The Best of South Africa

(Driving time: approx 6 hours) We are met by our guide between 7.00am and 7.30am and are soon off on our journey. Upon reaching Timbavati Game Reserve, which is part of Greater Kruger National Park, we are served a late lunch at the delightful bush camp. After settling into our accommodation we depart on a late afternoon/early evening game drive for our first chance to glimpse the resident wildlife. Upon our return to camp, a pre-dinner drink is served around a blazing fire under the stars, in an open-air boma. Following this, a sumptuous South African dinner awaits us in the intimate dining area of the camp. This is a private camp and our overnight accommodation is in comfortable chalets, complete with ensuite facilities.

(Driving times two safaris per day - times variable) Two full days in the reserve allows for morning and afternoon wildlife activities, with time for relaxing back at camp during the middle hours of the day. In addition to game drives, walking safaries are offered. Accompanied by a highly experienced, armed guide; this is a fascinating and very different way of experiencing the African bush. We depart with our local resident guides on morning and afternoon drives in open 4WD vehicles, searching for zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and a variety of antelope. We may also see elephant, buffalo and, hopefully, some of the predators. There is a good chance of seeing all of the 'Big Five', including the endangered rhinoceros. On the afternoon game drive, a sundowner drink is usually served before our return to camp. On the drive back to camp we use spotlights, which may enable sightings of some of the many nocturnal animals of the bush that are seldom sighted during the day.

(Driving time: approx 8 hours including sightseeing excursions) This morning we leave Timbavati behind and travel to the nearby Blyde River Canyon area. This canyon is the largest green canyon in the world and our drive around this region offers us spectacular views of this breathtaking gorge from different angles. We stop at the Three Rondavels viewpoint, explore Bourke's Luck Potholes and peer out through God's Window, before checking into our cosy private guesthouse near Hazyview where we relax and enjoy dinner that evening while watching the sunset.

(Driving time: approx 6 hours including border crossing; game drive times variable) After breakfast, we depart for the mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland, our base for the next two nights. The scenery here is a delight, varying from mountainous highveld to rolling grasslands of in the middleveld and bushlands in the lowveld. We spend our nights in Hlane Royal National Park. Covering an area of 30,000 hectares, this park is the largest in Swaziland and is set up near the former royal hunting grounds. The name 'Hlane' means 'wilderness' and was given by King Sobhuza II. It is home to many species including lion, elephant, white rhino and abundant bird life, including the highest density of nesting white-backed vultures in Africa. We enjoy a morning guided walking safari, with the aim of getting reasonably up-close to some of the rhinos! In the afternoon we visit the colourful, local handicraft markets and the renowned Ngwenya Glass Factory, where we see the talented local glass blowers at work. Some of their creations include a range of images of enchanting African animals. Another amazing aspect is that their work is created from 100% recycled glass that has been collected by the local as part of a nationwide recycling initiative.

(Driving time: approx 3 hours including border crossing) After breakfast drive through vast sugar cane plantations that line the route to Kwa-Zulu Natal - the land of the Zulus. Close to the Indian Ocean, the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Greater St Lucia Wetlands is an excellent place to view many species of aquatic wildlife, including numerous birds. This area contains major breeding colonies of crocodiles and hippopotamus, and we are likely to see both on an afternoon boat trip (weather permitting) through the wetlands and mangrove swamps. The waters of the reserve are rich in fish, and these, in turn, attract large numbers of waterbirds, particularly flamingos and pelicans. We discover the wonders of this natural paradise on an afternoon boat cruise.

(Driving time: approx 4 hours) Today we drive to Dundee where history comes alive in the Battlefields. Here we learn about about the many battles that took place between the Boers, the British and the Zulus. These include the Battle of Blood River between the Voortrekkers and Zulus as well as the biggest defeat suffered by the British in Africa during Queen Victoria's reign, the Battle of Isandlwana which saw a twenty-thousand strong Zulu army crush British forces. Under the expert guidance of a local historian, we gain an insight into these historic battles which were turning points in the country's history and visit the sites that today serve as a poignant reminder of the events that helped shape modern-day South Africa. Fittingly our accommodation this evening is a rustic country inn, adorned with many historic artifacts from the war-time period and complete with a cosy English pub on the premises!

(Driving time: approx 4 hours) An early start sees us heading south to the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains - a place of many stunning views. We enjoy some time at leisure amidst majestic surroundings - you may choose to do as much or as little as you please. There are a number of hikes to enjoy, from very gentle walks right through to strenuous half day hikes (our guide will give more detailed information regarding the hikes available in this region). Horse riding is also available, as is boating, trout fishing and golf. Weather permitting, the next day we traverse the famous Sani Pass in Lesotho to the highest altitude pub in Africa. As weather conditions can vary greatly in this mountain region, it is important that if you are going for a hike you carry a day pack with wet weather gear and spare warm clothing - in case the weather does not co-operate!

(Driving time: approx 2½ hours) Continuing east toward the Indian Ocean, we skirt the coastal metropolis of Durban. Here we say goodbye to those travellers that are leaving us in Durban, before catching a short flight to the beachside city of Port Elizabeth. This afternoon we are taken on a tour of the 'real city' of Port Elizabeth. Run by the accredited Calabash Tours, the tour takes us on a journey through the history of Port Elizabeth. Here we visit original 19th century English settlement homes, shop from the street traders, visit Red Location, which is the oldest township in South Africa. We visit a community-run school for the children in the township. Our next stop is the local township pub, called a 'shebeen'. The 'shebeen' also acts as an informal meeting house and is an important part of township life. Tonight enjoy a traditional meal and share with the locals an evening of traditional music and dance.

(Driving time: approx 6 hours) After breakfast we depart on the famous Garden Route where we stop at Monkeyland, which is the world's first free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. Here we learn about the plight of the primates and gain a greater understanding of their way of life. Next door to Monkeyland we find the Birds of Eden Sanctuary, which was set up to provide a safe environment in which to release a collection of free-flight African birds and where bird owners can also release their pet birds after undergoing rehabilitation. In the afternoon we go on a cheetah walk at the Tenikwa Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre before travelling to the Tsitsikamma Forest. Tsitsikamma, meaning 'a place of much water', is a beautiful coastal reserve stretching 80 kilometres along the southern coastline. The enchanting forest is home to ancient outeniqua yellowwood trees, magnificent giant ferns and the beautiful and elusive Knysna turaco (also known as loerie). We drive through to Knysna where our accommodation for the next two nights is situated on the water’s edge of the Knysna Lagoon.

After breakfast, we proceed to the Knysna Waterfront to board the ferry that takes us across to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. The Featherbed Experience is regarded as one of the Garden Route's premier tourist attractions. Upon arrival we board a Unimog-drawn trailer and drive up to the top of the reserve. While stopping at scenic lookout points, a local guide will share some fascinating tales about Knysna and the surrounding area while we enjoy the panoramic views. An optional two kilometre guided nature walk takes us through the forest, onto the cliffs, into the caves and along the scenic coast. Once back in the Food Forest, we enjoy a spectacular twelve-dish buffet lunch in a unique outdoor restaurant situated under the milkwood trees. After lunch you may browse through the Blue Duiker curio shop, where a variety of curios can be purchased including clothing and the famous carved 'Feathers of Knysna' collection. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the Waterfront area, a place that has been referred to as one of the 'jewels' of the Garden Route. Here you can sample the region's famous oysters or browse the world-class arts and crafts stall that line the Waterfront.

(Driving time: approx 2.5 hours) After breakfast we embark on a breathtaking drive over the Swartberg Mountains to Oudtshoorn where our first stop is the world-famous Cango Caves. We take a guided tour through the vast limestone chambers, filled with stalactites, stalagmites and helictites. It is truly a natural underground wonderland that abounds with intriguing formations, some of which are over a million years old! We also visit one of the many ostrich farms for which the area is renowned. We join a guided tour and learn about these large flightless birds.