View of Table Mountain in Cape Town
View of Table Mountain in Cape Town
Lazing around  | Peter Walton
The green valley of Drakensberg in South Africa
Spotting a mother and baby cheetah on a wildlife safari
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South Africa Encompassed

Comprehensive tour with walking, cultural visits & wildlife....

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 6 reviews

17 Days from

$3040 USD

 $3140 USD
Trip Code: SAR
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement
$690 USD

Duration

  • 17 Days

Activities

  • Wildlife Safari
  • Day Walking

Accommodation

  • 16 nights hotel/lodge/guesthouse

Meals

  • 11 Dinners
  • 13 Lunches
  • 16 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

2 / 10

Adventure touring

Trip highlights

  • Search for the “BIG FIVE” in Kruger National Park
  • Experience the colourful tribal heritage of Swaziland (eSwatini) & Zululand
  • Take in the scenic beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains (World Heritage site)
  • Encounter elephants in Addo and the spectacular scenery of the Garden Route
  • Discover the Wild Coast – beach walks & Xhosa villages
  • Visit Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands
  • Journey to Table Mountain and the Cape Point Nature Reserve
  • Explore the beautiful city of Cape Town
  • Visit the Nelson Mandela Capture Site Museum

Overview

This is an inspiring journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town visiting the great parks and landscapes of a magnificent corner of Africa whilst staying in comfortable accommodation, handpicked for its location and character. During the trip you can observe the teeming animal life of Kruger National Park, where we search for Africa’s ‘Big Five’, before heading to the Kingdom of Swaziland (eSwatini). We visit Zululand and the World Heritage Site, the Drakensberg Mountains, the Nelson Mandela Capture Site Museum, and the dramatic Wild Coast. We enjoy a game drive in Addo Elephant National Park, home of large herds of elephant, lion and numerous antelope species. Continuing through the Garden Route, our journey is complete with a visit to Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands region. Arriving in Cape Town, we explore this vibrant city, visiting Cape Point Nature Reserve with an ascent of Table Mountain.

Itinerary

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Departing from Johannesburg at 06:30am we head towards Mpumalanga where mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests characterise the landscape. Few regions in the world can match the extraordinary beauty of the lowveld and escarpment. We enjoy the views from God's Window, before we head to our private game lodge on the border of the Greater Kruger National Park. Overnight lodge. NOTE - Driving distance (580 kms, 8.5 hrs) excludes stops for sightseeing, breakfast & lunch. NB: Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge.

Meals: L,D

Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa stretches north to south over approximately 500km and is home to the Big Five, as well as numerous other species of fauna and flora. The largest game reserve in South Africa boasts the world's greatest concentration of species, and has an amazing 16 different ecosystems. An exciting game drive provides us with excellent game viewing. Spot the “Big 5” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and many other animals in this true African wilderness. In the late afternoon we exit the park and return to our private game lodge in the Greater Kruger area. Overnight lodge. Distance/time: 150kms, ± 2 hours + 2 x 3 hour game drives. NB: Breakfast and Dinner will be provided by the lodge; Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Meals: B,L,D

We stretch our legs on a short morning walk exploring the surrounding bush before we re-enter the Kruger National Park. This is Big game country, where we spend the day in search of the elusive leopard, the majestic lion and the mighty elephant. We game drive south through the reserve as your professional guides will impart their extensive knowledge of ecology, fauna and flora during our time in the bush. Optional night game drive with spotlights available (own expense). Overnight Kruger National Park chalet or permanent tent. NB: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Meals: B,L,D

Malolotja Nature Reserve in the mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland (eSwatini) is our next attraction. Renowned for a great variety of habitats from short grassland, to thick riverine scrub, bushveld and moist forest, we explore the reserve on foot to enjoy the fantastic mountain views. Relax around a campfire dinner and stay in mountain cabins for the night. Overnight mountain chalet. NOTE - Driving distance/time (220 kms, 5 hrs) excludes 2-3 hour morning drive out of Kruger National Park, shopping stop in Malelane, Jeppes Reef border formalities & stops for meals, sightseeing etc. NB: Breakfast & Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge.

Meals: B,L,D

We visit a craft market near Mbabane which has a range of handmade crafts and a local witchdoctor stall. We re-enter South Africa and head to our lodge on a private game reserve situated on the Msinene Nature Reserve, where our local guide will lead us on a walk through the bushveld and riverine vegetation of the Msinene River, bird watching and game tracking. Nyala, hippo and the elusive leopard are all found on the reserve. The next day we take a game drive in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, which is a safe haven for the embattled rhino. Relax in the late afternoon with a cold drink while enjoying the views over the reserve from the lodge.Overnight permanent safari camp. NOTE - Driving distance/time (320 kms, 6 hrs) excludes border formalities & stops for meals, sightseeing etc. NB: Breakfast & Dinner will be provided by the lodge; Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Meals: B,L,D

The Drakensberg Mountains or “uKhahlamba” - the Barrier of Spears, is a 200-kilometre-long mountainous wonderland and world heritage site. From Zululand we move further south to the base of these mountains where we overnight for two nights in quaint cottages. We will spend time walking along beautiful mountain stream paths, or just enjoying spectacular views. En-route to the Drakensberg we will visit the Nelson Mandela Capture Site Museum and pay our respects to this great man. Overnight chalet. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (500 kms; 7 hrs) excludes stops for sightseeing & lunch. The last 50km is a slow gravel road. Day 7: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 8: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Meals: B,L,D

The Wild Coast remains a relatively untouched paradise with unspoilt stretches of dramatically beautiful coastline, open spaces and pristine forest areas. We stay overnight and the next day is free to explore the area, meet local villagers or relax on the beach. In 2023 - Overnight twin share rooms with 1 shared bathroom between two rooms. In 2024 - Overnight chalet. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (600 kms, 9 hrs) excludes stops for sightseeing & lunch – a long day. In 2023: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. In 2024: (Day 9) Breakfast & Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be provided by the lodge. In 2024: (Day 10) Breakfast will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Lunch & Dinner will be at your own expense (meal at a local restaurant).

Meals: B,L,D

The Addo Elephant National Park was established in 1931 to protect the last 11 wild elephants from extermination. Today more than 350 elephants roam through the area. The park also offers excellent viewing of black rhino, Cape buffalo, lion and leopard, as well as a host of other large and small mammals and over 400 species of birds in the greater park area. Overnight chalet or lodge tent. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (500 kms, 7.5 hrs) excludes stops for sightseeing & lunch + game drives – a long day. NB: Breakfast & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Lunch will be at your own expense (meal at a local restaurant).

Meals: B,D

Today we begin exploring the famous Garden Route, which is the area situated between the forests of the Tsitsikamma and the winelands of the Western Cape. We will take a day trip to the Storms River mouth where there are walks up the gorge and along the rocky coast. The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80km of spectacular sea and landscapes; a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys, coastal forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea. Sample seafood at one of the great local restaurants (own expense). Please note on day 13 breakfast is included (lunch and dinner at own expense). Overnight: guesthouse/ hotel. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (320 kms, 4.5 hrs) excludes stops for sightseeing. Day 12: Breakfast & Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal at a local restaurant). Day 13: Breakfast will be provided by the guesthouse/hotel; Lunch & Dinner will be at your own expense (meal at a local restaurant).

Meals: B,L

Hermanus offers some of the best land based whale watching in the world. From June to November, Southern Right whales come up from the southern oceans to calve and mate in the shallow waters around the Cape. In whale season we will take a walk along this beautiful coastline. In the summer months we will explore the flowering fynbos in Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Enjoy the evening meal out at a local restaurant (own expense). Overnight guesthouse/hotel. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (450 kms, 6.5 hrs) excludes stops for sightseeing & lunch. NB: Breakfast will be provided by the guesthouse/hotel; Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal at a local restaurant).

Meals: B,L

Cape Town is one of the most picturesque cities in the world, with the majestic Table Mountain providing its central focus. On our way into the beautiful city of Cape Town, we visit Stellenbosch, South Africa’s renowned wine region, for wine tasting (own expense) and a cellar tour. The “mother city” has many attractions; we will visit Cape Point, the harbour at Hout Bay, enjoy the famous beaches and the V&A Waterfront. Optional visit to Robben Island (own expense). We sample the local fare at a variety of local restaurants (own expense). Overnight hotel. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (190 kms, 3.5 hrs) excludes stops for sightseeing + 150 kms full day Cape Peninsular tour on day 16. NB: Breakfast will be provided by the hotel; Lunch & Dinner will be at your own expense (meal at a local restaurant).

Meals: B

In the morning we climb Table Mountain, offering panoramic views over Cape Town reaching out into the bay and Robben Island. Having explored the highlights of the Rainbow Nation we take a last look at Cape Town and catch up on last minute curio shopping in the afternoon, before your tour ends at 18:00. NB: Breakfast will be provided by the hotel; Lunch will be at your own expense (meal at a local restaurant).

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

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What’s included?

Included

  • 16 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 11 dinners
  • 14 nights comfortable accommodation in hotels, lodges and guesthouses on a twinshare basis
  • 2 nights accommodation in basic chalets with shared bathroom facilities on a twinshare basis
  • Game drives, day walks and excursions as listed in itinerary
  • English speaking local guide
  • National park fees and site entrance fees as listed in itinerary
  • Private transport in minibus / safari truck

Not included

  • Optional activities
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks
  • Items of a personal nature (i.e laundry, phone calls, tips, etc)
  • Visas
  • Airport and departure taxes
  • International flights and taxes
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)
  • Airport arrival and departure transfers
  • Tips & gratuities

Reviews (6)

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