16 Day Luxury South African Tour

On arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, guests will be met by an African Sands Representative. 

Transfer in a luxury air conditioned vehicle from the airport to the Hartebeestpoort Dam which lies at the foot of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range. This mountain range is known to be one of the world’s oldest ranges. A brief stop at Hartebeestpoort Dam allows guests sweeping views of this scenic area.

Continue onward to Sun City, a totally man made spectacular created in the heart of an extinct volcano! It takes about 2 ½ hours to reach Sun City from the airport.

The afternoon is spent relaxing after the long journey.

Dinner at leisure

Breakfast at the hotel

Optional (extra cost): During the morning, guests can visit the local crocodile sanctuary where these ancient creatures can be admired at close quarters. Afterwards, continue on with a game drive in the Pilanesberg National Park which is adjacent to Sun City. This 55 000 hectare nature reserve is home to the big five as well as a large diversity of grassland game species. It is a great welcome to the “wild” side of Africa.

The afternoon is spent at leisure affording guests the opportunity to explore the many different entertainment options available at the Sun City resort.

After breakfast depart through the coal rich highveld en-route to the town of Dullstroom. This is a quaint town dominated by colonial architecture and clear mountain streams and beautiful hills and dales. It is a trout fishing paradise.

Before reaching the overnight destination of Walkersons a visit is made to the Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre which plays an important role in the protection of the raptor species through the creation of public awareness of the plight of these majestic birds.

This is a very hands on experience.

Dinner at the lodge

Breakfast at the hotel

Your day is at leisure. Why not explore the magnificent 1500 hectare estate. It offers beautiful forest and river walks as well as walking trails into the nature reserve renowned for its bird life and prolific flowers. The estate is a haven for the fly fisherman and if you are so inclined some time can be devoted to the pursuit of the Rainbow and Golden trout in clear mountain streams.

Breakfast at the hotel

Continue onto eastern Escarpment where the scenic Long Tom Pass leads the way to the quaint town of Sabi. The pass takes its name from the Long Tom Cannon which still stands on a hill, where the Boer forces held one of their last positions during the Anglo Boer War. Travel on to Graskop exploring some of the escarpments many  spectacular waterfalls. A stop is made en-route at the Berlin Falls with its sheer 80m drop before visiting the Mac Mac Falls.

Continue onto the heart of South Africa's Big Five country where your game lodge is reached during the mid afternoon. Enjoy a late afternoon tea before departing on your game drive in an open air 4 x 4 safari vehicle with your ranger and tracker. The Greater Kruger National Park is home to the greatest diversity of different mammal species on the African continent (including the Big Five) and it is one of the worlds largest and most important conservation areas.

Enjoy a delicious dinner in the Boma at the lodge

Early morning wake up call

Enjoy a quick cup of tea before departing on another game drive in an open 4X4 safari vehicle conducted by your experienced ranger and tracker. The possibility of finding predators on a kill made during the night adds to the excitement. The safari returns to camp for a late breakfast after which guests are allowed some time for relaxation or a bush walk before embarking on an afternoon safari which is extended into the evening.

Weather dependant, dinner could be served in the middle of the bush with wild Africa all around you!

A last morning safari is followed by breakfast after which guests are transferred to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport for a flight to Cape Town.

Guests are met upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport by an African Sands Representative and are transferred to their hotel which is situated on Cape Town's famous V & A Waterfront.

The late afternoon is spent at leisure.

Dinner at leisure

Breakfast at the hotel

After breakfast take a short drive to Table Mountain and embark on a cable car ride to the top of the mountain. Table Mountain is synonymous with Cape Town and is one of the worlds most iconic landmarks. Standing 1086m tall, the summit of the Mountain offers guests unsurpassed views of the city of Cape Town, Robben Island and the peninsula. Unique species of Fynbos are on display and the Table Mountain National Park is home to quite a few mammal species. After the descent from Table Mountain some time is devoted exploring South Africa's oldest city as we visit some notable landmarks and historic sights including the Castle and the Rhodes memorial.

Return to the hotel at the end of the day

Dinner at leisure

Breakfast at the hotel

A morning visit to Robben Island offers guests some unique insights into the history of

this infamous Island which has played such an important role in South Africa's past. It is most famous for the fact that President Nelson Mandela spent a large part of his 27 year incarceration on the Island. The prison has since been turned into a museum and is the focus of the Robben Island excursion. Other highlights include a visit to the limestone quarry and the view of Cape Town which can be enjoyed from the Island.

Upon returning to the mainland spend the afternoon exploring the famous Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

Shopping time!

Return to the hotel at the end of the day

Dinner at leisure

Breakfast at the hotel

Travel along the renowned Chapman’s Peak Drive, a spectacular route along the Atlantic Ocean cut into rigid mountain cliffs. Continue onto the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve ending at Cape Point. This point has traditionally been known to be the place where the stormy waters of the Atlantic meet the calming influence of the Indian Ocean (although they really meet at Cape Aghulas!). The reserve is home to a great diversity of Flora and several species of Fauna. Walk down the path to the old lighthouse for dramatic views! On the return, stop at Boulders Beach, which is home to a large colony of African “Jackass” Penguins, so called for the resemblance of their call to the bray of a donkey.

At the end of the day return to your hotel

Return to the hotel at the end of the day

Dinner at leisure

Breakfast at the hotel

Today, you will explore the world famous Cape Winelands, where stark Mountains create a remarkable contrast with lush vineyards to form a most remarkable display. The town of Franschhoek is set in a fertile valley where French settlers first made wine more than three hundred years ago. Visit some of the finest wineries in the valley where a great variety of reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot and Pinot Noir as well as fine white wines like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon can be enjoyed. Drive through the quaint town of Stellenbosch, and end the day in Paarl.

Arrive at your hotel ans check into your room

Dinner at leisure

Breakfast at the hotel

After breakfast travel through the town of Somerset West and over Sir Lowery's Pass to Swellendam, situated at the foot of the Langeberge. This town is filled with history and unique architecture. It is well worth a visit. Continue onto the town of Mossel Bay which is generally regarded as the southern entry point to the majestic garden route. The Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Dias first set foot on shore here in 1488. Spend time visiting the museum which bears his name. The museum stands not far from the Milkwood Tree and fountain which served as respectively a post office and watering hole to seafarers in centuries past. It is also home to a replica of the vessel in which Bartholomew Dias reached these shores, a gift from the Portuguese to South Africa upon the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of his voyage.

Continue onto the town of Knysna and your hotel.

Dinner at leisure

Breakfast at the hotel

The Outeniqua Mountains form the barrier which divides the semi arid interior from the lush coastal plains of the Garden Route.

Today, you will explore this barrier via the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich Capital of the World. The town is situated in the great valley which is known as the Little Karoo, with the Langeberge and Outeniqua ranges forming its boundary to the east and the Swartberge forming its western boundary. Explore the Cango Caves, a great cave system which is amongst the worlds largest and is blessed with elaborate drip stone formations, the highest of which stands 12.6m tall. After lunch, continue onto an Ostrich Farm to see the largest of the world’s birds. Great fortunes where built in the heyday of the industry when the feathers where prized fashion accessories. Today the meat, with its low fat content, is a sought after commodity and the leather is a prized raw material in the production of fashion accessories. The brave can even endeavour an Ostrich Ride!

Return to the hotel at the end of the day

Dinner at leisure

Breakfast at the hotel

Cross the Knysna Lagoon by Ferry to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. A unique 150 hectare private Nature Reserve which encompasses the entire Western Head of Knysna with spectacular views across the Lagoon and the ocean. This reserve is one of South Africa's heritage sights and is one of the highlights of the Garden Route tour. It is home to two of the Garden Route's icons - the Knysna Loerie and the Blue Duiker, one of Africa's smallest antelope species. After lunch continue onto Plettenberg Bay where the finest beaches in the Garden Route offer the perfect sunning experience , relaxing in the sun or braving the waves of the Indian Ocean. Your afternoon is at leisure.

Return to the hotel at the end of the day

Dinner at leisure

Breakfast at the hotel

After breakfast guests are transferred to George Airport for a flight to Johannesburg where they are met by an African Sands Representative and assisted in completing formalities for their return flight home.