South Africa and Lesotho Adventure

Overview

The Scenic Route is an overview tour of South Africa, including the well known highlights and focuses on the national parks. This tour covers a great distance in this diverse country and involves long days on the road, generally followed by a full day to explore the area. This is an all encompassing tour and a fantastic way to explore South Africa.

Departing from Johannesburg at 06:30am we head east towards Mpumalanga. A landscape characterised by mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests. We will visit the old gold rush town of Pilgrims Rest, a living museum dating back to 1873. We explore the quaint town, visit Bourkes Luck Potholes and the viewpoint at God’s Window.

Big game country – exciting game drives provide us with excellent game viewing. Spot lion, elephant, rhino and other animals in one of the last African wildernesses. Early morning & afternoon game drives get us close to the wildlife.

The mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland, led by King Mswati III, is one of only 3 monarchies in Africa. Swazis are proud of their traditional lifestyle & cultures. We explore the Malolotja reserve on foot to enjoy the mountain scenery, rare birdlife, and the 95m high Malolotja waterfall. Overnight in log cabins with fantastic panoramic views.

After visiting the craft markets near Mbabane, we re-enter South Africa. KwaZulu Natal is one of the last refuges for the threatened rhino populations. We have a game drive in search of these ancient creatures and stop waterholes to watch game come down to drink.

Moving further south to the base of the Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains). We have two nights at the foot of the mountains allowing time for walking along beautiful mountain stream paths, or just enjoying spectacular views.

We travel through the towering red sandstone cliffs of Golden Gate en route to Lesotho. Quaint villages and towns offer interesting stops along the way. We cross the border and head to southern Lesotho to our overnight chalets at Malealea. This lodge nestled in the mountains forms our base for two nights. The next morning we are up early and spend the day trekking with a local guide and his pony through the rugged mountains.

Descending from the Lesotho highlands we make our way into the great Karoo. It covers most of central South Africa and is a vast semi desert. It has become famous for its sheep and ostrich farming industries, and roadside stalls selling handmade windmills.

A conservation success, Addo Elephant N.P. offers a unique wildlife area, famous for the Addo elephants. We head out on game drives in search of elephant, black rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard. Evening viewing at the floodlit waterhole allows us to watch the nocturnal animals.

Indigenous Tsitsikamma forests surround the campsite at Storms River mouth, and there are walks up the Storms River Gorge and along the rocky coastline. There is an option of the world’s highest bungi jump (own expense). Whales may be seen in season (July to November).

After visiting the famous “Knysna Heads”, which overlook the sea’s entrance to the tranquil Knysna lagoon, we travel south along the Garden Route. We drive along the coast before turning inland through the beautiful scenery of the Overberg region and overnight on the doorstep of the Cape winelands.

We visit Stellenbosch, for wine tasting and a cellar tour. Explore Cape Town and the “mother city’s” many attractions; visit the harbour at Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak drive, Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope, enjoy the famous beaches and the V&A Waterfront. Optional visit to Robben Island (own expense). Meals at a variety of local restaurants (own expense). Tour ends at +/-18:00.

We climb Table Mountain in the morning admiring the views over Table Bay and Cape Town. Spend the afternoon catching up on last minute curio shopping or just lazing on the beach absorbing the Cape’s sunshine.