Itinerary

This tour also runs in the reverse direction, please see Kruger, Coast and Cape 15 days (link)

Day 1 Cape Town
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. Please ask a member of reception for this information. Your leader will collect your kitty at this meeting. After the group meeting there is the option of joining the group for dinner.

Please note this is a combination trip. The composition of your group, your group leader and your overland vehicle may change in Durban.With its stunning coastline, dominating mountain and modern cityscape, Cape Town is one of Africa's most appealing cities. With vineyards on its doorstep, adventure activities around every other corner and plenty of restaurants and cafes to while away the time, Cape Town is a very easy city to spend some extra time in.

Day 2 Oudtshoorn
We make our way to Oudtshoorn via the wine region of the Cape. We'll stop off at one of the regions famed wineries where there is a chance for some tasting.

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.

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

Days 3-4 Tsitsikamma National Park
We begin our day with a visit to the spectacular Cango Caves on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn before making our way to the beautiful seaside town of Knysna. There will be some free time to walk around Knysna heads for stunning coastal views.Travel time from Oudtshoorn to Knysna is approximately 120 km and should take from 2.5 to 3.5 hours.

From Knysna we'll be driving for approximately 1-1.5 hours (45 km) to the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park, our base for the following two days.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!We camp here in some of the best scenery nature can provide. Our campsite has camp toilets and showers.

Day 5 Addo Elephant National Park
Today we drive to Addo approximately 4 - 5 hours. Here steep ancient forests meet the pounding Indian Ocean and the vegetation-clad mountains and rugged, unspoiled coastline harbour teem with bird and marine life. So bring your binoculars because there's sure to be plenty to see.The Addo Elephant Park marks the end of our journey along the gorgeous Garden Route.
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 6-7 Cintsa
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 approximate driving time between Addo and Cintsa is 6 - 7 hours.

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

Day 8 Durban

Durban is 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.

We will arrive in the late afternoon and have plenty of time to explore everything Durban has to offer.

 

Day 9 St Lucia Estuary
We wind our way up the coast to St Lucia Estuary in Zululand. 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.

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

Tonight's campsite has hot showers and flush toilets.

Days 10-11 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!

En route to Mozambique 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 any 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. In total today we'll be driving for about 7 - 9 hours.

From the border at the Kosi Bay Border Post where we leave our safari vehicle behind, we jump into 4 wheel drive trucks for the short drive (approx. 1 hour) to the coast. We camp at the beach and enjoy 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 12 Hlane Royal National Park
Another day, another country - 'Sanibonani' and Welcome to Swaziland!

This morning we head back to Kosi Bay and from there drive 210km to the Golela Border Post where we enter the Swaziland. From the border we drive the 140km to Hlane.

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, wildlife and a very colourful traditional culture - headed up by its flamboyant King.

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 13-14 Kruger National Park
This morning 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.

From the Kingdom of Swaziland we cross back in to South Africa and to Kruger National Park the distance is about 120kms, which will take us approximately 2 - 4 hours including the border crossings. Once inside the park boundaries we begin our game drive through to camp.

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 options 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.

Days 15 Johannesburg
Heading for Johannesburg we visit the spectacular viewpoint for the Blyde River Canyon. The total driving time from Kruger National Park to Johannesburg including lunch and visiting Blyde River canyon is approximately 9 - 12 hours (600 km).

Our tour ends in Johannesburg in the late afternoon/early evening of day 15 (approximately 6pm).

On arrival in Johannesburg you can be dropped at the airport or at Amadwala Lodge.

 

Included

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

Sleeping Bag Hire
We are able to provide sleeping bag hire for a nominal fee. These bags must be pre booked and are subject to availability. Please enquire at time of booking.

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

Wet and Wild and Sea World Combo, Durban - ZAR150
Wet and Wild, Durban - ZAR77
Sea World, Durban - ZAR102
White Water Rafting, Durban - US$50
Bay Cruise, Durban - USD20
Art Gallery, Durban - admission free
Juma Mosque, Durban - free tours if booked in advance
Surf Lesson, Durban - US$24

Village tour, Cintsa - from ZAR465
Surf School , Cintsa - from ZAR210
Mountain Biking, Cintsa - ZAR121

Night game drive, Kruger National Park - ZAR150
Morning safari walk, Kruger National Park - ZAR220

Bungee Jumping, Tsitsikamma - ZAR638
Canopy tour, Tsitsikamma - ZAR
Snorkelling, Tsitsikamma - ZAR

Scuba Diving, Mozambique - from ZAR370
Snorkelling, Mozambique - ZAR155
Dolphin cruise, Mozambique - ZAR145
Boat cruise, Mozambique - ZAR145

Departures

Start: Cape Town Finish: Johannesburg
Sat 17 Jul 10 Sat 31 Jul 10
Sat 14 Aug 10 Sat 28 Aug 10
Sat 11 Sep 10 Sat 25 Sep 10
Sat 09 Oct 10 Sat 23 Oct 10
Sat 06 Nov 10 Sat 20 Nov 10
Sat 04 Dec 10 Sat 18 Dec 10
Sat 01 Jan 11 Sat 15 Jan 11
Sat 29 Jan 11 Sat 12 Feb 11
Sat 26 Feb 11 Sat 12 Mar 11
Sat 26 Mar 11 Sat 09 Apr 11
Sat 23 Apr 11 Sat 07 May 11
Sat 21 May 11 Sat 04 Jun 11
Sat 18 Jun 11 Sat 02 Jul 11

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