16 Day Panorama Tour

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16 Day Panorama Tour

Johannesburg to Cape Town

Tour SJC-16

Springbok Atlas has been at the forefront of touring in Southern Africa for over 50 years. The following superb tours include the very best of South Africa and Swaziland and remain exceedingly popular for those who are seeking a coach tour. The main 16-Day Panarama Tour journeys between Johannesburg and Cape Town with weekly guaranteed departures. If you are looking for a shorter itinerary on a specific part of the main route, you may choose from the 12-Day EXPLORER TOUR, 6-Day BUFFALO TOUR 5-Day TROPICANA TOUR or 4-Day GARDEN ROUTE TOUR. All tours also operate in the reverse direction, please see notes on Shorter Touring Options.

Highlights include:
• Enjoy the spectacular scenery of Mpumalanga, including Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window
• Visit Kruger National Park
• Search for the "Big 5" – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard
• Visit Swaziland and Zululand
• Tour the scenic Garden Route
• Enjoy a lagoon cruise in Knysna to the Featherbed Nature Reserve
• Overnight in the beautiful seaside town of Plettenberg Bay
• Visit an Ostrich Farm
• Explore the vast limestone caverns known as the Cango Caves
• Stay 3 nights in fabulous Cape Town

Departures:
Sunday

Day 1 Sun: Arrive Johannesburg
On arrival at Johannesburg International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the day relaxing or perhaps shopping in one of Sandton’s huge shopping malls (unescorted).
Accommodation: Overnight: Garden Court Sandton or similar

Day 2 Mon: Johannesburg – Mpumalanga
(Tour SJC-12, the EXPLORER TOUR & Tour SJD-6, the BUFFALO TOUR depart today – join the tour after breakfast. See notes on Shorter Touring Options.) After an early breakfast, depart Johannesburg and travel to Mpumalanga Province. The routing includes spectacular scenery – Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window. (B)
Accommodation: Overnight: Sabi River Sun, near Hazyview or similar

Day 3 Tue: Mpumalanga – Kruger National Park
This morning, there is a very early start in order to enter the Kruger National Park for a morning of game viewing. Enjoy a packed breakfast in the park. While searching for the "Big 5", you will have the opportunity of enjoying prolific bird life and numerous other game. Spend the afternoon relaxing at your hotel, just outside the park. Optional afternoon open-vehicle game drives available (payable locally). (B)
Accommodation: Overnight: Pestana Kruger Gate Lodge or similar

Day 4 Wed: Kruger National Park:
After early morning coffee or tea, depart on a thrilling open-vehicle game drive through Kruger National Park. The park offers some of the best game viewing and wildlife opportunities in the world – and the visitor will soon appreciate the challenges of managing this unique reserve. During the morning, there is a rest stop, where a packed breakfast will be served. Return to the hotel to relax for the afternoon. Late afternoon game drives are available (optional and payable locally). (BD)
Accommodation: Overnight: Pestana Kruger Gate Lodge or similar

Day 5 Thu: Mpumalanga – Swaziland
After an early breakfast, travel through beautiful countryside and enter the Kingdom of Swaziland. Visit the Ngwenya glass factory and then watch Swazi wax artists make beautiful candles before reaching the hotel. Spend the late afternoon relaxing, or visit a nearby craft market. (B)
Accommodation: Overnight: Royal Swazi Sun or Ezulwini Sun or similar

Day 6 Fri: Swaziland – Zululan
After breakfast you will continue south through Swaziland, before crossing the border into South Africa’s Zululand. Here you will experience the culture and dancing at Dumazulu and enjoy delicious local fare. Travel on to Hluhluwe or Ithala for dinner and overnight. (BL)
Accommodation: Overnight: Hilltop or Ithala or similar

Day 7 Sat: Zululand – Durban
Begin the day with an early morning game drive. Departing Hluhluwe or Ithala, the journey continues towards Durban, passing traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. Visit the stylish Indian Ocean resort of Umhlanga, with its pristine beaches and numerous boutique shops displaying the local crafts, before arriving in Durban by late afternoon. (BUFFALO TOUR finishes today on arrival in Durban – see Shorter Touring Options) (B)
Accommodation: Overnight: Garden Court North Beach or similar

Day 8 Sun: Durban
A day at leisure in Durban (unescorted). Enjoy the beautiful beaches, explore the markets or perhaps take a sightseeing tour (payable locally). (B)
Accommodation: Overnight: Garden Court North Beach or similar

Day 9 Mon: Durban – Port Elizabeth
(Tour SDC-5, the SOUTHBOUND TROPICANA TOUR departs today after breakfast. See notes on Shorter Touring Options) Transfer to Durban Airport for the short southward flight to Port Elizabeth. Please note the cost of this flight is not included in the tour. On arrival, you will be transported to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure. (BD)
Accommodation: Overnight: Garden Court Kings Beach, Port Elizabeth or similar

Day 10 Tue: Port Elizabeth – Garden Route:
(Tour SPC-4, The GARDEN ROUTE TOUR departs today after breakfast. See notes on Shorter Touring Options) Leave Port Elizabeth and head westwards, soon reaching the Tsitsikamma Mountains and indigenous forests. The afternoon will be at leisure to enjoy Knysna, ‘the pearl of the Garden Route’. (B)
Accommodation: Overnight: Protea Knysna Quays or similar

Day 11 Wed: Garden Route
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading the short distance to the pearl of the Garden Route: Knysna. Here you have time to explore before enjoying a lagoon cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Whilst there enjoy a trailer ride to the top of the Western Head and a leisurely walk back through the milkwood trees, for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to explore this charming town set around a natural harbour lagoon. Don't forget to try their famous oysters! (BL)
Accommodation: Overnight: Protea Knysna Quays or similar

Day 12 Thu: Knysna – Oudtshoorn
Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to reach Oudtshoorn, where you will visit an ostrich farm for a guided tour. At the next stop, explore the vast limestone caverns, with their breathtaking stalactite and stalagmite rock formations, known as the Cango Caves. Late afternoon you will travel to your hotel in time to check in and relax before dinner. (BD)
Accommodation: Overnight: Queens Hotel or similar

Day 13 Fri: Oudtshoorn – Cape Town
After breakfast, travel through the Little Karoo towards Cape Town. After lunch (for your own account), continue the journey to Cape Town via the picturesque and historic spa town of Montagu, arriving late afternoon. (B)
Accommodation: (Tour SJC-12, the 12-DAY EXPLORER,, Tour SDC-5, the 5-DAY SOUTHBOUND TROPICANA and Tour SPC-4 the 4-DAY GARDEN ROUTE TOUR all terminate on arrival in Cape Town), Overnight: Holiday Inn Waterfront, Cape Town or similar

Day 14 Sat: Cape Town
A full day at leisure (unescorted). Perhaps enjoy a sightseeing tour to the Winelands or Table Mountain (additional cost – own account) or simply explore the city on foot. Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafes and restaurants, as well as colourful craft markets. Don’t forget the Two Oceans Aquarium, Robben Island or one of the highlights of a stay is enjoying a sundowner cruise in beautiful Table Bay. Alternatively, relax on one of Cape Town's many beaches. (B)
Accommodation: Overnight: Holiday Inn Waterfront, Cape Town or similar

Day 15 Sun: Cape Town
After a relaxing breakfast you have a full day at leisure (unescorted). Why not join an optional tour of the Cape Peninsula (own account, payable locally)? Drive through vibrant Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay and then on to Chapman’s Peak Drive with its dramatic scenery. Continue on to Cape Point where (by tradition) it is said that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Return to Cape Town through the historic naval base of Simon’s Town and Muizenberg to visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, a centre for the preservation of the region’s unique flora. There is also the chance for a boat trip in Hout Bay to view seals and sea birds at Duiker Island (weather permitting). (B)
Accommodation: Overnight: Holiday Inn Waterfront, Cape Town or similar

Day 16 Mon: Cape Town
Enjoy some last-minute shopping or sightseeing (payable locally). The Robben Island Tour, which departs from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, offers a fascinating excursion. The Two Oceans Aquarium is another highlight here at the Waterfront or perhaps just wander through the variety of shops and boutiques catering for all tastes and budgets. Later, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey. (B)

Prices Include:
• Transport by air-conditioned coach.
• Services of an experienced driver-guide, Dual language (English/German) commentary on a few selected departures.
• Meals as shown: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch and D = Dinner.
• Transfers at the beginning and end of the tour.
• Accommodation and sightseeing as specified.
• Hotel porterage of one standard size suitcase per person.

Prices Exclude:
• Flight between Durban and Port Elizabeth or v.v. if detailed within the itinerary, SJC-16, SCJ-16, SJC-12, SCJ-12, SDC-5, SCD-5.
• All other items of a personal nature.

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