Escorted Tours 2020 & 2021 - 2nd Edition - Mercury Holidays

106 MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA MEAL PLAN: 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 2 dinners ACCOMMODATION Cape Town 4 nights 2020: 3 ★ Inn on the Square or 2021: 4 ★ Protea Hotel Fire & Ice Knynsa 2 nights 4 ★ The Rex Hotel Port Elizabeth 1 night 3 ★ Garden Court Kings Beach Kruger 3 nights 4 ★ Casa Do Sol Hotel & Resort or 3 ★ Numbi Hotel Johannesburg 1 night 4 ★ Indaba Hotel Fourways DAY 1: UK TO CAPE TOWN Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Cape Town. DAY 2: CAPE TOWN On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. DAY 3: CAPE TOWN B Wake this morning to embark on a fantastic full-day tour around the Cape Peninsula. Leaving Cape Town behind you will join one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world; Chapmans Peak Drive, affording exquisite panoramic views of the sparkling ocean and towering mountains. Next a visit to the beautiful Boulders Beach in Simons Town; part off a marine protected area where the sandy shores are home to a breeding colony of over 2,000 endangered African penguins. The Cape Point Nature reserve awaits at the very tip of the Cape Peninsula. A declared world heritage site, the area affords dramatic scenery, rugged rocks, sheer cliffs and extensive views where the mighty Atlantic and Indian Ocean meet in harmony. No trip to Cape Town would be complete without a stroll through the most beautiful garden in Africa , the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Unveiling sounds, colours, and aromas of the natural environment, the meticulously maintained gardens trace the history of the region and celebrate the botanical diversity of the Western Cape. Arrive back in Cape Town in time for dinner and a good night’s rest. DAY 4: CAPE TOWN B This morning enjoy a city tour of Cape Town. Also known as the Mother City, Cape Town is a rare cultural gem, resulting from the amalgamation of different nationalities and indigenous tribes. Alongside high-rise office blocks, a harmonious blend of architectural styles has been meticulously preserved, including Edwardian, Victorian and Cape Dutch. Narrow, cobblestone streets and the Islamic character of the Bo-Kaap enhance the cosmopolitan ambiance. During the tour you will see the Castle of Good Hope – this pentagon-shaped fort is the oldest surviving building in South Africa, and the Company’s Garden. The tour of this beautiful city introduces you to a rich culture and history. Enjoy an afternoon of leisure, take an optional excursion (payable locally) including a breath-taking helicopter ride over Cape Town and Table Mountain or take the cable car ride to the top of Table mountain, the flat-topped monolith that dominates the city’s skyline commanding stunning views. Alternatively for a more relaxing experience, visit the West Coast Ostrich Farm on a half day tour. DAY 5: THE CAPE WINELANDS B Today, tour the breathtakingly beautiful Cape Winelands, first stopping at the town of Franschoek, then onto Stellenbosch. South Africa’s wine industry was first developed by French Huguenots who bought their wines with them and setted in Franschhoek in the 17th century. The reputation of South African wines flourished across the globe in the centuries that followed, even Napoleon had wine shipped to him during his exile in the 19th century. Take some time to explore these delightful towns before enjoying a cellar tour and wine tasting of ‘new-world’ wines at the award-winning Boschendal Estate. DAY 6: CAPE TOWN TO KNYSNA B/D Take a scenic drive into the heart of the gorgeous Garden Route and into the picturesque coastal town of Knysna sitting on the edge of ta lagoon which meets the sea. This historic logging town is hemmed in between the Knysna Lagoon and mountainous Knysna Forest with stunning scenery and thick forests covering the hills. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. DAY 7: KNYSNA B/L Embark on a Lagoon Cruise to the Knysna Heads aboard the John Benn, a fully enclosed luxury ferry. Enjoy the sea air and the sound of the water lapping around you as you cruise out onto the large lagoon towards its mouth, the Knysna Heads. The Heads are two imposing rocky outcrops that appear to stand sentinel at the mouth of the lagoon. Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Big Five on safari at Kruger National Park, soak up the scenery along Chapman’s Peak Drive, explore cosmopolitan Cape Town and discover the Winelands region. Giraffes BEST OF SOUTH AFRICA 14 days from £1,949pp TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ✔ Coastal journey along Chapman’s Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point ✔ Free time to explore Cape Town ✔ Spot the Big Five in Kruger National Park ✔ Scenic drives along the Garden Route and Blyde River Canyon ✔ Visit Stellenbosch and Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands, with wine tasting included ✔ Lagoon Cruise to the Knysna Heads ✔ Visit to Tsitsikamma National Park ✔ City Tour of Cape town PACE: To book or for further information visit your local travel agent or call us FREE on 0800 408 0556