SUPER SOUTH AFRICA
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
21 DAYS
South Africa | Swaziland
You need well over three weeks to do South Africa justice, but we have put together a “highlights” itinerary that includes all the truly special places that we believe you can’t leave South Africa without seeing! You’ll get a great mix of city life in Cape Town; nature and adventure on the Garden Route; remote peace and quiet in Kosi Bay; a culture shift in Swaziland, and exceptional safari experiences in Addo Elephant Park and the Kruger National Park! What are you waiting for?
This is simply an example itinerary that can be tweaked and changed to suit your needs. This is also why we don’t put prices on our itineraries – we specialize in tailor-making our trips for each individual client. If you like the sound of this itinerary, then send us a direct email enquiry, or fill out the detailed enquiry form below.
TIP
The destinations included in this itinerary are popular tourist spots, and sometimes they can feel very “touristy”! We pride ourselves in discovering unique boutique hotels and bush camps that are intimate, and far away from the “commercial” feel of a lot of popular tourist places. We never compromise on comfort or experience, so these gems are in fantastic locations, without forcing you to be a part of the herd.
GET EXCITED
ABOUT
Cape Town’s restaurants.
Hiking up Lions Head.
Great wine!
Views from the Swartberg Pass.
Pristine forests of Tsitsikamma.
Deserted beaches in Kosi Bay.
Sunset drinks around the camp fire.
Coming face-to-face with elephants and lions in the Kruger!
IN A NUTSHELL
DAY 1-4 – Cape Town
DAY 5 – Winelands
DAY 6-7 – Oudtshoorn
DAY 8-9 – Knysna
DAY 10-11 –Tsitsikamma
DAY 12-13 – Addo Elephant Park
DAY 14-15 – St Lucia & Hluhluwe / Kosi Bay
DAY 16-17 – Swaziland
DAY 18-21 – Greater Kruger National Park
DAY 22 – O.R Tambo Int Airport, Johannesburg
THE DETAILS
21 Days (not including final travel day)
DAY 1-4: Cape Town
You’ll spend 4 nights in the vibrant, exciting city of Cape Town. Enjoy a full-day Peninsula tour with an expert guide: visit small seaside towns; Africa’s only penguins at Boulder’s Beach; visit Cape Point; and stop off for a fantastic seafood lunch in Hout Bay.
Visit Table Mountain, Robben Island and the many museums of Cape Town; or go on a guided mountain bike ride, hike up the many beautiful trails right in the city, or go surfing! Over the 4 days, you will be able to choose how busy or relaxed your time in Cape Town is.
DAY 5: Winelands
Your private transfer will collect you after breakfast and you’ll take the short drive to the scenic winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschoek. Your private guide will take you on a full-day tour of the beautiful Cape winelands. He’ll tailor-make your day according to what wines you’re interested in trying. Enjoy a delicious lunch in the grounds of a spectacular wine farm en route, then settle into your boutique guest house and enjoy a beautiful sunset scene over the winelands.
DAY 6-7: Oudtshoorn
Today, travel along the incredibly scenic “Route 62” to Oudtshoorn. This route will take you through magnificent landscapes and towering cliffs, crystal clear streams and an abundance of trees and indigenous flora, not to mention little rural towns and local farm stalls.
Stop for lunch and a cold beer in Barrydale. You’ll arrive at your boutique guest house in the late afternoon – a small, family-run farm full of historical charm and character.
DAY 8-9: Knysna
After breakfast, travel on the Swartberg Pass towards Prince Albert for lunch. This is considered one of the most impressive mountain passes in the world – pass waterfalls, cliffs, and astonishing views at every turn. Enjoy lunch in the charming town of Prince Albert and continue on through the Meiringspoort Pass towards Knysna.
Explore the many trails in Knysna’s surrounding indigenous forest with the chance of seeing the elusive Knysna elephants; go up the estuary on a guided boat trip; visit the Knysna “Big Tree” – a short trail leading to Knysna’s largest Yellowwood tree; enjoy some relaxing beach time on the blue-flag rated Buffels Bay; or simply stroll around the vibey town center and enjoy a great seafood lunch!
DAY 10-11: Tsitsikamma National Park
Travel along the coast to the stunningly-beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park. Spend the rest of the day exploring the forests around your boutique hotel or go straight to Storm’s River Mouth for a hike along one of their many rugged-coastline trails.
Relax and soak up the beauty of this pristine coastal habitat, go on a birding walk, or kayak up the Storm’s River Mouth for a bit of adventure. You can also bungee jump off Bloukrans Bridge if you’re that way inclined! This magical part of South Africa is an unspoiled wilderness that shouldn’t be rushed or missed!
DAY 12-13: Addo Elephant Park
(or fly straight to Kruger National Park from Port Elizabeth)
After breakfast, set off towards Addo Elephant Park, which lies deep within the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape. This finely-tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to elephants, Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo.
Stay outside the Park in a quaint, boutique guest house and enjoy game drives into the Park each day. Or stay further afield in the beautiful Zeerberg Mountains, which offers spectacular views and utter peace and tranquility.
DAY 14-15: St Lucia and Hluhluwe/
Kosi Bay
Fly from Port Elizabeth to Durban, the biggest city in the lush, sub-tropical province of Kwa-Zulu Natal (the place of the Zulu). Travel 3 hours to St Lucia, a quaint town on a unique estuary system where countless hippos and crocodiles can be seen.
Take a river cruise up the estuary or go on a game drive through the Isimangaliso Wetland Park where you could spot sea turtles, leopards, and a variety of interesting creatures adapted to this unique coastal forest. Take an optional day trip to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, a vibrant and lush reserve where elephants, rhino, and lions are common, as well as exceptional birdlife! Or enjoy the hustle and bustle of St Lucia village and its unique beach-bush atmosphere.
Alternatively, we would suggest traveling further north to the remote and undeveloped area of Kosi Bay. This wild coastline is sandwiched between dense coastal forest and big seas. Take some time out from the safari scene on Kosi’s miles of pristine beach, or plunge into the Indian Ocean for some scuba diving or snorkelling. Enjoy the peace and quiet or explore the rich estuary by kayak.
DAY 16-17 – Swaziland
The little Kingdom of Swaziland is a couple hours’ drive north-west from Kosi Bay or St Lucia. Enjoy a night in one of the most beautiful Parks in Swaziland, famous for its thriving rhino population.
Here you’ll stay in 4-star luxury where open-walled rooms expose you to the pristine forest around you. Enjoy a traditional dinner around camp fire, and a truly unique experience the next morning – go on a cycle safari with your expert guide and get close to rhinos, giraffe and antelope! Spend your next night soaking up some history and culture in a quaint colonial stone home that’s over 100 years old. This boutique guest house is nestled in an indigenous forest in a small nature reserve and is where Swaziland conservation was born.
DAY 18-21: Kruger National Park
Spend four nights in the magnificent Greater Kruger National Park – one of the world’s most spectacularly biodiverse National Parks, and a hotspot for the “Big 5”. No matter your choice of accommodation, you will be based in the southern third of Kruger – the best game-viewing area, and one of the most beautiful parts of the Park!
Alternatively, you can spend your time in one of the many private game reserves that form the “Greater Kruger” (these reserves offer a more luxurious safari experience with fewer people, and sometimes big game can be easier to spot). Activities on safari include daily game drives and bush walks or simply stay in your peaceful bush camp or lodge and catch up on some reading and relaxing, as you watch wild animals around the camp.
DAY 22: O.R Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg
After your morning game drive, return to Johannesburg via road transfer or flight, and get ready for your flight home or extend your trip and visit Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, or Mozambique!
WHAT NOW?
If you’re interested in this itinerary, then please help us tailor-make it for you by checking the specific details below. This will help us create your perfect adventure. If you’d like to fill out a generic Safari Builder enquiry form, then please click here, and we’ll plan your safari from scratch!
Oops! We could not locate your form.
