South African Explorer

20 DAYS - Accommodated

South Africa: Johannesburg - Panorama Route - Kruger NP - St Lucia Wetland Park - Durban - Royal Natal NP - Drakensberg - Lesotho: Pony trekking - South Africa: Coffee Bay - Hole in the Wall (optional) - Addo Elephant NP - Tsitsikamma NP - Knysna - Oudtshoorn - Cango Caves - Stellenbosch Wine Route - Cape Town

Day 1 South Africa – Panorama Route
Leaving Johannesburg we travel along the Panorama Route one of South Africa’s most scenic drives. The Panorama route consists of Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon including God’s Window and Three Rondavels. Optional Activity: Evening Game Drive in Timbavati concession area bordering the Kruger NP.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2/3 Kruger National Park
We get up early to visit Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre where injured or lost animals are rehabilitated and re-educated to be released back into the wild. This is a wonderful opportunity to see some very special species up close, as well as learn about the positive achievements being made here. Later we enter the world famous Kruger and immediately start with an afternoon game drive. The next day is a full day’s game viewing from advantageous height of our wonderful truck. Optional Activities: Night Drive and/or Game Walk with SANP (Subject to availability).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4/5 Swaziland - Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
After a final game drive as we depart the Kruger we travel to Swaziland, stopping on the way at one of the interesting local markets. The Kingdom of Swaziland is a landlocked country bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. We spend the next two nights in the Mlilwane Nature Reserve. Exploring the area on foot allows you to appreciate the scenery as well as the animals; there are no dangerous predators here. We will experience unique Swazi traditional dancing on the second evening after dinner. Optional Activities: Mountain Biking, Hiking, Horse Riding and Sunset Game Drive.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 South Africa – Isimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park
We leave Swaziland and take a scenic drive towards the warm Indian Ocean coast, re-entering South Africa. Soon after our arrival at iSimangaliso Wetland Park we board a boat for an included sunset cruise on the lagoon for some bird and hippo viewing! This UNESCO recognised area is extremely varied and includes: lakes, beaches, coral reefs, wetlands, woodlands, coastal forests and grasslands together supporting an astounding diversity of animal, bird and marine life.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Hluhluwe - Imfolozi Game Reserve and Durban
This morning we drive to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve for a 4-5 hour game drive in open 4x4 vehicles. The park is the only state-run park in the province of KwaZulu-Natal where all the Big Five occur. Due to conservation efforts, the park now has the largest population of white rhino in the world. In the late afternoon we arrive at Durban, South Africa’s largest marine port and well-known surfing destination. The evening can be spent enjoying authentic Indian cuisine as Durban is also home to the largest population of people of Indian decent outside of India.
Optional Activities: Dinner out at local Indian Restaurant
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8/9 Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park
We leave behind the beautiful beaches of KwaZulu Natal and travel inland to the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg or Royal Natal National Park, part of the huge, and incredibly scenic, Drakensberg escarpment. The Drakensberg is South Africa’s highest mountain range with peaks at over 3000 metres. Hiking is the most popular activity here and your guides will take you on a lovely hike if you are not already busy with optional activities, such as horse riding, which can be a very satisfying way to explore this mountainous area. Optional Activities: Abseiling, Horse Riding, Hiking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10/11 Lesotho - Malealea
It’s a visually impressive drive up to the Lesotho border, where the popular pony trekking excursion (optional) requires an early morning start. Before we depart there is an included visit to the local village and primary school. On the overnight trek Lesotho villagers will guide you along remote trails where there are spectacular views. You can also remain at the lodge and relax, or experience a shorter ride. Optional Activities: Pony Trekking Excursion, Hiking, Village market.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12/13 South Africa – Hogsback
Leaving the ‘Kingdom in the Skies’ behind we travel south to the picturesque Hogsback Valley that some claim to be an inspiration for JRR Tolkien who spent time here as a child. You can choose to relax, or join your guide in a hike to the Swallow Falls, Bridal Veil Falls or Madonna and Child Falls, or even all 3! Optional Activities: Horse riding, Mountain biking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 Addo Elephant National Park
This unique Eastern Cape Park is home to one of the densest concentration of African elephants on earth as well as boasting the ‘Big Seven’(elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark) as Addo is a land and marine park. Optional Activities: Night Game Drive with SANP and Horse Riding
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15/16 Tsitsikamma National Park
After a final early morning game drive we bid farewell to the elephants, take a quick stop at Port Elizabeth’s airport and arrive in the afternoon at Tsitsikamma National Park. The name means ‘place of abundant water’ and it does not disappoint, with its indigenous forests and dramatic coastline. This area is home to the famous multi-day Otter Trail hike and your guide will accompany you on the very first section of it should you wish to participate. Optional Activities: Bungee Jumping (highest in the world), Treetop Canopy Tour, Hiking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17 Keurbooms River - Knysna
It is a short distance to Keurbooms River, near Plettenberg Bay, where our accommodation is set on the river and within walking distance of a secluded beach. In the afternoon you can choose between remaining to relax at the hotel or taking a short excursion in to nearby Knysna to explore and later enjoy dinner at one of the lovely local restaurants.
Optional Activities: Knysna Lagoon Cruise, Dinner Out.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 18 Oudtshoorn
Today we travel through the Outeniqua Mountains towards Oudtshoorn where we visit the world-famous Cango Caves. On the way we have the option to go on the power van that runs the old coastal railway track between Knysna and George. The caves contain spectacular halls and grand limestone formations, and a local guide will tell you all about the cave system, which extends for over 4km. Optional Activities: Outeniqua Power Van excursion
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 19 Stellenbosch Wine Route
We take a scenic drive to Stellenbosch taking in some of Route 62 and a possible stop at Ronnie’s Sex Shop, not a sex shop at all, but a rather interesting country pub… Stellenbosch forms the heart of the Western Cape’s wine region and second oldest European settlement in the Western Province. As this is the last night on tour we head to a local restaurant for dinner. Optional Activity: Ostrich Farm Visit, Dinner Out.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 20 Cape Town
After a leisurely breakfast, we stop at The Spier Wine Estate to taste some of South Africa’s finest wines. We also visit the Cheetah Breeding Project to meet these beautiful animals up close and finally the tour ends in Cape Town.
Meals: Breakfast