South Africa Smart

An itinerary for all those who wish to discover the different faces of the famous 'rainbow nation'. A very interesting cultural tour of Johannesburg and Soweto, the country's most metropolitan township. Karongwe Private Game Reserve, a special place, every moment offers unforgettable sensations and emotions! Discovery of the spectacular Mpumalanga region, with a visit to the Panorama Route. From Kruger Mpumalanga Airport you fly directly to Cape Town, beautiful and full of attractions, including the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and the penguins of Boulders Beach.
Groups, consisting of a maximum of 14 people, the accommodation and our knowledgeable, Italian-speaking guides make this trip truly unique.
The trip is accompanied and assisted by expert local Italian-speaking guides.

DAY 1 - DEPARTURE FROM ITALY - SOUTH AFRICA
Departure on a scheduled flight to Johannesburg, with a stopover. Dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 2 - JOHANNESBURG / VISIT SOWETO - PRETORIA
Breakfast on board. Arrive in Johannesburg, collect your luggage and clear customs formalities. Meet with your local Italian-speaking guide who will be waiting for you outside the international arrivals (he/she will have a sign reading "African Explorer"). Departure for Soweto is scheduled with the arrival of all trip participants. With arrivals at different times, for those arriving at the airport in the morning, the guide will assist you with currency exchange and lunch at the Intercontinetal restaurant at the airport.
Depart for Soweto, the country's most metropolitan township. Here resided two former Nobel laureates, the Hector Peterson Memorial, the Regina Mundi Church, Freedom Square and the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the largest hospital in the world.
Late afternoon transfer to the hotel, located in Pretoria, and check-in. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at African Pride Irene Country Lodge, Autograph Collection (4****sup).

DAY 3 - PRETORIA - KARONGWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Depart for the Karongwe Private Reserve, overlooking the majestic Drakensberg mountain range in Limpopo Province. Stop for lunch en route. Arrive at the Lodge and settle into your room. Finally it is time for your first photo safari, in an open 4X4 vehicle, accompanied by an experienced English-speaking ranger and tracker. The 'bush' will give you unique emotions. The scents, colours, sounds and fiery sunsets will give you experiences only possible on this magnificent continent! The return to the lodge will be at sunset. Dinner and overnight at Chisomo Safari Camp (4****).

DAY 4 - KARONGWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Wake up at dawn with tea/coffee and depart for the photo safari, in an open 4X4 vehicle and accompanied by an experienced English-speaking ranger and tracker. Return to the Lodge for a hearty breakfast. A few hours at leisure, during which you can relax by the pool or book a treatment in the spa (not included in the package). Lunch and in the afternoon depart for your second photo safari of the day. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight. Full board at Chisomo Safari Camp.

DAY 5 - KARONGWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE / PANORAMA ROUTE - HAZYVIEW
Wake up at dawn for a final game drive in the reserve. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Depart for the Mpumalanga region, the place where the sun rises. The day will be intense, exploring the many attractions of the 'Panorama Route', which make this region so interesting. Stop for lunch during the excursion. Arrive in Hazyview in the evening and settle into your hotel. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Hippo Hollow Country Estate (4****).

DAY 6 - HAZYVIEW/KRUGER MPUMALANGA AIRPORT - CAPE TOWN
Breakfast and transfer, again accompanied by your Italian-speaking guide, to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport (approx. 50 km from your hotel). Your guide will greet you upon arrival at the airport for your return flight to Johannesburg. Depart on your scheduled flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival, meet your local Italian-speaking guide, who will take you on a tour of this magnificent city. Transfer to your hotel. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at The Portswood Hotel (4****).

DAY 7 - CAPE TOWN / CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
Bed and breakfast at The Portswood Hotel.
Meeting directly at the hotel with the local Italian-speaking guide. Day excursion to the Cape of Good Hope: In the morning, visit the Cape of Good Hope Seal Island and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. On the way, you will be able to admire beautiful views, and stops will be made at a number of scenic viewpoints. Lunch included at a restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the penguins at Boulders Beach. Return to the city in the late afternoon.

DAY 8 - CAPE TOWN / FREE DAY
Bed and breakfast at The Portswood Hotel.
The day is at leisure for optional visits and excursions. The 'mother city', as Cape Town is called, offers plenty to do. We recommend the ascent to Table Mountain (weather permitting), the excursion to the wine region with the quaint towns of Stellenbosh, Paarl and Franschhoek and, in the season from June to October, the excursion to Hermanus to spot the passing whales.
Note: it is possible to book excursions prior to departure. The cost is subject to reconfirmation as it may vary based on the number of people booked.

DAY 9 - CAPE TOWN - DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel.
If your flight is in the late morning/early afternoon, your transfer to the airport will be in the morning, with an English-speaking driver. You will be informed of the exact time of the transfer.
If yours is an overnight flight leaving Cape Town in the late afternoon, you will have a good part of the day to continue sightseeing in this magnificent city. You can check out and leave your luggage, ready to go, in the hotel luggage room. You will be informed of your transfer time, which is scheduled for early afternoon. The transfer to the airport is with an English-speaking driver.
Transfer with English-speaking driver to the airport. Departure with scheduled flight to Italy, with stopover.

DAY 10 - ARRIVAL IN ITALY
End of services

The fee includes:

-cancellation, medical, baggage and flight delay insurance
-Economy class air transport from major Italian airports
-transport on site based on the number of confirmed participants:
Two pax Sedan or similar;
3 - 6 pax Microbus or similar;
7 - 13 pax 15-seater minibus;
14 pax 28/32-seater bus for the first part of the trip, from Johannesburg. 15-seater minibus for the second part of the trip, from Cape Town.
-Local Italian-speaking guides throughout the tour (two different guides, one for the northern part and one for the southern part).
-all visits and excursions specified in the itinerary
-4 photo safaris, in 4X4 open-top vehicles and accompanied by English-speaking rangers and trackers, in the Karongwe Private Reserve.
-Accommodation in a double room with treatment as specified in the proposal - meals included include a set menu.

The fee does not include:

-Approximate airport taxes euro 490.00/580.00 (total airport taxes will be reconfirmed at the time of the quote depending on the airline used)
-optional insurance - supplementary medical expenses available on request
-Drinks, tips and extras in general
-Everything not expressly indicated in the travel proposal.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION
Important
The trip is accompanied and assisted by expert local Italian-speaking guides.

Departures
Every Monday from Italy

Treatment
Breakfast everywhere, 5 lunches and 5 dinners

Flights
Including from Italy

Transport
Transport provided according to the number of confirmed participants:
2 persons Sedan or similar;
3 - 6 persons Microbus or similar;
7 - 13 people 15-seater minibus;
14 person 28/32 seater bus for the first part of the trip, from Johannesburg. 15-seater minibus for the second part of the trip, from Cape Town.
Photographic safaris in the Private Reserve are carried out on board 10-seater 4×4s.