DETAILED ITINERARY
19 Day World in One Country – Mpumalanga Panorama Route, Game Drives in Kruger National Park, Kingdom of Swaziland, Cultural Experience and Game Drives in Zululand, Walking in the Drakensberg Mountains, Lesotho 4×4 Route, Garden Route, Cango Caves & Karoo, Cape Town
A semi-participation safari from Johannesburg to Cape Town through South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho.
Meal Key:
B – Breakfast L – Lunch D – Dinner
Itinerary
DAY 1: Johannesburg to Mpumalanga, South Africa LD
Departing from Johannesburg at 06h30 we head east towards Mpumalanga. A landscape characterized by mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests. We spend the night just outside the old gold rush town of Pilgrims Rest, a living museum dating back to 1873. We explore the quaint town and visit the Mac Mac falls.
Distance: 500 km
Accommodation:Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge (chalets with en-suite bathrooms)
DAY 2 – 3: Kruger National Park, South Africa BLD
This morning we stop at the “God’s Window” viewpoint before heading to the Kruger National Park. Big game country – exciting game drives provide us with excellent game viewing. Spot lion, elephant, rhino and other animals in one of the last African wildernesses. Early morning & afternoon game drives get us close to the wildlife.
Distance: 200 km
Accommodation: Berg en Dal Camp (Bungalows with en-suite bathrooms)
DAY 4: Kingdom of Swaziland BLD
The mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland, lead by King Mswati III, is one of 3 monarchies in Africa. Swazi’s are proud of their traditional lifestyle & cultures. Hlane is a home to white rhino, zebra, giraffe, elephant, ostrich, crocodile, wildebeest and impala as well as small populations of lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena.
Distance: 150 km
Accommodation: Ndlovu Camp (Huts with en-suite bathrooms)
DAY 5-6: Zululand, South Africa BLD, BLD
After visiting a craft market en route, we re-enter South Africa. Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve is a safe haven for the white rhino. We have an afternoon and the following morning to do game drives in our vehicle and stop at hides and waterholes to watch game come down to drink. The first afternoon we visit a local Zulu village to learn about their culture, traditions and lifestyle.
Distance: 350 km
Accommodation: Hluhluwe Hilltop Camp (chalets with en-suite bathrooms)
DAY 7: Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa BLD
Moving further south to the base of the Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains). We spend one night here allowing time for walking along beautiful mountain stream paths the next morning.
Distance: 450 km
Accommodation: Underberg Region (Cottages with en-suite bathrooms)
DAY 8: Sani Pass, South Africa BLD
Early this morning we explore the picturesque Drakensberg Mountains on a short guided walk. Afterwards we make our way up the scenic Sani Pass in direction of Lesotho. The Sani Pass is a spectacular mountain road that is a well-known entry point into Lesotho from South Africa. It is the gateway to the ‘Roof of Africa’ scenic route that links the spectacular scenery of the Drakensberg with the mountains of northern Lesotho.
Distance: 100 km
Accommodation: Sani Top Chalet (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
DAY 9 & 10: Lesotho BLD
Today we cross the border into Lesotho and make our way down the Sani Pass along an adventurous 4×4 route towards the western border of Lesotho. After a long day we arrive at Malealea Lodge, where we spend two nights. Malealea is situated in a remote part of Western Lesotho that is breathtaking in its beauty. This is a chance to experience traditional Basotho life. On Day 10 we enjoy pony trekking through the magnificent landscapes that Lesotho has to offer.
Distance: 520 km
Accommodation: Malealea Lodge (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
DAY 11: Cradock, South Africa BLD
We leave the beauty of Lesotho behind us and cross the border back into South Africa. We drive to the historical Karoo town of Cradock. Founded in 1814 as a frontier stronghold, the town is an important agricultural centre with traditional Karoo hospitality, situated close to natural sulphur springs.
Distance: 395 km
Accommodation: Die Tuishuise (rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
DAY 12-13: Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa BLD
A conservation success, Addo Elephant N.P. offers a unique wildlife area, famous for the Addo elephants. We head out on game drives in search of elephant, black rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard. Evening viewing at the floodlit waterhole allows us to watch the nocturnal animals.
Distance: 600 km
Accommodation: Addo Elephant Campsites (Bungalows with en-suite bathrooms)
DAY 14-15: Tsitsikamma, South Africa BLD, BLD
Indigenous Tsitsikamma forests surround the campsite at Storms River mouth, and there are walks up the Storms River Gorge and along the rocky coastline. There is an option of world’s highest bungi jump (own expense). Whale watching in season (July to November).
Distance: 260 km
Accommodation: Storms River Campsite (Bungalows with en-suite bathrooms)
DAY 16: Karoo, South Africa BLD
After visiting ‘The Heads’ in Knysna, a town nestled on a tranquil lagoon we travel over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo. In Oudtshoorn we visit the famous Cango Caves. We camp outside Oudtshoorn and enjoy our final night under Africa’s starry skies.
Distance: 400 km
Accommodation: Kleinplaas Campsite (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & cafeteria)
DAY 17 – 18: Cape Town, South Africa B, B
Visit Stellenbosch, for wine tasting and a cellar tour. Explore Cape Town and the ‘Mother City’s’ many attractions; visit Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope, Chapman’s Peak drive, the harbour at Hout Bay, enjoy the famous beaches and the V&A Waterfront. Optional visit to Robben Island (own expense). Meals at a variety of local restaurants (own expense).
Distance: 410 km
Accommodation: Hotel or Lodge in Cape Town (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, close to restaurants & shops)
DAY 19: Cape Town, South Africa B
We climb Table Mountain in the morning admiring the views over Table Bay and Cape Town. Spend the afternoon catching up on last minute curio shopping or just lazing on the beach absorbing the Cape’s sunshine.
Tour ends at +/-18h00 at your hotel.
Please note that there will be 2 additional hotel nights on this tour, one pre tour night and one post tour night. These will be prearranged for your convenience.