NATIONAL EXPLORER
SHORT AND SWEET
A escapade through a beautiful and diverse rainbow nation, we visit 10 nature reserves, 6 provinces, 3 countries and 2 oceans. We go through the heartland of Kwa-Zulu Natal to the majestic Drakensburg and spot wildlife in the Kruger National Park. We explore Swaziland, the mountainous Kingdom of Lesotho and the amazing fauna and flora of the evergreen garden route, ending in the beautiful Cape Town and its unique peninsular. This is truly a trip of a life time!!! Make a booking
ITINERARY
DAY 1 JOHANNESBURG (lodge - - -)
After arriving in Johannesburg, ‘Egoli, city of gold’, we meet and greet and then transfer to our accommodation and check in. We have the afternoon to do a Soweto half day cultural trip in a mini van driven by a local guide. Soweto is a vibrant city which still openly bears the scars of the apartheid past and yet shows what’s possible in the New South Africa. In the evening we will return to our lodge and go out for dinner at a local restaurant (own expense).
DAY 2 MPUMALANGA (chalet BLD)
This morning we start with highlands meander and continue onto the panorama route with few regions of the world that can match the extreme beauty of the escarpment and the lowveld. Mpumalanga is where mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests characterize the landscape.
We visit Gods Window, Bourkes luck potholes and The Three Rondowals in the Blyde River Canyon (3rd largest canyon in the world) before staying in a lodge on the edge of the escarpment in Graskop. For the more adventurous there is an opportunity to do a gorge swing over the edge of the escarpment – not for the faint hearted!!!
DAY 3-4 KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (camping 2xB 2xL 2xD)
This is one of the most famous wildlife parks in the world. It has the greatest variety of animals of any park in Africa, including the Big Five as well as cheetah, giraffe, hippo and many species of antelope and small game. The parks’ censes includes 147 mammals, 507 birds, 114 reptiles and 336 different trees. The camp sites are excellent and infrastructure is well kept with hot showers and brilliant landscapes.
We enter Kruger National Park from the south over the Crocodile River and visit the big game country! Feel the thrill of driving yourself through this unique African bushveld. Early morning starts ensure the best results for spotting lions, giraffe and the mighty elephant.
DAY 5 MLILWANE NATURE RESERVE, SWAZILAND (beehive huts BL -)
Mlilwane, Swaziland’s pioneer conservation area is a beautiful, secluded sanctuary situated in Swaziland’s “Valley of Heaven”, the Ezulwini Valley. We enter Swaziland in the north and drive through mountainous Swaziland stopping for some breathtaking views. The Kingdom of Swaziland has many friendly people and great curios; we will stop at this large market and haggle with the locals. We then spend the night in a traditional beehive hut with en-suite facilities inside Mlilwane NR. Dinner will be enjoyed at Hippo Haunt restaurant with its ever burning fire (own expense).
DAY 6 SWAZILAND (camping BLD)
After a cultural visit and traditional dance at Mantenga Nature Reserve we make our way to the beautiful Hlane NP. Once the royal hunting grounds, it now serves as one of Africa’s best places to see white rhino on foot. In the afternoon we follow a local guide outside of our vehicles in the thrilling experience that gives us a chance of tracking and listening for the variety of smaller animals and birds which is often passed by on game drives.
DAY 7 THANGAMI SPA (chalet BLD)
Travelling further into the heartland of the Zulu Kingdom near Swart Umfulozi River you find Thangami spa. This rolling mountain pass drive is often punctuated by the traditional homesteads of the Zulu people, a magnificent site to behold. It is one of those places which have everything a tourist requires, whether you like luxury or rustic, a true experience in the heart of the Zulu bush. Hot or cool health regenerating mineral water and mud pools will give the weary soul a new lease on life.
DAY 8-9 DRAKENSBERG (camping BLD)
In the morning we depart with the spirit to explore wide open spaces. We stop in Dundee to stock up on supplies including petrol, beer and wine. In the area and weather permitting we will stop at sites like Sterkfontein Dam, little Switzerland, Tugela River and the magnificent Drakensberg Amphitheatre. The beauty of Zululand!!!
Rising up to 3,482 meters, referred to as ‘barrier of spears’, Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in Southern Africa. The mountains are home to some spectacular fauna and flora including forest, scrub and fynbos and the bird life make up 37% of all non-marine bird species in Southern Africa. Caves are easily found and many have rock paintings of the Bushmen which date back to 40,000 years ago. We explore these mountains on foot and vehicle, and on hot days we may even take a dip in the mountain streams. Look out for the Tugela Falls!!
DAY 10-11 LESOTHO (lodge BLD)
Today is a long drive day through the Golden Gate National Park of the Free State and Lesotho which is spectacular in scenery. The Basotho people strategically use this mountainous Kingdom to defend themselves against enemies. We enter through the beautiful “gates of paradise” to our lodge which is situated in the heart of this rugged mountain region and gives us an excellent opportunity to experience Lesotho’s culture. There are 4WD treks in the area which are worth while exploring. Village walks and pony treks are optional (own expense). In the evenings local entertainment will be provided.
DAY 12 GRAAF-RENIET (lodge BL -)
An early morning start has us leaving the Free State and entering the great Karoo. Dropping down the escarpment enables us to see the dramatic changes in climate and vegetation from grasslands to succulent desert. We drive into this spectacular “desolation valley” (Camdeboo Nature Reserve) for a birds eye view of this historical town and valley. Formed hundreds of millions of years ago, the Karoo of South Africa is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Camdeboo National Park provides the visitor with insights into the unique landscape and ecosystem of the Karoo, not to mention awesome scenic beauty.
A unique feature of the 19 405-hectare park is its location, practically surrounding the town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape. This evening we get to sample some great cuisine which is renowned world wide, Karoo lamb (own expense).
DAY 13 ADDO ELEPHANT PARK (camping BLD)
Established in 1931, the park now protects herds of elephants which were once endangered. From 11 elephants in 1931 the park now protects more than 300. There is an impressive array of birdlife and the famous dung beetle, which has right of way, is often seen in the park. There is also an opportunity to take time and sit at a floodlit waterhole which is a spectacular way of seeing nocturnal animals. Addo is also home to many kudu, buffalo, hartebeest and warthogs.
DAY 14-15 TSITSIKAMMA (camping 2xB, 2xL, 2xD)
Where the booming breakers of the Indian Ocean relentlessly pound rocky shores, where temperate high forest and fynbos roll down to the sea in an unspoilt verdant carpet, where ancient rivers carve their paths to the ocean down rocky ravines. This, "the place of much water", is the Tsitsikamma National Park.
The heartland of the park stretches 5 km to sea, protecting a wonderland of inter-tidal life, reef and deep-sea fish. There will be time to do a boarded walk to the suspension bridge over the river mouth. This park is also home to the famous otter trail. We explore this pristine coastline along a well walked path which hugs the coast and ends at a waterfall. Dolphins and whales are often seen from our campsite.
DAY 16 OUDTSHOORN (chalet BLD)
In the morning we drive through the garden route and coastal towns such as Plettenberg Bay, Knysna (The Heads), wilderness on the spectacular N2. We will pass through George and cross over the Outiniqua Mountains and through the valleys below to reach Oudtshoorn. In the ostrich capital of the world, you have the opportunity to ride these huge birds and learn more about them. In the afternoon we tour through the famous Cango Caves with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. In the evening we have a braai under usually star lit skies.
DAY 17 HERMANUS (guest house BLD)
Hermanus lies on the Western Cape close to the most southerly point in Africa. Hermanus is a major tourist destination in South Africa because it's simply the best place in the world to watch whales from and in particular, the Southern Right Whale. The peak times to see the Southern Right Whale is from August to November. During this time you can see the whales every day from a cliff path which stretches from one side of Hermanus to the other. Arriving in Hermanus in the afternoon we have time for whale watching (in season) or we can leisurely walk along the coastline.
DAY 18-20 CAPE TOWN (lodge 3xB - -)
After probably the most scenic drive in the world along the famous R44 we arrive in Stellenbosch and its wine land for a wine tasting and a cellar tour. We have 3 days to explore the many attractions that Cape Town has to offer. We visit the hustle and bustle of the city, Cape Point, Table Mountain (own expense), Hout Bay, the penguins in Simons Town and some of the Cape’s famous beaches. We will enjoy scenic drives with a visit to the V&A Waterfront and an optional visit to Robben Island (own expense). We sample the local fare at a variety of local restaurants (own expense).
DAY 21 TOUR ENDS (- - -)
Spend the morning catching up on last minute curio shopping or just lazing on the beach absorbing the Cape’s sunshine. Transfer in mini van to airport to catch flight home.
TOUR INFORMATION
PRICE ON REQUEST
The price includes:
- nights in lodges/chalets/B&B and 11 nights modern camping
- Transport in a self drive 4WD for 18 days
- ‘Tag along’ off road excursions
- Professional guide (driver)
- Park entrances
- Flight from JHB to Cape Town
- Cook (camp assistant)
- All meals as per itinerary
- Transfers and transport for first and last day is in a mini van.
Accommodation
- Guest house/chalets: 9 nights, most rooms are twin and en-suite but sometimes rooms share bathroom facilities.
- Camping: 11 nights with hot showers and clean toilets. The 4x4 vehicles with unlimited mileage come fully equipped with camping gear and the roof top tents we use are 1.8 x 1.8 x 1.5 meters and putting them up or down takes only 3 minutes. Tents have built-in insect nets. Mattresses which are 5cm thick, pillows and sheets are supplied. The camp chairs are comfortable and have a backrest. Each vehicle is also equipped with A/C, C/D player, a 12V fridge, long range fuel tanks, air compressor and spare wheel. Ground tents are also available upon request.
Food
- We have three balanced meals per day, the main meal is dinner - braai (charcoal/wood barbeque), potjie (stew) or stir fry. Lunch – sandwiches with salad. Breakfast – cereals, toast, tea/coffee/fruit juices and occasionally an English (fried) breakfast.
- When buying ingredients, the tour leader insists on obtaining fresh produce from the local shops.
- The use of melamine camping plates, cups and cutlery will be provided.
- Meals are included except where stated in the itinerary (B- Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner). When the meals are not included we will eat at restaurants (own expense).
- If requested, the tour leader can arrange for special dietary requirements such as vegetarian, allergies, etc.
- Beverages which are not included in the meals as stated will be at your own expense. We don’t supply bottled drinking water although it is available at most shops.
Things you should know
- Anyone who is in good health should enjoy this trip.
- You will need a valid passport for entry into South Africa and surrounding countries.
- Visas for relative countries are obtainable at the borders.
- For this trip you will need malaria prophylactics, please consult your medical practitioner before departing.
- Please pack a limit of 15kgs of luggage in a soft sports tog bag.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, small pair of binoculars and comfortable shoes are highly recommended.
- To avoid disappointment bring a good camera with enough film or memory. We often have electricity (220/230 V) for recharging and also stop for the basics along the way, i.e. batteries.
- The will be opportunities to shop for crafts, carvings, batiks and paintings. If you see something you like, it is best to buy it because it is unlikely that you will see something similar further along. Curios and crafts change from area to area.
- We recommend that you bring extra money for restaurant meals, extra refreshments and curios shopping as some vendors do not have credit card facilities.
- With local conditions being different, border crossings, road detours and weather, the trip may alter route or schedule – in this case please note that we will make every effort to stick to the itinerary as best we can.
- There will be a guide/camp assistant at all times, but a helping hand is always welcome. Many hands make lighter work!!
- Don’t forget your humour and a spirit for adventure!!!
- Feel free to contact us for any queries.
