Africa Tour, 2007 Itinerary
DAY 1 – Johannesburg
On arrival in Johannesburg you are met by your South African guide and transferred to the Airport Grand Hotel where you stay the night.
DAY 2 – Johannesburg, Mpumalanga
This morning join your private coach, driver and guide and depart Johannesburg, driving east over the highveld’s farmlands, down through the Mpumalanga Highlands, passing the village of Dullstroom to the Mpumalanga Escarpment. The pass forms part of a spectacular scenic drive down to the Lowveld featuring endless idyllic views en route to Pilgrim’s Rest, site of a late-1800s gold rush. Check in to the Crystal Springs Resort for tonight, set amongst 5000Ha of pristine countryside with spectacular cliffs and gorges, pine and indigenous forests, sweeping views, murmuring streams, plunging waterfalls and cool, blue pools. One hours’ drive from Crystal Springs is the world-famous Kruger National Park.
DAY 3 – Mpumalanga, Kruger National Park
This morning is dedicated to some local sightseeing of the escarpment area, which could include points such as God’s Window, Bourkes Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon, Graskop, Pilgrims Rest and the many waterfalls of the area. This afternoon descend the escarpment into the Lowveld and enter the Kruger National Park. Your guide will take you game viewing in the park, a world-renowned game reserve which covers an area of 19 455 km². See Lions, Gazelles, Springboks, Elephants, Giraffes, Impala and dozens more. An extensive road network enables visitors to cover the park’s different veld types. There are 12 rest camps, all of which have either chalets or rondavels, and restaurants and a shop selling basic food items, gifts and curios. Here you spend two nights at one or more of the Rest Camps.
DAY 4 – Kruger National Park
You have a full day for game viewing with your private coach and guide.
DAY 5 – Kruger National Park, Pretoria
This morning after a game viewing and breakfast, make a leisurely trip down to the Pretoria area. Where there is the chance to explore Pretoria, perhaps visit the Cullinan Diamond Mine, the Lion Park or the Rhino Park. Overnight at the Centurion Lake Hotel.
DAY 6 – Pretoria, Blue Train
This morning transfer to the Pretoria Station to board the luxurious Blue Train for our overnight journey to Cape Town. The Blue Train is unique, famous for its luxury, its cuisine, its comfort, and the opportunity to view South Africa’s spectacular landscapes and visit interesting tourist attractions along the way. Departing at 0850 and arriving 27 hours later, enjoy optimum scenic viewing during the day and revel in 5 star comfort during the night.
DAY 7 – Blue Train, Cape Town
On arrival in Cape Town transfer to the Garden Court De Waal Hotel where you will spend the night. Situated at the foot of Table Mountain, it is only 2 km from the city centre. Cape Town offers numerous tourist attractions, historic sites and a Mediterranean climate. This afternoon offers a half day tour of the city and Table Mountain. Visit the SA Museum, the Malay quarter and the harbour. Drive past the cultural history museum, St George’s Cathedral and the company gardens to the tower cableway station for the ascent of Table Mountain. If the weather conditions are unfavourable for a cable car ride, you will enjoy a scenic drive up Signal Hill to view the panorama of the city below. Return to the city via Tamboerskloof and the Malay quarter passing the castle en route to the Victoria and Alfred waterfront.
DAY 8 – Cape Town, Oudtshoorn
Today is the beginning your four-night Garden Route tour. This commences by driving via Swellendam, the third oldest town in South Africa and the spectacular Tradoux Pass to the Klein Karoo town of Oudtshoorn. Here you are checked in at the Hlangana Lodge for one night.
DAY 9 – Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay
This morning you may visit one of the local ostrich farms, so characteristic of this area, or take a guided tour of the Cango Caves. In the afternoon drive over the Outeniqua Mountains to the coast, and on to Plettenberg Bay, where you stay tonight at the Whalesong Lodge. Accommodation is in thatched rooms, and nearby is the Kayalethu Cultuaral Village, a showpiece of Xhosa culture.
DAY 10 – Plettenberg Bay, Krysna
Today make the short drive to Krysna, where you are checked in to the Krysna Hollow Estate, for the next two nights.
DAY 11 – Krysna
Today is open to enjoy the Knysna - Plett - Tsitsikamma area. You may choose from a boat cruise on the Knysna Lagoon, a guided walk in the Featherbed Nature Reserve, boarding the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train that runs between Knysna and George, a boat cruise up the Keurbooms River, a visit to Monkeyland or visiting the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park.
DAY 12 – Krysna, Cape Town
The route today takes you via Mossel Bay back to Cape Town. Garden Court De Waal Hotel three nights.
DAY 13 – Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope Tour
Today you are taken on a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula. Depart for the Cape of Good Hope along one of South Africas’ most scenic routes and drive through Sea Point, visit Hout Bay, and continue through Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Kirstenbosch was established as a centre for the preservation and study of the indigenous flora of Southern Africa. All year round one can enjoy glorious living displays of wild flowers and the magnificent collection of Cycads, silver trees and other shrubs, plants and trees. Enjoy lunch in Kalk Bay, then travel through the historic naval-base town of Simon’s Town, on to Cape Point where two marine ecosystems and oceans are said to meet. Return to Cape Town via Ou Kaapse Weg.
DAY 14 – Cape Town, Winelands Tour
Today you are taken on a full day tour of the Cape Winelands. Visit Stellenbosch, founded in 1679. Home to many fine examples of Cape Dutch architecture, the town is famous for its university and the oak trees that line its quaint streets. The tour visits a winery in this area for a cellar tour and wine tasting before taking an orientation tour of the town. Continuing on to beautiful Franschhoek valley, visit Boschendal manor house, the celebrated historical estate. Lunch is enjoyed at one of the many good restaurants of the area. After lunch the tour takes in Paarl, “the pearl of the cape” and another wine tasting before returning to Cape Town.
DAY 15 – Cape Town, Johannesburg, Antananarivo
This morning transfer to Cape Town International Airport, for your flight first to Johannesburg, then connecting for the Madagascar flight. On arrival in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, the group is met by a local tour leader before the transfer from the airport to your hotel. Overnight Hotel Louvre.
DAY 16 – Antananarivo, Perinet
After breakfast you are taken on a 3-hour drive through captivating highlands scenery to the eastern rainforest region of Perinet, where you have the rest of the day to explore the forests with your guides. You may be able to see the nocturnal creatures such as the Aye-Aye and Tenrecs (spiny hedgehogs). Three nights at the Hotel Vakona Lodge.
DAYS 17 & 18 – Perinet
You have two days to explore the rainforest, taking the easy trails. Madagascar’s rainforests are among the densest in the world and the floral diversity is particularly rich. You may visit the rainforest at dawn, the best time to see the largest of all lemurs, the ape-like Indris, birds including Tylas, Nuthatch, the extra-ordinary Velvet Asity and more. If you are lucky you might see such species as the Giraffe-Necked Weevil, the Golden Mantilla Frog and the two-foot Parson’s Chameleon. Walking through the rainforest at daybreak, as the siren-like calls emanate from the mist-enshrouded canopy, is one of the most memorable experiences one can have in Madagascar. An excursion to the Mantadia National Park with a picnic lunch is included on one of these days.
DAY 19 – Perinet, Antananarivo, Mauritius
This morning transfer from the reserve back to Antananarivo to the airport for your flight out to Mauritius. On arrival in Mauritius check in to the Le Mauricia Hotel where you will spend the next two nights. Within walking distance of the International Conference Centre, shops and restaurants of Grand Bay, Le Mauricia is a typical beach hotel with a lively atmosphere of a cosmopolitan area.
DAY 20 – Mauritius
Today you have the full day open for cultural & historical sightseeing in Mauritius. Or simply relax on the beach!
DAY 21 – Mauritius, Return Flight to Australia
Today you will be transferred back to the International Airport in Mauritius to meet your outbound flight home.
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