21 DAY ABSORBING SOUTH AFRICA

Wide-ranging absorbing expedition that causes energy to the land with immense variety from virtually everything that covers terrains, wildlife and customs

Day 1: Limpopo Highlands

Visitors will be met and welcomed upon arrival at O R Tambo International Airport by tourAfrika guide and from there we head-off in a northerly direction, following the National Highway, N1 to Polokwane as your 21 Day Absorbing South Africa tour commences. Along the way to the overnight destination we cross over Moria, the heart of the Zion Christian Church where each Easter millions of congregates gather for the biggest annual religious ceremony in South Africa. We stop over at the Modjadji Cycad Forest. Once the main diet of the prehistoric mammal-like reptiles that lived in the area, the Modjadji cycad (Encephalartos transvenosus) creates a distinctive natural forest which can be observed in its prehistoric state thanks to its stringent protection by successive generations of Modjadji (‘rain queens’), the hereditary monarchs in the region.

Overnight:  Magoebaskloof
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Kruger National Park

After breakfast we head off to the northern part of the central Kruger National Park. A Kruger safari will characteristically cover two game drives every day; one in the crisp throes of the early morning and one in the vivid afterburn of sunset. Whilst on a guided tour with tourAfrika, guests will enjoy the flexibility of deciding when to embark on a safari at their leisure. The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s leading conservation area, giving off a wealth of game viewing prospects to enliven both the Big Five buff and the enthusiastic birder.

Overnight:  Letaba
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3: Kruger National Park

The day is dedicated to two interpretive game drives led by your experienced guide. Kruger offers one of the extreme varieties in flora and fauna located wherever in the world. It houses to 114 reptiles, 336 tree species, 147 mammals, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, and 507 birds. Your guide’s profound knowledge of the region and their understanding into the habitat inclinations of the diverse species will guarantee that your sightings are amplified.

Overnight:  Letaba
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4: Kruger National Park

An early morning and late afternoon game drive are led by your experienced guide will fill a day of sensation as the tempos of the wilderness and the laws that govern life in this exclusive ecology become more obvious. The eminent Big Five, deemed as the most impressive and awe-inspiring animals to be found wherever in the world, are unquestionable to be among the day’s focal point. Besides the Big Five, the reserve is endowed with a plentiful variety of antelope and other animal species. The day will be wrapped up with a night drive in the company of the professional game rangers. Night drives may become the best part of the South African tour, offering sights of nocturnal animals seldom seen during the day.

Overnight:  Letaba
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5: Mpumalanga Highlands

The centre of the day tour is Mpumalanga Panorama Route. Stopovers are made to the Blyde River Gorge, prominently featuring the triplet peaks of the Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck , where the distinctive geographical marks of the potholes can be seen. The tour proceeds to God’s Window. It is a fissure in the edge of the cliff from where glorious views of the Lowveld can be adored. God’s Window is located in a territory of indigenous jungle where many blossoming flowers and scented plants flourish. A stopover is also undertaken to the historic mining village of Pilgrims Rest. It is an illustrious case in point of a mining town which was created by the gold rush and prospered in the 1870’s. Gold was detected here in 1873 and the town was confirmed a national monument in 1986. Visitors will enjoy a gold digging and panning demonstration before traveling to the overnight destination.

Overnight:  Mount Sheba
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6: Mpumalanga

After breakfast the tour travels through the towns of Nelspruit, Barberton, Carolina, Ermelo, Piet Retief and Pongola to the overnight destination of Ghost Mountain Inn. You will stopover at Barberton to engross ourselves into this historic town. Barberton was a flourishing town during the gold rush of the late 19th century. It furthermore the home to the well-known writer Sir Percy Fitzpatrick whose classic tale, “Jock of the Bushveld”, has received worldwide praise. A statue was built in tribute of this eminent dog in front of the town hall. Tremendous scenery, altering from plain savannah to forested hills and banana plantations, brings the diversity of South Africa to life as the road meanders south to the rolling hills of KwaZulu.

Overnight:  Ghost Mountain Inn
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7: KwaZulu

Breakfast and a drive to St Lucia. On arrival we embark on a boat cruise on this shoreline lagoon which has been proclaimed a World Heritage Site. The cruise presents the chance to view the numerous hippo and crocodile which reside Lake St Lucia. The area is also a bird watcher’s utopia, with between 350 and 400 different species featuring in this region. The lake came about as a result of a number of rivers merging their water to form a gigantic estuary system, generally in the shape of the letter H and with a depth of about one meter only. Following the visit to St Lucia, you transverse inland to the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve. The game reserve was decreed in 1895 and its wide-ranging landscape, varying from densely forested lowlands to open hill summits, offers a sanctuary for a extensive diversity of flora and fauna. An afternoon game drive is performed in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve.

Overnight:  Hilltop
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 8: KwaZulu

The distinct ecological regions, varying from riverine brush to open savanna, sustain an amplitude of wildlife, particularly the white and black rhino. This game reserve was significant in protecting both of these species from annihilation. The present population of white rhino in South Africa has essentially been re-stocked from this region. The white rhino is much bigger than the black. It is a grazer, as opposed to the black rhino, which is a browser. Viewing of other huge game, most markedly the other members of the Big Five, are guaranteed to make this day spent on safari in wild KwaZulu a day to be reminisced.

Overnight:  Hilltop
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 9: Addo Elephant National Park

After breakfast we drive off to Durban from where we catch a flight to Port Elizabeth. On arrival at Port Elizabeth, we head off to the Addo Elephant National Park. Addo Elephant National Park is located 72km from Port Elizabeth. Founded in 1931 to prevent the extinction of 11 elephants, it is now houses to more than 350 of them, along with 280 Cape buffalo, black rhino, a range of antelope species, and the odd earth-bound dung beetle. Addo Elephant National Park is an impeccable destination for the courageous outdoorsman and nature enthusiast. We arrive at the park in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset over the Zuurberg Bushveld.

Overnight:  Addo Main Camp
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 10: Addo Elephant National Park

Early morning and late afternoon game drives in this distinctive region is the focal point of the day. From the elegant elephant, who personifies Africa in its peculiar puzzling way, to the odd black rhino – much smaller than the white but reputed for its erratic temper. The big cats and a great number of diverse plains game species that once again wander free in their inherited grazing grounds offer a glance of Africa in all her glory. The aim is on interpretive game viewing, with the guide enriching the perception of the animals through their knowledge of the customs and behaviour of the diverse species.

Overnight:  Addo Main Camp
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 11: Garden Route

The final morning game drive is followed by breakfast after which we head-off to south to Knysna, the jewel of the Garden Route. We journey over the Tsitsikamma National Park and stop briefly at Storms River Mouth and take a short walk to the famous Big Tree, a Yellowwood goliath standing 36.6 meters tall and approximated to be +/- 800 years old. The scenic route then head off south en route to Natures Valley, which is reached after descending the Grootrivier Pass into the valley below. This river also an indication of the western boundary of the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve. We arrive at Knysna at mid-afternoon.

Overnight:  Villa Castollini
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 12: Garden Route

On your Garden Route tour, we stopover at the Featherbed Nature Reserve and Knysna Elephant Park. The Featherbed Nature Reserve is an immaculate portion of wonderland that incorporates one of the Knysna Heads. This magnificent portion of seashore and forestry offers attractive hiking trails and four by four routes.  It also accommodates to endangered species i.e. blue duiker, Knysna seahorse.  The Knysna Elephant Park offers guests a complete opportunity to intermingle with one of wildlife’s most incredible beast. Learn further on these grey giants from their handlers and escort them on a walk underneath the green stare of the Outeniqua Mountains – a really cherished experienced.

Overnight:  Villa Castollini
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 13: Little Karoo

After an early breakfast, we voyage our way beyond George and trek to Oudtshoorn by traversing the Outeniqua Mountains. Oudtshoorn is a sizable and contemporary town dependent in the main on farming and the ostrich industry. We venture to a local ostrich farm and live through an ostrich race, stand on ostrich eggs and fondle baby ostrich chicks. The close Cango Caves, a natural wonder of the world, are explored. The wide-ranging tunnel systems, a quarter of which are accessible to guests, stretches for in excess of four kilometres into the limestone hills. If cheetahs are fascinating to you, a stop at the Cango Wildlife Ranch will be a gratifying experience. The ranch is one of the prominent cheetah breeding centres in South Africa. You will be permitted to gain entry into a fenced area and intermingle with and photograph a tame cheetah. We return to the overnight destination after Cango Wildlife Ranch.

Overnight:  Adley House
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 14: Winelands

Route 62 passes the towns of Calitzdorp, Ladismith, Barrydale, Ashton and Robertson before reaching Franschhoek. A few kilometers from Robertson, we turn off on a dirt road and make our way to the Sheilam Cactus Gardens, also known as Little Mexico. It is home to about 3000 of the strangest and most interesting exotic cactus plants. After visiting the Cactus Gardens, we visit two of Robertson’s most respected wineries. The wine industry in Robertson has grown from less than 25 cellars to more than 50 registered wine cellars as of today. There are a number of wine cellars that have received the highest awards both locally and internationally every year. Robertson wine cellars include Graham Beck, Springfield, Bon Cap, Majors Hill and the Excelsior Estate. The tour then makes its way to Franschhoek.

Overnight:  Maison Chablis
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 15: Winelands

The Cape Dutch architecture in Franschhoek is well-preserved, with limitations having been placed on the degree of repairs and new structures to conserve the character of the initial settlers to the region. You visit the Huguenot Museum, with its three high arches signifying the Holy Trinity – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The French Huguenots brought their knowledge of viticulture with them and, upon obtaining land from the Dutch East India Company, several vineyards were formed which still make a handful of the world’s finest wines. After visiting the museum, you stop over at three of the finest wine estates in the area. Here visitors will witness some understanding into the production of wine in South Africa and will have the opportunity to taste some of South Africa’s finest.

Overnight:  Maison Chablis
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 16: West Coast

Breakfast is followed by a journey via Wellington and a few imposing passes to the South African West Coast . The West Coast is a region with a unique charm and character. The area’s population density is much lower than on the east coast, primarily as a result of the low rainfall enjoyed by the area. The region is characterized by sparse vegetation and harsh rocky beaches which line the shores of the Atlantic. The tour travels north to the town of Langebaan. You will devote the afternoon to visiting the West Coast National Park where a rich diversity of bird species can be observed in great numbers. Over 250 species have been recorded in the area. During spring the area is transformed into a flowering tapestry which creates a remarkable display.

Overnight:  Farmhouse Hotel
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 17: West Coast

The tour heads off north as you visit the coastal village of Paternoster. This part of the coast has an abundance of rock lobster, perlemoen and other seafood. Three kilometres down the road from Paternoster, you reach a lighthouse referred to as Cape Columbine, christened after the shipwreck which occurred here in 1929. The 9 million candle-power lighthouse and radio beacon is a major navigational point for ships docking on the coast of Southern Africa from Europe and America. This stretch of coastline carries several isolated coves and a one-kilometre walk will bring visitors to Titus Bay. Wild flowers, fresh air and a craggy seascape beautify this part of the world.

Overnight:  Farmhouse Hotel
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 18: Cape Town

After breakfast, the tour heads south from where the day is be spent sightseeing the ‘Mother City’ of South Africa – Cape Town. Firstly, we visit is the oldest garden in South Africa, namely the Company Gardens. It was created in early 1652 by Jan van Riebeeck as a vegetable garden, initially closer to the coast. In a effort to plant in more rich soil and on land shielded from the wind, he relocated his garden with its northern boundary on Wale Street, and this is where it stands currently. The large public park and botanical garden is houses to a Japanese garden, rose garden, aviary and fish pond. We move to Cape Town Castle, after which we take a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain. From Table Mountain, one of the most striking views of the world can be enjoyed. On descending Table Mountain, guests are transferred to the hotel for check-in.

Overnight:  Portswood
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 19: Cape Town

For nearly 400 years, Robben Island was a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment. A morning visit to Robben Island presents visitors some inimitable understanding into the history of this disreputable island, which has played such an critical role in South Africa’s past. It is well known for the fact that former president Nelson Mandela spent a enormous part of his 27-year imprisonment on the island. The jail has since been converted into a museum and is the centre of the Robben Island tour. Other places of interest comprise a visit to the limestone quarry and the landscapes of Cape Town which can be enjoyed from the island. On arrival to the mainland we dedicate the afternoon to exploring the renowned Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

Overnight:  Portswood
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 20: Cape Town

The remarkable Chapman’s Peak Drive, cut into the 650m high Chapman’s Peak, the tour traverses across the Noordhoek town to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. A botanic and picturesque delight, the reserve is home to numerous antelope species, as well as an abundant variety of blossoming plants and birds. The icing on the cake is bound to be the stride to the apex of Cape Point, it is said the turbulent sea waters of the Atlantic collide with the unruffle Indian Ocean.

The tour traces back to Cape Town via False Bay. Guests will make a stoppage at Boulders Beach, an appealing sheltered harbour which contains a tumble of mammoth circular rocks on a sandy shore. The rocks are perfect points for viewing the antics of the cluster of mainland-based African penguins. Some time spent being appreciative admiring these endangered flightless birds is followed by a return trip to Cape Town.

Overnight:  Portswood
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 21: Departure

The morning will be spent at leisure after which visitors are shuttle transferred to Cape Town International for a flight back to their home country after a unforgettable 21 Day Absorbing tour of South Africa.

Overnight:  None
Meals:  Breakfast