Golf and Safari - Irene • Tzaneen • Kruger Park • Hazyview

Year Round Unescorted holiday

Whilst known for its wildlife and Kruger National Park, this region has remained relatively tourist- free and its natural beauty remains largely undiscovered. But with the recent opening of the international airport, this may soon change – come and discover Mpumalanga now!!! The highveld with its lush tropical vegetation, stunning mountain scenery, and many cascading waterfalls contrasts dramatically with the lowvelds mopane woodland, tall grass savanna, acacia and combretum thicket. The Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world, is well worth seeing together with God’s Window and the living museum of Pilgrims Rest, a preserved picturesque village, dating back to 1873. This itinerary includes the most scenic areas, an excellent selection of accommodation, a short safari and a challenging golf programme.

We understand some of you have reservations about visiting an area where anti malarial precautions are necessary. But there have been recent medical developments opening up a much wider choice of prophylactics with shorter courses and with an extremely low risk of side effects.

Day 1: Depart London Heathrow on South African Airways direct flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2: Arrive Johannesburg, transfer to Irene Country Lodge. Nestled in the historic village of Irene, this country lodge is centrally located between Johannesburg and Pretoria, a mere 25 minute drive from Johannesburg International Airport. The area has a rich cultural heritage. This afternoon we have arranged a short tour of Pretoria to include the Voortrekker Monument and the Union Buildings. If you are fortunate to travel in early September the streets will be covered with a lavender carpet of Jacaranda blossom, a spectacular sight.

Day 3: Golf at Irene Country club; A tranquil old course with its century old trees and an unpredictable river that runs through it, Irene is one of the most attractive golf courses imaginable. It is set next to the Van der Byl farm in the small, leafy village of Irene. The air is fresh and has a rural, peaceful atmosphere.

Day 4: This morning a hire car will be delivered to your hotel. You will be making your way to Tzaneen, a scenic four hour drive up the N1 through Polokwane. Spend three nights at The Coach House on a B&B basis. This five-star hotel offers world-class hospitality in luxurious comfort, scenic tranquillity and the ambience of a gracious country estate. Brimming with history, the Coach House is on the site of the original staging post and hotel used by travellers in the feverish gold rush days of the late 19th century. Situated on 560 lush hectares, the hotel nestles atop a spur looking over the Verdant Letsitele valley and the dramatic splendour of the Drakensberg mountains.

Day 5: Golf at Tzaneen Golf Club; A small oasis in the woods, surrounded by banana plantations, avocado fruits, monkeys and quails. This championship course has already hosted some major tournaments on the PGA Winter Tour.

Day 6: After breakfast you will be making your way to Phalaborwa to drop off your hire car and meet up with a road transfer to Djuma Private Game Reserve. Spend two nights on safari staying at Bush Lodge on a full board basis to include four game drives during your stay. Djuma is situated in South African premier game viewing area the Sabi Sands which borders the Kruger National Park and therefore offers visitors every opportunity of seeing the big five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Cheetah and other plains games, giraffe and zebra are seen regularly. Game drives are undertaken on open 4x4 vehicles enabling one to view the animals at close range.

Day 7: On safari.

Day 8: Road transfer to Hoedspruit Airport, pick up your hire car and drive to Rissington Inn in Hazyview. Spend 5 nights at Rissington Inn on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. An awardwinning country lodge in the heart of the Lowveld. Stylish but relaxed and informal, the Inn is an ideal base from which to explore all that Mpumalanga has to offer. There is a welcoming, friendly fully stocked bar, lovely gardens, excellent restaurant and pool. Rissington is the perfect balance of friendly, unobtrusive and personal service - everything you need and a little more than you expected.

Day 9: Golf at Sabie; The Sabie River Golf Course was originally built 57 years ago by the local farmers for their own use as a nine hole golf course. In 1992 it was redesigned and is today a user friendly' 18 hole golf course. Trees and water both play important roles as hazards on this course. At least 14 holes have water hazards. Five dams and possibly the distraction of knowing a couple dozen hippos and a crocodile or two are nearby, make the 16th hole one to handle with care and skill.

Day 10: A full day privately guided panorama tour. Mpumalanga Province’s Drakensberg Mountains divide the cooler Highveld to the west from the lower coastal plains to the east. This natural phenomenon creates a display of splendid panoramic scenery. This tour visits the Victorian Town of Pilgrim’s Rest, Robber’s Grave, Blyde River Canyon, The Three Rondavels, God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Lisbon Waterfalls. This scenic area is also steeped in early Southern African history. You return to Rissington late afternoon.

Day 11: Golf at White River; An "idyllic setting" best describes this regulation 9 hole golf course. Nestled in a mountain valley high on the spine of Vermont's Green Mountains, the course provides panoramic views from every hole. Golfers will also enjoy the meandering White River, which borders the course on three sides. An informal, friendly atmosphere is the primary goal at White River Golf Club.

Day 12: Golf at Nelspruit; A must play when visiting this area and the busiest golf course in the region. The course offers all indigenous Lowveld trees and over 256 different species of birds. The club is host to the annual Jock of the Bushveld Festival of golf when hundreds of amateurs from far and wide descend on the town. There are no fairway bunkers at Nelspruit but this is compensated by strategic positioning of trees.

Day 13: Morning at leisure, make your way to Kruger airport, drop off your hire car and fly to Johannesburg, take a connecting flight onto London.

Golf and Safari Self Drive - Unescorted holiday YEAR ROUND If you prefer not to drive we can arrange transfer and tours at each stage of the trip.
Cost from £2017 per person sharing, excluding airport taxes.
Single supplement - £292 Quotations on request for hotel and flight upgrades.