Durban to Cape Town via Lesotho Camping Safari

A excellent Budget Camping Safari into Lesotho and along the Garden Route of South Africa, starting in Durban and ending in Cape Town, South Africa.

From Durban we travel into the Drakensberg Mountains where we enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Royal Natal National Park before doing some optional pony trekking in mountainous Lesotho. From Lesotho we drive to the seaside village of Cintsa on the east coast of South Africa to relax on the sandy beaches and participate in optional adventure activities.

Next we go game viewing in Addo Elephant National Park, before driving west along the scenic Garden Route of South Africa, where highlights include Tsitsikamma Park, Plettenberg Bay and Knysna.

Our last stop is the charming town of Stellenbosh in the heart of the Cape Winelands Region, where we do some wine tasting. This memorable Durban to Cape Town via Lesotho Safari comes to an end in Cape Town!

Day 1/2 Durban to Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park

This Budget Camping Safari starts in Durban where you meet your safari guides and fellow travellers, before heading inland to the Drakensberg Mountains.

We leave behind the beautiful beaches of the KwaZulu Natal coastline travelling to the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg or Royal Natal National Park, part of the huge and incredibly scenic Drakensberg Escarpment.

The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in South Africa with peaks at over 3000 metres. Hiking is the most popular activity here and your guides will take you on a lovely hike if you are not already busy with optional activities, such as horse riding, which can be a very satisfying way to explore this mountainous area.

Optional Activities: Horse Riding, Hiking.

Meals:  Breakfast (day 2), Lunch, Dinner

Day 3/4 Lesotho - Malealea

Next we set off early for the impressive drive up to the Lesotho border, where the popular pony trekking excursion (optional) starts.

Before departing we visit a local village and rural primary school. On the optional overnight trek Lesotho villagers will guide you along remote mountain trails with spectacular views. You can also remain at the lodge and relax, or experience an optional shorter ride.

Optional Activities: Pony Trekking Excursion, Hiking.


Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5/6 South Africa – Cintsa

Leaving Lesotho, the ‘Kingdom in the Skies’, behind we cross back into South Africa and travel south to the laid-back village of Cintsa. In the coastal resort town of Cintsa, you can choose to relax, or participate in one of the many optional activities available!

Optional Activities: boat rental, quad bike, abseiling

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Addo Elephant National Park

This unique Eastern Cape Game Park is home to one of the densest concentrations of African elephants on earth. Addo Elephant Park also boasts the ‘Big Seven’(elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark) as the game park includes both land-based and marine habitats. 

Optional Activities: Night Game Drive with SANP.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8/9 Tsitsikamma National Park - Garden Route

After a final early morning game drive we bid farewell to the elephants of Addo Park, pausing at Port Elizabeth’s airport  before continuing along the Garden Route to Tsitsikamma in the afternoon.

The name Tsitsikamma means ‘place of abundant water’ and it does not disappoint, with its lush indigenous forests and dramatic coastline. The famous Otter Trail hike starts in Tsitsikamma and we walk the first few hours of this hike as part of the Activity Package on this safari.

Optional Activities: Bungee Jumping (highest in the world), Treetop Canopy Tour, Hiking

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Garden Route - Knysna / Plettenberg Bay 

A short drive west brings us to the popular seaside resort town of Plettenberg Bay. 

In the afternoon you can choose between relaxing at the resort or taking a short excursion to the charming town of Knysna to explore.

Optional Activities: Knysna Elephant Park, Knysna Lagoon Cruise, Township Tour, Birds of Eden, Monkey World, Predator Rehab, 4x4 Forest Drive.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Oudtshoorn & Cango Caves

Today we travel indland through the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains towards Oudtshoorn where we visit the world-famous Cango Caves. 

The caves contain spectacular halls and grand limestone formations, and a local guide will tell you all about the cave system, which extends for over 4km underground.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Stellenbosch Wine Route

Today we take a scenic drive to Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, taking in some of Route 62 and stopping at Ronnie’s Sex Shop - an interesting country pub and not actually a sex shop at all.  

Stellenbosch forms the heart of the Western Cape’s Wine Region and is the second oldest European settlement in the Western Province of South Africa. As this is the last night on our South Africa Tour we head to a local restaurant for dinner.

Optional Activity: Ostrich Farm Visit, Dinner Out.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13 Cape Town - South Africa

After a leisurely breakfast, we stop at the well-known Spier Wine Estate near Stellenbosch to taste some of South Africa’s finest wines. We also visit the Cheetah Breeding Project to get up close to these beautiful animals.

We then complete the last leg of our Lesotho & Garden Route Safari, ending in the beautiful South African city of Cape Town.

Meals:  Breakfast

Please Note:

This southbound Durban to Cape Town via Lesotho Safari is also available in the reverse order as the Cape Town to Durban Safari via Lesotho starting in Cape Town and ending in Durban.

Looking for other tours to South Africa? View all South Africa Budget Safaris