Sensational South Africa Southbound - 19 days

19 days
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Small Group Tour
SMALL GROUP LODGE SAFARI: Discover the highlights of South Africa and the kingdoms of Eswatini and Lesotho as you journey south from Johannesburg to Cape Town over 19 incredible days. Spot the Big Five in Kruger National Park, journey along the picturesque Garden Route, and relax in the UNESCO-listed Drakensberg Mountains. Explore iSimangaliso Wetland Park, ...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Kruger National Park - Search for the Big Five and other iconic African wildlife during a three-night stay in South Africa's premier national park
    • Eswatini - Discover rare wildlife on foot or horseback as we explore Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and visit a local Swazi market
    • iSimangaliso Wetland Park - Spot rhinos and hippos in this diverse wetland reserve, explore the landscape on a 4X4 safari, and enjoy snorkelling at the coast
    • Drakensberg - Spend two nights in the scenic Drakensberg Mountains, with time for guided hikes to visit the impressive amphitheatre cliff face
    • Lesotho - Explore this mountain kingdom independently, with optional village walks and pony trekking amongst the dramatic scenery
    • Cradock - Stay in a Victorian-era Tuishuise, former craftsmen's houses that are now popular with visitors to the colonial town on the edge of the Great Karoo
    • The Garden Route - Admire some of the world's most beautiful scenery as you travel along a stretch of this gorgeous coastline, taking in Knysna and Tsitsikamma
    • Cape Town - End your journey in South Africa's 'Mother City' - take in the Cape Peninsula and ride the cable car to the summit of Table Mountain

What's this trip about?

    SMALL GROUP LODGE SAFARI: Discover the highlights of South Africa and the kingdoms of Eswatini and Lesotho as you journey south from Johannesburg to Cape Town over 19 incredible days. Spot the Big Five in Kruger National Park, journey along the picturesque Garden Route, and relax in the UNESCO-listed Drakensberg Mountains. Explore iSimangaliso Wetland Park, ride the cable car to Table Mountain and visit the frontier town of Cradock.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityJohannesburg
End CityCape Town

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Attractions

  • Cape Town
  • Johannesburg
  • Knysna
  • Knysna
  • Kruger National Park
  • Tsitsikamma National Park

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 16

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • 18 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 8 dinners
    • 18 nights mid-range (3-4 star) lodges, hotels, and chalets with ensuite facilities
    • Airport arrival and departure transfers in Johannesburg and Cape Town
    • One late afternoon and one full day game drive in Kruger National Park
    • Panorama Route full day excursion
    • Full day iSimangaliso Wetland Park excursion with snorkelling
    • Cape Peninsula full day tour and Table Mountain cable car ride
    • Escorted by a licensed African tour guide, who is also your driver
    • Transportation in a 16-seater Mercedes Sprinter vehicle (with comfortable reclining seats, air-conditioning, USB ports and sliding windows)
    • Park entrance fees

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day : 1 Johannesburg

Welcome to South Africa! You will be met at O.R. Tambo Airport and transferred to our hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day : 2 Johannesburg

Johannesburg - Hazyview. We depart Johannesburg at 08:00 and set off on our journey to Hazyview, gateway to Kruger National Park. Travelling along the scenic Panorama Route we stop to see the spectacular Blyde River Canyon, enjoy the view from God's Window, and visit ...

Day : 3-4 Kruger National Park

Kruger is the largest game reserve in South Africa, home to the Big Five, as well as numerous other species of fauna and flora. Day 3 is spent on safari in Kruger National Park. We have a full-day game drive in open 4x4 vehicles, meaning we will hopefully see plenty of Kruger's incredible wildlife. The following day we go in search of the Big Five again on a late afternoon game drive.

Day : 5 Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Hazyview - Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (Eswatini). Today we explore one of the two landlocked countries surrounded by South African territory. Eswatini was formerly known as Swaziland until 2018. We'll be exploring Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, the country's premier wi...

Day : 6-7 St Lucia

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary - iSimangaliso Wetland Park (South Africa). Day 6 sees us travelling through the Zululand region of South Africa, arriving at the small coastal town of St Lucia in the afternoon. St Lucia is the base for exploring iSimangaliso Wetland Park,...

Day : 8-9 Drakensberg Mountains

iSimangaliso Wetland Park - Drakensberg. We journey into the Drakensberg Mountains on day 8. The scenery here is spectacular even by South African standards, and our lodge is located near the amphitheatre, regarded as one of the most impressive cliff faces on Earth. T...

Day : 10-11 Malealea

Drakensberg - Lesotho. You can tick another country off your bucket list as we travel through the Eastern Cape and cross into the mountainous Kingdom of Lesotho on day 10. Our time here is free for you to explore and enjoy optional activities including village walks and pony trekking.

Day : 12 Cradock

Lesotho - Cradock (South Africa). Today we journey back across the border into South Africa and continue to the historic town of Cradock. This frontier town is located on the edge of the Great Karoo desert and is best known for Die Tuishuise, a collection of around 30...

Day : 13 Tsitsikamma National Park

Cradock - Tsitsikamma. Today we begin our epic journey along the picturesque Garden Route, home to some of South Africa's best scenery. Our first stop is Tsitsikamma Forest, where there's time for walking or relaxing at our lodge. The Tsitsikamma Forest is a protected coastal reserve, known for its lush indigenous forests and impressive coastline.

Day : 14-15 Knysna

Tsitsikamma - Knysna. Leaving the Tsitsikamma Forest behind we continue along the world-famous Garden Route to Knysna, a small town situated on the coast and nestled among some of the world's finest scenery. Along the way, we pass lush lakes, verdant forests, and idyl...

Day : 16-18 Cape Town

Knysna - Cape Town. Day 16 sees us complete our South African journey, travelling on to Cape Town, perhaps the country's most famous destination. We have two whole days to explore the city and surrounding area. On day 17 there's an included guided tour of the Cape ...

Day : 19 Cape Town

Today your tour comes to an end. Tuck into breakfast at the hotel before your included airport departure transfer.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,385
Price per day$126
Last Updated: 1/6/2025

All departures are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 persons. This safari has a maximum group size of 16. The 'Twin Share' price is per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. The 'Single Room' price is applicable to all solo travellers, or if your booking party cannot reach the minimum of 2 persons in a room. Single Rooms can also be booked by any other person wanting the comfort and privacy of their own room.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with On The Go Tours.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International flights and visas
    • Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
    • Optional activities
    • Local payment - ZAR 3500, paid locally in cash

Accommodation

Mid-range lodges, hotels and chalets
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Average age 40s - 70s but flexible age policy. Minimum age 10.If travelling with children parents need to be aware of the very long driving days (distances noted in the trip notes). Rooms for families - one child up to 17 yrs old can share a room with 2 adults. We have child rates for 12 and under. Children 13 + pay full price.     IMPORTANT: South Africa and Botswana regulations aimed at fighting child trafficking:'All parents travelling with children into or out of SA and/or Botswana may be asked to show the child’s unabridged (full) birth certificate, and where only one parent is accompanying, parental or legal consent for the child to travel (eg an affidavit from the other parent, a court order or – if applicable – a death certificate). Tell pax they must contact the South African High Commission, South African Department of Home Affairs and/or the Botswana High Commission for the most up to date information.
Additional Information
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Trip ID
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