THE BEST OF SOUTH AFRICA
‘RAINBOW NATION’

19 Days: Pretoria – Cape Town

A fantastic tour of the very best of South Africa’s highlights.

The Rainbow Nation – The Best of South Africa.

South Africa: they call it the Rainbow Nation - A kaleidoscope of colours, cultures and traditions - A land of great deserts, thundering oceans and golden bushveld – with a myriad of plant and animal species. Visit Kruger, Mkuzi, and Hluhluwe / Umfolozi National Parks for the full safari experience.

Trek through the dramatic mountain scenery of the Drakensberg. Take a walk on the wild side, along the Wild Coast. Discover cosmopolitan Cape Town, and gaze out across Table Bay from perhaps the most famous mountain in Africa. Become a connoisseur of wine in the renowned wine lands. South Africa is not called a world in one country for nothing.

Week 1
Departing from Pretoria we head for Pilgrims Rest. This is an 1880’s mining town with restored cottages, shops, a museum and great restaurants. From here we venture out to Blyde River Canyon and look out from Gods Window at the endless savannah of the lowveld. The name says it all.

Next stop is the world famous Kruger National Park: The second largest National Park in the world (21 497 square km) bordering Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This park offers great opportunities to view the BIG FIVE (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant) and offers good year round game viewing.

We continue south to the royal principality of Swaziland with Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary as our next stop. From Swaziland we travel to the beautiful Mkuzi Game Reserve, with its un-spoilt natural environment. Besides the excellent game viewing, substantial bird life is found here, including several rare wetland species.

The Hluhluwe / Umfolozi Game Reserve is our next stop. This reserve has been instrumental in the battle to save the black and white rhino from extinction. It now boasts the highest concentration of rhino anywhere in Africa. We visit St Lucia Wetland Park, home to five eco-systems supporting a variety of aquatic creatures.

Week 2
We move on to the stunning Drakensberg Mountain range, a very popular hiking destination and we have the chance to do a full days mountain hike.

Natal South Coast and Oribi Gorge is our next destination, a place of deep ravines, waterfalls, cliffs, giant boulders, forest and grasslands.

We then make our way further south to the untamed Wild Coast. We spend some time taking in the natural un-spoilt environment in the small village of Coffee Bay, deriving its name from a coffee laden vessel which ran aground here.

Addo Elephant National Park is our next stop. Nestled in the thorny-bushveld of the Eastern Cape, it is home to the southern most viable wild elephant population and the much- treasured flightless dung beetle.

Week 3
We make our way to the start of the famous Garden Route, Tsitsikamma National Park - Africa's first National Marine Park. Not only is Tsitsikamma one of the most picturesque places in South Africa, it is also the adventure centre of the Garden Route. Here you will have the opportunity to snorkel, abseil, go black-water tubing, mountain biking or simply walk along the coastline and over the large suspension bridge where the Storms River meets the ocean.

Oudtshoorn is the center of the Klein Karoo region and the ‘feather capital’ of the world, synonymous with ostriches. Another big draw card is the Cango Caves, situated at the base of the massive Swartberg mountains. Cape Town is the final destination of our adventure. It’s the oldest city of South Africa, first settled in 1652. You have 2 days in this spectacular destination, an exciting blend of Europe and Africa. Take a peninsula tour to Cape Point, climb Table Mountain or take a boat ride to Robben Island, once the home to the world’s most famous prisoner.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• 12 nights hotel, lodge or chalet accommodation and 6 nights camping in National Parks Camps
• 6 National Parks
• Pretoria, Pilgrims Rest, Blyde River Canyon, Kruger NP (National Park), Milwane Game Reserve, St. Lucia, Hluhuwe NP, Umfolozi NP, Drakensberg, Natal South Coast, The Wild Coast, Knysna, Tsitsikamma, Oudtshoorn and fabulous Cape Town.

INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE:
Itinerary as specified, highlighted text is also included, fully equipped safari vehicle, services of tour leader and camp courier, all accommodation, all camp meals, all camping and catering equipment and National Park entrance fees.
Breakfast (B) Lunch (L) Dinner (D) where specified. (Meals not shown will be to the clients account).

NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE:
International airfares, travel and medical insurance, personal spending money, visas, passports, vaccinations, personal taxes (including departure and border taxes) all optional activities, unscheduled or optional national / game parks and other activities, gratuities, sleeping bag if required, restaurant meals and all other items of a personal nature. All drinks, even on days with full board basis.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Cape Town: wine routes, whale watching, Cape Point, Table Mountain, Robben Island and much more
Tsitsikamma: Guided snorkeling trail, eco cruise, marine tour, black water tubing, hiking trails