14 Days : Johannesburg, Mpumalanga, Kruger National Park, eSwatubu, Zululand, Garden Route, Hermanus, Cape Town

Tour overview:

This 14-day itinerary includes many special details that make South Africa one of our most popular destinations. Sophisticated urban living, vast forested mountains, fertile plains, fascinating wildlife and magical cultural traditions all come together in a world of African adventure

Day 1 - Arrive Johannesburg

Arrive in Johannesburg, where you are met and escorted to your hotel. Afternoon optional tour (additional cost) of Soweto & Apartheid Museum, learning more about the struggle for freedom in South Africa. Evening tour briefing at the hotel where you will meet your guide and fellow travelers.

Day 2 - Johannesburg / Mpumalanga

Depart Johannesburg after breakfast, on a long drive today, heading to the Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country”. Dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld, we travel past the small town of Waterval Boven, nestled in the Drakenberg Mountains. Continue through spectacular scenery to the historic logging town of Sabie, once a gold mining town. Visit the beautiful and unspoilt Mac-Mac Falls, a 65-meter waterfall on the Mac-Mac River. Arrive late afternoon into Hazyview, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park. (B)

Day 3 - Mpumalanga - Panorama Route

Today we journey up the awe inspiring Panorama Route with its forested mountains and fertile plains. After viewing the Blyde River Canyon (home to the Three Rondavels), Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window before arriving back in Hazyview in the late afternoon. (B)

Day 4 - Mpumalanga - Kruger National Park

Savor the magic of this enormous wildlife sanctuary on your morning game drive in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard, and all manner of wildlife, birds and plant species. The game safari includes a presentation of the Anti-Poaching Dog Unit (Project Watchdog) that was established because of the increase in rhino poaching worldwide. Learn about the dogs that are trained to track poachers in the field, detect firearms, ammunition and wildlife products that enter and exit through the Kruger National Park gates. The afternoon is free for an optional game drive (additional cost). (B)

Day 5 - Mpumalanga / eSwatini (Swaziland)

This morning, we travel to eSwatini (Swaziland), an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience inclusive of lunch, introduces us to the charming people of eSwatini (Swaziland) and their traditions. Visit the Ngwenya glass factory, where visitors can watch talented glass blowers create a range of exquisite wares made from recycled glass. We travel further to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for overnight in eSwatini (Swaziland) and a sumptuous dinner at your hotel. (BLD)

Day 6 - eSwatini / Zululand

This morning we continue south through eSwatini, before re-entering South Africa. Travel into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. There is an optional (additional cost) afternoon open vehicle safari in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhino. (B)

Day 7 - – Zululand / Durban / Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) / Garden Route - Tsitsikamma

The day begins with an early departure for Durban, travelling past traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. We arrive at Durban Airport for the short southward flight (flight quoted separately) to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where we head westwards along the Garden Route, which follows the Indian Ocean coastline, and is bordered inland by soaring mountain ranges and indigenous forests. (B)

Day 8 - Garden Route – Tsitsikamma / Knysna

After breakfast, visit the spectacularly beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80 km 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. Our next stop is Mungo, a family owned and managed textile producer in Plettenberg Bay, producing fine quality textiles, woven on antique looms. Afterwards we’ll continue our travels to Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon, in the heart of the Garden Route. Enjoy a sunset cruise to the Knysna Heads, before sitting down for dinner at Drydock Restaurant, renowned for dishes with glorious aromas and flavours, using the finest local ingredients and freshly picked herbs from the region. (BD)

Day 9 - Garden Route - Knysna / George / Oudtshoorn

After breakfast, visit the Outeniqua Transport Museum in George. This museum offers a unique experience of the Garden Route’s railway history, showcasing a vast collection of vintage vehicles, locomotives and other transport related artifacts. Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the “ostrich capital” and the centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. Along the way, visit ‘Dolphin Point’, an extraordinary viewpoint in Wilderness. In Oudtshoorn, we’ll visit an Ostrich Farm for a fun filled interactive tour and light lunch that includes local specialities such as Ostrich Steak, before taking a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. We will arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon, in time to check in and relax before dinner (for own account). (BL)

Day 10 - Oudtshoorn / Hermanus

There is an option (additional cost) to enjoy an early morning Meerkat Safari. Witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities (weather permitting). After this thrilling experience, head back for a delicious breakfast. The journey continues through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale, where you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, to interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom, learning more about this rural community. (The school visit is subject to the school being open). Continue via the Tradouw’s pass to Swellendam and then further to the seaside resort of Hermanus, known as the heart of the whale route, offering the best land-based whale watching (August-November) in the world. (B)

Day 11 - Hermanus / Stellenbosch / Cape Town

Depart Hermanus and continue to Somerset West, travelling via the spectacularly scenic coastal road and then onwards to Stellenbosch, set in the beautiful Cape Winelands. You’ll have some free time to explore the town’s oak-shaded streets, cafés, boutiques, and art galleries before travelling to Cape Town. (B)

Day 12 - Cape Town

Enjoy a full day at leisure with optional excursions available. Perhaps join a sightseeing tour of Table Mountain & Kirstenbosch Gardens (additional cost) or join us for a Marine Big Five Safari (additional costt), where you may see great white sharks, whales, Cape fur seals and a variety of seabirds on a 2-hour boat cruise with marine biologists on hand to explain more about these amazing animals that visit our shores. Or join us for an optional (additional cost) authentic, local experience on a day out in the picturesque Cape Winelands. Visit Fairview, a local cheesery that specializes in the production of handmade, full flavored cheeses paired with a wine tasting, followed by a visit to Babylonstoren Wine Farm with its botanically diverse fruit and vegetable garden, incredible scenery, and warm hospitality for a second wine tasting Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafés, and restaurants as well as colorful craft markets. Enjoy a fun filled evening with interactive entertainment and delectable food at Gold Restaurant. (BD)

Day 13 - Cape Town – Cape Peninsula

Enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay (where you can enjoy an optional seal island boat cruise - additional cost) and then on to Cape Point where by tradition it is said that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. We’ll return to Cape Town by way of Simon’s Town, where we visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee additional cost), Fish Hoek fishing village and Muizenberg. (B)

Day 14 - Depart Cape Town

Day at leisure. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)