Durban. The journey takes you past traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. You will arrive at the hotel early afternoon, and the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy.

The 3* Protea Hotel Umhlanga is set in the heart of Umhlanga Rocks, one of the prime holiday destinations in the country. Just minutes away from Durban and the international airport, the hotel is located on the beachfront. The 120 comfortably-appointed rooms, most with sea views and have been designed for comfort. Guests can look forward to a delicious breakfast at the Lighthouse Restaurant and there a wide variety of restaurants within walking distance for lunch and dinner. The fully-licensed bar is a great place to relax as is the sun deck and plunge pool.

Durban

1 night at Protea Hotel Umhlanga

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Durban's King Shaka Airport for the short southward flight to Port Elizabeth.

British Airways BA6320 (Economy Class): Fly from King Shaka International Airport (DUR) departing at 11:15 to Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ), arriving at 12:35

On arrival, you will be met by our representative and once everyone has arrived, you set off to explore the magnificent beauty of the indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). You will then be transferred to your hotel in Knysna, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route.

The Rex Hotel is renowned for its chic urban style and impeccable service. Located in the vibrant seaside town of Knysna and surrounded by beaches, forests and lakes, this elegant retreat is the perfect base from which to explore all the attractions of the world-famous Garden Route.

The Garden Route

2 nights at The Rex Hotel

After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a lagoon cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve (weather permitting), where you can take a trailer ride to the top of the Western Head to enjoy the panoramic views of the town and lagoon, returning for lunch. The afternoon can be spent on your own exploring this charming town set around a natural harbour lagoon.

Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the ostrich capital and the centre of the world's ostrich farming industry. You will visit an Ostrich Farm for a guided tour and light lunch (included), before taking a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world's great natural wonders and sculpted by nature through the ages. After this you will arrive at your next hotel in the late afternoon, in time to check in and relax before dinner (for own account).

Situated just outside of Oudtshoorn, within walking distance of some of towns finest restaurants, Hlangana Lodge is a pretty guest house set in a picturesque garden with a sparkling swimming pool. The attractive and comfortable en-suite rooms offer all modern amenities and lead out onto a deep, tranquil veranda with refreshing garden views.

The Klein Karoo

1 night at Hlangana Lodge

[OPTIONAL ACTIVITY AND ADDITIONAL COST] Enjoy an early morning Meerkat Safari, and witness these habituated creatures emerging from their burrows to soak up the sun before they go about their daily activities (weather permitting). After this thrilling experience, head back for a delicious breakfast.

After breakfast, the journey continues through the Little Karoo to Barrydale, where you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom learning more about the local farming community, before travelling to Montagu, a picturesque and historic spa town. The journey then continues to Cape Town, a beautiful city spectacularly set at the foot of Table Mountain.

This luxurious seaside 4* hotel is in close proximity to Cape Town's popular V&A Waterfront and the city centre and provides an excellent base from which to explore Cape Towns many attractions. The spacious en-suite rooms have all modern amenities and offer stunning views of either the Lions Head mountain range or the azure Atlantic Ocean. Guests can enjoy cocktails at the Senate Bar or sundowners on the terrace overlooking the magnificent rim-flow pool to the ocean.

Cape Town

3 nights at President Hotel

Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join a sightseeing tour to Table Mountain (for own account) or simply explore the city. Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafes and restaurants as well as colourful craft markets. Alternatively relax on one of Cape Town's many pristine beaches.

In the evening, you will go out with the tour group for an evening of interactive entertainment and delectable food at a local restaurant (included).

Enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay and then onto Cape Point. You will return to Cape Town by way of Simon's Town, where you can visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee for own account) and Fish Hoek fishing village.

Enjoy some last minute shopping (unescorted) or sightseeing (for own account). The Robben Island Tour (for own account and time permitting), which departs from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, offers a fascinating excursion or perhaps just wander through the variety of shops and boutiques catering for all tastes and budgets.