South Africa Highlights “Comfort”

After arriving at the airport in Hoedspruit, you pick up your rental car and drive to Timbavati Private Game Reserve, a wildlife reserve of over 53,000 ha bordering Kruger National Park to the west. The fences between the surrounding reserves and Kruger National Park have been removed so that the animals can move freely throughout the whole region. Besides various antelope species, zebras, elephants and giraffes, the rare white lions and wild dogs are often sighted too, with a little luck of course. After arriving in the early afternoon, you can enjoy the surroundings with a light snack and refreshing drink before setting off on your first game drive. The guides know the area extremely well and do their utmost to give you unforgettable wildlife viewing. After the morning safari there is a hearty breakfast. Afterwards you have free time – ideal for relaxing and enjoying yourself. In the afternoon a snack is served before it is back out on the hunt for wildlife. All meals and 2 activities per day are included in the price. Two nights in one of the luxurious suites at Simbavati Hilltop Lodge.

Driving distance day 3: approx. 250 km; pure driving time approx. 6–7 hours via Kruger National Park

After a morning safari and a hearty breakfast, you head south. You have the option of driving to Hazyview directly or, alternatively, through Kruger National Park. As a base for exploring the Panorama region, two nights are planned near Hazyview. Visit Pilgrim’s Rest for a little journey back in time to the gold rush, surrounded by cultural and historical gems. See the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window. A stop at the “Graskop Gorge Lift” is also worthwhile on this trip. On a walk along a purpose-built walkway, you enjoy a grandiose view over the fascinating gorge. You spend two nights at the original Tanamera Lodge.

On today’s leg of the self-drive tour you leave South Africa and cross the border (Oshoek Border Post) into Eswatini. In Manzini you have the opportunity to visit one of the colourful markets and souvenir shops with handmade artworks. Eswatini is far more rural than South Africa. The area around Mbabane is ideal for hikes and excursions into the mountain regions. You spend the night at Summerfield Luxury Hotel & Botanical Garden, near which there is a candle factory. Here you can not only buy the famous Swazi candles but also watch how they are made.

Transfer from 4x4 car park to lodge; travel time approx. 1 hour

After an early breakfast you leave Eswatini and continue by rental car to the coast of the Indian Ocean. You leave your car in a guarded car park, where you are picked up by a driver from Thonga Beach Lodge, who takes you along a rough, sandy track to the lodge. Thonga Beach Lodge is idyllically located in Maputaland, between Sodwana Bay and the Mozambican border. Built into the coastal forest and partly overlooking the beach and the sea, the luxurious rooms are connected to the main area by wooden walkways. Enjoy a few days in a special place with fine sandy beach and unspoilt nature. Besides hiking, snorkelling and boat tours, diving is also offered as an option. You spend the night in an Ocean View Room at Thonga Beach Lodge.

Driving distance day 10: approx. 200 km; pure driving time approx. 4 hours

After breakfast you are taken back to your rental car. Your destination is Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park, one of the largest reserves for white rhinos. Thanks to a large-scale breeding project, those responsible here have succeeded in giving a home to the largest number of the rare black rhinos. For this reason, your chances of seeing this endangered species are far better in this park than in others. But the nature reserve is also one of the most beautiful parks in southern Africa, not least thanks to its hilly landscape. Besides the rhinos mentioned, the park is also home to lions, elephants, leopards and buffalo from the Big Five. You spend two nights at the original Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge. With expert lodge guides, you go wildlife viewing in open safari vehicles. Optionally, you can take part in a bush walk. All meals and 2 game drives per day are included in the price. You spend two nights in one of the comfortable chalets at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge.

Driving distance in Cape Town: approx. 40 km; pure driving time approx. 30–60 minutes

After the morning safari, you head directly to Durban airport. You return your rental car and, in the early afternoon, take your domestic flight to Cape Town.

After arriving in Cape Town, you collect your “new” rental car and drive to your accommodation in the Camps Bay district. You spend three nights in Cape Town and have time to see the city’s sights. To start, a tour on a hop-on-hop-off bus is a good way to get a good all-round view of the city. With the mighty Table Mountain, the mountainous hinterland, the picturesque bays and its location right on the sea, Cape Town is one of the most attractive cities in the world. Stroll along the Waterfront and marvel at the fabulous backdrop during a sunset harbour cruise. Climb Lion’s Head or take the cable car up to the Table Mountain plateau. Visit the Botanical Garden and the well-known Green Market Square, and sample your way through the various restaurants the city has to offer. You spend the night at Ocean View House in Camps Bay.

From Cape Town, take a day trip to see the Cape Peninsula. Drive past the colourful little houses of Muizenberg to Simon’s Town and on to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, part of “Table Mountain National Park”. Explore the fascinating nature reserve with its rich vegetation and biodiversity. Later you drive back towards Cape Town along the east side. Take a beach walk at Noordhoek and then drive back to Cape Town via “Chapmans Peak Drive”, an impressive coastal road (note: sometimes closed), and Hout Bay. You spend another night at Ocean View House in Camps Bay.

After breakfast you drive your rental car east via Gordons Bay and along the scenic coastal route R44/R43. Stop at Betty’s Bay to watch the little penguins. Hermanus is a good place to stop for a lunchtime snack. Your destination is De Kelders near Gansbaai. This small, beautifully situated fishing village is part of South Africa’s “whale capital” and, from June to November, the ideal place to watch the grey giants. But even outside the whale season, the picturesque region offers spectacular hiking trails along the coast or in the adjoining forests. Those seeking peace and quiet will also get their money’s worth in De Kelders. You spend the night at Cliff Lodge.

Through picturesque landscapes, your round trip through South Africa continues to the wine region. The next day, explore South Africa’s wine centre and sample a few fine drops that South African winemakers have to offer. Wine tastings in the form of guided tours, hikes and bike rides can be booked as options. The Winelands are also known beyond South Africa’s borders for their cuisine. Treat yourself in the evening to a feast for the palate at one of the excellent restaurants nearby. You spend two nights at La Petite Ferme.

Depending on your departure time, a stroll through Stellenbosch and the souvenir market is a good idea in the morning. Later you drive back to Cape Town airport. There you return your rental car and begin your journey back to Europe, where you will arrive with many new impressions and experiences.