South Africa family holiday - Rainbow Nation
Itinerary
DAY 1 - DEPART LONDON
Depart London on a
direct flight to Johannesburg.
DAY 2 - JOHANNESBURG
After your flight, you transfer (approx. 30 minutes) to your first
night’s accommodation and check in. Johannesburg lies at the centre
of the Witwatersrand, literally meaning ‘ridge of white waters’. It
was on this ridge that the world’s richest gold fields were
discovered little more than 100 years ago. Jo’burg or E’Goli ‘the
City of Gold’ is the heart of the emergent nation of South Africa.
Your first day is free to relax, with the option of visiting the
fascinating township of Soweto in the afternoon. Shops and
restaurants are within easy reach.
Hotel with en suite facilities – 1 night
DAY 3 - MPUMALANGA
Today you rise early
and, after a briefing with your Group Leader, you load the vehicle
and make your way down from the temperate, rolling plateau of the
Highveld, over the escarpment, to the sub-tropical Mpumalanga. You
head east to Dullstroom (approx. 4 hours drive) where you will
visit the Bird of Prey Centre for a chance to see Africa’s birds of
prey up close, and learn about the plight of some of the more
endangered species.
Continuing your drive (approx. 3 hours) you visit the
fascinating old goldrush town of Pilgrim’s Rest where it is easy to
imagine the lives of the miners and their families who worked the
small alluvial claims at the end of the last century. Later in the
afternoon you try your hand at Gold Panning in the town’s
fascinating mining museum. You spend the night in the picturesque
little town of Graskop.
Chalet with shared ablutions– 1 night (LD)
DAYS 4/5 - KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
This morning you visit God’s Window, which offers magnificent views
over the Blyde River Canyon and you will visit the Shangaan
Cultural Village where you learn about the history and customs of
the Shangaan people.
Later, your route continues into the Kruger National Park
(approx. 5 hours drive), one of the greatest natural sanctuaries of
the world, comprising beautiful areas of savannah bushveld broken
by rocky outcrops and riverine forest. Cameras and binoculars at
the ready, you make your way to the camp where you will spend the
next two days.
During your stay you hope to see much of the ‘big game’ of the
park: elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard, and many more of
the 147 species of mammal that the park boasts. Bird lovers will
delight in over 500 species including the African fish eagle, whose
evocative cry is probably the best known of any African bird, and
the beautiful lilac-breasted roller. After settling into your camp
and enjoying lunch, there’s time to relax, take in your
surroundings and enjoy the peace of the African bush.
Mid-afternoon you take a game drive (approx. 2 hours), perhaps
to a water hole, and observe the animals coming down to drink after
the heat of the day. You return to camp before dusk and enjoy a
‘braai’ (barbecue) in the bush. Sitting around the
campfire you may hear the low roar of lion and the unearthly
chatter of hyena. The following day you rise just before dawn to
take an early morning game drive (2 hours), when the animals are
most active. Stopping en route at a picnic spot to cook an eagerly
awaited breakfast, you may share a few crumbs with the ubiquitous
Cape glossy starling. Back at the camp there’s time to laze in the
midday heat and, as the day cools, you take another game drive (2
hours) before dinner, when you’ll have a chance to relive the
excitement of the wildlife spotted today. For those not wishing to
miss out on the excitement of catching glimpses of the numerous
nocturnal species that exist in the park, there is the option of a
night game drive (additional cost).
Basic chalets with shared ablutions - 2 nights (Swimming Pool)
(Bx2, Dx2)
DAY 6 - KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND
This morning you enter the small landlocked kingdom of Swaziland
(approx. 4 hours driving plus border crossing). Despite being
almost completely surrounded by the republic of South Africa,
Swaziland has remained independent since the end of the British
colonial era in 1968 and today is one of the world’s few absolute
monarchies.
You make your way to the mountainous Malolotja Nature Reserve,
set amongst striking mountain scenery. This afternoon you take a
walk in the rugged and wild surroundings of Malolotja. There are
several well-marked trails and viewpoints that you will visit
during a two to three hour walk in the reserve to view the
Malolotja Falls.
Cabin, twin and triple rooms with shared bathrooms– 1 night
(BLD)
DAYS 7/8 – ST LUCIA
You start the day with a drive to Mbabane, Swaziland’s capital.
(approx. 1 hour). In the nearby Ezulwini Valley craft markets you
can learn about traditional Swazi crafts such as grass mats,
baskets, prints and cloths.
You leave Swaziland to drive to the coastal town of St. Lucia.
(approx. 4½ hours plus border crossing). This stretch of South
Africa’s coast boasts lush vegetation and expansive mangrove
forests. There is time for an afternoon game drive – sitting under
the shade at a waterhole is one of the best ways to see a wide
variety of wildlife, as they come to drink at the water’s edge. In
the morning of your second day at St Lucia you drive to Hluhluwe
National Park for a game drive. You return to St. Lucia to relax by
the pool during the heat of the day. In the afternoon you have the
opportunity to go on a boat cruise of Lake St. Lucia (additional
cost) to view hippo and crocodile up close.
Apartments with shared bathrooms – 2 nights (Swimming pool) (Bx2
Lx1 Dx1)
Apartments are normally three twin rooms and families share
them. It may be necessary (depending on the group make up) for a
family to be accommodated across two apartments.
DAYS 9-11 UMHLANGA ROCKS
Today you drive (approx. 4 hours) to the popular beach resort of
Umhlanga Rocks. The uncluttered beach is flanked by a 2.7km paved
promenade where joggers and strollers can always be found. There is
much to see and do in the area. Choose from a boat trip to see
dolphins, a visit to the Natal Sharks Board (where you will learn
about the life and feeding habits of the shark), a visit to Durban
or just enjoy the beach and perhaps take a surfing lesson. You will
be accommodated in beachside self -catering apartments.
Apartments – 3 nights (Swimming pool) (Bx3)
Apartments are normally three twin rooms and families share
them. It may be necessary (depending on the group make up) for a
family to be accommodated across two apartments.
DAY 12 – FLY TO LONDON
You spend the morning at leisure. Then you travel south again to
Durban Airport (approx. 1 hour) where the trip ends for Land Only
clients. Those on group flights to the UK proceed on your overnight
flight to London via Johannesburg. Please note: If you are not
travelling on the group flight there might be an additional cost
for a transfer to the airport at a different time. (B)
DAY 13 – ARRIVE LONDON
(BLD= breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Quick links:
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south africa family holiday - dates &
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south africa family holiday - booking
enquiry
south africa family holiday - before you
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REF: South Africa -Rainbow Nation FSA -
AC0002
