It’s an adventure unlike any other – South Africa, vast land of unimaginable beauty and diversity of experiences, is set to take your breath away.   Come on this journey of exploration, where you’ll marvel at breathtaking vistas such as the Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window, spend wild time in the company of lions and elephants in Kruger National Park, and walk – or even crawl – through the legendary Cango Caves with their iconic dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites.

Why?

• Unbeatable Value for Money!

• No Internal flights required
• An iconic highlights tour

A large part of the itinerary is unprescribed, allowing guests to make their own decisions about optional tours and excursions

Route

• Johannesburg
• Hazyview / Mpumulanga
• Eswatini ( Swaziland )
• St Lucia
• Durban
• Drakensberg
• Port Elizabeth
• Knysna
• Mossel Bay
• Cape Town

This Tour departs on a Sunday [ Note – On Set Departure Dates ]

A Fully Escorted Tour

Day 1: (Sun)  Johannesburg 

Upon arrival you will be met and assisted to your shuttle transfer service to the hotel. You have the remainder of the day at leisure until 19h00 when we all meet at the hotel reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet up with your fellow travellers.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel OR Tambo or similar [ Bed and Breakfast ]

Day 2: (Mon) Johannesburg – Mpumulanga 

This morning we leave for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. Travel along the circular Panorama Route via Graskop, visiting the view sites of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa; gasp at the glory of God’s Window, with a boundless view of mountains and fertile plains and finally a visit to Bourke’s Luck Potholes before heading to Hazyview. [Breakfast]

Distance travelled today: 500 kms

Accommodation: Hippo Hollow Country Estate or similar [ Bed and Breakfast ]

Day 3: (Tue) Mpumulanga   / Kruger National  Park

We have a bright and early start to the day to experience the wonders of exploring the Kruger National Park in our closed vehicle.  Spend a morning with the Big Five in the Kruger National Park. The Kruger National Park is an internationally renowned game reserve of nearly 2 million hectares and supports the largest variety of wildlife species on the African continent.  Keep a lookout for the wonderful flora and bird life that abounds.   We return to our hotel around lunch time and your afternoon is at leisure. [Packed Breakfast]

Distance travelled today: 200 kms

Accommodation: Hippo Hollow Country Estate or similar [ Bed and Packed Breakfast ]  

Day 4 : ( Wed )   Mpumulanga – Eswatini ( Swaziland)   

This morning after breakfast, we check out and depart on our journey to Eswatini (Swaziland). We proceed south to Malalane and then onto Eswatini (Swaziland) where this afternoon you will visit a real Chief’s village and have the fantastic opportunity to gain an authentic knowledge of traditional Eswatini culture. [Breakfast]

Distance travelled today: 280 kms

Accommodation: Lugogo Sun or similar [ Bed and Breakfast ]  

Day 5 : (Thurs )    Eswatini ( Swaziland ) – St Lucia & Surrouds 

This morning we journey through Eswatini (Swaziland) into Zululand.  Our journey continues into the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal where ancient traditions and modern cultures of both Zulu and Settler have combined into a vibrant society living in peace and harmony. Arrive this afternoon in the Umfolozi area for your overnight stay. [Breakfast]

Distance travelled today: 350 kms

Accommodation: Anew Hotel Hluhluwe or similar [ Bed and Breakfast ]

Day 6 : ( Fri )   St Lucia & Surrounds – Durban

Guests have the option to lie in or take an optional morning boat cruise (own account) or simply soak up the atmosphere of this tourist town St Lucia before heading off later in the morning towards Durban. An orientation tour introduces us to this multicultural, vibrant seaside city before arriving at our hotel late afternoon. [Breakfast]

Distance travelled today: 320 kms

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge [ Bed and Breakfast ]  

Day 7: (Sat)      Durban – Drakensburg

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast or perhaps take an early morning cab ride to the bustling Umhlanga Beach for a stroll along the Promenade mile which buzzes with energy as surfers, joggers and cyclists take to this seaside playground. Then we head into the majestic Southern Drakensberg Mountains. We proceed on a visit to the 300-foot-high Howick Falls, continuing through the Southern Midlands Meander Route, arriving at our hotel mid-afternoon. Your afternoon is at leisure to soak up the surroundings, or go fishing, hiking and even horse riding in clean mountain air (own account). [Breakfast & Dinner]

Distance travelled today: 280 kms

Accommodation: Drakensberg Gardens Hotel or similar [ Bed, Breakfast, Dinner ]  

Day 8 : ( Sun )    Drakensburg

Enjoy a full day at leisure to soak up the surroundings of the magnificent Southern Drakensberg Mountains. There are also many leisure activities to be enjoyed at the Resort. [Breakfast & Dinner]

Accommodation: Drakensberg Gardens Hotel or similar [ Bed, Breakfast, Dinner ]

Day 9 :  ( Mon )    Drakensburg  – Eastern Cape Coast 

This morning we continue south to the Eastern Cape entering the fourth of the provinces and the birth place of Nelson Mandela (fondly known as Madiba). En route we see the old traditional way of life in the homeland area known as the Transkei and stop for lunch (own account) outside the capital of Umtata.  We continue via Nelson Mandela’s birth place and house, arriving late afternoon at our accommodation in Chinsta East, on the beautiful, unspoilt Eastern Cape Coast. [Breakfast & Dinner]

Distance travelled today: 520 kms

Accommodation: Crawfords Beach Lodge or similar [ Bed, Breakfast,  Dinner ]  

Day 10 : (Tues)     Eastern Cape Coast – Port Elizabeth

We awake to the sounds of the crashing waves and have the morning at leisure to unwind with beach sand between our toes.  The beach stretches on uninterrupted for many kilometres and the thick indigenous beach forest is a haven for an amazing variety of birdlife.  We set off heading south to Port Elizabeth. [Breakfast]

Distance travelled today: 340 kms

Accommodation: Garden Court Kings Beach [ Bed and Breakfast ]

Day 11: (Wed)    Port Elizabeth – Knysna

Today our journey continues towards the Cape. Visit the Tsitsikamma Forest, which provides scenic walking opportunities.  A short walk to the Storms River Mouth offers some magnificent views of the gorge and river below. Arrive in Knysna late afternoon for check in at our hotel. [Breakfast & Dinner]

Distance travelled today: 300 kms

Accommodation:Premier Hotel The Moorings or similar[ Bed , Breakfast & Dinner ]  

Day 12: (Thurs)      Knysna – Oudtshoorn  – Mossel Bay 

After breakfast, we travel inland over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the ‘feather capital of the world’ because of its ostrich industry. We visit a working ostrich farm and then explore the famous Cango Caves. Walk around the famous Cango Caves with their magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Overnight in Mossel Bay.

Distance travelled today: 360 kms

Accommodation: Diaz Hotel & Resort or similar [ Bed and Breakfast ]  

Day 13: (Fri)        Mossel Bay – Cape Town

Today’s journey ends in Cape Town. On the way we stop off in Albertinia to visit a well-known aloe factory. In this area, the Cape Aloe grows wild on many farms, and is still harvested in the traditional, labour-intensive way, providing a livelihood for unskilled, independent tappers. We drive via Swellendam, Worcester and through the Huguenot Tunnel before arriving in Cape Town in the late afternoon.

Distance travelled today: 420 kms

Accommodation: Sun Square Hotel  [ Bed and Breakfast ]  

Day 14: (Sat)          Cape Town ( Unescourted ) 

Enjoy a day of leisure in the ‘Mother City’ where a visit to the V&A Waterfront is recommended. Enjoy quality time exploring this beautiful city. [Breakfast]

Optional excursions available [ at an additional cost ]  

• Cape Point Tour Full Day :  Highlights of a trip down to Cape Point include; one of the world’s most spectacular drives, Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, Noordhoek Beach, the Cape Point Nature Reserve, two lighthouses on the tip of Africa, Boulders Penguin Colony, Simonstown, Kalk Bay and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
• Winelands Tour Full Day   :  From Cape Town make your way out into the picturesque winelands visiting South Africa’s most famous wine regions – Paarl, Franschoek and Stellenbosch. Aside from the excellent wines the area is renowned for its food and is steeped in history such as the Taal monument, various museums and the contribution of the French Huguenots. There are also many attractions you wouldn’t expect to find on a wine route, from butterflies to cheetahs and pretty much everything in between

Accommodation: Sun Square Hotel  [ Bed and Breakfast ]  

Day 15: (Sun)                 Cape Town 

This morning after breakfast, check out of the hotel by 11h00. The remainder of the day will be at leisure until your transfer to Cape Town International airport. [Breakfast]