15 Days South African Surprise (Johannesburg to Cape Town)

Sunday - JOHANNESBURG

We will meet you at the airport, and help you get the the hotel. You have the remainder of the day to yourself 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.

Monday - HAZYVIEW

This morning we leave for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the green and moist region of the Lowveld. Travel along the circular Panorama Route via Graskop, visiting the viewpoints of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa.

The first Surprise will be at God’s Window viewing platform, with a never-ending view of mountains and fertile plains and finally a visit to Bourke’s Luck Potholes before heading to Hazyview.

Tuesday - KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

We have a bright and early start to the day in order to experience the wonders of exploring the Kruger National Park in our closed vehicle. Spend a morning with the Big Five in the Kruger National Park.

The Kruger National Park is an internationally renowned game reserve of nearly 2 million hectares and supports the largest variety of wildlife species on the African continent. Keep a lookout for the more hidden flora and shy bird life that is all around. We return to our hotel around lunch time and your afternoon is at leisure.

Please note: Conservation levies are subject to increase without prior notice and is at the discretion of the game park.

 OPTIONAL KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – FULL DAY OPEN VEHICLE SAFARI – Priced from R 1 040.00 per person
Join a full day open vehicle safari with a highly qualified field guide who is eager to share their knowledge and passion for this unique wilderness area.

Wednesday - SWAZILAND

In the morning after breakfast, we check out and depart on our journey to Eswatini (Swaziland). We proceed south to Malalane and then onto Swaziland where this afternoon you will visit a native Chief’s village and have the fantastic opportunity to see authentic Swazi culture and life in action.

Thursday - ST LUCIA AND SURROUNDS

This morning we journey through Swaziland into Zululand.  Our journey continues into the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal where ancient traditions and modern cultures of both Zulu and Settler have combined into a vibrant society living in peace and harmony.

Arrive this afternoon in the Umfolozi area for your overnight stay.

OPTIONAL HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI PARK – AFTERNOON OPEN VEHICLE SAFARI – Priced from R 870.00 per person
Enjoy an afternoon, 3 hour open vehicle safari into the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Africa’s oldest game reserve and world renowned for its highly successful white rhino conservation programme.

Friday - ST LUCIA AND SURROUNDS/DURBAN

Guests have the option to have a well earned easy morning in bed, or take an optional morning boat cruise (own account) or simply soak up the fun vibe of this tourist town St Lucia before heading off later in the morning towards Durban.

An orientation tour introduces us to this multicultural, vibrant seaside city before arriving at our hotel late afternoon.

OPTIONAL ST LUCIA: GAME VIEWING BOAT CRUISE – Priced from R 340.00 per person
Enjoy a game viewing boat cruise in St Lucia (depending on weather conditions), getting up close to the sights and sounds of hippos and crocodiles and marvelling at the plentiful birdlife. 

Saturday - DRAKENSBERG

In the morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast or perhaps take an early morning cab ride to the bustling Umhlanga Beach for a stroll along the Promenade mile which buzzes with energy as surfers, joggers and cyclists take to this seaside playground.

We then head into the majestic Southern Drakensberg Mountains, where we visit to the 300 foot high Howick Falls. Continuing through the Southern Midlands Meander Route, arriving at our hotel mid-afternoon.

Your afternoon is at leisure to soak up the surroundings, or go fishing, hiking and even horse riding in clean mountain air (own account). 

Sunday - DRAKENSBERG

Full day at leisure to soak up the surroundings of the magnificent Southern Drakensberg Mountains. There are also many leisure activities to be enjoyed at the Resort.

OPTIONAL SANI PASS: 4X4 ADVENTURE TOUR – Priced from R 1 425.00 per person
Join a 4×4 tour up Sani Pass and into the tiny mountain Kingdom of Lesotho (passport required) which includes lunch at the highest pub in Africa.

Monday - EASTERN CAPE COAST

This morning we continue south to the Eastern Cape entering the fourth of the provinces and the birth place of Nelson Mandela (fondly known as Madiba). En route we see the old traditional way of life in the homeland area known as the Transkei and stop for lunch (own account) outside the capital of Umtata.

We continue via Nelson Mandela’s birth place and house, arriving late afternoon at our accommodation in Chinsta East, on the beautiful, unspoilt Eastern Cape Coast.

Tuesday - EASTERN CAPE COAST

We awake to the sounds of the crashing waves and have the morning at leisure to unwind with beach sand between our toes. The beach stretches on uninterrupted for many kilometres and the thick indigenous beach forest is a haven for an amazing variety of birdlife.

We set off after lunch heading south to Port Elizabeth.

Wednesday - KNYSNA

Today our journey continues towards the Cape. Visit the Tsitsikamma Forest, which provides scenic walking opportunities. A short walk to the Storms River Mouth offers some magnificent views of the gorge and river below .

Arrive in Knysna late afternoon for check in at our hotel.

Thursday - OUDSTHOORN

After breakfast, we travel inland over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the ‘feather capital of the world’ because of its ostrich industry.

We visit a working ostrich farm and then explore the famous Cango Caves. Walk (the more adventurous may crawl!) around the famous Cango Caves with their magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites.

We then head to Mosselbay, where we stay for the night.

Friday - CAPE TOWN

Coming towards the end of the Surprise, today’s journey ends in Cape Town. On the way we stop off in Albertinia to visit a well-known aloe factory. In this area, the Cape Aloe grows wild on many farms, and is still harvested in the traditional, labour-intensive way, providing a livelihood for unskilled, independent tappers.

We drive via Swellendam, Worcester and through the Huguenot Tunnel before arriving in Cape Town in the late afternoon.

Saturday - CAPE TOWN

The final day of the Surprise. Enjoy a day of leisure in the ‘Mother City’ where a visit to the V&A Waterfront is recommended.

Enjoy quality time exploring this beautiful city.

OPTIONAL CAPE TOWN: KAAPSE STORIES DINNER THEATRE – Priced from R 770.00 per person
Enjoy an evening of song, theatre and delicious Cape food that serves as a perfect welcome to the mother city.

OPTIONAL CAPE TOWN: FULL DAY CAPE PENINSULA TOUR – Priced from R 1 300.00 per person
Join this full day tour that explores the dramatic coastline of the Cape Peninsula including a visit to Boulders Beach penguin colony (entrance fee for own account) and Cape Point Nature Reserve.

OPTIONAL CAPE TOWN – FULL DAY CAPE WINELANDS TOUR – Priced from R 1 065.00 per person
While South Africa’s fertile valleys are world famous for their crisp white and classic French-style red wines, the area is also a treasury of rustic beauty and sprawling estates shaded by giant oak trees. Visit the country’s principal wine routes of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

Sunday - CAPE TOWN

This morning after breakfast, check out of the hotel by 11h00. 

The remainder of the day will be at leisure until your transfer to Cape Town International Airport.