20 day Safari — A small-group lodge safari, from Johannesburg to Cape Town through South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho
Explore the very best of South Africa in one tour. Experience the exciting wildlife in the iconic Kruger National Park, breath-taking scenery in the Drakensberg mountains and along the Garden Route and witness the various cultures and history in cities such as Cape Town as you travel through South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. This safari has it all!
DAY 1 – JOHANNESBURG
On arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met and transferred to the Safari Club. The remainder of the day at leisure until 18h00 when you meet your guide and the rest of the group for your pre-departure meeting.
- SAFARI CLUB or similar (en-suite rooms, swimming pool and restaurant)
DAY 2 – MPUMLANGA
An early departure at 06H30 from Johannesburg as you drive east towards Mpumalanga passing through a landscape characterized by mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests. Spend the night in the town of Graskop, a small forestry town situated on the Drakensberg Escarpment at the start of the Panorama route and the gateway to the Kruger National Park.
- GRASKOP HOTEL or similar (en-suite rooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
DAY 3 & 4 – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
This morning depart at 07h00 for a scenic drive along the Panorama Route, arguably one of the most beautiful destinations in South Africa. The most spectacular stretch is the Blyde River Canyon, which is the 3rd largest canyon in the world, and filled with lush vegetation and wildlife. Make a stop at Bourke’s Luck Potholes to view these spectacular rock formations, formed eons ago by erosion. In the afternoon head into the Kruger National Park. Spend two nights inside the park with the chance to encounter the wildlife of Africa on exciting morning and afternoon game drives in your tour vehicle. Should you wish to partake on a game drive in an open game-viewer vehicle, these are available, at an additional expense.
- BERG EN DAL CAMP or similar (en-suite bungalows, swimming pool, restaurant)
DAY 5 – KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND
Depart at 08h00 for the drive to the border and cross into the mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland, one of 3 monarchies in Africa led by King Mswati III. Explore the traditions and discover the culture of which the Swazis are so proud. Spend two nights in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Swaziland’s pioneer conservation area situated in the “Valley of Heaven”. Apart from abundant bird life, there are a number of animal species to be seen including hippo, giraffe, zebra, and a variety of antelope, which we hope to spot on a guided walk in the afternoon.
- MLILWANE REST CAMP or similar (beehive huts with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant)
DAY 6 – KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND
Visit the Umphakatsi Chief’s homestead, for an interactive experience where you will get to try your hand at grinding maize and plaiting mountain grass or join the children in Swazi song and dance. An offering of a taste of local food is made but forget about your cutlery and try it the Swazi way… with your hands!
- MLILWANE REST CAMP
DAY 7 – ZULULAND
In the morning depart at 08h00 to visit a craft market before you re-enter South Africa via Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon with the rest of the day at leisure.
- EZULWINI GAME LODGE or similar (en-suite rooms, swimming pool, bar & dining area)
DAY 8 – ZULULAND
Explore the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, with a game drive in your tour vehicle. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is the oldest game reserve in Africa and is a safe haven to both the endangered black and white rhino. In the afternoon travel to The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which was listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site. Here you enjoy a boat cruise on the St Lucia estuary, getting up close to the hippos and crocodiles that inhabit the lake.
- EZULWINI GAME LODGE or similar
DAY 9 & 10 – DRAKENSBERG
Moving further inland, spend the next two nights in Northern Drakensberg, an area known for its magnificent scenery of towering mountains, indigenous forests, and cool berg streams. At 3,482 metres in height, The Drakensberg, known in Zulu as uKhahlamba or the “Barrier of Spears”, is South Africa’s highest mountain range, stretching its rugged form roughly 1,000 km from south-west to north-east. Time will be spent exploring this picturesque World Heritage Site on guided walks.
THE CAVERN or similar (en-suite rooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
DAY 11 – LESOTHO
Depart at 08H00 and cross the border into the Kingdom of Lesotho, the southernmost landlocked country in the world, rich in natural beauty, flora, fauna and cultural heritage. Malealea is situated in a remote part of Western Lesotho that is breath-taking in its beauty. You have the opportunity to experience traditional Basotho life, a nation with solid traditions, beliefs and customs.
MALEALEA LODGE or similar (en-suite rooms, bar & dining area)
DAY 12 – LESOTHO
No visit to Lesotho would be complete without a pony trek and today you can experience a ride on the transport of choice for most Basotho, as these sturdy animals handle the narrow trails better than any 4×4 can!
- MALEALEA LODGE or similar
DAY 13 – CRADOCK
Leave the beauty of Lesotho behind and drive to the historical town of Cradock, known for spectacular starry nights and traditional Karoo hospitality. Founded in 1814 as a frontier stronghold, the town is an important agricultural centre for cattle, dairy and fruit farming. Cradock is a place of literary legends and the original part of the town is graced with some of the finest old buildings.
- DIE TUISHUISE or similar (en-suite rooms, bar & restaurant)
DAY 14 – ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK
A benchmark conservation success, Addo Elephant National Park offers a unique wildlife habitat, famous for the Addo elephants and the remaining population of the flightless dung beetle. Spend the afternoon on a game drive in your tour vehicle, in search of elephant, black rhino, lion,buffalo and leopard. Additional game drives conducted in open game-viewer vehicles are available at an extra expense. An evening spent at the floodlit waterhole allows you to watch the nocturnal animals and listen to their calls.
- ADDO ELEPHANT REST CAMP or similar (en-suite bungalows, swimming pool, restaurant)
DAY 15 & 16 – TSITSIKAMMA
This morning your journey takes you to a region of startling beauty along South Africa’s southern coastline, known as the Garden Route. Spend two nights in the Storms River Village, at the heart of the Tsitsikamma Forest. Take a leisurely hike along one of the short trails to explore the coastal bush and rocky shoreline. There is also an option to plunge off the world’s highest bungi jump at the Bloukrans River (at own expense).
- TSITSIKAMMA VILLAGE INN or similar (en-suite rooms, swimming pool, restaurant)
DAY 17 – KNYSNA TO OUDTSHOORN
Knysna is a town nestled on a tranquil lagoon and after visiting ‘The Heads’ you will enjoy an interactive and educational oyster tasting experience. Your journey continues, travelling over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo arriving in the town of Oudtshoorn, known as the ostrich capital of the world. Visit the famous Cango Caves, with their impressive ancient stalagmites and stalactites then on to your hotel.
- TURNBERRY BOUTIQUE HOTEL or similar (en-suite rooms, bar & restaurant)
DAY 18 – CAPE TOWN
En-route to Cape Town, visit the pretty university town of Stellenbosch, for wine tasting and a cellar tour. Once in Cape Town the afternoon is at leisure for independent activities – time to enjoy sundowners at one of the fabulous beaches or indulge in some last minute shopping at the vibrant V&A Waterfront.
- THE TOWNHOUSE HOTEL or similar (en-suite rooms, restaurant)
DAY 19 – CAPE TOWN
Explore the many attractions the ‘Mother City’ has to offer on a Cape Point tour. Travel along Chapman’s Peak – one of the world’s most breathtaking coastal drives to the Good Hope Nature Reserve that is rich in magnificent fynbos vegetation, birdlife, endemic antelope species and zebra, and visit the Cape of Good Hope. Visit the quaint village and fishing harbour of Hout Bay and the village of Simon’s Town with charming Victorian architecture, a naval base and a large penguin colony at the beautiful Boulders Beach.
- THE TOWNHOUSE HOTEL or similar
DAY 20 – CAPE TOWN
Time at leisure for independent activities. If the weather allows there is the opportunity to take the cable car up Table Mountain (at own expense) and enjoy one last view of the Cape of Good Hope before your transfer to the airport.
Included
- Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary or of similar standard
- All transport as indicated above
- Game drives and activities as mentioned
- Meals as per itinerary
- Park entrance fees
- Experienced local guide
- Airport transfers on day of
Excluded
- Flights
- Pre and post tour accommodation
- Optional activities
- All drinks
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses