Itinerary
- Day 1
Pretoria to Hazyview
You'll drive across Gauteng's farming regions toward the Panorama Route, taking in the changing landscapes as you head east. The road winds through scenic country before you continue on to Hazyview, a small town positioned right at the edge of Kruger National Park. You'll settle in here for the next few nights, so take time to get oriented and rest up before the safari drives begin.
Landmarks/POIs Panorama Route Kruger National Park - Day 2
Kruger National Park
Early morning you'll climb into open 4x4 safari vehicles and head into Kruger National Park for a full day of game driving. The morning drive starts while it's cool, then you'll break during the hotter midday hours before heading out again in the afternoon. Kruger's massive and holds over 505 bird species plus 148 mammal species, so keep your camera ready and binoculars handy the whole time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning game drive in Kruger National Park
- Afternoon game drive in Kruger National Park
Landmarks/POIs Kruger National Park - Day 3
Kruger National Park
Your second full day in Kruger follows marked routes through the park's two million hectares. You'll be searching for wildlife including the Big 5, and chances are good you'll spot something special across the vast terrain. Later that evening, you'll gather around an open fire back at your accommodation, reflecting on what you've seen and making the most of your last night here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning game drive in Kruger National Park
- Afternoon game drive in Kruger National Park
Optional Activities
- Adventure Pass activities (optional full-day or half-day excursions available at additional cost)
Landmarks/POIs Kruger National Park - Day 4
Kruger to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
After leaving Kruger, you'll travel through rural settlements and cross the Crocodile River as you enter Eswatini. The route winds through mountains and small villages, and it's quite scenic despite the driving time. By day's end you'll arrive at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary in the Ezulwini Valley, where you'll stay for two nights exploring this beautiful area and its optional activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of craft markets
- Horseback trails
- Game drives
- Mountain bike riding
- Guided walks
Landmarks/POIs Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Ezulwini Valley Crocodile River - Day 5
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
A guided tour takes you to the Royal Enclosure to learn about Eswatini's culture and the monarchy's history. The rest of the day is completely yours to decide what to do. You can try horseback trails, join a game drive, go mountain biking, or take a guided walk. Or simply relax overlooking the watering hole if you'd rather take it easy.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of the Royal Enclosure
Optional Activities
- Horseback trails
- Game drives
- Mountain bike riding
- Guided walks
Landmarks/POIs Royal Enclosure Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary - Day 6
Mlilwane to St Lucia
You'll cross into KwaZulu-Natal province and travel to St Lucia, a tropical town on the wild northern coast. Once there, you'll board a scenic estuary cruise that lets you explore the waterways while spotting hippos, crocodiles, and various bird species along the way. It's a completely different pace from the safari drives.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic estuary cruise at St Lucia
Landmarks/POIs St Lucia Estuary - Day 7
St Lucia to Durban
After a relaxing start to the morning, you'll head to Durban, a vibrant seaside city with one of Africa's largest commercial ports and a real urban energy. Your accommodation sits north of the city near a long stretch of beaches, giving you access to the pristine shoreline and the dynamic city atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore the beachfront Golden Mile
- Visit colourful flea markets
- Dine at quality restaurants with beach views
- Visit uShaka Marine World, Africa's largest marine theme park
Landmarks/POIs Durban Beachfront uShaka Marine World - Day 8
Durban
This day is entirely free for you to explore Durban however you like. Check out the Golden Mile beachfront, browse through colourful flea markets, and find good restaurants scattered throughout the city. If you want more action, uShaka Marine World, Africa's largest marine theme park, is worth a visit.
Optional Activities
- Explore the Golden Mile beachfront
- Visit colourful flea markets
- Dine at quality restaurants with beach views
- Visit uShaka Marine World, Africa's largest marine theme park
Landmarks/POIs Golden Mile uShaka Marine World - Day 9
Durban to Sani Lodge
After breakfast, you'll travel through lush mountainous countryside toward Sani Lodge near Underberg. The lodge sits at the foot of the Sani Pass gateway to Lesotho, and the views from here are really something. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure, with optional hiking and walking trails available if you want to get out and explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hiking trails
- Walking trails
Landmarks/POIs Sani Pass - Day 10
Lesotho via Sani Pass
You'll meet a local guide and board a 4x4 to tour Lesotho through the dramatic Sani Pass. The drive includes a visit to a Basotho household and shearing shed where, if it's the right season, you'll watch angora goats or sheep being sheared. Later you'll ascend Black Mountain to 3,482m for a beverage at Africa's highest bar before heading back down to your lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- 4x4 tour of Lesotho via Sani Pass
- Visit to Basotho household
- Visit to Shepherds village shearing shed
- Ascent of Black Mountain
- Beverage at Africa's highest bar
Landmarks/POIs Sani Pass Black Mountain - Day 11
Underberg to Northern Drakensberg
You'll drive north with the magnificent Berg mountain range on your left. Along the way, you'll pass through South Africa's historic battlefields where English, Boer, and Zulu forces fought, and you'll stop at various points to learn about the historical significance. By evening you'll reach your overnight stop at the base of the grand northern Drakensberg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visits to battlefields points of interest
Landmarks/POIs Drakensberg Mountains - Day 12
uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park
After breakfast, a short drive takes you to Royal National Park's entry gate in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. You'll have options for optional horseback or walking trails of different lengths, from about an hour for shorter journeys up to half or full day excursions. The Amphitheatre rock face is a highlight, and the surrounding landscape is really impressive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Short horseback trails (approximately one hour)
- Longer horseback trails (half day or full day)
- Short walking trails (approximately one hour)
- Longer walking trails (half day or full day)
Landmarks/POIs uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park Amphitheatre - Day 13
Drakensberg to Malealea Lodge
You'll journey around northern Lesotho and re-enter South Africa via the Maseru Bridge Gate. From there, you'll travel southwest over mountainous terrain dotted with villages and narrow passes to reach Malealea Lodge in the Mafeteng District. This scenic location has many optional activities like pony treks and hiking if you want to stay active.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Pony treks
- Hiking
Landmarks/POIs Maseru Bridge Gate Malealea Lodge - Day 14
Malealea Lodge
A free day to explore Lesotho on your own terms. Hiking, mountain biking, and tours of Bushman paintings are all optional. The real highlight though is a pony trek through hair-raising narrow mountain tracks, past local Basotho villages, and by striking waterfalls. It's an unforgettable way to experience the highlands.
Optional Activities
- Hiking
- Mountain biking
- Bushman paintings tour
- Pony treks
Landmarks/POIs Malealea Lodge - Day 15
Lesotho to Mountain Zebra National Park
You'll leave the Lesotho highlands and cross back into South Africa toward Mountain Zebra National Park near Cradock in the Eastern Cape Midlands. The 284km park hosts over 700 animal species including mountain zebras, eland, cape buffalo, cheetah, lion, caracal, black rhino, and wildebeest. Your game drive in the Acacia vehicle gets you to accommodation while spotting wildlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Game drive through Mountain Zebra National Park
Landmarks/POIs Mountain Zebra National Park Bankberg Mountain - Day 16
Addo Elephant National Park
You're heading to Addo Elephant National Park, which is home to over 600 elephants plus lions, buffalo, rhinos, leopards, and antelopes. Addo is special because it's the only national park with the Big 7, meaning the traditional Big 5 plus southern right whales and great white sharks in Algoa Bay. A game drive in your Acacia vehicle lets you spot diverse mammals and birds. You'll stay near the beach just outside Gqeberha Port Elizabeth.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Game drive through Addo Elephant National Park
Landmarks/POIs Addo Elephant National Park Algoa Bay - Day 17
Addo to Plettenberg Bay
Leaving Gqeberha Port Elizabeth, you'll head to the Tsitsikamma Forest, the top section of Garden Route National Park featuring rivers, reefs, dramatic coastlines, and lush forest. You'll explore the area in the afternoon, then continue to the quaint town of Plettenberg Bay. After settling in, you'll explore the town and check out its excellent restaurants and bars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Exploration of Tsitsikamma Forest area
Landmarks/POIs Tsitsikamma Forest Garden Route National Park Plettenberg Bay - Day 18
Plettenberg Bay to Oudtshoorn
You'll travel to Oudtshoorn via the coastal route and Outeniqua mountain pass. Oudtshoorn sits between the Outeniqua Mountains, natural lagoons, and the Indian Ocean, and it's known as the ostrich capital of the world. The region also features the Cango Caves, Africa's largest show cave system with fine dripstone caverns, vast halls, and towering formations in a limestone ridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Ostrich farm tour
- Cango Caves tour
Landmarks/POIs Cango Caves Outeniqua Mountains Swartberg Mountains - Day 19
Oudtshoorn to Hermanus
You're heading to Hermanus, a coastal town where whale and dolphin sightings are common. On the way, you'll stop at Cape Agulhas, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet at Africa's southernmost tip. Spend the late afternoon exploring Hermanus, which is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with a vibrant atmosphere and good nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Whale or dolphin sightseeing tour (seasonal)
Landmarks/POIs Cape Agulhas Hermanus - Day 20
Hermanus to Cape Town
The morning gives you time to explore Hermanus at your own pace, checking out shops, cafes, the museum, or joining an optional whale tour if it's the right season. Later you'll travel to a winery on Cape Town's outskirts for a wine tasting to sample local wines. You'll arrive in Cape Town in the late afternoon, where the tour ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wine tasting at a winery on Cape Town outskirts
Optional Activities
- Explore Hermanus shops and cafes
- Visit Hermanus museum
- Optional whale-based tour (seasonal, in-season availability)
Landmarks/POIs Hermanus Cape Town
