Itinerary

Day 1 Johannesburg
Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa.

You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting tonight at 6pm. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Your leader will collect your kitty at this meeting. After the group meeting there is the option of joining your group for dinner.

Please note this is a combination trip. The composition of your group, your group leader and your overland vehicle will change in Durban.

If you arrive early head out to see the sights of Jo'burg, such as the chilling Apartheid Museum, landscapes-filled Art Gallery or fun-filled Gold Reef City, an amusement park.

Tonight's accommodation is in comfortable two man dome tents at our beautiful, safe and exclusive Johannesburg camp. The toilet facilities have flush toilets and hot showers. On site, there is a swimming pool, bar and restaurant.

Days 2-3 Kruger National Park
After breakfast we head to southern Africa's most famous premier game reserve, the Kruger, where we spend two nights. En-route we visit the spectacular viewpoint for the Blyde River Canyon. We enter Kruger through one of the central gates and immediately begin game driving en-route to our campsite. The total driving time from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park including lunch and visiting Blyde River canyon is approximately 9 - 12 hours (600 km).

The following day we explore the diversity of the Kruger landscape ranging from rolling hills with granite outcrops to savannah grasslands during a full day game drive. In the evening, there is the option of taking an additional night drive with park authorities to spot nocturnal animals and perhaps even night-time predators. If you're interested in having more animal encounters while here, there is also the option of going on an early morning guided game walk.

While in Kruger we camp in two-man dome tents. Our campsite has flush toilets and hot showers.

Day 4 Hlane Royal National Park
'Sanibonani' and Welcome to Swaziland!

We game drive out of Kruger and then it's only a short drive to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland.

The distance is about between Kruger and Swaziland is approx 120 km, which will take us approximately 2 - 4 hours including the border crossings.

Swaziland is a landlocked country wedged between Mozambique and South Africa, set on the slopes of the Lubombo Mountains it is a country full of amazing mountain panoramas, wild life and a very colourful traditional culture - headed up by its flamboyant King.

On arrival we hit the craft market - always a great way to get to know a new country, before visiting the local candle factory which provides valuable employment to local people. Afterwards we travel for approx 2 hours to tonight's destination.

We spend tonight in the Hlane Game Reserve, a relatively small but very scenic and peaceful reserve. The highlight here is a rhino walking safari which gives you the best possibility of a unique experience - seeing white rhino from eye level.

Tonight we camp at a campsite with hot and cold running water.

Days 5-6 Mozambique Beach Camp
Bom dia! Today we discover another Southern African country - Mozambique

Mozambique was originally a colonised by the Portuguese and spent 17 years in a civil war - that ended in 1992. Nowadays it is still desperately poor, but extremely welcoming and friendly to all visitors and home to what some claim to be the best beaches on the east Coast of the African continent. Be prepared to learn a few words of Portuguese and be warned - the peri peri sauces found here are some of the best and hottest you can find!

This morning we drive the 140km from Hlane to the Golela Border Post where we exit the country. From here we head 210km to the Kosi Bay Border Post where we leave our safari vehicle behind, jumping onto 4 wheel drive trucks for the short drive (approx. 1 hour) to the coast.

We camp at the beach and enjoying two days of fun and relaxation. Options for you to choose from here include scuba diving, snorkelling, dolphin viewing and boat cruises.

Our campsite for these nights has flush toilets and hot and cold running water.

Day 7 St Lucia Estuary
We game drive in the prestigious Hluhluwe Game Reserve, the oldest game reserve in South Africa and home of the largest population of rhinos in the world. With luck you might see a rhino or maybe one of the other animals making up the big five: lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes. While game driving we drive very slowly to keep under national park speed limits, disturb any animals as little as possible and give you the best chance of spotting them.

After leaving the game reserve we wind our way up the coast to St Lucia Estuary in Zululand exiting Mozambique and re entering South Africa. Declared a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999, St Lucia Estuary is home to thousands of varieties of birds, mammals and reptiles - with its most popular residents being the hundreds of Hippos and Crocodiles! We have a free afternoon for you to explore the estuary either by boat or on foot - or you may just want to relax back at camp.

In total today we'll be driving for about 7 - 9 hours.

Tonight's campsite has hot showers and flush toilets.

Day 8 Durban
We have a free morning for you to explore the estuary either by boat or on foot - or you may just want to relax back at camp before departing mid morning.

We wind our way down the coast to Durban, South Africa's third largest city and home to the largest port in Africa. It is the gate way to the Kingdom of Zululand and a melting pot of cultures, with the Indians, Zulus and English all settling here, there is plenty to see and do, with stunning beaches and a glitzy nightlife.

Please note that this is a combination trip and the composition of your group may change today. There will be a second group meeting this evening where you will meet your new travel companions and learn more about the second part our travels. Your leader will collect the second part of your kitty at this meeting.

Today's drive is 400 km, approximately 4.5 - 5.5 hours driving time.

Tonight's accommodation is in simple, comfortable twin or triple share rooms. Bathrooms are shared with hot water and flush toilets.

Days 9-10 Cintsa
Leaving Durban behind, we travel along the rugged and remote Wild Coast, formally known as the Transkei.

We spend two nights in beautiful Cintsa, which leaves plenty of time to enjoy the great outdoors. Spend time exploring this charming little coastal town, relaxing on the stunning beaches or pursuing the many optional activities on offer including hiking, swimming, mountain biking and surfing.

The Xhosa people who inhabit this region are still deeply rooted in tribal traditions and customs, which gives good insight into rural South African life, and you'll be welcomed by their warmth and friendliness.

The drive time from Durban to Cintsa is around 9 - 12 hours including our lunch break.

These nights we camp in 2 man dome tents with shared bathroom facilities

Day 11 Addo Elephant National Park
The Addo Elephant Park marks the beginning of our journey along the gorgeous Garden Route. The approximate driving time between Cintsa and Addo is 6 hours. We arrive here in time for an afternoon game drive and during our explorations, we hope to see some of the reserve's many wonderful species.

The Addo is a true success story in conservationism. Set up in 1931 to protect the region's remaining 11 elephants, today there are over 450 elephants plus Cape buffaloes, black rhinos, all kinds of antelopes and even the unique flightless dung beetle, which is exclusively found within the park.

While in Addo we camp in two-man dome tents. Our campsite has flush toilets and hot showers.

Days 12-13 Tsitsikamma National Park
The next day, after an early morning game drive in Addo, we travel the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park, our base for the following two days.

Here steep ancient forests meet the pounding Indian Ocean and the vegetation-clad mountains and rugged, unspoiled coastline harbour prolific bird and marine life. So bring your binoculars because there's sure to be plenty to see.

We have a whole free day here for you to explore. Options include many hiking trails, a tree top canopy adventure, and a snorkelling trail. You may even like to take the opportunity to attempt the highest bungee jump in the world.

Travel time from Addo to Tsitsikamma is approximately 4 - 5 hours.

We camp here in some of the best scenery nature can provide. Our campsite has camp toilets and showers.

Day 14 Oudtshoorn
We begin our day with a visit to the beautiful seaside town of Knysna where there will be some free time to explore the many quaint stores or walk around Knysna heads for stunning coastal views. We'll be driving time for approximately 1-1.5 hours to reach Knysna (45 km).

After lunch we make our way to Oudtshoorn. Oudtshoorn is the ostrich capital of the world! At the turn of the 20th century - Oudtshoorn was full of 'feather barons" that grew rich off the popularity of the Ostrich feather - nowadays there are literally thousands of ostriches in the area - being farmed for their meat, leather and on a smaller scale their feathers and eggs! A short stroll around town and you will find yourself discovering all sorts of "ostrich" souvenirs!

This evening we have a chance for a very special experience when we head off to a local settlement. We are taken by a local to learn more about the lives of people in this community. Our visit is helping to fund local community initiatives.

Travel time from Knysna to Oudtshoorn is approximately 120 km and should take from 2.5 to 3.5 hours.

Tonight we camp. There are hot showers and flush toilets.

Day 15 Cape Town
We begin our day by getting our blood pumping, exploring the Cango Caves where we'll learn more about the formation and history of these remarkable caves.

We pass through the verdant Cape Region and visit one of the many famous wineries to sample, taste and perhaps even purchase some of the product. This is the perfect place to celebrate our wonderful journey before travelling on to cosmopolitan Cape Town, where the journey comes to an end in the late afternoon.

Cape Town is a gorgeous city, with plenty to see and do if you have a few extra days here. Consider taking a cable car up the iconic Table Mountain, chill out in the Botanic Gardens, take an amazing prison tour to see where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated on Robben Island, or head to a museum - District Six and South African Museums are both worth a wander.

Our tour finishes at the Saasveld Lodge in Cape Town. From here you can book a taxi to take you to the airport.

No accommodation is provided for tonight, but we are able to arrange post-trip accommodation at Saasveld Lodge should you wish to spend more time in beautiful Cape Town. Please ask us at the time of booking.

Included

accommodation: Twin-share accommodation (3 nts), participatory camping (11 nts)
This is a list of included activities on this trip. All other activities are optional and at your own expense. For a list of optional activities and sightseeing available on this trip, see the optional activities section below. If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary, the cost will not be refunded.

Blyde River Canyon - en route to Kruger National Park
Game drive - Kruger National Park
Local market and candle factory visit - Swaziland
Rhino walking safari - Hlane Game Reserve
Game drive - Hluhluwe Game Reserve
Game drives - Addo Elephant Reserve
Local village visit and traditional dinner - Oudtshoorn
Cango Caves - Oudtshoorn
Winery visit - en route to Cape Town

Excluded

2 hour boat cruise, St Lucia Estuary - ZAR160

Harbour Cruises, Cape Town - from ZAR100
Cycling, Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope Cape Town - from ZAR100
Diving, Cape Town - from ZAR450
Hiking/Rock Climbing, Table Mountain - from ZAR600
Abseiling and Kloofing, Cape Town - from ZAR120
Botanic Gardens, Cape Town - admission free
Tour of Robben Island, Cape Town - from ZAR75
Bo-Kaap Museum, Cape Town - ZAR15
SA National Gallery, Cape Town - US$2
District Six Museum, Cape Town - US$2
Table Mountain, Cape Town - from US$30
South African Museum, Cape Town - US$15

Gold Reef City and heritage mine tour, Johannesburg - from ZAR570
Museum Africa, Johannesburg - US$2
Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg - US$4
Art Gallery, Johannesburg - US$4

Departures

Starts: Johannesburg  Finishes: Cape Town
Surcharges for World Cup time apply , please see below

Sat 05 Jun 10 Sat 19 Jun 10 ZAR R14020
Sat 03 Jul 10 Sat 17 Jul 10 ZAR R14020
Sat 31 Jul 10 Sat 14 Aug 10 ZAR R14020
Sat 28 Aug 10 Sat 11 Sep 10 ZAR R13105
Sat 25 Sep 10 Sat 09 Oct 10 ZAR R13105
Sat 23 Oct 10 Sat 06 Nov 10 ZAR R13105
Sat 20 Nov 10 Sat 04 Dec 10 ZAR R13105
Sat 18 Dec 10 Sat 01 Jan 11 ZAR R13105
Sat 15 Jan 11 Sat 29 Jan 11 ZAR R13105
Sat 12 Feb 11 Sat 26 Feb 11 ZAR R13105
Sat 12 Mar 11 Sat 26 Mar 11 ZAR R13105
Sat 09 Apr 11 Sat 23 Apr 11 ZAR R13105
Sat 07 May 11 Sat 21 May 11 ZAR R13105
Sat 04 Jun 11 Sat 18 Jun 11 ZAR R13105

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