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Impact African Safari Escorted Tours
Impact African Safari Escorted Tours
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Absorb the highlights of Africa under the most relaxing conditions. This is the ultimate in convenience and safety. Sit back and relax, allowing your highly competent Tour Guide and Driver to take care of all the details. Our guides are trained to provide information and commentary in an entertaining manner on every aspect of Africa you're likely to encounter. For those who enjoy a more participative, hands-on, 'in-the-thick-of-it' holiday, we offer exciting fully escorted adventure camping itineraries.
HIGHLIGHT
Johannesburg • Pilgrim’s Rest • Kruger National Park • Swaziland • Zululand • Durban • Port Elizabeth • Knysna • Oudtshoorn • Cape town
A glorious 14-day southern African experience, where you’ll see and savour the immense richness of the country. From the wilds of Kruger National Park to the cosmopolitan sophistication of Cape Town, you’ll come to understand why South African is dubbed A World in One Country. From Johannesburg, our journey takes us to the quaint historical mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest, and on through the breathtaking scenery of Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window. We’re en route to one of the world’s most famous game parks, Kruger National Park, and here, in open safari vehicles, we’ll be excitedly tracking the spoor of the legendary Big Five. Our travels then take us to the little Kingdom of Swaziland for an authentic cultural experience and traditional craft market, before we embark on a lazy cruise of Lake St Lucia, a world heritage site, and enjoy ample sightings of the resident hippos and crocodiles. Heading down the coast, we’ll journey through the dense, cool forest of age-old trees in the exquisite Tsitsikamma National Park. We then board our ferry for the scenic crossing to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, right at the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon. And from the oysters of Knysna to the ostriches of Oudshoorn, we’re in the feather capital of the world. One of the world’s most majestic sights is that of whales breaching off the Cape coast, and if we’re fortunate – July to November only - that’s just what we’ll see. Hermanus offers the best land-based whale watching in the world! The Cape coast is well worth exploring, and we’ll be winding our way along this exquisite coastline, photo opportunities a-plenty. And for the wine lovers among us, no trip to South Africa is complete without a signature wine-tasting at one of the Cape’s famed wine estates. You’ll love the setting and the sipping!
Day 1: (Sun) Johannesburg
Touch down at OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the magnificent suburban shopping malls or take an optional Soweto Tour (own account). At 19h00 we all meet up at reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet your fellow travellers.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel Wanderers or similar
Day 2: (Mon) Pretoria / Mpumalanga (BB,BD)
Depart by 07h30 and leave Johannesburg’s distinctive skyline and head for Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city, for a short orientation tour, before continuing to Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. We travel via the historic towns of Witbank, Dullstroom and Lydenburg, passing over the famous Long Tom Pass onto the small town of Sabie. This afternoon explore the living history in the form of Pilgrim’s Rest, the old mining village where gold was first discovered.
Accommodation: The Royal Hotel or similar
Day 3: (Tue) Kruger National Park (BB,D)
This morning gasp at the glory that is God’s Window, a boundless view of forested mountains and fertile plains, and visit the spectacular Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa. We explore the quaint village of Graskop before arriving mid afternoon at our overnight hotel.
Accommodation: Perry’s Bridge Hollow or similar
Day 4: (Wed) A full day ‘Big Five’ game viewing in Kruger National Park (PB)
Set off before breakfast in an open safari vehicle in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard, and all manner of wondrous wildlife, birds and plant species. Savour the magic of this enormous wilderness.
Accommodation: Perry’s Bridge Hollow or similar
Day 5: (Thu) The Kingdom of Swaziland (BB, BL, BD)
Enjoy an enchanting drive to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, a former British Protection Territory, now ruled by King MsWati III. Witness a Swazi cultural experience before visiting the famous Ngwenya Glass Factory to see master craftsmen fashion collectable figures and functional art out of molten glass. We continue through the capital city, Mbabane, known for its vibrant markets packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings. Spend the night in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley.
Accommodation: Lugogo Sun or similar
Day 6: (Fri) The Kingdom of the Zulu’s (BB)
Visit the Swazi Candle Factory, teeming with exquisite wax artworks in every shape and colour imaginable. Then on into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. Arrive mid afternoon at the town of St Lucia, a World Heritage Site and home to hippo, crocodile and no less than 367 bird species.
Accommodation: Elephant Lake Hotel or similar
Clients have the option to purchase an exciting afternoon open safari vehicle game drive into Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Day 7: (Sat) Durban (BB)
This morning enjoy a cruise on Lake St Lucia before departing for Durban. Hug the lush KwaZulu-Natal coastline en route to Durban, watching the sugar cane fields do their own version of the Mexican wave at the urging of the wind. Check into your hotel just before lunch (own account). The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure, or you may opt take an optional afternoon Durban City Tour (own account).
Accommodation: Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge or similar
Day 8: (Sun) Port Elizabeth / Knysna (BB,D)
Morning at leisure until your collection and transfer to the airport for your mid morning flight to Port Elizabeth (cost of flight not included). There you’ll be met by a new guide who’ll, upon everyone arriving, take you through the glorious, indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest, before reaching Knysna, perhaps South Africa’s most visually stunning resort, in the heart of the famous Garden Route.
Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Hotel or similar
Day 9: (Mon) Knysna (BB,L)
Cruise on the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Enjoy an amazing view of the imposing sandstone ‘Heads’ which guard the sea entrance to Knysna’s huge tidal lagoon, and the forests, marshes and pristine beaches beyond. After lunch the remainder of the day at leisure,to enjoy this lovely and special town.
Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Hotel or similar
Day 10: (Tue) Oudtshoorn (BB,HL)
This morning we enjoy the wonderful views of the spectacular Outeniqua Pass en route to Oudtshoorn, the ‘feather capital of the world’, so named because it’s the centre of South Africa’s ostrich industry. After lunch, which features Ostich Steak on the menu, we learn more about these hardy, enigmatic creatures during a tour of an ostrich farm. We then head underground for a fascinating tour of the Cango Caves, one of South Africa’s most incredible natural wonders.
Accommodation: Oudtshoorn Inn or similar
Day 11: (Wed) Cape Town (BB)
A day of magnificent vistas. Enjoy the ever-changing passing canvas as we travel to Cape Town. During the whale season we will travel via the seaside village of Hermanus in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the southern right whales, which frolic offshore (July to November only). Out of season we will return to Cape Town along ‘Route 62’, South Africa’s version of America’s ‘Route 66’.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel President or similar
Day 12: (Thu) Cape Peninsula (BB)
A full day touring of the ruggedly beautiful Cape Peninsula via the Atlantic seaboard. We stop at the fishing village of Hout Bay, where you can opt to take a cruise (own account) to Seal Island to watch the antics of these natural performers. Then we continue to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, before stopping off to see the lovable penguins at Boulders Beach. We drive through the quaint naval village of Simon’s Town on our way back to Cape Town.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel President or similar
Day 13: (Fri) Cape Winelands (BB)
Journey into the beautiful and tranquil Cape Winelands, visiting both Paarl and Stellen-bosch before stopping for wine tasting at two well known estates. A visit to the Huguenot Memorial Museum and the Afrikaans Language Monument provides a historical perspective.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel President or similar
Day 14: (Sat) Cape Town (BB)
This brings us to the end of our ‘World in One Country’. Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
South Africa Travel Guide
Do visitors need a visa to travel to South Africa?
Visitors from most Western European countries, Japan, and USA don't require visas. If you aren't entitled to an entry permit, you'll need to get a visa before you arrive.
Can you book a rental car in South Africa or should you arrange car hire in your own country before departure?
If essential, book car rental prior to coming to South Africa, as car rental companies might be fully booked when you get here. However, there are a number of well-known car rental companies to choose from at international airports and in locations across the country, so on the spot bookings should generally not be a problem.
Does one need an international driver's license for South Africa?
Foreign driving licenses are valid in South Africa for up to 6 months, but must be printed in English. However if you don't have such a license, you'll need to get an International Driving Permit.
How about laundry service?
Most establishments have in-house laundry services, most towns have self-operated launderettes where you can do your laundry at a very reasonable cost.
How much does one tip in South Africa?
10-15 % if the service fee is not included. It is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers, caddies, tour guides, hairdressers and room service. By law hotel rates do not include a service charge.
Are there any smoking restrictions in South Africa?
Smoking has been banned in public areas in South Africa, but there usually are designated areas where you can smoke. The law also prohibits anyone under 18 from entering a designated smoking area and from buying cigarettes.
Do you need to take malaria precautions for South Africa?
Most parts of South Africa are malaria-free. Consult your doctor or travel clinic regarding appropriate malaria prophylaxis. You can further minimise the risk by wearing mosquito repellent and sleeping under a mosquito net.
Do you need vaccinations for South Africa?
Typhoid and injection against hepatitis A and B are both necessary.
Does one need a yellow fever innoculation before entering South Africa?
A yellow fever innoculation and certificate from travellers over a year of age coming from an infected area, is an official requirement.
Is the tap water safe to drink?
Tap water is safe to drink, though one might consider bottled water in rural areas.
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