Explore the wonders of Swaziland and Lesotho. Venture through South Africa from Johannesburg and along the beautiful 'Garden Route' to Cape Town. Mountains decorate an exciting trail filled with national parks and indigenous forests. A route that runs parallel with a shoreline dotted with bays, beaches and rich colorful flowers.

Take the scenic panoramic route from Johannesburg to Kruger through Mpumalanga and the breathtaking vistas of the Lowveld, enjoying Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes.

Enter the world famous Kruger National Park and explore the southern Kruger area, sighting Africa's famed big five.

Cross the border into Swaziland and explore the Mlilwane Nature Reserve. Plus experience the wonderful Swazi culture through a display of traditional dancing.

Re-enter South Africa along the warm Indian Ocean coast. Spend time exploring the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and enjoy an afternoon sunset cruise on the lagoon. Experience a guided game drive at the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve.

Travel inland from the beautiful beaches of Kwa Zulu Natal to the Royal Natal National Park, part of the massive Drakensberg escarpment. Enjoy some horse riding and a short guided hike to view Bushmen rock art.

Cross the Lesotho border after a beautiful scenic drive. Take a popular optional pony trek along remote trails with spectacular views and enjoy a relaxing visit to the village school and craft market.

Explore the picturesque Cintsa as you leave Lesotho enjoying optional boat rental, quad bike or even abseiling.

Experience the Addo Elephant National Park and witness the magnificent creatures, a superb photographic opportunity. Drive along the sunshine coast reaching Bloukrans.

After reaching Knysna, relax by the lagoon or explore the interesting town. Travel to the Outeniqua Mountains towards Oudtshoorn and visit the world famous Cango Caves. Later take the option to visit an ostrich farm and watch the amazing creatures race.

Take a scenic drive to Stellenbosch and tour a wine farm to sample some of South Africa's finest wines followed by a visit to the Cheetah Breeding Project.

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: South Africa - Panorama Route (L, D)
Day 2/3: Kruger National Park (B, L, D)
Day 4/5: Swaziland, Mlilwane Nature Reserve (B, L, D)
Day 6/7: South Africa, Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, Durban (B, L)
Day 8/9: Drakensberg (B, L, D)
Day 10/11: Lesotho, Malealea (B, L, D)
Day 12/13: South Africa – Cintsa (B, L, D)
Day 14: Addo Elephant National Park (B, L, D)
Day 15/16: Bloukrans, Tsitsikamma National Park (B, L, D)
Day 17/18: Knysna, Oudtshoorn (B, L)
Day 19: Stellenbosch (B, L)
Day 20: Cape Town. Trip ends. (B)


Detailed Itinerary:

B: Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner

Day 1
South Africa - Panorama Route (L, D)

After a short briefing we leave Johannesburg on a scenic drive through Mpumalanga and the breathtaking vistas of the Lowveld. Blyde River Canyon, God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes will be some of today's highlights.

After gold was discovered in March 1886, Johannesburg was a town built to accommodate the booming growth of the area. Within 12 months Johannesburg was the second largest town in Transvaal. By the middle 1890's there were 20 separate mining companies working from headquarters in Johannesburg.

The Panorama Route
The Blyde River Canyon is one of the most spectacular canyons in Africa and its cliffs rise between 600m-800m from the riverbed. At the 'Three Rondavels' viewpoint (also called 'The Three Sisters') is an unforgettable view of three huge rock spirals rising out of the far wall of the canyon. Their tops appear to have a hut-like rounded roof. Where the Blyde River and the Treur River meet, water erosion has formed one of the most remarkable geological phenomena in the country, known as 'Bourke's Luck Potholes'.


Day 2 - 3
Kruger National Park (B, L, D)

We get up early and visit a wildlife rehabilitation center for an educational experience and then enter the world famous Kruger National Park. The next two days are spent exploring the southern Kruger area and we have a good chance of sighting Africa's famed big five. An optional night drive with one of the South African National Park (SANP) rangers is an excellent way to see some of the nocturnal animals.

On 26 March, 1898, President Paul Kruger signed a proclamation for the founding of a government game park in the Eastern Transvaal, between the Crocodile and Sabie Rivers. This area had attracted some of the most intensive hunting by man which had drastically reduced the animal population in the area. Luckily mosquito and tsetse fly however, had prevented human settlement in the area. After the Anglo-Boer war Major James Stevenson-Hamilton was appointed as the first warden of the park and was the first to raise the idea that the area should be opened to the public for viewing instead of hunting.

The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. The park of nearly 2 million hectares is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. There are approximately 145 mammal species, almost 500 bird species, some of which are not to be found elsewhere in South Africa and 336 tree species.

Optional activities:
South African National Park Night Drive.


Day 4 - 5
Swaziland, Mlilwane Nature Reserve (B, L, D)

Today we leave the Kruger National Park and cross the border into Swaziland. We spend the next two nights in the Mlilwane Nature Reserve where we are able to explore the area on foot. We also experience the wonderful Swazi culture and enjoy a display of traditional dancing.

Swaziland, independent since 1968, is the smallest country in the southern hemisphere; a tiny, landlocked kingdom, bounded on all sides by South Africa except for roughly 100km of border with Mozambique in the east. Swaziland's natural resources are extremely well managed, and despite the country's size it lays claim to some of the best game reserves and national parks in southern Africa. Elephants, lions and rhinos have been reintroduced after being wiped out. The name Mlilwane (Embers) refers to the glow of the fires on the mountains.

Optional activities:
Mountain Biking, Hiking, Horse Riding and Game Viewing.


Day 6 - 7
South Africa, Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, Durban (B, L)

We leave Swaziland and re-enter South Africa to drive down to the warm Indian Ocean coast. We spend the afternoon exploring the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and take an afternoon sunset cruise on the lagoon. The following morning we transfer to the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve for a guided game drive. We enter the coastal city of Durban in the late afternoon.

During the Cretaceous period, about 100 million years ago, the flat coastal area of Zululand, Maputuland and Mozambique lay beneath the sea. The Indian Ocean washed against the slopes of the Lebombo Mountains and laid down deposits of coral and shells. This sea bed became the coastal plain of today when the waters receded. The flat nature of the plain and by chance depressions which trapped the water formed lagoons, lakes and swamps. On 27 April 1897, 36,826 hectares covered by the waters of Lake St.Lucia were proclaimed a game reserve. The land surrounding the lake, 1km wide and comprising a total of 12,545 hectares was proclaimed the St.Lucia Wetlands Park in 1939.

The first European settlers in Durban were mostly survivors of shipwrecks. In search of rescue, one of these early survivors, Rodrigo Tristaa, survived a wreck in 1552 of the Portuguese galleon Saint John, and was the first to make his home here. Vasco Da Gama was credited with applying the name Natal (nativity) to this stretch of coast (first seen on Christmas day 1497). The entrance to the bay was known as Rio de Natal (river of the nativity). The Zulu nation's formation provided wealth for a trade market in this area. The merchants set up a harbor where the base of trade with Zulus could be formed. Durban was thus created by a population of 26 hard-living traders and ivory hunters. It was named on 23 June 1835, after the governor of the Cape, Sir Benjamin D’Urban.

Optional activities:
Dinner and night out in Durban.


Day 8 - 9
Drakensberg (B, L, D)

We leave the beautiful beaches of Kwa Zulu Natal, and travel inland to the Royal Natal National Park, part of the massive Drakensberg escarpment.

The Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa or Ukhahlamba (the Barrier of Spears) is a 200km long mountainous wonderland and world heritage site. The largest proportion of the South African component of this area falls in the kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal. Situated high in the Drakensberg range, the park is famous for the Amphitheatre, a crescent shaped rock wall; Mont-aux-Sources (3282m), which forms the continental divide and the Tugela Falls (850m). Baboons, black wildebeest, dassies, black eagles and bearded vultures, amongst others are common. Bushmen are believed to have survived here until 1878 and their paintings can be viewed at four sites.

Optional activities:
Horse Riding, Hiking.


Day 10 - 11
Lesotho, Malealea (B, L, D)

After a long but scenic drive we cross the Lesotho border. The popular optional pony trekking excursion requires an early morning start for those who are participating. Lesotho natives will guide you along remote trails and the scenery is spectacular. For those who prefer to remain at the lodge there are more relaxing activities available such as a visit to the village school or craft market.

Lesotho (pronounced le-soo-too) is a mountainous kingdom completely surrounded by South Africa. It is roughly circular in shape and about the same size as Belgium. Lesotho’s forbidding terrain and the defensive walls of the Drakensberg and Maluti ranges have given both sanctuary and strategic advantage to the Basotho (the people of Lesotho).

All of Lesotho exceeds 1000m (3280ft) above sea level with peaks reaching to well over 3000m (9840ft). The tourist slogan, 'Kingdom in the Sky', is not far wrong, as Lesotho has the highest lowest point of any country in the world. To the west, the land descends through foothills to a lowland belt along the border where two thirds of the population lives. Two large rivers, the Caledon and the Tugela, rise in the mountains.

Optional activities:
Pony Trekking Excursion, Hiking.


Day 12 - 13
South Africa – Cintsa (B, L, D)

Leaving the ‘Kingdom in the Skies’ behind we travel south to Cintsa. You can choose to relax, or participate in one of the many optional activities available!

Optional activities:
Boat rental, quad bike, abseiling


Day 14
Addo Elephant National Park (B, L, D)

As the name suggests, the Addo Elephant National Park is full of elephants. These magnificent creatures are always a highlight and you will be sure to enjoy some amazing photo opportunities.

Although the Addo Elephant belongs to the same species as the African Elephant, it is smaller, with more rounded ears and the females generally have no tusks. The park was named after the Khoi Khoi name Kadouw. The bush here is a combination of Acacia, Spekboom, Gwarrie and Boerboom. The English name for the Spekboom is 'Elephants Food'.

In 1931 the area was proclaimed as a national park. The Elephants, however, struggled to share the land with humans so finally, a fence made up of tram rails and lift cables was erected around the park. This finally kept the Elephants secure and out of the surrounding farming area. Black rhino was re-introduced in 1961, the first in the Cape for a hundred years.


Day 15 - 16
Bloukrans, Tsitsikamma National Park (B, L, D)

After an early morning game drive we bid farewell to the elephants and drive along the sunshine coast to Bloukrans (famous for bungee jumping) and the Tsitsikamma National Park.

Tsitsikamma is a Khoi word meaning clear or sparkling water. In the forest there are several massive trees. The tallest of these is 36m. Some of these trees are more than 1000 years old. The forest has more than 30 species of indigenous trees. Tsitsikamma National Park is situated at the heart of the picturesque tourist region known as the Garden Route, found in the Western Cape of South Africa. The Park incorporates 80km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea. The Tsitsikamma's spectacular scenery includes the Indian Ocean breakers, pounding rocky shores beneath 180m high cliffs, evergreen forests and fynbos (proteas and heath) rolling down to the sea in a lush carpet where ancient rivers have carved their path to the ocean through rocky ravines.

Tsitsikamma National Park is the third most frequently visited park out of the twenty national parks in South Africa. The Park conserves a considerable portion of the natural biota (all living organisms) of the Garden Route. The primary vegetation biomes consist of Mountain Fynbos, Coastal Fynbos, Afromontane Forest and the Marine herb land. The mean annual rainfall is 1200mm. Tsitsikamma National Park protects a wonderland of inter-tidal and marine life. This is one of the largest single unit Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in the world, conserving 11 percent of South Africa's Temperate South Coast rocky shoreline and provides a 'laboratory' for fisheries baseline research on endangered linefish species. In 1964 it became the first Marine National Park to be proclaimed in Africa.

Optional activities:
Treetop canopy Tour, Hiking.


Day 17 - 18
Knysna, Oudtshoorn (B, L)

It is only a short distance to Knysna, where you can relax by the lagoon or take a walk through this interesting town. The following day we travel through the Outeniqua Mountains towards Oudtshoorn. The visit to the world famous Cango Caves is included.

One of the Garden Route's most popular places is the Knysna Lagoon, an excellent venue for water sports. The lagoon is guarded by two sandstone cliffs known as 'The Heads'. There are spectacular views from the Eastern Head. The town is renowned for its beer and oysters. Visitors are welcome at Mitchell's Brewery, and you can sample oysters at the Knysna Oyster Company. Millwood House Museum covers the region's history. The Angling Museum is housed in the Old Jail complex in Queen Street. Local craft centers and art galleries are well worth a visit. Noetzie, the Buffalo Valley Game Farm and the Featherbed Nature Reserve are additional attractions.

Oudtshoorn is known as the ostrich feather capital of the world. It was named after Baron Pieter von Rheede von Oudtshoorn, who died in 1773 on his way to the Cape to become Governor. The town was founded in 1847. It is 300m above sea level, with the Swartberg mountain range to the north and Outeniqua range to the south. Arbeidsgenot, the home of Cornelius Jacob Langenhoven was built here. Langenhoven was the author of the old South African National anthem, “Die Stem” which still forms part of the new National Anthem.

In the Cango cave system, there is a great collection of speleothems (dripstone formations). The caves were discovered by man in prehistoric times. The entrance was used as a home by the 'San' and the walls were painted by them. In 1780, a herdsman stumbled into the entrance while following a wounded buck, which led to a local landowner named Van Zyl leading the first expedition into the caves. The first chamber was named after Van Zyl.

Day 19
Stellenbosch (B, L)

We take a scenic drive to Stellenbosch. As this is the last night on tour there will be an optional activity to go out to a local restaurant for dinner.

Stellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement in the Western Cape Province of South Africa after Cape Town, and is situated about 50km away along the banks of the Eerste River. The town became known as the 'City of Oaks' or Eikestad in Afrikaan due to the large number of Oak trees that were planted by the founder to grace the streets and homesteads. The town is home to the University of Stellenbosch. The town was founded in 1679 by the Governor of the Cape Colony, Simon van der Stel, who named it after himself - Stellenbosch means 'Stel’s forest'. The town grew so quickly that it became an independent local authority in 1682 and the seat of a magistrate with jurisdiction over 25,000 square kilometers in 1685. Soon after the first settlers arrived, especially the French Huguenots, grapes were planted in the fertile valleys around Stellenbosch and soon it became the centre of the South African wine industry.

Later in the day you have the option of visiting an Ostrich Farm.

Optional activities:
Ostrich Farm visit and Ostrich Riding.
Group meal out.


Day 20
Cape Town (B)

After a leisurely breakfast, we go to a wine farm to taste some of South Africa’s finest wines. Additionally we also visit the Cheetah Breeding Project and finally the tour ends in the afternoon.

Cape Town’s name originated from the term 'Cape of Good Hope' when Bartholomew Diaz and other seafarers looked forward to the sight of Table Mountain, like an inn that promised hospitality and prosperity. Cape Town is steeped in a rich history and is a cultural melting pot with its diverse and vibrant character being derived from Khoisan and the Castle that was built in 1666 to protect the new settlement at the Cape.

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