20 Day Best of South Africa – Small Group Tour (Accommodated)

Day 1: Johannesburg, South Africa

Upon your arrival in Johannesburg, you will be transferred to the Safari Club where you will have the remainder of the day to explore and relax. You will have a pre-departure meeting with your guide this evening at 18:00.

Accommodation: Safari Club or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant)
Meals: No meals included on this day
Optional Activities: Apartheid Museum Tour, Gold Reef City Tour, Johannesburg City Tour, Soweto Tour, Lesedi Cultural Village Tour, Sun City Tour

Day 2: Johannesburg – Graskop, South Africa

We head off early today travelling east towards Mpumalanga on a journey filled with panoramic passes, waterfalls, lush valleys and forests. Tonight, we stay in the small town of Graskop on the Drakensberg escarpment, at the foot of the Panorama Route.

Accommodation: Graskop Hotel or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant)
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: ± 385 km

Day 3 – 4: Graskop – Kruger National Park, South Africa

Making our way to the Kruger National Park we enjoy a scenic drive through the incredible Panorama Route. Revel in seeing the Blyde River Canyon, filled with lush vegetation and wildlife. We take some time at Bourke’s Luck Potholes with its age-old rock formations. This afternoon we head to the Kruger National Park where we will spend the next two nights. Here you can expect to venture on exciting morning and afternoon game drives in our tour vehicle viewing some of the best wildlife in Africa.

There is an optional game drive in an open game-viewing vehicle, available at an additional expense.

Accommodation: Berg en Dal Camp or similar (bungalows with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, restaurant)
Meals: Breakfast x2
Optional Activity: Open Vehicle Game Drive (R1,160pp)
Distance: ± 250 km

Day 5 – 6: Kruger National Park – Kingdom of Eswatini, Swaziland

Today we make our way to The Kingdom of Swaziland which is a beautiful landlocked country bordered by Mozambique and South Africa and one of the three remaining monarchies in Africa. You will have time to explore and discover the culture and traditions of the Swazis. We will spend two nights in the Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Swaziland’s very first wildlife sanctuary with hippo, zebra, giraffe and various antelope. This afternoon’s guided walk will allow us to spot these animals.

On day 6 we enjoy an interactive cultural experience when visiting the Umphakatsi Chief’s homestead. Here you will have an opportunity to take part in many activities such as grinding maze, plaiting mountain grass or joining the children in song and dance. Today we lunch the Swazi way with a taste of their local food.

Accommodation: Mlilwane Rest Camp or similar (beehive huts with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant)
Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch x1
Distance: ± 190 km

Day 7 – 8: Kingdom of Eswatini – Hluhluwe, South Africa

Today we travel back into South Africa via Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. We visit a craft market en-route before arriving at our lodge late afternoon. The next day, we visit the oldest game reserve in Africa, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve. This reserve is home to the black and white rhino and serves in the conservation efforts of this endangered species. In the afternoon we visit South Africa’s first World Heritage Site, iSimangaliso Wetland Park while getting up close with hippos and crocodiles as we enjoy a boat cruise on the St. Lucia Estuary.

Accommodation: Ezulwini Game Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & dining area)
Meals: Breakfast x2
Included Highlights: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Reserve Game Drive, Boat Cruise St. Lucia Estuary
Distance: ± 440 km

Day 9 – 10: Hluhluwe – Drakensberg, South Africa

As we make our way inland, we head to the northern stretches of the Drakensberg. This mountain range is renowned for its 3,482 m tall mountains and magnificent forests. Covering a length of 1,000 km, South Africa’s highest mountain range is picturesque throughout. We spend our next two nights exploring this World Heritage Site on guided walks.

Accommodation: The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch x1, Dinner x2
Distance: ± 540 km

Day 11 – 12: Drakensburg – Malealea, Lesotho

As we enter Lesotho, you will discover why this landlocked country is on the itinerary. Its spectacular natural beauty coupled with rich cultural heritage make it truly worth a visit. Experience the traditional Basotho culture in Malealea, with their strong traditions and beliefs. Take an age-old form of transport as we go pony trekking the following day and discover why this is a Basotho transport of choice.

Accommodation: Malealea Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, bar & dining area)
Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch x1
Distance: ± 420 km

Day 13: Malealea – Cradock, South Africa

After your pony trek experience, we continue towards the Karoo. Uncover traditional Karoo hospitality as we enter Cradock, a former frontier stronghold and historical landmark. This town is significant for farming of cattle, dairy and fruit but also boasts magnificent starry skies. Indulge in the Karoo way of life and explore beautiful old buildings.

Accommodation: Die Tuishuise or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, bar & restaurant)
Meals: Breakfast
Included Highlight: Pony Trekking
Distance: ± 415 km

Day 14: Cradock – Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa

This exclusive Eastern Cape Nature Reserve is home to one of the densest populations of African elephants in the world and the last of the flightless dung beetle. Addo Elephant National Park offers a spectacular game viewing experience, so we head off in our tour vehicle in search of elephant, black rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo. We end the day off relaxing at the watering hole while spotting the nocturnal animals and hearing their calls.

Please note: If you would like an additional game viewing experience in an open game-viewer vehicle, this is available at an additional expense.

Accommodation: Addo Elephant Rest Camp or similar (bungalows with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, restaurant)
Meals: Breakfast
Included Highlights: Afternoon Game Drive
Optional Activities: Sundowner Game Drive (incl. snacks and drinks)
Distance: ± 300 km

Day 15 – 16: Addo Elephant National Park – Tsitsikamma Forest, South Africa

The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most beautiful regions due to the lush landscapes and scenic coastline. We explore the scenery on a hike through the Tsitsikamma Forest’s short trails. We spend the next two nights in the Storms River Village.

Please note: At an additional cost there is an option to bungee jump at the Bloukrans River with a height of 216 metres.

Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, restaurant)
Meals: Breakfast x2
Included Highlights: Tsitsikamma Short Trails Hike
Optional Activities: Bungee Jumping
Distance: ± 240 km

Day 17: Tsitsikamma Forest – Knysna – Oudtshoorn, South Africa

Today you will be led to the renowned Knysna Heads which overlook the town and lagoon. Indulge in an educational and interactive oyster tasting experience, don’t shuck it till you try it. Continuing our journey south we make our way over the Outeniqua Mountains to the Little Karoo arriving in Oudtshoorn. This feathery town is known as the ostrich capital of the world and also boasts the famous Cango Caves where we take the afternoon to explore the natural stalagmites and stalactites before heading to our accommodation for the night.

Accommodation: Mooiplaas Guest House or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, bar, restaurant and swimming pool)
Meals: Breakfast
Included Highlights: Oyster Tasting, Cango Caves
Optional Activities: Interactive Nature Walk
Distance: ± 280 km

Day 18 – 19: Oudtshoorn – Cape Town, South Africa

Today we journey to Cape Town, but not after we make a stop en-route in Robertson at the Excelsior Manor Guesthouse. Here you get the chance to blend your own bottle of red wine, bottle, cork and label it. We will arrive in Cape Town in the mid-afternoon. Upon arriving in Cape Town, you have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure. With so much to offer, you can choose to relax with sundowners on the beautiful beaches or go shopping at the V&A Waterfront.

On day 19 we travel through the ‘Mother City’ exploring its charms and highlights on a Cape Peninsula tour.

Accommodation: Pullman Hotel or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms and restaurant)
Meals: Breakfast x2
Included Highlights: Robertson Wine Blending Experience, Cape Peninsula Tour
Distance: ± 450 km
Please note: You will have the option of taking a boat ride from Hout Bay to Seal Island. You will also be stopping by the African penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach. These activities are at an additional cost.

Day 20: Cape Town, South Africa

We end this fantastic adventure along South Africa’s scenic route by taking your final moments to reflect. Catch one last view of the city from the top of Table Mountain or experience Cape Town’s culinary scene before your transfer to the airport as you wave goodbye to the city that stole your heart. Should you wish to extend your stay in this vibrant city, then please speak to your travel consultant.

Meals: Breakfast
Optional Activities: Full Day Cape Winelands Tour, Winelands with Bicycles, Cape Town City Cycle Tour, Township Tour, Shark Cage Diving (Gansbaai), Whale Route Tour, Give Back Cultural Field Trip

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.