Itinerary

Day 1 Stellenbosch Wine Route / Swellendam
Leaving the mother city of Cape Town behind, we drive to Stellenbosch to the Spier Wine Estate where we visit the Cheetah Breeding Centre before some excellent wine tasting a little later in the day. On clear days the magnificent mountain scenery makes for a memorable first day. On arrival in Swellendam your guides will demonstrate how to put up your tent and brief you on what to expect from the days ahead.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 Cango Caves and Oudtshoorn
The Cango Caves are some of the most impressive limestone caverns and the different formations are quite astonishing. Today we take a guided tour of the Cango Caves. Stalagmites or Stalagtites? Can you tell the difference? In the afternoon we travel to Oudtshoorn where we will spend the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Knysna
This morning there is the opportunity to visit as Ostrich farm before we continue along the Garden Route to Knysna. Look out for whales and dolphins as we pass through Mossel Bay. Your afternoon is free to explore Knysna, one of South Africa’s most popular seaside towns. Optional Activities: Ostrich Farm visit. Canoeing, hiking, Knysna Elephant Park, Lagoon Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4/5 Bloukrans and Tsitsikamma National Park
One of South Africa’s best-kept secrets is the Tsitsikamma National Park. Boasting exceptional hiking trails and superb coastal scenery Tsitsikamma is a destination that many people will return to. The first few hours of the famous Otter Trail Hike are included in your tour. For those needing an adrenaline boost the nearby Bloukraans Bridge is home to the world’s highest bungee jump at 212m! Optional Activities: Bungy jumping (highest in the world), treetop canopy tours, hiking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Addo Elephant National Park
Continuing in to the Eastern Cape, we enter Addo Elephant National Park, which is home to many of Africa’s big game. Our truck gives us an elevated view on our game drive this afternoon, particularly for those photographic enthusiasts amongst us.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7/8 Hogsback
After a morning game drive in Addo we depart the National Park and drive, via Port Elizabeth, to Hogsback. Some of the original Afro-Montane Rainforest can be seen here and many people rent Mountain Bikes and spend an enjoyable day exploring. On our second day in Hogsback your guide will take you on a hike to either Swallow Falls, Bridal Veil Falls or Madonna & Child Falls, the choice is yours. Optional Activities: Horse riding, mountain biking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9/10 Lesotho - Malealea
Today we leave South Africa and enter the landlocked mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Lesotho is one of the highest countries in the world, with the entire country being over 1000m above sea level. The next day we get up early and those going on the Pony Trekking Excursion will ride into the remote hills of Lesotho accompanied by local guides. On your return the group will visit the local village and school. Optional Activities: Pony Trekking Excursion, Hiking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11/12 South Africa - Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park
The Drakensberg Mountains are South Africa’s highest and most beautiful. We explore the mountain paths and take in the breathtaking views offered in the Ukhahlamba Drakensburg (Royal Natal) National Park. On our second day we will be going on a guided hike to see some of the san rock paintings.Optional Activities: Horse Riding, Hiking, Abseiling, Mountain Biking, Tugela Falls Hike, Zulu School Project.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 Kwa-Zulu Natal Coast - Durban
It’s all downhill as we leave the mountain scenery en route to the Kwazulu Natal Coast. The bustling city of Durban is South Africa’s largest port and surfing capital. We stay in a youth hostel in the central city this evening and maybe sample some Indian cuisine and enjoy this coastal city’s vibrant nightlife. Optional Activities: Dinner and night out in the city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14 iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Soon after our arrival at iSimangaliso Wetland Park we board a boat for an included sunset cruise on the lagoon for some bird and hippo viewing! This UNISCO recognised area is extremely varied and includes: lakes, beaches, coral reefs, wetlands, woodlands, coastal forests and grasslands together supporting an astounding diversity of animal, bird and marine life. Optional Activities: Traditional Zulu Village visit.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15 Hluhluwe - Imfolozi Game Reserve – Swaziland - Mlilwane
This morning we drive to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve for a 4-5 hour game drive in open 4x4 vehicles. The park is the only state-run park in the province of KwaZulu-Natal where all the Big Five occur. Due to conservation efforts, the park now has the largest population of white rhino in the world. In the afternoon we cross the border in to Swaziland. Optional Activities: Mountain Biking, Hiking, Horse Riding.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16 Swaziland – Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is Swazilands oldest and covers 4,560 hectares. As there are no large predators in this area there are a number of self-guided hikes available. Hiking is an excellent way of interacting with the flora and fauna here and your Nomad guide will be taking you on a hike. In addition to the beautiful scenery we also have traditional Swazi dancing to look forward to after dinner.Optional Activities: Mountain Biking, Hiking, Horse Riding.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17/18 South Africa - Kruger National Park
We return to South Africa and drive to the Kruger NP for two unforgettable days of game viewing. Kruger National Park is home to Africa’s Big 5 as well as a multitude of other beautiful African animals, both small and large. Our truck gives us a height advantage over other vehicles, which means better photo opportunities. There will be a number of game drives to give us the best opportunity to see all the animals. Optional Activities: Night Drive and Dawn Game Walk through SANP.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 19 Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Leaving the World’s most famous nature conservation area behind, we travel to Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation centre to meet some of the rescued animals before they are released back in to the wild. At our camp this evening we will be experiencing some typical South African cuisine while enjoying a traditional Song and Dance evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 20 Panorama Route - Johannesburg
Early this morning we go for a walk with a local guide in the area near our campsite, there’s nothing quite like being out there amongst the animals. After the nature walk we travel along the Panorama Route, stopping for breathtaking views at Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. The tour ends on arrival in Johannesburg, although most will enjoy an optional dinner on our last night together. Optional Activities: Dinner Out.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Included

Accommodation: Two man large dome tents with plenty of extra space for your bags, plus a foam mattress is provided to ensure your comfort.

Max Group Size: no more than 22 passengers

 

Transport in specialised vehicle

Service of two qualified guides

Meals, accommodation and activities as per itinerary

Most National Park fees

 

Wine Tasting

Cheetah Breeding Project

Cango Caves

Tsitsikamma National Park

Addo Elephant National Park

Forest Hike in Hogsback

Lesotho

Royal Natal NP

Boat Cruise in Isimangaliso

Hluhluwe Umfolozi NP

Swaziland

Kruger National Park

Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Blyde River Canyon

Excluded

Activity Package - R1320
Spier wine tasting plus cheetah entrance
Cango Caves standard tour
Tsitsikamma National Park
Lesotho school visit
St Lucia boat cruise
Hluhluwe game drive
Moholoholo rehabilitation centre

Optional Activities
South Africa Oudtshoorn Tour of Ostrich Farm R100 to R150
South Africa Bloukrans Bridge World Highest Bungee Jump R720 to R780
South Africa Drakensberg Abseiling R75 to R85
South Africa Knysna Lagoon Cruise R200 to R350
South Africa Knysna Knysna Forest Entrance Fee R50 to R75
Lesotho Malealea Overnight Pony Trek R430 to R450
South Africa Durban Dinner at Local Restaurant R150 to R250
South Africa Kruger National Park Night Game Drive with SANP R160 to R200
South Africa Kruger National Park Dawn Game Walk 2 to 3 Hours R340 to R400
South Africa Timbavati Evening Game Drive R275 to R375
South Africa Tsitsikamma NP Treetop / Canopy Tour R450 to R500
South Africa Tsitsikamma NP Blackwater Tubing R500 To R600
South Africa Hogsback Horse Riding (min. 4 x clients) R200 to R300
South Africa Hogsback High Ropes Course (min. 4 x clients) R30 to R60
Swaziland Mlilwane NP Horse Riding – per hour (1-3 hrs) R120 to R150
Swaziland Mlilwane NP Mountain Biking R85 to R150
Swaziland Mlilwane NP Guided Birding Walk R135 to R150
South Africa Johannesburg Dinner at Local Restaurant R150 to R300

Visas

Vaccinations

Items of a personal nature

Alcohol and snacks

Sleeping bag and towel

Departures

Starts: Cape Town - Finishes: Johannesburg
Departs: 30-Jan-2012 - Returns: 18-Feb-2012
Departs: 13-Feb-2012 - Returns: 03-Mar-2012
Departs: 27-Feb-2012 - Returns: 17-Mar-2012
Departs: 12-Mar-2012 - Returns: 31-Mar-2012
Departs: 26-Mar-2012 - Returns: 14-Apr-2012
Departs: 09-Apr-2012 - Returns: 28-Apr-2012
Departs: 23-Apr-2012 - Returns: 12-May-2012
Departs: 07-May-2012 - Returns: 26-May-2012
Departs: 21-May-2012 - Returns: 09-Jun-2012
Departs: 04-Jun-2012 - Returns: 23-Jun-2012
Departs: 18-Jun-2012 - Returns: 07-Jul-2012
Departs: 02-Jul-2012 - Returns: 21-Jul-2012
Departs: 16-Jul-2012 - Returns: 04-Aug-2012
Departs: 30-Jul-2012 - Returns: 18-Aug-2012
Departs: 13-Aug-2012 - Returns: 01-Sep-2012
Departs: 27-Aug-2012 - Returns: 15-Sep-2012
Departs: 10-Sep-2012 - Returns: 29-Sep-2012
Departs: 24-Sep-2012 - Returns: 13-Oct-2012
Departs: 08-Oct-2012 - Returns: 27-Oct-2012
Departs: 22-Oct-2012 - Returns: 10-Nov-2012
Departs: 05-Nov-2012 - Returns: 24-Nov-2012
Departs: 19-Nov-2012 - Returns: 08-Dec-2012
Departs: 03-Dec-2012 - Returns: 22-Dec-2012
Departs: 17-Dec-2012 - Returns: 05-Jan-2013
Departs: 31-Dec-2012 - Returns: 19-Jan-2013

Feedback

Dear Tina,

I had an amazing tour! Couldn't have been better.
Most travellers were around my age, although there were a few people around 50 or in their 40's as well. A lot of Dutch people, but the guides told me that was not always the case. Other nationalities were: Sweden, USA, Canada and Germany.
The size of the group was not the same for the whole trip. Some people only travelled with us to Port Elisabeth or Durban, and in Durban quite some new people were added to the group. We started of with 14, went down to 9 in Port Elisabeth and from Durban on we were with 15. I'm happy the group never got bigger than 15, because I think it would have become too crowded in the truck and there would not have been space for all our luggage.
The guides were very nice and enthousiastic, the food was great and there was not much we needed to do besides putting up and down our own tents and washing up our plates.
I saw all big 5, cheetas and a spitting cobra and lots more! The highlights were the optional activities in Kruger NP, because the Nomad truck can only ride on tar roads in the game parks, the chance of spotting animals is a little lower than when you can also go on the dirt roads, like you do during the optional night and morning drives. (We still saw a lot of animals in Kruger from our truck though). The morning game drive in St Lucia was also very nice, as was the lagoon cruise where we saw lots of hippos and crocs.
Addo Elephant park was quite disappointing for me. We just saw 2 elephants and they were very far away. And because we could only travel tar roads, we could not get closer. Luckily this was all made up in Kruger, were we saw lots of them and were even almost charged by a baby elephant :P
Besides that, Lesotho is absolutely stunning, the most beautiful part of Southern Africa in my opinion. I'm very happy the tour visited that remote but amazing area.

The tents we slept in weren't really waterproof. Luckily we hardly had any rain, but this is something the operator can possibly improve on.
One other thing is that the whole trip was quite a bumpy ride, even on tar roads.
I also think travellers should be better informed about the temperatures the can expect, especially when travelling during winter. It was much colder at night than I had thought, and many of us needed to buy extra blankets, hot water bottles, hats and gloves.

All that considered, I still had the best vacation ever and am very happy I was on this tour!

Kind regards,
Wesley van Hout
3 May 2010