Blue Planet Journeys
A World In One Country
 
 A World In One Country - 13 nights
Pretoria, Mpumalanga, Kruger National Park, Swaziland, Zululand, Durban,
Port Elizabeth, Knysna, Oudtshoorn & Cape Town
 
The classic itinerary for a visit to South Africa. Includes Pretoria, Mpumalanga, Kruger National Park, Swaziland, Zululand, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Knysna, Oudtshoorn & Cape Town. Starts in Johannesburg, Ends in Cape Town. The program is offered with both standard First Class or Deluxe Hotels as per your choice.

Day 1 Sunday - Johannesburg
Upon arrival at Johannesburg International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure and fo
r your own arrangements. You may choose to buy one of our optional day tours.
Park Plaza or similar (S) / The Grace (D).

Day 2 Monday - Pretoria and Mpumalanga (B,L,D)
Depart Sandton by 08h00 for an excursion to Pretoria (South Africa's capital city), then on to the world famous Premier Diamond Mines. The "Great Star of Africa" cut from Africa's biggest diamond, the Cullinan Diamond (mined here) is now in the scepter of the British Crown Jewels. After lunch continue on towards Mpumalanga. We drop several thousand feet from the Highveld to the lush sub-tropical region of South Africa, known as the Lowveld. The Royal Hotel (S+D)

Day 3 Tuesday - The Lowveld and Kruger National Park (B,L,D)
Our full-day tour includes: the old mining village of Pilgrim's Rest where gold was first discovered; God's Window, a boundless view, stretching across the thickly forested mountains and fertile plains, and one of the natural wonders of Africa; the spectacular Blyde River Canyon. Continue to Kruger Park, arriving at our camp in time for a traditional sundowner in the African Bushveld. Kruger Rest Camp (S) / Lion Sands Private Game Reserve (D).

Day 4 Wednesday - Kruger National Park (B)
Up before breakfast, set off in your open safari vehicle in search of the ' Big Five' (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard). This internationally renowned game park is home to an unsurpassed variety of African animal, plant, bird and insect life. It is a truly an enchanting place. The most frequently seen mammals are impala, zebra, giraffe and elephant. Kruger Rest Camp (S) /Lion Sands Private Game Reserve (D)

Day 5 Thursday - Swaziland (B,D)
Drive through lovely scenery up to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, a former British High Commission territory, now ruled by King MsVVati III. Visit the Ngwenya Glass Works for a demonstration of hand-made glass artifacts before stopping in the capital Mbabane, where there are colorful markets known for their woven baskets, beadwork and carvings. Tonight you stay in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley. Ezulweni Sun (S) / Royal Swazi Sun (D)

Day 6 Friday - Zululand (B,L,D)
This morning visit the Swazi Candle Making factory to view some of its colorful artworks, before continuing south into Zululand through rugged country where Zulu huts dot the landscape. After lunch in Hluhluwe, we proceed to our hotel for check in. This afternoon, relax at the pool, or enjoy the Zulu Kraal experience (included) with Zulu dancing and explore the many other aspects of Zulu life. For the more adventurous, perhaps take an optional cruise up the river in search of hippo, or an open vehicle game drive. Zulu Nyala Heritage Hotel (S) / Zulu Nyala Game Lodge (D)

Day 7 Saturday - Durban (B)
Our short drive further down the coast to Durban, takes us past huge sugar estates and the rolling hills of the North Coast. We arrive just before lunch. Holiday Inn Garden Court North Beach (S / Durban Hilton (D)

Day 8 Sunday - Port Elizabeth / Knysna (B,D)
An early wake-up this morning before transferring to the airport in time for your onward flight to Port Elizabeth (cost of flight not included). On arrival, you will be met by your new guide and assisted to your transport. We setoff from the airport between 12h00 and 13h00. Travel through the Tsitsikamma Forest towards the romantic seaside resort of Knysna, nestled in the t, heart of the Garden Route. Scenic stops are made along the way.
Dinner is at your hotel. Knysna Log-Inn (S) / Protea Hotel Knysna Quays (D)

Day 9 Monday - Knysna (B)
Depart today on a full day tour of Knysna. Your itinerary includes a ride on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe between Sedgefield and George and a cruise on the Knysna Lagoon with a visit to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Admire the view of The Heads, the two majestic rock cliffs at the lagoon's entrance to the Indian Ocean, and an opportunity for oyster tasting if time permits (own account). Knysna Log-Inn (S) / Protea Hotel Knysna Quays (D).

Day 10 Tuesday - Cango Caves and Oudtshoorn (B,L)
Drive through the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the 'Feather Capital' of the world because of its large ostrich industry. Enjoy a tour of an ostrich farm. Visit the Cango Caves, regarded as one of South Africa's foremost natural wonders. Queens Hotel (S) /Rosenhof Country Lodge (D)

Day 11 Wednesday - Hermanus and Cape Town (B)
Today we travel via Calitzdorp, Barrydale and the Tradouw Pass to Swellendam and then onto the seaside village Hermanus, famous as a favorite breeding site of the Southern Right Whale (whale sightings are seasonal). We take a scenic drive via Sir Lowry's Pass arriving in Cape Town late in the afternoon. Drop-off at the airport or a centrally located hotel is possible. Protea Hotel President (S) / Radisson Hotel Waterfront (D).

Day 12 Thursday - Cape Peninsula (B)
Depart on a full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula, driving along the Atlantic seaboard, via Hout Bay where you may opt for a cruise to Seal Island, to view these playful creatures. Visit Cape Point Nature Reserve and then stop to see the lovable penguins at Boulders Beach (own account). Drive through the historic naval village of Simon's Town. Protea Hotel President (S) / Radisson Hotel Waterfront (D).

Day 13 Friday - Cape Winelands (B)
Today we set out on an exciting journey of the beautiful Cape Winelands. Visit Paarl and Stellenbosch and stop for wine tasting at two well-known estates. Visit the Huguenot Memorial and the Afrikaans Language Monument. Protea Hotel President (S) / Radisson Hotel Waterfront (D).

Day 14 Saturday - Cape Town (B)
Check-out of your hotel and transfer to the airport in time for your flight.

Departures: Sunday

Group Size: Minimum 2 participants

Tour includes:
Nights Hotel/Lodge Accommodation with local hotel taxes as per itinerary
Meals as per itinerary (B,L,D)
Special safari-van with experienced driver /guide
All transfers & game drives in National Parks as listed


Not included:
All domestic and international airfare and airport taxes
Tips and expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc.
Other tours & meals not mentioned in the program
Travel & Personal accident insurance

Prices per person:

Prices in Standard Hotels
Availability
Double
Triple
Single
May 01, 2003 -  Aug 31, 2003
$2000
$1500
$2479
Sep  01,  2003 -  Oct 31,  2003
$2170
$1628
$2702
Nov 01,  2003 - Apr 30,  2004
$2381
$2183
$2945
May 01, 2004 - Aug 31, 2004
$2173
$1992
$2695
Sep  01, 2004  - Oct 31,  2004
$2381
$2183
$2945
 
Prices in Deluxe Hotels
Availability
Double
Triple
Single
May 01, 2003 -  Aug 31, 2003
$2833
-
$3869
Sep  01,  2003 -  Oct 31,  2003
$3251
-
$4692
Nov 01,  2003 - Apr 30,  2004
$3637
-
$5045
May 01, 2004 - Aug 31, 2004
$3167
-
$4359
Sep  01, 2004  - Oct 31,  2004
$3714
-
$5165

Hotels to use:

Location
Standard Hotels
Deluxe Hotels
Johannesburg
Park Plaz
The Grace
Mpumalanga
The Royal Hotel
The Royal Hotel
Kruger
Kruger Rest Camp
Lion Sands Private Reserve
Swaziland
Ezulewi Sun
Royal Swazi Sun
Zululand
Zulu Nyala Heritage Htl
Zulu Nyala Game Lodge
Durban
HIGC North Beach
Durban Hilton
Knysna
Knysna Log-Inn
Protea Knysna Quays
Oudtshoorn
Queens Hotel
Rosenhof Country Lodge
Cape Town
Protea President
Radisson Waterfront


Highlights:

Visit the diamond mine that produced the `Great Star of Africa'.
View the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and God's Window.
Seek out the `Big 5' in the Kruger National Park in open safari vehicles.
Visit a traditional African craft market in the Kingdom of Swaziland.
Featherbed Nature Reserve and Knysna Lagoon.
Outenigua Choo-Tjoe.
The Cango Caves
An Ostrich farm experience
Whales at Hermanus (seasonal - July to Nov).

 

Last Modified 07/18/03

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