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southern africa
18 days
South Africa Explorer
neW!
This tour combines some of the greatest wildlife viewing in South Africa and Swaziland with the breathtaking, unspoilt beaches and natural wonders of the continents southern coastline. Come face to face with Zulu culture, explore underground wonders, walk famous hiking trails and experience lots more on this captivating 1-day adventure.
n BLYDE RIVER CANYON n KRUGER NATIONAL PARK n MLILWANE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY n ZULU CULTURE n ST LUCIA WETLANDS n HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI NATIONAL PARK n DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS n UMTATA - BIRTHPLACE OF NELSON MANDELA n WILD COAST n ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK n TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK n PLETTENBERG BAY n KNYSNA LAGOON n CANGO CAVES & OSTRICH FARM n OUDTSHOORN n WINELANDS & CAPE TOWN
Day 1/Pretoria/Johannesburg Our trip starts today at our lodge in a remote area between Pretoria and Johannesburg. No activities are planned, so you may arrive at any time. Day 2/Blyde River Canyon Region Leaving Pretoria we drive to the historic town of Graskop, where our campsite is spectacularly perched on the edge of the escarpment, overlooking the lowveld. The Blyde River intersects with the Treur River to form Blyde River Canyon the worlds largest green canyon. We explore this picturesque gorge and its wonderful lookouts in vehicle and on foot. Days 3-/Kruger National Park Heading into the lowveld we enter the famous Kruger National Park an outstanding game reserve covering over two million hectares. We explore and search for wildlife on morning and afternoon game drives, with the option of taking a guided night game drive in an open safari vehicle. Day 5/Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (Swaziland) Leaving Kruger National Park we enter the culturally rich Kingdom of Swaziland. We visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory, where recycled glass is handblown into beautiful designs. We have a chance to bargain for curios at a local Swazi craft market before continuing on to our campsite in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. Day /Zululand - St Lucia Leaving Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary we visit a Zulu kraal and learn more about traditional Zulu culture. We enjoy a traditional Zulu lunch before continuing to St Lucia, our campsite for the next two nights. An optional sunset cruise can be taken in the World Heritage-listed St Lucia Wetlands Reserve. Day 7/Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park A full-day game drive allows ample time to explore Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park the oldest game park in Africa. The reserve is home to the largest concentration of both black and white rhinos in the world, as well as impressive populations of elephant, giraffe and lion. Days -9/Drakensberg Mountains Leaving St Lucia we travel through the heart of Zululand to the Giants Castle region of the Drakensberg Mountains, where we spend our next two nights. The Drakensberg Mountains, or uKhahlamba (the Barrier of Spears), is a 200-kilometre-long mountainous wonderland and a World Heritage site. We take a hike in this spectacular region to view ancient Bushmen rock paintings. Day 10/Umtata (Nelson Mandelas Birthplace) Leaving the Drakensberg region, we travel southwest through the Transkei towards the famous coastline of South Africa. We spend the evening camping at Umtata, the birthplace of Nelson Mandela.
Day 11/Cintsa East (Wild Coast) Departing Umtata we head south to the coastal town of Cintsa East, just outside East London. A free afternoon gives us time to wander along the beach and absorb the stunning coastal landscape. Day 12/Addo Elephant National Park We depart Cintsa East for Addo Elephant National Park, which we explore on morning and afternoon game drives. This park is home to a population of about 450 elephants, as well as a variety of other wildlife. Our campsite is located within the park. Days 13-1/Addo Elephant National Park - Tsitsikamma National Park After a morning game drive, we head west along the coast past the famous surf beach at Jeffreys Bay and arrive at the mouth of the Storms River, inside Tsitsikamma National Park. We hike the beginning of the Otter Trail to the bottom of a majestic waterfall. There is time to enjoy some of the many optional activities the park and surrounding area have to offer. Day 15/Plettenberg Bay - Knysna - Wilderness National Park Departing Tsitsikamma National Park we spend the day exploring the coastal towns of Plettenberg Bay and Knysna before reaching Wilderness National Park, located in the heart of South Africas picturesque Garden Route. Day 1/Oudtshoorn - Cango Caves Leaving Wilderness National Park we continue to Oudtshoorn, where we explore the vast halls and towering formations of the spectacular underground Cango Caves. On our visit to an ostrich farm we gain an insight into the many commercial uses of the humble ostrich. We can even try our hand at riding one! Days 17-1/ Winelands - Cape Town Leaving Oudtshoorn we travel over the Swartberg Pass to the renowned winelands region of the Western Cape. Here we enjoy an afternoon of wine-tasting before reaching Cape Town, the mother city of South Africa. We enjoy a seafood braai (barbecue) for our final dinner of the tour on a spectacular rooftop terrace overlooking the famous Table Mountain. Additional days to experience the beauty of the Cape Region are strongly recommended!
trip info
Group size: Maximum 24. Grade: Easy. Transport: custom-built safari vehicle, on foot. Accommodation: 15 nights camping, 2 nights lodge. Meals: 17 breakfasts, 16 lunches, 16 dinners. Other: An experienced driver, guide and a camp cook accompany us on this safari. A local guide joins us at Cango Caves. It is recommended that you pre-book an arrival transfer, as our lodge is in a remote area between Johannesburg and Pretoria. Parks: This trip includes 1 day in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 day in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park, 1 day in Addo Elephant National Park, 2 days in Kruger National Park and 2 days in Tsitsikamma National Park. Local payment: Your tour leader will collect a US$350 local payment in Pretoria on Day 1. Want more? Link this trip with another Geckos adventure: Overland from Cape to Falls, East Africa Safari. Tour Code: GASA. Prices: See page 2
ZAMBIA
Further Info & Trip Notes: www.geckosadventures.co.uk/trips/gasa
Start Sun 200 27-Jan 24-Feb Finish Wed 13-Feb 12-Mar 30-Mar 27-Apr 01-Jun 29-Jun 03-Aug 16-Apr 14-May 18-Jun 16-Jul 20-Aug 31-Aug 17-Sep 2009 05-Oct 22-Oct 04-Jan 02-Nov 19-Nov ZIMBABWE08-Feb 07-Dec 24-Dec 08-Mar 12-Apr 21-Jan 25-Feb 25-Mar 29-Apr
BOTSWANA
Kruger National Blyde River Park Canyon Mlilwane Pretoria/ Wildlife Sanctuary Johannesburg Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park St Lucia
SWAZILAND
SOUTH AFRICA
LESOTHO Umtata
Drakensberg Mountains
Winelands Cape Town
Addo Elephant Oudtshoorn National Park Knysna Wilderness National Park
Cintsa East
Tsitsikamma National Park South Africa Explorer
www.geckosadventures.co.uk
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