Day 1 – Kwa Zulu Natal Coast – UKhahlamba Drakensberg Park

Running the length of the Kwazulu-Natal province, the Ukuhlamba Drakensberg Park is a UNESCO recognised world heritage site. Whether you go by the Zulu name uKhahlamba, meaning ‘barrier of spears’, or the Afrikaans name Drakensberge, meaning ‘dragon mountains’, these towering mountains will be our backdrop for the next two nights. On our way we make a short stop to view the scenic Howick Falls and a visit to the nearby site that marked the capture of South Africa’s most famous man, Nelson Mandela.

Accommodation:

Monks Cowl; www.goodersonleisure.co.za/gooderson-monks-cowl-golf-resort
or
The Nest; www.thenest.co.za

Accommodated: Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Durban to Drakensberg
Meals: Dinner
Included Highlight: Visit to the Mandela Capture Site, visit Howick Falls

Day 2 – UKhahlamba Drakensberg Park

We set out this morning for a day of hiking to explore the mountains of the Drakensberg, along our way we will have the opportunity to view examples of San rock art with a local guide at Battles Cave. While we encourage everyone to make the most of the day in the mountains, we may offer separate options depending on the activity level of the group. With a number of trails available we can ensure that we cater to every need, the most important aim is to ensure everyone enjoys this mountain paradise at their own pace.

Accommodation:

Monks Cowl; www.goodersonleisure.co.za/gooderson-monks-cowl-golf-resort
or
The Nest; www.thenest.co.za

Accommodated: Two per Room with En-suites Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Hike with your guide in Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg National Park

Day 3 – Lesotho – Malealea

Our journey today begins with a mountain pass and an opportunity to visit a Vulture restaurant where we hope to view these fascinating birds. Our route winds its way through the magnificent cliffs off the Golden Gate National Park before we enter Lesotho in the afternoon, we pass the capital city of Maseru as we continue the climb to our base high amongst the mountain peaks.

Accommodation: Malealea Lodge; www.malealea.com
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom
Camping: Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Drakensberg to Malealea Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Drive through Golden Gate, Visit to Vulture restaurant

Day 4 – Lesotho – Malealea

The clean air of the mountains accompanies us this morning as we explore the mountains on foot, our hike concludes with a village visit and the opportunity to gain insight into the community that calls these mountains home. The Basotho are famous for their traditional hats, blankets and their sturdy ponies. Basotho ponies are renowned for their surefootedness in the mountains and you have the opportunity of an optional pony trek this afternoon to experience this first-hand.  This activity is not for the inexperienced or faint-hearted.

Accommodation: Malealea Lodge www.malealea.com
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom
Camping:

Tsitsikamma Cottages http://www.tsitsikamma.net/
or
Tube n Axe http://tubenaxe.co.za/ Tsitsikamma

Accommodated: Two per Room with en-suite bathrooms
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Morning hike, Lesotho Village Visit
Optional Activity: Pony Trekking, Additional Hiking Options

Day 5 – South Africa – Graaff Reinet

Returning to South Africa, we descend the mountains and take aim across the Great Karoo. The semi-arid Karoo represents the heartland of rural South Africa and presents a stark contrast to the mountains we leave behind. Our overnight stop is set in the historic town of Graaff-Reinet, the fourth oldest town in the country. We cross the mighty Orange (Gariep) River today as we journey through the vast countryside of the Karoo. This evening you will have the opportunity to join a sundowner excursion to the Valley of Desolation. This unique valley offers a panoramic view over the town and the wide open plains stretching out below. Kindly note that during the winter months, this activity will become a Sunrise excursion to the Valley of Desolation the following morning.

Accommodation: Profcon Resort; www.profconresort.co.za
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Malealea to Graaff Reinet

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

Day 6 – Greater Addo Elephant National Park Area

Setting course for the coast once again, we pass through the open plains of the Karoo and the wildlife charms of the Addo National Park. Upon arrival in the greater Addo region, we set up camp and head to the National Park to enjoy an afternoon game drive in our overland truck, in search of the famous elephants that call Addo home.

Accommodation: Kudu Ridge Lodge; www.kuduridge.co.za
Accommodated: Two per permanent tent with En-suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Graaff Reinet to Addo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Afternoon game drive in Addo National Park (the overland truck

Day 7 – Greater Addo Elephant National Park Area

This morning you will have the option to visit Port Elizabeth before returning to camp for lunch. In the afternoon we visit Addo, famed for the elephants after which the park was named. Recent expansion has seen Addo grow to become the third largest of South Africa’s National Parks. The unique vegetation of Addo supports a wide variety of wildlife and we will spend the afternoon in search of the animals that call Addo home.

Accommodation: Kudu Ridge Lodge; www.kuduridge.co.za
Accommodated: Two per permanent tent with En-suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Afternoon game drive in Addo NP (in the truck)

Day 8 – Tsitsikamma National Park

Setting out early this morning we make a brief visit to the surfing mecca of Jeffreys Bay.  Most famous for its breakers, this little town is also home to a small Surfing Museum. We then turn west to the Tsitiskamma region where we set up for the next two nights and where the wonders of the Garden Route await.

Accommodation: Tsitsikamma
Accommodated:

Tsitsikamma Cottages; www.tsitsikamma.net 
or
Tsitsikamma Village Inn; www.tsitsikammavillageinn.co.za

Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Addo Proximity to Tsitsikamma
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Jeffreys Bay Stop-over

Day 9 – Tsitsikamma National Park

Tsitsikamma National Park is one of South Africa’s premier marine reserves and this morning we set out to explore the rugged coastline on foot. Our hike along the Waterfall Trail sees us cover the first section of the world renowned Otter Trail. This is not an easy hike and those who prefer a more leisurely option can make use of the boardwalks to the Storms River Mouth. We return after our hike and you will have the opportunity to book the Woodcutters Journey in the afternoon – experiencing the uniqueness of the Tsitsikamma biome and learning about the history of the area and its indigenous fauna & flora.

Accommodation: Tsitsikamma
Accommodated:

Tsitsikamma Cottages; www.tsitsikamma.net 
or
Tsitsikamma Village Inn; www.tsitsikammavillageinn.co.za

Camping: Campsites with Shared Ablutions

Tsitsikamma Cottages; www.tsitsikamma.net

or

Tube n Axe tubenaxe.co.za

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Highlight: Tsitsikamma National Park entrance to hike with your overland Guide

Optional Activities: Woodcutters Journey tour, Treetop Canopy Tours and more

Day 10 – Heart of the Garden Route

The Garden Route is a treasure trove of beautiful beaches, forest walks and an exciting menu of optional adventures. While our morning is set aside for an exploration of Nature’s Valley, this beautiful village offers us a chance to enjoy a hike or simply relax on the pristine beach in this paradise. We end the afternoon on the beautiful beaches of the Keurbooms Lagoon. Today offers a number of optional activities and your guide will assist you with a plan to get the most out the day, the truck will run a set schedule of pick-ups and drop-offs giving you the freedom to join or leave at the places of most interest to you.

Accommodation: Malealea Lodge; www.malealea.com
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Tsitsikamma to Wilderness

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights: Morning Visit to Natures Valley
Optional Activity: Bungee Jumping, Birds of Eden, Monkey Town

Day 11 – Oudtshoorn

We make our way inland, crossing the Outeniqua Mountains and descend to the town of Oudtshoorn.  We head to the famous Cango caves to enjoy a guided tour where we marvel at the astonishing formations that have formed in these impressive limestone caves.

Accommodation: Kleinplaas Holiday Resort; www.kleinplaas.co.za 

Accommodated: Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Wilderness to Oudtshoorn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Cango Caves Basic Tour

Day 12 – Route 62 – Hermanus

Travelling through the valley of the Klein Karoo, we follow the winding tarmac of Route 62. Road trips in South Africa are an exploration of the rural highlights that dot the lesser known byways of the land. No journey would be complete without sampling the offerings of a “Padstal” along the way. These small farm stalls offer a selection of homemade treats and bakes and are an important cog in the economies of rural towns. One of the more quirky highlights today is Ronnie’s Sex Shop, not a sex shop at all, but a rather interesting country pub!

Accommodation: Windsor Hotel; windsorhotel.co.za
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom
Camping: Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Stop at Ronnie’s Sex Shop

Day 13 – The Cape Whale Coast Route

Made up of a collection of villages, farms, rivers, bays, coves and valleys, the Cape Whale Coast is a pristine stretch of the South African coastline which runs from the town of Rooiels for roughly 150km, to the east.  Beginning early, we will have a short time to stroll along the boardwalk in Hermanus in search of the southern right whales that frequent the shores in the months of July to November. Next we stop at the largest breeding colony of the African Penguin, Stony Point Nature Reserve before travelling along the coast to a wine farm in the Stellenbosch region to sample some chocolates & wine. Your tour comes to an end upon arrival in the city centre of Cape Town.

Accommodation: Post tour accommodation can be booked through your travel agent.

Route: Hermanus to Cape Town
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Highlight: Hermanus to Cape Town