Classic Safari & Cultural Discovery In South Africa & Swaziland

Heading south-east out of Johannesburg our first destination is the Drakensberg Mountains. Drakensberg is the world’s oldest mountain range and derives their name from the Afrikaans word for “Dragon Mountains”. In the inevitable mist and the razor back ridges one can see a likeness to these mythical beasts. The hikes, the plunge pools and all round silence make the Drakensberg Mountains a must see. The Drakensberg itself comprises basalt massifs that have been cut through by crystal clear streams. The indigenous people that lived here called these mountains the “Ukhlamba”- “barrier of spears” because all of their peaks resemble upturned weapons. The old San bushman culture is reflected richly in the paintings that dot the cliff faces and overhangs, reminding all South African’s of their rich history. On arrival this afternoon we will have the opportunity top take a short walk to appreciate our surroundings in the Royal Natal National Park.

Overnight Standard Camping (C+) Included meals: Dinner

Today we have the opportunity to explore the breath-taking amphitheatre, where the Tugela River has its source. These are said to be amongst the world’s highest falls, dropping some 900 meters off the top of the Drakensberg escarpment. The first section is a relatively flat walk following the path of the Tugela River. The scenery is spectacular, and in spring and summer the valley is a carpet of indigenous flora. The path meanders in and out of lush forests with great views down the hills. In summer make sure you take a costume for a lovely swim in the rock pools. This will be a 4-5 hour walk and we will have a picnic lunch in the gorge. For those feeling less enegetic there are a number of shorter walks available to you nearby the campsite

Overnight Standard Camping (C+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we visit the famous battlefields and witness authentic Zulu war dancing(optional). As anyone who has ever watched the film ‘Zulu Dawn’ will know, the battlefields of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana were the scenes of bloody and hugely significant events in the history of the Zulu nation. We shall visit the battle sites of Rourkes Drift and Isandlwana to gain a perspective into the people and history of South Africa.Isandlwana is undoubtedly the most haunting of all our battlefields as the many white cairns reflect upon the arrogance of a Victorian empire and the victory of the Zulu people who call themselves ‘the children of the stars’. The hill of Isandlwana stands a silent testimony to the determination and pride of the Zulu people. Isandlwana is truly haunting in the lessons it taught South Africa of colonialism and the folly of war. Rourkes Drift, a battle made famous in the film Zulu, is unique for the awarding of eleven VC’s in a single engagement. We make our way to the Zulu Capital in Ulundi where we will overnight in traditional style huts.

Overnight Traditional hut (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

We spend our first full day in the area making an extensive game drive in the famous Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve - formerly the Zulu kings’ hunting ground in days gone by. This reserve has achieved remarkable success with an ambitious rhino conservation programme which has brought the rhino back from the brink of extinction. As a result, it now supports the densest rhino population in Africa with both black and white rhino. It also supports lion, cheetah, leopard, wild dog, crocodile and hippo. Birdwatching is particularly good in the reserve with over 500 species recorded. We make our way to St Lucia in the late afternoon.

Overnight Lodge (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Today is left free for you to choose one of the many optional activities available in the area. The beaches of St Lucia and Cape Vidal are completely unspoilt and untouched, with recent legislation prohibiting vehicles from entering and blemishing these huge tracts of beaches. It is an internationally recognized site for the critically endangered leather-backed turtle. A phenomenon that is unrivalled is the annual migration of sardine fish, followed by dolphins, sharks, barracudas and marlin. Apart from enjoying the natural wonders on another game drive, you may like to take an active excursion by 4WD within the Wetland Park itself to Cape Vidal which includes dune walking, a braai (or barbeque) and snorkelling. Night drives around Lake St. Lucia to spot giant turtles coming ashore and whale watching trips are possible in the right season. Whale watching is good from June to November and turtle watching is good from November to March. There is the option of a boat trip on the St. Lucia River to spot hippos and crocodiles.

Overnight Lodge (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

We drive north and enter Swaziland – a tiny, independent kingdom inhabited by the Swazi tribe who revere their king and hold on to their culture and traditions. Our journey takes us through some spectacular scenery in the Ezulwini Valley and past numerous traditional homesteads and curio stalls. In the late afternoon we enter one of Swaziland’s best wildlife reserves, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. This secluded and beautiful sanctuary is a haven of tranquility, located as it is in a natural bowl beneath the Nyonyane Mountains. For the next two nights our accommodation is traditional dome-shaped ‘beehive huts’ set round a braai area in a wooded camp in the middle of the park. Though the camp has all the ‘mod cons’ of showers, toilets, outdoor swimming pool and restaurant/bar it is rustic in the best sense of the word; warthogs and ostrich share the camp with us and the restaurant overlooks a lake populated by water birds and a resident hippo.

Overnight Beehive Huts (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Mlilwane is Swaziland's oldest protected area, owned and managed by a non-profit making trust. Mlilwane is situated in the low foothills of the Nyonyane Mountains, the Sanctuary has been rehabilitated and is now Swaziland's most frequently visited reserve where one can enjoy the beauty of the surroundings and the abundant wildlife that grace the plains. Visitors can explore the southern portion of the Sanctuary by foot, vehicle, and on mountain bikes. This morning we begin with a walk in search of giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala, nyala and warthog. Mlilwane has a large area of open grasslands, so game viewing is relatively easy. The afternoon is left free for you to choose one of the many optional activities on offer. The great advantage of Mlilwane is that the absence of big cats allows for a very different game viewing experience. Those who simply want to relax can sit back in the camps and enjoy the tranquillity of Nature.

Overnight Beehive Huts (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

After an early start, we drive north, enter South Africa and a little further on cross the Crocodile River into the Kruger National Park. This two million hectare wilderness is amongst the world’s first proclaimed Game Reserves and is justifiably South Africa’s showpiece, with 147 mammal species that roam in the freedom that this National Park offers. It has a very good infrastructure, although 96% of the land is still as pristine and untouched as it was before the first settlers arrived. The Kruger Park is a world leader in animal and plant research. It offers scenery as diverse as riverine forest, granite outcrops, endless savannah and impenetrable Mopani woodland. We take open-vehicle game drives in our modified Toyota Landcruisers on our way to the camp where we overnight. These camps are very comfortable, offering a unique experience of the very things they have come to see and hear. It is still a supreme African wilderness.

Overnight Standard Camping (C+) Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we drive into the Kruger National Park, one of the world’s premier game reserves. Covering an area larger than Israel, the park was established in 1898 to protect big game that had almost been hunted to extinction. The park is now one of the most prolific animal habitats in South Africa, committed to animal conservation and patrolled by armed rangers to prevent illegal poaching. A large number of species are present, including elephant, lion, black and white rhino, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wild dog, hyena, wildebeest and almost all of South Africa’s species of antelope. Bird life is just as impressive with crowned cranes, bee-eaters, sunbirds and vultures. We spend a full day in the park before moving on to Graskop in the late afternoon for our overnight stop.

Overnight Lodge (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

The airy uplands of Mpumalanga (formerly Eastern Transvaal) has been inhabited since Stone Age times and with its plentiful water from mountain rivers, multiple waterfalls, beautiful craggy escarpments covered in vegetation, and colourful birdlife, it is easy to understand why. We’ll stop at several excellent viewpoints, including the aptly named ‘God’s Window’ and admire the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon and take it all in before we make our final journey back to Johannesburg. We will then take an evening flight to Cape Town.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

We spend the whole day enjoying a comprehensive sightseeing tour of the many points of interest on the Cape Peninsula. We drive to Hout Bay, an attractive fishing port once flanked by dense forest with a dramatic backdrop. Here you can take a short optional boat trip out to Seal Island. The island is home to about 1000 Cape fur seals and is guarded by the impressive ‘Sentinel’; a towering mountain that guards the harbour. One of the highlights today is a visit to the Cape of Good Hope, first seen by a European in 1488 when Diaz sailed round it on his search for a sea route to the East Indies. A century later Sir Francis Drake described it as ‘the fairest cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth’. But it was another century before the Dutch East Indies Trading Company established a permanent settlement to supply ships with cattle and water traded from the indigenous Khoi who reared livestock on the land around the coast. We climb up to a viewpoint and watch the reputed turbulent clash of the warm Agulhas current from the Indian Ocean meeting the cold Benguela current from the Atlantic. If you’re feeling active, a short trail leads down to Cape Point. Boulders beach is worth a stop to see an amazing resident African penguin colony, one of the only places in the world where this sea bird resides! Then, passing perfect sandy beaches we return to Cape Town city.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we plan to ascend Table Mountain. You may choose to take a 3-4 hour hiking trail up to the top accompanied by your Tour Leader (if the weather is clear). Alternatively, an aerial cableway runs frequently to and from the summit. This is our first encounter with some of the unique and colourful flowers from the Cape Floral Kingdom. This plant kingdom has more indigenous plant species per square metre than anywhere else on earth! Views from the top are simply stunning. A network of trails criss-cross the plateau that provide a variety of vantage points. Later in the day we’ll head out of Cape Town to stay on a guest farm in the Stellenbosch region. The Stellenbosch region produces some of the finest ‘New World Wines’. Wines that have been honed over several centuries by the Afrikaans wine growers, so we’ll make sure we sample some of the latest vintages!

Overnight Guest farm (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

To the north and east of Cape Town are the Cape Winelands, whose rugged mountains, rise sheer from rolling green valleys, neatly planted with vineyards and dotted with white washed manor houses. This is an image more reminiscent of a central European fairy tale than ‘Darkest Africa’! Stellenbosch is one of the most beautiful and heritage-rich towns in southern Africa. Entering the town via historic Dorp Street is akin to stepping into the pages of a history book. A settlement was first established here in 1679 following the discovery of a river running through a fertile, green valley by Simon van der Stel, then Governor of the Cape. There is an opportunity to stroll through this historic town and take in the distinct architecture that reflects South Africa’s rich and diverse history. You can choose to explore on your own following self-guided trails or take an optional guided tour. If you are feeling energetic, you may like to take a walk on the Helderberg Mountains just behind Stellenbosch.

Overnight Guest farm (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

We start early on our scenic journey into the Little Karoo as there are several points of interest worth visiting en route. Located in the heart of the verdant Breede River Valley (the largest of the Western Cape’s fruit and wine producing valleys), Worcester is home to the Karoo National Botanical Garden – a haven for rare or endangered plants. A short walk around the centre of town allows a glimpse of the fine Victorian town buildings. We continue our drive through the stark and arid landscapes of the Little Karoo heading east through Barrydale & Ladismith. Finally, we reach our accommodation close to Oudtshoorn in the traditional centre of South Africa’s ostrich farming industry.

Overnight Lodge (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

We head off early this morning to experience the stunning variety of landscapes of this region and start off by exploring the massive limestone caverns of the Cango Caves where guided tours of varying durations run regularly throughout the day (optional). The caves are an underground wonderland of extraordinary structures millions of years old. The combination of dripping rainwater and limestone has led to the creation of some of nature’s most breathtaking natural structures. A local European farmer, by the name of van Zyl, first discovered the caves late in the 18th century. Although, in times past, the local Khoisan sheltered in the cave complex’s entrance but they never ventured any further into the cave complex. When van Zyl, with a single candle, entered the cave complex and its first massive chamber and spoke, he realised from his muffled voice that there was something far bigger and grander than his candle light could show. Ever since then the caves have been enjoyed and explored by professionals and amateurs alike.

Overnight Lodge (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

After leaving Oudtshoorn we travel over the protea-covered on the dramatic Outeniqua pass through the Outeniqua Mountains. These mountains form a very formidable barrier between the dry interior and the lush coastal strip known as the ‘Garden Route’. Knysna was originally a harbour, forestry and mining centre. The setting will give you a real appreciation of how skillful maritime captains of old were to pilot their vessels in, and out of the lagoon. Knysna’s lagoon is the foundation of the town’s wealth. It was here that ships could shelter and victual and valuable raw material like wood could be transported to other centres of industry. It was also home to the reputed illegitimate son of King George III, George Rex. He is considered the main driving force in establishing Knysna as a commercial town. Today it is noteworthy as an artists’ retreat and adventure activity base and has twice been voted South Africa’s favourite town. Later today it may also be possible to take an easy walk on the magnificent Robberg Peninsula. Named after the seal colony found there by Dutch sailors. From here the views of the coastline are fantastic and it is easy to understand why our early ancestors used this peninsula as a home. From the peninsula have a really good chance of seeing seals, dolphins and the Southern Right Whale. During June to late November, the whales come into calmer and warmer waters to calve and nurse their young.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

No visit to the Garden Route would be complete without a visit to the magnificent Tsitsikamma National Park. Tsitsikamma is a marine and forest park, stretching for some 80 km, from a lagoon at Nature’s Valley to the mouth of the Groot River. The lush forest and the sheer cliffs provide an ideal setting for a short walk in the forests to the suspension bridge that spans the mouth of Storm’s River. The rugged coastline with crashing waves and the forest covered cliffs are simply spellbinding. While you are here, you must definitely sample the excellent local seafood available in the area! You will leave the Garden Route promising yourself you will someday come back!

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we have an early start to drive to Botelierskop Private Game Reserve to take a 3 hour game drive. You will be accompanied by a local guide in your open 4x4 safari vehicle in the 3000ha reserve to view African wildlife in its natural habitat. There are around 1800 animals in the reserve including rhino, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, eland, bontebok and black impala. There are also orphaned elephants and in the lion sanctuary a small number of orphaned lions. Following the game drive we will continue to follow the garden route to the farming region of Swellendam, a lovely old town with numerous Cape Dutch buildings, interesting museums and art galleries. Later this afternoon you may choose to visit a local township, considered to be one of the highlights of this tour.

Overnight Guest House (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

On our penultimate day we follow the acclaimed ‘Whale Route’ along the dramatic south coast to Cape Town. Our first stop is wild and dramatic Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point in Africa. It is also the point where the Atlantic Ocean officially meets the Indian Ocean. We then drive on to the small seaside resort of Hermanus that is regarded as one of the premier spots for whale-watching in Africa, if not the world! Every year, between June and December, Southern Right whales spend a few months every year in the Cape, mating and calving. Hermanus is one of the best places to see them as they come very close inshore and the cliff top coastal walk offers many convenient viewing points.The calving and mating is a spectacle not to be missed! Hermanus is the only place in the world to employ a “whale crier”. He keeps everybody informed of the whereabouts of the whales by blowing his kelp horn. The whale crier is as much a part of the whale watching as the whales are. Finally, we return to Cape Town via Betty’s Bay and Gordon’s Bay coast affording spectacular views across both Walker Bay and False Bay.

Please note: Final timings of today’s itinerary are flexible and depend on seasonality and the likelihood of spotting whales. Out of whale season we may arrive in Cape Town earlier in the day.