Best of South Africa

Sample Itinerary (Subject to Change)

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

Day 3: Mpumalanga to Blyde River Canyon (South Africa)

Start 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 which is the 3rd largest canyon in the world, and filled with lush vegetation and wildlife. Stop at Bourke’s Luck Potholes to view the spectacular rock formations formed eons ago by erosion. Then, marvel at the vast expanse of Blyde River Canyon, where towering cliffs and lush landscapes create an awe-inspiring spectacle.

Day 4:  Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Today is spent on a full day open vehicle game drive in Kruger National Park where you will have the chance to encounter the wildlife of Africa in a comfortable 4×4 open vehicle.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

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 chance to taste local Swazi food.

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

Day 7: Eswatini (Swaziland) to St Lucia (South Africa)

After visiting a craft market en-route, re-enter South Africa via Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. In the afternoon, make your way to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which was listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8: St Lucia to Zululand (South Africa)

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) to Drakensberg Mountains (Lesotho)

Embark on an exciting journey to the Southern Drakensberg Park, where rugged landscapes and towering peaks await. This area is 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.

The next day, join a guided 4×4 excursion up the legendary Sani Pass in Lesotho, navigating challenging terrain. At the summit, savour a drink and soak in the breathtaking mountain views at the highest pub in Africa, nestled amidst clouds. After lunch, visit a Basotho village and interact locals who live a harsh existence in this rugged land. There will be ample opportunity to take photographs of the iconic Lesotho conical straw hat and maybe get a decorative woven bowl made by the women there. Your mountain guide will share stories of Lesotho and its incredible people – the hardy mountainous Basotho folk. The Basotho Pony can be seen and is an integral part of life for the local population and can be traced back from that of the Cape horse, which formed the foundation

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

Days 11 & 12: Lesotho to Cinsta (South Africa)

Head south to Cinsta, the crown jewel of the Wild Coast. Miles of untouched beaches await, inviting you to relax and unwind. Feel the soft sand beneath your feet as you stroll along the pristine shoreline, soaking in the beauty of nature. Whether you’re lounging by the sea or exploring hidden coves, Cinsta promises a tranquil escape by the water’s edge.

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

Day 13: Cinsta to Addo

Journey through the historical Zuurberg Mountain Pass. Guided by experts, traverse rugged terrain as the late afternoon sun illuminates ancient rocks. Listen to tales of explorers and settlers amidst sweeping vistas and vibrant wildflowers. In the late afternoon enjoy a guided walk across the Zuurberg mountain.

Meals included: Breakfast

Days 14 & 15: Addo to Tsitsikamma Forest

Addo Elephant National Park offers a unique wildlife habitat famous for the elephants and remaining population of the flightless dung beetle. Spend the morning on a game drive in search of elephant, black rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard.

Leave Addo and travel along the Garden Route to a beautiful region along Africa’s southern coastline. Spend two nights in Storms Rivver village 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 daily

Day 16: Tsitsikamma to Oudtshoorn

Continue your journey, travelling over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo arriving in the town of Oudtshoorn. Tour an Ostrich farm tour to learn about these fascinating birds, before continuing to the famous Cango Caves, with their impressive ancient stalagmites and stalactites.

Meals included: Breakfast

Days 17 & 18: Cape Town

Depart early morning to Cape Town and on-route, visit the town of Robertson where you will enjoy a tour and tasting at a local wine estate. Once in Cape Town, the afternoon is at leisure, enjoy sundowners at one of the fabulous beaches or indulge in some last-minute shopping at the V&A Waterfront.

The next day explore the many attractions the ‘Mother City’ has to offer, on a Cape Peninsula tour. Travelling along the Atlantic Seaboard via Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay, we stop at Maiden Cove look-out point before continuing to Hout Bay. Here you have the option to take a boat trip to Seal Island (seasonal, optional, additional cost). Carry on over Chapman’s Peak, one of the world’s most breath-taking coastal drives, to Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve. In the afternoon we travel on to Simon’s Town, a village with charming Victorian architecture, a naval base and a large penguin colony at the beautiful Boulders Beach. Kindly note the reserve entrance fee at Boulders Beach carries an additional cost.

Meals included: Breakfast daily

Day 19: Farewell Cape Town, South Africa

Spend your last day at leisure. You may take the cable car up scenic Table Mountain (additional expense, weather dependent) 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 – 14 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 – 14 Days

Africa Tailormade Vacations

Madagascar Beaches & Lemurs – 13 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