Wonders of South Africa

Day 1: Johannesburg


Today we meet at Melbourne Airport to begin our adventure. We board our flight which will take us to South Africa via Sydney. On arrival at Johannesburg Airport, we are met by our tour guide who will transfer us to our hotel, Airport Grand Hotel (Breakfast). Select another day by clicking below:

Day 2: Graskop / Blyde River Canyon


This morning we begin our coach tour and travel in comfort to Mpumalanga - 'the place of the rising sun'. Here we will visit one of South Africa's great scenic wonders, the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the pioneer village of Pilgrims Rest. Overnight is at Graskop Hotel (Dinner & Breakfast).

Days 3 & 4: Kruger National Park

Today we will experience Africa's most famous national park, Kruger National Park. Its diverse habitat and vegetation provides a perfect breeding ground for a lively and varied selection of animals and birdlife. Here we may have the opportunity to encounter some of the Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. The next two nights will be in chalets at Kruger Park Rest Camp (Dinner & Breakfast).

Day 5: Swaziland


We now head south to Swaziland, a picturesque mountain kingdom where the love of the Swazi people for their king is obvious. Here there will be an opportunity for those wanting to collect some African crafts at the famous 'mile-long' Ezulweni market. Tonight we stay at Lugogo Sun Hotel (Dinner & Breakfast).

Day 6: Hluhluwe

Leaving Swaziland, we drive south to Hluhluwe Game Reserve. The Reserve covers some 96,000 hectares and contains an immense diversity of faunae and florae. Upon entering the Reserve we will be able to view the free-roaming animals. Often elephant, rhino and buffalo can be seen as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo, lion and leopard. Our accomadation is in chalets at Zululand Tree Lodge (Dinner & Breakfast).

Day 7: Shakaland

This morning we drive past the vast cane fields to the coast and the village of St Lucia at the entrance of the world-renowned Greater Lucia Wetlands World Heritage Park. This protected area is home to a huge population of hippos, crocodiles and an amazing array of different bird species. Here we will enjoy a leisurely cruise through along the rivers and estuary and have some close encounters with the hippos, crocs and birdlife.
After lunch we head to Shakaland. This is an opportunity to learn more about the great Zulu tribe of Africa, and its warrior King Shaka. The night will be spent in a traditional Zulu Kraal (equipped with life's essential little luxuries) at Shakaland. (Dinner & Breakfast).

Days 8 & 9: Drakensberg

After a city tour of the colourful city of Durban we head towards the Drakensberg Mountains. The Drakensberg Mountains area is not only South Africa's biggest but the most scenic of all Southern African mountain ranges. The mountains form an immense amphitheatre dominated by the highest peak Mont-Aux-Sources. A wonderful diversity of florae and faunae await discovery. For the sports enthusiast, there is a lovely golf course as well as hiking and walking trails ranging from gentle to fairly strenous. We will spend two nights at the Drakensberg Gardens Resort (Dinner & Breakfast).

Days 10 & 11: Wild Coast / Coffee Bay


The rugged sub-tropical coastline of the Wild Coast, broken by the waters of numerous rivers, deep gorges and wide lagoons is completely unspoilt. This area is a lovely blend of breathtaking wilderness and the unique African culture. For many this is the highlight of the tour. Our hotel here is The Ocean View (Dinner & Breakfast).

Day 12: Port Elizabeth


Leaving the Transkei region we head to the city of Port Elizabeth. The city, often shortened to PE, is one of the major seaports in South Africa. Our hotel for tonight is The Kelway situated on the beach front overlooking Nelson Mandela Bay. (Dinner & Breakfast).

Day 13: Knysna / Garden Route

Today we drive along the famous scenic Garden Route to the popular township of Knysna which is situated by a wide and pretty lagoon. En route we will visit the Knysna Elephant Park where we will get up close and personal to the resident elephants. The park offers a rare and exciting opportunity to get close to these gentle giants who live in a controlled, free range environment. Overnight at Knysna River Club. (Dinner & Breakfast)

Day 14: Oudtshoorn


This morning we then continue to Oudtshoorn - the land of the ostrich. Highlights here include a visit to Cango Wildlife Ranch with its cheetah breeding program and the world renowned Cango Caves. In the early evening, we will visit an Ostrich Farm for dinner and tour. Our accomodation is at Riempies Protea Hotel (Dinner & Breakfast).

Day 15: Cape Town


On the way to Cape Town we'll drive through the undulating terrain of the Overberg. Late afternoon we arrive what is widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town, where we stay at the Winchester Mansions Hotel for the final three nights of our tour (Breakfast).

Day 16: Cape Town


A scenic drive enjoying the spectacular coastline of the Cape Peninsula after which we will enter the Cape Point Nature Reserve, where we will be taken to the best vantage point to view what is said to be the meeting place of two mighty oceans. We will continue on to Simonstown and Muizenberg before returning to our Cape Town Hotel. Winchester Mansions Hotel (Breakfast).

Day 17: Cape Town

Today we head for the wine country and to the historical university town of Stellenbosch. We will join a cellar tour at one of the many fine estates follwed by wine tasting. Winchester Mansions Hotel (Breakfast).

We have arranged the following morning at leisure for those people who would like to indulge in some last minute shopping before we are collected and transferred to Cape Town International for our flight home (Breakfast).

Day 1 Today we meet at Melbourne Airport to begin our adventure. We board our flight which will take us to South Africa via Perth. On arrival at Johannesburg Airport, we are met by our tour guide who will transfer us to our hotel, Airport Grand Hotel (Breakfast).	Day 2 This morning we begin our coach tour and travel in comfort to Mpumalanga - 'the place of the rising sun'. Here we will visit one of South Africa's great scenic wonders, the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the pioneer village of Pilgrims Rest. Overnight is at Graskop Hotel (Dinner & Breakfast).	Day 3 & 4 Today we will experience Africa's most famous national park, Kruger National Park. Its diverse habitat and vegetation provides a perfect breeding ground for a lively and varied selection of animals and birdlife. Here we may have the opportunity to encounter some of the Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. The next two nights will be in chalets at Kruger Park Rest Camp (Dinner & Breakfast).

Day 5 We now head south to Swaziland, a picturesque mountain kingdom where the love of the Swazi people for their king is obvious. Here there will be an opportunity for those wanting to collect some African crafts at the famous 'mile-long' Ezulweni market. Tonight we stay at Lugogo Sun Hotel (Dinner & Breakfast).	Day 6 Leaving Swaziland, we drive south to Hluhluwe Game Reserve. The Reserve covers some 96,000 hectares and contains an immense diversity of faunae and florae. Upon entering the Reserve we will be able to view the free-roaming animals. Often elephant, rhino and buffalo can be seen as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo, lion and leopard. Our accomadation is in chalets at Zululand Tree Lodge (Dinner & Breakfast).	Day 7 This morning we drive past the vast cane fields to the coast and the village of St Lucia at the entrance of the world-renowned Greater Lucia Wetlands World Heritage Park. This protected area is home to a huge population of hippos, crocodiles and an amazing array of different bird species. Here we will enjoy a leisurely cruise through along the rivers and estuary and have some close encounters with the hippos, crocs and birdlife. After lunch we head to Shakaland. This is an opportunity to learn more about the great Zulu tribe of Africa, and its warrior King Shaka. The night will be spent in a traditional Zulu Kraal (equipped with life's essential little luxuries) at Shakaland. (Dinner & Breakfast).

Day 8 & 9 After a city tour of the colourful city of Durban we head towards the Drakensberg Mountains. The Drakensberg Mountains area is not only South Africa's biggest but the most scenic of all Southern African mountain ranges. The mountains form an immense amphitheatre dominated by the highest peak Mont-Aux-Sources. A wonderful diversity of florae and faunae await discovery. For the sports enthusiast, there is a lovely golf course as well as hiking and walking trails ranging from gentle to fairly strenous. We will spend two nights at the Drakensberg Gardens Resort (Dinner & Breakfast).	Day 10 & 11 The rugged sub-tropical coastline of the Wild Coast, broken by the waters of numerous rivers, deep gorges and wide lagoons is completely unspoilt. This area is a lovely blend of breathtaking wilderness and the unique African culture. For many this is the highlight of the tour. Our hotel here is The Ocean View (Dinner & Breakfast).	Day 12 Leaving the Transkei region we head to the city of Port Elizabeth. The city, often shortened to PE, is one of the major seaports in South Africa. Our hotel for tonight is The Kelway situated on the beach front overlooking Nelson Mandela Bay. (Dinner & Breakfast).

Day 13 Today we drive along the famous scenic Garden Route to the popular township of Knysna which is situated by a wide and pretty lagoon. En route we will visit the Knysna Elephant Park where we will get up close and personal to the resident elephants. The park offers a rare and exciting opportunity to get close to these gentle giants who live in a controlled, free range environment. Overnight at Knysna River Club. (Dinner & Breakfast)	Day 14 This morning we then continue to Oudtshoorn - the land of the ostrich. Highlights here include a visit to Cango Wildlife Ranch with its cheetah breeding program and the world renowned Cango Caves. In the early evening, we will visit an Ostrich Farm for dinner and tour. Our accomodation is at Riempies Protea Hotel (Dinner & Breakfast).	Day 15 On the way to Cape Town we'll drive through the undulating terrain of the Overberg. Late afternoon we arrive what is widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town, where we stay at the Winchester Mansions Hotel for the final three nights of our tour (Breakfast).

Day 16 A scenic drive enjoying the spectacular coastline of the Cape Peninsula after which we will enter the Cape Point Nature Reserve, where we will be taken to the best vantage point to view what is said to be the meeting place of two mighty oceans. We will continue on to Simonstown and Muizenberg before returning to our Cape Town Hotel. Winchester Mansions Hotel (Breakfast).	Day 17 Today we head for the wine country and to the historical university town of Stellenbosch. We will join a cellar tour at one of the many fine estates follwed by wine tasting. Winchester Mansions Hotel (Breakfast).	Day 18 We have arranged morning at leisure for those people who would like to indulge in some last minute shopping before we are collected and transferred to Cape Town International for our flight home (Breakfast).