South Africa Highlights
Itinerary Minibus tour
Cape Town – Cape Peninsula – Wine Farm – Table Mountain – Cango Caves – Ostrich Farm – Garden Route – Tsitsikamma National Park – Addo Elephant Park – Graaf Reinet – Lesotho (hiking and pony riding) – Drakensberg – Durban – Zulu village Simunye – St. Lucia Wetlands Park – Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve – Swaziland – Kruger National Park – Panorama Route – Private Game Reserve Edeni – Pretoria – Johannesburg Airport
Day 1 (Saturday)
Cape Town
We start our tour at 09h00 in Cape Town. After having met our English speaking tour guide we undertake a short city tour. Thereafter we travel to Bloubergstrand from where we have a panoramic view of Table Mountain, Lions Head and Cape Town with its harbour.
The rest of the day is at leisure for relaxing at the pool or you might want to visit the V&A Waterfront. Here you will find a flea market, take a boat-cruise, do some shopping and/or eat in one of the many restaurants.
Overnight at the 4* guesthouse Eagle's Nest (or similar) in Cape Town. B&B
Day 2 (Sunday)
Cape Peninsula – Chapman's Peak Drive – Camps Bay – Clifton – Seapoint
Today we visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful Botanical Gardens in the world. We continue via Fishhoek to Simonstown where we shall visit a penguin colony.
Thereafter we drive to Cape Point and "Cape of Good Hope", the most Southwesterly point of Africa. From here we travel along Chapman's Peak Drive (weather permitting) with its prominent cliff face on the opposite site of Hout Bay, we pass the popular beaches of Camps Bay, Clifton Beach and Sea Point.
Overnight as per previous day. B&B
Day 3 (Monday)
Table Mountain and Winelands
Weather permitting, you will make a cable car trip to the top of Table Mountain (not included in price) from where you have a breathtaking view of "Lions Head", "Signal Hill", the harbour and City of Cape Town.
Thereafter we visit a wine estate where we undertake a guided cellar tour with wine tasting. We travel to the historical towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. In the evening we will drive on top of "Signal Hill" for a fascinating view of "Cape Town by night".
Overnight as per previous day. B&B
Day 4 (Tuesday)
Cape Town – Oudtshoorn
Early in the morning our vehicle takes us via the du Toit's Kloof Pass to Worcester. We travel along the Route 62 via Montagu, Barrydale and Calitzdorp through the little Karoo to Oudtshoorn. At Oudtshoorn we visit an Ostrich farm where we will have a guided tour and learn more about the largest birds in the world. Today is the perfect day to try an ostrich steak.
Overnight at the 4* guestfarm Oue Werf (or similar) in Oudtshoorn. B&B
Day 5 (Wednesday)
Oudtshoorn – Garden Route
This morning you will have a guided tour through the Cango Caves – one of nature's great wonders. We then drive via the Outeniqua Pass to George. From Dolphin Point we enjoy the magnificent view on the left over the beaches of Wilderness and on the right over of the Kaaimans River mouth. Travel along the Garden Route to Knysna, which is a well-known holiday town, situated on a lagoon. At the narrow opening to the Indian Ocean you will find the famous Knysna Heads – two sandstone formations. From their top we can savour the view of Knysna with its lagoon.
Overnight in the 3* guesthouse Fish Eagle Lodge (or similar) Knysna. B&B
Day 6 (Thursday)
Garden Route
At 08h45 we depart for our excursion to the "Featherbed Nature Reserve". A boat will take us via the lagoon to this Nature Reserve, where we will travel in a vehicle with trailers to the viewpoint on top of the Western Head. We walk back on the "Bushbuck Trail" (about 2.2 km) towards the pick-up point.
The boat will take us back to Knysna and we continue to Plettenberg Bay. We will hike for 1 to 3 hours in the Robberg Nature Reserve depending on the fitness of the group. During the Whale season (July to November) an optional boat trip for whale watching can be booked.
Overnight as per previous day. B&B
Day 7 (Friday)
Knysna – Tsitsikamma National Park
Today we continue our journey, via Nature's Valley and the Bloukrans Pass, to the "Storms River Mouth" in the Tsitsikamma National Park. We pass through indigenous forests with tall yellow wood trees with lichen hanging down from their branches. In the Tsitsikamma Nationalpark we walk (approx. 45 min.) to the suspension bridge. En-route we have great views of the ocean, the cliffs and the forest.
Overnight in the Tsitsikamma Nationalpark – Storms River Mouth. B&B. Restaurant on premises.
Day 8 (Saturday)
Tsitsikamma National Park – Addo Elephant National Park
This National Park was proclaimed in 1931, when only 11 elephants remained in the area. Today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 350 elephants and is the park with the most elephants per km². With a little bit of luck we can spot in addition the Cape buffalo and lions. The Park is also known for a big variety of antilope species, who live in this pristine dense bushveld. In the evening we can sit in front of a floodlit water hole where the animals come to drink.
Overnight in the Main Rest Camp in the Addo Elephant National Park. B&B. Restaurant in the Camp.
Day 9 (Sunday)
Addo Elephant National Park – Graaff-Reinet
After an early morning game drive we return to the restaurant for breakfast. We travel through the Great Karoo to Graaff Reinet, which is also known as the "Gem" of the Karoo. The town was founded in 1786 and is now surrounded by a 15 000 ha Nature Reserve. It also has more than 200 protected historical buildings. A few of the most beautiful and interesting buildings are situated within 500 m of the town's center.
After a stroll through the town we drive to the viewpoint of the Valley of Desolation. From there we see the more than a million years old 100 m high stone columns that have been marked by erosion. Graaff Reinet itself can be seen about 500 m below us.
Overnight in the 3* historical guesthouse Avondrust (or similar) in Graaff Reinet. B&B
Day 10 (Monday)
Graaff-Reinet – Malealea (Lesotho)
Today we leave South Africa and cross the border into the Kingdom of Lesotho at Wepener. Here we can still experience the original Africa. After arrival in Malealea a child will take us to the nearby village so that we can learn something about the life of the people of Lesotho. Towards the evening a choir of children will sing and dance for us.
Overnight in the rustic Malealea Lodge, surrounded by mountains. DB&B
Day 11 (Tuesday)
Malealea (Lesotho)
Early morning we undertake a 4-hour hike through the Pitseng Gorge where we have the opportunity to swim in natural pools. Pony rides (optional) can be arranged for interested parties. Accompanied by a local guide, you would ride through rivers and gorges in the middle of this beautiful mountain scenery and view bushman paintings or the Botsoela Waterfall.
Those who do not dare to ride or make such a long hike, can either make a shorter guided walk, relax at the lodge or can be driven to the waterfall.
Overnight as per previous day. DB&B
Day 12 (Wednesday)
Malealea (Lesotho) – Golden Gate National Park – Royal Natal National Park
Today we re-enter South Africa via Lesotho's capital Maseru and travel via the Golden Gate (2034 m) and the Oliviershoek Pass to the Royal Natal National Park.
In the afternoon we reach one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the world with many mountain peaks being more than 3000 m high.
Overnight in thatch-roof chalets at "Thendele" Camp in the Royal National Park. DB&B
Day 13 (Thursday)
Hiking in the Royal Natal National Park
A 4 to 5 hour hike will take us into the deep gorge of the Tugela river. It is an unforgettable experience with opportunities to swim in one of the natural pools. Of course there are shorter, also beautiful hiking trails for those who do not care for long walks.
Overnight as per previous day. DB&B
Day 14 (Friday)
Drakensberg – Howick Waterfalls – Durban
After having left the Drakensberg we drive through hilly grasslands in the direction of Durban. At Howick we make a short stop for viewing the 95 m high Howick Waterfalls. The climate in Durban is subtropical because of the warm Mozambique Agulhas stream that keeps the water of the Indian Ocean warm the whole year through. We make a short sightseeing tour of Durban including the Indian Market.
Overnight in the 3* guesthouse Flamingo Lodge or similar in Umhlanga Rocks north of Durban. B&B
Day 15 (Saturday)
Umhlanga Rocks – Zulu Village Simunye
This is one of the highlights of this tour: in the middle of Zululand you will find Simunye, a traditional Zulu Village, hidden amongst Mimosa trees and gigantic Agaves. Simunye is a living museum and cultural centre where you feel transported back in time. The village may only be reached by ox wagon, on horseback or 4x4 safari vehicle. We will learn something about the building of huts, the traditional clothing, the brewing of beer and the family tree. In the evening the children from nearby villages will perform traditional dances.
Overnight in the 3* Zulu Village Simunye. DB&B + activities
Day 16 (Sunday)
Simunye – St. Lucia Wetland Park – Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve
We visit the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park (World Heritage Site) and enjoy a river cruise on the estuary. Here we will certainly see hippos, crocodiles, fisheagles and many other water birds.
Our next stop is the 96 453 ha Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, which was opened on 30th April 1895 and is therefore the oldest game reserve in Africa. We drive through this game reserve and enjoy this beautiful, hilly to mountainous sub-tropical region and possibly view white and black rhinos, giraffes, elephants, nyalas (antelopes) and zebras.
Overnight at Hilltop Camp in the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve. B&B. Restaurant in the Camp.
Day 17 (Monday)
Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve – Kingdom of Swaziland
We leave the National Park and enter the Kingdom of Swaziland, which is also known as "Little Switzerland" due to its similar scenery. You might want to buy some curio articles from the hawkers on the side of the street. In the evening you may try your luck in the casino.
Overnight in a chalet in the Matenga Lodge. B&B
Day 18 (Tuesday)
Swaziland – Kruger National Park
Today we drive from the Ezulweni Valley through Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland. On our way to the Kruger National Park we pass rondavels, traditional huts of the people of Swaziland, embedded in the hillside. We travel through beautiful areas with thick forests and high mountains and enter the world famous Kruger National Park at Malelane just after lunch. On our afternoon game drive we might see the rare sable antelopes, zebras, kudus or giraffes.
Overnight in a camp in the Kruger National Park. B&B. Restaurant in the Camp.
Day 19 (Wednesday)
Kruger National Park
Early morning game drive. An open safari vehicle is available as an optional extra. We return for breakfast and plan our game viewing activities for the rest of the day.
There is so much to see in the Kruger Park, which covers an area of 21 497 km². More than 140 mammal-, 100 reptile- and 490 bird species live here. In addition more than 23 000 plant species have been identified. Predominant trees are acacias, marula, leadwood, bush willow, mopane and in the north the baobab trees.
Overnight in a camp in the Kruger National Park. B&B. Restaurant in the Camp.
Day 20 (Thursday)
Kruger National Park – Panorama Route – Blyderiver Canyon
With sunrise we go on another game drive, as we would like to see elephants, gnus, warthogs and waterbuck. With lots of luck we might spot lions, leopards or cheetahs. We will leave the park late morning and drive to the restored gold mining town of Pilgrim's Rest. After a stroll though the village we continue to God's Window, from where we are having an absolute magnificent, unobstructed view of the "Lowveld" 1000 m below.
A visit to the Bourke's Luck Pot Holes, one of the stranger results of water erosion, a fantasia of rock shapes and colours, will follow. In the afternoon we reach the grandiose Blyde River Canyon with its 800 m deep gorge. The view from here is unforgettable.
Overnight in 4* chalets in the Aventura Blyde Canyon Resort. B&B. Restaurant on premises.
Day 21 (Friday)
Blyderiver Canyon – Edeni Private Game Reserve
Those who would like to, may do an early morning hike on the Kadishi Trail into the gorge below (about 45 minutes). After breakfast we travel via the Abel Erasmus Pass direction Tzaneen to the Private Game Reserve Edeni. We arrive for lunch and can relax at the pool thereafter.
In the afternoon we undertake an approx. 3-hour game drive with a professional ranger and tracker in an open safari vehicle. It is a very exciting feeling to be so close to the game as this is BIG 5 country!
Overnight in the Edeni Private Game Reserve in a luxury bush camp in Meru tents with inside toilet/shower (separated by a canvas wall). Each of the 14 tents has its own wooden deck overlooking the Makhutswi river. FB including 2 game drive activities.
Day 22 (Saturday)
Edeni Private Game Reserve – Johannesburg International Airport
With sunrise you will do another 3-hour game drive, hoping to see more of the BIG 5 (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, rhino) or some of the many other game species. After a sumptuous breakfast we drive through the town Dullstroom, known for its trout dams, and Witbank for a short visit to the administrative Capital Pretoria. We stop at the Union Buildings from where we have a beautiful overview of the City below us.
In the afternoon you will be dropped off at your hotel – if any extension programm has been booked – or at “OR Tambo” Airport, Johannesburg.
Kindly contact us for a free quotation.