South Africa
South Africa's transformation from Apartheid to Democracy has made it one of the most unique and interesting travel destinations in the world. We therefore have introduced tours for Schools and Colleges that can incorporate a socio / political and genuine cultural immersion as well as experiencing the superb wildlife in its wonderful National Parks.

THE WONDERS OF SOUTH AFRICA

This tour combines a magnificent landscape with outstanding opportunities to view Africa's wildlife in a natural environment.

Tour Highlights Visit to Robben Island • Tour of Soweto with local guide • Hiking in Drakensberg Mountains • Natal Battlefields expedition • Ranger tours in Kruger National Park

DAY 1 DEPARTURE FROM LONDON HEATHROW
Enjoy full meal service on your scheduled wide-bodied flight to South Africa.

DAY 2 ARRIVE CAPE TOWN (3 NIGHTS)
You will be met at the airport by your tour manager/guide and transferred to your hotel in Cape Town, the Mother City of South Africa and the seat of Parliament. We then depart on an excursion to visit the Castle of Good Hope, South Africa Museum and Company Gardens, the historical Malay Quarters of the Bo-Kaap, and finally a drive-by tour of the Mother City. This is followed by a visit to the top of Table Mountain by cable car.

DAY 3 CAPE PENINSULA
Our day starts with a conducted tour of the world-renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. This is followed by a visit to Groot Constantia, the oldest wine estates in the country and then on to Simon’s Town to visit the colony of penguins at Boulders Beach. Our nest stop is Cape Point - where oceans meet. On our return journey we will stop at Hout Bay with its quaint fishing harbor and Chapman’s Peak, which is regarded as one of the most scenic marine drives in the world. Dinner tonight will be at the V&A Waterfront.

DAY 4 CAPE TOWN & ROBBEN ISLAND
We start our day with a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament. We then drive to the waterfront for a boat trip to and guide tour of Robben Island where we will tour the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for seventeen years. On our return to the waterfront, we will visit the Two Oceans Aquarium. The rest of the afternoon is free to visit the myriad of arts and crafts shops.

DAY 5 CAPE TOWN – FLIGHT TO JOHANNESBURG - GRASKOP (1 NIGHT)
We will fly to Johannesburg and then continue our journey by coach to Mpumalanga. On our way we will visit the Mac Mac Falls. Tonight we stay over in Graskop.

DAY 6 GRASKOP – KRUGER PARK (1 NIGHT)
Our first visit is to Pilgrim’s Rest, a 19th century gold mining town. We then visit God’s Window before driving on to Burk’s Luck Potholes, the Blydeport Canyon and the Three Rondavels. After lunch we continue our journey to enter the Kruger National Park at Orpen Gate. After we have checked in at Satara it is time to get ready for our night game drive to spot as many of the Big Five as possible under the trained eye of our ranger.

DAY 7 THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – BERG & DAL (1 NIGHT)
The Kruger National Park, roughly the size of Wales, is one of the most famous wildlife parks in the world and has a greater variety of animals than any other park in Africa. Another day in this wildlife paradise is therefore needed to track down any of the Big Five that might have eluded us on the first day. Traveling south we will continue to Berg & Dal to overnight. Dinner tonight is with the backdrop of nocturnal sounds.

DAY 8 BERG & DAL – ST. LUCIA (1 NIGHT)
Our journey today takes us through the Kingdom of Swaziland, the smallest country in Africa. After a brief stop at the Swazi Market in Mbabane we continue to travel to St. Lucia on the east coast to overnight.

DAY 9 ST LUCIA – ZULU SHAKALAND (1 NIGHT)
Our first experience today is a boat trip on the lake to observe the hippos. This is followed by a visit to the Crocodile Center before we depart for Eshowe, where a unique cultural experience awaits us. Shakaland is an authentic replica of King Shaka’s Great Kraal. Experts will give us insight into the cultural traditions of Zulu life. We will overnight in Zulu beehive huts.

DAY 10 SHAKALAND – THE DRAKENSBURG (1 NIGHT)
Our route today takes us through the Natal Midlands to reach Giant’s Castle; our overnight stop is in the Drakensberg, early afternoon. As we approach this Giant that was formed 150 million years ago, it becomes clear why no visit to South Africa will be complete without a visit to the Berg. The afternoon is free to do any of the several spectacular hikes or just relax and breathe in the fresh mountain air.

DAY 11 THE DRAKENSBURG – TENDELE (1 NIGHT)
After breakfast we depart on a comfortable hike to the Main Cave and Site Museum for a guided tour and to observe the Bushman Rock Paintings before we depart to reach Tendele, our next overnight stop. Limited horse riding facilities will be available.

DAY 12 TENDELE - JOHANNESBURG (1 NIGHT)
Our hike this morning takes us to a spot from where we can observe the Tugela River plunging 950 meters over the edge of the Amphitheater in five vertical drops. It is the second highest waterfall in the world. After lunch we will depart for Johannesburg for the night.

DAY 13 DEPARTURE FROM JOHANNESBURG
This morning our day starts with a guided township tour of Soweto. Our tour manager/guide will point out many places of interest before we stop at a shebeen for lunch. This afternoon we will pay a visit to Gold Reef City for a guided tour, demonstration of gold pouring, and a trip underground into a gold mine and watch a mine dance performance. Your enjoyable and rewarding tour will come to an end as your tour guide escorts you to the airport for your return flight home.