Duration: 06 Nights / 07 Days
Day 1
Arrive at JOHANNESBURG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT in Gauteng, land of gold.
Flight booked by you.
Meet & greet by a Spectrum Tour, English speaking registered tour guide. Transfer to the Swaziland consulate in Pretoria for your visa application (visa fee to own account). While the visa is being processed, a sightseeing tour of the capital city will include visits to:
· Voortrekker Monument – commemorated to the first settlers in South Africa and the Great Trek
· House of Paul Kruger – former president of the South African Union
· Union Buildings & the Palace of Justice – today the houses of parliament
Pick up visa at the consulate. Afternoon visit to Gold Reef City, a lunch stop will be provided (to own account). Tour of the Gold Reef Mine lasts approximately 3-4 hours, the mineshaft is 226m deep. Enjoy the museums that depict historic Johannesburg and watch tribal dancing. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Johannesburg. (D)
Please note: The Swaziland consulate is only open from Monday – Friday until 12h00. We suggest an early arrival in order to have the visa issued. The consulate is closed on South African and Swaziland public holidays.
Day 2
Breakfast. Morning departure to Mpumalanga – the place where the sun rises. Extraordinary panoramic route of Mpumalanga includes stops at:
· Blyde’s River Canyon – one of the most spectacular natural phenomena to be seen in South Africa. It is the third deepest canyon in the world.
· Bourke’s Luck Potholes
· God’s Window.
· Pilgrim’s Rest, a living museum (time permitting). The entire town has been declared a national monument – taking you to the days of the old Transvaal gold rush. In September 1873, Pilgrim’s Rest was after discoveries of alluvial deposits, officially declared a gold field. The unsurprising freneticism of migration occurred, and plots were staked and registered. Suddenly, with 1500 inhabitants, trade arrived, and a series of businesses grew around the settlement, followed by gold dealers, businessmen and explorers. Later, families arrived, giving the ramshackle collection of tents a more permanent-looking order of houses, buildings and schools. The town’s original architecture remains largely unchanged, leaving a tranquil settlement of beautiful homes and enchanting suburbs.
A lunch stop will be provided en-route (to own account). Dinner (drinks to own account) and overnight at a hotel in Hazyview. (B,D)
Day 3
Breakfast. Depart for the world-famous Kruger National Park. This is the largest game reserve in South Africa, spanning some two million hectares, it showcases a rich diversity of bird and animal life. After entering the Park via Numbi gate, enjoy your first game drive in the coach. Please note that the coach is not allowed on all roads. Lunch (to own account) and the afternoon will be at leisure. Dinner at a rest camp (drinks to own account). At around 20h00 you will depart on a night game drive in 4x4 safari vehicle. Overnight at a Rest Camp, in the Kruger National Park. (B,D)
Day 4
Morning game drive in coach on the way out of the Park. Breakfast at a rest camp en-route. Afterwards leave Kruger National Park and drive to the Kingdom of Swaziland (approx. distance 60 km). Old, peaceful and incredibly varied the friendly, cheerful Swazi people have preserved their rich culture and traditions as a vital element in their day-to-day lives. Enjoy the beautiful scenic drive. Lunch will be en-route (to own account). While in Swaziland, you can visit candle and glass markets. Dinner (drinks to own account) and overnight at a hotel in Swaziland. After dinner you can enjoy a traditional Swazi dancing show. (B,D)
Day 5
Breakfast. Depart for KwaZulu Natal – a subtropical wonderland, lunch will be en-route (to own account). KwaZulu Natal is the homeland of the Zulu’s and was where the mighty warrior, King Shaka lived. On arrival in Hluhluwe, the rest of the day will be at your leisure. An optional visit to a Zulu village can be arranged to view traditional Zulu cultures and dancing (to own account). Dinner and overnight at a lodge in Hluhluwe. (B,D)
Day 6
05h30 – 08h30 depart on an early morning game drive in 4x4 safari vehicles in the Hluhluwe/ Umfolozi Game Reserve – the oldest game reserve in South Africa. While different to the Low Veld of the Kruger National Park, the more tropical bushlands area of Hluhluwe is absolutely wonderful and you are almost certain to see White Rhino. Lake St Lucia joins the Indian Ocean and is inhabited by about 2000 crocodiles and 800 hippos, this eco-system is over 14 million years old. Transfer to Umhlanga, the famous beach resort. Afternoon at leisure – enjoy walking along the sandy beach or shop in the town. A complementary, farewell dinner from Spectrum Tour will be at a traditional Indian Restaurant. Overnight at a hotel in Umhlanga Rocks. (B,L,D)
Day 7
Breakfast. Morning transfer to Durban, one of South Africa’s major ports. Panoramic tour of Durban on the way to Durban International Airport for your flight. Time permitting, a stop can be made at the Dolphinarium (to own account). (B)