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City of Gold to Kruger
8 Days/7 Nights - Gateway: Johannesburg
£939pp (valid 1 Apr - 31 Mar 2008)
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Day 1: Johannesburg
Arrive Johannesburg International Airport
After collecting your baggage, proceed through security control to the arrivals hall where you will be met by a representative from ECCO Tours who will assist you with the transfer to your hotel.
The transfer to your hotel will take approximately 40 minutes.
You will have the opportunity to unpack and freshen up before being collected from your hotel at approximately 1300 for a tour around the fascinating and vibrant area of Soweto.
With a population of over 2 million, Soweto (SOuth WEstern TOwnship), is the largest black residential area in South Africa and is fascinating contrast to the Northern Suburbs in which you are staying. This 'city within a city' consists of 50 suburbs or sections and was the centre of political campaigns aimed at the overthrow of the apartheid state.
Your tour will include a visit to Orlando West, which is the only area in the World to have been able to boast of two Nobel Peace prizewinners living in the same street - President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. You will also visit the memorial of Hector Pietersen - a poignant reminder of the 1976 student uprising which started in Soweto but spread to the rest of South Africa.
Enjoy lunch in Soweto before returning to your hotel for an evening at your leisure.
Overnight: Quatermain Hotel (or similar) - Lunch Included |
Day 2: Johannesburg
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing for a visit to the Apartheid Museum.
Beginning in 1948, the white elected National Party government implemented the policy of apartheid.
This policy turned 20 million people into second-class citizens, damning them to a life of servitude and abuse. Their liberation in 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela, the prisoner who became president, is a climax in the saga of a nation's resistance, courage and fortitude. The Apartheid Museum, the first of its kind, illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid.
Return to your hotel for an afternoon and evening at your leisure.
Overnight: Quatermain Hotel (or similar) - Breakfast Included |
Day 3: Pilgrims Rest to Hazyview
Enjoy breakfast before checking out of your room and continuing with your onward journey to Mpumalanga.
Lunch (own account) will be taken in the historic mining town of Pilgrims Rest.
Alluvial Gold was discovered in Pilgrims Rest by Alex Patterson in 1873 and mining continued until 1972. Many of the buildings have been restored to create a living museum with historic structures such as the St Mary's Anglican Church, the Royal Hotel, Miner's Cottages, Joubert's Bridge and the graveyard.
Continue through the scenic Robbers Pass to Hazyview.
Hazyview derives its name from the summer haze that envelopes the low bush land. It is situated just 15 minutes from the Paul Kruger Gate of Kruger National Park and is an ideal base to experience both the spectacular scenery and the wildlife of this region.
Overnight: Rissington Inn (or similar) - Breakfast and Dinner Included |
Day 4: Blyde River Canyon
Enjoy breakfast before departing for a tour of this area including the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes and God's Window.
The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world and its spectacular peaks and ravines mark the drop from the great Highveld plateau to the Lowveld. At the centre of the canyon are the fast-flowing Blyde River and various smaller tributaries.
The canyon is home to a diversity of plants, many endemic to the area, as well as many animal species.
Bourke's Luck Potholes are a natural water feature marking the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon. They have occurred where the Treur River plunges into the Blyde River and the resulting swirling whirlpools have caused waterborne sand and rock to grind huge, cylindrical potholes into the bedrock of the river.
God's Window is a lookout providing a superb view of the Lowveld. At the top of the walk is a lush natural rain forest with beautiful indigenous trees, ferns and flowers.
Overnight : Rissington Inn (or similar) - Breakfast and Dinner Included |
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Day 5: Kruger National Park
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before departing for a tour of the local Shangana Cultural Village and Craft market.
After your visit you will proceed to your hotel located close to Kruger National Park - the transfer will take approximately 30 minutes.
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before departing on your evening game drive.
Return to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight : Protea Hotel Kruger Gate (or similar) - Breakfast and Dinner Included |
Day 6: Kruger National Park
You will receive an early morning wake up call for a dawn game drive in Kruger National Park.
Return to the hotel for breakfast and a day at leisure to take advantage of the many facilities available before heading out for your evening game drive.
Return to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight : Protea Hotel Kruger Gate (or similar) - Breakfast and Dinner |
Day 7: K ruger National Park
There will be an optional dawn game drive before breakfast.
After breakfast depart the lodge for the return journey to Johannesburg - this will take approximately 4 hours.
Overnight : Quatermain Hotel (or similar) - Breakfast Included |
Day 8: Depart
Enjoy a morning at leisure before your transfer to the airport for your onward travel arrangements. |
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Prices based on twin share. Excludes international flights. Package includes: accommodation and meals as specified in this itinerary
airport Transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle on a seat in coach basis,
transportation throughout the tour in air-conditioned vehicles,
services of a professional driver/guide for up to 7 people or a driver and professional guide for 8 people or more,
kruger National Park Conservation Levy of R120.00 per person per day,
2 afternoon and 2 morning game drives in open-top 4WD vehicles within the Kruger National Park,
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