12 day South African Explorer Tour (Johannesburg to Cape Town)

Day 1 • JOHANNESBURG
On arrival in Johannesburg, your expert guide will meet and privately transfer you to your hotel. Embark on a half day City Tour of Johannesburg.
Highlights of this half day tour include: Johannesburg sightseeing, Nelson Mandela Brigde, Newtown and Constitution Hill. Return to your hotel in the the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Crown Plaza Rosebank or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 2 • JOHANNESBURG -MPUMALANGA – DULLSTROOM – LYDENBURG – MAKALALI
Depart Johannesburg and travel to Mpumalanga, ‘Place where the Sun rises’. Today’s route takes us via the historic towns of Dullstroom, Lydenburg and over the Abel Erasmus Pass. After passing through the JG Strijdom Tunnel, marvel at the mountainous scenery while passing through a homeland, formerly know as Lebowa. Continue to your private game lodge, near the Kruger National Park. We arrive in time for afternoon tea, followed by an evening game drive in an open safari vehicle. Return to the lodge for a diverse array of eclectic cuisine.

Accommodation: Makalali Private Game Reserve or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 2 game viewing activities

Day 3 • PANORAMA ROUTE
Start your day with an early morning bush walk or game drive, where you will have the opportunity to learn about the smaller species of Africa’s kingdom. After breakfast, we explore the breathtaking Panorama Route, featuring the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels, Bourkes’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window and various waterfalls. We arrive at our overnight accommodation in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Casa Do Sol Hotel or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Day 4 • KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
After an early start to the day, enter the world famous Kruger National Park, unrivalled for it’s diversity of flora, fauna and bird life, where we will seek the big 5. After our game drive we will exit the park and travel to the Kingdom of Swaziland. We will visit the Ngwenya glass factory en route to your hideaway in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.

Accommodation: Mlilwane Wildlife Santuary or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 5 • KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND – HLUHLUWE GAME RESERVE
Today we will enjoy a first hand glimpse into Swaziland’s rich cultural heritage by visiting the Esitjeni Umphakatsi bordering Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, and experience this original interaction with the local people of this vibrant community, (weather dependant). In the afternoon, we leave the wonderful country of Swaziland and re-enter South Africa and proceed to your hotel in the town of Hluhluwe.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Hluhluwe or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 6 • HLUHLUWE GAME RESERVE – ST.LUCIA – DURBAN
Early morning breakfast followed by a game drive in the closed vehicle in Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Visit iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site (previously known as The Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park). Enjoy a river cruise on the estuary. Highlights include prolific wetlands bird life, fish eagles, hippo and crocodiles. Continue south along Indian Ocean coastline, arriving in the bustling city of Durban during the late afternoon. Drop off at your hotel in Durban.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 7 • DURBAN – PORT ELIZABETH
Morning at leisure. Semi-private transfer to Durban International Airport for your flight to Port Elizabeth (not included). On arrival at Port Elizabeth Airport, semi-private transfer to your beachfront hotel.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Marine or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 8 • PORT ELIZABETH – TSITSIKAMMA – KNYSNA
Departing Port Elizabeth, explore the Garden Route. Attractions include the Tsitsikamma Forest area (home of the Knysna Loerie), where photographic opportunities abound The daring might attempt the suspension bridge the spectacular Storms River. After lunch (not included) continue to the quaint seaside area of Knysna, also known as the Oyster Capital of South Africa. Dinner (not included) is avaiable at one of the nearby restaurants at the Waterfront.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Knysna Quays or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 9 • OSTRICH FARM – CANGO CAVES – OUDTSHOORN
Start the day with a scenic drive through the Wilderness via Dolphin Point to George. Continue over the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn. Here we visit the Safari Ostrich Ranch for a guided tour and traditional ostrich lunch (not included). After lunch we visit the Cango Caves, where a guided tour allows us to explorer the ancients stalagmites and stalactites. En route back, we visist the endangered animals at the Cango Wildlife Ranch (optional & time permitting). After returning to the hotel, enjoy a hearty dinner (not included).

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Riempies or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 10 • ROUTE 62 –  SWELLENDAM – CAPE TOWN
After breakfast, your journey to Cape Town begins. Leaving the Klein Karoo we pass through the towns of Calitzdorp and Barrydale as the true diversity of landscapes is highlighted through the ever changing semi-desert areas. Over the folded sandstone mountains of the Huis River and Tradouw Passes on Route 62, we arrive at the charming town of Swellendam. After travelling the plateau of expansive apple orchids in and around Grabouw, our day draws to an end with the first glimpse of Table Mountain from the top of Sir Lowry’s Pass. Drop off at our hotel in Cape Town.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 11 • CAPE PENINSULA – CAPE POINT – CHAPMANS PEAK – SIMONSTOWN – WINELANDS
Full day Cape Highlights tour (English Only)
This full day tour includes: Camps Bay; Hout Bay; Chapman’s Peak (subject to the road being open); the Cape of Good Hope Reserve; Simonstown; Muizenberg; one wine tasting of South African wines at a local wine estate; the University town of Stellenbosch.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 12 • CAPE TOWN – HOME

Private transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your homebound flight.