Rainbow Nation

 

The majority of this tour follows the same itinerary as our 'World in One Country' tour. The main difference is that this tour operates with up to 44 participants and therefore vehicle size may vary.

The tour visits all the main sights of this 'Rainbow Nation' with the additional benefit of visiting Nelson Mandela's birthplace and the mighty Drakensberg Mountains.

The tour is operated by Thompsons South Africa and is conducted with English as the only language. Expert guides are used to ensure you get the most from your visit, with many optional tours available. You can also upgrade your Kruger game viewing experience on day four.

Optional extensions to this tour are available, however, they are not fully escorted.

DAY 1 SATURDAY - HEATHROW-JOHANNESBURG
Overnight flight from Heathrow to Johannesburg.

DAY 2 SUNDAY - JOHANNESBURG
On arrival at Johannesburg airport you are met and escorted to the complimentary shuttle to your hotel. At 7pm a tour briefing will be held. Overnight: Peermont Metcourt, Protea OR Tambo or similar.

DAY 3 MONDAY - KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Head for the Lowveld, visiting Blyde River Canyon, God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes (525 km). Overnight: Hippo Hollow, or similar. (b,d)

DAY 4 TUESDAY - KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
A full-day game viewing in a closed vehicle. Overnight: Hippo Hollow, or similar. (b)

DAY 5 WEDNESDAY - KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND
Travel via Nelspruit to the tiny country of Swaziland (270 km). Overnight: Lugogo Sun, or similar. (b)

DAY 6 THURSDAY - KINGDOM OF THE ZULU
Enter the Kingdom of the Zulu where your afternoon will be spent in the World Heritage Site of St Lucia (330 km). Overnight: Elephant Lake Hotel, or similar. (b)

DAY 7 FRIDAY - DURBAN
Travel down the coast to Durban and visit the Botanical Gardens before taking a city tour (280 km). Overnight: Tropicana Hotel, or similar. (b,d)

DAY 8 SATURDAY - DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS
Head into the mighty Drakensberg Mountains (180 km). Overnight: Drakensberg Gardens, or similar. (b,d)

DAY 9 SUNDAY - DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS
A full day at leisure to soak up the surroundings of the magnificent southern Drakensberg. Overnight: Drakensberg Gardens, or similar. (b,d)

DAY 10 MONDAY - THE WILD COAST
The first stop today is Umtata the area where Nelson Mandela was born and grew up. Continue to East London for overnight at Kennaway Hotel, or similar. (b)

DAY 11 TUESDAY - THE EASTERN CAPE
Travel via Grahamstown to Port Elizabeth (300 km). Overnight: Paxton Hotel, or similar. (b)

DAY 12 WEDNESDAY - THE GARDEN ROUTE
Today you will visit Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River as you enter the famous Garden Route (260 km). Overnight: Knysna Hollow, or similar. (b)

DAY 13 THURSDAY - OUDTSHOORN
Travel over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn and visit Cango Caves and an ostrich farm (310 km). Overnight: Knysna Hollow, or similar. (b,d)

DAY 14 FRIDAY - KNYSNA-CAPE TOWN
Travel via the Hugenot Tunnel to Cape Town (500 km). Overnight: The Fountain Hotel, Protea Hotel Seapoint or similar. (b)

DAY 15 SATURDAY - CAPE TOWN
A full free day to explore Cape Town. Overnight: The Fountain Hotel, Protea Hotel Seapoint or similar. (b)

DAY 16 SUNDAY - CAPE TOWN
Free to relax or explore until it is time to transfer to the airport (25 km) for the overnight flight to Heathrow, or your chosen extension. (b)

Children under 8 are not permitted on this tour.