South African Safari - Southbound

A comprehensive camping safari into South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, starting in Johannesburg and ending in Cape Town, South Africa.

Departing from Johannesburg we travel via the scenic Panorama Route to the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Then we explore the vast Kruger National Park, South Africa's premier game reserve, on exhilarating game drives.

From there it's off to Swaziland to hike in Mlilwane Nature Reserve and experience traditional Swazi dancing, before crossing back into South Africa to visit the diverse iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the prestigious Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park.

Stopping over in 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 Cintsa on the east coast of South Africa to relax on the sandy beaches. Next we embark on game viewing drives in Addo Elephant National Park, before driving west along the well-known Garden Route of South Africa.

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 South African Safari comes to an end in Cape Town!

Day 1 Johannesburg to Panorama Route - South Africa

Leaving the bustling city of Johannesburg we travel east along the Panorama Route, into one of the most scenic parts of South Africa. Driving along the Panorama Route we stop to admire the spectacular views at Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon, including God’s Window and the Three Rondavels. 

On the first evening of this South African Camping Safari we will enjoy a traditional Shangaan Dinner with dancing. 

Meals:  Lunch, Dinner

Day 2/3 Kruger National Park

On day two we get up early to visit the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre where injured or lost animals are rehabilitated for release back into the wild. This is a wonderful opportunity for close encounters with rare and special wildlife species, as well as a great chance to learn about the positive achievements of the wildlife centre.

After visiting the the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre we make our way to the world-famous Kruger Park and immediately embark on an afternoon game drive. On day three of the South African Safari we spend a full day game viewing in Kruger Park from the vantage of our elevated safari truck. 

Optional Activities (Subject to availability): Night Drive and/or Game Walk with SANP, full day open vehicle game drive in Kruger National Park.

Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4/5 Swaziland - Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

We take one last rewarding game drive in Kruger Park on our way out of the vast game park. En route from Kruger to Swaziland we stop at one of the interesting local markets.

The Kingdom of Swaziland is a landlocked country bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. We spend the next two nights in the Mlilwane Nature Reserve.

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is Swaziland's oldest wildlife park and covers 4,560 hectares. There are no large predators in this wilderness area so we get to safely explore the park on foot, following one of the numerous of hiking trails in Mlilwane. Hiking is an excellent way of getting up close to the local flora and fauna and comes highly recommended.  In addition to the beautiful scenery we also have traditional Swazi dancing to look forward to after dinner.

Optional Activities: Mountain Biking, Hiking, Guided Birding walks, Horse Riding and Sunset Game Drive.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 South Africa – Isimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park

Leaving Swaziland we take a scenic drive back into South Africa making our way towards the warm Indian Ocean coast. After settling in at our next stop, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, we embark on a relaxing sunset boat cruise on the lagoon for some bird and hippo viewing!  

Greater St Lucia Park, a UNESCO recognised area, covers extremely varied habitats including: lakes, beaches, coral reefs, wetlands, woodlands, coastal forests and grasslands together supporting an astounding diversity of wild animal, bird and marine life.

Optional activities: Tradtional Zulu village visit.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Hluhluwe - Imfolozi Game Reserve and Durban

In the morning we drive to the prestigious Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve for an exhilarating game drive in open 4x4 safari vehicles. 

Hluhluwe and Imfolozi together make up one of Kwa-Zulu Natals best National Parks and provides a home to the world's largest population of White Rhinos as well as being known for its hippo population. We explore  Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, the only state-run park in the province of KwaZulu-Natal where all Big Five occur, before heading to Durban on the sunny east coast of South Africa.

In the late afternoon we arrive in the coastal city of Durban, South Africa’s largest marine port and well-known surfing destination. 

The evening can be spent enjoying authentic Indian cuisine as Durban is also home to the largest population of Indian descendents outside of India.

Optional Activities: Dinner out at local Indian Restaurant

Meals:  Breakfast

Day 8/9 Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park

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

The Drakensberg is South Africa’s highest mountain range 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, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10/11 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 12/13 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 14 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 15/16 Garden Route - Tsitsikamma National Park 

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 17 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 18 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 19 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 20 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 journey through South Africa, ending in the beautiful city of Cape Town.

Meals:  Breakfast

Please Note:

This southbound South African Camping Safari is also available in the reverse order as a South African Safari - Northbound, starting in Cape Town and ending in Johannesburg.

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