Comfortably Through South Africa

Driving distance day 2: game drives (approx. 9 hours)

Early in the morning at 06:30 your journey begins from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park. You set off towards Mpumalanga. Mountains, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests shape the local landscape. Enjoy the view from God’s Window before heading to Makuwa Safari Lodge on the edge of Kruger National Park. The next morning you get up early, with a day full of exciting game drives in Kruger National Park ahead of you. In the late afternoon you return to the lodge. Watch a wonderful sunset and round off the eventful day with a delicious dinner.

The day begins with a short bush walk around the lodge, then you set off again into Kruger National Park. At almost 2 million hectares it is the largest National Park in South Africa and, with its 16 different ecosystems, provides a habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and birds. On exciting game drives in the southern part of the park you have the chance to see the Big Five (elephant, leopard, lion, rhino and buffalo) and many other animals. You spend the night in permanent tents or chalets at one of the rest camps in Kruger National Park.

Your next destination is Malolotja Nature Reserve in mountainous Eswatini, the Kingdom of Swaziland. Besides some exotic plants such as orchids and lilies, the diverse reserve is home to rare frog species, reedbuck and even leopards. Climb the hills of the reserve on foot and be rewarded with a fantastic view. Let the evening wind down together around the campfire before retiring to your mountain hut at Hawane Resort.

Driving distance day 6: game drives (morning to afternoon)

In the morning you visit a market near the capital Mbabane, where you can find everything from souvenirs and wood carvings to baskets and pots, colourful fabrics and clothing, even a medicine man. Then it is time to leave Eswatini behind. You cross the border into South Africa and drive on to Msinene Nature Reserve in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal. In the afternoon you hike along the Msinene River accompanied by a local guide. Watch the diverse birdlife and look out for animals. With a little luck you may see nyalas, which are among the rarer and shyer antelope species. The next morning you go on a game drive in neighbouring Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Back at the lodge you can make yourself comfortable with a cool drink on the viewing deck and enjoy the wide view over the landscape. You spend two nights at Zululand Lodge.

The Drakensberg is a mountain range 200 kilometres long and up to 3,000 metres high, forming the natural border between South Africa and the high-lying Kingdom of Lesotho. On the way there you visit the Mandela Capture Site. In 1962 Nelson Mandela was arrested here, at this unassuming place in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. A visitor centre provides information about the historic event. You spend the next two nights at Lotheni Camp in the southern Drakensberg and go hiking in this natural paradise, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and let the fantastic views sink in.

Today your trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town continues to the Wild Coast. The contrast of rugged coastline, steep cliffs and lonely sandy beaches makes up the appeal of this unspoilt natural paradise. You spend the night at Crawfords Beach Hotel, which lies right on the beach. The next day is at your leisure. Explore the stunning surroundings on foot, visit one of the surrounding villages or relax on the beautiful beach.

Addo Elephant National Park was founded in 1931 to save the last eleven wild elephants from extinction. The number of grey giants living there has since risen to more than 600, and other species such as the rare black rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard and many more, as well as over 400 bird species, have found a home here too. You spend the night in the chalets of the rest camp in Addo Elephant National Park.

Plettenberg Bay is a small, charming town in the heart of the Garden Route, on the Indian Ocean. You spend two nights at Bayview Hotel and take a day trip to the mouth of the Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park. Walk across the suspension bridge that spans the river and explore the rocky, rugged coastal landscape on foot. Back in Plettenberg Bay you can have dinner at one of the town's excellent restaurants (at your own expense). The next morning is yours to spend as you please, for optional activities such as whale and dolphin watching (not included in the tour price), a stroll through the markets and shops in town, or time on the beautiful Blue Flag beaches of Plettenberg Bay. In the afternoon your guide leads a hike in Robberg Peninsula Nature Reserve, one of the highlights of Plettenberg Bay.

Hermanus is an idyllic fishing village and undoubtedly one of the best places for whale watching from the mainland. From June to November southern right whales come close to the coast to calve and mate. During the whale season you take a walk along the coast. In the summer months you explore Fernkloof Nature Reserve, where the fynbos typical of the Cape region blooms. In the evening you can treat yourself to fresh fish at one of the restaurants (at your own expense). You spend the night at Windsor Hotel.

Driving distance day 16: approx. 150 km; pure driving time approx. 4 hours

On your way to Cape Town you visit the wine region around Stellenbosch. At a wine estate you are given a cellar tour and can taste some of the best wines in the world (optional). With Table Mountain as its landmark, Cape Town is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You visit the harbour of Hout Bay, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope and, last but not least, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. An excursion to the prison island of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, is also possible in calm seas (optional). Also enjoy Cape Town's outstanding cuisine in one of the countless restaurants (at your own expense). You spend the night at City Lodge V&A Waterfront.

In the morning you climb Table Mountain. A breathtaking experience that will stay with you for a long time. Enjoy the incomparable panoramic view of Cape Town, Robben Island and the Cape Peninsula – a truly fitting finale to this impressive trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town! Your tour ends in the early evening (around 6 pm).

Breakfast

Note: Solo travellers are welcome to share a room with other solo travellers of the same sex at no extra charge.