An early departure from Johannesburg/Pretoria as we travel east towards the Mpumalanga Province and visit the many attractions along the “Panorama Route”, including God’s Window, the Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels and the historic gold mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest. In the late afternoon we descend the eastern escarpment and travel through the warm “lowveld” to a beautiful country lodge, just a short distance from the Kruger Park.

After an early breakfast at the lodge we travel the short distance to the nearest entrance gate to the Kruger National Park. Once inside the Park, excitement will mount as we start seeing some of the numerous animals that inhabit this magnificent wildlife sanctuary. We spend most of the day travelling north inside the Kruger Park arriving at our “restcamp” in the late afternoon. There is time for a short break before joining an exciting “open vehicle” game drive, looking for Africa’s “Big Five” - Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard.
Accommodation tonight is in comfortable en-suite bungalows or cottages, and dinner is enjoyed in the camp restaurant.

After breakfast we exit the Kruger Park and travel to an exclusive lodge in a nearby private game reserve. Later this afternoon an exhilarating game drive in specially adapted open 4X4 vehicles is undertaken. At dusk sundowners are enjoyed deep in the bush, after which the drive continues, making use of spotlights to search for nocturnal animals. A final highlight is a specially prepared dinner enjoyed under the stars around the campfire. (weather permitting)

After a final open vehicle game drive and a late breakfast we travel around the southern part of the Kruger National Park to enter one of the worlds last remaining (and also one of the worlds smallest) constitutional monarchies, the Kingdom of Swaziland - ruled over by the young King, his Royal Highness King Mswati III.  Here, in this country of friendly Swazi people, it is almost as if time has stood still. Despite modern cities and an extensive infrastructure of roads electricity and communications, the Swazi culture has over centuries been jealously protected.

En-route to the capital city of Mbabane we visit the well-known glass factory at Ngwenya.
Here a small group of Swazi craftsmen and women - with age-old artistry - breathe life into enchanting interpretations of the animals and birds of Africa, imbuing each with its own irresistible personality. Witness first-hand the magical art of glassblowing from an overhead balcony. Browse around the adjoining showroom which is well stocked and purchase your little memento of a truly African visit to our Kingdom.

Our first stop today is a visit to the fascinating Swazi Candles factory in the Malkerns valley. Here each candle is hand-moulded and hand-finished by Swazi craftspeople, so each candle is unique in shape and character. We then travel south via the Lebombo Mountain range and the Golela border post into KwaZulu Natal. The route continues down the Indian Ocean coastline to The Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site.

This morning we visit Cape Vidal, a magnificent coastal resort set in a sheltered bay in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park is one of the jewels of the South African coastline, the first park in South Africa to be declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). St Lucia's wide variety of ecosystems and natural habitats provides for an astounding diversity of species in the area. With its lakes, lagoons, freshwater swamps and grasslands, St Lucia supports a wide variety of species - from the country’s largest population of hippos and crocodiles to giant leatherback turtles, black rhino, leopards, and a vast array of bird and marine life. Later this afternoon we return to St. Lucia to go on board the St. Lucia ferry for a fascinating guided cruise on Lake St Lucia. On this cruise you will hear about the origins of this unique wetland, its very interesting history and be able to observe its hippo and crocodile inhabitants at close quarters. The large number and variety of birds, which are an important feature of St. Lucia, will add to the interest and excitement of this cruise.

Another highlight awaits us today as we visit an authentically re-created Zulu village at Shakaland. Feel the pulsating rhythm of mysterious and magical Africa as you re-live the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus. Shakaland is more than just a tourist attraction - it is an enriching experience affording a better understanding of the Zulu nation, its people and their intriguing customs. Shortly after our arrival you join the “Shaka Experience”, a guided tour of the village culminating in a pulsating traditional dance show and dinner. Accommodation is in typical beehive huts, where one can experience real Zulu culture without having to sacrifice comfortable modern conveniences.

The route continues down the Indian Ocean coastline to Durban, where you are dropped off in time for a domestic flight to Cape Town. Upon your arrival at the Cape Town Airport you will be met by a representative of Southern Eagle Tours and transferred to your hotel, ideally situated at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

This morning you are collected from your hotel for the start of the Garden Route leg of your tour.
The route passes over the Du Toit’s Kloof Mountain Pass to Worcester and Robertson and then via one of South Africa’s most scenic routes, the well known “Route 62” from Montagu via Barrydale and Calitzdorp to Oudtshoorn.

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You are requested to be ready for pick-up at 08:00

The day starts with a visit to an ostrich farm where, through interesting talks and demonstrations by experts, you will get to know more about these fascinating birds. Our route then continues to Mosselbay, George and Wilderness to Knysna, in the hart of the Garden Route.

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A full day is spent exploring the Garden Route between Knysna and the Tsitsikamma forest, before returning to Knysna in the late afternoon for a romantic boat cruise on the Knysna Lagoon.

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The morning is at leisure to explore the vibrant Victoria and Alfred Waterfront on you own.
This afternoon you are collected for an afternoon Cape Town City, Table Mountain and Blouberg Beach Tour. This tour incorporates some of the most interesting and historical sights of Cape Town, unforgettable views from the Table Mountain Arial Cableway, and the summit of Table Mountain itself. The tour end with a visit to Blouberg Beach which offers outstanding photographic opportunities of Cape Town City, the Cape Town Waterfront and Table Mountain across Table Bay.

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Please note:
As the operation of the Table Mountain Arial Cable Way weather-dependent, the Cable Car Fare is for your own account and is payable at the ticket office.
You are requested to be ready for pick-up at 14:00, and will be back at the hotel at approximately 17:30.

Today you undertake a full day Cape Point Tour. On the program today is a drive to Cape Point, where traditionally the two oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian meet. On our drive along the rugged and scenic Atlantic coast, you will begin to understand why Sir Francis Drake described this as “the most beautiful Cape in whole the circumference of the globe”, but also why at times the Portuguese name of the “Cape of Storms”, could be as appropriate. We also visit Boulder’s Beach, home of one of the very rare African Penguin colonies on the African coast. The tour ends with a visit to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden which is world-renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora it displays, and for the magnificence of its setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.

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Please note:
For those who do not feel up to the stiff walk to the view site at Cape Point, there is an electrically powered funicular railway, the only one of its kind in the world. The cost of the funicular is included.
You are requested to be ready for pick-up at 08:30, and will be back at the hotel at approximately 17:30.

A full day tour of the magnificent Cape Winelands. In the late afternoon you are dropped off at the Cape Town Airport (or any other location in Cape Town) for the end of the tour.

Today’s most memorable features:

Paarl

Franschhoek

Stellenbosch

You are requested to be ready for pick-up at 08:30, and will be dropped off at the Airport/Hotel at approximately 18:00.