South African Explorer
| Duration: |
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20 days |
| Starts: |
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Cape Town |
| Ends: |
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Johannesburg |
| Rates from: |
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| Dates: |
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Click here for Tour Dates
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| Countries Visited: |
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South Africa
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| Transport: |
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Overland Truck
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| Safari cook: |
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Not Included
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A 20-day camping expedition exploring the heritage, wildlife and diversity of South Africa.
Discover South Africa's finest wilderness areas, heritage sites, big game parks and beautiful scenery.
Go winetasting, visit the Cango Caves and bungee jump in the Tsitsikamma . Head up the Sunshine Coast to Addo Elephant National Park, before discovering the scenery of Lesotho and the Drakensberg.
End your overland adventure with a visit to Swaziland and superb game viewing in the Kruger National Park.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Go Wine Tasting in Stellenbosch
Meals: HB
After a brief orientation, you'll leave Cape Town and travel to the beautiful wine region of Stellenbosch. Enjoy a relaxed lunch and then visit a selection of local vineyards to sample some of the region's excellent wines.
In whale season (between June and November) you'll spend the night near Hermanus, a quaint seaside town which offers the best land-based whale watching in the world.
Day 2: Explore the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn
Meals: FB
Leave the coast behind you and head inland to the town of Oudtshoorn, famous for the incredible stalagmite formations in the nearby Cango Caves.
After enjoying a tour of this natural wonder, you can visit an ostrich farm where you'll have the opportunity to ride the largest bird in the world.
Day 3: Arrive in Picturesque Knysna
Meals: FB
Return to the coast via some lovely country roads and arrive in the scenic seaside town of Knysna, known for its sandstone cliffs, beautiful lagoon and the Knysna Heads.
There are numerous adventure activities to choose from, such as hiking, abseiling or a lagoon cruise, or you can relax at a sidewalk coffee shop and explore the local shops in search of interesting local craft.
Day 4-5: Bungee Jump Near Tsitsikamma
Meals: FB
It is just a short drive from Knysna to Storms River, your base for the next 2 nights. From here you can explore, hike and enjoy a canopy tour through the beautiful coastal Tsitsikamma National Park, known for its indigenous forests, fynbos and spectacular seascapes.
The hiking here is some of the best in the country and includes the option to walk the first few kilometers of the renowned Otter Trail. If you're feeling adventurous, you can bungee off the Bloukrans bridge - home to the highest bungee jump in the world.
Day 6: See Elephants at Addo
Meals: FB
Today you'll travel to Addo Elephant National Park, a sanctuary to over 450 elephants, as well as Cape buffalo, black rhino and a variety of antelope species.
You'll spend the day on a game drive through the park, providing plenty of opportunities to take some wonderful wildlife photographs.
Day 7: Head North Towards Cintsa
Meals: FB
After a last game drive in Addo, you'll leave the park and head north along the Sunshine Coast towards Cintsa, an area which has been described as a little piece of paradise.
A beautiful beach runs along this stretch of coastline, and a walk through the sand and surf is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.
Day 8: See the Hole in the Wall in Coffee Bay
Meals: FB
Today you'll travel to Coffee Bay, but en route you'll have the opportunity to visit the Nelson Mandela Museum in Umtata for an interesting slice of history.
Arrive in Coffee Bay, one of the most beautiful spots on the Wild Coast, where you'll visit the well-known Hole in the Wall.
Days 9-10: Trek into the Lesotho Hills
Meals: FB
After a full day's drive inland, you'll arrive in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, known for its varied landscapes and breathtaking scenery. When border formalities are completed, your group will drive up into the mountains to your rustic overnight spot.
The next day you start early with an optional guided pony trek into the remote Lesotho Hills - a wonderfully authentic way to explore the region. If you choose to remain behind, you can relax and enjoy the views, or visit the local village, school or craft market
Days 11-12: Journey into the Drakensberg
Meals: FB
Today you'll depart Lesotho and cross the border back into South Africa, where you'll drive towards the Royal Natal National Park.
Spend the next 2 days in this beautiful area exploring mountain paths and pools, and enjoying the spectacular Drakensberg scenery. Optional horse-riding trails are an easier way to reach some of the more remote viewpoints.
Day 13: Dine Indian in Durban
Meals: HB
Your journey today takes you through some amazing scenery as you return to the coast. In the late afternoon you'll arrive in Durban, known for its excellent surf and Golden Mile beaches.
The city is also home to the largest Indian population outside India, so don't miss out on dining at one of the excellent curry restaurants in the city.
Day 14: Camp Out at St. Lucia
Meals: FB
On your way up the KwaZulu Natal coast, your group will visit a traditional Zulu village, an excellent way to learn more about Zulu history and culture. You'll also have the opportunity to purchase some traditional handicrafts, as the Zulu people are known for their beautiful bead work.
Spend the night inside the St. Lucia Wetlands Park, a world heritage site. Enjoy a lagoon cruise in the afternoon or one of the many other optional activities available.
Days 15-16: Cross the Border into Swaziland
Meals: FB
Another border crossing takes you out of South Africa and into Swaziland where you will experience some more of southern Africa's cultural diversity.
Spend the night in Mlilwane Nature Reserve, Swaziland's oldest protected area. The next day you are able to explore this scenic reserve on foot, by horse-riding or mountain biking.
Days 17-18: Search for the Big 5 in Kruger
Meals: FB
Today your Big 5 safari begins as you cross back into South Africa and drive to the Kruger National Park for 2 unforgettable days of game viewing. Kruger is home to Africa's Big 5, as well as a multitude of other wildlife and bird species.
To increase your chances of seeing rare nocturnal animals like leopard, aardvark and the bat-eared fox, a night drive is highly recommended. If you're feeling adventurous, then a guided game walk is the ideal way to get up close to Kruger's wildlife.
Day 19: Visit a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Meals: FB
Sadly you have to leave Kruger behind but your game viewing has not yet ended.
Today you'll visit a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre to go on an educational tour - an interesting and rewarding experience.
Day 20: Enjoy a Scenic Drive to Johannesburg
Meals: HB
Your tour ends with a scenic drive through the famed Panorama Route, where you'll visit the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes and God's Window before arriving in Johannesburg.
Although your memorable trip has officially ended, you may want to enjoy a last dinner with your travel companions in one of the city's excellent cosmopolitan restaurants.
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