Tour E-30  South Africa - 12 days

Cape Town - Cape Point - Stellenbosch & Paarl - Ostrich Farm - Johannesburg - Gold Reef City - Pretoria - Lesedi Village - Sun City - Drakensberg - Kruger Park - Ballito - Durban

     DAY 1 Arrival in Cape Town. Transfer to the hotel and a short rest. Departure for a sightseeing tour of the city centre, District 6, Camps Bay and famous pearly white Clifton beaches. The town is funky and old, vibrant and new, colourful and exiting. It has ancient tradition of hospitality and a modern reputation as the favourite destination of South Africans and visitors alike. The "Mother City" is a cosmopolitan mix of culture and business, industry and leisure, history and innovation. Visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, beautifully set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, which is a floral treasure famouse for its beauty and diversity of the indigenous South African flora it displays. The estate covers 528 ha. Late in the afternoon watching the most stunning sunset at Signal Hillwith a panoramic view of the Mother City will conclude the tour. Overnight at the hotel.

     DAY 2 Full day excursion to the Cape of Good Hope. Scenic drive along the Western coast via small picturesque fishing harbour of Hout Bay where we go on a cruise to Duiker Island - seal and seabird colony. Later we continue our drive through Chapman's Peak, a 10-km stretch blasted into the partially vertical rock considered one of the most spectacular coastal roads in South Africa. It starts at the Hout Bay and then winds up to Chapman's Point, revealing breathtaking views of the sandy bays down below, until the road reaches sea level again at Noordhoek. Afterwards visit to The Cape Peninsula National Park that contains beautiful coastal scenery, beaches, diverse plant and animal life, shipwrecks and dramatic mountains. Wildlife in the reserve includes baboons, buck of all sorts and wild cats. There is also an abundance of birdlife including ostriches and flamingos. The park is the smallest of the world's six floral kingdoms, and has one of the highest concentrations of different plant species, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. The special vegetation of the region is called "fynbos" and includes the protea which is a South Africa's national flower. We reach the Cape Point and use a funicular (or railway) that leads up to the historic lighthouses that were built at the end of the Point. This is a stunning place to look out over the cliffs, rocks and endless sea which smell and sight of huge waves crashing into the rocks is really spectacular. In the afternoon return to Cape Town along Eastern coast and old colonial curorts of Muizenberg and Simonstown. We will also stop at the Boulders Beach with a large breeding colony of Jackass penguins. This endearing little creatures nest just above the beaches along the coast, so one can well experience an encounter with some of them whenever enjoying the exellent sunbathing or swimming anywhere along Simon's Town' s coast. Evening at the historic working harbour - V&A Waterfront - most visited tourist destination. One finds here buskers, entertainers and street festivals, lively music at the open air amphitheatre, cinemas, historic buildings, numerous restaurants and much more. Return to the hotel and overnight.

     DAY 3 Excursion to the famous Cape vineyards. Visit to the historical university town of Stellenbosch which is the second oldest town in South Africa and every effort has been made to preserve the atmosphere of its I9th century calm and elegance. Nowhere is this more evident than in Dorp Street with charming, thatched, white houses with green shutters and elegant fanlights. The town is also known for its stately oaks and gracefully proportioned Cape Dutch homesteads. Later drive through the picturesque valleys of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. The Stellenbosch Wine Route is arguably the country's most famous, and the Stellenbosch Wine area includes over 300 wine farms of which more than a 100 are open to the public. One will taste South African way of life by visiting one of the wine estates, touring of the farm and wine tasting. Return to Cape Town, time at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

     DAY 4 After breakfast day at leisure on the beach or optionally excursion to the ostrich farm. During a guided tour we will learn about ostrich farming and its origin and some interesting facts about their habits. We will see different species of ostriches as well as leather factory and ostrich show with possibility of riding the largest bird in the world. Afternoon at leisure, shopping or relaxing on the beach. Overnight at the hotel.

     DAY 5 Transfer to the airport and flight to Johannesburg. Sightseeing of the city - drive through the oldest colonial districts of Johannesburg (Houghton with Nelson Mandela's house and Parktown) and the city centre. In the afternoon a visit to Gold Reef City - replica of old Johannesburg from the time of "gold rush". The complex consists of numerous museums, restaurants and old buildings in Victorian and Edwardian style. Apart from various shops and entertainment areas (theme park, casino, African dancing show), a gold pour, old mint (with modern jewellery) and descent into a gold mine can be experienced. Overnight at the hotel.

     DAY 6 After breakfast transfer to Pretoria - sightseeing of the city centre with its historical Church Square with the old Parliament Building, the Palace of Justice and Paul Kruger's statue. We drive past the City Hall and Melrose House. We will also stop at the Union Buildings - the headquarters of the South African government, situated on top of the hill, surrounded by beautiful gardens and offering panoramic view of Pretoria. In the afternoon drive to the Lesedi Cultural Village. A visit to the traditional Zulu, Basotho, Xhosa and Pedi homesteads is followed by energetic African dancing at sunset by the fire and the "Big African Feast". Overnight in Johannesburg.

     DAY 7 In the morning drive through the Hartbeespoort Dam to the famous Sun City Resort - the place of entertainment and gambling - African Las Vegas. It is nestled on the borders of the Pilanesberg National Park. We will visit the casino complex and Lost City, surrounded by stunning tropical gardens with romantic waterfalls. In the afternoon time at leisure in the Valley of the Waves - enjoying a swim in 2m high computer controlled wave, Waterworld or at the roulette table. In the evening, return to Johannesburg.

     DAY 8 Departure towards picturesque Panoramic Route, offering one of the most stunning scenery of the surrounding area. Our first stop will be God's Window, which owns its name to the dramatic views from various viewpoints overlooking the almost sheer 300 m drop into an indigenous forest-clad ravine. Afterwards we continue north to see Bourke's Luck Potholes, that have been carved out by water and stone falling down into Blyde River resulting in spectacular cylinders (up to six meters deep) with smooth and colourful rims. This natural feature marks the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon, which is he third largest canyon in the world, well known for its natural beauty and diversity of its flora and fauna. Nearby we visit another highlight of the Scenic Drive - Three Rondavels - three hut-shaped rock formations. On our way back we will also stop at the Lisbon Falls, which is the highest in the area. At the end of our journey we will have a break at Pilgrim's Rest - a little charming town that was founded after the discovery of gold in the stream flowing through the valley. Presently Pilgrim's Rest is like a living museum, preserved in the exact style of the gold rush period with many buildings unchanged for more than a century. Overnight at the lodge adjoining Kruger Park.

     DAY 9 Departure for full day safari in the Kruger National Park - one of the largest and best game reserves in Africa. The area covering almost 2 million hectares, is home to an impressive number of species (almost 150 mammals, more than 500 birds, and 100 reptiles) among them the famous "Big Five": rhino, elephant, leopard, buffalo and lion. Overnight at the lodge.

     DAY 10 Early in the morning we depart towards the Kingdom of Swaziland. Within a roughly oval shape only 193km long from north to south and much less from east to west, one can find there everything from peaks and upland plateaus, through rolling grassland in the middleveld to the hot, arid bush of the lowveld on the Natal border. In the afternoon we re-enter South Africa and drive along the coast through magnificent scenery of Zululand to the resort town of Ballito. Overnight at the hotel or guest house.

     DAY 11 Balito - day at leisure which will give you a chance to soak up the African sun and relax for a while on the beautiful beaches. The area offers plenty of activities from water sports to local attractions, parks and some of the most spectacular golf courses in South Africa. Overnight at the hotel or guest house.

     DAY 12 Excursion to Durban - we will visit the harbour, city centre and the diverse ethnic and oriental stalls of Victoria Street Market where you can obtain curios, exotic foods & spices, and many other artifacts of special interest. We will also visit the Sea World with more than 1000 fish species, sharks and dolphine and seal shows. Before we go to the airport we will spend some time on the Golden Mile - famous promenade with sandy beaches, numerous atractions, sport facilities and restaurants.

Price includes:
- Accommodation in hotels and guest houses in double rooms with en suite facilities
- transport in air conditioned cars/microbuses
- services of tourist guide
- breakfasts

Price does not include:
- air tickets to South Africa and CPT-JHB
- lunches and dinners
- insurance
- soft and alcoholic drinks
- visa fees if applicable
- entry fees to the parks and visited places
- personal expenses, gratuities, phone calls etc.

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