South African Private Safaris & Self-drives | Southern African Tours
Safari Tour Company in Cape Town South Africa
OVERVIEW
This magnificent tour will take you to South Africa’s most well known highlights and “off the beaten track” places! From hectic Johannesburg to the beautiful cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, you will discover the treasures of these 3 countries. With 3 unique wildlife game reserves, high mountains, deep canyons, breathtaking scenery & enchanting activities, this holiday offers you a concentration of wonderment. A journey to the delights that these magical Southern African countries have to offer.
Tour Summary
- You’ll go to Lesotho
, South Africa 
& Swaziland 
- You’ll visit Soweto (Johannesburg), Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Kruger NP, Ezulwini Valley (Highlight), St. Lucia (iSimangaliso WP), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR, iSimangaliso WP, Ukhahlamba (Drakensberg), Sani Pass (Drakensberg), Durban (City & Beach), Winelands (Highlight), Cape of Good Hope (Cape Peninsula), Cape Town (City) & Cape Town Airport
- This tour starts and ends in Johannesburg – Getting there
Activities & Transportation
Activities: game drives, evening/night game drives, nature hikes/walks & beach time
Game drives: open-sided 4×4 vehicle
Getting around: minivan & air transfer
A transfer from and back to the airport (or hotel) is included
DAY BY DAY
Day 1
Johannesburg City – Soweto- Sandton & Apartheid museum
This afternoon we visit Soweto with an experienced local guide. We visit Soweto township, Freedom Square and Hector Peterson Memorial.
A walking tour and drive will take us to and past various points of interest. Home of Mandela, Winnie Mandela and the FNB stadium. Lunch is at a local African restaurant on Vilakazi Street, the most visited street in Soweto. Home to the late former president, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Then it’s the Apartheid Museum which illustrates the rise and fall of South Africa’s era of segregation and oppression, and is an absolute must-see. Time permitting, Lilliesleaf, which was the farm used secretly by African National Congress activists in the 1960s and was the location where many prominent African National Congress leaders were arrested, leading to the Rivonia Trial. Nowadays Liliesleaf Farm is a Museum and world-famous Heritage Site, attracting many visitors annually. Nelson Mandela was captured here which lead to the famous Rivonia trial.
- Main Destination:
- • Soweto (Johannesburg, South Africa)
- Accommodation:
• 50 on Shepard
- Mid-range guest house located in or near the park
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2
Blyde River Canyon & Pilgrims Rest
We depart for the beautiful Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga. We follow the scenic Panorama Route and admire God’s Window, Three Rondavels, Blyde River Canyon, Bourkes Luck Potholes and the various Canyon waterfalls. Pilgrim’s Rest is an authentic historical village dating from the first South African gold rush and now a National Monument. Lunch Time permitting, a swim in the beautiful MacMac pools to cool off. Accommodation is near the edge of the canyon.
- Main Destination:
- • Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve (Panorama Route,
South Africa) - Accommodation:
• Graskop Hotel
- Mid-range hotel located in or near Graskop
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3
Kruger National Park
This morning we finish our tour of the ”Panorama route” before departing for the famous Kruger Park. The rest of the day is spent on safari with your guide looking for the abundance of fauna and flora. The Kruger is renowned for being the richest
animal kingdom on the planet. Thereafter a glorious 4×4 sunset safari with a professional ranger pursuing the Big 5 and other rare and endangered species. You enjoy a great barbecue dinner made by your guide.
Accommodation in National Park chalets.
- Main Destination:
- • Kruger National Park (South Africa)
- Accommodation:
• Lower Sabie Rest Camp
- Mid-range bungalow located inside Southern Kruger
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4
Kruger National Park
Around 4.30 am we leave camp for a 3 hr morning 4×4 safari with a professional ranger to witness the African Savannah and wildlife in all its splendor.
Return to camp for a hearty breakfast followed by a full day safari with your guide. An optional night drive can be booked at the reception on arrival. Accommodation in National Park chalets.
NB: If accommodation is outside the Kruger Park a Full day 4×4 safari with a professional ranger will replace the 2 x 3 hour game drives.
- Main Destination:
- • Kruger National Park (South Africa)
- Accommodation:
• Lower Sabie Rest Camp
- Mid-range bungalow located inside Southern Kruger
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 5
Kingdom of Swaziland
Departure for the Kingdom of Swaziland (passport required). The landscapes are very similar to those of Switzerland. We visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory and the oldest mine in the world.
At Mbabane, capital of Swaziland we admire the Royal Palace, Parliament, the Kings Mausoleum and a craft market in the Ezulwini Valley. Overnight “hotel de charme” bed and breakfast, dinner included.
- Main Destination:
- • Ezulwini Valley (Swaziland)
- Accommodation:
• Mantenga Lodge
- Mid-range lodge located in or near Ezulwini Valley
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 6
Lake St Lucia, iSimangaliso Wetland Park
After breakfast we visit the Swaziland candle factory and “House of fire”. Before departing for St Lucia situated along the tropical coast of Zulu land. En route we visit a typical Swazi village and orphanage run by a lady who has no NGO or governmental aid but some how has given hope to many orphan children. An authentic experience that will leave us with fond memories of her courage.
Lunch on the way.
Upon arrival we take a cruise (included) on the St. Lucia wetlands, home to a multitude of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and a World Heritage Site. It is in this complex ecosystem where bush meets beach, mangrove and sand forests are home to a stupendous diversity of wildlife and flora. We have the opportunity to encounter hippos, crocodiles, eagles and maybe even the elusive leopard.
Luxury B&B in the heart of the St Lucia wetland park.
- Main Destination:
- • St Lucia (iSimangaliso WP, South Africa)
- Accommodation:
• St Lucia Wetlands Guest House
- Mid-range guest house located in or near Ezulwini Valley
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 7
St Lucia Wetlands
Early morning start for St Lucia for Hluhluze / Umfolozi Park, the 2nd oldest national park in the world and home to the “B5″ and also renowned for saving the white rhino from extinction.
You will spend the day exploring this vast reserve accompanied by a professional ranger in a 4×4.
Late afternoon you return to St Lucia village.
Dinner is at a restaurant of your choice.
- Main Destination:
- • Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve (South Africa)
- Accommodation:
• St Lucia Wetlands Guest House
- Mid-range guest house located in or near Ezulwini Valley
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 8
ISimangaliso Wetland Park to Cape Vidal
This morning we head into iSimangaliso Wetland Park (the worlds most diverse) where we visit the western and eastern shores exploring the incredible diversity with the opportunity to snorkel the world’s southern most coral reefs, home to hundreds of fish species. This is also the place where one can dive with the dolphins at Cape Vidal.
Or if the conditions are appropriate we can head north to Sodwana Bay where we have the opportunity to swim with the dolphins, snorkel among the richest coral reefs on earth or if you have your PADI qualification, scuba dive.
The coastline of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is the only remaining nesting site in Africa where Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles still lay their eggs. In the summer season you can partake in a night safari to visit these endangered marine animals.
- Main Destination:
- • Isimangaliso Wetland Park (South Africa)
- Accommodation:
• St Lucia Wetlands Guest House
- Mid-range guest house located in or near Ezulwini Valley
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 9
Drakensberg
This morning we depart for the Drakensberg mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
We stop for lunch at Howick, the peaceful capital of the Natal Midlands, where the Umgeni River plunges 95 m forming a spectacular waterfall.
Lunch then the Mandela Capture Site, where the late Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962 before the famous Rivonia trial when he was sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to Robben Island. A monument commemorates this event that changed the course of history.
We then head to the Drakensberg a World Heritage site known to the Zulu people as uKhahlamba meaning “Barrier of Spears”, the Drakensberg forms a majestic semi-circular border between KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and the inland mountain kingdom of Lesotho.
- Main Destination:
- • Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park (Drakensberg, South Africa)
- Accommodation:
• Drakensberg Mountain Retreat
- Mid-range guest house located in or near Ezulwini Valley
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 10
Drakensberg via the Sani Pass (Southern Africa’s highest) into Lesotho for the day
Many offered and optional activities are available in this region. Which may vary depending on where you are situated or would like to be situated in the Drakensberg.
We can opt for an optional 4×4 excursion (highly recommended) and visit Lesotho for the day, via the Sani Pass, the highest in Africa, or similar if situated in the Northern Drakensberg. Or We can choose to go on a guided hike to the famous cave paintings left by the Bushmen of about 4000 years Or Trek to the Tugela Falls, the worlds highest.
Or We visit the Golden Gate National Park, with it’s unique sandstone rock formations and wild life, browse around the pretty town of Clarence, with it’s many little restaurants.
Or Visit the historic battle fields of the 18th century where the English, Afrikaans and Zulu armies, engaged in bloody battles.
- Main Destination:
- • Sani Pass (Drakensberg, South Africa)
- Accommodation:
• Umzimkulu River Lodge
- Mid-range guest house located in or near Ezulwini Valley
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 11
Durban-Cape Town
After breakfast we depart for Durban or Johannesburg for our flight to Cape Town.
A visit to Durban might be possible depending on flight schedules. Here we visit the old City and the ”Golden Mile” a paradise for surfers which was home to 4 world champion surfers. Durban, known for its African, Indian and colonial influences. Refurbished for soccer’s 2010 World Cup, the seafront promenade runs from uShaka Marine World, a huge theme park with an aquarium, to the futuristic Moses Mabhida Stadium. The Durban Botanical Gardens showcases many African plant species.
- Main Destination:
- • Durban (South Africa)
- Accommodation:
• Chartfield Guest House
- Mid-range guest house located in or near Cape Town
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 12
Winelands, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek
We drive to Stellenbosch, a fertile area where oak trees, wheat and vines quickly replaced the giraffes, elephants, Hottentot and Khoisan peoples.
Today, Stellenbosch is known for its beautiful varied architecture, renowned wines and university where the language of instruction is still mainly Afrikaans.
We visit a museum, historical shop and partake in a cellar tour before travelling over the beautiful Hels Hoogte Pass on our way to Franschoek.
Lunch and a visit to the Huguenot Museum.
At an exceptional boutique wine farm we taste local vintage including a pinotage which is South Africa’s own unique cultivar. At Paarl we stop in front of Mandela’s statue at the entrance to the prison from which he was liberated in 1990.
Paarl means “Pearl”, in Dutch, and refers to the imposing granite mountains surrounding the town. The Taal monument, dedicated to the Afrikaans language, is the world’s only monument to a language. We end the day with a dinner at the “V & A Waterfront”.
- Main Destination:
- • Winelands (South Africa)
- Accommodation:
• Chartfield Guest House
- Mid-range guest house located in or near Cape Town
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 13
Cape of Good Hope and Peninsula
This Region is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its exceptional floral diversity. We follow the west coast via Clifton with a stop at Maiden’s Cove to enjoy a magnificent view of the Twelve Apostles and Camps Bay then to Hout Bay, a charming little town where we enjoy a cruise to Duiker Island, home to the worlds largest fur seal colony.
The scenic Chapman’s Peak Pass offers breathtaking scenery.
The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve is where the cold Atlantic waters meet the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. This famous landmark was named by the early Portuguese mariners.
Journeying down to the False Bay coast, lunch is at the old harbor of the historical naval port of Simon’s Town. After lunch we visit the well known Boulders beach, home to Africa’s largest land based jackass penguin colony.
We finish our day with a visit to Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest Cape Dutch manor house and wine farm built by the first Governor of the Cape.
Dinner at your leisure.
- Main Destination:
- • Cape of Good Hope (Cape Peninsula, South Africa)
- Accommodation:
• Braeside
- Mid-range guest house located in or near Cape Town
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 14
Cape Town, West coast, Kirstenbosch and surrounds
Today, we will visit Cape Town, its historical places and parks like the Dutch East Indian Garden, Castle of the Cape, South African Museum, Malay quarter, District 6 and Greenmarket Square. Before noon, we take the opportunity to visit the noon gun in action on the slopes of Signal hill, the worlds oldest canon, still in action.
After lunch, we visit the only botanical garden situated in a world heritage site, this garden has more endemic plant species than any other in the world.
Lunch
In the late afternoon we head along the west coast towards Blouberg where you can enjoy a “postcard” view of Table Mountain, Robben Island and Table Bay.
Tonight we will have an authentic African dinner of many culinary dishes from across the continent, accompanied by dance, music, and theater.
- Main Destination:
- • Cape Town (South Africa)
- Accommodation:
• Braeside
- Mid-range guest house located in or near Cape Town
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 15
Activities and Departure
Transfer to the airport for your air transport home.
Depending on your departure time, various activities can be arranged.
Like Robben Island, Table mountain, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa or even the Two Oceans Aquarian.
- Main Destination:
- • Cape Town Airport (South Africa)
- Accommodation:
- • No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
