South Africa

Durban

Durban is South Africa’s third largest city and is one of Africa's busiest ports. High-rise buildings lie next to Indian bazaars with African townships close by. The Golden Mile is where most of the major tourist attractions and beaches can be found. Other places to visit are the Local History Museum, the Maritime Museum, Sea World and Dolphinarium, and the Botanic Gardens. Inland is the mountain area of Drakensberg. A World Heritage Site, here you will find tumbling waterfalls, lush forests, sky-high peaks and traditional Zulu villages.

Examples of our Optional Excursions

City Tour (half day) - £32 approx
See the main sights of the city which include the City Hall, Botanical Gardens, the magnificent Emanuel Cathedral and visit a popular Indian market which sells everything from fruit to African masks. Finally to U-Shaka Marine World to see the dolphin show.

Phe Zulu and the Valley of 1000 Hills (half day) - £45 approx
You drive through the suburbs of Kloof and Botha's Hill to Phe Zulu in the valley of 1000 Hills, and admire the stunning views on route. Here, you will be given an insight in to the culture and heritage of the Zulu nation and be entertained by Zulu dancers. You also have the possibility to consult a 'sangoma' (witch-doctor) and there will be time to explore a snake and crocodile farm.

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Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth, set along the shores of Algoa Bay, is a gateway to the Garden Route, the lush coastal area that stretches towards Cape Town. You will find sweeping promenades, attractive Victorian houses, and several parks boasting beautiful flora and fauna. One of its many historical attractions is the 5km Donkin Heritage Trail where you can follow in the footsteps of the early settlers and visit 47 historical sights.

Examples of our Optional Excursions

City Tour (half day) - £32 approx
Get to know this 'friendly city' as you drive along the beachfront area, past the harbour development towards the old town. Highlights include City Hall, St. Mary’s and St. Augustines Cathedrals, Settler's Park, The Museum and Fort Frederick which was built in 1799.

Addo Elephant Park (full day) - £66 approx
Some 75km north of the city, Addo National Park has a unique place in the story to conserve the African elephant. Spend the day game-viewing in this conservation area. Over 150 different bird species and approx. 600 plant species have been recorded here. Lunch is included.

Pumba Game Reserve (full day) - £99 approx
Covering approx. 6,000 hectares, this private reserve offers an amazing diversity of plants, animals and birds. Keep a look out for elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino, leopard, giraffe and numerous species of antelope. Lunch is included.

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Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay, one of the most historical towns in South Africa has many museums, the prime one being the Bartolomeu Dias Museum complex. He was the first European to touch South African soil in 1488 and here you will find the famous 'Post Office Tree' which is over 500 years old and a national monument. In the town are a good selection of shops, cafés, bars and restaurants.

Examples of our Optional Excursions

City Tour (half day) - £50 approx
You visit the Diaz Museum Complex, where you can board a life-size replica of Diaz’s ship and send a letter from Africa's oldest post box. Continue to The Point and the Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse which has magnificent views across the bay.

Botlierskop Game Reserve (full day) - £83 approx
This reserve is just a 20 minute drive from the city and on your game drive look out for lion, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, rare black impala, zebra and numerous antelope species. Lunch is included.

Oudtshoorn and Cango Caves (half day) - £83 approx
Drive via the Robinson Pass to the semi-desert region of the 'Little Karoo', the centre of ostrich breeding in South Africa. Your first stop is at the Cango Caves, the largest in South Africa and then visit an ostrich farm. Enjoy a traditional lunch, including some ostrich dishes, and perhaps even partake in an ostrich race.

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Cape Town

Cape Town is the highlight of any holiday to South Africa. One of the most beautiful cities in the world, it nestles at the foot of imposing Table Mountain and is fringed by both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, originally a working port, it has been re-developed and now boasts hotels, cafés, first-rate restaurants and exclusive shops. The highlight of any visit is a cable car up to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting) with its spectacular views out to the haunting prison on Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Not to be missed is the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Boulders Beach, famous for its colony of Jackass penguins. Also within easy reach are the Cape Winelands where you can sample the excellent wines of the region. Or simply relax on the magnificent beaches at Clifton and Camps Bay.

Examples of our Optional Excursions

City Tour and Table Mountain (half day) - £42 approx
You ascend Table Mountain by cable car (weather permitting). At 1067 metres, enjoy amazing views of the city, Robben Island and the Cape Peninsula. You then drive through the city to see such sights as the Museum, City Hall, the 'Old Castle' and the historic Malay quarter.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Constantia wine farm (half day) - £33 approx
The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens has 528 hectares of indigenous flora and is spectacularly situated on the slopes of Table Mountain. You continue to Constantia and visit the Groot Costantia estate for some wine tasting.

Winelands Tour (full day) - £62 approx
Admire the beauty of the countryside as you drive to this historic university town of Stellenbosch, the centre of the Winelands and the oldest town of the region. You continue to the picturesque town of Franschhoek and after lunch, you visit Paarl, famed for its red wines. There will be time to sample the excellent wines of the region.

Cape Point and Peninsula Tour (full day) - £63 approx
You travel along the Atlantic coastline to the fishing village of Hout Bay and then cross the mountain via Champan's Peak Drive to the world-renowned Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve at Cape Point. You continue along the False Bay coastline to Simonstown where the South Africa Navy headquarters are located. You also visit the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Lunch is included.

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East London

East London is South Africa's only river port and lies in a sheltered harbour at the mouth of the Buffalo River. The East London Museum houses the most famous fish in the world - the coelacanth - which was discovered off the coast of East London in 1938, and also the only known dodo egg in the world.

Examples of our Optional Excursions

City Tour (half day) - £40 approx
Admire many of the city's quant buildings which date back to the 19th century and visit the historical sights of this city including the East London Museum and City Hall with its monument to Steve Biko.

Xhosa Village (half day) - £46 approx
The area around the city is steeped in Xhosa (the local African tribe) and settler history and you are given an insight into the traditions, crafts and skills of the everyday life of the Xhosa in a typical rural village.

Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve (full day) - £57 approx Experience a taste of Africa's wildlife with a game drive in this reserve, just a 30 minute drive from East London.

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Climate Information

South Africa is a large country and has diverse climatic regions. However, it is generally sunny and hot during the summer months (December to April) and warm during the winter (May to November), but the evenings can be quite chilly. The Cape experiences its rainy season between June and August.

Cape Town
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Source: www.climate-zone.com and www.weather.com			Temperatures are in Degrees Centigrade
Average Temperature	20	20	19	16	14	12	11	12	13	16	17	20
Average Max Temperature	27	28	26	25	21	19	18	19	20	23	24	26
Average Min Temperature	15	15	13	11	9	7	6	7	8	10	12	15
Average Rainfall (mm)	15	15	20	41	69	94	84	76	41	3	0	18

The above average daily temperature and average monthly rainfall figures are given as a guide only and no responsibility can be taken for any errors or omissions.

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