Speedbird Safaris

14 DAY SOUTH AFRICA SAFARI
Day 1: Pretoria
Arrive Johannesburg International Airport, pick up your rental car and drive to Pretoria, the Administrative Capital of South Africa and informally known as the Jacaranda City. Depart on a city tour to visit the highlights of this town: the historical Voortrekker Monument, Church Square and the Union buildings. Accommodation at the Arcadia Hotel/Equivalent

Day 2: Mpumalanga
Leave for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred meters feet into the sub-tropical region of the Lowveld. En route, take an optional drive to Cullinan to visit the famous Premier Diamond Mine, which once produced the world’s biggest diamond, The CullinanDiamond, from which the Great Star of Africa was cut to grace the scepter of the British Crown Jewels.
Overnight at Protea Hotel/Equivalent.

Day 3: Panorama Route & Kruger National Park
Explore living history in the form of Pilgrim’s Rest, the old mining village where gold was discovered in 1873; enjoy the spectacular view from God’s Window, drive through forested mountains and fertile plains; visit the famous Three Rondavels in Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa and the Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Thereafter depart for the well known Kruger National Park. Established in 1898, this National Park of over two million hectares is unrivalled in the diversity of its flora and fauna. Overnight at Protea Hotel/Equivalent.

Day 4: Kruger National Park
Set off before breakfast in search of the Big Five It is possible to see all the classical African big game, including elephant, black and white rhino, hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, and warthog. Large carnivores include lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena. There are also many smaller mammals’ equally enticing species. Optional: enjoy an open vehicle safari, a safari style bush dinner or morning bush walk. Overnight at Protea Hotel/Equivalent.

Day 5: Swaziland
Enjoy an enchanting drive to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland. Stop at the capital city Mbabane, known for its vibrant markets packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings. Visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory to see master craftsmen fashion collectable figures and functional art out of molten glass. Spend the night at Tavern hotel.

Day 6: Zululand & St. Lucia
Depart for Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. The area is rich in historical and cultural significance. Continue to the town of St Lucia, a World Heritage Site and home to hippos, crocodiles and no less than 367 bird species. The St Lucia Estuary contains the highest vegetated dunes in the world, extensive and diverse wetland systems, as well as coastal grasslands with an associated fauna which includes the Africa's highest density of common reedbuck. Numerous waterfowl, grassland, forest and sea birds provide an attraction to birdwatchers from around the world. Enjoy a river cruise on the estuary (own account) where you will see pelicans, fish eagles, hippos and crocodiles from nearby. Spend the night at St Lucia wetland’s guest house/Equivalent.

Day 7: Durban
Drive through sugar cane plantations along the Indian Ocean seaboard towards Durban. It is a bustling, subtropical city on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean, and is the second largest city in the country. As a meeting place of east and west, Durban offers a wealth of exciting cultural differences - from African to European to Asian - in a colorful conglomeration. At the end of Durban’s Golden Mile is the beginning of a new world of fun, entertainment and excitement. Ushaka Marine World, spanning over 15 hectares of prime beach front, is Africa’s largest Marine Theme Park. Ushaka incorporates fresh and sea water, lush vegetation, natural materials and the recreation of a 1920s cargo ship wreck into a magical world of sea and marine life. Dinner and overnight at Flamingo Lodge/Equivalent.

Day 8: Garden Route
Early morning depart for Durban Airport, drop off your rental car and fly to Port Elizabeth. Arrive Port Elizabeth Airport, pick up your rental car and travel via the high Forests of the Tsitsikamma Mountains to Knysna, South Africa’s oyster capital. Knysna is one of the Southern Cape coast's best known holiday destinations, situated between lush forests and the shores of the peaceful lagoon. Discover the joys of the towns many art galleries, craft shops and coffee bars. Dinner and overnight Simola hotel, country club & spa/Equivalent

Day 9: Garden Route
You have the opportunity to take part on a cruise to visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve (own account). The most well known attraction being The Heads - two great sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon which connects the estuary with the sea. Drive to Knysna Station where you can board the nostalgic steam train Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe to George. A return transfer can be arranged (own account). In the afternoon you can enjoy a sunset cruise on the Knysna lagoon (own account). Dinner and overnight Simola hotel, country club & spa/Equivalent

Day 10: Oudtshoorn Cango Caves & Ostrich Farm
Drive via the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn. Oudtshoorn is known as the Feather Capital of the World, thanks to its huge ostrich industry. Visit an ostrich farm where you can take part on a fascinating guided tour (own account). Visit the Cango Caves, regarded as one of South Africa’s most spectacular natural wonders. Accommodation at Hlangana Lodge/equivalent

Day 11: Route 62
Depart via Calitzdorp, the Tradouw Pass and Swellendam to Hermanus. The once quiet fishing village of Hermanus has a richly deserved reputation as providing some of the finest shore-based whale watching in the world between August and November. Travel via Sir Lowrys Pass to Cape Town. Accommodation at Cape Town lodge hotel/equivalent

Day 12: Cape Peninsula
Depart for Hout Bay for an optional Seal Island Cruise. Drive along the breathtakingly scenic Chapmans Peak Drive, around the Atlantic Seaboard to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and its scenic viewing point. Continue along the coastline to Boulders Beach where you can sit among a colony of penguins. Not to be missed the historic Groot Constantia Estates as well as the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Accommodation at Cape Town lodge hotel/equivalent

Day 13: Cape Winelands
Escape to the beauty and tranquility of the Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch Winelands. Stop at the Afrikaans Language Monument, perched on Paarl Rock. Visit the second oldest and university town Stellenbosch. Continue to Franschhoek and visit the Huguenot Monument and Museum. Visit the wineries of well known estates where you can sample and taste some wine (own account). Accommodation at Cape Town lodge hotel/equivalent

Day 14: Return flight
Drive to Cape Town Airport and drop off your car.

4 DAY CAPETOWN
Day 1
Arrive Cape Town Airport, pick up your rental car and drive to Cape Town. Depart on a city tour. Thereafter take a cable car up famous Table Mountain (own account & weather permitting). Accommodation at Cape Town lodge hotel/equivalent

Day 2: Cape Peninsula
Drive along the breathtakingly scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive, around the Atlantic Seaboard to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and its scenic viewing point. Continue along the coastline to Boulder’s Beach to visit the penguin colony. Not to be missed the historic Groot Constantia Estates as well as the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Accommodation at Cape Town lodge hotel/equivalent
Day 3: Cape Winelands
Escape to the beauty and tranquility of the Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch Winelands. Stop at the Afrikaans Language Monument, perched on Paarl Rock. Visit the second oldest and university town Stellenbosch. Continue to Franschhoek and visit the Huguenot Monument and Museum. Visit to wineries of well known estates where you can sample and taste some wine (own account). (Accommodation at Cape Town lodge hotel/equivalent
Day 4: Cape Town
Use the morning to enjoy last minute shopping at the V & A Waterfront or take a ferry out to Robben Island and get acquainted with not only the tiny cell which Nelson Mandela called home for almost three decades, but the adorable African penguins and Caspian terns (own account). Drive to Cape Town Airport and drop off your car.

PRETORIA
Day 1: Pretoria
Arrive Johannesburg International Airport, pick up your rental car and drive to Pretoria, the Administrative Capital of South Africa and informally known as the Jacaranda City. During a city tour you can visit the highlights of this town: the historical Voortrekker Monument, Church Square and the Union buildings. Accommodation at the Arcadia Hotel/Equivalent

Day 2: Mpumalanga
Leave for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred meters feet into the sub-tropical region of the Lowveld. En route, take an optional drive to Cullinan to visit the famous Premier Diamond Mine, which once produced the world’s biggest diamond, The CullinanDiamond, from which the Great Star of Africa was cut to grace the scepter of the British Crown Jewels.
Accommodation at Porcupine Ridge

Day 3: Panorama Route
Explore living history in the form of Pilgrims Rest, the old mining village where gold was discovered in 1873; enjoy the spectacular view from God’s Window, drive through forested mountains and fertile plains; visit the famous Three Rondavel’s in Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa and the Bourke’s Luck Potholes.
Dinner and overnight at the Blue Mountain Lodge/equivalent

Day 4: Kruger National Park
After breakfast depart for the well known Kruger National Park. Established in 1898, this National Park of over two million hectares is unrivalled in the diversity of its flora and fauna.
Overnight at Protea Hotel/Equivalent

Day 5: Kruger National Park
Set off before breakfast in search of the Big Five It is possible to see all the classical African big game, including elephant, black and white rhino, hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, and warthog. Large carnivores include lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena. There are also many smaller mammals’ equally enticing species. Optional: enjoy an open vehicle safari, a safari style bush dinner or morning bush walk.
Overnight at Protea Hotel/Equivalent

Day 6: Swaziland
Enjoy an enchanting drive to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland. Stop at the capital city Mbabane, known for its vibrant markets packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings. Visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory to see master craftsmen fashion collectable figures and functional art out of molten glass. Spend the night at Tavern hotel.

Day 7: Zululand & St Lucia
Depart for Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. The area is rich in historical and cultural significance. Zulu kraals or villages in the region display the traditional Zulu way of life to visitors. Continue to the town of St Lucia, a World Heritage Site and home to hippos, crocodiles and no less than 367 bird species. Spend the night at St Lucia wetland’s guest house/Equivalent.

Day 8: St Lucia
The St Lucia Estuary contains the highest vegetated dunes in the world, extensive and diverse wetland systems, as well as coastal grasslands with an associated fauna which includes the Africa's highest density of common reedbuck. Numerous waterfowl, grassland, forest and sea birds provide an attraction to birdwatchers from around the world. Enjoy a river cruise on the estuary (own account) where you will see pelicans, fish eagles, hippos and crocodiles from nearby. Spend the night at St Lucia wetland’s guest house/Equivalent.

Day 9: Durban
Drive down the coast through sugar cane plantations towards Durban. It is a bustling, subtropical city on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean, and is the second largest city in the country. As a meeting place of east and west, Durban offers a wealth of exciting cultural differences - from African to European to Asian - in a colorful conglomeration. At the end of Durban’s Golden Mile is the beginning of a new world of fun, entertainment and excitement. Ushaka Marine World, spanning over 15 hectares of prime beach front, is Africa’s largest Marine Theme Park. Ushaka incorporates fresh and sea water, lush vegetation, natural materials and the recreation of a 1920’s cargo ship wreck into a magical world of sea and marine life.
Dinner and overnight at Flamingo Lodge/Equivalent.

KWAZULU-NATAL
Day 1: Drakensberg
The Drakensberg, a World Heritage Site, is the country's highest and most impressive mountain range rising to over 3 000 meters. The watershed of the basalt peaks divide the rains and snows, some flowing westwards over the alpine plateau of Lesotho towards the Atlantic Ocean, and some down the frequently vertical slopes into Kwa Zulu-Natal, towards the warm Indian Ocean. The escarpment is frequently covered in snow in the winter months, transforming the area into a picture-postcard winter wonderland. Spend the night at Sani Valley Lodge/Equivalent.

Day 2: Drakensberg
A wealth of recreational opportunities matches the scenic splendour around you. There are magnificently laid out day walks from all the major camps. From a gentle amble along, a self-guided trail or peacefully fly fishing in a river or dam, experiences extend to the rigours of rock-climbing or mountain biking for those with a taste for the high adventures of life.
Spend the night at Sani Valley Lodge/Equivalent.

Day 3: Durban
Your journey today will take you to Durban. It is a bustling, subtropical city on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean, and is the second largest city in the country. As a meeting place of east and west, Durban offers a wealth of exciting cultural differences - from African to European to Asian - in a colorful conglomeration. A popular destination is the colorful Indian Market. At the end of Durban’s Golden Mile is the beginning of a new world of fun, entertainment and excitement. Ushaka Marine World, spanning over 15 hectares of prime beach front, is Africa’s largest Marine Theme Park. Ushaka incorporates fresh and sea water, lush vegetation, natural materials and the recreation of a 1920’s cargo ship wreck into a magical world of sea and marine life. Spend the night at the Blue Waters Hotel/Equivalent

Day 4: Zululand
Depart the bustling city of Durban and travel through sugar cane plantations along the Indian Ocean seaboard to Zululand. The area is rich in historical and cultural significance. Zulu kraals or villages in the region display the traditional Zulu way of life to visitors. A visit to a village will introduces the visitor to Zulu history, culture, even medicine and beer, and the traditional dancing is a show for all ages. A spectacular dinner is offered with western and traditional Zulu foods provided.

Day 5: St Lucia & Hluhluwe
Travel to St Lucia Estuary, a World Heritage Site. The region contains the highest vegetated dunes in the world, extensive and diverse wetland systems, as well as coastal grasslands with an associated fauna which includes Africa's highest density of common reedbuck. Numerous waterfowl, grassland, forest and sea birds provide an attraction to birdwatchers from around the world. Enjoy a river cruise on the estuary (own account) where you will see pelicans, fish eagles, hippos and crocodiles from nearby. Continue to Hluhluwe, where you will have the opportunity to take part on an evening game drive in open vehicles (own account). Accommodation at the Leopard Walk Lodge/Equivalent.
Day 6: Hluhluwe
Today you can enjoy game viewing in the Hluhluwe National Park or visit some nearby traditional markets. Accommodation at the Leopard Walk Lodge/Equivalent.

Day 7: Return
Return to Pretoria or connect to another tour. Approx. 590 km to Pretoria