RAINBOW TOUR : THE GRAND SOUTH AFRICA TOUR

South Africa - a vast land of amazing contrasts, often described as "a world in one country". An increasingly popular tourist destination since the scrapping of apartheid and the historic first democratic elections of April 1994 which brought to power the African National Congress (under the leadership of Nelson Mandela) and created the "Rainbow Nation", a fascinating blend of different races, languages and cultures. Also, of course, the exchange rate is very favourable for overseas visitors, which makes a visit truly worthwhile!

AFRICA OUTING is proud to present a very exciting "Rainbow Tour of the Rainbow Nation". The tour will offer the opportunity to enjoy the magnificence of African wildlife; some of the most spectacular scenery in the world; plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities such as hiking, walking and swimming; a variety of South African cultures; one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town; and one of the world’s most luxurious trains!

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DATES Fri. 01 to Thurs. 21 June; Sat. 01 to Fri. 21 Dec.

Day 1 Arrive Johannesburg International Airport. Tour of Johannesburg and Pretoria – including Union Buildings, Voortrekker Monument. Accommodation in the luxurious Marvol Manor guesthouse in Pretoria. Dinner at a city restaurant.

Day 2 To Pilgrim’s Rest, Mpumalanga – a restored 19^th century gold-mining village on the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment. En route see Eland Falls, The Pinnacle, God’s Window etc. Accommodation in the delightfully restored Royal Hotel.

Day 3 To the Djuma Private Game Reserve on the edge of Kruger National Park. Open-vehicle game drives in quest of the “Big Five”. Accommodation in stunning chalets at the luxury Vuyatela Lodge (eachwith own splash pool).

Day 4 Djuma. Vuyatela Lodge. Game drives and game-walks.

Day 5 Travel south-east into the Kwa-Zulu Natal province to the village of Weenen. Accommodation at the Owl and Elephant Guesthouse.

Day 6 To the Indian Ocean coast and the holiday city of Durban. Afternoon on the beach. Accommodation at the grandly colonial Edward Hotel on the Golden Mile beachfront.

Day 7 Durban – city and surrounds tour, including the Botanical Gardens, Victoria Market and historic city centre. Edward Hotel.

Day 8 South down the KwaZulu Natal coast to Port St. Johns, on the so-called Wild Coast. Accommodation in chalets at the Umngazi River Mouth Hotel.

Day 9 Umngazi. Day at leisure – relax, hike, swim, canoe up the river. Umngazi River Mouth Hotel.

Day 10 Now in the Eastern Cape province, head inland via the cathedral city of Grahamstown to Graaff-Reinet. Afternoon town / museums tour. Accommodation at the Andries Stockenstrom Guesthouse.

Day 11 Via Port Elizabeth to the famous Garden Route lagoon-side town of Knysna. Lagoon ferry trip. Accommodation in the Knysna Quays Hotel situated on the edge of the lagoon in the Knysna waterfront, abuzz with activity.

Day 12 Knysna. Day tour of area – indigenous forests, the Heads – the cliffs that guard the mouth of the lagoon, and Plettenberg Bay, with perhaps the finest beaches in the country. Knysna Quays Hotel.

Day 13 Via Oudtshoorn – with visits to an ostrich show farm and the renowned Cango Caves - to the beach resort of Mossel Bay. Afternoon at leisure. Accommodation at the Munro Manor Guesthouse.

Day 14 Travel via the Overberg and the historic towns of Swellendam, Worcester and Paarl to the “mother city”, Cape Town. Afternoon visit to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for a welcome cocktail. Accommodation at one of the city’s fine guesthouses – or at the trendy Victoria Junction Hotel on the edge of the Waterfront and the gay village. Drinks and dinner. Night on the town!

Days 15 – 17 Cape Town. Day tours – Peninsula / Cape of Good Hope; Stellenbosch and Franschhoek winelands; plus a day at leisure.

Days 18 to 20 On board the “pride of Africa” – Rovos Rail’s super-luxury vintage train. En route excursions to the historic village of Matjiesfontein, and the the “Big Hole” and Diamond Mining Museum at Kimberley. Final night in Johannesburg at the Wanderers Hotel, with a farewell dinner at a city restaurant.

Day 21 Transfer to Johannesburg International Airport for return flights.

COST PER PERSON SHARING

US$4 450,00. (Minimum 2; maximum 10 people)

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

US1 225,00

INCLUDES All land arrangements, accommodation, transport, all meals, all Park entries, game drives, SATOUR-qualified driver/guides.

EXCLUDES Airfares, taxes, insurances, drinks, optional extra’s, gratuities, items of a personal nature.