^{The Very Best of}South Africa

Day 1 Depart UK

We gather at London Heathrow, for our nonstop South African Airways flight to Cape Town. After our departure complimentary drinks and dinner are served courtesy of South African Airways.

(Meals: Dinner).

Day 2 Cape Town - 5 nights

After arriving into Cape Town our waiting coach will take us to the deluxe Table Bay Hotel, situated within Cape Town's Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Your day is at leisure until this evening when we gather for drinks so we may all be better acquainted.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 3 Cape Town

Today we take a city tour of Cape Town. Visit the Castle of Good Hope before ascending Table mountain by aerial cable car (weather permitting). The top of Table Mountain offers a breathtaking panorama of the city, Table Bay, Robben Island, the Atlantic Seaboard and most of the Cape Peninsula. We also visit the then charming Malay Quarter and Bloubergstrand for spectacular photographic opportunities of Table Mountain.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 4 Cape Peninsula

This morning we head out to tour the Cape Peninsula. At scenic Hout Bay, if calm seas prevail, cruise to Duiker Island to view the seals and cormorants. Continue via the magnificent Chapman's Peak Drive to the Cape Peninsula National Park, home to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Visitors can enjoy the indigenous flora and fauna and over 150 species of bird. After lunch we travel on to Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and the naval hamlet of Simon's Town. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch).

Day 5 Cape Town

Spend the entire day at leisure exploring Cape Town and the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront at your own pace.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 6 Stellenbosch

Today is spent exploring the Cape Winelands.The region is steeped in history and culture, with some vineyards as old as 300 years. The most popular and well-known regions are Stellenbosch, Franschoek and Paarl. Enjoy a scenic drive this morning to the Franschoek Valley. Stop to visit the Huguenot Memorial & Museum before stopping at one of the finest wine estates in the region for a wine tasting. This is followed by a superb picnic lunch on the lawns of a local wine estate (weather permitting). This afternoon, we descend into historic Stellenbosch with its broad streets shaded by tall oaks. There is time to explore before returning to Cape Town.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch).

Day 7 Garden Route - 2 nights

An early start this morning for your journey along the southern Cape coast region to George. We enjoy lunch in Swellendam, before continuing on to Mossel Bay, where we visit the Old Post Office Tree, before heading inland to the town of George where you will spend the next two nights at the fabulous Fancourt Hotel.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch).

Day 8 Oudtshoorn

We travel this morning over the magnificent Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, the world’s ‘feather capital’ – so called due to the abundance of ostrich farms in the area, From here, we travel to the Cango Caves where for more than 20 million years, rainwater has been flowing through fissures dissolving rock and limestone to form the vast halls and tunnels of the Cango Cave system. We take a guided tour through this incredible fairyland before returning to the village for a visit to a local ostrich farm. A guided tour of the farm is followed by a superb ostrich lunch at the farm’s restaurant before heading back to George in the late afternoon.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch).

Day 9 Port Elizabeth - Overnight

Today we travel to Knysna for a tour of the oyster farm and oyster tasting at the Knysna Oyster Company. We then continue to the Tsitsikamma National Park before reaching Port Elizabeth and our overnight stay at the Radisson SAS Port Elizabeth Hotel.

(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 10 Kapama - 2 nights

Today's flights take us via Johannesburg to Hoedspruit in the heart of South Africa's Lowveld. Upon arrival we transfer, in open jeeps, to the fabulous Kapama Game Reserve, where we will stay for the next two nights. Late afternoon we depart in our jeeps in search of elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, lion and leopard.

(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 11 Kapama

An early rise for a pre-breakfast game drive as we continue our search for the 'Big Five'. After breakfast take it easy around the lodge; relax in the lounge or sit on the deck overlooking the river. Later in the afternoon we board our jeeps for another exciting game drive prior to dinner.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 12 Johannesburg - 2 nights

There’s time for one more early morning game drive prior to our departure back to Johannesburg. On arrival we transfer to the deluxe Westcliff Hotel in the fashionable Johannesburg suburb of Westcliff.

(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 13 Johannesburg and Pretoria

This morning we depart for a tour of the Cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg. Included is the Union Building (Seat of Government), the Voortrekkers’ Monument, and Melrose House. Visit the Apartheid Museum, chronicling apartheid through 20th century South Africa and visit Soweto, a suburb developed under the apartheid system. Glimpse at Soweto’s bustling neighbourhood life, and see the previous residence of former President Nelson Mandela. Return to our hotel late afternoon where your evening is at leisure.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 14 Victoria Falls - 3 nights

This morning we depart for Johannesburg airport for our flight to Livingstone, Zambia. Upon arrival we make a short transfer to the deluxe Royal Livingstone Hotel located on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. There is no finer hotel to immerse yourself in the majesty of the Victoria Falls, one of the world's natural wonders, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rest of your day is at leisure.

(Meals Breakfast).

Day 15 Victoria Falls

Described by the Kololo tribe in the 19th century as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ - ‘the Smoke that Thunders’, Victoria Falls are a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur. Bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe, columns of spray can be seen up to 25 miles away as 546 million cubic meters of water per minute plummet over the edge (at the height of their flow). This morning we take you on a walking tour of the Falls to discover its magnitude, grace and beauty. This afternoon is free for optional activities, perhaps visit Chief
Mukuni's Village or the Livingstone Museum. Alternatively try fishing for tigerfish in Zambezi's waters, or maybe take a trip up the river for some spectacular close-up game viewing. For the ultimate experience try micro lighting or a helicopter ride over these awesome falls. This evening we join a sunset cruise on the Zambezi, where we may sight hippopotamus, crocodile and elephant, before enjoying a sumptuous dinner on the lawns of the Royal Livingstone Hotel.

(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 16 Victoria Falls

Today has been left completely free to spend as you please. Indulge yourself in the hotel's facilities, take a trip over to Zimbabwe for a different view of the Falls, or perhaps take a trip over to Chobe National Park in Botswana.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 17 Magaliesberg - 2 nights

A last opportunity to savour the sensational Victoria Falls prior to our flight back to Johannesburg. Upon arrival we shall make our way to the beautiful Mount Grace Country House Hotel in Magaliesberg. Renowned for the spectacular beauty of the Magaliesberg mountain range, wonderful birds, flowers and wildlife, it is the ideal venue for your last two days and nights in South Africa. your evening is at leisure.

(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 18 Magaliesberg

A complete day at leisure to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. This evening join your fellow companions for a farewell dinner.

(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 19 Magaliesberg

A day at leisure to enjoy as you please. All our rooms have been booked until 6 o'clock, enabling us to freshen up before our departure. Shortly after take off dinner will be served along with wine and other drinks, compliments of South African Airways.

(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 20 Arrive UK

Breakfast is served before our arrival into London Heathrow’s Terminal One. It is time to say farewell to our travelling companions and bring our African adventure to an end.

(Meals: Breakfast).