LADIES ONLY Tour of South Africa (Johannesburg to Cape Town June 2023)

DAY 1: JOHANNESBURG

On your arrival in Johannesburg you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in and a short briefing with your fellow travellers.

Accommodation:  Protea Hotel OR Tambo or similar including breakfast

DAY 2: HAZYVIEW

This morning  travel along the Panorama Route visiting the view sites of the Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, The Three Rondavels and Bourke's Luck Potholes before heading to Hazyview.

Accommodation:  Hippo Hollow Country Estate or similar

 DAY 3: HAZYVIEW

Today is an early start in order to experience the wonders of exploring Kruger National Park in our closed touring vehicle.  Spend a morning searching for the Big Five in the famous Kruger National Park, which supports the largest variety of wildlife species on the African continent.  Keep a lookout for the wonderful flora and birdlife that abounds.  Return to the hotel for afternoon at leisure.

Accommodation:  Hippo Hollow Country Estate or similar 

DAY 4: LOBAMBA

After breakfast, depart for eSwatini (formerly Swaziland),  known for its lovely scenery, crafts, and colourful indigenous culture. Visit Matsamo Cultural Village, an interactive cultural experience that introduces us to the charming people of eSwatini and their traditions. We travel via the capital city, Mbabane, to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for overnight 

Accommodation:  Mantenga Lodge or similar 

DAY 5: HLUHLUWE

This morning we journey through eSwatini into Zululand and into the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal where ancient traditions and modern cultures of both Zulu and Settler have combined , living in peace and harmony.  Arrive in the Umfolozi region for your overnight stay.

Accommodation:  Anew Hotel Hluhluwe or similar 

DAY 6: UMHLANGA

Guests have the opportunity to take an optional morning boat cruise (optional and own account)  before heading towards Durban.     An orientation tour of Durban, that travels along the Golden Mile, the beachfront promenade, The Point Waterfront and harbour introduces us to this multicultural, vibrant seaside city. The orientation tour concludes with a visit to the Durban Botanic Gardens before arriving at our hotel late afternoon.

Accommodation:  Protea Hotel Umhlanga or similar including breakfast.

DAY 7: SOUTHERN DRAKENSBERG

After a leisurely breakfast we head into the majestic Southern Drakensberg Mountains.  Proceed on a visit to the 300 foot high Howick Falls, continuing through the Southern Midlands Meander Route, arriving at our hotel with afternoon at leisure.

Accommodation:  Drakensberg Garden Resort or similar including breakfast and dinner.

DAY 8: SOUTHERN DRAKENSBERG

Day at leisure to soak up the surroundings of the magnificent Southern Drakensberg Mountains.  Today a host of optional leisure activities away you.

Accommodation:  Drakensburg Gardens Resort or similar including breakfast and dinner.

DAY 9: EAST LONDON

This morning we continue south to the Eastern Cape entering the birthplace of Nelson Mandela (fondly known as Madiba). Enroute we see the old traditional way of life in the homeland area known as the Transkei and stop for lunch outside the capital Umtata.  Continue via Nelson Mandela's birthplace and house, arriving late afternoon at our accommodation in East London.  Dinner tonight will be at hotel.

Accommodation:  Southern Sun Hemingways or similar including breakfast and dinner.

DAY 10: STORMSRIVER

We set off after breakfast and enjoy a short city orientation drive of Port Elizabeth. The city is steeped in the history of the 19th century British settlers who formed one of the earliest English colonies in the Eastern Cape. From our gateway to the Garden Route, we continue to our quant accommodation for the evening, nestled in the lush Tsitsikamma Village.

Accommodation:  Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar including breakfast.

DAY 11: KNYSNA

Journey towards the Cape with a visit to the Tsitsikamma Forest, which provides scenic walking opportunities.  A short walk to the Storms River Mouth offers great views of the gorge and river below.  Arrive in Knysna.

Accommodation:  Premier Hotel The Moorings or similar including breakfast and dinner.

DAY 12: MOSSEL BAY

After breakfast, travel inland over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the 'feather capital of the world' because of its ostrich industry.  Visit a working ostrich farm and then explore the famous Cango Caves with their magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Continue to Mossel Bay for a visit of the famous Post Office Tree, the Bartholomeus Diaz Museum and Shell Museum.

Accommodation:  Diaz Hotel & Resort or similar including breakfast.

DAY 13: CAPE TOWN

After breakfast we head for Cape Town via the towns of Swellendam, Robertson and Worcester.  After travelling through the Huguenot Tunnel, the iconic Table Mountain greets us as we arrive in Cape Town in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Sunsquare Cape Town Gardens or similar including breakfast.

DAY 14: CAPE TOWN

Enjoy a day at leisure in the 'Mother City' with time to explore this beautiful city with its many attractions.

Accommodation: Sunsqaure Cape Town Gardens or similar including breakfast.

DAY 15: END OF ITINERARY

Breakfast at hotel and check out.  Met and transferred to Cape Town Airport.

Departure date: 4 June 2023

• Twin share from $3,595* per person
• Single Room from $4,650*

*Please note prices are subject to availability at time of booking and may change without notice.

Call our local travel team now on 1300 414 198 to learn more and secure your place. This tour is filling fast.

Why not extend your stay and see more of Africa? We can assist with booking accommodation and tours and arrange your travel insurance.

Your accommodation includes the following properties (or similiar):

• Protea Hotel by Marriott O.R. Tambo Airport, Johannesburg
• Hippo Hollow Country Estate, Hazyview
• Mantenga Lodge, Lobamba
• Anew Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris, Hluhluwe
• Protea Hotel by Marriott Durban, Umhlanga
• Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Spa Resort, Southern Drakensberg
• Southern Sun Hemingways, East London
• Tsitsikamma Village Inn, Stormsriver
• Premier Hotel Knysna The Moorings, Knysna
• Diaz Hotel & Resort, Mossel Bay
• SunSquare Cape Town Gardens, Cape Town

Before you travel, you will receive detailed pre-departure documents, including a range of information on your packing, destination and trip details.

Passports and Visas

Your passport should have at least 6 blank pages and be valid for at least six months after the end of your safari. It is advisable to allow at least one blank page for each country to be visited. Visas are your responsibility: Please check Visa requirements with the Consular office of each country you will be visiting. You should allow plenty of time for obtaining necessary Visas as requirements do vary from time to time.

Vaccinations

Please consult your doctor or immunisation centre for the relevant vaccination requirements for the countries to which you will be travelling. Please note however ,that Yellow Fever vaccination is compulsory for some African countries.

Tipping and gratuities

It is customary to tip in Africa. We suggest the following as a guideline: - $US1.00 per bag for porters, 10 percent for taxi drivers and waiters and approx. $US10.00-20.00 per day for guides and game rangers. Although all tips and gratuities are dependent upon the level of service provided, tipping the local drivers, staff and guides is always appreciated. Also bear in mind that local African people will appreciate gifts that you may normally dispose of at the end of your safari — food, clothing, towels and of course, pens, paper, pencils and hats are very popular with the local children.

Money

It is advisable to bring spending money in cash, in either $US or Rand, in a variety of denominations. Credit cards can be used in some places and so can be a useful resource. However, credit cards should not be relied upon as a main source of funds as there are many places where cards cannot be used (especially for cash advances).