14 Day Kruger to Cape Town - Southern Africa Small Group Safari
A 14-day safari taking you through many of South Africa's major highlights. From Kruger National Park to Cape Town we cross this wonderfully diverse country, absorbing nature and culture at its best.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Blyde River Canyon, Burke's Luck Potholes, Three Rondavels, Private Game Reserve Day 2 Kruger National Park Days 3 & 4: Swaziland Day 5: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve Days 6 & 7: St Lucia, Durban Day 8 & 9: Cintsa, Wild Coast Day 10: Addo Elephant National Park Days 11 & 12: Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna Day 13: Hermanus Day 14: Winelands, Cape TownTour Highlights
- Mpumalanga Province - Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes & Three Rondavels
- Kruger National Park
- Swaziland - Mlilwane National Park
- Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve
- St Lucia
- Durban
- Wild Coast
- Addo Elephant Coast National Park
- Tsitsikamma National Park
- Knysna
- Hermanus
- Winelands
- Cape Town
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Three Rondavels, Private Game Reserve (D)
Leaving Johannesburg we head through the scenic province of Mpumalanga, stopping at spectacular Blyde River Canyon to admire the view, and at the 'Three Rondavels'. Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world and we descend a little way into it to view the perfectly rounded 'potholes' formed by erosion from the Blyde River. We stop again for the view over the low veld before descending the escarpment and travelling to our lodge located in a private reserve beside Kruger National Park. A recent development in the 'Greater Kruger' was to dismantle the fences between the national park and surrounding private game concessions allowing wildlife to migrate freely throughout the entire area.
Day 2: Kruger National Park (B / D)
We rise early to enter into the Kruger National Park. This is South Africa's flagship park with over two million hectares of unrivalled wildlife diversity as well as historical and archaeological sites. We explore the wilderness hoping to catch sight of the 'Big 5' (elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo), but Kruger contains more than just the larger mammals. Indeed it is home to over 500 species of birds, 100 species of mammals and reptiles.
The impressive park allows you to understand why Kruger holds such an important place amongst the world's great game reserves. A typical day is to leave camp early, game drive until mid morning, then stop at a rest camp (inside the park) for lunch. After resting we venture out again in the late afternoon, when wildlife is usually more active, before finally we exit the park at around sunset and return to our Lodge.
Days 3 & 4: Swaziland (B)
We leave South Africa and travel into Swaziland, where we head for the capital, Mbabane, visiting a local glass works factory en route. We continue through this mountainous landlocked kingdom sandwiched snugly between Mozambique and South Africa and spend two nights in the 'Big Game' Parks area. We visit the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and Royal Enclosure and have time to browse local craft markets in this rich cultural country.
Day 5: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve (B / D)
After a relaxed morning we cross back into South Africa and make our way to the well known Hluhluwe/Umfolozi game reserve, this is South Africa's oldest game reserve and we spend the afternoon searching for some wildlife in the reserve. We spend the night nearby at a secluded lodge.
Days 6 & 7: St Lucia, Durban (B / D)
We rise early and visit a local village to gain some insight into the Zulu culture, before continuing to the wild beaches and natural beauty of St Lucia. There is usually an option to enjoy a boat cruise here and to see the wildlife of this World Heritage site before we drive down the coast to the bright lights and beaches of Durban, South Africa's largest port and premier beach resort.
Days 8 & 9: Wild Coast - Cintsa
We leave Durban early and travel though one of the less visited areas of South Africa, the Wild Coast. Formerly known as the Transkei, this area is sparsely populated but rich in culture and inhabited mainly by the Xhosa people. We have two nights in beautiful Cinsta, the jewel in the Eastern Cape's crown. Situated on the beach we have a full day to enjoy a range of optional typically available in the area - e.g. surfing, horse riding, canoeing, day safaris to a local reserve. This is a delightful place to relax and enjoy South Africa natural beauty.
Day 10: Addo Elephant National Park (B / D)
Today we continue our journey south, making our way to Addo Elephant National Park. The park has undergone considerable expansion in recent years and from its humble beginnings of less than a dozen elephants, the park now boasts over 400 individual elephants! We game drive - in addition to elephant, Addo contains lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and various types of antelope and buck. Given the relative flatness of the park, and the well positioned waterholes, the likelihood of seeing a variety of game is normally good.
Days 11 & 12: Tsitsikamma National Park (B / D)
Our last port of call in Eastern Province is Tsitsikamma where you may like to take an optional hike along scenic mountain paths giving spectacular views over the Ocean - and the chance of glimpsing wildlife in the dense forest (and in the ocean). From the duiker (a small antelope) to dolphin and otter - the variety of wildlife attracted to this area is delightful. The following day we enter the Western Province and the pretty seaside town of Knysna. There is a variety of many optional activities typically available here - or else simply relax, enjoy an oyster or two while trying some of South Africa's famous wines.
Day 13: Hermanus (B / D)
We continue to Hermanus, another attractive and relaxed town on the coastal route, known particularly for dolphin and whale-watching which whilst seasonal is often possible from the shore. At any time of year this is an ideal place to relax and enjoy a beautiful part of the coastline.
Day 14: Winelands, Cape Town (B)
Our last day on tour we visit a winery to learn more about some of South Africa's famous wines and enjoy some wine tasting. Finally we continue to South Africa's 'mother city', Cape Town where our tour finishes on arrival.
