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19 days

The Best of South Africa

The Best of South Africa

Wildlife safari in Greater Kruger National Park

Blyde River Canyon - the largest green canyon in the world

Swaziland’s craft markets

Drakensberg's flat-topped mountains

The highest altitude pub in Africa - Sani Pass in Lesotho

'Monkeyland' multi-species primate sanctuary and the Birds of Eden Sanctuary

Stellenbosch's fine wines and produce

Cape Point Peninsula - where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet

Cape Town - South Africa's 'Mother City'

Trip rating

  • Overview

    More than a land of safaris and the Big Five, South Africa is a fascinating study in history and culture. From the poignant battlefield history of Dundee to sharing a traditional meal with the locals in Port Elizabeth, the diversity of this nation will surprise and delight the senses.

     

     

    Why we love it

    • Meet the locals, including zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, a variety of antelope, elephant, buffalo and hopefully, the Big Five!
    • Cosy accommodation, including our own private camp sleeping in comfortable chalets with en suite facilities; a private guesthouse and a rustic country inn complete with English pub!
    • Plenty of opportunity to stretch your legs and enjoy the fresh air, with a number of hikes, horse riding, boating, trout fishing and golf (all optional of course!)
    • A visit to historic battlefield site in Dundee where many battles took place between the Boers, the British and the Zulus.
    • Heaven for foodies, with a spectacular twelve-dish buffet lunch under the milkwood trees in Knysna. And dine under the stars at award-winning Moyo @ Spier which boasts Bedouin tents, gazebos and even tree houses!

    Itinerary

    Day 1 - Johannesburg

    • On arrival in Johannesburg you’ll be met at the Arrivals Information Desk (at the international terminal) and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll have the rest of the day to settle in and spend at your leisure.
    • Please note, this is just an arrival day, but your accommodation tonight is covered and has already been booked for you.
    Falstaff Hotel or similar

    Day 2 - Timbavati Game Reserve (Greater Kruger National Park)

    • We’ll meet our guide between 7.00am and 7.30am before we head off on our journey.
    • When we arrive at Timbavati Game Reserve, part of Greater Kruger National Park, we’ll enjoy a late lunch at the delightful bush camp.
    • Once we’ve settled into our accommodation, we’ll go on a late afternoon/early evening game drive for our first chance to glimpse the local wildlife. A pre-dinner drink will await us on our return, served under the stars around a blazing fire in an open-air boma.
    • A sumptuous South African dinner awaits us in the intimate dining area of the camp. This is a private camp and our overnight accommodation is in comfortable chalets, complete with en suite facilities.
    Umlani Camp (Or Alternative)
    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 3-4 - Timbavati Game Reserve (Greater Kruger National Park)

    • Two full days in the reserve allows for morning and afternoon wildlife activities, with time for relaxing back at camp during the warmer middle hours of the day. As well as game drives, we also offer a walking safari accompanied by a highly experienced, armed guide. This is a fascinating and unique way to experience the African bush.
    • We depart with our local resident guides on morning and afternoon drives in open 4WD vehicles, searching for zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and a variety of antelope. We may see elephant, buffalo and, hopefully, some of the predators too. There’s a good chance of seeing all of the 'Big Five', including the endangered rhinoceros.
    • On the afternoon game drive, a “sundowner” drink is usually served before our return to camp. On the drive back to camp we use spotlights, to try and catch a glimpse of some of the many nocturnal animals that are seldom seen during the day.
    Umlani Camp (Or Alternative)
    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 5 - Blyde River Canyon - Hazyview

    • This morning we leave Timbavati behind and travel to the nearby Blyde River Canyon area. This is the largest green canyon in the world and our drive offers spectacular views of the breathtaking gorge from different vantage points.
    • We stop at the Three Rondavels viewpoint, explore Bourke's Luck Potholes and peer out through God's Window, before checking into our cosy private guesthouse near Hazyview where we’ll enjoy a delicious sunset dinner.
    Chestnut Country Lodge or similar
    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 6-7 - Hlane Royal National Park

    • After breakfast, we depart for the mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland, our base for the next two nights. The scenery here is breathtaking - from mountainous highveld to the rolling grasslands of the middleveld and the bushlands in the lowveld.
    • We spend our nights in Hlane Royal National Park. Covering an area of 30,000 hectares, this park is the largest in Swaziland and is set up near the former royal hunting grounds.
    • The Hlane is home to lions, elephants, white rhinos and abundant bird life, including the highest density of nesting white-backed vultures in Africa. We’ll take a morning guided walking safari in the Hlane, with the aim of getting up quite close to some of the rhinos!
    • In the afternoon we visit the colourful, local handicraft markets and the renowned Ngwenya Glass Factory, where we see the talented local glass blowers at work. Some of their creations include a range of images of enchanting African animals. The glassblowers’ work is created from 100% recycled glass collected by the locals as part of a nationwide recycling initiative.
    Hlane Game Reserve or similar
    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 8 - St Lucia Wetlands

    • After breakfast, we’ll drive through vast sugar cane plantations lining the route to Kwa-Zulu Natal - land of the Zulus. Close to the Indian Ocean, the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Greater St Lucia Wetlands is a great place to spot many species of aquatic wildlife and water birds.
    • This area contains major breeding colonies of crocodiles and hippopotamus, and we are likely to see both on our afternoon boat trip (weather permitting) through the wetlands and mangrove swamps.
    • The waters of the reserve are rich in fish which attract large numbers of waterbirds too, particularly flamingos and pelicans. We’ll discover all the wonders of this natural paradise on our afternoon boat cruise.
    St Lucia Wetlands Guesthouse or similar
    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 9 - Battlefield Sites - Dundee

    • Today we drive to the historic Dundee Battlefields. Here we’ll learn about the many battles that took place between the Boers, the British and the Zulus, including the Battle of Blood River between the Voortrekkers and Zulus as well as the biggest defeat suffered by the British in Africa during Queen Victoria's reign, the Battle of Isandlwana which saw a twenty-thousand strong Zulu army crush British forces.
    • Under the expert guidance of a local historian, we gain an insight into these historic battles which were turning points in the country's history and visit the sites that today serve as a poignant reminder of the events that helped shape modern-day South Africa.
    • Our accommodation this evening is a rustic country inn adorned with many historic artefacts from the war-time era and complete with a cosy English pub on-site!
    Royal Country Inn or similar
    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 10-11 - Drakensberg Mountains

    • An early start sees us heading south to the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains. We’ll enjoy some time at leisure to soak up the stunning views, go for a hike or horse-ride!
    • There are a number of hikes to enjoy, from very gentle walks right through to strenuous half day hikes (our guide will give more detailed information regarding the hikes available in this region). Horse riding is also available, as is boating, trout fishing and golf.
    • Weather permitting, the next day we’ll traverse the famous Sani Pass in Lesotho to the highest altitude pub in Africa! As weather conditions can vary greatly in this mountain region, it’s important to carry a day pack with wet weather gear and spare warm clothing if you’re going hiking – just in case the weather does not co-operate!
    Sani Pass Hotel or similar
    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 12 - Durban - Port Elizabeth

    • Continuing east toward the Indian Ocean, we skirt the coastal metropolis of Durban. Here we say goodbye to those travellers that are leaving us in Durban, before catching a short flight to the beachside city of Port Elizabeth.
    • This afternoon we’ll take a tour of the 'real city' of Port Elizabeth. The tour will take us on a journey through the history of the Port, where we’ll visit original 19th century English settlement homes, shop from the street traders and visit Red Location, the oldest township in South Africa.
    • Our next stop is the local township pub, known as a 'shebeen'. The 'shebeen' also acts as an informal meeting house and is an important part of township life. Tonight we’ll enjoy a traditional meal and share with the locals in an evening of music and dance.
    The Kelway Hotel or similar
    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 13 - Tsitsikamma National Park - Knysna

    • After breakfast we depart on the famous Garden Route where we stop at Monkeyland, which is the world's first free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. Here we learn about the plight of the primates and gain a greater understanding of their way of life.
    • Next door to Monkeyland we find the Birds of Eden Sanctuary, which was set up to provide a safe environment to release free-flight African birds. Bird owners can also release their pet birds after undergoing rehabilitation.
    • In the afternoon we go on a cheetah walk at the Tenikwa Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre before travelling to the Tsitsikamma Forest. Tsitsikamma, meaning ‘a place of much water', is a beautiful coastal reserve stretching 80 kilometres along the southern coastline. The enchanting forest is home to ancient outeniqua yellowwood trees, magnificent giant ferns and the beautiful and elusive Knysna turaco (also known as loerie).
    • We drive through to Knysna where our accommodation for the next two nights is situated on the water’s edge of the Knysna Lagoon.
    Knysa River Lodge or similar
    Breakfast

    Day 14 - Knysna

    • After breakfast, we head to the Knysna Waterfront to board the ferry that takes us to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. The Featherbed Experience is regarded as one of the Garden Route's premier tourist attractions.
    • Upon arrival we board a Unimog-drawn trailer and drive to the top of the reserve. While stopping at scenic lookout points, a local guide will share some fascinating tales about Knysna and the surrounding area while we enjoy the panoramic views.
    • An optional two kilometre guided nature walk takes us through the forest, onto cliffs, into the caves and along the scenic coast. Once we’re back in the Food Forest, we enjoy a spectacular twelve-dish buffet lunch in a unique outdoor restaurant situated under the milkwood trees.
    • After lunch you can browse through the Blue Duiker curio shop, where you can purchase a variety of curios including clothing, or something from the famous carved 'Feathers of Knysna' collection.
    • The rest of the afternoon is spent at leisure exploring the Knysna Waterfront area, a place that has been referred to as one of the 'jewels' of the Garden Route. Sample the region's famous oysters or browse the world-class arts and crafts stalls that line the Waterfront!
    River Club or similar
    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 15 - Oudtshoorn

    • After breakfast we embark on a breathtaking drive over the Swartberg Mountains to Oudtshoorn where our first stop is the world-famous Cango Caves.
    • We take a guided tour through the vast limestone chambers, filled with stalactites, stalagmites and helictites. It is truly a natural underground wonderland filled with intriguing formations, some of which are over a million years old!
    • We also visit one of the many ostrich farms for which the area is renowned. We join a guided tour and learn about these fascinating large flightless birds.
    La Plume or similar
    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 16-17 - Stellenbosch

    • Today we travel Route 62 via the ‘Klein Karoo’ on our way to Stellenbosch. We stop at quaint villages along the way and enjoy a wine tasting before arriving late afternoon. Stellenbosch was founded in 1679 and is the name most synonymous with the wines in South Africa. Some of these wineries are historic estates with impressive Dutch colonial mansions and expansive gardens.
    • We sample some of the region's fine wines and produce - truly some of the best value wines you'll find anywhere in the world!
    • Tonight we are in for a truly memorable experience as we dine under the stars at the award-winning Moyo @ Spier. Set in a magnificent tree-lined garden, the restaurant comprises Bedouin tents, gazebos and tree houses!
    • We’ll be entertained by many local performers throughout the evening, ranging from performers, to storytellers and tribal dancers. This will be an unforgettable evening with a distinctly Cape African flavour!
    Labri Manor or similar
    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 18-19 - Cape Town

    • We head towards our final destination of Cape Town - South Africa's 'Mother City'. On our way, we veer south and make our way down the Cape Point Peninsula. At Simon’s Town, we head to Boulders Beach and get close to some of the 3000 African jackass penguins that make their home there.
    • On our way down to Cape Point, look out for the cheeky baboons. At Cape Point we can walk up to the lighthouse and enjoy incredible views of the stunning surrounds and Atlantic Ocean. Those not wishing to walk can take the funicular railway up (optional and at extra cost).
    • Nearby is the Cape of Good Hope, a significant landmark especially in the seafaring days of a bygone era. We arrive in Cape Town late in the afternoon and check in to our accommodation cradled beneath the majestic Table Mountain.
    • Our South African adventure finishes after breakfast. A departure transfer can be pre-booked at an additional cost.
    Cape Milner Hotel or similar
    Breakfast
    Download detailed trip notes

  • Details

    What to Know

    What's Included

    • An experienced, English-speaking local Peregrine leader
    • Entrance fees and game activities at all National Parks
    • Authentic accommodation, including a private camp with comfortable chalets, all with en suite facilities and a cosy private guesthouse.
    • Most meals (except those specified in your itinerary)
    • Transport, including in open 4WD vehicles on safari
    • Domestic flight
    • Arrival transfer

    Not Included

    • International flights
    • Airport departure taxes
    • Departure transfer
    • Visas
    • Meals unless specified in the itinerary
    • Insurance
    • Laundry - but there will be opportunity to do some hand-washing in the camps where we stay for two or more nights.
    • Optional tours or activities during free time

  • Map

    Map Itinerary

  • Reviews

    Past Travellers' Ratings & Comments

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Trip at a glance

Trip Code PFSA
Group size 4 - 10
Start City: Johannesburg
End City: Cape Town

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