Best of South Africa

Day 1: Welcome to Johannesburg, South Africa

On arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure until you meet your group at 6:00pm.

Day 2: Johannesburg to Mpumalanga

Travel east towards Mpumalanga, through changing landscapes such as mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests. Spend the night in Graskop, a small forestry town on the Drakensberg escarpment at the start of the ‘Panorama Route’ and the gateway to the Kruger National Park.

Meals included: Breakfast

Days 3 & 4: Mpumalanga to Kruger National Park (South Africa)

This morning starts with 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 (3rd largest canyon in the world) filled with lush vegetation and wildlife. You will stop at Bourke’s Luck Potholes to view the spectacular rock formations. In the afternoon, head into the famous Kruger National Park. You will spend two nights inside the park and have the chance to encounter the African wildlife on exciting morning and afternoon game drives. Should you wish to partake on a game drive in an open game-viewer vehicle, these are also available (additional expense).

Meals included: Breakfast

Days 5 & 6: Kruger to Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland)

Cross the border into the mountainous Kingdom of Eswatini, one of the three monarchies in Africa led by King Mswati III.  Explore the traditions and culture the Swazis are so proud of. Spend two nights in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, a pioneer conservation area situated in the Valley of Heaven. Here you can see abundant bird life, hippo, giraffe, zebra and a variety of antelope. The next day visit the homestead of the Umphakatsi Chief to try your hand at grinding maize and plaiting mountain grass and the change to taste local Swazi food.

Meals included: Breakfast (Day 5) Breakfast & Lunch (Day 6)

Days 7 & 8: Eswatini to Zululand (South Africa)

After visiting a craft market, re-enter South Africa via Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal and arrive at your game lodge in the late afternoon. The next day, explore the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve. This is the oldest game reserve in Africa and a safe haven to endangered black and white rhinoceros. In the afternoon your adventure continues on a boat ride through on the St Lucia Estuary in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage Site. If you are lucky you can get up close to the hippos and crocodiles that inhabit the lake.

Meals included: Breakfast

Days 9 & 10: Zululand to Drakensberg (South Africa)

Spend the next two nights inland at Northern Drakensberg, an area known for its magnificent towering mountains, indigenous forests, and cool berg streams. At 3,482m high, The Drakensberg is South Africa’s highest mountain range. Explore this picturesque World Heritage Site on guided walks.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner (Day 9) Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (Day 10)

Days 11 & 12: Drakensberg (South Africa) to Kingdom of Lesotho

Cross the border to the Kingdom of Lesotho, the southernmost landlocked country in the world that is rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Malealea is situated in remote western Lesotho and is breathtakingly beautiful. Experience Basotho life, a nation with solid traditions, beliefs and customs. No visit to Lesotho would be complete without a pony trek, take a ride on the transport of choice for most Basotho that handle the narrow trails better than a vehicle.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch (Day 11) Breakfast (Day 12)

Day 13: Lesotho to Cradock

Leaving Lesotho behind, drive to the historical town of Cradock, known for spectacular night skies and traditional Karoo hospitality. Founded in 1814, this 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.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 14: Cradock to Addo Elephant National Park

Addo Elephant National Park offers a unique wildlife habitat famous for the elephants and remaining population of the flightless dung beetle. Spend the afternoon on a game drive in search of elephant, black rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard. Additional game drives in open game-viewer vehicles are available (additional expense).

Meals included: Breakfast

Days 15 & 16: Addo to Tsitsikamma Forest

Travel along the Garden Route to a beautiful region along Africa’s southern coastline. Spend two nights at your lodge in the heart of the Tsitsikamma Forest. Take a leisurely hike along one of the short trails. There is also an option to plunge off the world’s highest bungy jump at the Bloukrans River (additional expense).

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 17: Tsitsikamma to Oudtshoorn

After visiting ‘The Heads’ in Knysna, a town nestled on a tranquil lagoon, enjoy a fun oyster tasting experience. Continue your journey, over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo arriving in Oudtshoorn. Explore the famous Cango Caves before overnighting in the ostrich capital of the world. Here you will have the opportunity to take a nature walk, focusing on biodiversity, adaptation, the importance of organisms, interdependence and the need for conservation.

Meals included: Breakfast

Days 18 & 19: Oudtshoorn to Cape Town

On the way to Cape Town, you will have the chance to experience the tradition of blending red wine varietals, bottle and take home a souvenir. Once in Cape Town, enjoy the afternoon at leisure, you could enjoy sundowners at one of the great beaches or some last-minute shopping at the V&A Waterfront.

The next day, explore Cape Town on a Cape Peninsula tour including Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay, Maiden Cove lookout and Hout Bay. You have the option to take a boat trip to Seal Island (seasonal, additional cost). The drive over Chapman’s Peak is one of the most breath-taking coastal drives to Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve. In the afternoon travel to Simon’s Town, a village with charming Victorian architecture and a large penguin colony at the Boulders Beach. Note: entrance fee to the reserve at Boulders Beach is an additional cost.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 20: Farewell Cape Town, South Africa

Spend your last day at leisure. You may take the cable car up scenic Table Mountain (additional expense, weather dependant) to enjoy one last panoramic view of the Cape of Good Hope before your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals included: Breakfast

Looking to explore other parts of Africa? We have a selection suggested of Africa Vacation Adventures:

Africa Group Safari Tours:

Wild Botswana & Zimbabwe – 11 Days
Botswana & Zimbabwe Highlights – 15 Days
Ultimate Africa – 21 Days
South Africa Garden Route – 8 Days
The Spectacular South – 15 Days
Africa Overland Safari – 20 Days
Wild Tanzania – 7 Days
The Great Migration – 15 Days
Wild Uganda Gorilla Adventure – 11 Days

Africa Camping Safaris

Heart of Africa – 13 Days
Africa Explorer – 13 Days
Kilimanjaro Trek & Wildlife Safari – 11 Days

Africa Tailormade Vacations

Madagascar Beaches & Lemurs – 8 Days
Cape Town & Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve – 7 Days
Cape Town & Kruger – 7 Days
Zimbabwe Victoria Falls & Hwange – 6 Days

Africa Road Trips

South Africa Garden Route Road Trip – 6 Days