South Africa - fully escorted tour

Depart from London Heathrow on overnight direct flight to Johannesburg.

On arrival early morning you will be met and transferred by road to Melrose Arch for a one night stay at the Peech Hotel, breakfast included.

This morning you will be collected from you hotel by your guide for the remainder of your tour. The day starts with a scenic drive via Panorama Route, into the God's Window view point and the Mac Mac Falls.

Spend 2 nights at Perry's Bridge Hollow in a standard room, breakfast and dinner included.

Early morning game drive in an open vehicle through the world-renowned 2 million hectare, Kruger National Park which is the site for an impressive number of flora and fauna. The afternoon will be at leisure or an optional evening game drive.

After breakfast, travel into the scenic mountainous Royal Kingdom of Swaziland. You will have an opportunity to gain some insights into the Swazi culture with lunch at the Matsamo Cultural Village.

In the afternoon visit the Ngwenya Glass Works to see talented craftsmen designing sculptures and artwork from molten glass.

Last stop of the day will be at the Mbabane craft markets before heading into the Ezulwini Valley for a 1 night stay at Royal Swazi Sun or similar in a standard room, breakfast included.

Depart for Swazi Candle Factory to observe how these unique, hand made candles are finished by hand using the age-old "millefiore" technique. From here you enter KwaZulu Natal for an afternoon scenic drive up the Ubombo Mountains with views over Lake Jozini and a stop at a rural Zulu homestead. Two night stay at Ghost Mountain Inn in a standard room, breakfast and dinner included. More hotel info   |   Hotel image gallery

Take an optional morning safari, or relax at the lodge. Afternoon game drive in the 90 000 hectare Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, the preserve where the white rhino was saved from extinction.

Head south along the Elephant Coast to St Lucia, the most southern extremity of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site. Depart on an estuarine boat in search of crocodiles, hippo and numerous bird species, including the elusive African Kingfisher Eagle.

Continue to Durban for a 1 night stay on the Gold Mile beach front at Protea Hotel Edward or similar in a standard room, breakfast included.

A brief morning Durban City Tour where the fascinating cultural and historical contrasts of the city will be explained. Transfer to Durban International Airport for afternoon domestic flight to Port Elizabeth Airport.

On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Radisson Blu Port Elizabeth or similar for a 1 night stay in a standard room, breakfast included.

Today will be the start of the Garden Route section of your trip, travelling alone the coastline to the beautiful Tsitsikamma Forest National Park for a walk across the suspension bridge into the Storms River mouth gorge.

Day ends at Plettenberg Bay for a 2 night stay at Hog Hollow or similar in a standard room, breakfast and dinner included. More hotel info   |   Hotel image gallery

An intimate morning visit with the African Elephants at the Knysna Elephant Park to hear about the sad and mystical story of the elephants which once lived wild in this area. The afternoon will take you to the Birds of Eden, the largest free-flight bird aviary in the world, started to create a safe environment in which to release a large collection of free-flight African birds. The sanctuary also allows bird owners on application, to release their rehabilitated pet birds into the sanctuary. Time and weather permitting there will be an optional whale and dolphin boat experience before returning to the lodge for dinner.

The morning will be spent at the lagoon side town of Knysna with some leisure time to enjoy the Waterfront Complex before the adventurous cruise to and the Knysna Heads (weather permitting) on the Three Legs Rivercat, one of the most advanced river cruisers ever built.

Afterwards, depart for Oudtshoorn, the "feather capital" of the world due to its large scale ostrich industry for a guided visit a working farm.

Late afternoon depart for De Opstal Country Lodge or similar for a 1 night stay in a standard room, breakfast and dinner included.

Depart for a morning tour of the Cango Caves, a natural wonder of the world before departing on Route 62 to Barrydale for lunch (to own account).

Arrive into Cape Town early evening for a 3 night stay at Pepper Club Luxury Hotel & Spa or similar in a standard room, breakfast included.

After breakfast you will be taken on a full day Cape Point and Peninsula Tour a scenic tour passing magnificent beaches, historic and picturesque coastal villages to the headland known as Cape Point.

Collection for the full day Cape Winelands Tour into this fabulous area through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads.

After breakfast, you will be collected for the final Cape Town City Tour, showcasing its historical beginnings to the modern shopping centres of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. You will be dropped off at Cape Town International Airport for your return overnight flight to London Heathrow.

Arrive London Heathrow early morning.