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453 Alpine Drive, Colfax, California 95713 USA Toll Free (888) 519-8969 |
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Phone / Fax: (530) 389-8316 Email: reserve@mhrww.com |
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South Africa 20 Day Suggested Itinerary
Cape Town to Johannesburg Please click here for our 24 Day Itinerary DAY 1: Cape Town Following vehicle hand-overs, it is recommended that the you visit a local supermarket to purchase provisions for the trip. Vehicles are handed over with empty petrol tanks and may be returned empty in Johannesburg. Cape Town has so much to offer. Take the coastal road M65 over Smitswinkels Bay to Scarborough and onwards past Kommetjie. Continue along the famous Chapman's Peak drive to Hout Bay and on to Llandudno. Take a plunge into the freezing waters of the Atlantic Ocean at trendy Clifton Beach. Do some shopping at the Waterfront. Take the boat cruise to Robben Island or the short 30-minute cruise around the Bay. Drive to the top of Signal Hill for fantastic views. Have lunch at the Mariners Warf in Hout Bay or better still, Blues Restaurant at Camps Bay. This picturesque deep-sea Naval port of Simonstown was the South Atlantic headquarters of the British Royal Navy from 1814 to 1957. The South African Navy now occupies a large portion of the town. The deadly submarine fleet is based at Simonstown. Take time out to visit the Jackass penguin colony at Boulders Beach, close to the entrance to Oatlands Caravan Park. Cape Point is close by. Walk up to the Point or take the funicular train and stroll around the "Tip of Africa". Campsite Oatlands Caravan Park Simonstown DAY 2: Cape Town At Leisure. Campsite Oatlands Caravan Park Simonstown DAY 3: Cape Town At Leisure. Campsite Oatlands Caravan Park Simonstown DAY 4: Simonstown to Arniston - 220 kms Arniston (its official name is Waenhuiskrans) is a cute windswept fishing village with fantastic beaches. Explore the restored fishermen's cottages. The Hotel is a great place to have lunch. Campsite Arniston Caravan Park Directions Leave Simonstown and continue along the R310 to Muizenberg and onwards to Gordons Bay. Join the N2 and then take the coastal road R44 to Hermanus. Continue on to Bredasdorp on the R316 and on to Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) DAY 5: Arniston to Hartenbos - 350 kms Take a slight detour off your route and visit the most southerly point on the African continent, Cape Agulhas. This is the true point where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Mossel Bay's history dates back to 1488 when Bartolomeu Diaz anchored his caravel in a cove now known as Munro's Bay. A replica of the boat is in the Maritime museum. The post office tree is an ancient Milkwood tree in the branches of which a 15th century ship's commander left a letter in a sea boot. A captain found it a year later en route to India and it was delivered - thus Africa's first postal service was started. Campsite AKTV Resort Hartenbos Directions Return to Bredasdorp and along the R319 to Swellendam. Continue along the N2 highway until you reach Mossel Bay. Hartenbos is 7km beyond Mossel Bay. DAY 6: Hartenbos to Plettenberg Bay - 175 kms Knysna The name Knysna is derived from the Khoikhoi name for the sheer cliffs, which guard the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon. The beautiful village of Victoria Bay is worth a visit. Plettenberg Bay At Plettenberg Bay have sundowners at the Beacon Isle Hotel, located right on the rocks. Continue onwards to the Robberg (seal) Peninsula. The North facing view-site offers incredible ocean views. Campsite Aventura Plettenberg Plettenberg Bay DAY 7: Plettenberg Bay to Port Elizabeth - 160 kms Port Elizabeth The Pine Lodge Resort is located at the entrance to the Cape Recife Nature Reserve. The reserve features an old lighthouse, World War II harbour defence installation, a bird hide and a penguin sanctuary. The lighthouse on the Donkin Reserve houses a military museum. Campsite Pine Lodge Resort Marine Drive Port Elizabeth Directions Continue along the N2 to Port Elizabeth. Pine Lodge Resort is located near Summerstrand in the Cape Receife Nature Reserve. DAY 8: Port Elizabeth to Cannon Rocks - 195 kms At Cannon Rocks the beach is safe for swimming. Call in and see the Diaz Cross at Kwaaihoek. Campsite Cannon Rocks Kenton on Sea Directions Proceed along the N2. Take the R72 to Alexandria and continue on the coastal road to Kenton-on-Sea. DAY 9: Cannon Rocks to Gonubie - 195 kms Continue along the coastal road past Port Elizabeth and stop over at the scenic town of Port Alfred for breakfast. Gonubie, known to the Xhosa people as Gqunube, after the brambleberries growing along the banks of the river, is a popular holiday resort with a safe beach for bathing. Campsite Gonbie Holiday Resort Gonubie Directions Proceed along the R72 past East London Airport and continue on to Gonubie. The resort is located at the mouth of the Gonubie River on Meier Street. The resort is 6 km from the N2 turnoff. DAY 10: Gonubie to Southbroom - 495 kms It is recommended that you stay on the N2 and proceeds directly through the Transkei, stopping if necessary for petrol at the Ultra City at Umtata. Campsite Paradise Holiday Resort Southbroom Directions Depart Gonubie and rejoin the N2 and continue through the Transkei to Port Edward and Southbroom. DAY 11: Southbroom to Ballito - 210 kms En Route The lower South Coast has many beautiful villages and towns and spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. For something different, visit the Crocodile Park near Scottburgh; try a crocodillian steak or have breakfast at the scenic town of Ramsgate. Campsite Dolphin Caravan Park Ballito Directions Depart along the N2, by-passing Durban and continue on to Ballito. At Ballito turn left and head directly towards the Indian Ocean. Turn left at the point where the main road reaches the sea. Dolphin Resort is 500m up on the right. DAY 12: Ballito Take a coach tour to the Zulu Cultural Village of Kwabhekitunga, situated in the Natal district of Melmoth. The Zulu Cultural Village at Kwabhekitunga is pretty authentic and generally uncommercial. Zulu traditions will be enforced such as male dominance and female subservience! beer tasting, traditional dancing, etc. Visitors will be treated to traditional Zulu food, the famous local beer and spearmaking. The Zulu beadwork is fascinating. Take some cool clothing (and drinks) as the drive through this part of Zululand can be very hot! Campsite Dolphin Caravan Park Ballito Directions No real driving today! DAY 13: Ballito We suggest you take the opportunity to visit the nearby city of Durban - Africa's second largest port. Explore Durban's famous Botanical Gardens and the Umgeni Bird Park. Try the Café Fish on the yacht harbour for an excellent seafood lunch or have a drink at Thirsty's at the entrance to Durban's North Pier. Although Durban is SA's third largest city and SA's most popular local coastal resort, it still retains a carefree and lazy lifestyle. The summer months are marked by high humidity, with nighttime temperatures only a few degrees cooler than midday! Visit the beautiful yacht harbour, the Fitzsimons Snake Park, take a boat cruise on the Sarie Marais or do some shopping at the Workshop (converted from Durban's old Victorian railway sheds). Stroll with the "Baywatch Kids" at North Beach (along the Marine Parade). For a great view of the city, walk out onto one of the many piers along Durban's Golden Mile. Durban's new International Conference Centre is an architectural masterpiece. Campsite Dolphin Caravan Park Ballito Directions Take the N2 or the Old Main Road R102 to Durban, a short 45-minute drive away from Ballito. DAY 14: Ballito to St Lucia - 206 kms En Route One of the highest concentrations of White Rhino in the world is found at Hluhluwe / Umfolozi Game Reserve. The reserve is well worth a visit. The St Lucia fresh water estuary is one of the unique Eco systems in southern Africa. The St Lucia estuary is home to approximately 1500 crocodiles, 700 hippo, 4500 reed buck and over 500 bird species (almost half of all the birds recorded in SA have been seen at St Lucia). Pelicans and flamingos are fairly common. In addition you may come across vervet monkeys, jackals, leopard, zebra, warthog and kudu. The Crocodile centre at St Lucia village is particularly interesting. Campsite Sugarloaf Campsite St Lucia Estuary Directions Take the N2 highway North towards Richards Bay. At Mtubatuba turn off the N2 and travel East on the R618 to St Lucia. The reserve is 25 km from the turn off. DAY 15: St Lucia to Mbabane - 220 kms You may need to purchase Visas at the Swazi border. Note: this is a full international border and passports, etc. are required. The Kingdom of Swaziland will give you a glimpse of the real Africa, watch out for goats and donkeys on the main road! Explore the fascinating Swazi Market near Mbabane or visit the Ngwenya glass factory and the nearby Swazi candle factory. One of the smallest kingdoms in the world, Swaziland was granted independence from the British in 1968. King Sobhuza, who ruled from 1921 to 1986, was one of the world's longest serving Monarchs. Look out along the road for the traditional Swazi domed beehive huts woven from grass in the Nguni method. Timbali Campsite Ezulwini Swaziland Directions Continue along the N2 to the border at Lavumisa. Enter Swaziland and head towards Big Bend. Drive along the main road though to Manzini. Timbali campsite is located 10km South of Mbabane just past the Swazi Sun Casino. It is sign-posted off the new highway. DAY 16: Mbabane to Kruger Park - 320 kms Kruger National Park: This world famous wildlife reserve, first suggested by President Paul Kruger in 1884, was finally established in 1898. It covers 19 000 km and attracts over 800 000 visitors per annum. The Kruger is one of the world's largest national parks with the greatest diversity of wildlife species: 147 mammals and about 510 birds. The Park is 350 km from North to South and roughly 60 km wide. Gates open at 05h00 and close at 18h30. Enquire at the camp reception areas about the interesting night drives. Campsite Berg en Dal Kruger National Park Directions Depart along the MR3 and then the MR1 to Piggs Peak. Cross the border into SA at Jeppe's Reef. Continue on the R570 to the Malelane Gate of the Kruger National Park. Berg en Dal is located 15 km from the entrance. DAY 17: Berg en Dal to Skukuza - 67 kms Skukuza is the Park's capital and is located on the banks of the Sabie River. The complex has a well-stocked shop, a cafeteria, laundromat, a fully licensed restaurant, library, post office, petrol station and even a bank! Meaning "he who sweeps clean" was the name the African staff gave to the first warden of the Park, Colonel James Stevenson-Hamilton. The Stevenson-Hamilton Library is well worth a visit. Our recommendations are that you wake up early and park alongside a nearby water hole. Game viewing is best in the early morning or late afternoon. Campsite Berg en Dal Kruger National Park Directions Depart Berg en Dal and continue up the H3 towards Skukuza. Day 18: Kruger Park to Blydepoort - 290 kms Bourke's Luck Visit "Bourke's Luck Pot Holes" (Thomas Bourke was an early owner of the farm on which this feature was discovered) at the point where the Blyde (joyful) and the Treur (sorrow) Rivers join. Erosion of the dolomite rock over thousands of years, has resulted in the development of the famous "Pot Holes". Mac Mac Falls Named after the MacClaughton brothers who lead the gold rush to this area, the search for gold spread from the Barberton area to the pool below this scenic 56-meter waterfall. Pilgrims Rest This historic village founded in 1873 is well worth a visit. Call in at the Information Centre and visit the Royal Hotel and local museum. Campsite Aventura Blydepoort Ohrigsatd Directions Depart Skukuza at the Paul Kruger Gate. Take the road to Graskop and then the R534 and R532 to Blydepoort. DAY 19: Blydepoort to Pretoria - 480 kms Blyde River Canyon Enjoy spectacular views of this famous canyon from your campsite at Aventura Blydepoort. Look out over the Three Rondavels (derived from "Rodille"), as they resemble women carrying bundles on their head. Campsite Fountains Valley Resort Pretoria Directions Depart Blydepoort on the R532 towards Ohrigstad and continue along the R36 to Lydenburg. Then take the R540 to Dullstroom rejoining the N4 at Belfast. Drive along the N4 highway to Pretoria. Fountains Resort is sign-posted off the N1 to Johannesburg. DAY 20: Pretoria to Johannesburg - 45 kms We hope you have enjoyed your brief holiday in South Africa. Directions Proceed onto the R21 towards Kempton Park and the airport. Take the Pomona Road off ramp and turn right along Pomona Road. At the first traffic light turn right into Sim Road and then immediately right into Tulbagh Road. Maui offices are 100m further on our right. |
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