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South Africa Holidays
South Africa - 'A land of flowers, wine and whale song'
Covering a huge swathe of land, washed by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, South
Africa has enormous wealth above and below ground, making it one of the richest
natural storehouses on the planet. With
staggeringly beautiful rural areas such as the Cape Winelands, the towering
dunes of the Wild Coast, the magnificent game parks of Kruger and Zululand,
and the Kalahari and Karoo Deserts, barren for muchof the year but a carpet
of flowers in spring, the possibilities for tourists are endless. Alternatively
visit sophisticated cities such as Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town,
or charming historic towns like Stellenbosch or Pietermaritzburg. Even once
infamous townships such as Soweto are now growing into vibrant cities in their
own right.
South Africa is a 'rainbow nation' of many colours and cultures, encompassing
Zulu, Tswana, Khosa, Sotho, Indian, Afrikaans and those of British origin. The
scars left by the apartheid years are slowly healing, but have left huge inequalities
between rich and poor. Despite this, the people are charming hosts, most speak
English and all have a fascinating story to tell. The crime rate is still far
too high, but with a little common sense, travellers can have a perfect, safe
holiday
Places to Visit in South Africa
Johannesburg :: Pretoria :: Durban :: Kruger National Park Cape
Town :: Cape Peninsula :: Wine Country :: Franschoek :: Stellenbosch & Paarl
:: The Garden Route
Johannesburg
South Africa's commercial metropolis is a remarkable and rather daunting city
where high-rise buildings cluster at the city centre and suburbs sprawl outwards,
some becoming cities in their own right. Green and prosperous enclaves dotted
with turquoise swimming pools contrast with dusty African townships. Interspersed
among this vastness are great, flat-topped yellow hills and muddy settling tanks
-the spoil-heaps and waste of a century of gold-mining. Sight seeing may include
Museum Africa which focuses on the cultures of the indigenous peoples, the City
Art Gallery, rich in Pre-Raphaelite and Impressionist paintings and with many
South African artists represented.
Pretoria
The administrative capital of South Africa, Pretoria is a city of parks and
gardens, quiet residential streets and imposing public buildings. In October
(springtime) its famous jacaranda trees garland the city with purple and carpet
the pavements with petals. South Africa's past is recalled in the historic Church
Square and the Council Chamber, once the parliament of the old Transvaal. To
the east of Church Square, the State Theatre has six auditorium used for drama,
concerts, opera and ballet. The Museum of Natural History is one of the best
in South Africa; its displays include the definitive survey of the birds of
the region.
Durban
Somehow Durban manages to combine the "fun" atmosphere of the nation's
premier beach resort with the restlessness of Africa's busiest port. It has
come a long way since 1823, when it started life as a tiny British trading post.
More Indians live in Durban than any other city outside India and with them
they have brought the exotica of their homeland - mosques and temples, colourful
saris, markets packed with Oriental curios, tropical fruits and spices. The
heart of Durban's Indian business district, Grey Street, is a most lively, exotic
area to explore. Shops selling delicacies and jewellery, saris and European
fashions occupy the arcades of the Great Mosque. The Indian Market in Warwick
Street, a few hundred metres west of Grey Street, offers the tourist a sampling
of the romance and mystery of the east. Durban is proud of its parks, which
include the Durban Botanical Gardens. a Japanese Garden and the Jamieson Rose
Gardens, in which some 200 varieties of rose bloom in springtime.
Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park is South Africa's premier game sanctuary and has more
species of wildlife than any other game sanctuary in Africa - 130 species of
mammals, 114 species of reptiles, 48 species of fish, 33 amphibians and 468
species of bird. At nearly 20 000 sq kms (7523 sq miles) it was until recently
entirely fenced when the fences separating the park from the Sabi Sand and Timbavati
Reserves were taken down and the total park area was effectively increased by
15%. The park is home to large populations of elephant, buffalo, zebra, kudu,
giraffe, impala, white and black rhino, lion, leopard and cheetah among others.
Here the lodges are some of the most stylish in Africa and during a 3 day stay
you are most likely to see "The Big Five" - lion, leopard, elephant,
buffalo and rhino.
Cape Town
Known
to South Africans as the "Mother City" Cape Town was the first area
to be settled by Europeans in the 17th century and is undoubtedly one of the
most beautiful cities in the world. In 1580 Sir Francis Drake wrote "This
cape is a most stately thing, and the fairest cape we saw in the whole circumference
of the earth …." The passage of time has done little to blunt his
words. With Table Mountain as a spectacular back drop and miles and miles of
coastline and sweeping beaches, this cosmopolitan city of parks, historic buildings,
stylish shopping malls and the surrounding winelands is an ideal place to spend
a week or more.
When it comes to smart hotels, a variety of restaurants and shopping the Victoria
& Alfred Waterfront named for Prince Alfred who laid the foundation stone
for the port in 1860 and his mother Queen Victoria, is only 2 kms from the centre
of the city. Though fully redeveloped the V&A still retains the charm and
excitement of a working harbour.
In fine weather, a cable car will carry you up to the top of Table Mountain
in seven minutes from where you can survey one of the finest panoramas in all
South Africa. On the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the Kirstenbosch Botanical
Gardens display 4,000 of the 18,000 plant species which have been classified
in South Africa.
Just off the coast is Robben Island, South Africa's 'Alcatraz' and the place
where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for over two decades. There is The Castle
Of Goodhope, the oldest surviving building in the country and an excellent place
to absorb the history of Cape Town as well as Groot Constantia. The oldest vineyard
and homestead in Cape Town, built in 1692 it is a superb example of Cape Dutch
architecture and is now a museum and vineyard.
Cape Peninsula
Extending 50 km (31 miles) south from Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula is a scenic
feast of tree-covered mountain slopes and a dramatic coastline of soaring cliffs,
rocky bays and lagoons. The best beaches are at the northern end, with warmer
waters on the east side facing False Bay. The peninsula has a unique heritage
it's flora, which forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. There are more indigenous
plant species per square metre than anywhere else in the world.
Wine Country
The countryside surrounding the wine-producing areas of Stellenbosch, Paarl
and Franschoek mixes dramatic mountains and fertile valleys patterned with vineyards,
as well as it mixes its European ancestry with a quality that makes it unmistakably
African. The towns here are small and there are numerous fine examples of Cape
Dutch architecture as well as boutique hotels and superb wineries and restaurants
to be enjoyed. A great way to explore is to follow the well-established wine-routes.
Franschoek
First settled settled between in 1688 by French Huguenots who fled religious
persecution in France, the French influence is still very evident in this small
and picturesque town renowned for its delightfully small hotels and fine restaurants.
Stellenbosch & Paarl
The charming university town of Stellenbosch, where Cape Dutch gabled homes
stand in the shade of ancient oaks, sums up the essential character of the wine-growing
area. Paarl is headquarters of the giant KWV wine co-operative, is similar in
style, with more than its share of historic buildings.
The Garden Route
The Garden Route is a delightful combination of fertile green pastures, mountains,
primeval forests, lagoons, beaches and rocky shores - though there is nothing
you could actually define as a garden! The most beautiful stretch of the Garden
Route runs 220 km between Mossel Bay and Storms River Mouth. One of the most
pleasant ways to see the region is to follow the established hiking trails that
lead through lush forests, stopping along the way to swim in the many rivers
and lakes. On the other side of the mountain range lies the semi-desert Karoo,
reached by some of the most spectacular passes in the country.
South Africa Safari Holidays
Duration : 07 Nights / 08 Days
Destinations : Mumbai - Pilansberg - Johannesburg - Hout Bay Harbour
- Mumbai
Day 1: Depart Mumbai in the early hour for your flight to Johannesburg
in south Africa. Clear immigration &customs; proceed to the 'magic bus "desk
in the parkade opposite the car rental offices for the shuttle transfer to sun
city {depart 09h00 and 10h00}.Shuttle transfer to sun city ;Check -in at your
hotel (check-in-time 14h00)
Optional "extravaganza show" In the city theatre tue -sat evening
&Sunday afternoon not included.
Day 2: Day is at leisure to relax or to explore the city on your own.
Day 3: Transfer by road to the Pilansberg (approx 45-60 Minutes) for
2 night on safari that includes all meals &safari activities. Accommodation
is in luxury suites at ivory tree lodge. Late afternoon /evening safari drive
in search of lion, leopard ,buffalo , elephant ,rhino, & the many other
species of animal & birds found on this reserve
Day 4: Rise early for a morning safari. Animal are generally at their
most active in early morning & evenings. During the heat of the day either
side of lunch, guests might like to use the swimming pool or the shaded viewing
- deck. The safari drive this evening will continue after dark, using powerful
spotlights to search for some of the nocturnal animal ,which are only seen at
night .
Day 5: Early morning safari drive followed by a late brunch (combination
breakfast / lunch). You will be transferred by shuttle from sun city to Johannesburg
airport (approxi 2&half hrs ) for the 2 - hour flight to cape town hotel
accommodation for 3 nights .
Day 6: Full-day sightseeing include table mountain by cable car (weather
permitting closed for maintenance 2-22 june ), Hout bay harbour &seal island
; cape point & the penguin colony at boulders beach
Day 7: At leisure
Day 8: Early transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg;
connect with your international flight departing late morning.
LIST OF TOUR PROGRAMS
1. STUNNING SOUTH AFRICA ---------- 06 NIGHTS/07 DAYS
MUMBAI - JOHANESBURG - CAPETOWN - JOHANESBURG - MUMBAI
03 NIGHTS CAPE TOWN, 02 NIGHTS SUN CITY, 01 NIGHT JOHANESBURG
2. SCENIC SOUTH AFRICA IN STYLE ------------- 10 NIGHTS/11 DAYS
MUMBAI - JOHANESBURG - CAPE TOWN - JOHANESBURG - MUMBAI
04
NIGHTS CAPE TOWN, 03 NIGHTS GARDEN ROUTE, 02 NIGHTS SUN CITY, 01 NIGHT
JOHANESBURG
3. KRUGER EXTENSION - 02 NIGHTS
JOHANESBURG - KRUGER NATIONAL PARK - JOHANESBURG
02 NIGHTS -KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
4. GARDEN ROUTE WONDERLAND - 03 NIGHTS
CAPE TOWN - CAPE TOWN
01 NIGHT OUDTSHORN & 02 NIGHTS AT KNYSNA
5. GLIMPSES OF SOUTH AFRICA ---------------- 05 NIGHTS/ 06 DAYS
MUMBAI - JOHANESBURG - CAPE TOWN - JOHANESBURG - MUMBAI
03 NIGHTS CAPE TOWN, 02 NIGHTS JOHANESBURG
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