Travelpack

Other departures: Cardiff - £2293, Birmingham - £2209, Bristol - £2294, Manchester - £2209, Glasgow - £2245

Notes: Departs every Monday from Johannesburg

Itinerary:

Day 1: Faircity Quatermain Hotel, Johannesburg
Johannesburg is one of Africa’s biggest and most vibrant cities. It is the economic capital of Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa. Although not as famous as other South African destinations, there is plenty to do in Johannesburg and nearby Pretoria. The old city is a multi-cultural mixture of traditional medicine shops, Chinese restaurants, taxi ranks and ultra modern skyscrapers. There are excellent museums, art galleries and organised tours of historical and political interest. The shopping is Southern Africa’s best and the many restaurants cater for all tastes. The nearby township of Soweto is Johannesburg’s most popular tourist attraction.

Day Notes
On arrival in Johannesburg you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: Faircity Quatermain Hotel
The Quatermain Hotel in Sandton offers business guests a country stay and weekend leisure guests a place to unwind. The suburb- based accommodation near the Sandton Gautrain Station fuses elegance and nature, offering guests large, spacious gardens, accommodation and public areas in which to enjoy the newspaper or to do a bit of work in comfort. Just 2km from Sandton City and 27km from Oliver Tambo International Airport, the sophisticated hotel in Sandton offers standard and deluxe rooms as well as two opulent suites. Catering to the business traveller’s every need this conferencing hotel near Sandton City offers all the necessary business amenities, including FREE Wi- Fi and six conferencing venues. After a busy day of conferencing and business, our guests may return to this modern, country styled accommodation and enjoy the plethora of services and facilities that we provide.

Included:
Bed & Breakfast

Day 2: Perry\'s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel, Lowveld
The Mpumalanga Lowveld lies between the northernmost reaches of the Drakensberg Escarpment and the Kruger National Park. It is renowned for its sub-tropical climate, excellent farming areas and great access to the game reserves and attractions of the Panorama Route.

Day Notes
Depart Johannesburg and travel to Mpumalanga via the magnificent Panorama Route. From many well-positioned vantage points one has a view of the 33 km long Blyde River Canyon gorge, which starts at “Bourke’s Luck Potholes” and ends at the “Three Rondavels”. Time and weather permitting, stop at God’s Window. Late afternoon arrival at your hotel. Check in and freshen up before dinner.

Overnight: Perry\'s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel
Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel is situated outside Hazyview at the colonial Perry’s Bridge Trading Post, Mpumalanga. It’s proximity to the Kruger National Park, the airport and the Panorama Route makes it the ideal venue to rest whilst discovering the Lowveld. ACCOMMODATION 31 twin rooms 3 family rooms (bath and showers) • Indoor and outdoor showers • Satellite television • Air-conditioning and heating • Safety deposit boxes • Tea / coffee making facilities • International adapters • Fridges • Private patios FACILITIES & SERVICES • Swimming pool • Baby sitting service available (must be pre-arranged) • Cots available (on request) • Same day laundry service • 24 hour security Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel is situated outside Hazyview at the colonial Perry’s Bridge Trading Post, Mpumalanga. Its proximity to the Kruger National Park, the airport and the Panorama Route makes it the ideal venue to rest whilst discovering the Lowveld. The 31 spacious rooms and 3 family suites offer relaxed, yet sophisticated accommodation in a beautiful indigenous garden setting. The colonially custom furnished air-conditioned rooms each feature satellite television, indoor and outdoor showers, mini-safes, tea and coffee making facilities, fridges and private patios with Lowveld vistas. Time spent at the swimming pool in this beautiful garden setting, is bound to leave you feeling refreshed and revived.

Included:
Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 3: Perry's Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel, Lowveld

Day Notes
Early morning transfer to the Kruger National Park for a morning open vehicle safari through the Kruger National Park. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. At nearly 2 million hectares, the reserve is the flagship of South African National Parks and is home to an impressive number of flora and fauna. Return to your hotel in the afternoon and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. You will have the option to return to the Kruger National Park to absorb the tranquil beauty of an evening safari (additional charge).

Included:
Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 4: Royal Swazi Spa, Swaziland
This tiny, land-locked nation boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage. Swaziland encompasses a diverse array of ecosystems – towering mountains and low-lying savannah, tangled rainforests and lush river valleys. Highlights of this laid-back land include the mesmerizingly beautiful ‘Valley of Heaven’, the handicraft haven of the Malkerns Valley and the Hlane Royal National Park, famed for its white rhinos, antelopes and lions.

Day Notes
After breakfast, travel to the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland. This tiny mountainous kingdom is filled with bygone African traditions and culture and offers beautiful scenery and attractions such as game reserves and art & craft outlets to name a few. Enjoy a showcase of the traditional Swazi culture followed by a traditional lunch at the Matsamo Cultural Village. Continue to the Ngwenya Glass Works to see master craftsmen create beautiful sculptures and artwork from molten glass. After spending some time at the craft markets, arrive at your hotel located in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley. Dinner is to your own arrangements.

Overnight: Royal Swazi Spa
In the kingdom of Swaziland is a lush and verdant valley named ‘heaven’. In this valley lies a sensational casino resort and its top hotels is the 5-star Royal Swazi Spa . The combination of luxury accommodation conference centre, country club, casino and an elegant new Health Spa, make it the ideal destination for leisure visits, conferences, incentives, as well as sporting events.

The Royal Swazi Sun has 149 rooms.
The Royal Swazi Spa’s spectacular 18-hole championship golf course is one of the most scenic locations found anywhere in the world, with a different landscape waiting to be enjoyed from every tee and green. The sweeping par-72 course, which was opened in 1966, is played off the men’s tees to a length of 6166 metres (5258 metres for women). It has been laid out on the slopes of the Lubombo Range which curve gently down into the valley where the Royal Swazi Spa Hotels are situated. The first nine holes are comparatively level, and the second nine fully exploit the mountainous terrain.

Included:
Bed & Breakfast

Day 5: Ghost Mountain Inn, KwaZulu Natal Game Reserves
These wonderful parks are renowned for their dramatic hilly countryside, diversity of flora and fauna, high standards of conservation and their invaluable contribution in saving the white rhino from extinction.

Day Notes
Depart the hotel after breakfast. Enjoy a morning visit to the Swazi Candle Factory where each candle is made and finished by hand using the age-old technique “millefiore”. No two are the same and the range boasts an astonishing array of patterns, shapes and designs. Continue via Big Bend into KwaZulu Natal. Arrive at your hotel in the afternoon, in time to embark on an afternoon scenic drive up the Ubombo Mountains, offering views over Lake Jozini. At the summit and as the setting sun transforms the sky into a tapestry of colors, stop for sundowners. The drive will be combined with a visit to a local and authentic Zulu homestead for a glimpse into Zulu life in today’s world. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight: Ghost Mountain Inn View
At the foot of the legendary Ghost Mountain lies the privately owned 4 Star Ghost Mountain Inn, a perfect setting to experience the allure of Africa in stylish comfort. This intimate and beautiful hotel is in the heart of South Africa\'s Zulu Kingdom and is the ideal location from which to explore the array of game and coastal reserves in Maputaland and the Elephant Coast.
Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the abundance of wildlife and scenic splendours during game drives, cultural excursions, guided walks and boat cruises in the company of knowledgeable rangers of Ghost Mountain Safaris. Tiger Fishing is arranged on Lake Jozini while birders can enjoy one of Southern Africa’s top birding destinations with over 450 species
Back at the hotel, the spa offers a range of skin and body treatments and a gym and tennis court for the more actively-inclined. Those who prefer the relaxing sound of birdsong and the warmth of the African sun will find their respite at the poolside within the glorious gardens of Ghost Mountain Inn. Unwind in your comfortable en-suite guestroom or take in the golden African sunset from your very own garden patio. The Inn offers 23 Standard Rooms, 26 Executive Rooms and a spacious Suite.
300km north of Durban, 400km south of Kruger Park and with easy access to Swaziland and Mozambique, the Ghost Mountain Inn offers the ideal base, with great comfort and renowned personal service, to explore this rich and diverse region.

Included:
Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 6: Ghost Mountain Inn, KwaZulu Natal Game Reserves
Enjoy the morning at leisure to embark on any of the activities on offer from the hotel. After lunch (to own account), you will transfer to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve for an afternoon of game viewing. The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve covers a combined area of 90 000ha and it was here that the white rhino was saved from extinction. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. End the day with dinner at the hotel.

Included:
Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 7: The Benjamin, Durban
With its beautiful beaches, lively wining and dining scene, and rich cultural heritage, Durban is KwaZulu Natal’s the tourist hub. The swimming and surfing is rated the best of any major city across the world and because of the sub-tropical climate the water is warm all year round. Known as the Golden Mile, this stretch of beaches and amusement parks is Durban’s major attraction with the recently developed UShaka Marine World at the southern end providing a world class aquarium and other entertainments.

Day Notes
Morning departure straight after breakfast. Continue the journey along the Elephant Coast of KwaZulu Natal to St Lucia which is located at the southern extremity of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site. Here you embark on an estuarine boat trip which provides an opportunity to view crocodiles, hippo and numerous bird species, including the elusive African Fish Eagle, in their natural habitat. Continue to Durban for afternoon arrival at your hotel. Dinner is to your own arrangements. Your guide would be happy to advise on the best options.

Overnight: The Benjamin
Situated on Florida Road, in the heart of Durban\'s Berea ...
Behind the tree-lined street, one steps into the quiet sophistication of The Benjamin Hotel. This is one of Durban\'s historic buildings which has been transformed into a hotel, yet retains the charm of yesteryear.
Florida Road is home to approximately 30 restaurants offering a wide range of cuisines and also boasts a bustling night life.

Included:
Bed & Breakfast

Day 8: Departure
Depending on the departure time of your flight, embark on a morning city tour of Durban, a tour dedicated to the discovery of the cultural & historical contrasts of this cosmopolitan city where east meets west. Drive along Durban’s distinctive beachfront, the Golden Mile, past the art-deco buildings and uShaka Marine World to The Point at the harbour entrance. Drive along Victoria Embankment and through the city past buildings of historical significance such as the Natal Museum, City Hall and the Play House Theatre.
Proceed to King Shaka International Airport where you shall board your onward flight.