24-day South Africa and eSwatini self-drive tour, North to South

Days of leisure to explore the surroundings. A must is, of course, the famous Panorama Route.

Via Graskop to the Blyde River Canyon (the fourth largest canyon in the world), en route visits can be made to, among other places, God's Window and the Bourke's Luck Potholes.

If there is still enough time, a visit can also be made to the Cheetah Research Centre in Hoedspruit.

Overnight stay in a double room with en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis.

After breakfast, depart from Hazyview and drive to the Kruger National Park (for option A) or to the Private Game Reserve (for options B or C). The private reserve is located next to the Kruger National Park and offers a perfect opportunity to see animals such as the lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo.

In addition, many other animals naturally come here, such as zebras, giraffes, many types of antelopes and birds. If you choose to stay in the Kruger National Park, you will undertake game drives in your own car or organised from the rest camp with the guidance of a game ranger (not included in the travel sum).

If you opt for accommodation under choice B, a 1.5-hour nature walk is included daily (game drives are at your own discretion in Kruger Park or can be booked at the lodge for a fee), and when you choose private game reserve option C, two guided game drives per day with an experienced ranger are included.

Overnight stay in either an (A) double bungalow at a rest camp – (B) double luxury safari tent (Makuwa Safari Lodge) or (C) double luxury room with private bathroom. (approx. 100 km)

• Accommodation A: Kruger Park (two-person self-catering bungalow) (lodging) excl. R460,- entrance fee p.p.p.d.
• Accommodation B: Makuwa Safari Lodge luxury tent (incl. breakfast and dinner plus a 1.5 hour guided nature walk)
• Accommodation C: Naledi Bush Camp (Paper Bark Suite) (incl. breakfast, lunch, dinner, game activities) excl. R 253 conservation levy per person per stay and R 103 per day Balule Reserve “car levy” to be paid at the gate

The whole day at your leisure to enjoy the “bush” and go on game drives.

Overnight stay in a twin rest camp bungalow – twin room (Thornhill) or twin luxury room (Naledi) and of course with en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast, lunch, dinner and game drives basis (for option C).

After an early game drive and breakfast, depart from the Kruger or Private Game Reserve and drive south towards the border of Swaziland. It is best to have lunch at the border at the Matsamo Cultural Village. After lunch, continue driving towards Pigg’s Peak. Here at Pigg’s Peak, you can clearly see why Swaziland is also called Little Switzerland. After Pigg’s Peak, continue driving towards your accommodation. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight stay in a double room with en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis. (approx. 320 km)

• Accommodation A: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (beehive hut) (excluding E65 per person per day entrance fee)
  
• Accommodation B: Phophonyane Falls Eco Lodge (beehive room)
  
• Accommodation C: Mkhaya Game Reserve (chalet)
  (during stay at Mkhaya: 1st day on a dinner and breakfast basis, 2nd day on a full board and 2 game drives basis

Day at leisure in Eswatini. A wonderful place to relax by the pool and enjoy the magnificent
landscape. Game drives and excursions can also be made in the surrounding area.

You can visit one of the many local markets, the Swazi Candle Factory (a candle workshop where you can find lovely candles) or the Ngwenya Glass Factory.

Overnight stay in a double room with an en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis.

This morning after breakfast, departure from the Foresters Arms hotel and drive south via Manzini and Big Bend to the Golela border crossing into South Africa. Drive via Mkuze and Hluhluwe to St. Lucia. Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight stay in a double room with en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis. (approx. 420 km)

• Accommodation A: Afrikhaya guesthouse (standard room)
  
• Accommodation B: Lodge Afrique (luxury room)
  
• Accommodation C: KwaLucia Safari Private Retreat (luxury suite)

Days at leisure for exploring the surroundings. You can visit, among other places, the Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park, where you can take a boat trip in search of hippos, crocodiles and many different bird species.

You can also visit the Hluhluwe Game Reserve or one of the cultural Zulu villages in the surrounding area to experience Zulu culture.

Overnight stays in a double room with an en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis.

This morning, depart from St. Lucia and drive south to the charming seaside town of Salt Rock, located on the Dolphin Coast. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You can explore the surroundings or simply relax by the pool or on the beach.

Overnight stay in a double room with en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis. (approx. 210 km)

• Accommodation A: Le Petite Provence (standard room)
  
• Accommodation B: Le Petite Provence (luxury suite room)
  
• Accommodation C: Canelands Beach Club & Spa (superior sea-facing room)

Today you can relax or take a boat trip in search of the dolphins that can be found here. Rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight stay in a double room with an en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis.

Today, after breakfast, we depart from Salt Rock and drive to Durban Airport (approx. 50 km). We'll return the rental car and take a domestic flight to Port Elizabeth. Upon arrival in Port Elizabeth, we'll collect our rental car and drive to the town of Addo (approx. 75 km).

Overnight stay in a double room with en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis. (approx. 125 km)

• Accommodation A: Rosedale Farm B&B (standard room)
  
• Accommodation B: The Stable Cottage (standard room)
  
• Accommodation C: Camp Fig Tree Mountain Safari Lodge (Luxury tented room)

Day at leisure to explore Addo Elephant National Park. In this park, you can choose to self-drive and search for wildlife (using your experience from Manyeleti Game Reserve) or you can book a game drive at the guesthouse. (approx. R 450.00 per person including drinks, entrance fees and snacks).

Overnight stay in a double room with bathroom, bed and breakfast.

After breakfast, depart from Addo and drive to Graaff-Reinet. En route, a visit can be made to the village of Cradock. In Cradock, there are a number of beautiful, historical buildings that are well worth a visit. After visiting Cradock, drive via the Mountain Zebra National Park to Graaff-Reinet. The rest of the afternoon is for exploring the historic centre of Graaff-Reinet.

Overnight stay in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis. (approx. 340 km)

• Accommodation A: The Whyte House (Standard Room)
  
• Accommodation B: The Whyte House (luxury room)
  
• Accommodation C: Drostdy Hotel (Luxury Room)

Full day to explore Graaff Reinet and its surroundings. A visit can include, among other things, the Valley of Desolation and the Helen Martin Owl House in Bethesda.

Overnight stay in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis.

Depart from Graaff-Reinet and drive via a magnificent route to Oudtshoorn. In the afternoon, a visit can be made to an ostrich farm or to the magnificent Cango Caves limestone caves.

Overnight stay in a double room with bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis. (approx. 320 km)

• Accommodation A: Ouwe Werf Country House (standard room)
  
• Accommodation B: Swartberg Country Manor (Karoo Room)
• Accommodation C: Pictures Guest House (deluxe veranda room)

A day at leisure to explore Oudtshoorn. A visit can be made to the Cango Caves, an ostrich farm can be visited, or a scenic drive can be taken via the Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert and back via Meiringspoort.

Overnight stay in a double room with bathroom, bed and breakfast.

Depart from Oudtshoorn after breakfast and drive via towns like Calitzdorp (famous for its dried fruits and excellent port wines), Ladismith, and Barrydale to the historic town of Swellendam. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore Swellendam.

Swellendam is a charming, historic town where time seems to have stood still. Visit the Drostdy Open-Air Museum with its old Cape Dutch houses, Bontebok National Park, or take a stroll through the old town centre.

Overnight stay in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis. (approx. 250 km)

• Accommodation A: Babette's B&B (cottage room)
  
• Accommodation B: A Riverbed guesthouse (standard luxury suite room)
  
• Accommodation C: De Kloof Country Estate (deluxe room)

Depart from Swellendam and drive to Franschhoek. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore the charming centre of Franschhoek. There are numerous delightful shops and cosy cafes. Of course, there are also several very good wineries and restaurants.

Overnight stay in a double room with en-suite bathroom on a bed and breakfast basis. (approx. 180 km)

• Accommodation A: Centre Ville guesthouse (standard room)
  
• Accommodation B: Avondrood guesthouse (standard deluxe suite)
  
• Accommodation C: Avondrood guesthouse (luxury suite room)

Day at leisure in and around Franschhoek. You can visit one of the many wineries, the village of Paarl, or you can plan a day of golf at the Bosch en Meer golf course located between Franschhoek and Paarl.

Overnight stay in a double room with bathroom, bed and breakfast.

Depart from Franschhoek after breakfast and drive over the Helshoogte mountain pass to Somerset West. Here, a visit can be made to Vergelegen wine estate, one of the first wine estates in South Africa and former home of the Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel.

You can have a lovely lunch here under the 400-year-old camphor trees in the magnificent rose garden. Afterwards, continue your drive to Cape Town and the Huijs Haerlem guesthouse. Although this guesthouse does not serve dinner, there are many very good restaurants in the immediate vicinity.

Overnight stay in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis. (approx. 180 km)

• Accommodation A: Floreal House (standard room)
  
• Accommodation B: Cape Diem (classic king room)
  
• Accommodation C: Four Rosmead (luxury room)

Day at leisure in and around Cape Town. A visit can be made to the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula with the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and the penguins at Boulders. Furthermore, there is of course the vibrant city centre of Cape Town with its many monumental buildings and the trendy shopping streets.

Overnight stay in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis.

Today the entire day is available for exploring Cape Town and its surroundings. In the evening, we will drive to Cape Town Airport to return the rental car and check in for the flight to Amsterdam.