Overland trip through South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, camping or lodge safari

We leave the bustling metropolis of Johannesburg behind and head east through the coalfields of Mpumalanga. A lot of coal is mined here, which is an important pillar of South African energy production and exports. Today's leg of the exciting and adventurous African journey follows the traces of the old trade routes into the Lowveld and to Kruger National Park. In the afternoon, we take a sundowner drive through the reserve. Meals: Lunch, Dinner Included Highlight: Sundowner drive (subject to availability)

We rise early and drive into Kruger National Park, where a full day of safari experiences awaits us. Kruger, with its nearly 20,000 km², is not only the largest national park in South Africa but also offers a wealth of wildlife. We have the opportunity to make excellent observations, and Kruger is home to the famous members of Africa's Big Five. Kruger is truly the flagship of South Africa's national parks and hosts an impressive variety of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds, and 147 mammals. Our game drive through the park takes place in an open 4x4 vehicle. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlights: Safari in Kruger National Park in 4x4 safari vehicles

Early in the morning, there is an optional opportunity to do a morning walk. Otherwise, the day begins a little later, and after breakfast, we drive the short distance to the Panorama Route. Along the escarpment that separates the central plateau from the low-lying bushland of Kruger, the sights along the Panorama Route offer a day full of breathtaking views. We will visit the highlights of Bourke's Luck Potholes (holes formed by the force of water), the Three Rondavels (rocks resembling traditional African huts), and God's Window (a viewpoint with a unique view over the Blyde River Canyon) before returning to camp in the late afternoon. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlights: Panorama Route - Bourke's Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon, God's Window

Early rise and we continue our adventurous and impressive journey through Africa. We start the day with coffee and traditional rusks before making our way through Kruger with numerous memories from safari and nature in our luggage, heading towards Eswatini. Our truck provides an excellent platform for wildlife observations on our way south. We leave the southern end of Kruger National Park and drive the short distance to the border of Eswatini. Our route winds through the beautiful mountains and picturesque forests of this landlocked kingdom. Our destination for today is the Ezulwini Valley, south of the culturally rich capital, Mbabane. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlights: Safari in Kruger National Park in an overland truck

The 4,560-hectare Mlilwane reserve is the oldest protected area in the country and can be explored for hours on your own, as there are no dangerous animals. This morning, our guide takes us on a nature walk to explore the 'Nature Trail', which provides information about the history and environment of the area. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlights: Nature walk with your guide Optional Activities: Safaris, mountain biking, hiking

We say goodbye to Eswatini after breakfast and return to South Africa with our luggage filled with unique memories. The adventurous African group trip continues south into Zululand, which was once the realm of the powerful King Shaka, who united the Zulu clans. In addition to more safari experiences, we will also experience cultural highlights that the most beautiful end of the world has to offer. Today's destination is the bustling small holiday town of St. Lucia on the east coast of South Africa. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

For another safari highlight on this experiential journey, we rise early from bed again today. We will go on a game drive in the nearby Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, one of the last strongholds of the endangered rhinoceroses. Although the rhinoceroses are the most famous residents of the park with its 96,000 hectares, the park also hosts many other animal species, including the Big Five, which we hope to see all. After a siesta at our accommodation, we freshen up for an exciting boat ride on the St. Lucia estuary in the afternoon. We will see hippopotamuses and possibly crocodiles. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlights: Safari in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park, St. Lucia boat ride

Today, the breathtaking African journey continues westward to the Drakensberg. The Ukuhlamba Drakensberg Park, which stretches its length across the entire province of Kwazulu-Natal, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Whether we use the Zulu name uKhahlamba, meaning 'barrier of spears', or the Afrikaans name Drakensberge, meaning 'dragon mountains', is irrelevant. These towering mountains will be our backdrop for the next two nights. Along the way, we stop at the picturesque Howick Falls and visit the nearby town of Howick, where South Africa's most famous man, Nelson Mandela, was arrested. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlights: Visit to the Mandela Capture Site, Visit to Howick Falls

Today, we rise early from bed and after breakfast, we embark on a hike in the Drakensberg. Everyone is encouraged to spend the day in the mountains, but depending on the activity level of the group, there will be different options. With a variety of hiking trails, we can ensure that we meet every need. It is important that everyone can enjoy this mountain paradise at their own pace. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlights: Hike with your guide in UKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park

Today, this experiential journey through South Africa begins with a mountain pass. Our route winds through the beautiful hills and mountains before we enter the landlocked kingdom of Lesotho in the afternoon. We pass through the bustling capital, Maseru, and continue ascending to our night’s accommodation, high among the mountain peaks. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today our truck remains stationary, and after a delicious breakfast, we embark on an unforgettable hike. The clean mountain air accompanies us this morning as we explore the surroundings, offering a unique and adventurous, as well as fascinating landscape to explore on foot. We set off on a trail that lasts a few hours but brings breathtaking impressions. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlights: Hike to the waterfall and Bushmen paintings with your guide

Every ascent of a mountain is followed by a descent. Thus, we drive down the mountains on the return journey to South Africa and reach the Great Karoo. The semi-arid Karoo is the heartland of rural South Africa and forms a strong contrast to the mountains we leave behind. Despite its climatic conditions, the barren landscape of the Karoo offers a biological diversity. We spend the night in the historic town of Graaff-Reinet, the fourth oldest town in the country. The town offers a comprehensive insight into history due to its well-preserved colonial architecture. On our drive through the vast landscape of the Karoo, we cross today the mighty Orange (Gariep) River (the largest river in South Africa and an important lifeline). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, our adventurous African journey offers the chance to participate in a sunrise excursion to the Valley of Desolation. This unique valley offers a charming panoramic view of the city and the fascinating landscapes of the Great Karoo. Afterwards, we set our course for the coast, crossing the open plains of the Karoo and reaching the famous Addo Elephant National Park. Addo is one of the most popular national parks in South Africa, known for its elephant population, but besides the African giants, the Big Five and numerous other African animals also call it home, where we will do a half-day game drive in our Nomad truck, searching for the famous elephants that call Addo their home. Our accommodation is located in the heart of Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlights: Valley of Desolation, Afternoon safari in Addo National Park in an overland truck

Today after breakfast, we leave the city of Gqeberha and venture again on a game drive in Addo Elephant National Park, to deepen our impressions of safari on this breathtaking African journey. With the recent expansion, Addo has become the third largest national park in South Africa. We will spend the morning searching for animals.

Today, we get up early again, as another highlight of this breathtaking and adventurous experience awaits us. First, we make a short detour to the surfer's mecca of Jeffreys Bay (often referred to as the surfers' paradise of South Africa). This small but buzzing town is known especially for its captivating waves and also hosts a small surf museum alongside its white beaches. Then we continue west to the Tsitsikamma region, where we will be staying for the next two nights, and where the wonders and a highlight of the Garden Route await us. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlights: Stop in the surfer town of Jeffreys Bay

A natural wonder awaits us today after breakfast, as we will explore the Tsitsikamma National Park with its rugged coastline on foot. Tsitsikamma National Park is one of the most significant marine and nature conservation areas in South Africa. A reserve that extends 5 km into the sea, where coral reefs and a variety of marine life make their home. The park is known for its unique forests and phenomenal vegetation, which are home to a large number of bird species. Unique landscapes will be remembered forever. On a hike along the Waterfall Trails, we tackle the first section of the famous Otter Trail (a 42 km long hiking trail that leads from Storms River Mouth to Nature's Valley). This hike is not easy, and those who prefer a more leisurely approach can utilize the wooden walkways to Storms River Mouth. After our hike, we return, and you have the opportunity to book the Woodcutters Journey in the afternoon - experiencing the uniqueness of the Tsitsikamma biome and learning more about the area's history and its native flora and fauna. Travelers seeking adrenaline have the ultimate chance to do the highest commercial bungy jump (216 meters) at the Bloukraans Bridge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlights: Hike in Tsitsikamma National Park with your guide Optional Activities: Woodcutters Journey Tour, Treetop Canopy Tours, Bungee Jumping

After a stop in the bustling and lively town of Knysna, we drive inland, crossing the Outeniqua Mountains (from here, we have a fantastic view of the famous Knysna Lagoon) and heading down to the town of Oudtshoorn. Oudtshoorn is a picturesque town in the Little Karoo and is known not only for its architecture but also as the 'ostrich capital of the world', as there are numerous ostrich farms here. We make our way to the famous Cango Caves (fascinating limestone caves), where we can admire the amazing formations of stalagmites and stalactites that have formed in these impressive limestone caves during a guided tour. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlights: Cango Caves Basic Tour

The end of this impressive and unique Africa group trip through South Africa approaches. This morning, we say goodbye to the semi-desert Little Karoo with its magnificent landscape and follow part of the scenic Route 62 west towards Cape Town. Along the way, we will stop at some of the many farms to enjoy culinary delights from the local farmers. One of the quirky highlights today is the world-famous Ronnie's Sex Shop, which is not actually a sex shop but an interesting country pub. There is no sex here, but good drinks and snacks. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlights: Visit to Ronnie's Sex Shop

After passing several picturesque Overberg villages and gaining cultural insights into South African rural life, we reach Cape Agulhas. It is the southernmost tip of the African continent, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Here, there is a good photo spot to fill our travel luggage with unique impressions from this unforgettable journey. Afterwards, we drive along the beautiful Cape Whale Coast, an unspoiled section of the South African coast. It stretches about 150 km eastward from the town of Rooiels and consists of a collection of villages, farms, rivers, bays, and valleys. In Hermanus, we have a short time to stroll along the promenade and look out for Southern Right Whales that gather at the coast from July to November. Next, we stop at the largest breeding colony of African penguins, the Stony Point Nature Reserve, before we drive along the coast into the city center of Cape Town. Here ends our impressive African journey through the highlights of South Africa. Cape Town is a world-renowned bustling and lively metropolis. The V&A Waterfront with its countless shops and restaurants invites you to linger. From here, boat trips to Robben Island are also possible. It is an offshore island in Table Bay, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. No visit to Cape Town is complete without a drive or hike up the world-famous Table Mountain. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Included Highlights: Hermanus, Cape Agulhas, Stony Point Penguin Colony