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What comes to mind when you think of South Africa? Big five encounters, African culture, remote beaches, cosmopolitan Cape Town, Garden Route? We are sure there is more. But this grande South Africa Tour certainly takes you to the highlights the rainbow nation has to offer. Start your South Africa Tour at the Blyde River Canyon. It’s the third largest canyon in the world. Especially on a beautiful and sunny day. It scale and beauty will overwhelm you. You have plenty of time to go on safari – Kruger National Park, Eastern Cape Game Parks and Thanda Private Game Reserve. They are all waiting for you to discover the Big Five. Relax and recharge your batteries in iSimangaliso – the place of ‘miracle’. Your South Africa Tour takes you to the lagoons of the Garden Route. And you have the opportunity to explore the last kingdom of Africa – Swaziland. Your South Africa Tour ends in vibrant Cape Town with the majestic Table Mountain as backdrop!
Black and White Moments
Umhlanga Reed Dance
Eastern Cape Game Parks
On The Prowl
Stone Age?
Grande South Africa Tour
Your Experience
Your Accommodation
Blyde River Canyon
Kruger National Park
Swaziland
Thanda Private Game Reserve
iSimangaliso
Durban
Eastern Cape Game Parks
Garden Route
Little Karoo
Cape Town
Itinerary Summary
BLYDE RIVER CANYON – 2 NIGHTS
Start your South Africa Tour at Blyde River Canyon. The Canyon lies on the Panorama Route. This route starts at the Bourke’s Luck Potholes and ends at the Three Rondavels. These are huge round rocks that look like huts of the indigenous people. There is a public road running along the western boundary. You have amazing views of the 33 km long gorge along various well-positioned vantage points. The highlights can be easily explored on foot. At Bourke’s Luck Potholes you can wander along a network of pathways and footbridges to explore the potholes.
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – 3 NIGHTS
Kruger National Park is not to be missed on a South Africa Tour. It simply is South Africa’s prime safari destination. It’s rich in lion prides, elephant herds and thousands of other animals. Elephant Plains Game Lodge is located in the northern part of the Sabi Sand Private Reserve. It overlooks an open area with a large waterhole – the perfect location for wildlife viewing from the comfort of the lodge. Explore, discover and enjoy during game drives and bush walk. How about a spa treatment for a bit of pampering?
SWAZILAND – 1 NIGHT
Swaziland is one of the last traditional kingdoms in Africa. It’s squeezed between South Africa and Mozambique and ruled by King Mswetu III. You get a beautiful feel for the country while driving through an amazing scenery of rolling hills and lush green pineapple plantations. Swaziland is famous for its yearly Reed (Umhlanga) Dance that attracts 30.000 participants, which are young maiden from all over Swaziland and the neighbouring countries. Traditionally, the King chooses his next wife at the Reed dance. One of his 13 wives is a former Umhlanga dancer.
THANDA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE – 2 NIGHTS
Another safari is waiting for you on this South Africa Tour. Thanda is a private game reserve. Explore 14 000 hectares of wilderness filled with diverse wildlife including cheetah, hyena, warthog and the occasional wild dog, as well as abundant bird and plant life. Thanda meaning “love” in isiZulu offers an authentic South African wildlife experience. It’s very important for the owners to keep the Zulu culture and conserve the environment.
ISIMANGALISO – 2 NIGHTS
iSimangaliso means ‘Miracle’ or ‘Wonder’. Given its extraordinary beauty, it’s the perfect word for this Unesco World Heritage Site. iSimangaliso has one of the most unspoiled wilderness beaches left on the African continent. Explore this wonderland on your South Africa Tour. Discover five distinct ecosystems on guided walks, sundowners at Lake Sibya, scuba diving excursions or with your snorkeling gear. Loggerhead and leatherback turtles nest along the park’s shores. Whales and dolphins appear offshore. Numerous animals, including antelopes, hippos and zebras occupy the park – simply miraculous.
DURBAN – 2 NIGHTS
If you love dolphins and seals? Would like to have an up close experience with sharks through the safety of large glass windows? Then head to uShaka Marine World. Explore buzzing Durban characterized by grandiose colonial buildings and fascinating art deco architecture. The views from Moses Mabhida Stadium are amazing. Or simply stay at Oyster Box, located on Umhlanga’s beachfront overlooking the Indian Ocean and the iconic lighthouse. Enjoy fine dining, a refreshing cocktail or some pampering spa treatment.
EASTERN CAPE GAME PARKS – 2 NIGHTS
The Eastern Cape Game Parks are the best spot, if you want to experience the African Bush without fear of Malaria. Woodall Country House offers various guided game drives to a number of private reserves in the Eastern Cape Game Parks. Of course, you also have the opportunity to explore the bush on your self-drive through the Addo Elephant Park. You have to stay on the tarmac road though and might come across a lot of other visitors.
GARDEN ROUTE – 3 NIGHTS
The Garden Route is one of the most scenic routes on your South Africa Tour. The Garden Route stretches over 300km from Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay. You have many opportunities to explore the region. Hike through the lush green forest of the Tsitsikamma National Park. Swim among bundles of inquisitive playful seals in Plettenberg Bay. Sit in a little café in Knysna. Recap the adventures of your day during a romantic sundowner cruise in the Knysna lagoon.
LITTLE KAROO – 1 NIGHT
Your South Africa Tour also takes you into the Little Karoo. Explore historic settler villages dating back to the 18th century. Visit a popular ostrich farm. Discover the Cango Caves stretching over several kilometers underground featuring some of the biggest stalagmite formations. We recommend to take the Route 62. It’s the most panoramic route connecting Cape Town with the Garden Route. Zigzag through dramatic mountain passes, desert-like landscapes and refreshing streams.
CAPE TOWN – 3 NIGHTS
Your grande South Africa Tour ends in Cape Town. Enjoy fine dining at the popular V&A Waterfront. Stroll through bohemian Long Street lined with antique stores, cafes and book shops. Hike majestic Table Mountain. Cape Town will put a magical spell on you! We also recommend a drive to the fascinating Cape of Good Hope. The penguin colony at Boulders Beach is also worth a visit. Or how about a boat trip to Robben Island to learn more about Nelson Mandela and the Rainbow Nation?
