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South Africa

Country Basics

South Africa is the southernmost country of the second-largest continent - Africa. Located on the southernmost tip of Africa, South Africa is the topmost country of the continent, when it comes to infrastructure, weather, and experiences to offer.
With an incredible geographical diversity and superb infrastructure, South Africa attracts millions of tourists from across the world, every year.

Capital	South Africa has Three capitals for better operational purposes Administrative Capital – Pretoria Legislative Capital – Cape Town Judicial capital - Bloemfontein
Languages	The country has a vast variety of mix of cultures ranging from Zulu, Xhosa, Africans, English and many more. There are 11 official languages, but English speakers are easy to find.
Most Popular Tourist Areas	Cape Town, Durban, Kruger National park and Johannesburg.
Country Code	+27
Time Zone	GMT +2hrs
Currency	South African Rand – ZAR
Water	South Africa’s tap water is treated under high standards and safe to drink, except in rural areas
Health	Malaria is prevalent throughout the year. Guests must be advised to get proper preventive medication before arriving in South Africa

BRIEF HISTORY

In the Pre-colonial days of South Africa was inhabited by the Khoi people who regularly traded with the Europeans in the 16th-17th centuries. At that time, Cape Town was the only trade route from America and Europe to India
17th Century - South Africa was introduced to the colonial cities when the Dutch setup of ship refueling station at Cape Town and established a permanent settlement.
18th and 19th centuries - The control of the Cape shifted back and forth between the Dutch to the British. By then, in over the two centuries of the colonial era, the European and Indian settlers also arrived in South Africa. The Dutch and French influence can be easily seen in many historical parts of the country. Stellenbosch has the most preserved historical building of the Dutch settlement.
20th century - The South African war or the 2nd Anglo-boer war ended, and the union of South Africa was established, leading to the end of racism and suppression of non-whites.
In 1994, South Africa became a fully integrated society with Nelson Mandela as its the President.

The movie - Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – is a great way to explore South Africa’s journey from being a colony to an independent nation, under Mandela’s leadership.

Logistics and Seasons

Best Time to visit South Africa

South Africa has four seasons –

Spring September, October, November
Summer December to March
Autumn April, May
Winter June to August

In general, Winter is the best season for spotting game at Mpumalanga and Limpopo, as the vegetation is low and also for a beach holiday in Durban or on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, as the average temperatures are around 26^oC.

How to reach -

BY AIR -
Over 70 international airlines are flying to South Africa’s different cities. There are 10 international airports in South Africa.
The major connecting airports being –

Cape Town International Airport
OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg
Durban International Airport

BY ROAD –
If your guests are planning to club the neighboring countries with South Africa, in a single trip, they can enter South African cities by road through any of the neighboring countries.

You can refer to http://www.borders.sars.gov.za/ and check the port of entry or neighboring countries section, to understand the formalities and routes.

SELF DRIVE INFORMATION –
South Africa is a Mecca for self-drive enthusiasts.
The South African vehicles are right-hand drive.
Driver's license should be in any of South Africa's official languages or English and must contain the driver's photo and signature.

There are also plenty of BUS SERVICES operating within the South Africa cities, making movement fast and convenient.
South Africa also has rail routes, connecting South Africa cities BY TRAIN

BY WATER –
Many cruise liners operate regular cruises to Cape Town and other ports as well.

SUITE ON THE MOVE –
For the travelers at heart, South Africa also has options for MotorHomes or Caravans – A type of vehicle with a bed, shower, and kitchenette, that can be driven around the country in the day. There are plenty of Caravan Parks in South Africa to park the vehicle at night for a good undisturbed sleep.

Why South Africa?

What is South Africa known for?

EVERYTHING!

The incredible beaches, hair raising adventure sports, romantic sunsets, close wildlife encounters, family picnics, UNESCO World Heritage sites and Modern Infrastructure. South Africa seems to have it all!!
The only tourists who won't find solace here would be the ones looking for snow-capped mountains.

On an average, tourists spend 8-9 nights in the country. To cover all of its diverse landscapes and experiences, in a single trip, would take about 15 days to even a month. Hence, tourists often do not cover the whole country in a single visit and usually return.

In this module, we shall cover only the highlights of the Country, to create a basic package.

Top 10 experiences

Spectacular sceneries

Vineyards

Wildlife and Marine Life

Kruger National Park

War and historic battlefields

Rock Art

Local Culture

Pre-historic Fossils sites

All sorts of adventure activities

Wildlife Safaris/ Game Drives/ Bird-watching/ Whale Watching
Scuba Dive
Shark Cage Dive
Crocodile Cage Dive
Hiking
Abseiling
White Water Rafting

And much more...

Important Concepts in this Module

When learning about South Africa, it is essential to understand a few concepts that will be used regularly in the module

Game Drive –
Typically refers to a Jungle Safari – a trip into the forests, to see wildlife in their own environment and habitat. It can also be defined as the search of the wild animals. The forests where these game drives happen are called "Game Reserves."

Game Viewing –
The activity of Jungle Safari, to view the wildlife, is called Game Viewing. In this concept, the animals are usually referred to as a “game." Game Viewing in South Africa can be done in closed vehicles or open safari vehicles.

Big FIVE –
In Africa, the Big Five refers to the five game animals that are the most difficult animals to hunt on foot. These are -

Lion
Leopard
Rhinoceros
Elephant
Cape buffalo

They are also the most dangerous animals in Africa. A trip to Africa is incomplete without seeing the Big Five. This term often is the deciding factor when choosing a safari.

Big Seven –
In addition to the Big Five, Africa has two marine species -

Southern Right Whale
The Great White Shark

Together, they are called the Big Seven. Addo Elephant National Park is the only national park in the world to have the Big Seven.

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Western cape Basics

POPULAR ATTRACTIONS –

Table Mountain

Cape Winelands

Garden Route

Robben Island (UNESCO)

Cape Floral Region (UNESCO)

GOOD FOR –

Forests

Beaches

Wineries

Seafood

Cape Town of the Western Cape – the legislative Capital of South Africa - is where the Portuguese first landed in Africa, while en-route to India. They then named it "Cape of Good Hope." Also called as South Africa’s “Mother City," Cape Town has the famous Table Mountain and beautiful beaches to leave its visitors in awe.

The Most Popular beaches of the Western Cape are Clifton, Camps Bay, Muizenberg, and Fish Hoek. While others, such as Llandudno and Noordhoek, are popular among surfers.
The wine regions - Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington, Franschhoek, Ceres, Worcester, Bonnievale and Robertson, are very popular among Wine Lovers

Cape Town

The Mother City of South Africa, Cape Town is a trendy holiday destination for visitors across Africa and other parts of the world. It is rich in history and home to scenic and natural attractions, beautiful beaches and full of a vibrant nightlife.
Cape Town is easily accessible by international and domestic flights across Africa and within South Africa. There are daily and frequent flights to and from all cities in South Africa.

South Africa also has a very good rail network, and it can be accessed by –

The Blue Train	The luxury train service from Pretoria to Cape Town.
PRASouth Africa	Scheduled South African passenger trains - ShosholozaMeyl and MetroRail

Getting Around –

Taxis	Uber and Taxify for convenient cab services. There are metered taxis and luxury car services as well.
Minibus taxi	Not a very popular or a recommended choice among travelers due to hazardous driving and sometimes intoxicated drivers.
Bus systems	Golden Arrow Network and MyCITI Network.

Places to See	Things to Do
• Robben Island – the political prison and a UNESCO Site • Table Mountain • The Castle of Good Hope • Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens • Rhodes Memorial • Two Oceans Aquarium, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront,	• Wine Tasting • Snorkeling/ Deep Sea Diving/ • Shark Cage Diving • Surfing/ Kayaking/ Sunset cruises • Ariel Tour

Table Mountain

Standing amidst Table Mountain National Park, Table Mountain is a flat top mountain, which forms a significant part of Cape Town's landscape. In 2007, following a campaign under the New7Wonders foundation, the Table Mountain won a place in the list of New 7 Wonders of Nature List.

The Table Mountain National Park also houses a part of the Cape Floral Region – a world heritage site – the world’s smallest and most diverse floral kingdom. It is a famous region for a hike, giving its hikers a chance to admire the scenic beauty, flora and fauna and finally get some breath-taking views of the city and the Robben Island from its summit. Some areas of the national park have entry fees as well.

How to reach –
CABLE CAR - The most popular way up. The Cable Car tickets need to be booked in advance, especially in the peak season.

To reach the station, you can include a private taxi or a shared coach trip for your clients.
If you book for them a city Hop On Hop Off pass, the bus stops at the Cable car station as well.
If your guests want to commute on their own, MyCITI Bus and Shuttle Services are available in Cape town

PS. Do carry a warm jacket, as the peak can be windy and cold.

DID YOU KNOW?

Table Mountain is often covered in cloud. Due to the scenery that forms, the cloud is then called “table cloth”.

Garden Route

The Garden route stretches 300 kilometers, from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth on the Southeastern coast of South Africa. It passes Mossel Bay, Great Brak, George, Herolds Bay, Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay on the way, with a mix of white beaches, rocky headlands, deep river gorges and dense forests.

It is the most famous and driven route in South Africa. Offering a spectacular scenery the Garden route is set through an ecologically diverse vegetation, with many lakes and lagoons along the coast.

SOME INTERESTING STOPS ON THE WAY –

Plettenberg Bay	Most famous for white beaches and Bloukraans Bungee Jump.
Oudtshoorn	World’s Ostrich Capital and famous for the Cango Caves and Swartberg mountain range.
Hermanus	Whale watching capital of South Africa. The best season for whale watching is from June to December. To watch the whales from land, Cape Overberg coast near Betty’s Bay and Onrus are also great options in addition to Hermanus
Knysna	Famous for oysters, forests and outdoor activities; also holds an annual oyster festival.

CAPE WINELANDS

Do not miss the hundreds of years old Wine estates of the Cape Winelands. They are a part of Western Cape's heritage and offer wine tasting, winemaking and delicious food. The region boasts of some of the most majestic scenery in with wine hills and mountains in the backdrop.

The visitors can be recommended Stellenbosch Wine Route and Route 62 which leads to some of the most famous and well-known wine destinations. Easily accessible from cape town by car or tour bus, wine route markers can be found on almost all the vineyards.

ROBBEN ISLAND

Robben Island is an integral part if South Africa's colonial history and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Since the late 17th century, Robben Island was used as an isolation prison for political prisoners from various Dutch colonies. It also played a role in housing arms and ammunition during the 2nd world war. In the late 20th Century, Nelson Mandela was also imprisoned here. Before becoming President of South Africa, Mr. Mandela spent 27 years in the prison; of which 18 years were on the Robben Island.

The island is accessible by various tours operated from Cape Town's waterfront. The tours last about 3.5 hours including a ferry to and from the island. The tour also covers the Robben Island Museum that exhibits the history of the island, along with Nelson Mandela's cell.

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North West Basics

POPULAR ATTRACTIONS –

Sun City

Pilanesberg Game reserve

Taung Heritage Site

Crocodile cage diving

KNOWN FOR–

Entertainment resort

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Game Reserves

Platinum Mines

Bordered by Botswana, North West province of South Africa has a rural tranquillity, along with the intensity of a large City with fantastic nightlife.
With the presence of gaming and entertainment resorts, Game Reserves housing the Big 5, ancient archaeological sites and multiple entertainment options, the North West province is a mix of everything.

The North West has so many platinum mines and underground reserves that it is also called as the "platinum province". It also produces gold, diamonds, and uranium.

ACCESS

By Air	Regular flights are available from the capital city Mafikeng’s Mmabatho Airport (MBD) – connecting North West to Johannesburg. Johannesburg is also well connected to Pilanesberg Airport (NTY) connecting to Sun City
By Bus	Regular connectivity to other provinces is available from Greyhound and Translux.

Game Viewing

Highlights of North West province are the Pilanesberg Game Reserve and Madikwe Game Reserve, that offer a variety of activities like elephant safari, game drive, quad biking, balloon safari, etc.. But most of all it boasts of the Big FIVE in its malaria-free regions

MOST FAMOUS GAME RESERVES

Pilanesberg Game Reserve
Pilanesberg National Park can be accessed as a safari expedition from Johannesburg and Gauteng with a 2-3 hour drive. Also situated at its borders, is the entertainment resort Sun City.

It has accommodation options for budgeted travelers as well as luxury travelers. In addition to the big 5, Pilanesberg National Park has over 360 types of bird species. The Game viewing can also be undertaken on a four-hour hot air balloon ride offering your guest some of the best views.

Madikwe Game Reserve
Sharing borders with Botswana, Madikwe Game Reserve can be accessed with a 3-4 hours drive from Johannesburg and Gauteng. It is one of the prime Safari destinations of South Africa and has over 20 luxury lodges, as well as fun outdoor activities for your guests it is not very far from Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City.
It houses the famous Big 5, the endangered African wild dog and many other mammals and birds. It also boasts of a spectacular diversity of flora and fauna, flourished by the Marico River.

Things to Do

North West can offer you guests bundles of opportunities to get entertained, visit the wildlife, experience the adventures and get some adrenaline rush. Here is the list of some of the topmost activities available in the North West Province.

Sun City – An entertainment city, explained one next page
Magaliesberg Canopy Tour and Balloon Safari
Harties Cableway and Hartbeespoort Dam - a favorite weekend spot for water sports and adventure
Crocodile cage diving – Yes it’s on the bucket list of many.
The Vredefort Dome – the World's largest meteor-impact crater;
The Taung hominid fossil site, part of the Cradle of Humankind – A World Heritage Site which is one of the most important sites for pre-historic research

OTHER TOWNSHIPS -

Mahikeng– Capital city, also known as - Mafeking or Mafikeng, also the closest airport.
Potchefstroom – A town with a vibrant agricultural economy and many historical spots.
Rustenburg – Located at the foot of beautiful Magaliesberg mountains, Rustenburg is an agricultural and mining town.
Brits – Another important mining Area that offers crocodile cage diving with Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre nearby.

Sun City - The entertainment capital

Sun City is a luxury casino resort is located about 2-3 hour drive from Johannesburg and the most popular attraction of the north West.
Sun City can be taken as a day trip with Johannesburg as the base and also for a night stay, while driving to other areas. It offers a plethora of activities from family fun, adventure seekers to romantic couples.

SUN Central –
Sun City’s Sun Central is a Family entertainment hub with an array of restaurants, retail outlets and entertainment options. Sun Central also has event venues and conference hall for MICE clients. Don’t miss the Superbowl.

South African Hall of Fame –
As the name suggests, South African Hall of Fame is a state of the Art interactive museum that recognizes South African achievers from across industries - actors, artists, athletes, musicians and literary icons. It gives visitors an opportunity to revisit some historical moments of the Country.
Entry fee - 100 Rands per Adult (free for guests of the Aun Vacation Club and hotel)

Nightlife –
Suncity has 3 major clubs to dance and party the night away.

Valley of Waves –
A water theme park with a legendary roaring lagoon. There is enough for adrenaline junkies and for relaxation seekers at the man-made beach.
The ticket prices are season based and there are extra costs for towels, costumes, lockers, etc.

The Maze of lost City –
The largest permanent maze of the Southern Hemisphere – the maze of the lost city creates an illusion of an ancient archaeological site. Accessed by a 100m suspension bridge, the maze is spread over half an acre land.
The tickets cost about 140 Rands for an adult

Golfing –
Sun City is South Africa's premier golfing destination. There are two very different Golfing experiences to choose from - Gary Player Golf Course and the Lost City Golf Course. While the former is a walking only championship course, the latter is a desert-style course with adventure activities.

Outdoor Adventure –
Outdoor Activities like Adrenaline Extreme, Chimp & Zee, Mankwe Gametrackers Outdoor Adventure Centre, Segway tour and the World’s fastest Zipslide

More -
Pilanesberg National Park is close enough for a Game Drive or a Hot Air Balloon Ride.
There are multiple rejuvenation options including Spa, Health and Beauty.

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KwaZulu-Natal Basics

POPULAR ATTRACTIONS –

Durban

Battlefields

Zulu Cultural villages

The Drakensberg mountains

KNOWN FOR –

Scenic Beauty

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Cultural attractions

Kwa Zulu-Natal, with its most known city – Durban, has enormous options for leisure and fun.

It has everything from beaches to mountains, from cultural heritage to wildlife parks. With sub-tropical climate all year round, the city of Durban is a mix of Zulu, Indian and British cultures. Also, a place to find some of the best Indian food in South Africa.

KwaZulu Natal also has lush green countryside in the Midlands, which has small historical towns and craft routes, smaller game parks that offer the big five sighting.

DID YOU KNOW?

The battles of South Africa, between the Boer, Brits and Zulu, took place in this province.
KwaZulu-Natal is a mecca for buffs of British military history

Game Viewing

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve (Hluhluwe is pronounced ‘sh – shloo – ee’)

The only Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal Province, to offer the Big Five. It is the oldest game park in South Africa. World-renowned for its Rhino conservation, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve has the highest population of both white and black Rhino in South Africa.
South Africa Tourism recommends Hilltop Lodge as the most affordable and award-winning accommodation option here.
Also, it is recommended to book a 2-3 night guided wilderness trail to get up close to the park inhabitants.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

With over 220 km of untouched coastline, iSimangaliso Wetland Park is home to five ecosystems. It can offer beautiful beaches, lakes, woodlands, wetlands, coastal forests, grasslands and coral reefs.
Interestingly, the park has more species of animals, than Kruger National Park. It offers numerous activities like hiking, horse riding, game viewing, rock and surf fishing, deep sea fishing, Scuba diving in Sodwana Bay, and whale watching.

Top Attractions

The Drakensberg mountains

One of the most spectacular natural wonders of South Africa, The Drakensberg mountains is the highest mountain range in the country. Also called the "Barrier of Spears", by the Zulu, the mountain range is situated in the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Mountains offer great views and activities in addition to the spectacular San Rock Art, which dates back to the Stone Age.

Zulu Cultural Villages

Built in the 1980s as a film set, Shakaland can give your guests an authentic South African Experience of the Zulu Tribe.
The experiences offered, are tribal dancing, local cuisines, overnight stay. At another village resort - Simunye Zulu Lodge one might get a chance to attend a genuine local Zulu wedding or any other ceremony

TOWNSHIPS -

DURBAN

Africa's Largest port and South Africa's favorite domestic holiday. The city is a mix of Zulu culture, South African and Indian populations. The city has a plethora of accommodation choices from holiday rentals to 5-star hotels.
Durban International Airport is an easy connecting spot for domestic and international Airlines. The airport is about a 10-15 minute drive from the city center, making the city a perfect choice for a base to explore the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

PIETERMARITZBURG

The capital city of KwaZulu-Natal and the best preserved Victorian town. Currently housing a mix of a population from different ethnicities and students.

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Gauteng Basics

POPULAR ATTRACTIONS–

Apartheid Museum

Cradle of Humankind

Soweto

Gold Reef City

KNOWN FOR–

Johannesburg

Urban Playground

Nightlife and casinos

City of Contrasts

Gauteng, which literally means – Place of Gold, is the smallest province of South Africa.

A city of contrasts, your guests will never be bored here. The old and new, contemporary and the traditional, all exist together, in Gauteng. There are multiple galleries, historic venues and museums to indulge in.

There are also plenty of music festivals for your guests to immerse into. For clients not interested in cultural attractions, Gauteng has no dearth of adventure and wildlife.

The city of Pretoria serves as the administrative capital of South Africa.

ACCESS

O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg	The major international airport of South Africa, connecting Gauteng with the world through all major international and domestic flights.
	Other small airports like Lanseria, Rand, Grand Central and Wonderboom also link the province to other parts of the country
Gautrain rail link	From OR Tambo international airport to Pretoria and Johannesburg.

Top Attractions

Apartheid Museum

Located in Johannesburg, the Apartheid Museum is an exhibit of South Africa's freedom struggle during apartheid. It is the best way to learn about the country's history.
It is about 15 minutes from Johannesburg Airport.
Please note, that it is closed on Mondays, Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Cradle of Humankind

A UNESCO world heritage site, where scientists have found fossils that throw light upon the predecessors of modern Humans. It has one of the most important palaeoanthropological sites in the world.
The visits will be welcomed by a dozen dolomitic limestone caves. These caves contain the fossilised remains of ancient forms of animals, plants and hominids.

Magaliesberg mountains

These mountains are expected to be 100 times older than Mt. Everest. It is home to some varied wildlife and bird species.
The place is great for hiking, mountain biking, white-water rafting and abseiling.

Gold Reef City

Theme Park built around a 19th gold mine. It can offer a tour of a replica mining village, where your guests can watch gold being poured.
It also has several fun rides to be enjoyed by adults and children alike. The Gold Reef City Casino is great for gaming and entertainment.

Game Viewing

The Dinokeng Game Reserve, situated close to Jo’burg and Pretoria, is great to sight the big five.

Things to Do

Nightlife

Gauteng has some of the classiest and high-end bars and pubs of South Africa, giving the city its “happening” crowd and nightlife. You can also suggest your guests a visit the Township Shebeens – some local bars to meet and greet the locals, with traditional beers.

Also, it is advisable to follow basic traveler instincts and be safe. Wearing a lot of jewelry, showing a lot of cash and walking the dim lit areas in late hours is not recommended.

Visit Townships

The guests can check out the townships and see the way of local living. There are plenty of museums, memorials, and cathedrals to explore. One of the most popular townships is Soweto.

Also, there are plenty of Malls in Johannesburg and Pretoria to explore for an urban shopping experience. One of the best shopping experiences is at Nelson Mandela Square.

Casinos

Some famous casino and entertainment cities are Gold Reef City in Johannesburg, Silverstar Casino in Krugersdorp, Carnival City in Brakpan, Montecasino in Fourways and Emperors Palace in Kempton Park. These complexes usually have hotels and restaurants in addition to the entertainment zone.

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Mpumalanga Basics

POPULAR ATTRACTIONS –

Kruger National Park

Sabi Sand Reserve

The Panorama Route

Genesis of life

KNOWN FOR–

Dramatic landscapes

Wildlife parks and Reserves

Natural Beauty

Often known as the “land where the sun rises” in the local languages, Mpumalanga shares borders with Swaziland and Mozambique.
It is also a land of the most dramatic scenery in the country, with more waterfalls, mountains with earth's oldest life forms, oldest dolomite caves, history of Gold and picturesque cultural little towns.

Located at about five-hour drive from Johannesburg, Mpumalanga is home to the oldest and largest game reserve in the world – Kruger national park, along with The Sabi Sand Reserve and the scenic Panorama Route.

ACCESS –

Air – Nearest airport is Pietermaritzburg
Road – approx. 300 km from Johannesburg and 50 km from Durban

The province has excellent infrastructure and roads.

Kruger National Park

One of the most popular game reserves in South Africa, The Kruger National Park was founded in 1898 by President Paul Kruger.

Although divided between Limpopo and Mpumalanga, Kruger National Park is more accessed and visited from its southern side - Mpumalanga.
It is home to Big Five, has good roads and great choices of accommodation to suit all budgets. It is the oldest and largest game reserve in the world and hence, one of the most famous.
In addition to the country’s highest in Safari Experience, Kruger National Park offers Bush Walks, Foot Safaris, wilderness trails. Various camps in Mpumalanga as well as in Limpopo offer guided game drives and guided walks

When here, one shouldn’t miss the photo opportunity at the Baobab trees and fever tree forests. Some portions of the park are also spread in Mozambique and Zimbabwe as well.

Best time to visit –
Winter months (May to September) when vegetation is sparse and it’s easy to spot game.

Must Do –
Guided game drive, preferably the sunset drive.

Bookings -
Early bookings are mandatory, and it opens 11 months in advance. Accommodation during the school holidays can be very difficult. Hence, early booking is recommended.

Malaria -
Malaria medication is a must on Lowveld. Inform your guests to carry the basic safari essentials – binoculars, sunscreen, camera, hat, bug spray etc. It is recommended to carry a drinking water bottle.

Sabi Sand Reserve

It is a private game reserve, one of the most famous and prestigious ones in South Africa. It borders Kruger National park and has some of the world-famous luxury lodges. It has the highest density of leopards in the world. Sabi Sand reserve does not have any day visitors

Top Attractions

The Panorama Route

Passing some of the most breathtaking sceneries in South Africa, the travelers can view some famous natural wonders like Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels. Great for self-drive, it also offers some hiking trails.

Blyde River Canyon
The world’s third largest canyon, after Grand Canyon in the USA and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia. It can be accessed by road or on foot. Suggested Tour would be a half day drive covering Pinnacle, God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels.

The Sudwala Caves

These are 240 million years old caves – the oldest caves known to mankind. Your guests can visit them on the way from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park. Good for a short stopover, where one can see rock formations which are older than Africa itself.

The ‘Genesis of Life’ These ancient rocks of the Makhonjwa Mountains are 3.5 billion years old. These contain some ancient and early evidence of microfossil life on Earth. It's a town – Barberton – is a mecca for scientists. The region offers heritage walks and working Gold mines, for the visitors.

TOWNSHIPS -

Mbombela (Nelspruit) – The capital of Mpumalanga, a commercial and shopping center for neighboring countries. It has good nightlife also.

Hazyview – Situated in close proximity to Kruger National Park, Hazyview is a good place to stock up groceries and supplies for the adventurous week in the Game Reserve.

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Ideal Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Durban

Check in to the hotel in Durban.

Orientation tour of Durban.

Overnight at Durban.

Day 02: In Durban

Guided visit to uShaka Marine World

Leisure time at the beach by the city and relax.

Overnight at Durban.

Day 03: Fly to Cape Town

Drive to the airport. Fly to Cape Town.

Visit the famous Victoria and Alfred waterfront,

Enjoy a ride on the Cape Wheel.

Overnight in Cape Town.

Day 04: In Cape Town

Sightseeing tour

Enjoy a ride on the Cable Car 3600 to reach at the top of Table Mountain.

Visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Arrive at the V&A Waterfront and visit the Two Ocean’s Aquarium.

Finally end your day with a breath taking Helicopter ride.

Overnight at Cape Town.

Day 05: In Cape Town

Full-day tour to the Cape of Good Hope.

Enjoy a cruise to Hout Bay to the Seal Colony.

Visit False Bay Coast to se the Jackass penguins at Boulders Beach.

Leisure time and shopping at the Canal Walk Mall

Overnight at Cape Town.

Day 06: Onto Stellenbosch

Drive to Stellenbosch

Upon arrival, enjoy a guided vineyard tour with exclusive wine tasting.

Day is at leisure to relax & enjoy the beauty of this place on your own.

Overnight at Stellenbosch.

Day 07: Onto Hermanus

Embark on your journey to the seaside town of Hermanus

Day is at leisure to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity. Optionally, take a Shark Cage Diving tour at Gansbaai

Overnight at Hermanus.

Day 08: Onto Knysna

Exploratory Whale Watching Cruise.

Proceed to Knysna.

Enroute, stop at Mossel Bay, visit the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex and the Post Office Tree

Embark on your scenic sunset cruise.

Overnight at Knysna.

Day 09: In Knysna

Head to Oudtshoorn

Visit the famous Cango Caves.

Proceed to the Ostrich Farm and Cheetah Ranch.

Visit Crocodile Enclosure.

Overnight at Knysna.

Day 10: Onto Johannesburg

Drive to George airport & fly to Johannesburg.

Panoramic orientation tour of the city.

Evening at leisure.

Overnight in Johannesburg.

Day 11: Onto Kruger National Park

Drive to the airport to board flight to Kruger.

Transfer to your accommodation at Kruger National Park.

Day at leisure

Overnight at Kruger.

Day 12: In Kruger National Park ? Full Day Game Drives

Early morning game drive in the Kruger National Park. The game drive is approximately 6-8 hours.

Overnight at Kruger.

Day 13: Homeward Bound

Check-out early morning and drive back to Johannesburg for your return flight.

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Can't finish the course?

Can't finish the course?

The movie - Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – is a great way to explore South Africa’s journey from being a colony to an independent nation, under Mandela’s leadership.

Best Time to visit South Africa

How to reach -

What is South Africa known for?

Top 10 experiences

DID YOU KNOW?

ACCESS

MOST FAMOUS GAME RESERVES

DID YOU KNOW?

TOWNSHIPS -

ACCESS

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