The World in One Country (20 Days)
Johannesburg – Panorama Route – Hazyview – Kruger National Park – Swaziland – St Lucia – Drakensberg Mountains – Golden Gate National Park – Lesotho – Graaff-Reinet – Knysna – Tsitsikamma – Oudtshoorn – Cape of Good Hope – Stellenbosch – Cape Town.
20 Days – 19 Nights
This tour is for all nature lovers whose ideal holiday is spent between leisurely enjoying nature, watching game and those who also want to be active and use the hiking opportunities in the area.
It enables you, at a very good price, to travel through South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho without giving up your daily comforts or pleasant overnight accommodation. This is the ideal alternative for people whose budget is limited but who do not like camping tours. All the highlights of South Africa and those of the two small Kingdoms can be experienced, as well as areas that are far off the beaten tourist tracks.
We visit the beautiful Kruger National Park, as well as Lake St Lucia (a World Heritage Site). The beautiful mountainous Swaziland gives you completely different impressions. In the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains we stay overnight in the Champagne Valley in Alpine-like surroundings. We also travel through the Golden Gate National Park, with its majestic sandstone formations. The mountain Kingdom of Lesotho offers opportunities for pony trekking and extensive hiking or just simply relaxing in beautiful surroundings. We travel on through the Karoo semi-desert, through small sleepy villages in which time seems to have stood still, as well as through unusual landscapes, like the Valley of Desolation, which will remain forever in your memory. Thereafter you can experience the fame of the well known Garden Route, Oudtshoorn with its ostrich farms, the Cango Caves, the famous Tsitsikamma Forest, as well as the spectacular Storms River Mouth. In our Cape programme we offer you visits to wine farms (with wine tasting), a visit to a seal and penguin colony, a day trip to the Cape of Good Hope, and much, much more. After you have experienced “the world in one country” you can finalise your trip with a visit to the well known Waterfront entertainment centre in Cape Town.
Day 1 Blyde River Canyon area
Arriving in the morning after your overnight flight to South Africa you will be met at Johannesburg International Airport by our local tour guide. We travel via Middelburg and Lydenburg to the escarpment in Mpumalanga, enjoying the spectacular mountainous landscape and pleasant Mediterranean climate of this region. We will visit the God’s Window view point, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Lisbon Waterfalls and Blyde River Canyon, with its view of the Three Rondavels and Swadini lake.Overnight near Hazyview. (B+B)
Day 2
Sightseeing in the area and maybe a walk into the canyon are on today’s agenda. Overnight near Hazyview. (B+B)
Day 3 Kruger National Park
An early morning start to the Kruger Park will give us a chance to look for lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, rhino and hundreds of antelope. Rest of the morning: game viewing with brunch in the Park. The entire fauna and flora of this 2 million hectare Nature Reserve is overwhelming. A night drive with one of the Park Rangers is an unforgettable experience.(Optional)
Overnight in the Park. (B+B)
Day 4
A sunrise morning bush walk (optional), guided by an armed Park Ranger, will give you an intensive insight into “the small things of life” which one overlooks so easily when travelling by car. Game viewing for the rest of the day will round off our Park Experience. Overnight near the Crocodile River. (B+B)
Day 5 Swaziland
Today we leave South Africa and, travelling through fruit and sugar plantations, enter the small Kingdom of Swaziland. The roads in the eastern parts of Swaziland traverse steep and densely wooded mountain passes and spectacular valleys. We stop along the road at local curio markets and carry on through the capital city of Mbabane towards our overnight stop at Mlilwane or Malotoje Game Reserve. Depending on availability, you can stay in original beehive Zulu huts. (B+B)
Day 6
We explore the game reserve on foot or visit a nearby glass manufacturing company, a candle craft shop (well known through the whole of Southern Africa for its beautiful souvenirs) or the King’s Memorial. (B+B)
Day 7 St.Lucia (World Heritage Site)
Driving through vast sugar cane fields in the flat southern part of Swaziland we re-enter South Africa at Golela border post and carry on through Maputaland and Zululand until we reach our overnight destination in the early afternoon – the beach and angling paradise of St.Lucia. Time for a long walk on the pristine Indian Ocean Beach! (B+B)
Day 8
An eco-tourism wonderland of beautiful lakes, swamps, forests and marshlands surround the estuary of Lake St.Lucia. This is one of the most unspoiled Marine Reserves in the world. The former seabed known as the KwaZulu Terrace filled up with sea and fresh water to form lagoons, lakes and an estuary system. The lakes and the Indian Ocean blend in amongst the huge dunes offering rich feeding possibilities for a wide variety of birdlife and game. During a boat trip one can find many crocodiles and hippos lazing in the lake area. Optional: boat trip 3 miles offshore to watch dolphins, whales, turtles, etc. (depending on season/weather!) Overnight in St.Lucia. (B+B)
Day 9 uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park (World Heritage Site)
Heading inland through the Natal Midlands we make our way to the Drakensberg Mountains. Along the road we visit the factory shop of a shoe and handbag manufacturer (good quality, value for money, handmade leather articles for sale) as well as a well known Zulu carpet weaver. Time and weather permitting, we can undertake a small afternoon walk or simply relax on the patio of the B+B overlooking the fantastic panoramic mountain range (over 3 000m in height). Optional: a helicopter flip over the peaks is an unforgettable experience. (B+B)
Day 10
From here one can undertake outstanding hiking trails offering many interesting possibilities in the foothills of the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, walking up the high valleys displaying blooming Lily types, Protea bushes, tree ferns etc. – all typical for this “alpine” region. (B+B)
Day 11 Drakensberg Mountains-Lesotho
A scenic drive along the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, through the Golden Gate National Park, to the border post of the small Kingdom of Lesotho (near Maseru).
We stay overnight in a rustic mountain lodge high up in the hills. (B+B)
Day 12 Day at leisure.
Enjoy short walks in the area, undertake a day-long hike with a local guide through remote native villages, hire a few mountain horses and head for nearby waterfalls or simply relax around the lodge with a good book. (B+B)
Day 13 Lesotho – Graaff-Reinet
We leave Lesotho via Wepener border post and travel along a varied route (from the rolling foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains to the flat Karoo semi-desert) to Graaff-Reinet. A late afternoon stroll through this beautifully restored village with its Cape Dutch architecture will offer plenty of photo opportunities! In the evening, visit one of the many restaurants or pubs that offer excellent South African food and wine. The “Kliphuis” Restaurant or the well known historical “Drosty Hotel” is just around the corner. Overnight in a good B+B in a quiet side street of the old city centre.
Tonight you will meet your new tour guide, who will take you through the delights of the Cape Province. (B+B)
Day 14 Oudtshoorn-Swartberg
A tour to the Valley of Desolation and a good 1 hr walk around the top of Spandau Mountain will start the day, and then you set off through the Klein-Karoo semi desert. We head for the centre of the South African Ostrich industry, the world famous “Feather Capital”, Oudtshoorn. Spend the late afternoon exploring Schoemanshoek on foot or relax by the swimming pool, then sample a delicious home cooked dinner.
Overnight in a lodge in the Swartberg Mountains. (B+B)
Day 15 Garden route
The Garden Route is well known for its picturesque bays, solitary beaches, high cliffs and dense forests stretching from the Tsitsikamma Forest to Mossel Bay.
Today we visit the world renowned limestone Cango Caves, with its magnificent stalagmites and stalactites that create bizarre formations. Thereafter we visit an Ostrich show farm where lunch can be enjoyed. Crossing the Outeniqua Mountains, we arrive in the picturesque village of Wilderness with its endless beaches. Here you have the opportunity to swim in the Indian Ocean or choose to explore one of the many hiking trails in the area (group decision).
Overnight at a lodge in the centre of the Garden Route, Knysna. (B+B)
Day 16
After a short walk, visiting the Knysna Heads, we follow the tracks of the mystic Knysna Elephants, along the Elephant Walk through the Knysna Forest followed by a visit and a short walk in the Garden of Eden. Free afternoon in Knysna, spend your time with a boat trip across the lagoon, stroll through the streets of Knysna or just relax on the Knysna Waterfront.
Overnight in Knysna. (B+B)
Day 17 Knysna – Swellendam – Cape Town
After a stop to visit the Dias Museum in Mossel Bay, (the Portuguese navigator B. Dias landed here in 1488 on his way to finding a trading route to India) we arrive in Swellendam, the third oldest town in South Africa. After a light lunch and a visit to the Drosty Museum we take both the Houhoek and Sir Lowry’s Passes to Cape Town, offering breathtaking and unforgettable views of the famous apple and fruit export farms around Grabow. Overnight in Cape Town. (B+B)
Day 18 Cape Town – Wine growing areas
We visit some of the most beautiful vineyards in the wine growing areas of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Here you can go for a walk in the Franschhoek Mountains or just stroll in the picturesque streets of the town. Lunch is at Boschendal Wine Estate, including wine tasting. Our next destination is the old university town of Stellenbosch, the centre of the Cape wine region. After a city tour we head back to Cape Town for the night. (B+B)
Day 19 Cape Town – Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope
The outing today takes us to the Cape Point National Park and the Cape of Good Hope. On the way we may visit Seal Island near Hout Bay (weather! and group decision) and proceed along the well-known coastal road of Chapman’s Peak which climbs the steep cliffs up to 100m above the Atlantic Ocean. In the afternoon we visit the penguin colony at The Boulders in Simonstown. Thereafter, our journey leads on to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope (the most south-western point of the African continent), where the most powerful lighthouse worldwide is situated. Here you take a walk up the steep rising to the Light House and after your return down, we walk over steep cliffs down to the Cape of Good Hope.
Overnight in Cape Town. (B+B)
Day 20 Cape Town – Airport
(day’s activity = group decision)
Spend the morning of your last day at the world-renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and marvel at its multitude of plant species and beauty OR visit the unique aquarium OR go on any of the numerous walks on Table Mountain – cable car visit to the top is optional (weather permitting), then proceed to the airport for your flight home.
Included in our price:
Transport in air-conditioned VW Kombi (including all toll fees).
Services of German and English speaking tour guide.
Accommodation in double rooms, including breakfast.
Entrance fees for all National Parks, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Mlilwane, Congo Caves, Cape Point.
Not included in our price:
All other meals, drinks, etc.
Personal expenses, gratuities etc
Boat trips, special tours done through other guides or companies, optional extras.
Tour Extentions:
Johannesburg is the start and end of most of our tours and here Afritours cc can offer you a range of exciting day tours, from “historical” Soweto and the Apartheid Museum to City Tours, Museum visits, visits to the Cheetah Breeding & Research Farm and so much more. www.afritours.de/shorttours&daytours
Johannesburg is also synonymous with shopping – the ‘City of Gold’ truly has much to offer in line with ‘retail therapy’. Speak to us to put together a great Johannesburg package that is filled with shopping and entertainment… and with our range of accommodation options in Johannesburg, there is something for everyone.
Cape Town is the top tourist destination in Africa – you will not be disappointed. We can offer you a wide range of hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts to choose from in and around Cape Town, as well as an exciting day tour ‘line-up’ that takes in Cape Town and her surrounds.
Cape Town is the ideal “port of departure” for our Garden Route guided overland tours, an area most aptly named for it is a Garden of Eden, lush forests, scenic mountain passes, coastal hamlets and some of the best beaches in South Africa:
• 4-5 day fully escorted tour – Departing Cape Town and travelling up the Garden Route to Port Elizabeth.
• 4 Day fully escorted tour – Departing Cape Town and travelling up the Garden Route, circling back on itself to end off again in Cape Town.
Discuss your Southern African dream vacation with us – we will gladly help to organize it for you.
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