Suggested Holiday Itinerary
Summary Of The Route and Costs
This 14 night trip has all the ingredients of a classic South Africa adventure. Sip sundowners on evening safaris as the sun sinks over Kruger National Park, enjoy magnificent views of the Franschhoek mountains and blue lagoons, watch whales frolic in the bay and end your trip in a hotel at Cape Town’s fabulous V&A Waterfront which offers a rich piece of history balanced with modern-day comfort.
Your amazing holiday begins with 3 nights at Motswari Game Lodge - an authentic and unforgettable African safari experience. The focus of the lodge is on the excellent Big 5 game viewing, accompanied by breathtaking views and friendly, knowledgeable staff who make guests feel comfortable and relaxed from the moment they arrive.
Then it's a flight down to the Eastern Cape, where you spend one night in Port Elizabeth before setting out for your drive the following morning to the vibrant town of Knysna. The Protea Knysna Quays is one of Knysna’s most centrally located hotels and the warm welcome and superior service will ensure that you enjoy a very special experience when staying here.
Your next stop is Auberge Burgundy which is set above the picturesque Old Harbour in the historic heart of Hermanus - the hub of the famous Whale Route. It is a charming Provencal style guesthouse with fragrant courtyards and stone terraces. The cool blue sea of Walker Bay is within 50m of the front door.
Then you head to the Winelands where you will find Mont d'Or, situated in the main village centre of Franschhoek with world-renowned restaurants, charming gift shops, cafes and magnificent historical buildings and museums to explore.
Finally you end with 3 nights in Cape Town. Southern Sun The Cullinan is a stylish and grand hotel that offers travellers easy access to most of Cape Town's venues and is within walking distance to the world-renowned V&A Waterfront.
Summary Of The Itinerary
Holiday Title: Classic Kruger and the Garden Route
Countries Visited: South Africa
Upon landing into Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, you will be welcomed at the aircraft by a security approved airside supplier. If the aircraft is parked against the terminal building, you will be met at the sky bridge; if the aircraft is parked away from the airport building then you will be met at the entrance of the airport building. You will then be escorted to Immigration and to the baggage carousel to collect your luggage. Finally, you will be accompanied through Customs and into the arrivals terminal, where a Guest Service Officer will be waiting to welcome you to South Africa. You will then be assisted with the check in for your next domestic flight and the airside handler will escort you through baggage screening then take you to your boarding gate.
Airlink 4Z871 (Economy Class): Fly from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) departing at 10:30 to Hoedspruit (HDS), arriving at 11:25
Arrive into Hoedspruit Airport. You will be met outside the airport building by your transfer driver. Once you have collected your luggage you will then be transferred to the Timbavati Game Reserve.
The 60,000 hectare Timbavati Game Reserve shares a common unfenced border with the Kruger National Park allowing animals free range over 2 million hectares of African bush and ensuring guests to the area have the opportunity to view the huge diversity of wildlife that Africa has to offer. This lowveld area of wood and grassland is home to Africa's Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) as well as many more species of predator and antelope. Creatures of every shape and size abound during the day and at night visitors are likely to see smaller, nocturnal mammals such as porcupines, servals, civets and genets. Bird-lovers will enjoy the bird watching as the Timbavati has recorded over 360 different species.
Timbavati Game Reserve
After you return from your morning game drive you will have time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge before you are transferred back to the airport, arriving in time to check in for your flight back to Johannesburg.
Airlink 4Z872 (Economy Class): Fly from Hoedspruit (HDS) departing at 12:05 to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), arriving at 13:10
Connect with your onward flight down to Port Elizabeth.
Airlink 4Z785 (Economy Class): Fly from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) departing at 15:55 to Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ), arriving at 17:40
Collect your luggage then make your way into the Arrivals Hall where your driver will be waiting for you and holding a sign board with your name on it. You will then be transferred to The Beach Hotel.
Claiming to have the best climate and more sunshine than any other coastal resort in the country, Port Elizabeth is a popular holiday destination, renowned for its beautiful coastline and long sandy beaches. Known more fondly as just PE, the warmth of the people have earned it the well-deserved reputation as 'The Friendly City'.
Port Elizabeth
Your hire car will be delivered at 09:00 this morning.
11 Day Car Rental: Group D Economy Auto - Toyota Starlet or similar (Classic Plus Cover GPS PACKAGE)
Drive to Knysna (approx 240 km / 2 h 40 mins). Situated right in the heart of the Garden Route and set on the shores of a beautiful lagoon, Knysna (pronounced 'Nysna') is a bustling little holiday town with a lively Waterfront area. The excellent selection of accommodation and restaurants, coupled with the many activities on offer, makes this a superb holiday destination and a perfect base from which to explore the many attractions of the Garden Route. The Knysna Lagoon is sheltered from the ocean by a coral reef and the Knysna Heads - 2 large cliff formations which form a natural narrow opening into the ocean. Several operators offer relaxing catamaran trips and sunset champagne cruises out to the Heads and into the open sea, which is a great way to escape the busy streets for a while.
The Garden Route
Drive to Hermanus (approx 410 km / 4 h 0 mins). The traveller's love affair with Hermanus began well over a century ago. The magnificent scenery and perfect setting between mountains and sea and the many opportunities for recreation and relaxation continue to attract visitors today.
Hermanus
Drive to Franschhoek (approx 80 km / 1 h 0 mins), a small village nestled at the bottom of a valley in the heart of the Cape Winelands and surrounded by rolling green hills, strawberry farms and endless rows of grapevines. There are over 20 wine estates in the region and staying in the area will give you the chance to either search out the labels you are familiar with from home or to go on a voyage of discovery and find new favourites. One suggestion is to take a hop-on/hop-off tour on the Franschhoek Wine Tram - a totally unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley as you trundle in an open-side tram bus through vineyards and stunning scenery, stopping at wine estates along the way.
The Cape Winelands
Drive to Cape Town (approx 85 km / 1 h 0 mins). Nestled at the foot of the majestic Table Mountain and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is consistently voted amongst the top cities in the world to visit. It is no surprise that this wonderful city is one of the highlights of a holiday to South Africa.
Example Cost
Holiday Title: Classic Kruger and the Garden Route
Holiday Destination: Holiday to South Africa for 14 nights
Passengers: 2 Adults
Example Cost for 2 Adults: * per person sharing.
*Excludes international flights from your home country - please ask us if you would like us to include these for you.
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