Somak South Africa 2020-21 Brochure

A wonderful 14-night tour which includes visits to some of South Africa's most iconic sites. The stunning scenery and magnificent wildlife will leave you breathless. 14 Nights 3 nights Cape Town – 1 night Hermanus – 1 night Oudtshoorn – 2 nights Knysna – 1 night Tsitsikamma – 1 night Durban – 1 night Zululand – 1 night eSwatini – 3 nights Mpumalanga Day 1 Tuesday – Depart Depart from the UK to Cape Town. Day 2 Wednesday – Cape Town On arrival in Cape Town you are met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure (unescorted). Overnight: Floréal House or similar. Day 3 Thursday – Cape Town After breakfast meet your tour guide and fellow travellers and set out to the picturesque Cape Winelands, where century-old vineyards are surrounded by awe-inspiring mountain scenery. With extraordinary wine estates in Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek and fascinating historical landmarks to explore, your tour guide will discuss the many possibilities and tailor-make a Cape Winelands experience for the whole group. Distance travelled: 200 km Overnight: Floréal House or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 4 Friday – Cape Town This morning ascend one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature – majestic Table Mountain (weather permitting), for unrivalled views of Cape Town. Drive along Millionaires Paradise to Camps Bay, heading towards the charming working harbour at Hout Bay. Continue along Chapman's Peak Drive (if open) and enjoy the breathtaking ocean views. After lunch (payable locally) visit the wild and beautiful Cape of Good Hope, an integral part of the world-renowned Cape Floral Kingdom. Distance travelled: 200 km Overnight: Floréal House or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 5 Saturday – Cape Town – Hermanus Depart Cape Town after breakfast. A stunning coastal drive to the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden with its delicate coastal Fynbos. We also seek out the small breeding colony of African Penguins at Stony Point. In the "Hemel-en-Aarde" region, one of South Africa's newest wine routes, indulge in a wine tasting at a boutique winery before arriving in Hermanus. Distance travelled: 200 km Overnight: Misty Waves Boutique Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 6 Sunday – Hermanus – Oudtshoorn This morning explore the unique cliff paths of Hermanus and enjoy outstanding views of Walker Bay. During the months of July – November, the possibility of whale sightings could add further excitement to our explorations. Depart late morning, stopping for a late lunch (payable locally) in the pretty village of Barrydale on the scenic "Route 62", then onward to Oudtshoorn. Distance travelled today: 380 km Overnight: La Plume Boutique Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 7 Monday – Oudtshoorn – Knysna A chance to visit the Cango Caves, filled with wonderful stalactite and stalagmite formations. Then enjoy a guided tour at an ostrich farm, which will give an insight into why Oudtshoorn is known as the "feather capital of the world". Travel via the panoramic Outeniqua Pass to Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa. Distance travelled: 220 km Overnight: Knysna Hollow or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 8 Tuesday – Knysna This morning cruise the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve, where you will learn more about the fascinating history, fauna and flora of the area. Return for lunch. Afternoon at leisure (unescorted) to further explore the charming village of Knysna. Distance travelled: 20 km Overnight: Knysna Hollow or similar Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Day 9 Wednesday – Knysna – Tsitsikamma Depart Knysna after breakfast and travel to Plettenberg Bay for an ocean safari (weather permitting). During the summer months you may encounter bottlenose and common dolphins as well as seals in their natural environment. During the winter months you may see southern right and humpback whales. This afternoon you will have the opportunity to attempt the world's highest bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge (payable locally and weather permitting). Arrive late afternoon at the village of Storms River. Distance travelled: 130 km Overnight: Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 10 Thursday – Tsitsikamma – Port Elizabeth – Durban – Umhlanga This morning immerse yourself in the splendour and tranquillity of the Tsitsikamma National Park and head to the Storms River Mouth for unrivalled views of the Indian Ocean (weather permitting). Continue your journey to Port Elizabeth airport for your flight to Durban (price not included and flight needs to be booked for after 2.30pm). On arrival in Durban you will be met and transferred to your accommodation for the evening, on the tropical North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Distance travelled: 280 km Overnight: The Oyster Box or similar Meals: Breakfast Day 11 Friday – Durban – Zululand After breakfast head north to the village of St Lucia, a World Heritage Site and one of South Africa's wilderness treasures. A cruise on the St Lucia Estuary (weather permitting) affords us wonderful photographic opportunities as we may encounter large pods of hippos, the occasional Nile crocodile and prolific birdlife. Continue to a private game reserve where you can experience the unique richness that this peaceful region has to offer. Enjoy an afternoon game drive within the heart of ‘big five’ territory. After winding down with sundowners, marvel at the spectacular sunsets and continue searching for elusive nocturnal creatures. Distance travelled: 350 km Overnight: Ubizane Wildlife Reserve or similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner & 1 Game Activity Day 12 Saturday – Zululand – eSwatini (Swaziland) An early start with tea, coffee and rusks after which you will set out on a safari in search of the ‘big five’, enjoying the delightful scenery. After breakfast travel north and cross the border into the tiny Kingdom of eSwatini, a former British Protection Territory, now ruled by King MsWati III. Arrive in the afternoon at your luxury lodge set in a beautiful, secure estate with stunning views of the royal Mdzimba Mountains. Distance travelled: 320 km Overnight: The Royal Villas or similar Meals: Breakfast & 1 Game Activity Day 13 Sunday – eSwatini – Mpumalanga After breakfast visit a chief's village to gain an insight into the fascinating eSwatini culture and the residents’ invitation to participate in the cultural practices. Afterwards, we cross the border back into South Africa for an afternoon arrival in the lush Sabie River Valley. Distance travelled: 330 km Overnight: Country Boutique Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Day 14 Monday – Mpumalanga Today we traverse the glorious Panorama route taking in the spectacular God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and Three Rondavels at Blyde River Canyon. Our safari adventure continues at Kapama Private Game Reserve described as an African Eden. The reserve is a wilderness paradise. After checking in, depart on an open vehicle safari accompanied by a ranger and tracker, in search of a diverse range of animal and bird species and hope to encounter the ‘big five’, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Distance travelled: 280 km Overnight: Kapama River Lodge or similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner & 1 Game Activity Day 15 Tuesday – Mpumalanga An early morning safari. While seeing big game is always exhilarating, there are many smaller species that are also captivating, and birding enthusiasts will be delighted at the approximately 350 species of birds recorded on the reserve. Return to the lodge for a few hours of relaxation. In the afternoon gather for high tea, before heading out for the afternoon safari. As darkness falls, the nocturnal animals of the bush come out. A variety of completely different species can be seen on the night drive back to the lodge. Distance travelled: 90 km Overnight: Kapama River Lodge or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & 2 Game Activities Day 16 Wednesday – Mpumalanga – Hoedspruit – Johannesburg – Depart Enjoy a final early morning open vehicle safari, before returning to the lodge for brunch. Check out and transfer to nearby Hoedspruit's Eastgate Airport for your onward flight to Johannesburg (from 12 noon onwards), where you will then connect for onward flight to the UK. Meals: Breakfast HIGHLIGHTS > Vibrant Cape Town > Scenic Garden Route > Stay in a private game lodge > Exclusive selected boutique-style properties > Guest number limited to 8 in luxury vehicle Group tour size normally a maximum of 8 guests. 27 www.somak.co.uk