2005 Tour
Itinerary 2005 Tour
Day 0– Arrive at Chch airport by 12.30 pm .Board Qantas flight QF46 at 2.35 pm in Christchurch arrive in Sydney at 3.15 pm after 3hr15 min flight Board Qantas flight direct to Johannesburg
Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg early evening. Met at Jhb international and travel to our first class lodge in Sandton JHB. In case you’re hungry, dinner is served!
Day 2: A visit to Sandton City – a five storey shopping mall – with time to change money etc and do some shopping ( Gold in the City of Gold anyone?) A long drive to the north of the country on the Zimbabwe border to spend the night at Pafuri River Lodge in charming tree houses.
Day 3: After such a long day yesterday, have a relaxed time walking in the bush on the edge of the Kruger Park, fishing in the Pafuri River ( watch out for crocodiles!) and visit a real life Venda village. Have sundowners around the pool and dinner in the open air dining room.
Day 4: Up early to get into the Kruger Park as the gates open at first light. Travel south while gameviewing and stop for lunch at one of the superb restaurants in the Park. An afternoon rest and some more game viewing in the early evening, and back to camp before the gates close at sunset. A night drive and braai ( BBQ SA style) in the bush.
Day 5: Early start for good gameviewing , Breakfast after a short while , stop for lunch at a restcamp and proceed to our next camp gameviewing all the way.A walk in the Park for the keen ones in the afternoon.
Day 6: Time to say goodbye to the Park now as we make our way out of Kruger to an animal rehabilitation centre. Accommodation is at the centre.
Day 7: The Eastern Transvaal is known for it’s spectacular natural rock formations and today you will see them. The Blyde River Canyon and Sudwala Caves afford some fantastic photo opportunities.
Day 8: Breakfast and drive South through sugar and tropical fruit farms of the lowveld and Swaziland. After about 500km arrive at ‘The Horn and Thorn ‘ chalet near Hluhluwe in Zululand. If we are early enough, a walk on this private game,sisal and pineapple farm is the order of the day. Relax around the pool with a drink if you prefer. A leisurely braai is just the thing after so much travel.
Day 9: Our friendly local guide, Jan, will be ready for us at first light to go into the Hluhluwe/Umfolosi Park. Jan has communications with local rangers and we will be guaranteed a good days game viewing going to all the best spots.Lunch at the Centenary Centre and a chance to shop at the craft market there. Up close and touching a real rhino is possible if there are any animals in the boma where they are kept for care.Dinner at a local restaurant complete with resident Zulu dancers.
Day 10: Breakfast and a host of choices. Visit a Zulu village, take a walk in the bush canopy 30 m above the forest floor, visit St Lucia – a world heritage site are among the choices. We have 250 kms to do today to take us to the Indian Ocean and a beachfront cottage on the Natal North Coast. Great local restaurants where you can try Natal curry, seafood, or a world renowned South African steak.
Day 11: No pressure today but still lots of choice. Relax on the beach and at the cottage,stroll through the shops or cast a line right in front of the cottage from the rocks. Deep sea fishing charters or golf can be arranged.
Day12: Breakfast at the cottage and more coastal activities .We have the Sharks board to visit, uShaka Waterworld – an interactive aquarium par excellance, Kings Park if there is rugby on. Don’t forget the shopping in Durban ( Popn. 4.5M) –the beachfront with it’s rickshaw rides are all on offer.
Day 13: Breakfast and travel through Durban to the Phezulu Zulu cultural centre in the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Lunch and an easy drive to Howick via Pietermaritzburg to stay in the gentle farmland and indigenous mist forest of the Karkloof valley. Norma at Thistledown Country House is our hostess for the night.
Day 14: View the Howick falls and farms in the region . Lunch at local establishment and drive 110 kms, up the escarpment to the village of Underberg nestling at a height of 6000feet. Dinner at “The Banks Bed and Breakfast on a working dairy farm.
Day 15: View the spectacular Southern Drakensberg , look over farms in the region , play golf , look at local arts and crafts etc. Ever seen a vulture restaurant? Do some trout fishing, hunt for San rock art in the mountains, horseride in the Private Game farm of Penwarn. Birdlife, walks, scenery – it’s all there.
Day 16: Today take a trip up Sani pass (9400 feet) into the Independent Kingdom of Lesotho. Lunch at the “highest pub in Africa” , look for Ice Rats in the Alpine climes and meet Basotho people.
Day 17: Breakfast and travel through the Inzinga road into the Midlands Meander with its hundreds of craft establishments. Lunch at a pub on the way to Blanerne farm B&B ,35km from Ladysmith. If time and energy allow, a tour of the Anglo Zulu battlefields. Dinner with our hosts Ian and Pam Mitchell-Innes..
Day 18: Travel 200km up over the Drakensberg through van Reenen’s pass to the Orange Free State province and view the Sparta beef cattle feedlot at Marquard. Dinner and night at local game lodge.
Day 19: Travel 300km across the Highveld and into the Northern Cape province and the top end of the Karroo to Kimberley , the Diamond capital of the world.
Day 20: Underground mine tour and tour of the diamond workings .
Day 21: Return to Johannesburg for one last night before your flight to Zimbabwe
**Day22: An early start to catch the plane in Johannesburg bound for Victoria Falls. We spend the night at our hotel in Vic Falls.
**Day 23: Vic Falls – one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Locally known as “ The Smoke that thunders”.A sunset cruise on the Zambezi River in amongst crocodiles and elephants and other animals is a must. A choice of bungy jumping, helicopter ride, elephant back ride or white water rafting awaits you.
**Day24: Whatever activities you didn’t do yesterday, you can do today.
**Day 25: We fly back for Johannesburg and one last night in Africa.
**Day 26: Farewell as you catch your plane bound for home. Visit again soon – maybe a Southern trip to the Fairest Cape next time.
**Note: Days22 to 26; This part of the tour is an add on facilitated by African Crusaders Tours, but conducted by other tour operators