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Africa - Mysterious, beautiful, wild & unpredictable. It is a destination that just cannot be visited - it has to be experienced. And there is no better way to experience it, than as part of Maverick Travel's fully escorted "African Experience" group tour. We invite you to join us on our voyage of discovery, as we explore this fascinating continent of diverse cultures, unique wildlife & stunning scenery.
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| AFRICA HIGHLIGHTS |
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Capetown: The "Mother City" of South Africa |
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Table Mountain: A spectacular cable car ride to the top |
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Robben Island: Nelson Mandela's infamous prison |
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Stellenbosch & Paarl: The beautiful "Winelands" region of The Western Cape |
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The Wild Coast |
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The Xhosa Tribes Traditional Home |
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The Zulu Battlefields |
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Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana |
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Zululand: Overnight & Cultural Show at Shakaland |
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Hluhluwe Game Reserve: The white rhino |
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The Ladysmith Siege Museum |
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Swaziland: The independent Kingdom, bordering South Africa & Mozambique |
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Kruger National Park: Luxurious Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge & home to "The Big Five" |
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Optional Extensions: Kenya, Tanzania, Victoria Falls, Namibia, Botswana, Sun City etc |
DAY 1
An early morning flight from Brisbane to Sydney to connect with our international flight to Johannesburg. On arrival, we will transfer to our hotel, conveniently located close to the Johannesburg Airport, for an early night and a well-deserved rest.
Overnight Airport Grand Hotel
DAY 2
A morning transfer back to the airport to join our flight to Cape Town. On arrival in Cape Town we will be met and taken on a tour of South Africa's "Mother City", including, weather permitting, a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain to enjoy the majestic views over the city and bay. At the completion of the tour we will arrive at the Portswood Hotel, our home for the next four nights. Situated in the heart of the lively Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, the Portswood is one of Cape Town's most popular hotels.
Overnight Portswood Hotel (B).
DAY 3
Today we have a full day tour to the Cape Peninsular. Today's highlights include Hout Bay, a Penguin Colony, Cape Point, Simon's Town, Groot Constantia and, time permitting, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. This evening is free for us to explore the vibrant Waterfront area and sample some of the delicacies for which Cape Town is famous. Overnight Portswood Hotel (B)
DAY 4
A morning full of history awaits us, as a short cruise takes us to Robben Island, South Africa's "Alcatraz", best known as the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for almost two decades. The tour will take about three hours and the remainder of the day is free for us to explore this cosmopolitan city at our leisure.
Overnight Portswood Hotel (B).
DAY 5
Today we spend the day touring South Africa's famous Winelands. There will be an opportunity to taste some of their superb wines, as well as visiting the Cheetah Education Centre at The Village at Spier, before returning to Cape Town late this afternoon. Overnight Portswood Hotel (B)
DAY 6
Early this morning, we transfer to the airport to fly to East London. On arrival into East London, we will meet our coach and driver and travel along the 'Wild Coast" to Coffee Bay. Unfortunately, this part of South Africa is rarely seen by the visitor, but the relative absence of tourists makes it that much more special for us.
Overnight The Ocean View Hotel (B and D).
DAY 7
The Xhosa are Nelson Mandela's tribe and today we immerse ourselves in their culture, with a visit to a Xhosa village. Afterwards we continue by 4WD vehicle to the Hole-in-the-Wall. Whilst we see a detached cliff with a hole in the middle, it holds much more significance for the Xhosa people, who will forever associate it with the "Great Cattle Killing" and their eventual conquest by the British. Late this afternoon, weather permitting, will enjoy evening "sundowners" by the Bay.
Overnight The Ocean View Hotel (B and D).
DAY 8
Today we venture further off the tourist track as we travel through the Transkei to the southern Drakensberg Mountains. Many visitors to South Africa are not aware that the country contains extensive rugged mountains and the southern section of the Drakensberg is considered by many to be the most scenic. After an interesting days drive, we spend the night high in the mountains, close to the border with Lesotho.
Overnight The Drakensberg Gardens Resort (B and D)
DAY 9
Today our focus moves from the cultural aspects of South Africa to the historical sites of the Boer War and Anglo-Zulu battlefields. Our first stop will be at Ladysmith, which made headlines around the world in 1899, when it stubbornly resisted a siege by Boer forces for an amazing 118 days. After a visit to the siege museum, we will continue on to Dundee, where we will spend the night in the rustic, but historically important, Royal Country Inn.
Overnight The Royal Country Inn (B and D).
DAY 10
Departing Dundee early this morning, we first travel to Isandlwana, where, on 22 January 1879, for the first time in its history, a British Army column was defeated by a native force. At the conclusion of the tour we will travel a short distance to that other legendary battlefield of the Anglo-Zulu War, Rorke's Drift. This eleven-and-a-half hour battle, immortalized in the movie "Zulu", is remembered, not only for the courage of the 139 British soldiers who withstood a sustained attack by 4,500 Zulu warriors , but also the awarding of 11 Victoria Crosses - the most ever awarded for a single engagement. After the tour, we head further into Kwa Zulu Natal for our overnight stay at Shakaland. This replica of a Zulu village gives us an opportunity to stay in a typical Zulu bee-hive shaped hut, albeit fitted out with all the modern amenities. This afternoon and night, we immerse ourselves in the Zulu culture, as we wander the village and enjoy a cultural show.
Overnight Shakaland. (B and D).
DAY 11
This morning we depart for the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park. Established in 1895, to save the white rhino from extinction, it is the oldest South African wildlife reserve. At the time of its establishment there were only 50 white rhino in the world. Today Hluhluwe boasts the largest concentration of white rhino in the world, as well as bountiful herds of other wild animals, such as elephant. Our destination for the night is Hilltop Camp, located approx 15kms from the park entrance and situated on high ground, providing spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Late this afternoon we experience our first open vehicle game viewing drive, followed by dinner at the Camp.
Overnight Hilltop Camp. (B L D).
DAY 12
After an early morning game drive in the Hluhluwe Park, we continue our journey north towards the independent Kingdom of Swaziland. After a short stop for lunch, we visit the renowned Swazi Markets, where we will have an opportunity to purchase some traditional Swazi handicrafts. Tonight we stay in the beautiful highlands of Swaziland.
Overnight Orion Piggs Peak Hotel (B).
DAY 13
A morning departure from Swaziland, brings us back into South Africa, as we travel the aptly named "Panorama Route". Today's drive takes us through some of the most picturesque scenery of South Africa. Along the way we will see some magnificent sights, including, the awe-inspiring "God's Window", as well as "The Three Rondavels" and the Blyde River Canyon (the third deepest canyon in the world). Whilst tonight's accommodation may be reminiscent of Spain, dinner tonight is purely South Africa, as we dine at one of the finest restaurants in this part of the country.
Overnight Casa do Sol (B and D)
DAY 14
This morning we enter the "Animal Kingdom". Bordering the legendary Kruger National Park and located on the perennial Sabi River, is Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. With no fences between Sabi Sabi and Kruger National Park's estimated 1500 lions, 8000 elephant and numerous herds of buffalo, Sabi Sabi is world renowned for consistent and unsurpassed game viewing. After a wonderful lunch and a relaxing afternoon exploring this award winning lodge, we join our own personal ranger for the first of our game drives. Returning to our lodge, we enjoy dinner under the stars in the Boma.
Overnight Bush Lodge Sabi Sabi (B L D).
DAY 15
Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve is blessed with a great diversity of habitat and wildlife. This morning's game drive gives us an excellent chance of experiencing close encounters with the "Big Five" - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard, all in their natural, unfenced environment. Returning to our lodge for a late breakfast, the remainder of the morning is at leisure, or, if you prefer, take a game walk with an experienced ranger, before returning to the lodge for lunch. Late this afternoon/evening we have another game drive, before returning to our lodge for a farewell dinner under the African sky.
Overnight Bush Lodge Sabi Sabi (B L D)
DAY 16
The game drive this morning is our last chance to see the "Big Five", before travelling to Johannesburg, where we will spend the night.
Overnight Michelangelo Hotel. (B)
DAY 17
This morning is at leisure to allow us time to take one of the many optional tours that are available to explore South Africa's largest city. A tour of Soweto, including a visit to Nelson Mandela's house and the Hector Peterson Memorial is always popular. Alternatively, a morning of shopping in the shopping mall, conveniently located adjacent to our hotel, may be more appealing. This afternoon we will be transferred to the airport to begin our flight home to Australia, early this evening. (B)
Or
You may decide to extend your African adventure after the tour by choosing to join Maverick Travel's "Dunes, Desert and Delta", group tour of Namibia., or take one of the many "optional extensions" that are available e.g. Victoria Falls, a Victoria Falls and Botswana combination, Sun City, Kenya and Tanzania etc. Please ask us for details.
DAY 18
Arrive in Sydney and transfer to our flight back to Brisbane.
Please contact us to learn more about this tour, or to reserve your place.
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