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Overview

Small group safari in South Africa

We take you to the heart of Africa’s untamed wilderness, at once intense, surprising, and inviting. At every step, South Africa communicates a sense of freedom and richness to those who explore the land with the respect it deserves. South Africa is a haven of spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, diverse cultures and first world traditions, topped with a diversified and invigorating climate. These qualities, as well as a relatively cheap currency, make it an adventure destination not to be missed. A country virtually the size of Europe with over 3000 kilometers of unspoiled coastline, boasting climatic differences ranging from searing hot deserts to snow-capped peaks, and varied cultures, from the primitive Bushman to the most Westernized culture in Africa.
You will see the highlights, but you will also leave the beaten track to explore the great outdoors. The tour requires a certain amount of flexibility and an adventurous mentality.
Contact our South Africa specialist today for more information on this overland safari in South Africa.

Highlights include:
•Pilgrims Rest, Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window & Bourkes Potholes.
•“BIG FIVE” of Kruger National Park & Hluhluwe.
•Colourful tribal heritage of Swaziland & Zululand.
•Scenic beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains (World Heritage site).
•Historic area of Cradock.
•Elephants in Addo and the spectacular scenery of the Garden Route.
•Wine tasting & cellar tour at Groot Constantia in the Western Cape.
•Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope.
•Great Accommodation

Itinerary

Day 1| International flight

Day 2| Johannesburg – Mpumalanga (Blyde River)
Departing Johannesburg after breakfast, the afternoon is spent in the historic mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest. Overnight at Graskop Hotel or similar. (Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis).

Days 3 & 4| Kruger National Park
The morning is spent viewing the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and Bourke’s Potholes, en-route to world-famous Kruger National Park. The largest game reserve in South Africa is home to the Big Five, as well as numerous other species of fauna and flora. Early morning and late afternoon game drives will give you an opportunity to look for the numerous animals inhabiting the Park. Optional night drive or game walk (own expense). Overnight in Kruger Rest camp or similar. (Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis).

Day 5| Swaziland
Mlilwane Game Reserve is one of the Royal Reserves, part of the kingdom's commitment to wildlife preservation. Optional excursions (own expense) include a guided walk, mountain biking and horse trails in the Reserve. Overnight in traditional Swazi Beehive huts or similar. (Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis).

Day 6 & 7| Zululand
From our base in Zululand, rich in both cultural history and wildlife, we undertake a game drive in Hluhluwe/ Imfolozi Game Reserve, famous for its contributions to saving the endangered rhino. Overnight at Banghoek Lodge. (Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis).

Day 8 & 9| Drakensberg Mountains
Departing after breakfast we follow the Indian Ocean coastline through KwaZulu-Natal before heading inland to the Drakensberg Mountains. Our lodge is situated in the Northern Berg at the foot of the Amphitheatre. Enjoy guided walks in the mountains or relax in the spectacular surroundings. Overnight The Cavern or similar. (Accommodation on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis).

Day 10| Gariep Dam
Continuing along the foot of the mountains we enter the Free State Province. Our lodge is located overlooking the Gariep Dam. Enjoy spectacular views from the deck. Overnight De Stijl Hotel. (Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis).

Day 11| Cradock
The historical town of Cradock is our next stop. Die Tuishuise in Cradock is an elegant collection of beautifully restored Victorian era craftsmen’s houses in Craddock, the frontier town at the eastern edge of the Great Karoo. More than two dozen Tuishuise line Market Street up to the Victoria Manor, a grand old colonial hotel from the days of Cecil John Rhodes, Olive Schreiner and the droves of adventurers who passed here en route to the hinterland. Overnight Die Tuishuise.

Days 12 & 13| Addo Elephant National Park
Found in the Sundays River Valley near the Zuurberg Range, the park is home to large herds of elephant, lion and numerous antelope species. We enjoy a game drive and the have the opportunity for an optional Elephant-back safari (own expense). Overnight Zuurberg Mountain Village or similar. (Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis).

Days 14 & 15| The Garden Route
Following the coastline we explore the famous Garden Route, located between the Tsitsikamma forests and the vineyards of the Western Cape. A full day is available to explore the charming towns of the area or a variety of optional activities (own expense) including bungee jumping, whale watching (in season) & scenic walks. Overnight Knysna Hollow or similar. (Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis).

Days 16, 17 & 18| Cape Town
Our journey takes us through a picturesque fruit and wine growing valley known as the longest wine route in the world: Route 62. We visit a wine farm for wine tasting arriving in Cape Town in the late afternoon. The following morning we depart at 08h00 for a full day peninsular tour. Driving along the Atlantic seaboard via Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak, we visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve before returning to our hotel via the Indian Ocean coastline. A morning or afternoon cable car ascent up Table Mountain is included (weather permitting). Dinners can be enjoyed at the bustling Waterfront at clients' own expense. Overnight Breakwater Lodge or similar. (Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis). The tour ends after breakfast on day 18.

Day 18| Departure
International flight back to Canada

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.

Other fees

Lodging

Departure guarranted from 4 to 16 passengers

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.