SA Explorer - 12 Days

This morning you will be met by your local tour guide and depart for the scenic Garden Route. Travel along Sir Lowry’s Pass, with its magnificent views, to Grabouw and Elgin, a lush landscape surrounded by majestic mountains. Our journey continues to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. The area has largely been untouched and unexplored with its rugged coastline being the graveyard for many a ship. The historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is considered the icon that signifies the tip of Africa. After this thrilling experience, we continue via historic Swellendam, the third oldest town in South Africa, to Mossel Bay, from where the Garden Route extends to the Storms River in the east. Overnight in Mossel Bay.
Distance travelled today: 507 km

After breakfast, we continue our journey to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world and home to the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves. Visit an Ostrich Farm for a guided tour. Enjoy a wine tasting at a local wine estate before setting off on a tour of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages.

Overnight in Oudtshoorn. [Breakfast & Dinner]

Distance travelled today: 155 km

After breakfast, travel over the Outeniqua Pass to George, the sixth oldest town in South Africa, with many historical landmarks like the Slave Tree and King Edward VII Library building; said to be the best example of Edwardian architecture in the town. The tour travels via Wilderness, an attractive holiday resort to Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route. Enjoy a lagoon cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve (weather permitting), where you can take a trailer ride to the top of the Western Head to enjoy panoramic views of the town and lagoon, returning for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this charming town set around a natural harbour lagoon.

Overnight in Knysna. [Breakfast & Lunch]

Distance travelled today: 134 km

Today you’ll have the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the Knysna area. Your journey will include a visit to the Garden of Eden, set in the lush, green, indigenous Knysna forest. The major attraction is the forest itself, beautiful yellowwood trees, thick green foliage and streams. Afterwards, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, where you will be able to see a variety of primates, roaming free in the forest. The sanctuary is well known for its efforts to rehabilitate and free previously caged primates. The tour continues to the famous Eastern Head, where you will enjoy spectacular views of the Knysna Heads (weather permitting). Afterwards, you’ll travel to Brenton on Sea, a breath-taking holiday location and a nature lover’s paradise with its unspoilt beaches and peaceful surroundings. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure.

Overnight in Knysna. [Breakfast]

Distance travelled today: 110 km

Travel to Plettenberg Bay, the jewel of the Garden Route, before visiting Birds of Eden sanctuary, the biggest single free-flight aviary in the world. The sanctuary was developed to create a safe environment in which to release a large collection of free-flight African birds. Our journey continues to Bloukrans Bridge, the highest single-span arch bridge in the world, currently offering the highest commercially operated Bungy Jump in the world. Visit the Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea.

Overnight in the Tsitsikamma area. [Breakfast]

Distance travelled today: 100 km

Head eastwards along the Tsitsikamma Forest to Port Elizabeth, known as the “friendly city” with a wonderful climate. Travel to Port Elizabeth Airport for an onward flight to Johannesburg, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax (unescorted).

Overnight in Johannesburg. [Breakfast]

Distance travelled today: 185 km

Spend a full day exploring Soweto and its surroundings. The tour starts with a visit to the prestigious Apartheid Museum, located in Johannesburg’s Ormond suburb. The museum covers the full history of the Apartheid era in South Africa. From here you will continue to Soweto for a tour through this vibrant township. You will visit the Hector Peterson Memorial that commemorates the role of the country’s students in the struggle against Apartheid. Continue to the Liliesleaf Heritage Site for a tour. Once known as Liliesleaf Farm this fascinating heritage site is closely linked to the Rivonia Treason Trial that leads to Nelson Mandela’s incarceration. In the early 1960s Liliesleaf was a sanctuary where most prominent leaders of South Africa’s struggle against Apartheid sought shelter, attended secret meetings and engaged in key debates on political and military policy and strategy. You will learn in detail what happened during those days and the ultimate arrest of Nelson Mandela.

Return to your hotel overnight. [Breakfast]

Distance travelled today: 100 km

Enjoy a full day at leisure and unescorted. Perhaps join a tour to Maropeng, the Cradle of Mankind (optional and for own account) or enjoy some shopping at Nelson Mandela Square, home to a variety of shops and boutiques catering for all tastes and budgets.

Overnight in Johannesburg. [Breakfast]

This morning you will be collected from your hotel, heading east to the Mpumalanga region. After freshening up at your lodge enter the world-famous Kruger National Park and spend the afternoon game viewing in your closed touring vehicle. The park offers some of the best game viewing and wildlife opportunities in the world – and you’ll soon appreciate the challenges of managing this unique reserve. After an action-packed afternoon in Kruger Park, enjoy authentic cuisine from the region, around a cosy campfire at your lodge. [Breakfast & Dinner]

Distance travelled today: 430 km

The day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a thrilling open vehicle game drive (with English speaking game ranger) through Kruger National Park with pre-packed breakfast. Your guide will endeavour to spoil you with sightings of the ‘Big Five’, general game and prolific bird life. Return to the lodge for lunch (own account) and a short siesta. In the afternoon we will journey once again through the magnificent expanses of the Kruger National Park, unrivalled in its diversity of flora and fauna. Enjoy an afternoon of game viewing in your closed touring vehicle pursuing the Big Five and other rare and endangered species. Optional (own account) open vehicle game drives are available.

Return to the lodge for a dinner of African specialities, served outdoors by the light of a campfire. [Breakfast & Dinner]

Distance travelled today: 250 km

Enjoy breakfast before setting out to explore the magnificent Panorama Route, one of the most scenic routes in the region, offering glorious views, spectacular landscapes and exquisite waterfalls. Visit majestic sights including God’s Window, the Three Rondavels and Blyderiver Canyon – the third largest canyon of its kind in the world, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the charming village of Graskop, one of the first gold mining camps in the country. Optional (own account) open vehicle game drives are available, should you prefer not to join the Panorama Route tour.

Return to your lodge for a delectable buffet Boma Dinner, served under the light of the stars. [Breakfast & Dinner]

Distance travelled today: 260 km

Enjoy breakfast before starting the return journey to Johannesburg. Arrive in Johannesburg, at OR Tambo International Airport, at approximately 14h30, where the tour ends on arrival. [Breakfast]

Distance travelled today: 400 km