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Contrasts of South Africa

17 DAY TOUR FROM £2699

Enjoy a beautiful coastline, top-class wineries, an open-vehicle safari adventure in Kruger National Park, lake cruises, a tour of the Cango Caves and four nights in Cape Town.

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Zebra

Zebra

Tour Pace

Leisurely Lively Tour Pace

Tour experience

Scenic City Tour experience

Highlights


  • Pretoria

  • Pilgrim's Rest

  • Kruger National Park

  • Swaziland

  • St Lucia

  • Tsitsikamma National Park

  • Knysna

  • Oudtshoorn

  • Hermanus

  • Cape Town

Sightseeing Highlights


  • Pretoria Orientation tour.

  • Pilgrims Rest Explore this historic town and view the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and Gods Window.

  • Kruger National Park Seek out the Big Five in open safari vehicles.

  • Swaziland Visit a traditional African craft market and enjoy a Swazi cultural experience.

  • St Lucia Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake St Lucia.

  • Tsitsikamma National Park Stroll through the park, renowned for its age-old trees.

  • Knysna Journey by ferry to Featherbed Nature Reserve.

  • Oudtshoorn Discover the Congo Caves. Visit an ostrich farm.

  • Hermanus Experience the best land-based whale watching in the world (seasonal July- November only)

  • Cape Town Explore the coastline of Cape Peninsula. Enjoy wine tasting at some of the Capes most famous wine estates.

Dining Highlights


  • 14 buffet breakfasts (BB)

  • 3 lunches (L)

  • 4 dinners (D)

  • 21 included meals in total (see day by day itinerary)

First Class Travel Highlights


  • Return scheduled flights.

  • The services of two of Thompson's professional Tour Directors on tour.

  • Complimentary transfers on Day 2 from Johannesburg International Airport to your hotel in Johannesburg and on Day 16 from your hotel to Cape Town International Airport.

  • Internal flight between Port Elizabeth and Durban.

  • Tour in air-conditioned micro-buses or 18-seater mini-buses

  • Stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.

  • Kruger National Park Conservation levy.

  • All hotel service charges, tips and local taxes are included.

  • A stylish travel wallet.

Luxury Private Car UK Transfers


  • Exclusive door to door airport transfers

 

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Safari

Safari

Day 1 (Door to Door)

Your overnight flight

Enjoy your luxury private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your scheduled flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2

Arrive Johannesburg

Upon arival you are transfered to your hotel and the rest of the day is yours at leisure until 19:00 when we all meet at the hotel reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet up with your fellow travellers.
Hotel: Protea Hotel Wanderers (FC)

Day 3

Johannesburg - Pretoria - Mpumalanga

We leave Johannesburg's distinctive skyline and head for Pretoria for a short orientation tour before continuing to Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. We travel via the historic towns of Witbank, Dullstrom and Lydenburg, passing over the famous Long Tom Pass onto the small town of Sabie. This afternoon we 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 (MFC)

Day 4

Kruger National Park

This morning gasp at the glory that is God's Window, a boundless view of 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 at our overnight hotel. (BB, D)
Hotel: Perry's Bridge Hollow (MFC)

Day 5

Kruger National Park

We set off before breakfast in an open safari vehicle for our full day's 'Big Five' viewing in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard and all manner of wondrous wildlife, birds and plant species and savour the magic of this enormous wilderness. (BB)
Hotel: Perry's Bridge Hollow (MFC)

Day 6

Kruger - The Kingdom of Swaziland

Enjoy an enchanting drive to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland.We witness a Swazi cultural experience before visiting the famous Ngwenya Glass Factory to see master craftsmen fashion collectable figures and functional art out of molten glass.We continue through the capital city, Mbabane, known for its vibrant markets packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings to spend the night in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley. (BB, L, D)
Hotel: Lugogo Sun (MFC)

Day 7

Swaziland - St Lucia

Today we visit the Swazi Candle Factory, teeming with exquisite wax artworks in every shape and colour imaginable. Then on into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. 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. (BB)
Hotel: Elephant Lake Hotel (MFC)

Day 8

St Lucia - Durban

This morning we enjoy a cruise on Lake St Lucia before departing for Durban, watching the sugar cane fields do their own version of the Mexican wave at the urging of the wind. Check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. (BB)
Hotel: Royal Palm (MFC)

Day 9

Durban - Port Elizabth - Knysna

Morning at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your mid morning flight to Port Elizabeth. There you will be met by a new guide who will, upon everyone arriving, take you through the glorious Tsitsikamma Forest, before reaching Knysna, perhaps South Africa's most visually stunning resort, in the heart of the famous Garden Route. (BB, D)
Hotel: Knysna Hollow Hotel (FC)

Day 10

Knysna

Today we cruise on the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Enjoy an amazing view of the imposing sandstone 'Heads' which guard the sea entrance to Knysna's huge tidal lagoon and the forests, marshes and pristine beaches beyond. After lunch the remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy this enchanting town. (BB, L)
Hotel: Knysna Hollow Hotel (FC)

Day 11

Knysna - Oudtshoorn

This morning we enjoy wonderful views of the spectacular Outeniqua Pass en route to Oudtshoorn, the centre of South Africa's ostrich industry. After lunch, we learn more about these enigmatic creatures during our tour of an ostrich farm. We then head for a fascinating tour of the Cango Caves, one of South Africa's most incredible natural wonders. (BB, L)
Hotel: Oudtshoorn Inn (FC)

Day 12

Oudtshoorn - Cape Town

Enjoy the ever-changing vistas as we travel to Cape Town. During the whale season we will travel via the seaside village of Hermanus in the hopes of catching a glimpse of southern right whales, which frolic offshore (July to November only). Out of season we will journey along 'Route 62', South Africa's version of America's 'Route 66'. (BB)
Hotel: Protea Hotel President (FC)

Day 13

Cape Town

A full day touring the ruggedly beautiful Cape Peninsula via the Atlantic seaboard. We stop at the fishing village of Hout Bay, where you can take an optional cruise to Seal Island to watch the antics of these natural performers. Then we continue to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, before stopping off to see the lovable penguins at Boulders Beach.We drive through the quaint naval village of Simon's Town on our way back to Cape Town. (BB)
Hotel: Protea Hotel President (FC)

Day 14

Cape Town

We journey into the beautiful and tranquil Cape Winelands, visiting both Paarl and Stellenbosch before stopping for a wine tasting at two well known estates. A visit to the Huguenot Memorial Museum and the Afrikaans Language Monument provides an historical perspective. (BB)
Hotel: Protea Hotel President (FC)

Day 15

Cape Town

A day at leisure to make your own discoveries. Perhaps take the cable car up Table Mountain for spectacular views of the city. (BB)
Hotel: Protea Hotel President (FC)

Day 16

Depart Cape Town

There is a complimentary transfer this evening to Cape Town International Airport for your return scheduled flight back to the UK. (BB)

Day 17 (Door to Door)

Arrive UK

On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting luxury private car for your door to door transfer to your home.

 

See your tour

To view our interactive map of this tourClick Here

Protea Hotel President

Protea Hotel Wanderers (FC)

Ideally situated on the green belt of Johannesburg guestrooms offer a variety of different. The hotel offers a restaurant as well as several leisure facilities including a swimming pool.

Protea Hotel President (FC)

Just five minutes from the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, this luxurious property offers professional service in a relaxed atmosphere. Facilities include a restaurant, lounge, terrace, cocktail bar, swimming pool and gym.

Lugogo Sun (MFC)

Lugogo Sun is located in the Ezulwini Valley, Swaziland. The hotel overlooks magnificent subtropical gardens and a 72 hole golf course. Guests enjoy the many facilities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna and boutique.

Knysna Hollow Hotel (FC)

Beautifully set on a secluded country estate, the Knysna
Hollow Hotel offers three swimming pools, a bar, restaurant
and grill room.

Perry's Bridge Hollow (FC)

The 31 spacious rooms offer relaxed yet sophisticated accommodation in a beautiful indigenous garden setting. There is a swimming pool, restaurant, pizzeria and cocktail bar.

Royal Hotel (MFC)

The Royal Hotel is composed of authentic buildings dating back to the 19th century, impeccably restored and furnished in late-Victorian-style.

Oudtshoorn Inn (FC)

The Oudtshoorn Hotel is situated in the centre of Oudtshoorn and offers comfortable accommodation, a restaurant and a swimming pool.

Elephant Lake Hotel (MFC)

The Elephant Lake Hotel is located on the shores of the St Lucia Estuary. Facilities include restaurants, a bar and a swimming pool.

Royal Palm (MFC)

Located directly opposite the Gateway Theatre of Shopping on Palm Boulevard, facilities include a restaurant with a bar area, lounge, dining room and outdoor courtyard and a spa.

 

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Blyde River Canyon

Blyde River Canyon

Table Mountain

Perhaps take a cable car to ascend Table Mountain.

 

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Preferred Departures Definite Departures

We are aware that you need to plan your travel arrangements early to take advantage of our early booking discounts. To assist you, we have designated a number of tours as “Preferred Departures” based on their reliable booking history. We have also highlighted our “Definite Departures” that are now guaranteed to operate.

Prices based on per person sharing a twin or double room. For single room supplements and triple room reductions please call for details.

 

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Trafalgar Tours

Trafalgar Tours:

Trafalgar Tours offer a range of first-class escorted tours including top-class hotels, comprehensive itineraries, luxury transportation, delicious meal plans and knowledgeable tour directors, often joined by experienced local guides.

Insight Vacations

Insight Vacations:

Insight Vacations provides premium-class escorted tours, enabling you to stay in the very best hotels where available, enjoying enhanced meal plans and touring on luxury coaches with fewer seats resulting in extra legroom.

Thompson's Africa

Thompson's Africa:

Thompson's Africa offers excellent first-class escorted tours but with smaller groups ranging from only 2 passengers to 18 per group and touring in air-conditioned micro-buses for a more intimate approach.

AAT Kings

AAT Kings:

AAT Kings, one of Australia's most respected travel companies, provides a range of first-class escorted tours in Australia and New Zealand which include top-class hotels, comprehensive itineraries, luxury transportation, delicious meal plans and knowledgeable tour directors, often joined by experienced local guides.

Brendan Vacations

Brendan Vacations:

When you travel to South America with Brendan, you can expect first class hotels in convenient locations that provide the highest standard of service and the most up-to-date luxurious coaches available