| itinerary |
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Your
travel programme for each day of the self-drive*
itinerary*
below is 100% flexible, the only requirement being that you
end your day at the designated hotel, B&B or lodge. Therefore
the itinerary*
set out on each day is simply our suggested programme for
that day, you may choose to alter it or to do something completely
different. Self-drive
tours* do not include any fuel, entrance or toll fees.
Enrolment to optional
excursions* is also for your own account. |
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| B
= breakfast included; L = lunch included; D = dinner included
*
= explanation/ description in pop-up window
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| Day
1 - arrival & Johannesburg city tour |
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|  On
arrival at Johannesburg
International Airport* you will be met by an Africa
Deluxe Tours* representative. He/she will ensure, over
a cup of coffee, that all your last-minute questions are answered.
There-after you will be assisted to collect your Avis
rental car* from the airport branch. Follow the directions
provided in our pre-tour
document* in driving to your hotel in Sandton*,
north of Johannesburg*
(we are available, by cell phone, 24-hours a day for back-up
should you require further directions or advice).
In the afternoon
you may join an optional*
guided tour of Johannesburg*
(not suitable to do on your own). On this tour you will visit
the "Top of Africa" at the Carlton
Centre* from where you have a panoramic view of the City.
Continue to visit the historical buildings of downtown Johannesburg*,
including the old Stock
Exchange* and De Beers buildings. You will return to your
hotel by travelling through the arty suburb of Melville, past
the Emmarentia Gardens and upmarket suburb of Rosebank*.
Other alternatives include visiting Gold
Reef City* and its Apartheid
Museum* or heading to Soweto*.
Your hotel is
within walking distance of the Mandela
Square (previously Sandton Square) Shopping Mall* – one
of the biggest and most popular in South
Africa*.
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| Overnight:
Crowne Plaza Johannesburg - Sandton, 1 night (B)
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| Day
2 - Johannesburg to Pilgrim's Rest |
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| Today,
you travel to the Eastern
Lowveld* where the famous Kruger
National Park* is situated. The route takes you through
the Highveld*
with its wide-open spaces. Travel via Witbank*,
Belfast, Dullstroom*
and Lydenburg*.
From Lydenburg*
you cross the Long
Tom Pass* to reach Sabie*
and ultimately the historic town of Pilgrim’s
Rest*, where the then richest gold deposits in South
Africa* were discovered in 1873. This little town was
declared a museum in its entirety and has been beautifully
restored. Your hotel is a quaint restored mining hotel of
those years which today offers you the comforts of modern
hotels, without losing its charm. If time allows you may decide
to explore the scenic Panorama
Route*, which is within striking distance of your hotel. |
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| Overnight:
The Royal Hotel, 1 night (DB)
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| Day
3 - Pilgrim's Rest to the Kruger National Park |
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|  After
breakfast you may want to explore Pilgrim’s
Rest* on foot. Depart from here to the logging town of
Sabie*.
Enroute you may stop at the spectacular Mac
Mac Waterfalls*. This is also one of many opportunities
on your tour to browse a typical African arts and crafts market.
From Sabie*
you descend into the Lowveld*
heading towards Hazyview*,
which lies in the heart of a prime tropical fruit growing
area.
From Hazyview*
the world renowned Kruger
National Park* is only a 20-minute drive away. Established
in 1898, this national
park* at nearly 2 million hectares is unrivalled in the
diversity of its animal life. Your hotel lies just outside
the main entrance gate, the Kruger Gate. Located on the banks
of the Sabie
River* it offers great natural surroundings with views
into the Park*.
After checking
into the hotel head for a self-drive
safari* in the Kruger
Park* or join an optional*
guided game
drive* on an open safari vehicle. Dinner will probably
be served in an open-air enclosure, called a boma
in Africa (weather allowing). A cracking fire and African
night skies will keep you company. |
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| Overnight:
Protea Kruger Gate Lodge, 1 night (DB)
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| Day
4 - Kruger National Park & Bongani |
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|  After
breakfast head back into the Kruger
National Park* on a south-bound game
drive*. Animals
which may be seen include lion, elephant, leopard, rhino,
buffalo, giraffe and many species of antelope as well as prolific
plant and bird life. As these animals roam freely in the wild,
luck plays a role when you go looking for them. Your drive
through the Kruger*
will give you a wonderful opportunity to see how many of them
you can spot along the way.
Your overnight
destination, Bongani Mountain Lodge, lies on community trust
land bordering the Kruger's*
southern fence line. It is a rocky mountainious area making
for a unique wildlife experience. You'll arrive in time to
explore the rugged area in the lodge's landrovers, guided
by experienced local guides*
and trackers*
(included in tour price). |
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| Overnight:
Bongani Mountain Lodge, 1 night (DB)
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| Day
5 - Bongani to Ubizane Game Reserve |
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| After
an early morning game
drive* (included in tour price) travel from Bongani
Mountain Lodge* to Ubizane*
in the province of KwaZulu-Natal*.
You will travel through the small mountain kingdom of Swaziland*.
This small land locked country is one of the few monarchical
states left in the world and is ruled by King Swati (iii).
Leaving Swaziland*
you re-enter South
Africa* in the KwaZulu-Natal*
province. KwaZulu*
means the "home of the Zulu*",
a very proud and famous people of South
Africa*. From here you travel to the Ubizane
Private Game Reserve*. Before retiring to the very exclusive
Zululand Tree Lodge* it's time
for another guided game
drive* on an open safari vehicle in Africa's wilderness
(included). |
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| Overnight:
Ubizane Tree Lodge, 1 night (DB)
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| Day
6 - Ubizane to Durban |
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|  After
Breakfast, depart for the nearby Hluhluwe-Umfolozi
Game Reserve*, South
Africa’s* oldest game
reserve* and renowned for its success in saving the endangered
white rhino. A south bound self-drive game
drive* will show you much of the natural beauty of this
sub-tropical game
reserve*. Along the way you'll see various wildlife species,
there's a good chance of seeing some of the rhino's that Hluhluwe's*
famous for.
Leaving Hluhluwe*
you may head to the Greater
St. Lucia Wetland Park*, a world heritage site. A one-hour
(optional*)
cruise of the St.
Lucia Estuary*, through which Lake
St. Lucia* is connected to the ocean, is a good way to
explore the area. From here you travel to Durban*.
You will stay in the little coastal town of Umhlanga*,
on the northern edge of Durban*.
Your hotel is within walking distance of a lovely bathing
beach with life-guards on duty. |
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| Overnight:
Protea Hotel Umhlanga, 2 nights (B)
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| Day
7 - Durban |
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| Today
you will have the day free to relax on the beach, which is
within walking distance from your hotel. A local Durban*
based guide*
will be available should you opt for an optional
excursion/ tour* with him/her. There are also various
excursions*
that are viable self-drive*
options. One of the largest shopping
centres* in South
Africa*, the Gateway
Shopping Centre*, is a 10 minute drive from your hotel.
Should you decide
on an optional
tour* we recommend a full-day tour to Shakaland*.
Shaka was a legendary king of the proud warior kingdom of
the Zulu*
nation. Shakaland*
is a traditional Zulu*
"Umuzi" or homestead. It is divided into the home of its Zulu*
residents and hotel rooms for overnight guests. On this tour
you will experience the sight of assegaai-wielding warriors,
share the fascinating secrets of the Sangomas (traditional
healers) and witness customs such as tribal dancing, spear
making and the beer-drinking ceremonies - in this authentic
re-creation of the Great Kraal overlooking the Umhlatuze
Lake. |
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| Overnight:
Protea Hotel Umhlanga, 2nd night (B)
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| Day
8 - Durban to Port Elizabeth |
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|  You
have the morning at leisure to enjoy more of the beach and
surroundings. You should experience typical humid and sunny
Durban*
weather, although we don't control the weather...
Later in the
day, probably late morning, you will drive to Durban
International Airport* for a one hour flight to Port
Elizabeth Airport* (included in your tour price), after
returning your Avis vehicle to the airport branch. On arrival
in Port
Elizabeth* you will be met by an Africa
Deluxe Tours* representative who will assist you in collecting
your Avis vehicle for the second half of your tour. You have
the rest of the afternoon at leisure to enjoy the beach or
to relax at one of the nearby restaurants or other beachfront
attractions. |
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| Overnight:
Holiday Inn Garden Court King's Beach, 1 night (B)
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| Day
9 - Garden Route & Knysna |
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| After
breakfast you leave Port
Elizabeth* in the direction of Cape
Town*. Enroute to Knysna*
you will pass through a most interesting and beautiful variety
of scenery. You'll be entering the so-called Garden
Route*, you will visit the rainforests
of the Tsitsikamma*
Mountains and travel along the Victorian passes of Bloukranz*
and Groot
Rivier*. Pay a short visit to Plettenberg
Bay*, the "millionaires' playground". Ultimately you reach
the quaint little town of Knysna*
in the heart of the Garden
Route*. You should have ample time to explore the
village. |
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| Overnight:
Protea Hotel Knysna Quays, 1 night (DB)
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| Day
10 - Knysna to Oudtshoorn |
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|  Today,
you explore the Garden
Route* from Knysna*
to Mossel
Bay*. Enroute you pass through the beautiful Wilderness*.
After a short visit to Mossel
Bay*, you turn inland and cross the Outeniqua Mountains
via the scenic Robinson Pass to enter the semi-desert Klein
Karoo, renowned for ostrich
farming*, fruit and vineyards.
We propose a
visit to an ostrich
farm* for a close up encounter with the largest birds
on earth. Another favourite is a visit to the Cango
Caves* for an underground tour of these magnificent caverns.
Time permitting an optional
tour* of the Cango
Wildlife Ranch (crocodile and cheetah park)* is also on
offer. You spend the night in Oudtshoorn*. |
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| Overnight:
Protea Hotel Riempie Estate, 1 night (DB)
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| Day
11 - Oudtshoorn to Cape Town |
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| Your
route to Cape
Town* will enable you to appreciate the true diversity
of landscapes, highlighted through the magnificence of the
ever-changing semi-desert areas, folded sandstone mountains
of the Huis River and Tradouw Passes, the charming town of
Swellendam*, and the mountain plateau
of expansive apple orchards in and around Grabouw. Your day
ends with your first glimpse of Table
Mountain* from the top of the famous Sir Lowry's Pass
(weather allowing) before you descend into the Cape
Town* Metropole. |
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| Overnight:
Holiday Inn Cape Town Waterfront, 2 nights (B)
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| Day
12 - Cape Peninsula & Winelands |
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|  Cape
Town* offers enough to visitors to justify a stay of weeks.
Our suggestion for getting the best in a single day follows
below. However there are loads of worthwhile alternatives:
Today, you may
follow a self-drive programme combining two of the most popular
tours in the Cape
Town* area. First will be a tour of the Cape
Peninsula*. Travel via Camps
Bay*, Hout
Bay* and Chapman's
Peak Drive* to the Cape
of Good Hope Nature Reserve*. Enjoy stunning views from
Cape
Point* before you continue towards Simonstown*
and Muizenberg*.
 After
lunch (not included), you briefly explore the Cape
Winelands*. You will be introduced to South
African wines* at a local wine estate (e.g. Spier*).
This includes a short talk on wines and wine production. There-after
you may enjoy a wine
tasting* of a couple of wines under the guidance of someone
familiar with the finer aspects of wines. Afterwards we suggest
a drive through the university town of Stellenbosch*
before returning to your hotel.
If you are up
to it after a full day's touring you may use the evening to
attend a theatre production, have dinner at one of Cape
Town's* fine restaurants or go clubbing if that is more
your scene. |
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| Overnight:
Holiday Inn Cape Town Waterfront, 2nd night (B)
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| Day
13 - Return home |
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| You
have the day at leisure until such time as your flight (own
arrangements) departs for home. Head for the Table
Mountain Cable Way*, visit the nearby Victoria
& Alfred Waterfront* or indulge in any of the many
other attractions that the city has to offer.
All good things
have to come to an end sooner or later... Return your Avis
rental car to their branch at Cape
Town International Airport*
in time for your flight back home. |
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| Overnight
flight home, you may also request us to book extra days for
you in Cape Town. |
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