Safari Adventure Trip: Discover South Africa, Eswatini & Lesotho

We leave the city of Johannesburg behind us and make our way east through the coalfields of Mpumalanga. Our path today follows the trails of the old trade routes into the Lowveld and the Kruger National Park.

Early in the morning, we enter the Kruger National Park to enjoy a whole day of wildlife observation. The abundance of wildlife offers us opportunities for excellent sightings, and the famous members of the African Big 5 also live in Kruger. Truly the flagship of South African national parks, Kruger hosts an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds, and 147 mammals. Our safari through the park takes place in an open 4x4 vehicle.

While those who choose the optional morning walk have an earlier start, we will set off a bit later today and travel the short distance to the Panorama Route. Along the slope that separates the central plateau from the low-lying bushveld of Kruger, the Panorama Route offers us a day full of scenic delights. We will visit the highlights of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels, and God’s Window before returning to camp in the late afternoon.

We start the day early with some coffee and traditional rusks before we head through Kruger to Eswatini. Our vehicle provides an excellent platform for wildlife observation as we drive south. We leave the southern end of the park and travel the short distance to the border of Eswatini, our route winding through the mountains and forests of this landlocked country this afternoon. Our destination for today is the Ezulwini Valley, just south of the capital Mbabane.

Officially known as the Kingdom of Eswatini, Eswatini is a landlocked country, meaning it has no coastline and is completely surrounded by South Africa. Some important Swazi phrases to try are: Hello: “Sawubona” or Yes: “Yebo”. Today you have the opportunity to explore your surroundings.

We say goodbye to Eswatini and re-enter South Africa as we move south into the areas of Zululand, once the kingdom of the mighty King Shaka, who united the Zulu tribes.

We are setting off early this morning for a game drive in the nearby Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, one of the last refuges of the endangered rhinoceros. While rhinos are the most famous residents of the park, the park also provides a home to many other species, including the Big 5, which we all hope to see. Back at our accommodation, we take a siesta and freshen up for an afternoon boat tour in the St. Lucia Estuary.

The length of the province of KwaZulu-Natal running along, the Ukuhlamba Drakensberg Park is a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site. Whether you use the Zulu name uKhahlamba, which means 'Barrier of the Spears', or the Afrikaans name Drakensberge, which means 'Dragon Mountains', these towering mountains will be our backdrop for the next two nights. On our way, we will make a stop to visit the picturesque Howick Falls and a visit to the nearby site that marked the capture of South Africa's most famous man, Nelson Mandela.

We set out this morning for a long hike. While we encourage everyone to make the most of the day in the mountains, we can offer different options depending on the group's activity level. With a variety of hiking trails available, we can ensure that we meet everyone's needs; the most important goal is to ensure that everyone enjoys this mountain paradise at their own pace.

Our journey today begins with a mountain pass as our route winds through the magnificent cliffs of Golden Gate National Park before we reach Lesotho in the afternoon. We pass the capital Maseru as we continue the ascent to our base camp high above the mountain peaks.

The clean air of the mountains accompanies us this morning as we explore the surrounding area, which offers a unique and adventurous landscape to be explored on foot, and we will set out on the path that takes a few hours.

Upon returning to South Africa, we descend from the mountains and aim for the vast Karoo. The semi-arid Karoo represents the heartland of rural South Africa and provides a stark contrast to the mountains we leave behind. Our overnight stop takes place in the historic town of Graaff-Reinet, the fourth oldest town in the country. Today we cross the mighty Orange (Gariep) River while traveling through the wide landscape of the Karoo.

This morning you have the opportunity to participate in a sunrise excursion to the Valley of Despair. This unique valley offers a panoramic view of the city and the vast plains stretching out below. On the way to the coast, we will pass through the open plains of the Karoo again and drive to the famous Addo Elephant National Park, where we will enjoy a half-day game drive in our vehicle, in search of the famous elephants that call Addo their home.

We once again venture into the Addo Elephant National Park for our safari drive. The recent expansion has resulted in Addo becoming one of the third largest national parks in South Africa. The unique vegetation of Addo supports a variety of wildlife, and we will spend the morning in search of the animals.

As soon as we set off early this morning, we will briefly visit the surfer mecca Jeffreys Bay. Most famous for its waves, this small town is also home to a small surf museum. Then we head west to the Tsitsikamma region, where we will settle in for the next two nights and where the wonders of the Garden Route await us.

The Tsitsikamma National Park is one of the best marine protected areas in South Africa, and this morning we set off to explore the rugged coastline on foot. Our hike along the Waterfall Trail takes us through the first section of the world-famous Otter Trails. This is not an easy hike, and those who prefer a more relaxing option can use the boardwalks to Storms River Mouth. We return after our hike, and you have the option to book the Woodcutters Journey in the afternoon – to experience the uniqueness of the Tsitsikamma biome and learn more about the history of the region as well as its native fauna and flora.

After a stop in the town of Knysna, we venture inland, crossing the Outeniqua Mountains and descending into the town of Oudtshoorn. We head to the famous Cango Caves to enjoy a guided tour where we admire the amazing formations that have developed in these impressive limestone caves.

After breakfast, we leave Oudtshoorn, travel through the picturesque Klein Karoo, and continue our journey along the Garden Route. Along the way, we pass charming country towns and gentle farmland before reaching Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Take your time to explore the rugged coastline and capture unforgettable photos at this iconic landmark. We continue our scenic drive towards Hermanus, known for its spectacular whale watching opportunities (seasonally from June to November) and the vibrant seaside atmosphere. After settling into our accommodation, we enjoy a relaxing evening in this charming coastal town. In the evening, your guide will organize an optional dinner at a selected local restaurant, providing a wonderful opportunity to enjoy regional cuisine and great company.

This morning we have time to stroll along the Cliff Path (promenade) in Hermanus, which offers panoramic views of the ocean and, if you're lucky, a glimpse of the southern right whales (seasonally June - November). We leave Hermanus and drive along the beautiful Cape Whale Coast, which is an unspoiled section of the South African coastline, and stop at one of the largest breeding colonies of African penguins, the Stony Point Nature Reserve. If time allows, we may take a scenic detour through a section of the renowned Cape Winelands, where we will have the opportunity to stop, stretch our legs, and grab a bite to eat for lunch (optional). Your tour ends upon arrival in the city center of Cape Town.