South African Explorer

On arrival in Johannesburg today you will be met by our company representative and transferred to your hotel.  The rest of the day is free for you to spend at leisure. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest of the group for your introductory tour briefing at 18h00.




Overnight in Johannesburg

Departing from Johannesburg today you will travel east towards Mpumalanga. The landscape here is characterized by mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests. You will spend the night in the town of Graskop, a small forestry town situated on the Drakensberg Escarpment at the start of the Panorama route and the gateway to the Kruger National Park.




Overnight in Graskop

This morning your day begins with a scenic drive along the Panorama Route, arguably one of the most beautiful places in South Africa.  The most spectacular stretch is along the Blyde River Canyon, the 3rd largest canyon in the world that is filled with lush vegetation and wildlife. You will make a stop at Bourkes Luck Potholes to view some spectacular rock formations formed eons ago by erosion. In the afternoon, you will travel into Kruger National Park. You will spend two nights inside the park and will have the chance to encounter the wildlife of Africa on exciting morning and afternoon game drives in our tour vehicle.




Overnight in Kruger National Park area

Today you will have the chance to encounter the wildlife of Africa on exciting morning and afternoon game drives in our tour vehicle in search of some of Africas finest wildlife. Should you wish to partake on a game drive in an open game-viewer vehicle, these are available at an additional expense (please note that these must be pre-booked).




Overnight in Kruger National Park area

Today you will cross the border into the mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland, led by King Mswati III, and one of 3 monarchies in Africa. You will explore the traditions and discover the culture of which the Swazis are so proud. You will spend the next two nights in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Swazilands pioneer conservation area situated in the “Valley of Heaven”.  Apart from abundant bird life, there are several animal species to be seen including hippo, giraffe, zebra, and a variety of antelope, which you may spot on a guided walk in the afternoon. 




Overnight in Swaziland

Today you will visit the Umphakatsi Chiefs homestead for an interactive experience where you will get to try your hand at grinding maize and plaiting mountain grass or join the children in Swazi song and dance. An offering of a taste of local food is made but forget about your cutlery and try it the Swazi way… with your hands!




Overnight in Swaziland

Start your morning with a visit to a local craft market before re-entering South Africa via Northern Kwa Zulu Natal. You will arrive at the lodge by late afternoon. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.




Overnight in Zululand

Today you will explore the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve during a game drive in the tour vehicle. Game drives are available in an open game-viewer vehicle at an additional expense (please note that these must be pre-booked). Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is the oldest game reserve in Africa and is a haven to both the endangered black and white rhino. In the afternoon you will travel to South Africas first World Heritage Site, The iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Here you will have a boar cruise on the St. Lucia estuary, getting close to hippos and crocodiles.




Overnight in Zululand

Moving further inland, you will spend the next two nights in the Northern Drakensberg, which is an area known for its magnificent scenery of towering mountains, indigenous forests, and cool berg streams. At 3,482 metres in height, The Drakensberg, known in Zulu as uKhahlamba or the “Barrier of Spears”, is South Africas highest mountain range, stretching its rugged form roughly 1,000 km from south-west to north-east. Time will be spent exploring this picturesque World Heritage Site on guided walks.




Overnight in Drakensberg

Today will be spent exploring this scenic area on guided walks and have leisure time if you wish to rest.




Overnight in Drakensberg

Today you will cross the border into the Kingdom of Lesotho, the southernmost landlocked country in the world, rich in natural beauty, flora, fauna and cultural heritage. Malealea is situated in a remote part of Western Lesotho that is breath-taking in its beauty. Here you will have the chance to experience traditional Basotho life, a nation with solid traditions, beliefs and customs.




Overnight in Lesotho

No visit to Lesotho would be complete without a pony trek! Today you can enjoy a ride on the transport of choice for most Basotho, as these sturdy animals handle the narrow trails better than any 4x4 can!




Overnight in Lesotho

This morning you will leave the beauty of Lesotho behind you and drive to the historical Karoo town of Cradock. Founded in 1814 as a frontier stronghold, the town is an important agricultural centre that boasts traditional Karoo hospitality. Best known for its natural sulphur spring, Cradock is a place of literary legends, and the original part of the town is graced with some fine buildings. 




Overnight in Cradock

Today you will travel to Addo Elephant National Park, a conservation success story that offers a unique wildlife habitat for elephants and the remaining population of the flightless dung beetle. Spend the afternoon on a game drive in your tour vehicle in search of elephant, black rhino, lion, buffalo, and leopard. Game drives are available in an open game-viewer vehicle at an additional expense (please note that these must be pre-booked).  An evening spent at the floodlit waterhole offers the opportunity to watch the nocturnal animals and listen to their calls.




Overnight in Addo Elephant National Park area

This morning after breakfast, your journey will take you to a region of startling beauty along South Africas southern coastline, known as the Garden Route. You will spend two nights in the Storms River Village, at the heart of the Tsitsikamma Forest.




Overnight in Tsitsikamma

Today you can take a leisurely hike along one of the short trails through the forest, which allows you to explore the coastal bush and rocky shoreline.




Overnight in Tsitsikamma

After departing Tsitsikamma today you will visit ‘The Heads in Knysna, a town nestled on a tranquil lagoon, and then travel over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo to the town of Oudtshoorn. On arrival, you can take a trip to the famous Cango Caves, with their impressive ancient stalagmites and stalactites, before spending the night in the ostrich capital of the world!




Overnight in Oudtshoorn

En-route to Cape Town today you will visit the pretty university town of Stellenbosch for wine tasting and a cellar tour. Once in Cape Town the afternoon is free for you to spend at leisure; enjoy a sundowner at one of the fabulous beaches or indulge in some last-minute shopping at the V&A Waterfront.




Overnight in Cape Town

Today you can explore the many attractions the ‘Mother City has to offer on our Cape Point tour.  You will depart Cape Town and travel along the Atlantic seaboard with its gorgeous white beaches and rugged mountains to Hout Bay.  If time permits, you have the option of taking a half hour boat trip to Duiker Island to see a Cape Fur Seal colony.  If open, you will continue on Chapmans Peak Drive, renowned as one of the most stunning roadways in the world, and then visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve, the tip of the Cape Peninsula that has captivated travellers for centuries with its dramatic scenery and fascinating history. The return journey to Cape Town takes you along False Bay coast with the option of visiting the colony of rare African Penguins at Boulders Beach. You will then pass through the naval village of Simons Town, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg and visit the world-famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens before arriving back at your hotel. 




Overnight in Cape Town

Spend your final day at leisure before your arranged transfer to the airport for your flight back home.