19 Day Kruger, Lesotho & Garden Route - Small Group Safari
Brief Itinerary
Days 1 to 3: Cheetah Rehabilitation Centre, Kruger National Park Days 4 & 5: Kruger National Park, Johannesburg Days 6 & 7: Lesotho Day 8: Drakensberg Mountains Days 9 & 10: Royal Natal National Park, Battlefields, Dundee Days 11 & 12: Valley of a Thousand Hills, Durban Days 13 & 14: Durban, Wild Coast Days 15 to 17: Addo Elephant National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna Days 18 & 19: Hermanus, Cape Vineyard, Cape TownTour Highlights
- Safari in the world famous Kruger National Park
- Historic South Africa retold on the battlefields of 'Blood River', Rorke's Drift and Talana Hill
- Zulu and Basotho (Lesotho) villages
- Stunning mountain scenery in the Drakensberg Mountains and Royal National Park
- Remote Wild Coast beaches
- Elephant encounters at Addo Elephant Park
- Garden Route adventures
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Cheetah Rehabilitation Centre (Dx1)
Leaving behind Johannesburg we head through the scenic province of Mpumalanga and visit a cheetah rehabilitation centre, a non profit organisation, where we see the remarkable work carried out by volunteers to rehabilitate cheetah and other wildlife. Travelling onwards, we reach a private game reserve bordering the Kruger National Park and our bush lodge accommodation. These comfortable twin share, rustic rooms will ensure a good night's sleep in preparation for our early start the following day. To further help unwind enjoy the evening chatting around the fire as dinner is prepared by our crew.
Days 2 & 3: Kruger National Park (Bx2 / Lx2 / Dx2)
We rise early and transfer into our open safari vehicles for two full days in Kruger National Park. South Africa's flagship game park the 'Kruger' has over 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fused with historical and archaeological sights. With cameras and binoculars at the ready, we explore the untamed wilderness on game drives, and hopefully we will see some of the Big 5 - elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo. The Kruger is home to over 505 species of birds, 148 species of mammals and many reptiles. The impressive atmosphere of the park enables you to understand why it holds such a unique place amongst the world's great game reserves. We spend two nights here and camp within the park; staying in pre erected tents with camper beds and sleeping bag. A typical day will be to rise early for an early game-drive, return to camp for lunch and going out again later in the afternoon.
Whilst in Kruger there is usually the opportunity of taking (at own cost) an 'early evening' game drive to view nocturnal animals in their natural habitat.
Days 4 & 5: Kruger National Park, Johannesburg (Bx1)
We complete our Kruger Park experience with an early morning game drive in the tour mini-bus (not open vehicle) before we exit the park and make our way back to Johannesburg arriving late afternoon/ early evening. We have the following day at leisure in Johannesburg, This is a free day where you have the opportunity (your own expense) to book a tour of Soweto, Gold Reef city, Lion Park or even do a tour to Sun City for the day. Johannesburg has many exciting attractions, restaurants and shopping malls to visit or you may choose to relax at the lodge on this stay over day.
Days 6 & 7: Kingdom of Lesotho (Bx1 / Dx1)
We leave Johannesburg and head south to the mountainous Kingdom of Lesotho. In deeply rural surroundings we explore local villages, meet the Basotho people and experience something of the life of these traditional folk. There is the opportunity to try pony trekking or take a guided walk in the local area - an ideal opportunity to get away from it all and discover something of the local scenery and culture without the frills of the western lifestyle.
Day 8: Drakensberg Mountains (Bx1 / Dx1)
After two nights we cross back into South Africa to the Drakensberg Mountains (Barrier of Spears), a 200 km long world heritage site that separates the Kingdom of Lesotho from South Africa's Kwa-Zulu Natal province. We have time to explore on foot some of the bushman paintings, waterfalls, cliff faces, forest and riverine bush on nature paths that crisscross this area. We then head towards the Royal National Park and overnight in a nearby country lodge.
Days 9 & 10: Royal Natal National Park, Battlefields, Dundee (Bx2 / Dx2)
We enter Royal National Park in the early morning to explore the stunning picturesque surroundings. Highlights here include the Amphitheatre - a 5 km long, 100 metre high rock wall - and the Tuglea Falls, the second highest waterfalls in the world. We then continue to Dundee, gateway to battlefield sites which date from colonial wars involving the English, the Zulu and the Afrikaner settlers - Blood River (Zulu/Afrikaner), Talana Hill (British/Afrikaner), and Rorke's Drift (British/Zulu).
Day 11: Valley of a Thousand Hills, Durban (Bx1)
On our last day we travel through the 'Valley of a 1000 Hills', a stronghold of Zulu villages and culture where we have the chance to learn a little more about this proud warrior culture. Finally we make our way to the Indian Ocean coast and the beaches and bright lights of Durban.
Day 12: Durban (Bx1)
You have this day free at leisure in South Africa's most popular tourist town. You have the opportunity (your own expense) to enjoy the broad sandy beaches, shop for souvenirs, visit the large Indian market or take a tour of one of the biggest harbours and try out some popular eastern foods in fine restaurants of your choice.
Days 13 & 14: Durban, Wild Coast (Bx2 / Dx2)
We leave Durban and continue along the rugged Wild Coast, meet the Xhosa people many of whom are still deeply rooted in their tribal traditions and customs. We have two nights in the charming town of Cintsa on the great Kai River mouth to enjoy beautiful beaches and unspoilt coastline. Optional activities including horse-riding, canoeing and surfing.
Days 15 to 17: Addo Elephant National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna (Bx3 / Dx3)
Addo Elephant National Park marks the beginning of South Africa's 'Garden Route'. It is sanctuary for the 'cape' buffalo, also rhino, antelope and elephant, much of which we hope to see on an afternoon game drive. Further along the coast we visit the Tsitsikamma National Park where steep hardwood forest meets rugged coastline. There is the opportunity to try the highest bungy in the world before we continue to the picturesque town of Knysna for two nights.
Days 18 & 19: Hermanus, Cape Vineyard, Cape Town (Bx2 / Dx1)
We continue along the coast to Hermanus, one of the most attractive and relaxed towns on the Garden Route. The town is known particularly for whale and dolphin watching, often possible from shore, in season. The Western Cape area is famous for its vineyards and we visit a local winery and have the opportunity to sample (and buy) the products! After a pleasant few hours we continue into cosmopolitan Cape Town, one of the world's most picturesque cities, where our tour ends.
