Itinerary
- Day 1
Johannesburg to Drakensberg Mountains
Your tour leader meets you at O.R. Tambo International Airport at 10:30am, and you'll head out by 11:30am for the drive southeast to Drakensberg Mountains (around 4.5 hours). The scenery during this journey is quite nice as you move through the landscape. Once you arrive, there's time for a short walk to stretch your legs and get familiar with the surrounding nature.
Optional Activities
- Short walk in the surrounding nature upon arrival
Landmarks/POIs O.R. Tambo International Airport Drakensberg Mountains - Day 2
Drakensberg Mountains
After breakfast, you can join a guided walk through the Drakensberg Mountains if you'd like (4-5 hours, moderate-to-challenging with easier turning points available). Lunch is served outside at the hotel with views of the mountains. The afternoon is yours to relax or explore mountain valleys, and there's an optional easy walk to see rock carvings if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Al fresco lunch while soaking up spectacular views of the Drakensberg)
Included Activities
- Guided walk in Drakensberg Mountains
- Al fresco lunch at accommodation
Optional Activities
- Easy walk through mountain valleys to view rock carving
Landmarks/POIs Drakensberg Mountains - Day 3
Drakensberg to St Lucia
You'll head out early for Rorke's Drift, arriving around mid-morning. This battlefield is significant to Zulu history and British colonialism, so there's plenty to explore and learn. After a picnic lunch, the drive continues through the afternoon to St Lucia, where you'll be based for the next three nights.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch)
Included Activities
- Visit to Rorke's Drift battlefield with tour leader briefing
- Picnic lunch
Landmarks/POIs Rorke's Drift - Day 4
St Lucia
Early morning safari in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, one of Africa's oldest game reserves known for having the densest population of white and black rhinos. You'll spot plenty of wildlife during the drive. Lunch happens at the reserve's picnic site, then you head back to St Lucia by mid-afternoon. An optional hippo cruise on the Greater St. Lucia Estuary is available at sunset if you want to continue exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at reserve picnic site)
Included Activities
- Big 5 safari in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
- Lunch at reserve picnic site
Optional Activities
- Hippo Cruise on Greater St. Lucia Estuary at sunset
Landmarks/POIs Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Greater St. Lucia Estuary - Day 5
St Lucia
This full day is yours to choose from several options. You can do a leisurely game drive in iSimangaliso Wetland Park with braai lunch and an optional ocean swim at Cape Vidal, spend time at the beach in St. Lucia, walk forest trails, or try an evening game drive if you're up for something more active. From November to February, guided turtle tours are available too.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Open game drive in iSimangaliso Wetland Park with braai lunch
- Afternoon swim or snorkel in Indian Ocean at Cape Vidal
- Visit to St. Lucia beach for ocean swim
- Walking local forest trails
- Night game drive
- Guided turtle tour (November to February)
Landmarks/POIs iSimangaliso Wetland Park Cape Vidal St. Lucia Beach - Day 6
St Lucia to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Morning drive takes you to Eswatini, and there's an optional whale watching opportunity available from June to November. You'll pass through the scenic Ezulwini Valley before entering Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, your base for the next two nights. The accommodation is in traditional beehive huts within this quiet sanctuary beneath the Nyonyane Mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Whale watching - Humpback whales (June to November, St. Lucia coastline)
Landmarks/POIs Ezulwini Valley Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Nyonyane Mountains - Day 7
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Morning walk through Mlilwane's open grasslands gives you a chance to spot zebra, wildebeest, nyala, and warthog. The afternoon is free to pick optional activities: mountain biking or trail walking, visiting local craft shops to learn about Swazi culture, or relaxing and watching wildlife from your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning walk in Mlilwane wildlife reserve
Optional Activities
- Mountain biking
- Trail walking
- Visit to local craft curios to learn about Swazi people and culture
- Wildlife observation from accommodation
Landmarks/POIs Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Nyonyane Mountains - Day 8
Mlilwane to Kruger National Park
Early departure driving north brings you back into South Africa. You'll cross the Crocodile River into Kruger National Park, and there's a game drive on the way to your overnight camp. The camp has modern amenities including restaurants and shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Game drive in Kruger National Park
Landmarks/POIs Crocodile River Kruger National Park - Day 9
Kruger National Park to Graskop
Morning game drive stops at watering holes where you can watch for buffalo, antelope, and lions, finishing with lunch at one of the park's restaurants. After lunch, the afternoon game drive takes you along Sabie River, a major water source with fantastic game viewing. Late afternoon drive climbs over 1,000 metres to reach Graskop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at park restaurant)
Included Activities
- Morning game drive in Kruger National Park
- Lunch at park restaurant
- Afternoon game drive to Sabie River
Landmarks/POIs Kruger National Park Sabie River - Day 10
Graskop to Cape Town
You'll depart at 9am for approximately 7-hour drive back to Johannesburg through Mpumalanga's uplands. Stop at viewpoints including God's Window and Blyde River Canyon. Arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport is around 5pm, then an evening flight to Cape Town with late arrival.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stop at God's Window viewpoint
- Stop at Blyde River Canyon viewpoint
Landmarks/POIs Mpumalanga God's Window Blyde River Canyon O.R. Tambo International Airport - Day 11
Cape Peninsula
Full-day trip to Cape Peninsula goes via the white-sand beaches of Fish Hoek and Simon's Town naval base. At Cape of Good Hope, you'll take a one-hour walk to Cape Point and the lighthouse (watch for baboons, tortoises, otters, and seabirds). Return passes through Hout Bay where you can take an optional short boat trip to Seal Island or explore the fishing port.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic drive via Fish Hoek beaches
- Visit Simon's Town
- Visit Cape of Good Hope
- Hour-long walk to Cape Point and lighthouse
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Seal Island
- Explore Hout Bay fishing industry
Landmarks/POIs Fish Hoek Simon's Town Cape of Good Hope Cape Point Hout Bay Seal Island - Day 12
Cape Town
This free day lets you explore at your own pace. Morning options include visiting Robben Island (advance booking required, departures at 9am, 11am, 1pm), hiking Table Mountain for the views (3-4 hours), or taking the aerial cable car to the summit. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is another option. Late afternoon you'll head to scenic Stellenbosch winelands for a sundowner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Robben Island
- Hike up Table Mountain with tour leader
- Aerial cable car to Table Mountain summit
- Explore Table Mountain plateau trails
- Visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Robben Island Table Mountain Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens - Day 13
Stellenbosch
Wine country day lets you visit one or two vineyards for tastings set within beautiful gardens and farmland, with lunch and strolls available. Alternatively, a guided tour of historic Stellenbosch Town teaches you about the many cultures that shaped this colonial settlement with its oak-lined streets and Cape Dutch architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Vineyard visit with wine tasting
- Lunch at vineyard
- Vineyard stroll
- Guided tour of Stellenbosch Town
Landmarks/POIs Stellenbosch - Day 14
Stellenbosch to Hermanus
Early start means a 90-minute drive to Betty's Bay for a visit to Stony Point Nature Reserve, a quiet penguin viewing spot on a historic whaling station site. After lunch at Betty's Bay, you'll continue to apartment-style accommodation in central Hermanus. The afternoon is free to explore the coastal town, which has excellent shore-based whale watching opportunities from July to November.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Stony Point Nature Reserve
Optional Activities
- Whale watching from shore or water
- Boat trip whale watching excursion
- Explore galleries and museums
- Visit Hemel-en-Aarde wine valley
Landmarks/POIs Betty's Bay Stony Point Nature Reserve Hermanus Hemel-en-Aarde Valley - Day 15
Hermanus to Barrydale
Morning visit to Cape Agulhas (Cape of Needles), the southernmost point of the African continent where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet in white waves. You'll have some free time to explore and have lunch. The afternoon drive takes you on Route 62 through scenic Tradouw Pass (16 km at up to 220 metres elevation) to the small town of Barrydale.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Cape Agulhas
- Lunch at Cape Agulhas
Landmarks/POIs Cape Agulhas Route 62 Tradouw Pass - Day 16
Barrydale to Oudtshoorn
Morning in historic Barrydale gives you time to browse local produce, craft stalls, and cafes showcasing authentic cuisine and local wine. This vibrant town is known for arts and culture. Later, you'll drive to a family-run property in Oudtshoorn. Depending on arrival time, you might enjoy the pool and outdoor seating.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore historic Barrydale
- Coffee and local produce browsing
- Visit craft stalls and restaurants
- Explore local forest trails in Barrydale
Landmarks/POIs Barrydale Oudtshoorn - Day 17
Oudtshoorn to Plettenberg Bay
You'll explore Cango Caves, a massive underground network of ancient limestone caverns millions of years old with extraordinary stalactites, stalagmites, and rock columns. Later travel to coastal Knysna to visit Knysna Heads (two limestone cliffs protecting a peaceful lagoon), have waterfront lunch, and wander the quaint town before heading to Plettenberg Bay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Waterfront lunch in Knysna)
Included Activities
- Explore Cango Caves
Optional Activities
- Visit Knysna Heads Viewpoint
- Explore Knysna town
Landmarks/POIs Cango Caves Knysna Knysna Heads Plettenberg Bay - Day 18
Plettenberg Bay
Short drive to Robberg Nature Reserve (World Heritage Site) for a moderate walk along trails with brilliant bird viewing and sweeping coastal views. You'll have chances to spot dolphins and seals, and from July to December, keep an eye out for southern right whales. Lunch in Plettenberg Bay is followed by a free afternoon to relax on the beach, shop, or join optional whale-watching or kayaking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Plettenberg Bay)
Included Activities
- Walk in Robberg Nature Reserve
Optional Activities
- Whale-watching excursion
- Kayaking excursion
- Beach relaxation
- Shopping for souvenirs
Landmarks/POIs Robberg Nature Reserve Plettenberg Bay - Day 19
Plettenberg Bay to Tsitsikamma
Around 45-minute journey brings you to Tsitsikamma National Park, a hotspot for seasonal whale watching with important forest and marine areas plus coastal views. Stay in simple chalets amongst the trees minutes from the seafront. Explore numerous well-marked walking trails, suspended canopy walkways, zipwires, or try river kayaking. Dinner options include fresh seafood at the restaurant or traditional braai.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walking trails of varying difficulty
- Suspended canopy walkways
- Zipwire activities
- River kayaking
- Traditional braai at communal barbeque area
Landmarks/POIs Tsitsikamma National Park Storms River - Day 20
Tsitsikamma to Addo Elephant National Park
Early morning departure from Tsitsikamma with a breakfast stop en route. Arrival at Addo Elephant National Park puts you among over 600 elephants plus lions, hyenas, and Cape buffalos. Board a safari truck for a two-hour game drive with a park guide viewing warthogs, antelope, zebra, and elephant. Travel to accommodation 20 minutes outside the park.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast stop on the way)
Included Activities
- Two-hour game drive in Addo Elephant National Park with park guide
Landmarks/POIs Addo Elephant National Park - Day 21
End of Tour
Tour ends after breakfast with no activities planned. You're free to depart from Addo at any time. Check-out from accommodation is at 10am. An optional airport transfer is available (approximately 1 hour to Port Elizabeth International Airport).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Airport transfer to Port Elizabeth International Airport
Landmarks/POIs Port Elizabeth International Airport
