GRAND TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA

Huge, wild and full of wildlife, the Kruger National Park is one of Africa's top safari destinations and offers visitors a classic African safari experience - rich in lion prides, elephant herds and thousands of other animals, against shifting backdrops of savannah, forest, river and mountains.
Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: trees, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. This is the land of baobabs, fever trees, knob thorns, marula and mopane trees underneath which lurk the Big Five and more species of mammals than any other African Game Reserve.

On the western boundaries of Kruger National Park, there are numerous Private Game Reserves, which offer exclusive and usually luxurious safari experiences. Famous examples are Sabi Sand and Timbavati Game Reserve. These private game reserves are not accessible to the public, but only to guests of the private lodges. Unlike in a National Park, night-drives and game walks are allowed in the private game reserves and therefore guests can enjoy a wider range or safari-activities.Sabi Sands:The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is famed for its intimate wildlife encounters, particularly leopard viewing. With no boundary fences between the reserve and the Kruger National Park, this area benefits from the great diversity of wildlife found in one of the richest wilderness areas on the African continent along with the additional benefits experienced on a private game reserve. Strict vehicle limits at sighting ensure the exclusivity of your game viewing experience. Off-road driving ensures that you have the best possible view of any exceptional sighting and rangers are constantly in touch with each other to keep track of animal movements.

Accommodation: Elephant Plains Game Lodge / Arathusa Safari Lodge

Snuggled between Mozambique and South Africa, tiny Swaziland is one of the smallest countries in Africa. It is also one of its most charming and It is surprising how much there is to do here - the royal ceremonies, excellent wildlife reserves and superb scenery, especially in the western highlands, which rise to more than 1,800 m, with abundant rivers, waterfalls and forested gorges, should be more than enough reason to come.
The cheerful, friendly Swazi people have preserved their rich culture and traditions as a vital element in their day to day lives and colourful, mystical ceremonies are held every year to celebrate the Swazi traditions.

The most spectacular ceremony is the annual Reed Dance (late August/early September), when thousands of singing and dancing maidens converge on the Royal palace dressed in vibrant traditional costumes. This ceremony takes place in August/September and the dates are determined by the phases of the moon and only announced a few weeks before the event. During the Reed Dance, the maidens cut and collect reeds which are then presented to the Queen Mother and used for rebuilding the enclosure around her home. In this way, they are paying respect to her and indirectly to the older ladies in the Kingdom.

Accommodation: Foresters Arms

This sub-tropical paradise is stretching 220km along the East Coast from St Lucia to the Mozambique border and the Park was the first site in South Africa to be inscribed on the World Heritage List by the Unesco.

iSimangaliso is one of the jewels of South Africa's coastline, with a unique mosaic of ecosystems - stunning beaches, swamps, lakes, coral reefs, wetlands, woodlands, coastal forests and grasslands - supporting an astounding diversity of animal, bird and marine life.

Accommodation: St. Lucia Guest house / Thonga Beach Hotel

What really sets Durban apart from other South African cities is its rich ethnic mix. More than half of Durban's inhabitants are Zulu and almost one fifth of the population is made up of Indians, creating a colourful, vibrant cocktail.

In addition, guests can visit the interesting Indian part of town with its bustling market, explore the breathtaking landscapes in the surrounding areas such as the “The Valley of a thousand Hills”, enjoy less visited tropical beaches north of Durban around Umhlanga and La Mercy or discover the well known diving- spots at Amanzimtoti just a view kilometres south of the city.

Accommodation: Lalaria Lodge / Oyster Box

The Eastern Cape Game Parks around Port Elizabeth are malaria-free safari destinations offering the possibility to see the Big 5 and are therefore ideal for families.
The diverse landscape ranges from the dry, desolate Great Karoo to the lush Wild Coast and offers an abundance of activities. The most popular game reserve in this region is the Addo Elephant National Park, with currently about 500 elephants.

The elephants are drawn to watering holes at certain times and sightings are virtually guaranteed all year round. There are other animals in the park too, including lion, leopard, black rhino, buffalo, zebra, warthog and several types of antelopes.In addition to Addo, there are a number of excellent private game reserves in the area including Kariega, Amakhala, Shamwari, Samara and Kwandwe where you can enjoy very exclusive safari experiences.

Accommodation: Woodall Country House / Kwandwe Ecca Lodge

Roughly encompassing the coastline from Mossel Bay in the west to just beyond Plettenberg Bay in the east, it caters to all kinds of travellers. You can hike in stunning mountain or coastal scenery, chill-out on white sandy beaches and canoe in stunningly beautiful lagoons.
The most charming towns are Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Located largely on a spur of high ground jutting out into the bay, Plettenberg offers wonderful views of the long sheltered beaches, the inland lagoons and the surrounding mountains.

With a huge variety of activities available in and around the town, and lots of great restaurants, it is one of the best places from which to experience the Garden Route. Knysna is a natural paradise of lush, indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches nestled on the banks of a breathtakingly pretty lagoon, now a protected marine reserve. Beaches, lakes, mountains and rivers provide endless opportunity for leisure and outdoor adventure. Within the town, craft shops and cafés beckon with small-town charm and hospitality. The area around Knysna is a veritable Garden of Eden, with the remarkable richness of the Fynbos vegetation contributing over 8000 plant species to the Cape floral kingdom. Centrally located within the Garden Route, Knysna is a great starting point to explore the natural beauty of this region.

Accommodation: Milkwood Manor / Villa Afrikana

In addition to the unique landscape of the Little Karoo, the area is a place where you can travel back in time to old settlers days. Many towns haven´t changed their appearance much since they were founded and so they still have a special and unique charm.
The region’s most prominent towns are Oudtshoorn, home to the world's largest Ostrich population, and Montagu, known as the gateway to the Little Karoo, a charming little settler town with numerous well conserved Cape Dutch and Victorian buildings.

Swellendam is the third oldest settlement in South Africa, founded by the Dutch East India Company in the year 1745. Laying at the foot of the beautiful Langeberg mountains, the town is not only famous for its youngberries, but also for its architecture and its history.
Other highlights of the Little Karoo include the world famous Cango Caves, a unique flowstone cave system and the Swartberg Pass - an unpaved route offering beautiful views of the Karoo area from high up in the Swartberg Mountains.

Accommodation in Montague or Swellendam (1 night): Swellendam Country Lodge or Les Hauts de Montagu

Accommodation in Oudtshoorn (1 night): Oue Werf or Altes Landhaus Country Lodge

In addition to the wines the region is also well known for his excellent restaurants with local and international dishes and his variety in possible activities, from hikes through idyllic landscapes to balloon flights.Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are two of the best preserved towns from the founding days of the Cape Colony and great bases for exploring the Winelands.
Though the oldest European settlement in South Africa after Cape Town, Stellenbosch feels the youngest, with a vitality imbued by the student population attending its famous university.

Many of the avenues are lined with 300-year-old oak trees that shelter historic mansions and stately homes, while there are also pretty lanes lined with plentiful cafés and restaurants.
Tucked into the end of a valley and surrounded on three sides by towering mountains, Franschhoek is the prettiest town in the Winelands. Franschhoek translates as ‘French corner’, commemorating the Huguenot refugees granted land here in their flight from 17th century persecution in France. It is refreshingly compact, with most of the shops, restaurants and the Huguenot Memorial located within minutes of the main street.

Accommodation: Klein Oliphants Hoek / Asara Wine Estate & Hotel

Complementing the mountain's natural beauty is Cape Town's eye-catching way with design and colour in everything from the brightly painted facades of the Bo-Kaap, the historic Malay Quarter and the Victorian bathing chalets of Muizenberg, to the contemporary Afro-chic décor of the many excellent guesthouses, restaurants and bars.

Enjoy a tour of Cape Town and the stunning Cape Peninsula, visit Robben Island to see the prison where Nelson Mandela was held captive in, watch the world stroll by at the buzzing Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, take the cable car up Table Mountain and explore Table Mountain National Park, visit the beautiful Kirstenbosch Gardens, hike up to the top of Lion Head and enjoy the amazing views or – during summer – simply relax at the beautiful beach of Camps Bay and watch the Capetownian joy of life unfold around you.

Accommodation: De Tafelberg Guesthouse / Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa

Spend your last day exploring or relaxing in Cape Town before driving to the airport for your onward journey or your flight back home.