Highlights of South Africa

Days 1 & 2. Johannesburg

Fly overnight to Johannesburg where you spend the night at Garden Court Sandton City.

Day 3. Mpumalanga [B]

Head off to Mpumalanga Province and travel along the 'Panorama Route' to see the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and God's Window along with various waterfalls. Continue to Hazyview where you spend the next three nights.

Days 4 & 5. Kruger National Park [B]

Following an early start each day, you head out on a wonderful morning game drive into Kruger National Park. The afternoon is at leisure. There is the opportunity (at an extra local cost) to go on a late afternoon or night open-vehicle game drive.

Kruger National Park is world famous for good reason since it offers a wildlife experience which ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the lowveld, it stretches 350 kilometres from north to south and is virtually unrivalled in its diversity of life forms, with 300 species of tree, 49 fish species, 33 amphibian species, 114 reptile species, 507 bird species and 147 mammal species! Notable amongst its mammals are Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, Hippo, Nile Crocodile, Giraffe and both Black, and White Rhino.

Day 6. Swaziland [B]

After breakfast you head into the hills of Swaziland for the night.

Day 7. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi [B]

Today, your destination is Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve where you enjoy an afternoon game-drive. This is the only reserve in the region which has the 'Big Five'. The reserve is generally hilly and is noted for its wonderful variety of birds and mammals including both Black, and White Rhino, giraffe, Lion, Leopard, Cape Buffalo and Elephant.

Day 8. Durban [B,L]

After driving through the sugar cane plantations on the Indian Ocean seaboard and lunch at a traditional Zulu village, you arrive in the bustling city of Durban and the Ridgeview Lodge where you spend the night.

Days 9 to 11. Port Elizabeth [B]

This morning you may choose to go on an early morning boat trip with the Natal Shark's Board to check their off-shore shark nets as the city is gradually waking up. Later, transfer to the airport and fly to Cape Town where you spend three nights at the Portswood Hotel. You will have plenty of time to explore Cape Town, soak up the amazing view from the top of Table Mountain, visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for so many years and dine at any of the mouth-watering restaurants. A full day trip to Cape Point can be arranged during your stay (at extra cost) - highlights include the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve with over 250 species of birds, African Penguins at Simon's Town and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Day 12. Montagu [B]

Today you travel via the Cape Winelands to Stellenbosch where you have the opportunity to go wine tasting and visit the museum. Continue via Worcester and Robertson to Montagu where you will spend the night.

Day 13. Oudtshoorn [B,L]

Following breakfast, transfer to Oudtshoorn via Barrydale and Ladysmith. Oudtshoorn is the Ostrich capital of the world and you will have the opportunity to visit an Ostrich Farm as well as visit the vast limestone Cango Caves. Spend the night in Oudtshoorn.

Day 14. Knysna [B,L]

Continue by road over the scenic Outeniqua Pass to George. You then have the option to board the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam train to Knysna (payable locally) or continue by road. Transfer by ferry across Knysna Lagoon to Featherbed Nature Reserve. Enjoy a trailer ride to the top of Western Head and a walk back to the restaurant for lunch under the Milkwood trees. Cruise back to Knysna where you spend the next two nights.

Day 15. Tsitsikamma Forest [B]

Head for Paul Sauer Bridge for beautiful views (130 metres above Storms River Gorge) before visiting Tsitsikamma Forest and Nature's Valley. Return to Knysna via Plettenberg Bay.

Day 16. Hermanus [B,L]

After breakfast you transfer via George and Mossel Bay to Swellendam for lunch. Continue to Hermanus, a scenic seaside town, in the late afternoon for your overnight stay. Between August and early November, Hermanus is one of the world's finest locations for shore-based whale-watching with Humpbacks and Southern Right Whales seen almost daily.

Days 17. Homeward [B (day 17 only)]

Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to Heathrow, arriving in the early hours of Day 18.