Discover South Africa

Around 6:30 am your South Africa adventure begins with the drive north, past the capital Pretoria, into Limpopo Province. You stop for lunch in the historic little town of Haenertsburg, before heading down the beautiful Magoebaskloof Pass into the Lowveld. Your destination is Drifters Bush Lodge in Balule Nature Reserve, which borders Kruger National Park. There are no fences in between, so the animals can move freely. Look forward to an exclusive safari experience in this private reserve! The tented lodge blends seamlessly into the impressive landscape and offers fantastic views of the surrounding wilderness. Arrive at your leisure, cool off in the swimming pool or watch the goings-on at the nearby waterhole.

The day begins very early and traditionally with a cup of coffee and rusks, before you set off to explore the game reserve accompanied by an experienced guide. Keep a keen lookout for the wildlife and discover the small treasures that often remain hidden to an untrained eye. Before the heat of the day sets in, you return to the lodge. After a delicious brunch you have time to relax. In the afternoon, more exciting animal encounters await on a game drive in an open safari vehicle. As the sun sinks towards the horizon, you stop and watch the sunset with a cool drink. As darkness falls, your game drive turns into a night drive, and with a little luck you can spot nocturnal animals. You spend another night at Drifters Bush Lodge.

In the morning you enjoy a hearty breakfast and then set off on the Panorama Route to discover its highlights. Your first stop is at a viewpoint with a fabulous view of the Blyde River Canyon. Then it’s on to the former gold-mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest, today a pretty museum village that takes its visitors back to the days of the gold rush. Stroll along the main street and take your time looking around. For lunch you stop at a local restaurant (at your own expense). The wide view over the Lowveld that opens up before you here will delight you. Well fortified, you make your way to Greenfire Lodge Hazyview. Set in a patch of woodland on the banks of the Sabie River, you spend two nights in cosy wooden chalets built on stilts. The lodge is located on a farm where coffee, limes and macadamia nuts are grown. In the afternoon there is time for a short walk around the grounds.

Right on sunrise you set off and drive into the world-famous Kruger National Park. A day full of exciting game drives lies ahead of you. You explore the southern part of the national park extensively, looking out for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, lions, leopards and many more. From the high overland truck you have a great view. While you watch the animals, your guide teaches you a great deal about their behaviour and habitat. In the late afternoon you return to Greenfire Lodge Hazyview.

Today the journey continues south to Eswatini, the Kingdom of Swaziland. A piece of authentic Africa awaits you here, with impressive natural landscapes, friendly people and a rich cultural heritage. Your drive takes you through a scenic area, past traditional settlements and vast sugar cane fields. Together with your guide you explore this small country before reaching the Forester’s Arms Country Hotel in the late afternoon.

On winding roads you travel south through Eswatini’s hilly landscape. Back in South Africa, your drive takes you through Zululand – an area once ruled by the mighty Zulu king Shaka. Your destination for the day is the small town of St. Lucia on the Indian Ocean, where you will spend the next two nights. During your time in St. Lucia you visit the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a subtropical wetland with white sandy beaches, dunes, swamps, the great Lake St. Lucia, and savannas and forests teeming with wildlife. Here you go on game drives and look out for rhinos, buffalo and a wide variety of other wildlife. On the way you stop for a walk on the beach, and anyone who wishes can take a dip in the sea. For dinner you head out with your fellow travellers to one of the many restaurants (at your own expense). Two nights at Forest Lodge in St. Lucia.

You leave St. Lucia after breakfast. Through the hilly landscape of KwaZulu-Natal, once the scene of numerous historic battles, your journey takes you to the majestic Drakensberg. During the afternoon you reach your accommodation in the midst of this idyllic mountain region. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and the dreamlike panorama! The next day you explore Royal Natal National Park on a hike. Through the picturesque Tugela Gorge you walk to the foot of the famous Amphitheatre, a massive cliff face rising almost 1,000 metres into the sky. The Tugela Falls plunge impressively into the depths here. You spend two nights in the cosy chalets of Alpine Heath Resort.

After a relaxed breakfast you set off. Your voyage of discovery takes you through glorious landscapes further south to one of the most beautiful rural regions of South Africa: the Midlands. A working farm is your destination today. After arriving in the afternoon, you have time to learn more about farming in this region and the fascinating history surrounding Flitwick Ranch. For the adventurous, there is the opportunity to help out with farm work in the afternoon or early in the morning. In the evening a delicious traditional meal awaits you, made with fresh ingredients from the farm’s own garden.

You set off early in the morning. Passing many small villages, you drive south to one of the highlights of this tour: the Wild Coast. Endless, unspoilt beaches, picturesque river mouths, wide grasslands and little Xhosa villages characterise the landscape of this region. Here you spend two nights at the Ocean View Hotel in Coffee Bay and have ample time to explore this indescribably beautiful corner of the world. Look forward to a hike to the impressive “Hole in the Wall”. Just off the coast lies the rock, surrounded by the sea on all sides, with a large hole gaping in its middle. Over many millennia the crashing waves have carved a path through the rock. Back from your hike you can spend the afternoon as you please. Go for a swim in the sea, or simply put your feet up on the beach or in the garden and let your soul unwind.

You leave the green Wild Coast behind and follow lesser-known roads through the Eastern Cape province into the Great Karoo. Cradock is a smart little town in the valley of the Great Fish River and rich in history dating back to the 1800s. On arrival in Cradock, a local guide welcomes you and, on a walking tour, gives you an insight into the town’s fascinating history. Afterwards you check in to your rooms at De Tuihuise & Victoria Manor. Look forward to a special evening that will take you back to times gone by.

Very early in the morning, even before breakfast, you set off and drive to the nearby Mountain Zebra National Park. This park is different from all the others you have visited so far on your trip, owing, among other things, to its location in the semi-desert of the Karoo. You will hardly meet any other visitors, so you can watch Cape mountain zebras, springbok, ostriches and, with a little luck, even cheetahs, buffalo and black rhinos on the wide plain in peace and quiet. You return to your accommodation for breakfast. Well fortified, you then set off for the well-known Addo Elephant National Park, one of the largest wildlife reserves in South Africa. In your overland truck you cross the park from north to south, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way. Besides large elephant herds, which often crowd together at the waterholes, zebras, various antelope species as well as rhinos, buffalo, lions, leopards and many more live here. In the late afternoon you leave the park behind and drive to the beautiful bay of Nelson Mandela Bay. Today’s accommodation lies right on the beach. In the evening you go for dinner at one of the many restaurants (at your own expense).

Before breakfast, take the opportunity for a walk on the beach or a dip in the sea. Well fortified, you then set off towards Tsitsikamma National Park in the heart of the famous Garden Route. On a walk along the rugged coast and across the impressive suspension bridge that spans the Storms River, you can stretch your legs. Your journey then continues via Plettenberg Bay to the lively town of Knysna, set on the edge of the lagoon of the same name and surrounded by green forests and fynbos. In the afternoon there is time to explore Knysna. Dinner and overnight stay at The Rex Hotel.

Along a scenic route you drive today to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of the African continent. Here the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean. Walk down to the beach and enjoy the wide view over the sea as you feel the fresh sea breeze on your skin and in your hair. After a relaxed picnic you make your way to today’s accommodation in Arniston. Spend the rest of the day as you please. A walk to the large sea cave of Waenhuiskrans is well worthwhile.

In the morning your journey takes you along the “Whale Coast” via Hermanus to Betty’s Bay. There you visit a small colony of African penguins and watch them waddle along the beach, play in the water or simply laze about. The journey continues along one of the most beautiful coastal roads in South Africa, along False Bay, all the way to Cape Town. There you check in for the coming night at the aha Harbour Bridge Hotel in Foreshore. In the immediate vicinity are the vibrant V&A Waterfront, which invites you to stroll, as well as first-class restaurants. To round off your varied South Africa round trip, you go out for dinner with your fellow travellers (at your own expense) and enjoy a last evening together.

Your voyage of discovery through South Africa ends after breakfast. As Cape Town is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities in the world and offers a wealth of sights, we strongly recommend extending your stay in the “Mother City” individually – we are happy to help, just get in touch.

Breakfast

Single rooms are only available on request and in limited numbers! Solo travellers are welcome to share a room with other travellers of the same sex at no extra charge.