SOUTH AFRICAN GRAND TOUR Sample Itinerary Speak to an expert ...

SOUTH AFRICAN GRAND TOUR

Sample Itinerary

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CONTENTS Map / Overview

Your Itinerary Your Accommodation Price Examples

Next Steps About us Gallery

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MAP AND OVERVIEW

The Kruger

The Escarpment The Battlefields

Durban

The Overberg

Cape Town

This itinerary will really leave you with a comprehensive feel for the beauty and diversity of South Africa. Beginning in historic, cosmopolitan Cape Town, you work your way east through the forests and past the lagoons of The Garden RouteÂ where you can walk the beaches, visit the wildlife attractions and take an ocean cruise, before beginning the historical section of your trip. The includes visiting the Battlefields of KwaZuluNatal, to learn more about the comprehensive Zulu victory at Isandlwana and the subsequent heroic British defence of Rorke’s Drift, and the settler country of the Escarpment. You conclude with what will undoubtedly be a major highlight – safari amidst the big game of the Kruger Park.

The Garden Route

This is just a suggested itinerary; you can either book it as it stands, or use it as a starting point and tailor it to fit your exact requirements.

Please contact us to discuss the trip in more detail.

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YOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 1

Fly overnight to Cape Town.

International flights included. Day 2 Collect your hire car on arrival OR be met by one of our representatives and start with four nights in Cape Town. Cape Town has got a huge range of wonderful hotels, from grand, luxurious affairs, to smaller, more characterful guesthouses and B&Bs.

Table Mountain, Cape Town

Stay: Cape Town Day 3 There’s a wide range of excursions in and around the city which will easily fill your time here. Robben Island and Table Mountain are two of the city's icons and form a great day's combination. Cape Town is also blessed with numerous incredible restaurants and we’d be happy to make some recommendations and reserve tables for you.

Stay: Cape Town Cable Car, Cape Town


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YOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 4 Spend a full day exploring the beautiful Cape Peninsula. The beauty of the peninsula is as much in the uncovered corners and beaches as it is in the more famous highlights like Cape Point and the penguins of Boulder’s Beach. Stay: Cape Town Day 5 Perhaps take an Uthando Philanthropic Cultural Tour to learn more about the townships and how people are seeking to improve their lot there. Or alternatively you might like to explore the Winelands in the company of legendary guide Pietman Retief.

Lighthouse, Cape Peninsula

Stay: Cape Town Day 6 Drive to the Overberg, an overnight stop on your way east; if you set off early enough, you can squeeze a visit to the De Hoop Nature Reserve into your day. The town of Swellendam, although small, has a number of beautiful boutique hotels and guesthouses, making it the ideal place to break your journey to the Garden Route. Stay: The Overberg


Uthando Project, Cape Town

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Continue to the Garden Route, where you spend four nights. Choose from hotels on the beach, in the heart of the pretty towns, or secreted away on islands and in the forests that carpet the hills of the region. Stay: The Garden Route Day 8 There are some amazing excursions to fill your days with on the Garden Route. We particularly recommend, in season, whale watching (June – December) or perhaps exploring the back roads in the forests.

Whale Watching , The Garden Route

Stay: The Garden Route

Day 9 To unwind after a busy few days, maybe relax by walking along the gorgeous beaches. Stay: The Garden Route Sunset Beach, The Garden Route


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We’d always recommend you take a day to Head to the Crags near Plettenberg Bay and visit the Elephant Sanctuary, Monkeyland, the Birds of Eden and the Tenikwa Big Cat Experience. Here you’ll also find Bramon, the Garden Route’s only wine estate and somewhere that serves an amazing tapas lunch! Stay: The Garden Route Day 11

Marine World, Durban

Drop the car at George airport and fly to Durban for an overnight stay. Relax at the hotel for the afternoon or head to uShaka Marine World and take a stroll along the beachfront.

Stay: Durban Day 12 Having collected a new hire car, head up to the Battlefields for a three night stay. Accommodation here is generally in lodges where all or most of your meals are included – a necessity given the remote setting! Stay: The Battlefields


The Battlefields

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YOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 13-14

Undertake tours of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift as well as relaxing and maybe visiting other notable battlefields in the area. Stay: The Battlefields Day 15 Drive north, past Swaziland, to the Escarpment for a three night visit. The drive will take the best part of a day, but is the most logical way to get between the Battlefields and the Lowveld and Kruger regions.

The Battlefields

Stay: The Escarpment Day 16-17

Explore the Blyde River Canyon, or perhaps learn about the settler history of Pilgrim's Rest. The region is stunning beautiful and perfect for scenic drives and relaxation. Stay: The Escarpment

Pilgrim’s Rest, The Escarpment


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Head to the Kruger for three nights of safari. Whether you want basic thatched rondavels, luxury tented camps or the most opulent safari lodge imaginable, the Kruger will have something to suit you! Stay: Kruger Day 19-20 Be thrilled and awed by the big game you’ll encounter on your game drive and the smaller residents you find on bush walks.

Lion Pride, Kruger

Stay: Kruger Day 21 Fly back to Johannesburg and then overnight on to London.

International flights included.

Game Drive, Kruger


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SAMPLE ACCOMMODATION These are some recommended hotels from a 3* to 5* rating within Burma to give you a taste of what is on offer…..

Three-star options

Trevoyan Guest, Cape Town

De Hoop Collection, The Overberg

Hotel Umhlanga, Durban

Laird’s Lodge, The Garden Route

The Three Boutique Hotel, Cape Town

Belmond Mount Nelson, Cape Town

Fish River Lodge, East Cape

Four-star options

Spionkop Lodge, The Battle Fields

Five-star options

The Bay Hotel, Cape Town


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PRICE The prices below are based on 2 people sharing and include international flights. The exact costs for your holiday can vary a lot depending on availability, special offers and airfares, so please contact us to put together an itinerary for your exact dates with an exact price.

Price Options: Option 3 star & low season 5 star & high season

Price per person From £2,250 From £4,320

Price Includes: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

International flights return to Cape Town/Johannesburg All accommodation as stated in the itinerary Daily breakfasts & additional meals as indicated in the itinerary Local English speaking station guide Private driver and air-conditioned vehicle Domestic flights as mentioned in your itinerary including taxes Entrance fees to all sites mentioned Cold water and refreshing towels on touring days


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NEXT STEPS Perfecting Your Holiday: We know you want this holiday to be exactly right for you, so nothing in this sample is set in stone. The next step is to get in touch and we can work with you on any tweaks, changes or amendments you’d like to make; this is also a great opportunity for us to answer the many questions you’ll undoubtedly have now that the trip seems a little more real! You can either give us a call on 01242 253 073 or fill out our quick quote form online found here: Booking Your Holiday:

Once you’re completely happy with everything we’ll check availability and hold provisional reservations of the flights, hotels and services for your trip. Only at this point, when we know everything is available and being held for you, will we take payment of the deposit (except in rare circumstances). You can pay the deposit for your trip by card over the phone (*), bank transfer or cheque (unless we require cleared funds quickly in order to secure certain services). We’ll also send you a booking form to complete and return at this stage. We can then wrap up your invoices and confirmation documents and get them sent out to you. * There are no card processing fees charged when paying your deposit. When paying the balance of the cost of the holiday, MasterCard and Visa credit cards will attract a 1% processing fee and AMEX cards a 2% processing fee, which is marginally less than the full processing fee we are charged by our card payment system provider. Debit cards never attract any processing fees. Approaching Your Holiday: We require payment of the final balance of the holiday 10 weeks prior to departure. About a month before you leave you’ll get our travel documents through the post; this is the essential stuff like flight e-ticket references, as well as additional information and tips from us to help make the most of your trip. During Your Holiday:

At all times before you go, you can call or email us with any questions you might have. Whilst you are away on your holiday, you’ll have office numbers for both us and our local agents, as well as 24hr emergency contact numbers for both us and our local agents: you’re completely covered in any eventuality.


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ABOUT HOLIDAY ARCHITECTS We’re a company of dedicated and experienced professionals, averaging over ten years each in the industry and with countless trips to South Africa under our belts. We use that experience to give you honest advice and plan your individuallytailored itinerary. We like to push the boundaries a little bit, getting you away from the crowds and enjoying excursions tha t are crafted to your interests, as well as smaller, more characterful hotels and guest houses. We’re committed to fair pricing, believing tailor-made travel should not be a luxury; all of which means you can experience the true South Africa and not the South Africa most visitors buy off-the-shelf.

Meet the team: Kirsty Leggate – South Africa Specialist Kirsty has been travelling to Africa since 1993 when she embarked on an overland trip from Zimbabwe to Kenya. Since then she has returned on numerous occasions exploring Southern Africa from the Cape to the Skeleton Coast. Fortunate to have many friends in the region and with family now living just outside the Kruger National Park, she has plenty of reasons to regularly visit this incredible part of the world. 20 years of exploring has not lessened her enthusiasm for Africa’s amazing scenery, wonderful people and fascinating culture. These days she is travelling with her young family but it is just as appealing as ever.

Financial Protection…. Every South Africa holiday is fully bonded through the ATOL scheme and the Travel Vault. All our holidays are 100% financially protected through either our ATOL bonding (for all holidays where we are providing flights to / from the UK) or through the Travel Vault.

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