19-day World In One Country

This safari has it all: exciting wildlife, breath-taking scenery, beautiful beaches and insights into culture and history, including an unforgettable Zulu cultural experience. Travel from Johannesburg towards Kruger National Park, through the Kingdom of Swaziland and onto Zululand and the awesome Drakensberg mountains. Enjoy the white, sandy beaches along the Wild Coast, watching out for dolphins and discovering the Xhosa culture. Continue your journey south through Addo Elephant Park with wonderful game-viewing opportunities, the lush Tsitsikamma Forests, Oudtshoorn's ostriches and the Cango Caves and finally onto Cape Town.  Spend your last few days in the "Mother City" hiking up Table Mountain, visiting Robben Island and savouring the local wines of Stellenbosch.

Highlights: Mpumalanga Panorama Route, Kruger National Park, Swaziland, Zululand, Drakensberg mountains, Garden Route & Karoo, Cape Town.
Group Size: Maximum 10 people
Type of Safari: Semi-participation camping safari
Accommodation: Two options:

2010 Price: This safari comes in 2 versions:

• Standard:           12 nights camping + 6 nights accommodated USD$1845 pp sharing*
• Accommodated :18 nights accommodated USD$2495  pp sharing*

Local payment: ZAR 1,600

Includes: 6 nights in hotels/cabins, 12 nights camping, entrance fees, use of camping equipment (except sleeping bags), transfer in minibus, meals as per itinerary, professional guide, meals as per itinerary.

Excludes: Meals not mentioned in the itinerary, all personal expenses, insurance for luggage, tips, drinks, laundry.

Day 1 - Johannesburg to Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Departing from Johannesburg at 06h30 we head east towards Mpumalanga. A landscape characterized by mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests. We will camp the night in the old gold rush town of Pilgrims Rest, a living museum dating back to 1873. We explore the quaint town visit Mac Mac falls and God's window viewpoint. [LD]

Days 2 & 3 - Kruger National Park, South Africa
Big game country - exciting game drives provide us with excellent game viewing. Spot lion, elephant, rhino and other animals in one of the last African wildernesses. Early morning & afternoon game drives get us close to the wildlife. [BLD BLD]

Days 4 - Kingdom of Swaziland
The mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland, lead by King Mswati III, is one of 3 monarchies in Africa. Swazi's are proud of their traditional lifestyle & cultures. Malalotja borders on the Drakensberg escarpment and we explore the reserve on foot to enjoy the mountain scenery, rare bird life, and the 95 m high Malalotja waterfall. Overnight in log cabins with fantastic panoramic views. [BLD]

Days 5 & 6 - Zululand, South Africa
After visiting craft markets near Mbabane, we re-enter South Africa. Mkuzi Game Reserve is a safe haven for the endangered black rhino. We have an afternoon and the following morning to do game drives in our vehicle and stop at hides and waterholes to watch game come down to drink. The following afternoon we visit a local Zulu village to learn about their culture, traditions and lifestyle. [BLD BLD]

Days 7 - Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa
Moving further south to the base of the Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains). We have two nights here in chalets allowing time for walking along beautiful mountain stream paths, looking for Bushman rock paintings or just enjoying spectacular views. [BLD]

Day 8 - Sani Pass
Early this morning we explore the picturesque Drakensberg Mountains on a short guided walk. Afterwards we make our way up the scenic Sani Pass in direction of Lesotho. The Sani Pass is a spectacular mountain road that is a well-known entry point into Lesotho from. It is the gateway to the ‘Roof of Africa' scenic route that links the spectacular scenery of the Drakensberg with the mountains of northern Lesotho. [BLD]

Days 9 & 10 - Lesotho
Today we cross the border into Lesotho and make our way down the Sani Pass along an adventurous 4x4 route towards the western border of Lesotho. After a long day we arrive at Malealea Lodge, where we spend two nights. Malealea is situated in a remote part of Western Lesotho that is breathtaking in its beauty. This is a chance to experience traditional Basotho life. On Day 10 we enjoy pony trekking through the magnificent landscapes that Lesotho has to offer. [BLD]

Days 11 - Cradock
We leave the beauty of Lesotho behind us and cross the border back into South Africa. We drive to the historical Karoo town of Cradock. Founded in 1814 as a frontier stronghold, the town is an important agricultural centre with traditional Karoo hospitality, situated close to natural sulphur springs. [BLD]

Day 12 & 13 - Addo Elephant National Park
A conservation success, Addo Elephant N.P. offers a unique wildlife area, famous for the Addo elephants. We head out on game drives in search of elephant, black rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard. Evening viewing at the floodlit waterhole allows us to watch the nocturnal animals. [BLD BLD].

Days 14 & 15 - Tsitsikamma, South Africa
Indigenous Tsitsikamma forests surround the campsite at Storms River mouth, and there are walks up the Storms River Gorge and along the rocky coastline. There is an option of world's highest bungi jump (own expense). Whale watching in season (July to November). [BLD]

Day 16 - Karoo, South Africa
After visiting 'The Heads' in Knysna, a town nestled on a tranquil lagoon we travel over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo. In Oudtshoorn we tour an ostrich farm where the more adventurous can ride one of these huge birds. We camp outside Oudtshoorn and enjoy our final night under Africa's starry skies. Optional tour of Cango Caves (own expense). [BLD]

Days 17 & 18 - Cape Town, South Africa
Visit Stellenbosch, for wine tasting and a cellar tour. Explore Cape Town and the 'Mother City's' many attractions; visit Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope, Chapman's Peak drive, the harbour at Hout Bay, enjoy the famous beaches and the V&A Waterfront. Optional visit to Robben Island (own expense). Meals at a variety of local restaurants (own expense). [B]

Day 19 - Cape Town, South Africa
We climb Table Mountain in the morning admiring the views over Table Bay and Cape Town. Spend the afternoon catching up on last minute curio shopping or just lazing on the beach absorbing the Cape's sunshine. Tour ends at +/-18h00. [B]