South Africa is one of the most diverse countries. Start in Johannesburg, the incredible beauty and ever-changing landscape of Mpumalanga, the game rich Kruger National Park, the extraordinarily beautiful city of Cape Town and the diverse Garden Route, experience all that South Africa has to offer.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Depart USA on South African Airways from your choice of gateways.Day 2 Johannesburg: The Garden Court Sandton City
Arrive into Johannesburg, you will be met by an AfricaTours representative and escorted to the hotel. Your guide will explain the maps and routes for your self-drive. The hotel is a short stroll to the city's most upmarket shopping complexes, all with an exciting range of designer boutiques, restaurants, banks and entertainment facilities and near the Sandton Convention Centre, South Africa's biggest and best conference venue. With its relaxed, informal atmosphere and friendly, efficient staff, Garden Court Sandton City is a great place to stay when you're in Johannesburg for business or pleasure. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast served at the Garden Grill Restaurant or dine at McGinty's Pub and Grill for a hearty pub lunch and dinner. The hotel's also a favorite with airline staff, offering excellent accommodation that's easy to get to from Johannesburg International Airport .Each room also has a 20 inch flat screen remote controlled television showing selected D-STV (satellite) channels. Full laundry and valet services.
Day 3 Mpumalanga: Jatinga Country Lodge (B)
After breakfast your automatic transmission rental car will be delivered to your hotel and drive to the beautiful Mpumalanga, explore Blydepoort Canyon, God’s Window and Pilgrim’s Rest.Jatinga Country Lodge - located on the outskirts of White River in Mpumalanga and only 38km from the Kruger National Park. The lodge - which boasts a 5-star grading from the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa - has 10 Superior rooms and four magnificent Luxury suites all of which are decorated in different styles - Victorian, Colonial, Provencal, French Country, African Colonial and English Country. Each room offers a unique experience that ensures guests will take away a special Jatinga memory. From the outdoor showers set in secluded gardens that surprise and delight guests when checking into one of the Victorian rooms, to one of the incredible solid concrete baths that beg to be filled with bubbles found in the Provencal rooms. Each of the rooms at Jatinga is an experience in themselves. The original 1920's homestead, that is the lodge's main building, houses the lounge area with a covered, colonial-style veranda running along the length of the lounge. The veranda is the place to enjoy coffee and port after dinner while the frogs and crickets compete in their nightly serenade. The lodge's restaurant has an extensive menu and offers a menu that is certain to satisfy even the most discerning diner. Testimony to the fine dining that can be experienced at Jatinga is the lodge's inclusion into WINE magazine's Top 100 Restaurants in South Africa and the Eat Out guides.
Day 4 Mpumalanga: Jatinga Country Lodge (B)
You will have a full day to explore this area.
Day 5 Private Game Reserve: Honeyguide Tented Camp (BLD)
After breakfast, drive to Hoedspruit (Eastgate) airport located just outside Kruger National Park, where you will drop off your rental car. You will be met at the airport by a Honeyguide representative and escorted to the lodge. Enjoy an afternoon game drive. The Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps, in the 23 thousand hectare Manyeleti Game Reserve adjoining Kruger National Park, is just a five hour scenic drive from Johannesburg or a short flight either to the Manyeleti airstrip or to Hoedspruit, half-an-hour's drive away. They offer breathtaking wildlife experiences at the same time as pampering the senses with meticulous service and superb cuisine. Morning and evening game tracking drives in open vehicles bring you into close contact with the Big Five effortlessly and safely. Highly experienced guides will take you on foot to bring into clear focus the magic of the bush with its myriad of busy insects and resplendent birdlife. The large, en-suite tents are comfortably furnished in contemporary style and have either double or twin beds made up with fine cotton sheets and down duvets. A double shower and separate toilet are provided and a private veranda in the front of the tent provides a restful seating area for you to absorb the atmosphere in peace and tranquility.
Day 6 Private Game Reserve: Honeyguide Tented Camp (BLD)
Enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive. A typical day consists of an early wake up call at approximately 5:30 am where you will be served tea, coffee and cookies in the Lodge before your start off on your early morning game drive. You will return to the lodge at approximately 10:00 am where you will enjoy a full breakfast. The rest of the morning is yours to enjoy catching up on your sleep, swimming in the pool, browsing in the curio shop or participating in a game walk. Lunch is served at around 1:00 pm. At 3:30 pm enjoy tea and coffee before setting out on your afternoon/evening game drive. You will return to the lodge at around 7:30 pm in time to get ready for dinner either in the lodge or the boma (a boma is a reed enclosed outdoor eating area. You will eat under a starry African night with the calls of the wild in the distance – a truly memorable event).
Day 7 Cape Town: Four Rosmead (B)
After a morning game drive and breakfast, fly via light aircraft to Nelspruit airport for your flight to Cape Town. Arrive into Cape Town, where you will be met by an AfricaTours representative and driven to the hotel. Four Rosemead is an exclusive guesthouse situated on the slopes of Table Mountain in the select residential suburb of Oranjezicht. It is within walking distance of the city as well as vibrant Kloof Street, which is well known for its restaurant and café culture. Accommodation consists of eight en-suite bedrooms (one suite, four deluxe and three luxury rooms). All rooms feature highest quality linens, air-conditioning, separate bath & shower, heated towel rail, under-tile heating, bath robes, hairdryer, satellite TV, telephone, bar-fridge, coffee and tea facility, electronic safe and broadband wireless internet access. Four Rosemead offers the following facilities: continental or full English breakfasts, swimming pool with loungers, landscaped gardens, off street parking, vegetarian friendly menu's and broadband, wireless internet. In addition, various stress relieving and invigorating therapies are offered by trained professionals in a Pamper Spa. Four Rosemead displays carefully selected artwork crafted by local South African artists. Guests are able to choose from a variety of works ranging from wire sculptures to oil paintings to beaded animals. Most of these pieces are available for purchase as a tangible memory of your stay at Four Rosemead in Cape Town.
Day 8 Cape Town: Four Rosmead (B)
Your automatic transmission rental car will be delivered to the hotel. You will have a two full days at leisure to explore the “Mother City”. Places of interest to consider on the Cape Peninsular: time in Hout Bay, once a fishing community and now a thriving residential area, a drive over dramatic Chapman’s Peak (PROVIDED THE PASS IS OPEN) with a 200 meter drop on one side and a 200 meter rise on the other. Fishoek beach the Jackass penguin colony at Boulders Beach just outside of Simonstown, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, visit the Irma Stern and SA Museum, take the ferry and tour to Robben Island, walk around the Cape Malay Quarter, visit the many art galleries and more!!
Day 9 Cape Town: Four Rosmead (B)
Today you will have a full day at leisure to explore Cape Town.
Day 10 Paarl: Roggeland Country House (BD)
After breakfast, drive to Paarl. Explore at leisure the 10 major wine routes. Experience the unforgiving crags that rise up in a haze of splendor around these renowned Winelands with their range of award winning wines. Or, simply marvel at the majesty of it all. A rare find. Rated one of the best 50 hotels in the world in the Tatler’s 1994 Travel Guide, Roggeland Country House is in the Paarl Winelands, a 60-minute drive from Cape Town. The centuries-old Cape Dutch farmhouse, circumscribed by emerald lawns and rose gardens, is a wonderful place to relish sunny days and outstanding hospitality. Dinner and breakfast consist of four-course Menu Degustation of regional cuisine, accompanied by fine Cape wines. Enjoy personal tours of the wine routes, viewing 2000 flamingos and other bird species along the walking trail, horse riding, a refreshing swim, or exploring surrounding historic towns. The eight delightful bedrooms have private bathrooms, ceiling fans and mosquito nets.
Day 11 Oudshoorn: Protea Hotel Riempe Estate (B)
Situated in a farm-like setting on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn, the Protea Hotel Riempie Estate is a charming hotel with well-appointed thatched rondavels, only 20 minutes away from the Cango Caves and moments away from the crocodile and ostrich farms for which Oudtshoorn is famed. The hotel has a swimming pool in the large garden area. Tennis, squash, golf and a gymnasium are all within 10 km of the hotel.Situated in the heart of the Little Karoo, Oudtshoorn is famous for its ostriches and is a convenient stopover on the Garden Route.This beautiful and historic Southern Cape town can be reached by road, passing through some of Southern Africa's most picturesque mountain passes.
Day 12 Plettenberg Bay: Bay Lodge(B)
After breakfast, drive to Plettenberg Bay. There are few places where nature paints a landscape of such exquisite beauty as it does around Plettenberg Bay. Plettenberg Bay is the jewel in the Garden’s Route trove of scenic treasures and the unhurried days allow travelers the time to discover every facet of the areas unique and beautiful character. There is something for everyone, for the naturalist it is a paradise of bird-life, marine and forest-life and botanical gifts. For the historian there are museums and landmarks. For the sports person there is a smorgasbord of sporting activities. Situated in Plettenberg Bay, the jewel of The Garden Route the Bay Lodge a luxury boutique beach lodge has 6 breathtaking exclusive suites. It features the latest in designer trends and the highest standards of barefoot luxury lodging and hospitality. Ease gently into the day with a generous, scrumptious breakfast served on the verandah with its spectacular views before setting off to explore the many surrounding attractions or relax around the pool soaking up the sun.
Day 13 Plettenberg Bay: Bay Lodge(B)
You will have a full day to explore this area.
Day 14 Departure (B)
After breakfast and a morning at leisure, drive through the Tsitsikamma forest to Port Elizabeth. Drop off the car at the airport for your flight to Johannesburg and connecting South African Airways Flight to JFK.
Day 15 Arrive into the USA
Rates for the South Africa Self-Drive - Semi Customized
Land, per person double occupancy
| 01 Nov '11 - 19 Dec '11 | $4,5775 |
|---|---|
| 20 Dec '11 - 28 Feb '12 | $4,835 |
| 01 Mar '12 - 30 Apr '12 | $4,325 |
| 01 May '12 - 30 Jun '12 | $3,945 |
| 01 Jul '12 - 31 Aug '12 | $4,390 |
| 01 Sep '12 - 30 Sep '12 | $4,590 |
| 01 Oct '12 - 31Oct '12 | $4,945 |
| Single Supplement | $575 - $730 |
Land and Air from New York, per person double occupancy
| 01 Nov '11 - 06 Dec '11 | $6,645 |
|---|---|
| 07 Dec '11 - 23 Dec '11 | $7,250 |
| 24 Dec '11 - 28 Feb '12 | $7,110 |
| 01 Mar '12 - 30 Jun '12 | $6,485 |
| 01 Jul '12 - 31 Aug '12 | $7,755 |
| 01 Sep '12 - 31 Oct '12 | $7,310 |
Price Includes:
- Accommodation for 12 nights.
- Meals as mentioned
- Transfers
- All mentioned tours
- Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages at Honeyguide (except premium alcohol & champagne)
- Laundry at Honeyguide
- FLIGHTS: Honeyguide – Nelspruit
- Game drives and park entry fees
- Automatic Rental Car for 10 days (included collision damage waiver, theft/loss waiver/ personal accident insurance, windscreen damage, tire/rim/hubcap damage, unlimited mileage)
Price Excludes:
- Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages in Johannesburg, Mpumalanga, Cape Town, Cape Winelands & Garden Route
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry in Johannesburg, Mpumalanga, Cape Town, Cape Winelands & Garden Route
- THE LAND ONLY PRICE EXCLUDES FLIGHTS FROM NELSPRUIT TO CAPE TOWN, PORT ELIZABETH TO JOHANNESBURG
- Airline Taxes
- R1,231 Fuel deposit (approx. $170), R25 contract fee (approx. $5) & R136 additional driver fee (approx. $208) and R493 accident claim handling fee (approx $75) to be paid for directly, R178 traffic administration fee per fine (approx $27)