Explore Southern Africa

Day 1-3; South Africa

• Panorama Route: Blyde River Canyon, God´s Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes
• Timbavati: Traditional Shangaan dinner with dancing
• Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
• Kruger National Park: Game drives

 

Day 4-5; Swaziland

• Mlilwane Nature Reserve: Nature walks, traditional dancing

 

Day 6-7; South Africa

• St. Lucia Wetland Park: Sunset boat cruise
• Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve: Game drives
• Durban: Dinner at a local restaurant (optional)
• Drakensberg: Hiking, Bushman paintings

 

Day 10-11; Lesotho

• Malealea: Pony trekking excursion (optional), local village and school visit

 

Day 12-17; South Africa

• Cintsa: Relaxing, boat rental, quad biking (optional)
• Addo Elephant National Park: Game drives
• Tsitsikamma National Park: Hiking, Otter Trail, bungee jumping (optional)
• Plettenberg Bay: Beaches, whale and dolphin watching

 

Day 17-20; South Africa

• Knysna: Lagoon, The Heads, Knysna Forest, Knysna Elephant Park (optional)
• Oudtshoorn: Cango Caves, ostrich farm (optional)
• Stellenbosch: Winelands, Spier wine estate, Cheetah Outreach
• Cape Town: Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, Cape of Good Hope, Robben Island, Camps Bay, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden (optional)

Day 1 Johannesburg, South Africa - Timbavati, South Africa

Distance approx. 600 km; driving time approx. 9-10h (incl. Panorama Route)

Leaving Johannesburg you travel along the Panorama Route, one of South Africa’s most scenic drives. The Panorama route along the edge of an escarpment visit the natural phenomena of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window and Three Rondavels. This evening you will enjoy a traditional Shangaan dinner and some dancing.
Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 2-3 Timbavati, South Africa - Kruger National Park, South Africa

Distance on day 2 approx. 50 km; driving time approx. 3-4h (incl. educational visit)

You get up early to visit the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre a sanctuary for injured and poisoned wild birds and animals. This is a wonderful opportunity to get up close to some very rare species as well as to learn about dehorning of rhinos being done here. Later you enter the world-famous Kruger National Park for an afternoon game drive. The next day you spend the entire day on a game drive. You also have the option to join a game walk, night drive and game drive in an open vehicle or a game walk. These are optional activities, not included in the rate.
2 x Breakfast, 2 x Dinner

 

Day 4-5 Kruger National Park, South Africa - Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Swaziland

Distance on day 4 approx. 450 km; driving time approx. 5-6h (incl. game dives)

After one last game drive on your way out of the Kruger National Park you travel to Swaziland, stopping at one of the local markets on the way. The tiny Kingdom of Swaziland is a landlocked country bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. You spend the next two nights in the Mlilwane Nature Reserve where animals such as warthog and nyala wander between the chalets. Explore on foot; there are no dangerous predators here. You will experience traditional Swazi dancing on the second evening after dinner. Optional activities include mountain biking, hiking, horse riding, a guided bird walk or a sunset game drive.
2 x Breakfast, 2 x Lunch, 2 x Dinner

 

Day 6 Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Swaziland - St Lucia, South Africa

Distance approx. 300 km; driving time approx. 4-5h

You leave Swaziland and take a scenic drive towards the warm Indian Ocean coast, re-entering South Africa. Soon after your arrival at the iSimangaliso Wetland Park you join a boat for a sunset cruise on the estuary. This World Heritage Site is extremely varied and includes lakes, beaches, coral reefs, wetlands, woodlands, coastal forests and grasslands support an astounding diversity of animal, bird and marine life. You can also visit a traditional Zulu village (optional activity, not included in the rate).
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 7 St Lucia, South Africa - Durban, South Africa

Distance approx. 300 km; driving time approx. 4-5h

Today you travel to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve where you join a game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle. The park is the only state-run park in the province of KwaZulu-Natal where the ‘Big Five’ occur. Thanks to conservation efforts, the park now has the largest population of white rhino in the world. In the late afternoon you arrive in tropical Durban, South Africa’s largest marine port and well-known surfing destination. 
Breakfast

 

Day 8-9 Durban, South Africa - Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, South Africa

Distance on day 8 approx. 350 km; driving time approx. 5-6h

You leave the beautiful beaches of KwaZulu-Natal and travel inland to Ukhahlamba Drakensberg or Royal Natal National Park, both part of the huge and incredibly scenic Drakensberg escarpment. With peaks over 3 000 m high the Drakensberg is South Africa’s highest mountain range. Hiking is the most popular activity here but horse riding (optional activity, not included in the rate) can be a great way to explore this mountainous area.
1 x Breakfast, 2 x Lunch, 2 x Dinner

 

Day 10-11 Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, South Africa - Malealea, Lesotho

Distance on day 10 approx. 550 km; driving time approx. 8-10h

It’s a visually exciting drive up to the Lesotho border, where you visit a local village and primary school. An overnight pony trekking excursion is optional. Lesotho villagers will guide you along remote trails where you enjoy spectacular views and ride past indigenous homesteads. Alternatively, you can enjoy some quiet time at the lodge.
2 x Breakfast, 2 x Lunch, 2 x Dinner

 

Day 12-13 Malealea, Lesotho - Cintsa, South Africa

Distance on day 12 approx. 550 km; driving time approx. 8-9h

Leaving the ‘Kingdom in the Skies’ you travel south to Cintsa on the warm east coast. Relax on the beach, swim in the lagoon, explore the forest or participate in one of the many optional activities available like canoeing, quad biking and abseiling.
2 x Breakfast, 2 x Lunch, 2 x Dinner

 

Day 14 Cintsa, South Africa - Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa

Distance approx. 300 km; driving time approx. 5-6h

This unique Eastern Cape reserve is home to one of the densest concentration of African elephants on earth and because the greater Addo area is both a land and marine park, it also boasts the ‘Big Seven’ - elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark. You have the option of doing a night game drive to see the nocturnal animals of the park (optional activity, not included in the rate).
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 15-16 Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa - Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa

Distance on day 15 approx. 350 km; driving time approx. 4-5h

After a final early morning game drive you bid farewell to the elephants. You will arrive in the Tsitsikamma National Park in the afternoon. With hiking trails along the sea and in the forest and superb coastal scenery, Tsitsikamma (‘place of abundant water’) is a nature lover’s paradise. The first few kilometres of the tough 5-day Otter hiking trail takes you along the rocky coastline to a specular waterfall. Optional activities include bungee jumping, treetop canopy tour or hiking in the Tsitsikamma National Park.
2 x Breakfast, 2 x Lunch, 2 x Dinner

 

Day 17 Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa - Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Distance approx. 50 km; driving time approx. 1h

It is only a short drive to Plettenberg Bay. In the afternoon you can either relax at the resort, swim at the beach or go on a short excursion to Knysna. There are also a lot of optional activities available: visit the Knysna Elephant Park, Birds of Eden, Monkey Town or a predator rehabilitation centre. Go on a Knysna lagoon cruise, township tour or a 4x4 forest drive.
2 x Breakfast, 2 x Lunch, 2 x Dinner

 

Day 18 Plettenberg Bay, South Africa - Oudtshoorn, South Africa

Distance approx. 200 km; driving time approx. 3-4h

Today you travel through the Outeniqua Mountains towards Oudtshoorn where you visit the world-famous Cango Caves. The caves contain spectacular halls and magnificent limestone formations and a local guide will tell you all about the 4 km long cave system.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 19 Oudtshoorn, South Africa - Stellenbosch Wine Route, South Africa

Distance approx. 400 km; driving time approx. 5-6h

You have the option of visiting an ostrich farm to learn more about these huge edible birds and even ride them. This is an optional activity and not included in the rate. On the Route 62 towards Stellenbosch you might stop at Ronnie’s Sex Shop - not a sex shop but a rather interesting country pub - if time allows. Historical Stellenbosch is the heart of the Western Cape’s wine region and is the second oldest European settlement in the Western Province. As this is the last night of tour, celebrate with local wines and cuisine at a restaurant in this student town – own account. 
Breakfast, Lunch

 

Day 20 Stellenbosch Wine Route, South Africa - Cape Town, South Africa

Distance approx. 70 km; driving time approx. 1-2h

After a leisurely breakfast you stop at the Spier wine estate to taste some of South Africa’s finest wines. You also visit Cheetah Outreach educational program before the tour ends in Cape Town. 
Breakfast

 

Price includes:

• Overland tour according to the itinerary
• 19 nights accommodation in guesthouses, chalets, bungalows,
• camps or lodges as indicated in the itinerary
• Transport in an overland truck
• Professional English-speaking guide
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Coffee and tea with breakfast
• National parks fees

 

Price excludes:

• Flights (international and domestic)
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Beverages (alcohol, soft drinks and bottled mineral water)
• Optional activities
• Visa, tips, personal expenses, travel insurance

• How big is the group and where are my fellow travellers from?

  - Group sizes vary however there is a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 17 travellers per group.
  - Travellers are from all over the world and from all walks of life.

• Is there an age limit on tour?

  - Generally the age limit is 18 to 55 years. But please feel free to contact us if you are a youngster travelling with your parents or if you are over the age of 55 years and we will gladly contact the local tour operator to see if we can’t work out something for you.

• Where does the group overnight while on tour?

  - 11 nights are spent in spacious 2-man dome tents (2,2 x 2,2m) on campsites with good ablution and other facilities.
  - 3 nights are spent in spacious 2-man dome tents (2,2 x 2,2m) in basic bush camps with very basic ablutions (bush toilet + bucket shower).
  - 9 nights are spent in twin rooms / casitas / bungalows at nice camps / guesthouses / lodges.

• What vehicle is used on tour?

  - We make use of safari trucks that have been reconstructed in order to cope with the demanding African conditions. Big windows guarantee first-class game and nature viewing and a spacious interior with comfortable seats offer a high travel comfort. The back part of the vehicle is used for luggage, food and camping equipment.

• What meals are included and what food can be expected on tour?

  - Meals are included as indicated in the itinerary.
  - Breakfast usually consists of cereals, toast and jam. Light lunches like salads and sandwiches are prepared en-route while for dinner the guide prepares stews, BBQs, vegetables and different pasta or rice dishes.

• How much extra money do I have to take along?

  - We recommend that you take along some extra cash for drinks, snacks and souvenirs. 10-15 USD per day is usually sufficient (depending on your spending habits). In addition you should allow some extra money for the optional activities you might want to participate in.

• Do I need visa for this tour?

  - Citizens of all nationalities need to contact the respective embassies of their travel destination to check the visa regulations.
  - In general European citizens do not require a visa for South Africa and Malawi. For Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique a visa is usually required.
  - It is the sole responsibility of every traveller to be in possession of the required documents and visa that allows them to enter their holiday destination.

• Do I need vaccinations for this tour?

  - On this safari you will travel to Zambia which is within a yellow fever region. Thereafter you will return to South Africa, where proof of yellow fever vaccination will be required upon entering.
  - As Botswana, Victoria Falls, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique are situated within a malaria area, we would recommend some precautions. Please speak to your doctor or travel clinic about the different prophylaxis and their effects and side effects.
  - Although none of the countries visited on tour require proof of immunization against Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio and Hepatitis A & B, we nevertheless recommend those vaccinations.