Itinerary

The Experience South Africa is an overview of South Africa, including the well known highlights and focuses on the national parks. This tour covers a great distance in this diverse country and involves long days on the road, generally followed by a full day to explore the area. This is an all encompassing tour and a fantastic way to explore South Africa.

 

Day 1 JOHANNESBURG to MPUMALANGA [camping - LD]
[B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner]
Departing from Johannesburg at 06:30am we head east towards Mpumalanga. A landscape characterised by mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests. We will camp the night in the old gold rush town of Pilgrims Rest, a living museum dating back to 1873. We explore the quaint town, visit Mac Mac falls and God’s Window viewpoint.

Day 2 & 3 KRUGER NATIONAL PARK [camping BLD]
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.

Day 4 KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND [cabin BLD]
The mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland, led by King Mswati III, is one of only 3 monarchies in Africa. Swazi’s are proud of their traditional lifestyle & cultures. We explore the Malolotja reserve on foot to enjoy the mountain scenery, rare birdlife, and the 95m high Malolotja waterfall. Overnight in log cabins with fantastic panoramic views.

Day 5 & 6 ZULULAND [camping BLD]
After visiting the craft markets near Mbabane, we re-enter South Africa. KwaZulu Natal is one of the last refuges for the threatened rhino populations. We have a game drive in search of these ancient creatures and stop waterholes to watch game come down to drink.

Day 7 & 8 DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS [camping BLD]
Moving further south to the base of the Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains). We have two nights at the foot of the mountains allowing time for walking along beautiful mountain stream paths, looking for Bushman rock paintings or just enjoying spectacular views.

Day 9 & 10 LESOTHO [chalets BLD]
We travel through the towering red sandstone cliffs of Golden Gate en route to Lesotho. Quaint villages and towns offer interesting stops along the way. We cross the border and head to southern Lesotho to our overnight chalets at Malealea. This lodge nestled in the mountains forms our base for two nights. The next morning we are up early and spend the day trekking with a local guide and his pony through the rugged mountains.

Day 11 KAROO NP [guesthouse BL-]
Descending from the Lesotho highlands we make our way into the great Karoo. It covers most of central South Africa and is a vast semi desert. It has become famous for its sheep and ostrich farming industries, and roadside stalls selling handmade windmills.

Day 12 ADDO ELEPHANT NP [camping BLD]
A conservation success, Addo Elephant National Park 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.

Day 13 & 14 TSITSIKAMMA [camping 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 the world’s highest bungi jump (own expense). Whales may be seen in season (July to November).

Day 15 OVERBERG [camping BLD]
After visiting the famous “Knysna Heads”, which overlook the sea entrance to the tranquil Knysna lagoon, we travel south along the Garden Route. We drive along the coast before turning inland through the beautiful scenery of the Overberg region and overnight on the doorstep of the Cape winelands.

Day 16 & 17 CAPE TOWN [guesthouse B - -]
We 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).

Day 18 CAPE TOWN - TOUR ENDS  [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 +/-18:00pm.

HIGHLIGHTS

Mpumalanga Panorama Route – sight seeing

Kruger National Park – game drives

Swaziland – mountain walks

Zululand - game drives & cultural villages

Drakensberg mountains – maintain walks

Lesotho – trekking with ponies

Garden Route & Karoo - walks, ostriches & wine farms

Cape Town - Cape Point & Table Mountain