Escorted tour of South Africa itinerary

6 October – 18 October 2013

Price from £3,995

Highlights

Come with tour escorts Pat and Alan Gadd to where the wild things are, on this outstanding tour of the Rainbow Nation.

• Guided coach tour of Cape Town, including Table Mountain if the weather permits, and the Victoria and Alfred waterfront.
• Take the Garden Route along the Cape Coast.
• Overnight in a beehive hut in the Zulu resort of Shakaland.
• Three nights in the Kruger National Park – your chance to tick off the Big Five.

Tour itinerary

Depart from London Heathrow to Cape Town. Flight time 12 hours.
     
Day 2
Arrive Cape Town where your tour escorts will greet you. Transfer to the motorhome depot where a representative of the rental company will demonstrate your vehicle. An easy drive (16 miles) to the first campsite will also allow you to stock up on supplies. Enjoy a welcome meal in the company of your fellow travellers.
Overnight Melkbosstrand campsite.
     
Day 3
Full day guided coach excursion to Cape Town including the summit of Table Mountain (weather permitting), the Castle of Good Hope, the Grootte Kerk, St George’s Cathedral and Greenmarket Square.
Overnight Melkbosstrand campsite.
     
Day 4
Travel to Hermanus (91 miles), the whale watching capital of South Africa.
Overnight Hermanus campsite.
   
 Day 5
Drive to Swellendam (89 miles) – pick up some of South Africa’s finest wines en-route.
Overnight Swellendam campsite.
   
Day 6
Head back to the coast and enjoy Tsitsikamma (229 miles), with the local wildlife including the African wild dog, the wolf and the black backed jackal at the wolf sanctuary.
Overnight Tsitsikamma campsite.
     
Day 7
Free time to explore the Tsitsikamma area – enjoy the dolphins swimming off the coast.
Overnight Tsitsikamma campsite.
     
Days 8-9
Continuing along the Garden Route we enter Addo Elephant Park (134 miles), with one of Africa’s densest elephant populations and home to the unique flightless dung beetle. The park boasts the “Big Seven” (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, southern right whale and the great white shark). Explore the park – try parking at a watering hole and having lunch while observing the local wildlife. Free day to enjoy Addo Elephant Park where you can continue to marvel at the animals in their natural environment.
Overnight Addo campsite.

Day 10
Early start for the drive to the Gariep Dam Nature Reserve (276 miles), home to many species including the Cape Mountain Zebra.
Overnight Gariep Damn campsite.
     
Day 11
Another long day as we travel to Ladybrand (231 miles) in the Caledon Valley, with its rich Paleolithic history.
Overnight Ladybrand campsite.
     
Day 12
Drive to the Golden Gate National Park (108 miles). The park derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the park's sandstone cliffs, especially the imposing Brandwag rock.
Overnight Golden Gate campsite.
     
Day 13
Take the short journey to the Royal Natal National Park (74 miles) which contains some of the most spectacular scenery on South Africa. Revel in the beautiful scenery of the Drakensberg Mountains. Do not miss the Amphitheatre or the Tugela Falls.
Overnight National Park campsite.
     
Day 14
Travel to Dundee in the heart of KwaZulu Natal (107 miles).
Overnight Dundee campsite.
 
Day 15
Half day coach excursion with local guide who will point out the most interesting battlefields, including Rorke’s Drift.
Overnight Dundee campsite.
 
Day 16
Travel to Eshowe (133 miles) to experience the Zulu way of life at Shakaland. You will be treated to a Zulu meal and spend the night in a beehive hut.
Overnight Shakaland.
     
Day 17
Travel to Hluhluwe (115 miles), situated between Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve on the banks of the Hluhluwe River.
Overnight Hlhuhluwe campsite.
     
Day 18
Enter into Swaziland and travel to the Mlilwane Wildlife Park (178 miles) home to white rhino, sabie, buffalo, hippo and crocodile.
Overnight Mlilwane campsite.
     
Day 19
Travel back into South Africa and Skukuza (138 miles) in the Kruger National Park. Look out for the big game on the way.
Overnight Skukuza campsite.
     
Day 20
Free day to explore Kruger – be back at the camp in time for the evening safari with local guides.
Overnight Skukuza campsite.
     
Day 21
Head north through the park to Satara (58 miles) – try parking up at a waterhole for lunch and let the animals come to you.
Overnight Satara campsite.
     
Day 22
Travel to Blydepoort (105 miles) – make a side trip to the Three Rondawels.
Overnight Blydepoort campsite.
     
Day 23
A short drive to Sabie (83 miles) but with plenty to see on the way. Visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, the Graskop waterfalls and the Sudwala Caves.Overnight Sabie campsite.
     
Day 24
Drive to Pretoria via the Long Tom Pass, famous for battles between the Boers and the British (220 miles). Tonight we will have an evening farewell meal. Overnight Pretoria campsite.
     
Day 25
Travel to Johannesburg, return motorhomes and transfer to airport. Return flight to Heathrow. This ends the tour travel arrangements.
     
Day 26
Arrive Heathrow.