Cape Town to Johannesburg Lodge Safari

Below is the basic day to day brief,

Please note: For 2024 this tour will only be running Southbound (Starting in Johannesburg and finishing in Cape Town).

The Full downloadable Itinerary is at the bottom of this window,

Please download the dossier should you want more detailed information on the route and tour.

Day 1: Cape Whale Route - Hermanus
Leaving Cape Town, our tour begins as we travel along the scenic Cape Whale Route to Hermanus. En route we stop at Stony Point African Penguin Colony. Hermanus is a quaint seaside town well known for its shore based whale watching.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlight: African Penguin Colony, Walk through Stellenbosch, Chocolate & Wine Tasting

Day 2: Route 62 - Oudtshoorn
Today is spent travelling along the scenic R62. This takes us through the Karoo which is in stark contrast to wine regions. The route is renowned as one of South Africa’s most scenic. Oudtshoorn is traditionally ostrich country. In the afternoon we do a guided tour of the Cango Caves.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlight: Cango Caves visit

Day 3: Garden Route
This morning we head down the scenic Outeniqua Pass and onto the green forests and beaches of the Garden Route. We spend the time exploring popular Knysna. We spend the evening in the Plettenberg Bay area – a beautiful and popular holiday town with amazing beaches.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlight: Oudtshoorn to Garden Route

Day 4 & 5: Tsitsikamma - Garden Route
We travel through the Garden Route and set up camp in Storms River village. A visit to the Tsitsikamma National Park is definitely a highlight. This is a beautiful area of South Africa and you have an opportunity to hike along the coast and through indigenous forests. We explore the Bloukrans Canyon and there is an opportunity for those wanting to have the rush of doing the world’s highest bungee jump. There is plenty of time to relax and soak up the incredible scenery or partake in some of the adventure activities available.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlight: Natures Valley, Tsitsikamma National Park Entrance
Optional Activities: Township Tour, Ocean Safaris, Sea Kayaking, Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, Bungee Jump, Treetop Canopy Tours, Woodcutters Journey

Day 6 & 7: Addo Elephant Park
Leaving behind the Garden Route we head towards the Addo Elephant Park, known for its large herds of elephants. En route we stop at Jeffreys Bay - a world famous surfing town. We set up camp outside the park and do our first game drive in the afternoon and enjoy some wildlife viewing. Day 7 has a relaxed start as we can choose to visit Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), return to camp for lunch and in the afternoon, we head off on another game drive and have an opportunity to search for more animals in their natural environment. The Addo Elephant Park is also home to the Big 5 and many other species of wildlife.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Activity: Game Drives, Jeffreys Bay

Day 8: Graaff Reinet – Karoo
We leave the coast and travel across the arid “Karoo”. The Karoo is desolate and dry and popular for its sweeping vistas. Graaff Reinet is one of South Africa’s oldest town and has rich history. We enjoy a visit to for a panoramic view of Desolation Valley.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlight: Valley of Desolation Sundowner Tour

Day 9: Lesotho – Maleala
This morning we head across the Karoo to the “Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho”. Lesotho is an island country in South Africa and home to Southern Africa’s highest mountains. When crossing the border, the local Basotho tribe is recognisable with their traditional blankets and hats. We travel high up into the mountains where we set up camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Lesotho
We begin our day with a hike through the local mountains. Included in the hike is a visit to a local village where we gain insights into local living. There is an opportunity to do some pony trekking on the famous mountain Basotho ponies. A fantastic day of hiking and pony trekking allows one to take in the spectacular mountain views.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activity: Pony Trekking
Included Activities: Lesotho Village visit, Morning Hike

Day 11 & 12: Drakensberg – South Africa
We depart Lesotho and head to the Drakensberg – a range of mountains running across the centre of the country. With spectacular peaks, rivers, waterfalls and Bushman Paintings, the whole area is a hikers paradise and there is a range of hikes to suit all fitness levels.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlights: Guided hike - Drakensberg Mountains, Oliviers Hoek Pass

Day 13: Drakensberg - St Lucia
We depart the mountains and make our way to St Lucia in Zululand. En route we stop at the towering Howick Waterfalls to enjoy the spectacle and take a deserved break. Howick is the place where Nelson Mandela was captured by the Apartheid State. We have a quick stop in Durban before heading north to St Lucia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlight: Howick Falls, Visit Mandela Capture Site

Day 14: Hluhluwe & Imfolozi Game Reserves - St Lucia Wetlands
An early morning start and we begin our first Big 5 open vehicle game drive. The Hluhluwe – Umfolozi game reserve is South Africa’s oldest and home to a large population of both black and white rhinos. This wildlife reserve plays a crucial role in the protection of the endangered rhinos as well as many other animal species. We return to camp for lunch and a welcome rest before enjoying a boat cruise on St Lucia estuary – a World Heritage Site.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlight: Open vehicle game drive & Boat cruise on St Lucia estuary

Day 15 & 16: Eswatini (Swaziland) - Mlilwane Nature Reserve
An early morning start sees us depart Zululand and head to the Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland). Eswatini (Swaziland) is the last country to be ruled by a monarch and many of the Swazi people still practice their rich cultural traditions. We set up camp in Mlilwane Wildlife Reserve where one can relax and enjoy the amenities on offer such as game drives. We enjoy a guided walk through the sanctuary and a visit to a local community.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activities: Swazi cultural encounter, Game Drives, Mountain Biking, Hiking

Day 17: Eswatini (Swaziland) to Kruger National Park
Early morning we cross the border into South Africa and enter the Kruger Park and begin our first Kruger game drive. The Kruger offers an opportunity to see a wide variety of animals with 147 mammal species and 507 different birds in the park you can expect to encounter many animals, including elephants, giraffes, lions and more. Arriving at camp we set up for the night enjoying the calls of the wild.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlight: Kruger Game Drive

Day 18: Kruger National Park - Panorama Route
An early start sees us head off for a day of scenic beauty. We explore the panorama route where we visit some of the popular attractions including the Three Rondavels, (Blyde River Canyon), God’s Window and the Bourke's Luck Potholes. Have your cameras handy.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlights: Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes

Day 19: Kruger National Park
A full day exploring the Kruger Park waits. The Kruger Park is famous for its high concentration of wildlife and with our experienced guides we will explore the many waterholes and vantage points. There is an option to do the game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle or alternatively you can enjoy another exciting day game driving in the overland vehicle. The open vehicles are popular and provide excellent photographic opportunities – have you camera ready.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlight: Open Vehicle Game Drive
Optional Activity: Sunset Drive

Day 20: Kruger Park to Johannesburg – Panorama Route
An early start for those doing the optional morning bush walk. We pack up a final time and head to Johannesburg. Our safari ends in the late afternoon in Johannesburg and travellers are invited to enjoy a trditional South African dinner tonight.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch