Day by Day

Detailed Itinerary Summary

Experience the charm of Africa in comfort

Classic tours are a perfect way to experience the culture, wildlife, history and highlights of a destination, with a level of comfort and organisation. Get under the skin of one of the world’s most exciting continent through in-depth encounters with nature on this unique walking safari, whilst pushing your mental and physical boundaries and making sure there is always time to relax. This tour utilise ambient hotels, lodges, guesthouses, chalets and tented camps with en-suite bathrooms in most locations, running hot water and welcoming restaurants and other facilities. Airport transfers and the majority of meals are included in the tour fare with an occasional optional dinner in locations where there is a good choice of local restaurants. Activities included on the itinerary are core tour experiences or highlights and usually primary reasons for booking in the first place.

Day 1: Johannesburg-Kruger National Park

Arrival day in Johannesburg, dubbed the “City of Gold” where, the bustling delights of the city, urban street cafes, towering buildings and histor...

On this day	Arrival day in Johannesburg, dubbed the “City of Gold” where, the bustling delights of the city, urban street cafes, towering buildings and historical monuments of SA’s colourful and thought-provoking past define its character and the multi-cultural people who live here. You will be met at the airport for a brief pre-departure meeting, where you will meet your tour leader and fellow travellers before hitting the road and travelling through the scenic landscape to South Africa’s Premier National Park, the Kruger. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore, discover and experience your new ambient surroundings.
Accommodation	Nkambeni Tented Camp
Rooming	Standard en-suite rooms
Meals	Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities	Airport meet and greet and transfer to the Kruger National Park

Day 2: Kruger National Park

With the sounds of Turtle Doves wakening in the morning, we enjoy breakfast at the lodge before heading out for a “Nature Guide Experience”. The e...

On this day	With the sounds of Turtle Doves wakening in the morning, we enjoy breakfast at the lodge before heading out for a “Nature Guide Experience”. The experience will start off by joining the training team from the lodge for a short lecture on tracks and signs of the wild. The experienced trainers will teach you the skills needed to track and identify spoor and you can use this later in the afternoon when you embark on a game drive in the Kruger. The Park is home to an astounding variety of wildlife and spans through six different ecosystems, supporting approximately 517 bird species, 147 mammals and 114 reptilian species. Search for the endangered animals amongst Mopane scrub and watch bounding antelope scatter through the knob thorn-marula bushveld; while elephant, zebra and buffalo wade along the ravine trees teeming with brightly coloured Horn bill birds.
Accommodation	Nkambeni Tented Camp
Rooming	Standard en-suite rooms
Meals	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities	Nature Guide Experience and afternoon game drive

Day 3: Kruger National Park

We wake up bright and early to begin a morning game walk in Pretoriuskop. Experiencing a natural habitat by foot is probably one of the best ways to g...

On this day	We wake up bright and early to begin a morning game walk in Pretoriuskop. Experiencing a natural habitat by foot is probably one of the best ways to get close to nature and submerse yourself into the environment with little disturbance or impact, it is also a far more intimate and personal wildlife experience where you notice the smaller animals and birds which is sometimes missed during big game drive. An experienced veld guide will accompany hikers through the African bush to seek out interesting locations and animals within the area. The hikes around Pretoriuskop often include a hike to the impressive granite dome known as “Shabeni Hill” from where hikers have a panoramic view over the Kruger National Park. A small walking group is an ideal way to create the opportunity for silently tracking the Big 5 all on foot. All the guides’ posses a wealth of knowledge about the fauna and flora of the land and this hiking session will leave you feeling satisfied since you will have gained a better understanding of the African bush. Hikers should wear comfortable hiking shoes or boots, avoid brightly colored clothing and bring their own water, binoculars and cameras! Later in the afternoon we embark on a game drive, accessing different areas of the expansive park before witnessing the spectacular twilight colours of the bush during a sunset game drive.
Accommodation	Nkambeni Tented Camp
Rooming	Standard en-suite rooms
Meals	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities	Morning walk at Pretoriuskop, afternoon game drive and sunset game drive

Day 4: Swaziland

Today we enter the Kingdom of Swaziland, a country rich in tribal heritage and compelling scenic beauty. We visit the oldest protected area in the cou...

On this day	Today we enter the Kingdom of Swaziland, a country rich in tribal heritage and compelling scenic beauty. We visit the oldest protected area in the country, the Mlilwane Game Reserve, a wilderness sanctuary covering approximately 4,560 hectares in the Ezulwini Valley, or "Valley of Heaven" and expand from open grassland to mountainous vegetation. After arrival you have the option to either embark on a short afternoon walk from your accommodation or experience the adrenaline thrill of “Adventure Caving”. Adventure Caving is one of Swaziland's most famous adrenaline pursuits. Launched in April 1999, following the exploration of the unique Gobholo Cave system, offers explorers the opportunity to get underground in true speleological fashion. Headlamps, battery packs, muddy passages, bats and lots of total blackness are all part of the experience. The caves were formed by an ancient boulder choke which has been further opened and eroded into subterranean chambers by the passage of water through softer rock material. This is the only known major cave system in granite rock in Southern Africa and thus presents a unique geological experience. The system can be compared to a giant underground gravel pit, with cavers manoeuvring themselves like ants through the myriad of gaps and passageways. The trip will depart in the evening, approximately (16h00) to fit helmets, uniforms and cap lamps. Trips start with a 15 minute journey in a closed vehicle to a point approximately 2 km (30-45 minute walk) from the cave. The cave is situated on private property. On arrival at the cave entrance a safety briefing is given and the trip heads underground for approximately 2 hr in total. The deepest distance travelled is 90 m below the surface and the total distance travelled underground is about 800 m. Progress underground is slow and methodical with teamwork required in a number of places. Belly crawls, body jams, crouches and rope-assisted scrambles are to be expected.On returning to the surface, an informal dinner (steaming hot pizzas) is included as well as the chance for a soothing dip in a nearby hot springs.
Accommodation	Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Rooming	Standard en-suite huts
Meals	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities	Afternoon short walk or Adventure Caving

Day 5: St Lucia

We continue our journey to the mouth of the St Lucia estuary, a vast wetland area which supports a large dune ecosystem, marine zone of warm tropical...

On this day	We continue our journey to the mouth of the St Lucia estuary, a vast wetland area which supports a large dune ecosystem, marine zone of warm tropical seas, coral reefs and which is South Africa’s, largest inland lake - Lake St Lucia. You have the option to either enjoy an afternoon sunset game cruise along the lake or a walk on the beach, either way being so close to the lake is an absolute treat for birdwatchers and nature lovers.
Accommodation	Shonalanga Lodge
Rooming	Standard en-suite apartments
Meals	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities	Afternoon boat cruise
Travel Distance	338 km / 211 miles

Day 6: Drakensberg Mountains

Today is spent taking a scenic drive through the shifting landscape from St Lucia to the mountainous peaks of the famous Drakensberg Range, known to l...

On this day	Today is spent taking a scenic drive through the shifting landscape from St Lucia to the mountainous peaks of the famous Drakensberg Range, known to locals as the “Dragon Mountains” which also claims the title of highest range in South Africa. We spend the next two nights at a charming Guest farm located in the enchanting Champagne valley of the central Drakensberg, just below three of the highest peaks in South Africa. Mafadi (highest at 3450m); Injisuthi Dome (second highest at 3410m) and the majestic Champagne Castle (third highest at 3377m). This area surrounded by grandiose beauty and offers a diverse collection of flora and fauna. Depending on the time of arrival, you can either embark on a steep 90 minute hike to the trig beacon on Ardmore Hill, which is 230m above the guest farm, rewarding those with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area. However if this activity is not what you are looking for then alternatively, you can choose to take a 45 minute stroll up to the hill overlooking the main forest on the farm, again with gorgeous views of the “Champagne Valley”. Last but not least, you can also take part in a two hour walk in the National Park section with an experienced walking guide to visit the site of traditional Sanrock Art. You have the evening to sit back and relax and embrace your epic surroundings.
Accommodation	Ardmore Guest Farm
Rooming	Standard en-suite rooms
Meals	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities	Optional hikes
Travel Distance	447 km / 279 miles

Day 7: Drakensberg Mountains

We spend the day exploring the spectacular mountain foothills on a full day hiking excursion in the park. Early in the morning we set out to Monks Co...

On this day	We spend the day exploring the spectacular mountain foothills on a full day hiking excursion in the park. Early in the morning we set out to Monks Cowl, which takes its name from the peak between the towering Champagne Castle and Cathkin Mountains, is part of 260,000 ha of Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage site and. Breathtaking vistas, sweeping grasslands on the lower reaches to magnificent towering cliffs with waterfalls cascading for Hundreds of meters. We follow the Sterkhorn Trail (2973m) which is a popular day climb among visitors to the Drakensberg. It has three summits. The north and south summits are reasonably large with the south summit being the highest. Access to the north climb is by way of an easy and well-worn path, starting from the contour path at Blind Man's Corner and leading up the East Ridge. Some unexposed scrambling through rock bands and an interesting 'worm hole' near the top are involved. Once on top of the Sterkhorn summit, the views are fantastic and you'll be able to see the Devil's Tooth at the Amphitheater in the north and Giant's Castle in the south. The day hike is approximately 8 hours in duration and will be led by an experienced mountaineering guide however a relatively high level of fitness is required to tackle this trek.
Accommodation	Ardmore Guest Farm
Rooming	Standard en-suite rooms
Meals	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities	Full day hike following the Sterkhorn Trail

Day 8: Durban

After breakfast and an early morning hike on the farm we leave the rugged beauty of the mountains behind and travel towards the balmy sub-tropical cit...

On this day	After breakfast and an early morning hike on the farm we leave the rugged beauty of the mountains behind and travel towards the balmy sub-tropical city of Durban. You have the evening to explore the sights and sounds of this multicultural city or sit back and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Accommodation	Beach Hotel
Rooming	Standard en-suite rooms
Meals	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities	Morning hike on farm and transfer to Durban. Leisure afternoon
Travel Distance	216 km / 135 miles

Day 9: Cape Town

After breakfast we transfer to Durban International Airport where we catch a 2 hour flight to Cape Town dubbed “the mother city” snugly situated o...

On this day	After breakfast we transfer to Durban International Airport where we catch a 2 hour flight to Cape Town dubbed “the mother city” snugly situated on the tip of the Cape Coast. You will be transferred to your hotel and later head deep into the historic heart of Cape Town on a compelling city tour. We visit the South African Museum, a vivid remainder of SA’s colourful and thought-provoking past, to relax in the shade of the tranquil Company Gardens before setting out to explore Parliament, City Hall, the Castle of Good Hope, Malay Quarter and the vibrant Greenmarket Square. Tonight we enjoy dinner at an African themed restaurant tonight, where we get to sample a feast of various different dishes from all over Africa!
Accommodation	Saasveld Lodge
Rooming	Standard en-suite rooms
Meals	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities	Domestic flight from Durban to Cape Town. Afternoon walking city tour
Travel Distance	1540 km / 963 miles

Day 10: Cape Town

Your final day of the tour finds you rising early for a spectacular morning hike up the iconic Table Mountain with stunning views of the landscape sur...

On this day	Your final day of the tour finds you rising early for a spectacular morning hike up the iconic Table Mountain with stunning views of the landscape surrounding the city, its busy harbor port and rugged mountainous terrain all surrounded by the expansive sparkle of the Atlantic Ocean. We take the cable car down the mountain and prepare for the departure transfer, which will take you to the international airport for your flight home via Johannesburg. If you would like to extend your stay, we can easily arrange additional nights in Cape Town or further travel arrangements to join another African tour.
Meals	Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities	Morning hike up Table Moutain and descent by cable car. Departure transfer

 

If you require any pre and post tour accommodation this can be organised through our offices.  For travellers wishing to extend their stay, please see the joining tours and short extensions that are available.

The establishments used, travel distance and travel times as shown on this itinerary may be subject to change and are approximate only, as travel distances and times especially, are dependent on many tour factors that may be beyond our control. The Rooming description below is based on standard en suite/twin share rooms, however single or triple rooms can be arranged on request. If travellers need to either join a tour late or depart earlier such arrangements can be organised by our team prior to departure.

 

Rates & Prices

Dates & Availability

Duration	10 days	Code	CSTS

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Trip Dates	Availability	Guaranteed	Price

Tour Inclusions

Arrival & Departure airport transfers, Transportation, Accommodation per itinerary or similar, Excursions & activities as per itinerary, National park & game reserve entrance fees as per itinerary, All meet and greet services, Services of an French/English speaking tour leader

Trip Details

What's Included

Arrival & Departure airport transfers, Transportation, Accommodation per itinerary or similar, Excursions & activities as per itinerary, National park & game reserve entrance fees as per itinerary, All meet and greet services, Services of an French/English speaking tour leader

What's Excluded

Visas and related costs, Personal Border Taxes, Drinks, tips, laundry, telephone calls and other items of a personal nature, International flights and arrival and departure taxes, Meals not listed on the itinerary, Travel and personal accident insurance, Optional excursions and activities

Transport

Land arrangements are dependent on group size and may utilize SUV’s such as VW Caravel , Minibuses like Toyota Quantum, Small Bus or large customized Safari Vehicles. Safari drives in national parks use game viewing vehicle like Land Rover or Land Cruiser, converted or modified to optimise game viewing. Domestic flights from Durban (DUR) to Cape Town (CPT) and return Cape Town to Johannesburg (JNB) are using large commercial airlines.

Guiding

Accompanied throughout the tour by an French/English speaking Tour leader.

Accommodation

Hotels & Lodges ( 4 nts) Tented Lodges (3nts) and Guest Farms (2 nts)

Meals

9 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches and 9 Dinners

Transfers

Arrival and Departure transfers are included in this tour; therefore travellers need to supply us with their flight details as soon as possible.

Optional Extras

All prices quoted are accurate on publication but subject to change. Prices will be confirmed or requoted on enquiry.

We are able to pre-book a wide range of services not listed here, please contact us should you require more information.

Activities & Excursions

• Tree top canopy tour- Swaziland R560
• Turtle Tour (in season)- St Lucia R560
• Snorkelling Safari-St Lucia R220
• Basotho Pony Trekking Lesotho R280

View tour dossier for further details

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