Itinerary
- Day 1
Johannesburg
After arriving in Johannesburg, you'll get a transfer to your hotel and then have the rest of the day free. It's a good opportunity to get oriented, grab a meal somewhere local, and start getting a feel for the city without any scheduled activities.
Optional Activities
- Explore Johannesburg
- Day 2
Johannesburg to Mpumalanga
This morning you're heading to Pretoria to see the Nelson Mandela statue, which is pretty significant to visit. From there the drive continues toward Mpumalanga with stops in Dullstroom and Sabie along the way, so you'll see different landscapes as you move inland and start climbing elevation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nelson Mandela statue in Pretoria
- Stop in Dullstroom
- Stop in Sabie
Landmarks/POIs Nelson Mandela statue - Day 3
Mpumalanga
You'll spend the day checking out the natural features of Mpumalanga. The Three Rondawels, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and God's Window are all on the agenda, which means you're seeing geological formations and panoramic views of the landscape. It's a full day of walking around and taking in what the region is known for.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Three Rondawels
- Visit Bourke's Luck Potholes
- Visit God's Window
Landmarks/POIs Three Rondawels Bourke's Luck Potholes God's Window - Day 4
Kruger National Park
Early morning and afternoon game drives through Kruger National Park put you in position to spot the Big 5. You'll be on two separate drives, so you've got multiple opportunities to see wildlife. The morning drive tends to be better for animal activity, then you'll head back to your lodge during midday and go out again in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Game Drive - morning (Big 5 spotting)
- Game Drive - afternoon
Landmarks/POIs Kruger National Park - Day 5
Kruger to Swaziland
The border crossing into Swaziland happens today as you head to Matsamo Cultural Village. You'll get to interact with locals and watch traditional craftsmen working, which gives you insight into how people live and create there. It's the kind of experience that's quite different from typical tourist activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Border crossing into Swaziland
- Visit Matsamo Cultural Village
- Interact with locals
- Watch traditional craftsmen at work
Landmarks/POIs Matsamo Cultural Village - Day 6
Swaziland to Zululand
Traveling south toward Zululand includes stops at various markets along the route, so you'll have chances to see local goods and culture throughout the drive. Once you reach your hotel and check in, the afternoon opens up for you to explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stop at markets
Optional Activities
- Explore Zululand in afternoon
- Day 7
Zululand to Tsitsikama
After breakfast you'll pass traditional Zulu kraals before making your way to Durban airport for an afternoon flight to Port Elizabeth. From there, you transfer to Tsitsikama for the night, so it's a travel day with both driving and flying involved.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Pass traditional Zulu kraals
- Day 8
Tsitsikama to Knysna
At Tsitsikama National Park you'll see Storms River Mouth, then the route takes you through mountains and forests as you head toward Knysna. By evening you're on a sunset cruise across the Knysna lagoon, which gives you a nice transition from driving all day to something more relaxed on the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Tsitsikama National Park
- Visit Storms River Mouth
- Travel through mountains and forests
- Sunset cruise on Knysna lagoon
Landmarks/POIs Tsitsikama National Park Storms River Mouth - Day 9
Knysna to Oudtshoorn to Wilderness
You'll visit an ostrich farm near Oudtshoorn with a guided tractor tour, so you get an up-close look at how these birds are raised and managed. After that comes Cango Caves for the limestone formations underground. The day ends with a stop at Dolphin Point lookout in Wilderness for views before heading to your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Ostrich Farm with guided tractor tour
- Visit Cango Caves
- Visit Dolphin Point lookout in Wilderness
Landmarks/POIs Cango Caves Dolphin Point - Day 10
Wilderness to Hermanus
The route goes via Barrydale and Tradouw's pass with a stop at Barrydale Farm School to see what they do there. You'll continue through the landscape toward Swellendam and then reach Hermanus for the night, so it's a scenic drive with a couple of educational stops along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Barrydale Farm School
- Travel through Tradouw's pass
Landmarks/POIs Barrydale Farm School Tradouw's Pass - Day 11
Hermanus to Stellenbosch to Cape Town
After breakfast you're taking the coastal route through Somerset to reach Stellenbosch, which is quite different from driving inland. Once in Stellenbosch you've got some free time to wander, check out wine shops, or have lunch before the drive to Cape Town later.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel via coastal route to Somerset
Optional Activities
- Free time in Stellenbosch
Landmarks/POIs Stellenbosch - Day 12
Cape Town
Cape Town is yours to shape today. You can arrange tours of Cape Town and Table Mountain, take a marine Big Five safari if wildlife on water interests you, or just explore neighborhoods at your own pace. In the evening there's interactive entertainment and dinner at Gold Restaurant if you want something planned.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Gold Restaurant with interactive entertainment and delectable food)
Included Activities
- Dinner at Gold Restaurant with interactive entertainment
Optional Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Cape Town and Table Mountain
- Marine Big Five Safari
Landmarks/POIs Table Mountain Gold Restaurant - Day 13
Cape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula tour covers quite a bit of ground, starting with Hout Bay and Chapman's Peak drive. You'll head down to Simon's Town and stop at Boulder's Beach to see the penguin colony, so there's a nice mix of scenery and wildlife all in one day trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Hout Bay
- Visit Chapman's Peak
- Visit Simon's Town
- Visit Penguin Colony at Boulder's Beach
Optional Activities
- Seal Island Cruise in Hout Bay
Landmarks/POIs Hout Bay Chapman's Peak Simon's Town Boulder's Beach Penguin Colony - Day 14
Cape Town Departure
One last breakfast wraps up your stay before you get transferred to the airport for your onward flight, bringing this South African journey to a close.
- Meals
- Breakfast
