South Africa & Swazi Overland: Coasts & Safari Camps
17 days
From
$ 2079
Duration17 days
The unvarnished grandeur of South Africa is on display in this comprehensive exploration of one of the continent’s most diverse and fascinating destinations. Africa’s incredible culture and wildlife are at a premium on this tour — from the coastal shores of Tsitsikamma to extensive wildlife safari drives in Addo Elephant National Park and the famed Kruger. You’ll also have the chance to visit a traditional Swazi village, explore modern Cape Town, and follow the glorious Garden Route. Add in knowledgeable CEOs (Chief Experience Officers) and some of the best camp meals you’ve ever tasted and you’ve got a recipe for adventure par excellence.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 17 daysService level: Camping
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Physical Grading: Average
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Ages: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Johannesburg
Arrive in Johannesburg at any time and make your way to the joining point hotel.
Arrive at any time.
Please make sure you have all of the necessary visas for this tour by the time of the welcome meeting. It is very important to read the visa section in our trip details to make sure which visas you will need, if any. Please note that not all nationalities are able to obtain a visa on arrival at the border.
Our starting hotel is located outside of the city of Johannesburg, but take some time to enjoy an excursion to Soweto or to the famous Apartheid Museum.
Our starting hotel is located outside of the city of Johannesburg, but take some time to enjoy an excursion to Soweto or to the famous Apartheid Museum.
Day 2: Johannesburg/Greater Kruger Area
Drive through scenic mountains, and experience a traditional dinner and local dancing in the evening.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Kruger National Park
Enjoy a wildlife safari drive in Kruger and watch wildlife from the comfort of the touring vehicle.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Greater Kruger Area/Swaziland
Cross the border from South Africa to Swaziland. Visit the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Swaziland
Explore Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, which is situated in the Swaziland’s “Valley of Heaven”, the Ezulwini Valley. Take advantage of free time to go horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, or wildlife viewing.
Get out and explore Swaziland. Opt to go hiking, or mountain biking.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary/Saint Lucia
Stay in the St Lucia area near the coast. Here, take an optional boat trip on the estuary or go for a horse ride on the beach. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park stands as a beacon to the efforts for conservation in South Africa.
Depart for the beautiful Zululand area, re-entering South Africa in one of its most diverse regions. Opt to take a boat cruise on the St Lucia estuary.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Saint Lucia
Get out and explore. Opt to visit the Hluhluwe - iMfolozi Park, which is a safe haven for both the white and black rhino. Lions, buffalo, elephants, and leopards also call this reserve home.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Saint Lucia/Durban
Spend most of the day travelling the coast to Durban. Explore the beach and dive into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean just out the front door of our guest house.
Enjoy a traditional Durban meal of "bunny chow" (hollowed out bread filled with curry).
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: Durban/Chintsa
South of Durban, travel to the Eastern Cape province, into the heartland of the Xhosa people, and on to Chintsa.
Travel south into the heartland of the Xhosa people and on to Chintsa, a little piece of paradise with 15km (9.3 mi) of beach.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Chintsa
There is lots to do around Chintsa. Learn how to surf, take a horseback ride, hike, or enjoy the beautiful 15km (9.3 mi) beach. Opt to join a guided wildlife safari drive, enjoy an elephant encounter, or quad bike through the 4000 hectare wildlife reserve. Embrace your adventurous side and cycle or jump on the bus to Mama Tofu’s Xhosa village for an inspiring cultural experience. Visit the local craft brewery Emerald Vale to taste real home-brewed ale.
Spend the day enjoying the beach. Opt to surf, join a guided wildlife safari drive, or visit a local craft brewery.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Chintsa/Addo Elephant National Park
Today, cross many unique valleys and continue on to the Addo Elephant National Park, a unique wildlife area. Enjoy a wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle. Listen to the wild sounds of Africa while enjoying a sundowner (cheers!) and sitting around the campfire at night.
Enjoy a wildlife safari drive in Addo Elephant National Park in the touring vehicle.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Addo Elephant National Park/Tsitsikamma
Spend the next two nights camping in the Tsitsikamma area. Optional activities include hiking a portion of the Otter Trail or other short hiking trails along the coastline.
Afternoon visit to Tsitsikamma NP. Opt to hike, snorkel, canoe, whale watch, or bungee jump.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Tsitsikamma National Park
Spend the day at Tsitsikamma National Park. Opt to hike, snorkel, canoe, whale watch, or bungee jump.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: Tsitsikamma/Knysna
Travel further west to the town of Knysna, famous for the Knysna Lagoon and the "Heads" (sea cliffs). Opt to visit a cheetah sanctuary or a monkey park en route to Knysna.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 15: Knysna/Oudtshoorn
From Knysna, take a scenic drive to travel over the Outeniqua Mountains into the area known as Klein Karoo (“Little Karoo”), and make the quiet town of Oudtshoorn our base. Opt to explore the Cango caves or visit an ostrich farm.
Visit the sea cliffs of Knysna Heads. Opt to explore the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn or one of the many ostrich farms in the area.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 16: Oudtshoorn/Cape Town
Travel to beautiful Cape Town. Enjoy amazing views of Table Mountain, and explore the vibrant, cosmopolitan city at night.
Meals: B, L
Day 17: Cape Town
We highly recommend booking an extra night in Cape Town to explore all that this area has to offer.
Depart at any time.
If you book any optional activities on the final day of your itinerary please contact your sales agent to see if booking a post-night is necessary to participate in the activity.
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Foodie Moment: Traditional Durban Bunny Chow, Durban
- Park entrances to Addo Elephant NP & Kruger NP with wildlife safari drives in our vehicle
- Traditional dinner and local dancing
- Tsitsikamma National Park entrance
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private vehicle -
Accommodation
Simple hotel (1 nt), Participation camping (13 nts), Hostel (2 nts, multi-share)