The Independent Travel Reader Offers

Fifteen nights from £1,899pp

Selected departures July to November 2013

Firstly, a more naturally beautiful country would be difficult to find: from the serrated peaks of the Drakensberg mountains, to the contorted and timeless semi-desert landscapes of the Karoo. Then the forested sea-shores and mirror-like lakes of the Garden Route, the enchanting temperate valleys of the Winelands, the rare proximity to nature found in the national parks and the instantly recognizable symbol of the country, Table Mountain - all under an endless azure-blue sky. Quite remarkable!

Then there is the wildlife, one of the main reasons visitors travel to Africa. One of the finest places in the world to experience this is the Kruger National Park, which is a similar size to Wales. It is exactly how you imagine the African bush to be, as depicted on countless TV documentaries: areas of sweeping savannah, dissected by rivers full of hippos, muddy waterholes lined with animals quenching their thirst, and the bush itself, home to zebra and antelope, studded by immense biscuit-coloured termite hills and towering above it all, instantly recognisable giraffes! The park is home to an incredible 150 mammal and 500 bird species including the ‘big five’: elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo. Game-viewing is an intensely moving experience with nothing preparing you for the waves of emotion inspired by an encounter with these wonderful, almost regal creatures thriving in their natural habitat. Just to highlight the variety of flora too, the Cape Peninsula alone has twice as many plant varieties as Britain, which is 5,000 times bigger.

But South Africa is not just about scenery and wildlife, fabulous as it is. The cities are amazing and highlight the country’s diversity. Brash Johannesburg, city of gold, and South Africa’s cultural capital, with skyscrapers of concrete and glass separated by canyon-like streets contrasting with townships on its outskirts. Then there is the ‘Mother City’, Cape Town, overlooked by the vast bulk of Table Mountain and easily Africa’s most beautiful and sophisticated city. It is a real multi-cultural melting pot, with stunning Cape architecture, superb beaches, the best cuisine in the country, fabulous street musicians, mime artists and entertainers adding to its cosmopolitan atmosphere.

South Africans call their homeland ‘a world in one country’. It covers an area equivalent to five times the size of Britain, with a climate ranging from temperate, Mediterranean and sub-tropical to desert, it offers spectacular scenery with arguably the finest wildlife on earth and no less than eleven official languages. South Africa is truly a world-class destination!

Fully escorted price includes:

Return scheduled flights from London Heathrow
A tour taking you into the very heart of South Africa, exploring its unique history, its amazing wildlife, truly breathtaking scenery, complemented by vibrant cities and its excellent cuisine and wines
Thirteen nights accommodation in three and four-star hotels
Internal flight to the stunning ‘Garden Route’
Guided safari in the Kruger National Park, one of the world’s premier game reserves
Tour of the legendary Zulu War battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, immortalised in the classic film ‘Zulu!’
Go whale watching in Hermanus, depending on season (19 April - 22 November)
Stay in the heart of the fabulously beautiful Western Cape’s Winelands, experiencing a cellar tour and tasting at a 300-year old wine estate
Visits to the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain and to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town
Visit Johannesburg’s new Apartheid Museum, a real ‘must’ in understanding present-day South Africa
Stay three nights in cosmopolitan Cape Town – one of the world’s most naturally beautiful cities, dominated by the instantly recognisable Table Mountain
Visit the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon, the third largest in the world
Visit the scenically beautiful country of Swaziland
Daily breakfast and five meals included
Escorted by our experienced tour manager
The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room
Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £329 per person

Hotel Upgrades:

£259 per person when staying in a twin room, £479 per person in a single room. Please note this upgrade is not bookable online. Please call us on 01283 742300 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm to book this option.

Visa and Health Matters:

British passport holders do not currently require a visa. However, please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months after the intended return date and there is at least one empty page. Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate inoculations required for South Africa at least a month before departure. The Kruger National Park is considered a malarial zone, although the risk is reduced during the South African drier ‘winter’ months of May to August, please consult your GP regarding the appropriate medication well before departure and ensure you use a strong mosquito repellent.

Note on what to wear:

Early mornings in the Kruger Park can be cold, especially during June and July, so it’s best to wear several layers that can be removed as the day warms up. However, between December and February mid-day temperatures can, as an extreme, reach 40C (105F) in certain areas, when a hat and light breathable fabrics are best. Please avoid bright colours or white clothes whilst on safari; neutral colours of khaki, brown or beige are best and remember to bring some binoculars and a camera with a good zoom lens. We recommend long sleeved shirts and trousers in the evenings to reduce the possibility of mosquito bites. Most hotels operate a ‘smart-casual’ policy in the evenings, i.e. collared shirts and long trousers. Jackets and ties are not necessary unless you choose to dine at one of Cape Town’s top restaurants.