20 Day South Africa Accommodated Overland Safari

This accommodated overland safari starts in the South African city of Johannesburg. View Blyde River Canyon, God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes, and enter Kruger National Park. Cross the border into Swaziland, to Mlilwane Nature Reserve. Re-enter South Africa to explore iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve.

Travel to Royal Natal National Park, part of the Drakensberg escarpment. Enter Lesotho for pony trekking with local guides. Drive to Hogsback and visit Addo Elephant National Park. Experience the Tsitsikamma National Park in Bloukrans.

Relax on the Plettenberg Bay beaches, and travel through the Outeniqua Mountains, towards Oudtshoorn and the Cango Caves. In Stellenbosch, stop at some wine farms. Visit the Cheetah Breeding Project and end this Southern African tour in Cape Town.

Day 1: Panorama Route – South Africa

Welcome to South Africa! We depart from Johannesburg on day one of the South Africa Accommodated Overland Safari taking a drive in one of the most scenic areas of South Africa, along the Panorama Route.

We will have a short briefing before we embark on our scenic drive through Mpumalanga and the Lowveld. Stops will include Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the breathtaking God's Window. We overnight at Timbavati Lodge, on a basis of two people per room, with an en suite bathroom per room.

Meals include lunch and dinner.

Day 2 - 3: Kruger National Park – South Africa

In the early morning we drive to Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where animals are prepared for release into the wild. After this educational wildlife excursion you can prepare yourself for the ultimate safari experience in the world famous Kruger National Park. The southern area of the park guarantees excellent wildlife sightings and you might even spot all of Africa's Big Five. Accommodation is based on two people sharing a room at Skukuza or one of the other SANP sites in Kruger.

Optional Activity: Take an optional night game drive to explore the area in the dark. Seek out the Kruger Park's nocturnal animals - they are sure to amaze you. The South African National Park (SANP) rangers accompanying you are highly trained to make your experience all the more memorable. Take an optional game walk to get a closer look at the African bush and its amazing wildlife.

Meals include breakfast; lunch and dinner.

Day 4 - 5: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary – Swaziland

We cross the Swaziland border shortly after our departure from Kruger National Park on day four of this affordable safari. Your next two nights will be spent in Mlilwane Nature Reserve. We explore the wonderful sights and scenery in the area on foot, spotting wildlife in the safety of this reserve without predators. Afterwards we engage in the unique cultural experience of watching traditional Swazi dancers perform. Our overnight stay is in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, where we stay two people per Beehive Hut.

Optional Activities: Horse riding, mountain biking, game viewing and hiking.

Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 6: iSimangaliso (St. Lucia) Wetland Park – South Africa

Our next destination is the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, formerly known as Greater St. Lucia Wetlands. In the afternoon we explore the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and take a sunset cruise on Lake St Lucia's lagoon - a world heritage site. The lake is connected to the warm Indian Ocean and hippopotami as well as crocodiles can often be seen here. This wilderness area incorporates highly varied habitats, including wetlands, lakes, coral reefs, beaches, woodlands, grasslands and coastal forests that support an impressive diversity of wild animals, birds and marine species. Accommodation is at Lake St. Lucia Villas with two people per room in shared apartments. The rooms are en suite and Lake St. Lucia Villas has a swimming pool for guests to enjoy.

Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 7: Hluhluwe - Imfolozi Game Reserve & Durban – South Africa

Today we depart for the coastal city of Durban. En-route we visit the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve for a guided game drive. The park is the only place in KwaZulu Natal where you can find Africa's Big Five and is home to the world's largest population of white rhino. 

Durban is a popular surfing destination with beautiful beaches. The city has a distinct culture, with strong eastern influences owing to the large Indian population living there. We are to arrive in the port city of Durban in the late afternoon where you will have a choice between some exciting optional activities.

Optional Activities: Dinner and night out on the town in Durban.

Meals include breakfast; lunch.

Day 8 - 9: Drakensberg Mountains – South Africa

In the morning we drive towards the Royal Natal National Park. The park lies inland in the beautiful Drakensberg escarpment area, where the highest peak's in South Africa are found. There are optional activities for all moods and interests. Our overnight accommodation is at the Drakensville Berg Resort, with two people sharing per room.

Optional Activities: Horse riding; Hiking and a short guided hike to view Bushman rock art is very popular.

Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 10 - 11:  Malalealea – Lesotho

On day ten of this accommodated safari we make our way to our next Southern African destination, Lesotho. The drive is long but the breathtaking scenery makes time fly by. Pony trekking is highly recommended in these parts but it requires an early morning of all participants. Lesotho villagers take you on a guided trail through remote areas. The scenery is spectacular and you will definitely want to take photographs of your excursion. There are more relaxing activities available at the lodge such as a visit to the local craft market or the village school, as well as hiking. We stay at Malealea Lodge, two per room, for the night in Lesotho.

Meals included are Breakfast, Lunch and dinner.

Day 12 - 13: Hogsback – South Africa

Next we head for the charming village of Hogsback, set in the picturesque Amatola Mountains of the Eastern Cape. Hogsback lies south of Lesotho in South Africa, hidden in a fairytale area of indigenous forests, streams and waterfalls. You can take a relaxed hike in the surrounding forest or engage in some of the other activities offered in the area (your guides will provide more information on these activities). We stay at the Kings Lodge in Hogsback overnight, with two people per room.

Optional Activities: Horse riding and mountain biking.

Day 14: Addo Elephant National Park – South Africa

Addo is home to more than 450 elephants, one of the highest concentrations of African Elephants in the world. At the end of 2003 lion and leopard were also introduced and today Addo is a Big Five game park. The park is also inhabited by black rhino, antelope and Cape Buffalo. The elephants are a fantastic highlight and you can be sure of superb photographic opportunities. We will stay two per en suite room in Addo Elephant Park, where facilities include a shop and restaurant.

Meals included are breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 15 - 16: Tsitsikamma National Park – South Africa

An early morning game drive brings our stay in Addo to an end. We drive along the sunshine coast stopping at Bloukrans bridge for an optional bungee jump at the world's highest commercial bungee operation. We continue on to Tsitsikamma National Park an unspoilt scenic wilderness area where the dramatic coastline meets indigenous forests. Accommodation is in Tsitsikamma Forest Cabins with two people sharing a room in a cabin for four to six.
 
Optional Activities: Highest Bungee Jumping in the world; Treetop Canopy Tour, Hiking.

Meals included are breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 17: Plettenberg Bay – South Africa

Today we drive the short distance to the popular holiday destination of Plettenberg Bay further along the coast. You can relax at the Knysna Lagoon en route, or take a walk through this quaint town. We stay at the Keurbooms Protea Hotel overnight sharing en suite rooms, two people per room. The hotel has hot showers, a bar and a swimming pool.

Optional Activities: Knysna Lagoon Cruise, Dinner Out.

Meals included are breakfast and lunch.

Day 18: Oudtshoorn – South Africa

We drive through the Outeniqua Mountains on our way to the ostrich capital of South Africa. We have an included visit to the Cango Caves planned and in the afternoon you will have the option of visiting an ostrich farm. The Cango Caves consist of a series of vast unerground caves and tunnels featuring impressive limestone formations. We will be accompanied by a local guide who will inform you about this unique cave system. We stay at Kleinplaas Holiday Resort, sharing rooms two per room. Rooms are en suite at Kleinplaas, which has a restaurant and hot showers.

Optional Activities: Ostrich Farm visit and Ostrich Riding.

Meals included are breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Day 19: Stellenbosch Wine Route – South Africa

Our next stop, Stellenbosch, is home to some of the world's best award-winning wines. The picturesque wine farms are a must-see and today you can indulge in their entire splendor! In the evening we visit a local restaurant for dinner (optional activity) as a goodbye treat. We stay two per room at Cultivar Guest Lodge in the heart of the famous Western Cape Windelands.

Optional Activity: Meal-out

Meals included are breakfast and lunch.

Day 20: Cape Town – South Africa

We enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we go to a wine farm to taste some of the area's superb wines. After a visit to the Cheetah Breeding Project the tour ends at our office on Greenmarket Square, in Cape Town.

Breakfast is included.

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