Day 1, Sunday: Johannesburg

On arrival at Johannesburg International Airport you’ll be met and transferred to the Protea Hotel Wanderers Hotel, or similar.
Protea Hotel Wanderers
The Hotel is ideally situated on the green belt of Johannesburg, in the prestigious northern suburb of Illovo, Sandton. Located on the secure grounds of the historic Wanderers Club makes the Protea Hotel Wanderers the ideal destination. This Premier Protea Hotel is mere yards from the Wanderers Cricket stadium, Wanderers Golf Course, and Planet Fitness Health & Fitness Centre . The Hotel is minutes away from many of Johannesburg’s major attractions including Sandton City, Rosebank Mall, Melrose Arch precinct and the Johannesburg Zoo.

Day 2, Monday: Mpumalanga

This morning we leave for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. Overnight at the Royal Hotel, or similar. All meals.

The Royal Hotel
This historic hotel in Pilgrim’s Rest is composed of authentic buildings dating back to the 19th Century, impeccably restored and furnished in late-Victorian-style. Guests can enjoy a quiet moment in the stately lounge, reflecting on places visited in the lovely surrounding countryside. This charming hotel offers fine hospitality with a sense of history. Bedroom furnishings are as elegant as they are comfortable. Brass beds, wooden ceiling fans, marble and oak washstands, Victorian ball-and-claw baths with heavy gold taps. There are special vintage touches throughout such as enamel coffee pots and water jugs.

Day 3, Tuesday: Kruger National Park

Explore living history at of Pilgrim’s Rest, the old mining village where gold was first discovered; enjoy God’s Window, a boundless view of mountains and fertile plains, and visit the spectacular Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa. We arrive at our hotel by mid afternoon. Overnight at Perry’s Bridge Hollow, or similar. Breakfast.

Perry’s Bridge Hollow Hotel
is situated outside Hazyview at the colonial Perry’s Bridge Trading Post, Mpumalanga. Its proximity to the Kruger National Park, the airport and the Panorama Route makes it the ideal venue to rest whilst game viewing in the Park. The 31 spacious rooms and 3 family suites offer relaxed, yet sophisticated accommodation in a beautiful indigenous garden setting. The colonially custom furnished air-conditioned rooms each feature satellite television, indoor and outdoor showers, mini-safes, tea and coffee making facilities, fridges and private patios with Lowveld vistas. Time spent at the swimming pool in this beautiful garden setting, is bound to leave you feeling refreshed and revived.

Day 4, Wednesday: Kruger National Park

Early morning departure 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. The most frequently seen mammals are impala, zebra, giraffe and elephant. Overnight at a Perry’s Bridge Hollow, or similar. Breakfast.

Day 5, Thursday: Swaziland

Drive through lovely scenery up to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland ruled by King Motswati III. Visit the Ngwenya Glassworks for a demonstration of handmade 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. Overnight at the Lugogo Sun, or similar. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Lugogo Sun Hotel
A first class hotel for an affordable getaway in the heart of Swaziland’s most beautiful valley. All rooms have color TV, phone and radio. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, a bar, limited room service, babysitting and beauty salon. All Royal Swazi Sun’s facilities open to residents. Access to renowned golf course, bowling greens and squash courts as well as Health Spa centre now available.

Day 6, Friday: Zululand

Visit the Swazi Candle Factory, teeming with exquisite wax artworks in every shape and color imaginable. Then on into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. Arrive mid afternoon at the town of St Lucia, a World Heritage Site and home to hippo, crocodile and no less than 367 bird species. Overnight at the Elephant Lake Hotel, or similar. All meals. (Note: 2012 departures stay at Protea Hotel Umfolozi or similar.)

The Elephant Lake Hotel St Lucia is located on the shores of the St Lucia Estuary in the town of St Lucia, Kwa Zulu Natal, within the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage Site. St Lucia is 25km from the main N2 route between Durban and Swaziland, 75 km South from Hluhluwe town and 80 km North of Richards Bay. The Hotel has a Three Star South African Tourism Grading and boasts 58 luxury, en-suite, air-conditioned rooms, with the majority sharing a westerly view across the St Lucia Estuary. All rooms are equipped with Digital Satellite TV, tea/coffee facilities, hair dryer and full range of bathroom amenities. The Hotels ground level has 26 rooms all with a private patio’s leading out onto beautiful manicured lawns and a sparkling pool. An upmarket restaurant, leads out to the pool patio area. The lounge / reception area and conference facilities are also situated on the ground level of the Hotel. The Upper level comprises 32 rooms all with private balconies. A spacious ladies bar leads out onto the Estuary Viewing Deck, which forms part of the restaurant and a very popular venue for guests to enjoy excellent lunches, dinners or refreshing sundowners.

Day 7, Saturday: Durban

This morning enjoy a cruise on Lake St Lucia before departing for Durban. Hug the lush KwaZulu-Natal coastline en-route to Durban, watching the sugar cane fields do their own version of the Mexican wave at the urging of the wind. Check into your hotel just before lunch (own account). Explore the beachfront and its many attractions at leisure, or take an optional afternoon Durban City Tour (own account). Overnight at the Royal Palm Hotel, or similar. Breakfast.

Royal Palm Hotel
is situated in the centre of Palm Boulevard directly opposite the Gateway Theatre of Shopping on Umhlanga Ridge. Gateway theatre of shopping is the largest shopping complex in the southern Hemisphere with upmarket retail outlets including banks, shops, entertainment, cinemas, and a hotel and conference centre. The hotel enjoys the finest position on the Palm Boulevard and the new Piazza, which incorporates a fountain, beautiful gardens and a Campagnille Clock Tower built above Royal Palm Parking areas. The complex includes undercover parking and comprises of 94 generous luxury apartments.

Day 8, Sunday: Knysna

An early wake up this morning before transferring to the airport in time for your onward flight to Port Elizabeth (airfare not included). On arrival, you will be met by your new guide and assisted to your transport. Travel through the Tsitsikamma Forest towards the romantic seaside resort of Knysna, nestled in the heart of the Garden Route. Scenic stops are made along the way. Dinner is at your hotel. Overnight at Knysna Hollow Hotel, or similar. Breakfast, dinner.

Knysna Hollow is beautifully set on a secluded old country estate near Knysna’s famous lagoon. Set amongst timeless oaks and pecan trees, the gracious old manor house forms the focal point of the lodge. Built in a bygone era, it is finished with pressed ceilings, yellowwood floors and indigenous furniture. The restaurant is situated in the Manor House and serves fine food in relaxed and warm surroundings . Enjoy pre-dinner drinks next to a roaring fire in wintertime or in the yellowwood-paneled pub, “The Rutland Arms”. Your Host, Clive, provide Cape hospitality at it’s personal best and will assist in your selection of a fine wine. Accommodation on the Estate consists of 15 garden chalets and 64 garden rooms. All rooms and chalets have been tastefully decorated with a Knysna forest feel and amenities in all chalets and rooms include television, tea and coffee making facilities, ceiling fans and private patios. Garden chalets include telephones and ten units also boast wood-burning fireplaces, perfect for those romantic winter evenings.

Day 9, Monday: Knysna

Cruise on the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Enjoy an amazing view of the imposing sandstone Heads which guard the sea entrance to Knysna’s huge tidal lagoon, and the forests, marshes and pristine beaches beyond. After lunch spend the remainder of the day at leisure, to enjoy this lovely and special town. Overnight at Knysna Hollow, or similar. Breakfast. Lunch.

Day 10, Tuesday: Oudtshoorn

This morning we enjoy the wonderful views of the spectacular Outeniqua Pass en-route to Oudtshoorn, the ‘feather capital of the world’, so named because it’s the centre of South Africa’s ostrich industry. After lunch, we learn more about these hardy, enigmatic creatures during a tour of an ostrich farm. We then head underground for a fascinating tour of the Cango Caves, one of South Africa’s most incredible natural wonders. Overnight at the Oudsthoorn Inn, or similar. Breakfast, lunch.

The Oudtshoorn Inn
lies in the centre of Oudtshoorn which is tucked away between the Outeniqua and Swartberg Mountains. Oudtshoorn is a must see destination with world class attractions like the famous ostrich farms and the Cango Caves, ostrich show farms and Cango Wild life ranch. The Garden Grill & Buffet restaurant offers a wide selection of international and traditional cuisine and tasty ostrich specialties. Lunch and dinner can be enjoyed on the Pool Terrace and the residents bar is the perfect place to relax after an action-packed day. This 4-storey hotel has 120 en-suite guest rooms and also boasts a spa which offers a full range of therapies, massages and beauty treatments. Most of our well-appointed air-conditioned room provides a wonderful view overlooking the swimming pool. Outside activities include tennis, miniature golf and a well-appointed barbeque area.

Day 11, Wednesday: Cape Town

A day of magnificent vistas. Enjoy the ever-changing passing canvas as we travel to Cape Town. During the whale season we will travel via the seaside village of Hermanus in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the Southern Right Whales, which frolic offshore (seasonal). Out of season we will return to Cape Town along Route 62, South Africa version of America’s Route 66. Overnight at the Protea Hotel President, or similar. Breakfast.

Protea Hotel President
The accommodations are luxurious, yet extremely affordable. Spacious rooms and suites overlook the Atlantic Ocean or Lion’s Head, offering facilities one would expect of a world-class hotel. When you’re not visiting famous Clifton Beach, the Cape Town city center or the sensational V & A Waterfront nearby, you can relax next to the hotel’s large swimming pool or step into the hairdressing salon, or curio shop conveniently located on the premises.

Day 12, Thursday: Cape Peninsula

A full day touring of the ruggedly beautiful Cape Peninsula via the Atlantic seaboard. We stop at the fishing village of Hout Bay, where you can opt to take a cruise (own account) to Seal Island to watch the antics of these natural performers. Then we carry on along the Indian Ocean coastline to Boulders Beach for close encounters with another of the Cape’s adorable creatures, penguins. We drive through the quaint naval village of Simon’s Town on our way back to Cape Town. Overnight at the Protea Hotel President . Breakfast.

Day 13, Friday: Cape Winelands

Journey into the beautiful and tranquil Cape Winelands. Sip some of South Africa’s finest wines at two well-known estates in Paarl and Stellenbosch. A visit to the Huguenot Memorial and the Afrikaans Language Monument provides a historical perspective. Overnight at the Protea Hotel President.

Day 14, Saturday: Depart

Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport in time for your flight. Breakfast.