After arriving at Oliver Tambo Airport, Johannesburg, we are cordially welcomed and transferred to our hotel. Balance of the day is free. Contact Bestway Tours & Safaris to pre-book exciting optional activities, including an Apartheid Museum tour, a city tour and an exploration of Lesedi Cultural Village. This evening at 6:00 PM, we meet our guide and the rest of the group for the pre-departure briefing.

Overnight: Southern Sun OR Tambo, Johannesburg (1 night)
(Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool and restaurant)

The excitement begins with an early morning departure as we head towards Mpumalanga, passing through lovely landscapes complete with towering mountains, scenic passes, rushing waterfalls and verdant forests. We spend the night in Graskop, a small village that started life as a mining town and is now known for its beautiful scenery. Graskop is found on the Drakensberg Escarpment at the start of the Panorama route and serves as the gateway to Kruger National Park.

Overnight: Graskop Hotel, Mpumalanga (1 night) (B)
(Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

This morning, enjoy a beautiful journey along the Panorama Route, one of the most stunning roads in South Africa.  The highlight of the route is Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world. This rich, green canyon is known for its high diversity of primate and bird life. We then stop at Bourke’s Luck Potholes, unique and otherworldly potholes created by thousands of years of water erosion. In the afternoon, we head towards Kruger National Park.

Overnight: Hippo Hollow Country Estate, Greater Kruger Region (2 nights) (B)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool and restaurant)

Embark on a full day of game-viewing in legendary Kruger National Park. We will enjoy a full day safari in the park via a comfortable 4x4 open vehicle. Kruger National Park has nearly two million hectares of unfenced African wilderness, in which more mammal species roam free than in any other game reserve. A leader in environmental management, Kruger National Park offers visitors fantastic Big Five sightings, as well as viewing of endangered game such as the African wild dog and bird watching of over 507 bird species. (B, D)

Today we cross the border into Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland and one of Africa’s last three monarchies. Though it is one of Africa’s smallest countries, Eswatini offers a surprising variety of landscapes. We will discover the country’s pioneer conservation area Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the “Valley of Heaven”. This sanctuary is home to hippo, giraffe, zebra and antelope, as well as a variety of birds. In the afternoon, we embark on a guided walk through the park in hopes of spotting some of these creatures.

Overnight: Mlilwane Rest Camp, Eswatini (2 nights) (B)
(Beehive huts with en suite bathrooms and restaurant)

A fascinating and interactive cultural experience today as we visit the Umphakatsi Chief’s homestead. Here, we can try our hands at grinding maize, braiding mountain grass, or joining the children in traditional Swazi song and dance. We will also have the chance to try out some Swazi cuisine. It’s recommended to try eating the Swazi way–with your hands! (B, L)

Today, we journey back into South Africa via the region of Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. Afternoon travel brings us to iSimangaliso Wetland Park*, notable for being South Africa’s inaugural UNESCO World Heritage Site. This vast coastal reserve preserves a unique intersection of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Overnight: Elephant Lake Hotel, St Lucia (2 nights) (B)
(Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & dining area)

Another day of activity as we take a game drive and explore the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve in our tour vehicle. Established in 1895, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is the oldest game reserve in Africa. It is home to both the endangered black and white rhino. In the afternoon, we make our way back to iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Here, we enjoy a boat cruise on the St Lucia estuary, getting close-up views of the hippos and crocodiles that make the lake their home. (B)

Today, we move further inland to the Drakensberg region. This area is known for its jaw dropping scenery of epic mountains, green forests and ice-cold streams. At 3,482 meters, the Drakensberg, known in Zulu as uKhahlamba or the “Barrier of Spears”, is South Africa’s highest mountain range, stretching its rugged form roughly 1,000 kilometers from southwest to northeast. The range is part of another World Heritage Site, namely the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park*.

Overnight: Premier Sani Pass Resort, Drakensberg Region (2 nights) (B, D)
(Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Embark on a guided 4x4 expedition up the iconic Sani Pass into Lesotho. After navigating the rugged terrain, enjoy a drink at the highest pub in Africa, offering panoramic views from above the clouds. Following lunch, visit a Basotho village to meet the resilient local people. This cultural exchange offers insight into their highland lifestyle and the chance to see traditional conical straw hats and handcrafted woven bowls. Our guide will share histories of the Basotho folk and their hardy ponies, descendants of the Cape horse. Traditional beer and homemade bread will be offered on request. We arrive back in Underberg between 4 and 4:30 PM, depending on wildlife spotted along the way. (B, L, D)

Please note: It is recommended to wear/bring very warm clothing in winter. In summer months, light weight clothing with a jacket is recommended, as weather can change fast. A valid passport is essential.

Travel south to Cinsta, the gem of the Wild Coast with the remainder of the day free. This destination boasts miles of unspoiled beaches that beckon you to relax and de-stress. Walk along the immaculate shoreline, feeling the soft sand under your feet and reveling in the natural splendor. Whether you're relaxing by the ocean or discovering secret coves, Cinsta offers a serene retreat by the sea.

Overnight: Crawfords Beach Lodge, Cintsa (2 nights) (B, L, D)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool & restaurant)

Enjoy the day free to soak in Cintsa’s beautiful beaches. Alternatively, take part in an optional activity (at additional cost, contact Bestway Tours & Safaris to pre-book). Optional activities include an Emerald Vale Brewery tour, and game drives at Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve. Spanning five distinct regional ecosystems, Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve is a premier conservation area in the Eastern Cape. It is one of the few places in South Africa where travelers can observe the Big Five within a biodiverse landscape that includes rare valley bushveld and coastal plateau grasslands. (B, D)

Embark on an adventure through the historic Zuurberg Mountain Pass today. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, navigate the challenging terrain while the late afternoon sun casts a golden glow on ancient rocks. Hear captivating stories of explorers and settlers as you take in breathtaking vistas and vibrant wildflowers. Conclude your day with a guided walk across the scenic Zuurberg mountains, soaking in the serene beauty of this timeless landscape.

Overnight: Zuurberg Mountain Inn, Addo region (1 night) (B)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms and swimming pool)

Our destination today is Addo Elephant National Park, home to a population of more than 600 of its namesake animal. Here, if we’re lucky, we can also find Cape buffalo, endangered black rhinos, and the recently introduced king of all predators, the lion. We enjoy a morning game drive in our touring vehicle. Next, we continue on to one of South Africa’s most scenic and famous regions, the Garden Route, found along the country’s southern coastline. We spend two nights in Storms River Village, nestled in the heart of the Tsitsikamma Forest. This ancient woodland forms a critical part of the Garden Route National Park and is renowned for its centuries-old Outeniqua Yellowwoods, some of which have stood for over 800 years.

Overnight: Tsitsikamma Village Inn, Tsitsikamma (2 nights) (B)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool & restaurant)

Enjoy a guided stroll to the Storms River Mouth suspension bridge, a 77-meter engineering feat spanning the churning red-brown waters where the river meets the Indian Ocean. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, an optional excursion to the Bloukrans Bridge offers the chance to experience the world’s highest commercial bridge bungee jump (at additional expense). (B)

We ascend the Outeniqua Mountains into the arid Little Karoo to reach Oudtshoorn, the "Ostrich Capital of the World." Here, we visit a working ostrich farm to learn about the history of the 19th-century "feather boom" that shaped the region's wealth. We then explore the Cango Caves, Africa’s largest and oldest show cave system, famous for its vast limestone chambers and intricate dripstone formations dating back millions of years.

Overnight: Mooiplaas Guest House, Oudtshoorn (1 night) (B)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, bar and restaurant)

We head towards Cape Town, stopping along the way in Robertson for a tour and tasting at a local wine estate. Upon arrival in Cape Town, we can spend the afternoon at leisure—enjoy sundowners at one of the beautiful beaches or do some last-minute shopping at the V&A Waterfront.

Overnight: Pullman Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town (2 nights) (B)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms and restaurant)

The following day, embark on a Cape Peninsula tour to discover the many attractions of the ‘Mother City.’ Travel along the Atlantic Seaboard through Sea Point, Clifton, and Camps Bay, stopping at Maiden Cove lookout point before heading to Hout Bay. Here, we have the option to take a seasonal boat trip to Seal Island (seasonal; at additional cost). Continue over Chapman’s Peak, one of the world's most stunning coastal drives, to Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve. In the afternoon, we visit Simon’s Town, a village known for its charming Victorian architecture, naval base, and the large penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance to Boulders Beach at additional cost). (B)

Spend the final day at leisure. Weather dependent there is the chance to take the cable car up Table Mountain (own expense) and enjoy one last view of the Cape of Good Hope before your transfer to the airport. Other optional activities are also available for pre-booking, including a full-day tour of the Cape Winelands by car or bicycle, a tour of the Whale Route and a cultural field trip arranged to help tourists give back. Please contact Bestway Tours & Safaris for a full list of optional excursions. (B)