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Overview

Customized travel in South Africa

Do you feel a craving for untouched wilderness, oceans, rich and diverse cultures?
All these sensations coloring your dreams… South Africa welcomes you! On this 15-day customized trip you will discover Pretoria, the Panorama Route, a private Reserve in Kruger, Swaziland, Durban, the Garden Route, South African wineries, the Cape of Good Hope, and Cape Town.
South Africa is the perfect country to discover from the comfort of your own vehicle, in complete freedom. The road network is in excellent condition and it is very easy to organize safaris and activities in the parks and reserves.

Uniktour has prepared a customized itinerary through South Africa that combines safari, landscapes, discoveries, a wide range of activities and high-end accommodation…
South Africa: rich history and a promising future. This customized self-drive tour across South Africa focuses on the numerous contrasts offered by this diversified country. While the African savannah draws you into a world of pristine natural wonders, Cape Town’s unique beauty seduces all who behold it. This program is the perfect introduction to Africa: anyone looking for strong emotions and a little change of scenery without having to compromise on comfort will surely come home satisfied.

Feel free to contact our South Africa specialist for further information on this magnificent tailor-made journey!

Itinerary

Day 1| Departure from Montreal

Day 2| Johannesburg
Evening arrival at Johannesburg airport, staff reception and assistance. Rental car pick-up and accompanied transfer to hotel. Overnight in Pretoria/Johannesburg

Day 3| Mpumalanga - White River
Breakfast at hotel followed by departure for Mpumalanga province, magnificent area bordering Kruger national park, verdant with abundant vegetation, including banana, litchi, mango, and many other plantations. Continue on to Pilgrim’s Rest. Tour of the first mining town in South Africa, established around 1870. Overnight in White River.

Day 4| Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
Breakfast at hotel. Today you discover the Panorama Route, including a short stop at Bourke’s Luck Potholes, these strange cylindrical cavities carved into the rock by whirlpools in the river ways, followed by Blyde River Canyon, 26 km long, between 6 and 800 meters deep. Prepare to feast your eyes here! Arrival at Sabi Sands early afternoon. You will completely be taken care of, full board for two unforgettable days in one of South Africa’s most renowned private reserves. Combining elegance and comfort with top quality service, it’s a perfect place to unwind and admire the African savanna – between safaris. Full board for safaris and overnight in Sabi Sands.

Day 5| Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
Relax and discover the local fauna aboard a 4x4 alongside professional rangers. Full board for safaris and overnight in Sabi Sands.

Day 6| The kingdom of Swaziland
Following a final morning safari, leave South Africa and enter Swaziland, en route to Ezulwini and Happy Valley. Stroll around the little markets of this independent African kingdom and admire the high quality workmanship. Overnight in Mhlambayatsi / Mbabane.

Day 7| KwaZulu Natal - Hluhluwe Reserve
Breakfast at hotel followed by return to South Africa. Take the road towards Hluhluwe and iMfolozi parks. Choose between a 4x4 safari or a visit to Shakaland, where you can witness a zulu performance inside a rebuilt traditional “kraal”. Chants, dances and a variety of handicrafts and war activities are also on the program, as well as a traditional meal (included). Overnight in iMfolozi Park.

Day 8| Durban
Breakfast at hotel. Optional safari or departure for Durban. Arrival in the east coast’s largest city. Enjoy the Marine Parade (Golden Mile) and its countless activities. You will pass by Victoria Embankment and the port area where the Indians arrived at the end of the nineteenth century. Overnight in Durban.

Day 9| Port Elizabeth
Breakfast at hotel. Late morning, head to Durban airport to drop-off your car and hop on a plane to Port Elizabeth (1 hour approx.). Pick up new rental car. Overnight in Port Elizabeth.

Day 10| Knysna
Breakfast at hotel, and then begins your journey on the famous Garden Route. You start with a visit to Tsitsikamma forest, known for its stinkwood trees, used to build high quality furniture, followed by the mouth of the Storm River and the beautiful beaches of Plettenberg, the Garden Route’s “in” resort town. Afternoon arrival in Knysna. This green city, where forests rich with rare species run between the mountains and the ocean, is considered the jewel of the Garden Route. Highlights include the Millwood House Museum and its historical artifacts, the calm village and its peaceful lagoon, direct access to forests where the country’s rare hardwood trees still flourish, and shopping around the city’s commercial centre, Woodmill Lane. For the aquatic sports fan, don’t miss the lagoon, a pocket of sea water where the Knysna river ends its trip down from the Outeniqua mountains. Don’t forget to visit one of the Heads guarding the entrance to the lagoon like stone sentinels. Overnight in Knysna.

Day 11| Oudtshoorn
After breakfast head towards Little Karoo and Oudtshoorn, a town made famous by its ostrich feather industry at the beginning of the century. Your day should start with a visit to the Cango Caves, one of the world’s largest limestone cave complexes. Then, in the afternoon, learn all about ostriches at one of the numerous ostrich ranches.
Overnight in Oudtshoorn.

Day 12| Stellenbosch / Franschhoek
Breakfast at hotel and then back to the Oceanside. A Portuguese explorer named Bartolomeu Diaz was the first European to land in South Africa in 1488, in Mossel Bay. Don’t miss the superb life-size model of his caravel. Discover the “postal tree”, once used by sailors as a mailbox! Then back on the road heading towards Cape Town for an afternoon arrival at the Stellenbosch vineyards. Overnight in Franschhoek / Stellenbosch.

Day 13| Stellenbosch
Breakfast at hotel. Visit this beautiful viticultural university town, a mere 40 km from Cape Town. You will have the opportunity to discover some of the estates that give this region its reputation. Today, the Cape’s viticultural industry and the historical estates are one of the country’s greatest treasures.
The first vines arrived at the Cape in 1655 and were of French, German, Spanish, and east-European origin. On February 2nd 1659, governor Van Riebeek wrote “Today, praise be to God, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes”. Nevertheless, professional wine production only started under Simon van der Stel, who founded the city of Stellenbosch (named in his honor) in a sunny valley east of the Cape in 1679. The arrival of Huguenot refugees between 1688 and 1690 helped the wine industry grow, particularly in the Franschhoek valley, where they settled.
Overnight in Franschhoek / Stellenbosch.

Day 14| Cape Town
Breakfast at hotel. Today the Franschhoek valley awaits you. Stop at the superb museum and learn about the arrival of the French 300 years ago. Tour the city and visit one of the estates. Then to Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities!
Located about 40 km from the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town is one of the world’s most geographically isolated major cities. With Table Mountain dominating the landscape, the city offers stunning mountain scenery as well as beautiful vineyards and beaches. Other coastal cities like Rio de Janeiro, Sydney, or even San Francisco pale in comparison. In three and a half centuries, the Cape transformed itself from a mere supply post on the way to India, to a colony, to finally become one of Africa’s most important cities. The downtown area includes the historical quarter, the Waterfront (a large commercial center erected where the old port used to be where you can find many restaurants, shops, hotels, and trendy cafés) and the imposing port area. The rest of the city is composed of a series of agglomerations that run around the mountain.
Like many South African cities, the Cap is a city of contrasts. Not completely European, not totally African, it is delicately balanced between third world and modern western world. The extreme diversity of population and the many city quarters make Cape Town into a uniquely contrasted metropolis, sitting on two oceans, and many worlds.
Overnight in Cape Town.

Day 15| Cape Town – Cape of Good Hope
Breakfast at hotel, then it’s off to the Cape of Good Hope. On the way, stop at Simon’s Town to visit the penguin colony. Upon his arrival in Table bay in 1580, Francis Drake had this to say about The Cape of Good Hope and its natural reserve: “This Cape is the most stately thing and the fairest Cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth”. This mythical place was first named Storm Cape by Bartholomeo Diãz, then renamed the Cap of Good Hope by the king of Portugal. In the 17th and 18th centuries, sailors coming here for water and supplies called it the Tavern of the Seas.
In an area covering 7.750 Ha, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve holds more floral variety than all of the British islands combined! The Reserve houses over 30 endangered floral species as well as many species indigenous to the Cape region. Baboons, gnus, mountain zebras, porcupines, ostriches and many bird species still inhabit the area. Afternoon return via the beautiful panoramic road along the Atlantic Ocean. Evening airport transfer.
Please feel free to use your hotel room until your evening transfer to the airport. Rental car drop-off before check-in for your return flight back home.

Day 16| Overnight return flight
Arrival in Montreal in the morning.

Budget

**Rates published on this website are for information purposes only and are not legally binding (since departure dates are not given). Prices on this website are known to fluctuate frequently in relation to changes in currencies and hotel pricing. In order to obtain a definite quote, please click here.

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Lodging

Overview

Exotic travel South Africa

South Africa is the quintessential African experience. First time travelers and seasoned veterans of Africa will tell you that South Africa's diverse offerings are what make this destination a favorite.

Experience Big Five game from the luxury confines of incredible safari lodges near Kruger National Park. Discover the eco-luxury of the Cape with pristine beaches, rare sightings of the sea like the Oystercatcher bird and the Southern right whale. Journey to the Great Karoo for game experiences unlike anywhere else in the world. A private tour of the Winelands, Gans Bay, or the rugged coastline of Hermanus is as unforgettable as it is breathtaking. Explore KwaZulu Natal and learn about tribal customs and history.

Active travelers will delight with options such as golf, mountain trekking, diving, and walking safaris. Those who seek quiet respite will delight in award winning spas; privately guided tours of wineries, museums, and historic places such as District Six; ancient caves inhabited by early man; and much more.

Uniktour journeys through South Africa embody the spirit of exclusive luxury. This is the perfect destination for first time visitors and families. Many of our safari experiences are "malaria-free", and our itinerary designs take the guesswork and worry out of traveling. Our legendary signature services will never leave you alone and every aspect of your itinerary will be thorough and well-planned.
Talk to a Uniktour travel expert about creating your own journey through South Africa or combine this beautiful country with others such as Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and more.

Tourism

FACILITIES
South Africa boasts world-class transport infrastructure, telecommunications, banking, medical and tourism facilities. Accommodation caters for all needs and is accredited by the national Tourism Grading Council, which upholds very high standards.

ELECTRICITY
The electricity supply is 220/230 volts AC 50 HZ, with the exception of Pretoria (230 V) and Port Elizabeth (200/250 V). Most plugs have 3-pin or 2-pin. Adaptors can be purchased, but may be in short supply. US-made appliances may need a transformer. Most hotel rooms have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers and appliances.

DRIVING
Non-residents are permitted to drive with a driving licence issued and valid in their own country, provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is in English. If your drivers licence does not meet these requirements, an international driver's licence is required. Driving is on the left and the wearing of seatbelts is compulsory.

PEOPLE & LANGUAGE
Diverse people and cultures combine to make the Rainbow Nation colourful. Population groups include the majority Nguni (incl. Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi); Sotho-Tswana; Tsonga; Venda; Afrikaners; English; Coloureds; Indians; Khoi and San; and immigrants from Africa, Europe and Asia. The majority religion is Christian, but freedom of worship is guaranteed by the Constitution. There are 11 official languages, including English. Most South Africans are multi-lingual and English is fairly widely spoken, notably in urban centres.

HEALTH
Malaria is found only in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga (incl. the Kruger National Park) and Limpopo (north-eastern areas and near the Zimbabwean and Mozambican borders) and on the Maputaland coast of KwaZulu-Natal (north-east as far south as the Tugela River). Malaria risk is highest October-May. Although the incidence of malaria is rare, it would be best to take adequate precautions if you choose to visit these areas. In addition to malaria prophylaxis, insect repellants and mosquito nets can be effective. Medical facilities equal the best in the world and in many medical disciplines, South Africa is a global leader. A large network of hospitals offer excellent service, but make sure you have adequate health insurance.

SAFETY
Most parts of the country can be safely visited by tourists, provided they take basic common-sense precautions e.g. not walking alone in deserted areas at night, not flashing photographic equipment or jewellery and, in traffic, maintaining a safe following distance. Most major cities run organized crime prevention programmes and Basic Safety Tip guidelines are available at hotels and tourism information offices. If you are in doubt as to the safety of a particular area or attraction, contact the National Tourism Information and Safety Line on 083 123 2345. This number may also be used for assistance in replacing lost documents or reporting incidents.

SHOPPING
Modern shopping malls, arts & crafts routes and markets, flea markets and informal vendors provide a wide variety of goods, curios, and shopping experiences. South Africa's fashion, gold and diamond jewellery, and art are sought-after. As are the traditional handcrafted items such as Zulu beadwork; carved chessboards; painted ostrich eggs; colourful woven baskets, handbags and soft furnishings; mohair or sisal rugs; traditional wooden masks and carvings; pottery and leather items. And don't forget the world-renowned Cape wines, exotic fruit liqueurs, brandy, rooibos tea, dried fruit, biltong (dried meat snacks) and chutney. Most major shopping centres and malls operate 7 days a week, but small town shops are often closed on Sunday.

MONEY
The local currency is the South African Rand (R1=100 cents), which exchanges favourably with the major international currencies. This makes South Africa an affordable destination, where five-star luxury, and many items such as food, wine and lager, can be purchased at a much lesser cost than in many global cities.
Most international traveller's cheques are accepted, however, it is advised that you bring them in a hard currency, such as US dollars or British Pounds. Currency can be exchanged at banks, forex bureaus and sometimes at hotels. Foreign tourists can have their VAT (value-added tax at 14%) refunded at the point of departure, provided they present their original tax invoices. Most major international credit cards such as American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted.

FOOD & WATER
South Africa's tap water is potable and of the safest and cleanest in the world. In hotels, restaurants and nightspots, the standards of hygiene and food preparation is generally top-notch. It is safe to eat fresh fruit and salads and to put as much ice as you like in your drinks - a good thing, too, after a day on the beach or in the bush. Restaurants cover a wide variety of cuisines and visitors are normally very impressed with the food. The country's many cultures makes for varied traditional fare, which is worth exploring.

Geography

South Africa is one of the most diverse and enchanting countries in the world.
Exotic combinations of landscapes, people, history and culture offer the traveller a unique and inspiring experience. Here are the quick facts to get you started.

Location
South Africa is located on the southern tip of the African continent, bordered by northern neighbours Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It encompasses the independent mountain kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland and is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the warm Indian Ocean on the east - giving the country its spectacular range of biodiversity.

Size
South Africa occupies 4% of the continent's total landmass, covering an area of 1 221 040 square kilometres. The country is five times larger than Great Britain and three times the size of Texas.

Culture

On the very southern tip of Africa lies a large land whose generous endowment on the natural beauty front provides plenty of ticks on most travellers' desirable destination wish-lists.
South Africa's pristine beaches, majestic mountains, great quantity and variety of animal and plant life make it an obvious and compelling travel destination. Though visitors undoubtedly find themselves uniquely enchanted by the country's dramatically varied landscape, abundant wildlife, pulsing cities and innumerable eco-tourist and outdoor adventure possibilities, it is the people of South Africa that constitute this country's singular charm.

The people who occupy the land from which it is believed all humankind sprang are as dramatically diverse and fascinating as the country's geography. Those who 'Go South' discover, alongside a myriad of natural attractions and inviting pursuits, a colourful cornucopia of cultures and a proud people whose warmth, resilience and refreshing mindset make for the most memorable of holidays.

The People

The estimated population of South Africa in October 2001 stood at 44.8 million, with the following racial mix: African: 79% White: 9.6% Coloured: 8.9% Indian! Asian: 2,5%

Cultural Groupings

South Africa's population is made up of the following groups:

The Nguni People (including the Zulu, Xhosa and Swazi), who account for two thirds of the population

The Sotho-Tswana people, who include the Southern, Northern and Western Sotho (Tswana)

The Tsonga

The Venda

The Afrikaners (of Dutch Origin)

The English

Coloureds

Indians

The Khoi and San people

Other immigrants from Africa, Asia and Europe
Languages

South Africa has no fewer than 11 official languages, namely: Afrikaans English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.

Most South Africans are multi-lingual and English is fairly widely spoken, notably in urban centers.

Religion

Close to 80% of South Africa's population adheres to the Christian faith. Other major religious groups include the Hindus, Muslims and Jews. A minority of South Africa's population does not belong to any of the major religions, but regard themselves as traditionalists or of no specific religious affiliation.

Freedom of worship is guaranteed by the Constitution, and official policy is one of noninterference in religious practices.

Climate

South Africa is a great destination all year round.
It all depends on what you want to do. The best season for wildlife observation is the end of spring, from August to October. Southern whales visit the shore from mid-June to the end of October and humpback whales from August to mid-December.

Dont forget, South Africa is in the southern hemisphere. Summer is from mid-October to mid-February, fall from February to April, winter from May to July and spring from August to October.

If you wish to relax by the beaches, mid-summer is the best time, however be forewarned that everyone visits at that time. The shores of northern KwaZulu-Natal have the advantage of always being sunny and warm, even in the middle of winter.

South Africa enjoys a temperate and pleasant climate, with lovely warm sunny days most of the year. The seasons of the southern hemisphere are opposite to those in Europe and North America, which means that Christmas is spent on the beach.

Summer is from November to February and in most of the country temperatures are high with short afternoon thunderstorms leaving behind a warm, earthy and typically African smell in the air. In the western part of the Cape you will find a more Mediterranean climate, bringing rain during the winter.

Fall occurs from February to April and offers the best weather conditions. Rain is rare throughout the country and temperatures are warm without being excessive. As the season progresses, the weather becomes cooler. At the Cape itself, fall is wonderful, offering warm, sunny days and fragrant nights mostly spent in outdoor caf�s.

Winter in the higher regions have dry, clear, sunny and fortifying days, with cold nights. It is advised to bring along warm clothing. Lowyeld and Maputaland coastline offer a great climate in winter with sunny and rather long days, and almost no rain or wind.

In the western part of the Cape it usually rains during winter and you may encounter a few grey, cloudy or rainy days, mixed with a few wonderful days similar to British summers. It normally snows in the elevated mountains of Drakensberg and the Cape � you can even ski.

As everywhere else in the world, spring is a refreshing time filled with green grass and flowering trees throughout the Veld. It is in the Cape, however, that spring is the most beautiful. In this area, grey winter gives way to green foliage from the south and the east. Dry chestnuts in the north and west fade away, encouraging a wide range of colors to appear as numerous little insignificant plants cover the open country, creating a simmering carpet of flowers. For many South Africans, travelling towards the flowery areas of Namaqualand, in the western and eastern part of the Cape, is an annual pilgrimage.

Although there are some differences in climate depending on the region, the South African climate is generally mild all year. There may be snowfalls in the highest areas but South Africa is a warm and dry country with many sunny days. Annual rainfall is around 502 mm.

The province of KwaZulu-Natal benefits from a sub-tropical climate with a high humidity level during summer. The meridian part of Mpumalanga enjoys very warm summers with occasional torrential rains while the northern part of the region (the Lowveld) enjoys warm winters.

In the Drakensberg region, summer rainstorms can be very dangerous. It is quite possible to have snow in the winter. In the Cape, winters can be very humid making treks a little difficult. If you have a passion for birds, migratory birds from the Northern hemisphere arrive in November and African migratory species in mid-October. If you prefer skiing in the Southern hemisphere, you are certain to find snow between June and August.

The continental region of the Cape and the free State enjoy a climate similar to Mpumalanga. Finally, the western area of the Cape enjoys Mediterranean type weather with warm, dry summers, and cold, humid winters.