Best of South Africa
19 Day • Small Group Safari - Lesotho, South Africa and SwazilandBest of South Africa
19 Day Tour - Small Group Safari - Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland
Wildlife, Culture and History Adventure in Southern Africa
Discover the diversity and richness of South Africa, this small group safari has it all, from Johannesburg to Cape Town. This is an unforgettable adventure from the vibrant streets of Johannesburg to the majestic landscapes of Mpumalanga and the cultural richness of Eswatini. Encounter diverse wildlife in Kruger National Park, delve into Zulu traditions in Zululand, unwind on the pristine beaches of Cinsta and discover the cosmopolitan charms of Cape Town.
- Tour includes:
- Accommodation for 18 nights, all transport, game drives and activities as per itinerary
- 2025 Departure Dates:
- 1 Sep, 20 Oct, 17 Nov, 15 Dec
Subject to availability. Contact us for Single traveller rates or for travel alternate dates - Meals included: 18 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 5 Dinners
- Donation to the Grow Africa Foundation
- Tour includes:
- Accommodation for 18 nights, all transport, game drives and activities as per itinerary
- 2026 Departure Dates:
- 10 Mar, 17 May, 28 Jun
2 Aug, 1 Sep, 20 Oct, 17 Nov, 15 Dec
Subject to availability. Contact us for Single traveller rates or for travel alternate dates - Meals included: 18 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 5 Dinners
- Donation to the Grow Africa Foundation
Trip Details
Included in your trip
EXCLUDED FROM YOUR TRIP
WHERE WILL YOU VISIT?
- Johannesburg
- Kruger N.P.
- Eswatini
- St Lucia
- Drakensberg Mountains
- Lesotho
- Cinsta
- Addo N.P.
- Tsitsikamma N.P.
- Cango Caves
- Oudtshoorn
- Cape Winelands
- Cape Town
TRIP ITINERARY
Small Group Safari - South Africa from Johannesburg to Cape Town
19 Day Adventure
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 yur 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
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Trip Code: AFR2612
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