Best of South Africa

A tour exclusively for Kuoni clients in small groups showcasing the best South Africa has to offer, including the famous Kruger National Park, and the stunning natural scenery of the Garden Route and Cape Town. Best of South Africa offers both standard (three star) and superior (four star) accommodation options to suit your budget.

Tour overview
•   City tour of Pretoria
•   Game drive in the famous Kruger National Park seeking out the Big Five and other wildlife
•   See the natural sights of the aptly-named Panorama Route 
•   Visits to a cultural village, glass works, candle factory and local markets in Swaziland
•   Game drive in South Africa's oldest national park, the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, home to white rhino
•   Boat safari on the World Heritage Site of Lake St Lucia spotting hippo and birdlife
•   See the majestic Drakensberg Mountains
•   City tour of Durban including the Botanical Gardens
•   One night in the suburb of Umhlanga
•   Fly to the Port Elizabeth region and see its natural attractions
•   Visit Monkeyland and Birds of Eden bird sanctuary
•   One night in the picturesque lagoon town of Knysna
•   Tour of an ostrich farm
•   Visit to a conservation and breeding centre for endangered species
•   Scenic drive along the 'alternative Garden Route' - route 62
•   Explore Cape Town, including Table Mountain, Boulders Beach and Cape Peninsula
tour
•   Wine tasting and cellar tours in the Winelands
Extend your stay - by 4 nights
•   Fly to the tropical island of Mauritius for four nights at Silver Beach

Guide

ESCORTED SMALL GROUP TOUR
Best of South Africa tour is escorted by an English speaking local driver/guide from arrival in Johannesburg right through to Day 14. Groups will be a maximum of 13 passengers. Extensions are not escorted but assistance is provided by our local representatives.

MEAL PLAN
• Breakfast throughout, plus dinner Days 2 and 14. All Inclusive on the Mauritius extension.

ACCOMMODATION
• Three or four star hotels or lodges as detailed. Alternatives to those listed may be used on occasion according to local availability.

GRATUITIES
• Small amounts are recommended for services such as porterage. We recommend tipping your guide at the end of the tour.

TRAVEL TIPS
• Sun cream, a wide brimmed hat and a camera are essential. Do not wear bright colours or white on safari - muted greens and browns are best.

GROUP SIZE
• Maximum 13 passengers.

MINIMUM NUMBERS
• This tour is subject to a minimum number of passengers, please call for further details.

NB
• Minimum age 12 years. If arriving on different flights to those shown, arrival must be by 9am local time. There may be a short wait at the airport before the tour departs.

DAY 1  LONDON-JOHANNESBURG

South African Airways overnight flight from Heathrow to Johannesburg.

DAY 2 JOHANNESBURG-PRETORIA

On arrival you are met by a Kuoni representative and depart for the capital, Pretoria, for a city tour en route to your chosen hotel. Drive past the government buildings and visit the Voortrekker Monument before a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Choose from the Holiday Inn Express Pretoria Sunnypark (Standard option) or the Premier Hotel Pretoria (Superior option), (approx. 100 miles, 3 hour).

DAY 3 PRETORIA-MPUMALANGA/KRUGER PARK

Journey through the Mpumulanga province to the incredibly scenic Panorama Route including stops at Bourke's Luck Potholes and God’s Window. Arrive at your hotel early evening and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Spend two nights at the Pine Lake Inn (Standard) or the Protea Hotel Winkler (Superior), (approx. 300 miles, 9 hours).

DAY 4 MPUMALANGA/KRUGER PARK

Enjoy a thrilling full day game drive in a closed touring vehicle (supplement for open safari vehicle) in the Kruger National Park, where wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant. An early start is imperative to optimise viewings (packed breakfast included) and English speaking rangers will guide you in search of the elusive Big Five and other animals roaming the park’s two million hectares (approx. 150 miles, 8 hours).

DAY 5 MPUMALANGA/KRUGER PARK-SWAZILAND

Embark upon an enchanting drive to the Kingdom of Swaziland where you will visit a cultural village, the Ngwenya Glass Works, the Swazi Candle Factory and vibrant local markets. Stay overnight at the Lugogo Sun (Standard & superior), (approx. 230 miles, 6 hours).

DAY 6 SWAZILAND-ST LUCIA

Transfer through Swaziland to St Lucia in the KwaZulu-Natal province - a relatively unexplored area of the country with magnificent scenery and wildlife and home to South Africa's oldest national park, the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi. After arriving at your hotel, spend the rest of the day at leisure. Spend tonight at the Elephant Lake Hotel (Standard) or Lidiko Lodge (Superior), (approx. 220 miles, 4 hours).

DAY 7 ST LUCIA

Embark on a boat safari on Lake St Lucia, a World Heritage Site where you may spot hippos and plentiful bird life. Later, enjoy a three hour game drive in an open safari vehicle in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, guided by English speaking rangers. The Reserve contains the largest population of white rhino in the world as well as all other Big Five animals, (approx. 160 miles, 4-5 hours).

DAY 8 ST LUCIA-DURBAN

Drive south to the beach city of Durban for a city tour, stopping at the Botanical Gardens and Indian Market before arriving at the pleasant suburb of Umhlanga. Spend two nights at the Holiday Inn Express Durban (Standard) or Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge (superior), (approx. 150 miles, 4 hours).

DAY 9 DURBAN

Enjoy a day at leisure. Visit Durban's beautiful coastline and spend the day at the beach (the hotels are located a 5 minutes drive from the beach), or head to the Gateway Shopping Centre for some retail therapy.

DAY 10 DURBAN-KNYSNA

Take an early flight from Durban to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape (packed breakfast included). Head west past the mountainous Tsitsikamma region with secluded valleys and deep gorges. Continue to Plettenberg Bay, home to Monkeyland – the world’s first free roaming multi-species primate sanctuary, and Birds of Eden – the largest free flight bird sanctuary. Continue to the famous oyster town of Knysna, nestled along the shores of a stunning lagoon where you will spend the night at the Protea Hotel Knysna Quays (Superior) or Graywood Hotel (Standard), (approx. 180 miles, 4 hours).

DAY 11 KNYSNA-OUDTSHOORN

After breakfast, travel over the picturesque Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn for a tour of one of its many ostrich farms, then visit the Cango Caves and explore their vast interior. A visit to Cango Wildlife Ranch – a conservation and breeding centre for endangered species including cheetahs, Bengal tigers and Pygmy hippos, is optional. Stay overnight at the Oudtshoorn Hotel & Resort (Standard) or the Hlangana Lodge (Superior), (approx. 70 miles, 2 hours).

DAY 12 OUDTSHOORN-CAPE TOWN

Enjoy a scenic drive along the ‘alternative’ Garden Route, Route 62, towards Cape Town, passing through the Breede River Valley and Klein Karoo, two of South Africa’s most diverse regions. On arrival in Cape Town the rest of the day is at leisure to explore its famed shopping, food and nightlife. Spend three nights at theHoliday Inn Express (Standard) or the Strand Tower Hotel (Superior), (approx. 270 miles, 6 hours).

DAY 13 CAPE TOWN

Ascend by cable car to the summit of the towering Table Mountain (weather permitting) to discover stunning views and the unique ecosystem of Table Mountain National Park. Explore the popular Cape Peninsula on a full day tour. Absorb the pleasant beach views of Camps Bay en route to picturesque Hout Bay. Continue to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Return through Simon’s Town and stop to visit the endearing penguin colony at Boulders Beach. A 40 minute cruise to Seal Island or funicular excursion up to the Cape Point lighthouse are optional (weather permitting), (approx. 140 miles, 8 hours).

DAY 14 CAPE TOWN

Travel to the charming valley town of Franschhoek for a visit to the Huguenot Memorial & Museum, followed by a wine tasting at one of the 42 fine wine estates in the region. Continue along the Winelands trail to the town of Stellenbosch on the Eerste River, sample another selection of local wines and enjoy a cellar tour at a second winery before your farewell dinner at a local restaurant, (approx. 150 miles, 8 hours).

DAY 15 CAPE TOWN-LONDON

South African Airways overnight flight to Heathrow.

NB - Please note that 2011 departures stop for one night in Durban and include one night in the historic Battlefields region of KwaZulu-Natal. Please call for full details.

MAURITIUS

DAY 15
South African Airways flight via Johannesburg to Mauritius for four nights at Silver Beach in a Gardenview room (Standard) on an All Inclusive basis, a great base from which to enjoy this beautiful tropical island.
DAY 19
Air Mauritius overnight flight to Heathrow, arriving the next day.

MOZAMBIQUE

DAY 11
After your flight to Johannesburg spend one night at the Peermont Mondior in a Classic room, just a short shuttle bus ride from the International airport.

DAY 12
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Mozambique for four days at the Casa Rex in a Premium Room on a room and breakfast basis.

DAY 16
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Heathrow via Johannesburg.