Welcome to Johannesburg, the economic heart of South Africa. Enjoy the day at leisure or alternatively take an optional guided afternoon city tour of Johannesburg (own account). Share highlights of our City of Gold and its great historic and modern significance bridged by Nelson Mandela, joining 2 cultures and erecting the pillars of our Constitution. Return to your hotel late afternoon, where you will be met by your tour guide for a tour briefing at 18h30. Tonight enjoy dinner (own account) at your hotel. Crowne Plaza – The Rosebank Hotel or similar – bed and breakfast NOTE: The transfer from OR Tambo International Airport to the hotel is not included in the package price and must be booked separately.

Day 3 Johannesburg to HAZYVIEW via PANORAMA ROUTE

After breakfast, you will travel through the Panorama Route to Hazyview. The awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon and Three Rondawels, which may be the world’s largest green canyons, is the first stop along the beautiful Panorama Route. You will also visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Wonder View, the highest viewpoint on this route. These are some of the country’s most beautiful views and cherished natural marvels. Stop for lunch (own account) in Graskop. Arrive in the late afternoon at your overnight accommodation, on the fringe of Hazyview. Relax prior to a leisurely dinner at the hotel. Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast

Day 4 FULL DAY IN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Leaving the hotel after an early breakfast, we travel to the iconic Kruger National Park. Enjoy a guided closed vehicle game drive, searching the bushveld looking for the ‘Big 5’, their friends and natural enemies, inside the legendary Kruger National Park; a place where elephants always have the right of way. The Kruger National Park covers 19,485km² and runs 360km from North to South. It supports a staggering variety of fauna and flora including 147 mammals and 507 birds species, some rare and indigenous to the area. Staying inside the park, enjoy lunch (own account) while enjoying the wild scenery at one of the park’s rest camps, before continuing on your bush adventure. Exit the Kruger National Park and head back to your hotel to freshen up and enjoy pre-dinner drinks (own account) before dinner. Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast (4-star) NOTE: Optional full day safari in an open safari vehicle available (own account and excluding lunch)

Day 5 HAZYVIEW to MALELANE via KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Enjoy an early breakfast before spending a second day on a guided closed vehicle game drive in the Kruger National Park. Lunch (own account) while enjoying the wild scenery at one of the park’s rest camps, before continuing your journey to the Malelane Gate. Arrive in the late afternoon at your overnight accommodation, situated on the fringes of the famous park. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks (own account) on the deck overlooking the Crocodile River and Southern Kruger National Park before dinner at the hotel. Pestana Kruger Lodge or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast (4-star) NOTE: Optional full day safari in an open safari vehicle available (own account and excluding lunch)

Day 7 AFTERNOON AT LEISURE in HLUHLUWE

After a hearty breakfast, depart on an open vehicle game drive to the nearby Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park. This park is the only area in KwaZulu-Natal where the ‘Big 5’ can be found. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. There are numerous activities to be enjoyed in the area, these include a visit to the Zulu cultural show, the bird and reptile park (own account). Tuck into a decadent dinner (own account) before retiring for the night. DumaZulu Lodge & Cultural Village or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 8 HLUHLUWE to SAN LAMEER via ST LUCIA

Leaving the lodge after an early morning breakfast, you will travel to St Lucia. Once you have arrived at St Lucia, enjoy a boat cruise around the Estuary. See rare wildlife and birdlife, mangrove swamps and vegetated sand dunes that make for an interesting and educational cruise. St Lucia is the only town in South Africa that lies inside a World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the largest estuarine system in Africa. Savour the sensational views of the lake while you enjoy lunch (own account). A few hours’ drive down the South Coast, arrive at San Lameer, near Southbroom on the warm Indian Ocean. This evening enjoy dinner out (own account) at one of the many local restaurants. Peermont Mondazur Hotel and Spa or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 9 SAN LAMEER to MTHATHA

Partake in an early breakfast at the resort, before departing San Lameer for Mthatha. Tuck into lunch en-route, once in Mthatha, follow in the footsteps of this great South African hero and father to a nation. The Mandela Route moves through Bhisho, home of the provincial government, and takes a scenic drive on the N2 to Mthatha, which hosts the Nelson Mandela Museum. Arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon and freshen up before enjoying your dinner for the evening. Garden Court Mthatha or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast

Day 10 MTHATHA to PORT ALFRED

An early breakfast and departure will see you travelling from Mthatha to the marina town of Port Alfred via Qunu, where Nelson Mandela was laid to rest. Qunu, which is part of the former Transkei, consists of a number of little villages. These are the green hills and pastures where Madiba herded sheep and cattle and which today is still recognised as his family home. An area steeped in ancient Xhosa traditions and culture, taking you back to a simpler and humbler time. Venture further South along the coastal road to East London. Lunch en-route (own account). The coastal road brings you to Port Alfred at the heart of the Sunshine Coast, on the banks of the Kowie River. Arrive late afternoon at your hotel. Enjoy refreshing drinks (own account) before savouring the delightful local cuisine. The Royal St Andrews Lodge or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast

Day 11 PORT ALFRED to PLETTENBERG BAY via EASTERN GARDEN ROUTE

After an early breakfast we take a boat cruise (weather permitting) along the scenic Kowie River before leaving the Sunshine Coast and travelling inland along the Garden Route. The Garden Route derives its name from the ecologically diverse vegetation present in the area, which lies between the Indian Ocean and the Tsitsikamma Mountains. Tsitsikamma is the ancient San name meaning place of abundant water, an enchanting and fabled part of the country. Enjoy lunch in Tsitsikamma (own account) before taking a short walk to experience the wonderful views on the suspension bridge of the Storms River Mouth. Here you will observe the Storms River meeting the Indian Ocean in grand splendour. Your final stop for the day finds you in Keurboomstrand, near Plettenberg Bay at your hotel. Enjoy time at leisure or take advantage of the resort’s private access to an 8km stretch of pristine beachfront. This evening take pleasure in the oceanic ambience while you dine at the resort’s elegant restaurant (own account). The Dunes Hotel & Resort or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 12 FULL DAY AT LEISURE in PLETTENBERG BAY

Today is yours - enjoy a full day at leisure or venture on an optional excursion to a South African Heritage Site, Featherbed Nature Reserve and an Elephant Sanctuary (own account, including lunch). On arrival at the Knysna Waterfront, board the ferry that will take you to Featherbed Nature Reserve on the Western Knysna Head. On arrival at the reserve, board a Unimog-drawn trailer and drive up to the top of the reserve. While stopping at a scenic lookout point, our tour guide will share fascinating tales about Knysna and the surrounding area while you enjoy the panoramic views. An optional 2.2km guided nature walk takes you through the forest onto the cliffs into the caves and along the scenic coast. This is followed by a buffet lunch at the Forest Restaurant, a unique outdoor restaurant situated on the edge of the Lagoon under a canopy of Milkwood trees. After lunch we depart for an educational elephant interaction experience where you have the opportunity to feed and touch these gentle giants. Enjoy time at leisure before dinner (own account). The Dunes Hotel & Resort or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 13 PLETTENBERG BAY to OUDTSHOORN via CANGO CAVES

After a hearty breakfast depart Keurboomstrand for Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo via the scenic Knysna and surrounds. This morning’s excursion presents you with photographic opportunities at the lookout points at the Knysna Lagoon and the Knysna Heads. Travel inland to the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn, driving over the Outeniqua Pass. Constructed by prisoners of war from 1943 to 1951 the Outeniqua Pass now bridges the coastal Garden Route and the semi-arid Klein Karoo. For lunch (own account) we arrive at an ostrich farm on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn. A tour of the farm will introduce you to these strange and exotic birds, as well as the ostrich industry. In the Cango Valley we discover the spectacular subterranean world of the Cango Caves. This 20 million year old world wonder features an impressive display of gold and vermillion dripstone stalagmites and stalactites. Arrive at your hotel and enjoy some time at leisure. Delight in the charming country setting as you enjoy dinner (own account) and hospitality. Protea Hotel Riempie Estate or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 14 OUDTSHOORN to STELLENBOSCH via ROUTE 62

After breakfast, our journey takes us West, via Route 62 to Stellenbosch in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Route 62 is an iconic route with intoxicating and ever changing landscapes. Running along orchard lined valleys, towering mountain ranges, rivers and indigenous fynbos, Route 62 bridges the Western and Eastern Cape through the Klein Karoo and includes what is possibly the world's longest wine route. Lunch en-route (own account). Next up is a visit to an award winning brandy distillery in Robertson, where you’ll have a fun and educational experience in brandy tasting. We journey further into the heart of the Winelands and arrive, late afternoon, in the beautiful and heritage proud university town of Stellenbosch. Leisure time to enjoy the comfortable and luxurious settings and views before drinks and dinner (own account) at one the hotel’s restaurants. Protea Hotel Stellenbosch or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 15 STELLENBOSCH to CAPE TOWN via CAPE WINELANDS

After a walking town tour, venture further into the Winelands via Paarl and onto the city of Cape Town. Embark on this morning’s walking tour of Stellenbosch. Explore the town’s historic sites and colonial Cape Dutch architecture (some of the country’s oldest buildings), along its oak lined streets and mountainous backdrop. Stop for lunch and a wine tasting (both own account) at one of the many stellar wine farms in Paarl, which is South Africa’s third oldest town and is a beautiful town that gets its name from the enormous granite pluton that shimmers like a pearl (or Paarl in Dutch) after rain showers. This huge granite pluton makes up Paarl Mountain and is the second largest granite projection on the planet. We stop off at the Afrikaanse Taalmonument (Afrikaans Language Monument), which is located on Paarl Rock, where we learn more about this beautiful structure and museum. Visit the Nelson Mandela Gateway Museum before checking into your hotel. This evening’s dinner can be enjoyed at the hotel (own account). Radisson Blu Le Vendome Hotel or similar – bed and breakfast

Day 16 FULL DAY AT LEISURE in CAPE TOWN OPTIONAL CAPE POINT FULL DAY TOUR

Cape Town, the oldest city in South Africa, lingers on the edge of Africa where oceans meet and cultures fuse under the presence of the majestic Table Mountain. After breakfast, spend the morning at leisure discovering the Mother City or join an optional guided, full day Cape Point tour (own account), which incorporates Cape Point, Boulder's Beach (entrance fee for own account) and Kirstenbosch Gardens. This evening, enjoy more of the Cape’s cuisine and wines, when you dine out or alternatively at your hotel (own account). Radisson Blu Le Vendome Hotel or similar – bed and breakfast