DAY 1: ARRIVE JOHANNESBURG
Welcome to South Africa! On arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Hotel: Protea Wanderers (SF)
DAY
2: PRETORIA & MPUMALANGA
Depart 07h30 and leave Johannesburg's distinctive skyline and head for Pretoria,
South Africa's capital city, for a short orientation tour, before continuing to
Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into lush subtropical region of the
Lowveld. We travel via the historic town of Witbank, Dullstroom and Lydenburg,
passing over the famous Long Torn Pass onto the small town of Sabie. This afternoon
explore the living history in the form of Pilgrim's Rest, the old mining village where
gold was first discovered. (BB D) Hotel: The Royal Hotel or similar.
DAY
3: PILGRIM'S REST & THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (2 nights)
This morning gasp at the glory that is God's Window, a boundless view of forested
mountains and fertile plains and visit the spectacular Blyde River Canyon, one of the
natural wonders of Africa. We explore the quaint village of Graskop before arriving
mid afternoon at our overnight hotel. (BB D)
Hotel: Perry's Bridge Hollow or similar. (2 nights)
DAY
4: A FULL DAY 'BIG FIVE' GAME VIEWING IN KRUGER
Set off with a packed breakfast in open safari vehicles in search of lion, elephant, buffalo,
rhino and leopard and all manner of wondrous wildlife, birds and plant species.
DAY
5: THE KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND
Drive to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, a former British Protection Territory, now ruled
by King MsWati III. Enjoy a Swazi cultural experience, then visit the famous Ngwenya
Glass Factory to see master craftsman fashion collectable figures and functional art
out of molten glass. Our next stop is the capital city Mbabane, Known for its vibrant
markets packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings. (BB L D) Hotel: Lugogo Sun or similar.
DAY
6: THE KINGDOM OF THE ZULU'S
Visit the Swazi Candle Factory, teeming with exquisite wax artworks in every shape and
colour imaginable. Then on into Zululand, 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.
Clients have the optional to purchase an exciting afternoon open safari vehicle drive
into Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. (BB) Hotel: Protea Hotel Umfolozi or similar.
DAY
7: 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. Arrive at your
Durban hotel before lunch. (BB) Hotel: Protea Umhlanga Ridge.
DAY
8: ISANDLWANA & FUGITIVE'S DRI
Make an early start from Durban and head inland towards South Africa's famous
battlegrounds, where more battles were fought in this remote area of KwaZulu-Natal than anywhere else in South Africa. Your expert Battlefield guide will recount
the Anglo Zulu War Battle of Isandlwana, where 20,000 Zulu warriors took on the
firepower of the British troops, and wiped out almost an entire regiment in about
2½ hours. Then on to Fugitive's Drift , where many of the 402 soldiers who fled
from the Battle managed to escape from Zululand into Colonial Natal. Several of
the fugitives were killed after they had crossed the Mzinyathi (Buffalo) River and
the graves of Lieutenants Nevill Coghill, Teignmouth Melvill and others lie on the
hillside overlooking the River. Visit Rorke's Drift, where a handful of British soldiers,
outnumbered 35 to 1, fought off 4,000 Zulus for 12 hours, in a battle which saw 11
Victoria Crosses awarded, the highest number awarded to a Regiment (the 24th
Regiment of Foot) in a single action. We continue, thoughts lingering about young
lives lost and medals won, to our guest house for warm, country hospitality and a
delicious dinner before retiring for the night. (L D) Rorke's Drift Hotel
DAY
9: SPIOENKOP - DURBAN
After a hearty traditional South African breakfast we make our way to the summit of
Spioenkop Mountain. From here your guide will recreate the tragic battle between
Boer and Brit which unfolded over 9 days in January 1900. The British occupying
Spioenkop's summit were in full view of Boer rifle and artillery fire, in this, the
third and bloodiest attempt by the British to relieve Ladysmith. Incredibly, General
Louis Botha (who became the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa),
Winston Churchill, by then a Lieutenant serving in the South African Light Horse,
and Mohandas Gandhi, then a stretcher bearer and later the Mahatma, witnessed
the battle. We then continue a little further to visit the site of the armoured train
incident, made famous due to the fact that Churchill (at that stage a correspondent
with the Morning Post) was among those captured. After lunch, we take our leave
of bloody battlefields and head for Durban, arriving in the late afternoon at your
Durban hotel. (BB L) Hotel: Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge
DAY
10: DURBAN - CAPE TOWN (3 nights)
This morning we transfer to Durban Airport for our flight to Cape Town. (BB) Hotel: Protea Hotel President.
DAY
11: CAPE TOWN
A full day touring the ruggedly beautiful Cape Peninsula, the spectacular southern
tip of Africa. We drive past Camps Bay, Clifton and Llandudno to Hout Bay where we
will stop at the scenic harbour. An optional cruise to Seal island is available to watch
the antics of these natural performers. We continue along Chapman's Peak Drive to
the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. This afternoon we travel to the naval port
of Simon's Town and visit the wonderful penguin colony at Boulders Beach, before
returning to Cape Town in the early evening. (BB)
DAY
12: CAPE TOWN
This morning we depart on our full day tour of the Winelands to indulge in the
splendours of Africa's premier wine region. Experience fabulous vistas from the
Taal Monument near Paarl, enjoy a cellar tour and see the Huguenot Monument
in Franschhoek, (a gourmet's paradise). In the afternoon we drive through the
Helshoogte mountain pass to Stellenbosch for a stroll through this stunning
town and wine tasting at two estates, before returning to Cape Town in the early
evening. (BB)
DAY
13: DEPART CAPE TOWN
There is a complimentary transfer this evening to Cape Town International Airport
for your flight home. (BB)
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