Lodge Safari in South Africa (escorted)

THE GRAND SOUTH AFRICAN SAFARI
13 nights & 14 days discovering south africa's best

safari cost  ·  best season  ·  activities  ·  map of safari

A well-planned itinerary for the discerning traveler, packed with highlights

ITINERARY:
DAY 1: JOHANNESBURG
On arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met by your expert guide who will privately transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy a half-day tour to Gold Reef City, a replica of old-time Johannesburg. Travel back in time on a penny-farthing or stroll through the olden day houses. The tour also includes an underground visit, gold pour demonstration and a miners’ dancing performance.

Melrose Arch Hotel or similar - bed and breakfast basis

DAY 2:
Depart from Johannesburg and travel to the 'Province of the Rising Sun', Mpumalanga, via the historic towns of Witbank, Dullstroom and Lydenburg. Travel over the famous Long Tom Pass on to the small town of Sabie. Visit the Lone Creek Waterfalls before arriving at your elegant hideaway. Enjoy a delectable dinner that can only be described as a 'culinary masterpiece'.

Lone Creek River Lodge (River Suites) or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis

DAY 3:
Enjoy a full English breakfast on the verandah overlooking the Sabie River before departing via Pilgrim’s Rest to the breathtaking Panorama Route featuring: the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God's Window and Lisbon Waterfalls. Proceed to an exclusive private game lodge, arriving in time for high tea. Late afternoon game drive in an open safari vehicle with an experienced ranger and tracker who will endeavour to spoil you with sightings of the 'Big Five'. Enjoy a safari style bush dinner under the stars (weather permitting).

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis including 2 game viewing activities

DAY 4:
An early morning bush walk or game drive. After brunch leave for the Kruger National Park. Established in 1898, this National Park of over two million hectares is unrivalled in the diversity of its flora and fauna. Leave the Kruger Park and continue onward to the Kingdom of Swaziland, visiting the capital city of Mbabane. Visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory with a late afternoon arrival at your luxury hotel situated in the majestic Ezulwini Valley. Fine dining and an evening of entertainment and excitement awaits you.

Royal Swazi Sun Hotel and Casino or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis

DAY 5:
After a sumptuous breakfast, visit a typical Swazi Market and the Swazi candle factory. Travel through pineapple plantations and beautiful mountainous scenery, leave Swaziland and proceed to the next exclusive private game lodge. After high tea, set out on an afternoon game drive in an open safari vehicle. Experienced game rangers and trackers are sure to enthrall you with the best game viewing this private reserve has to offer. Return to the lodge for dinner served in an African Boma (weather permitting).

Thanda Private Game Reserve or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis including 2 game viewing activities

DAY 6:
Enjoy an early morning game drive. After brunch, travel to St Lucia, a World Heritage Site. Enjoy a river cruise on the estuary known as 'birder’s paradise'. Here pelicans, fish eagles, hippos and crocodiles may be seen. Drive through sugar cane plantations along the Indian Ocean seaboard toward the bustling city of Durban where the day concludes at a luxurious hotel in Ballito – Durban’s North coast.

Ballito Manor or similar – bed and breakfast basis

DAY 7:
Morning at leisure followed by a private transfer to Durban International Airport for the scheduled flight to Port Elizabeth (not included). You are met on arrival in Port Elizabeth and transferred to the hotel.

Protea Hotel Marine Port Elizabeth (Loft Wing) or similar – bed and breakfast basis

DAY 8:
Departing Port Elizabeth, enter the Garden Route via the high forests of the Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Bloukrans and Groot River Passes. Attractions to be visited through the Tsitsikamma Forest area include the Big Tree and the Garden of Eden. Spectacular scenery awaits you as you cross the bridge over the Storms River where photographic opportunities abound. After a short refreshment stop in the 'millionaires' playground of Plettenberg Bay, travel to South Africa’s 'oyster capital', Knysna. After checking in to your exclusive country hotel, there is sufficient time to enjoy an optional extra sunset cruise on the lagoon or a simple stroll through the village and Waterfront. Enjoy a superb dinner served in the dining room or gazebo (weather permitting).

Belvidere Manor or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis

DAY 9:
After breakfast, enjoy a wide variety of leisure activities in and around Knysna and your guide is at your disposal to discover the area. Optional extra activities include the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe and the Featherbed Reserve Ferry, trail and lunch. Freshen up before enjoying dinner at your hotel or at the Knysna Waterfront.

Belvidere Manor or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis

DAY 10:
Start the day with a scenic drive through Wilderness via Dolphin Point to historical Mossel Bay. Send a postcard to friends or relatives from the famous Post Office Tree before visiting the Diaz and Maritime Museums with relics of famous explorers. Continue over the Robinson Pass to Oudtshoorn. Visit a local ostrich farm before checking into your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is spent visiting the Cango Caves for a fully guided tour. Time permitting, an optional extra tour of the Crocodile and Cheetah Park is available. After returning to the hotel, enjoy a hearty dinner served in the elegant dining room famous for its ostrich fare and fine wines.

Rosenhof Country House or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis

DAY 11:
After an early breakfast, our journey to Cape Town begins. Leaving the Klein Karoo, visit the towns of Calitzdorp and Barrydale where the true diversity of landscapes is highlighted through the ever-changing semi-desert areas. Traverse the famous 'Route 62', passing through the towns of Robertson and on to Worcester. The day ends with the first glimpse of Table Mountain, from the top of Du Toit’s Kloof Pass and drop off at your hotel in a pristine location overlooking the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Radisson Hotel Waterfront or similar - bed and breakfast basis

DAY 12:
Full Day Cape Highlights tour, travelling via Camps Bay, Hout Bay, and Chapman's Peak to the Cape of Good Hope Reserve. After enjoying stunning views from the highest point and the lighthouse, continue towards Simonstown and Muizenberg. After lunch (not included) sample some South African wines at a local wine estate. Travel through the University town of Stellenbosch before returning to the hotel in the early evening. Please note: the drive along Chapman's Peak is subject to the road being open.

Radisson Hotel Waterfront or similar - bed and breakfast basis

DAY 13:
Today’s touring starts in the morning with a visit up Table Mountain where the varying flora and fauna will be explained. The cableway ticket is not included as the mountain visit is weather permitting. Continue with a City Tour incorporating the Malay Quarter, a walk through the Castle of Good Hope and on to Milnerton for a spectacular view of Table Mountain and the city. En route back to the hotel, visit the Cape Town Diamond Works. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Radisson Hotel Waterfront or similar – bed and breakfast basis

DAY 14:
Use the morning at leisure to enjoy last minute shopping at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Private transfer to Cape Town International Airport in time for your homebound flight.

END OF SERVICES

Costs:
Please contact us for a detailed quote or use our safari enquiry form >>>

Included: Accommodation, meals, activities, tours and entrances as per itinerary

Excluded: International and regional flights, airport and departure taxes, visa costs, drinks, gratuities and personal expenses, comprehensive travel insurance.

Activities:
As per the itinerary

Best season:
Go to our Best time to Visit Africa page.

Map of safari route:
To be added soon...

Term and conditions: Please read our terms and conditions for more information on how to book, travel insurance, cancellation fees, baggage and other important subjects.

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