Itinerary

1. Day 1: Johannesburg - Pilanesberg National Park

   • Guests arrive at Tambo International Airport.
   • An English, Mandarin, and/or German-speaking guide will meet you at your arrival terminal with a sign displaying your names.
   • Depart to Pilanesberg National Park on a three (3) hours drive with a stopover at one of our bigger souvenir markets on the way.
   • Settle in at your lodge after arrival at Pilanesberg.
   • Pilanesberg is a natural game reserve containing the famous Big Five animals: Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino, Lion, and Leopard, as well as other wildlife like Giraffe, Zebra, Cheetah, and abundant bird life.
   • Later in the afternoon, an open safari vehicle with a game ranger as your guide and driver will take you on a 2-3 hour game viewing tour into the park.
   • Kwa-Maritane and open safari game drive.

2. Day 2: Pilanesberg National Park & Sun City

   • After breakfast, drive to Sun City to explore the spectacular "Las Vegas" of South Africa.
   • Stroll around the gardens and swimming pool areas at Sun City.
   • Have lunch at one of the restaurants in Sun City.
   • After lunch, travel back to the lodge, where you have time for your own leisure.
   • Later in the afternoon, an open safari vehicle with a game ranger as your guide and driver will take you on a 2-3 hour game viewing tour into the park.
   • Kwa-Maritane and open safari game drive.

3. Day 3: Pilanesberg National Park - Cape Town

   • After breakfast, depart to OR Tambo International Airport for a domestic flight to Cape Town, the mother city of South Africa.
   • If weather permits, take the spectacular Cableway up Table Mountain for a panoramic view over the city and Robben Island.
   • Your comfortable hotel, City Lodge Pinelands and/or any adjacent hotel, will be a mere 10 minutes away from the city.

4. Day 4: Cape Town (Mother City)

   • Drive along the Cape Town coast and Peninsula.
   • Visit Houtbay, where a boat trip can be made to Seal Island to view the Seal colony.
   • Visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
   • Explore Cape Point, where the two oceans, Atlantic and Indian, meet.
   • If time allows, visit the Victor & Albert Waterfront for a few hours of leisure and shopping.
   • Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

5. Day 5: Cape Town

   • After breakfast, travel to the historic Cape Dutch town of Stellenbosch, founded in 1688.
   • Visit a famous Wine Farm for wine tasting and the opportunity to purchase famous South African wines.
   • On the return from the wine farm, visit a restaurant with fabulous seafood.
   • Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

6. Day 6: Cape Town

   • After breakfast, travel to the historic Cape Dutch town of Stellenbosch, founded in 1688.
   • Visit a famous Wine Farm for wine tasting and the opportunity to purchase famous South African wines.
   • On the return from the wine farm, visit a restaurant with fabulous seafood.
   • Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

7. Day 7: Cape Town - Oudtshoorn

   • After breakfast, depart to the scenic route R 62, known as the fruit and wheat route of the Western Cape Province.
   • Later in the day, reach the Ostrich town of South Africa, Oudtshoorn, where a visit to the Cango Caves is planned.
   • Overnight stay in Oudtshoorn town with its spectacular Ostrich Palaces at Protea Hotel Riempie Estate or an adjacent Lodge.

8. Day 8: Oudtshoorn - Knysna

   • After breakfast, visit a famous ostrich farm, where an exciting tour will provide the opportunity to ride an Ostrich.
   • After the ostrich excursion, depart to Knysna over the Outeniqua Mountains along the Garden Route for a two-night stay.
   • Stay at the Premier Hotel or an adjacent lodge in Knysna.

9. Day 9: Knysna

   • After breakfast, take a short tour of Knysna and the Knysna Heads, where lunch is included in the tour.
   • The rest of the day is free for shopping or relaxation in Knysna, a pleasant holiday town famous for its souvenir flea market and restaurants.
   • Stay at an adjacent lodge or Premier Hotel in Knysna.

10. Day 10: Knysna - Port Elizabeth (Gqebera)

    • After breakfast, depart to Port Elizabeth with a stopover at the highest Bungee jump bridge in the world, namely Bloukrans Bridge.
    • Stopover at the famous surfing town of Jeffreys Bay for lunch before arriving at Port Elizabeth.
    • Check into the hotel overlooking the beach, either City Lodge or an adjacent Lodge in Port Elizabeth.

11. Day 11: Port Elizabeth // East London

    • This morning, depart to Addo Elephant Park, home to the most southern and largest elephants in Africa.
    • After lunch at Addo Elephant Park, depart to East London.
    • Arrive late afternoon at the hotel near the beach, either an adjacent lodge or Holiday Inn in East London.

12. Day 12: East London - Kokstad

    • Early departure on a scenic drive through the old Transkei homeland, the birthplace of Nelson Mandela.
    • Visit the Mandela Museum (Qunu) en route through the rolling countryside.
    • Continue the journey to Ingeli Forest Lodge, where an overnight stay is planned.
    • Stay at an adjacent lodge or Ingeli Forest Lodge in Kokstad.

13. Day 13: Kokstad - Eshowe

    • After breakfast, take a scenic road to the coastline of Natal in a northerly direction via the city of Durban.
    • Lunch will be somewhere en route to Eshowe.
    • Continue the drive to Shakaland for an overnight stay. The village was built years ago for the film Shaka Zulu and is now a major tourist attraction.
    • Accommodation is in a beehive hut with all the necessary facilities.
    • Upon arrival, participate in a cultural tour with the Zulu nation, experiencing their traditions.
    • In the evening, enjoy stunning Zulu traditional dances and observe traditional Zulu culture, including iconic beadwork and spear-making.
    • Watch Zulu dancers perform the Zulu War Dance, meet a real Isangoma/Ngaka (witch doctor), sample traditional Zulu beer, and enjoy a delicious lunchtime feast.
    • Stay at an adjacent lodge or Protea Hotel Shakaland in Eshowe.

14. Day 14: Hluhluwe

    • After breakfast, we bid farewell to our Zulu friends and headed towards St Lucia (Isimangaliso Wetland Park) via Richards Bay.
    • Travel through the green sugarcane crops of Zululand, arriving at St Lucia town, a UNESCO World Heritage town with one of the largest natural lakes in the world.
    • Take a boat trip up the lake with a knowledgeable guide, showcasing some of Africa's most enormous crocodiles, hippos, and abundant bird life.
    • Enjoy bar facilities on board the boat during the three-hour trip.
    • After the boat excursion, have lunch at a local restaurant and depart for the town of Hluhluwe.
    • Stay for two nights at a private lodge in the bush in Hluhluwe, where the property features several antelope species and minor game.
    • Stay at an adjacent lodge or Bonamanzi Lodge in Hluhluwe.

15. Day 15: Hluhluwe

    • Embark on an early morning game drive on an open safari vehicle in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, renowned for its large population of White and Black Rhinos.
    • The park also boasts the Big Five and various other African animals.
    • After the game viewing, return to the lodge for lunch.
    • Enjoy the afternoon at rest.
    • Around 19h00, depart for a Night Open Safari Drive.
    • Return to the lodge after the Night Open Safari Drive.

16. Day 16: Hluhluwe - Mbabane

    • After breakfast, continue the drive through Zululand, passing through the towns of Pongola and Piet Retief.
    • Cross the border to enter the Kingdom of Swaziland at the Sicunusa (Houtkop) border post.
    • Lunch will be arranged on the way to the lodge.
    • Overnight stay at Mantenga Lodge or an adjacent lodge in Ezulwini.

17. Day 17: Mbabane Swaziland - Hazyview (Gateway to Kruger Park & Panorama Route)

    • After breakfast, proceed through the South African border gate at Jeppes Reef.
    • Enter the Kruger National Park through the Malelane gate.
    • Have lunch at Skukuza camp.
    • After lunch, depart to the accommodation in the Hazyview area.
    • The overnight resort is situated on the banks of the Sabie River with its own resident Hippo population.
    • Stay at Sanbonani Resort or an adjacent lodge in Hazyview.

18. Day 18: Hazyview - Panorama Route

    • After breakfast, embark on a tour of the beautiful Panorama Route situated on the escarpment of the mighty Drakensberg mountain range.
    • Visit Pilgrim's Rest, an old gold mining town with interesting shops, restaurants, and flea markets.
    • Continue the tour with visits to Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and God's Window, offering a spectacular panorama view over the Lowveld of Mpumalanga Province.
    • Have lunch at the forestry town of Sabie.
    • After lunch, return to the lodge in mid-afternoon.

19. Day 19: Hazyview - Kruger National Park

    • Early morning departure to Kruger National Park, the largest and one of the oldest parks in the world, boasting at least 150 mammal species, 500 bird species, 115 reptile species, and 50 fish species.
    • Have breakfast at the first camp, Skukuza, after entering the park.
    • After breakfast, continue the game drive in search of the Big Five and various other African animals.
    • Lunch will be at another camp before departing to the lodge in the mid-afternoon.

20. Day 20: Hazyview - Centurion - Pretoria

    • After breakfast, drive to Lydenburg via the Long Tom Pass, a historic area where many Anglo/Boer wars were fought between 1899 and 1902.
    • Pass through the highest town in South Africa, Dullstroom, at 2,077 meters above sea level, is known for its fabulous souvenir shops and restaurants.
    • Continue the journey to Pretoria Centurion for the overnight stay.
    • Pass by the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
    • Stay at Centurion Lake Hotel or an adjacent hotel in Pretoria.

21. Day 21: Johannesburg

    • After breakfast and later in the morning, with luggage in tow, embark on a tour to Soweto.
    • Explore the legendary Vilakazi Street, once home to two Nobel Peace Prize Winners – Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Tata Nelson Mandela.
    • Visit Mandela House Museum and Hector Peterson Memorial, and enjoy dancing and performances by locals along the street.
    • Have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs.
    • Explore the Apartheid Museum.
    • Towards evening, tourists will be transferred to OR Tambo International Airport for a flight to their destination.