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South African Explorer
Price: From ZAR 11807 per person
- Start:Cape Town
- End:Johannesburg
- Type:Camping
- Comfort:Standard
- Vehicle:Overland Truck
- Duration:20 days
DAY 1: Cape Town, Stellenbosch, South Africa- DAY 2: Oudtshoorn, Cango Caves, South Africa
- DAY 3: Garden Route, Knysna, South Africa
- DAYS 4-5: Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa
- DAY 6: Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa
- DAY 7: Cinsa, Sunshine Coast, South Africa
- DAY 8: Coffee Bay, Wild Coast, South Africa
- DAYS 9-10: Lesotho
- DAYS 11-12: Drakensberg, South Africa
- DAY 13: Durban, South Africa
- DAY 14: Zululand, St Lucia Wetlands, South Africa
- DAYS 15-16: Mlilwane Nature Reserve, Swaziland
- DAYS 17-18: Kruger National Park, South Africa
- DAY 19: Wildlife Rehabiliation Centre, South Africa
- DAY 20: Panorama Route, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Highlights: Cape Town, Stellenbosch
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: L D
- Highlights: Oudtshoorn, Cango Caves
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: B L D
- Highlights: Garden Route, Knysna
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: B L D
- Highlights: Garden Route, Knysna
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals:B L D
- Highlights: Addo Elephant National Park
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals:B L D
- Highlights: Sunshine Coast, Cintsa
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals:B L D
- Highlights: Coffee Bay, Umtata, Wild Coast
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals:B L D
- Highlights: Lesotho, Pony Trekking
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals:B L D
- Highlights: Drakensberg, Royal Natal National Park
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals:B L D
- Highlights: Durban
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals:B L
- Highlights: Durban
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals:B L
- Highlights: Zululand, St Lucia Wetlands, Isimangaliso Wetlands Park
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals:B L D
- Highlights: Mlilwane Nature Reserve, Swaziland
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals:B L D
- Highlights: Kruger National Park
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals:B L D
- Highlights: Kruger National Park, Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals:B L D
- Highlights: Johannesburg
- Meals:B L
- SEASONAL DATES: TOUR PRICE: LOCAL PAYMENT
- 01 January 2013 - 31 December 2013 ZAR 11807 ZAR 1850
South African Explorer
Spend 20 days exploring some of the best highlights of South Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho.
Fast Facts
Tour Summary
19 Nights
Meals: 19 Breakfasts 17 Lunches 17 Dinners
Day 1: Beginning Your Adventure in Cape Town
Following a short briefing, head out of Cape Town and drive to the town of Stellenbosch in the premier wine region of the South Africa. Enjoy a delicious lunch prior to some time touring a selection of local wineries.
Between June and November, head to the coast near Hermanus in the late afternoon to do some whale watching. The area offers some of the best land-based viewing of these majestic creatures.
Day 2: Riding an Ostrich in Outdshoorn
Today, leave the coast behind as you head inland to the town of Oudtshoorn – the ostrich capital of South Africa. Take the opportunity to ride these flight-less birds when you visit an ostrich farm.
After the farm visit, head to the Cango Caves. This natural wonder is famous for the incredible stalagmite formations in its 1.2 km long attraction through the Swartberg Mountains.
Day 3: Exploring the Knysna Lagoon
This morning return to the coast as you travel through some charming little towns to the scenic coastal town of Knysna. This picturesque town is known for its sandstone cliffs, beautiful lagoon and the famous Knysna Heads.
The rest of the day will be yours to enjoy the many activities in the area, such as hiking, abseiling, or take a lagoon cruise. Another option is to simply relax at a café, after you’ve explored the local shops.
Days 4-5: Exploring the Knysna Lagoon
The next day drive to Storms River where you’ll spend the next two nights. Enjoy a couple of days, hiking or taking a canopy tour through the stunning indigenous forests, fynbos, and spectacular views of Tsitsikamma National Park.
The hiking in the area is some of the best in the country and visitors can hike the first couple of kilometers of the well-known Otter Trail. Additionally, get to the Bloukrans bridge and bungee jump off the highest commercial bungee jump in the world.
Day 6: Searching for Elephants in Addo
Today journey to the famous Addo Elephant National Park, home to over 450 elephants, as well as Cape buffalo, black rhino, and other animals. Spend the day exploring this beautiful park searching for the local habitants. Have your camera ready as there’ll be plenty of chance for some excellent photos.
Day 7: Get Some Sun on the Sunshine Coast
Have one final game drive in the park, before making your way along the Sunshine Coast towards Cintsa – a little piece of paradise situated on the coast.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll along this beautiful beach in the afternoon as the sunsets over the Indian Ocean.
Day 8: Visiting the Nelson Mandela Museum
Drive along the coast to the town of Coffee Bay, but not before stopping in Umtata to visit the Nelson Mandela Museum for a bit of a history lesson.
Once in Coffee Bay, one of the most beautiful spots on the Wild Coast, visit the famous Hole in the Wall before retiring to the campsite for the night.
Days 9-10: Experiencing the Lesotho Culture
After a full day’s journey from the coast, you’ll arrive at the border of the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. Once the formalities of crossing are finished, continue through the breathtaking mountainous scenery to your rustic overnight spot.
The next day is yours to enjoy. You could begin the day with an optional guided pony trek through the remote Lesotho Hills; afterwards continue your day with a cultural visit to a local village or school.
Days 11-12: Getting High Up in the Drakensberg
Cross back into South Africa as you head towards the exquisite Drakensberg area and the Royal Natal National Park.
Spend the next two nights in the fantastic region exploring the mountain paths as you marvel at the magnificent scenery. Take the opportunity to cover more ground by heading out along the trails on horseback.
Day 13: Try a Little Curry in Durban
Make your way today back to the coast through some amazing scenery as you arrive in Durban in the late afternoon. Known for its excellent Golden Mile beach and warm ocean currents, Durban has some of the best beaches in South Africa.
With the largest population of Indians outside of India, Durban has some excellent curry restaurants for you to experience for dinner.
Day 13: Try a Little Curry in Durban
Make your way today back to the coast through some amazing scenery as you arrive in Durban in the late afternoon. Known for its excellent Golden Mile beach and warm ocean currents, Durban has some of the best beaches in South Africa.
With the largest population of Indians outside of India, Durban has some excellent curry restaurants for you to experience for dinner.
Day 14: Cruising Around the St. Lucia Wetlands
Your journey today will take you up the Natal coast to a traditional Zulu village where you’ll get the opportunity to learn about the Zulu history and culture. Admire the local handicrafts that are on sale, the Zulu people are known for their beautiful handiwork.
Continuing north your day will end in the world heritage site of the St. Lucia Wetlands Park. Enjoy a sunset lagoon cruise along the banks searching for wildlife or any of the other optional activities available.
Days 15-16: Diversifying in Swaziland
Crossing another border again, encounter some more cultural diversity as you enter the landlocked Kingdom of Swaziland and head for the Mlilwane Nature Reserve.
Enjoy one of Swaziland’s oldest nature reserves for the next two nights. The next day you can explore this scenic reserve either on foot, by horseback, or mountain bike.
Days 17-18: Game Driving in the Kruger National Park
Today make your way back into South Africa as you drive to the world-renowned Kruger National Park for two days of unforgettable Big 5 game viewing. Kruger is home to Africa’s Big 5, as well as a multitude of other wildlife and bird species.
Spend the next day on a full day game drive as you continue to explore this exquisite national park for wildlife. In the evening, head out on an optional night drive to observe the rare nocturnal animals, like leopard, aardvark, and the bat-eared fox, as they come alive. If you feel adventurous, a guided walk is an excellent way to get to know some of the smaller creatures that inhabit the park.
Day 19: Learning About the Animals
After a short game drive, as you leave the park, you’ll get one last opportunity to interact with the fabulous wildlife. Once outside the park, your adventure heads to a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for an educational tour of their animals.
Day 20: Finishing in Johannesburg
Your tour ends with a scenic drive along the renowned Panorama Route stopping at the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and a look through God’s Window before arriving at your final destination of Johannesburg.
Even though your tour ends upon arrival to Johannesburg, you may want to have one last dinner with your fellow travelers.
Pricing is meant as a guide only. All prices are subject to availability, change/increase without notice and seasonabilty. Most of the overland tours are priced on a per person basis, but options and rates vary from supplier to supplier. Please note that many overland tours charge a local payment rate, which is paid directly to your trip leader upon the day of departure - this is an addition to the trip price. We have included the local payment rates for your benefit only. Contact us via Enquiry Form for an accurate, market-best rate.
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