18-day South Africa Eco Explorer Comfort group safari

As is usual in Africa, the day starts early today. After a cup of coffee or tea and a “rusk” (a combination of biscuit and rusk), a game drive in the Balule Nature Reserve. During the approximately 3-hour game drive, guided by an experienced ranger, we will search for the BIG FIVE that are found here.

The ranger will also be given information about life in the bush and the animals that occur here. After the game drive, we'll return to the lodge for a well-deserved brunch and a dip in the pool. The afternoon is for relaxing and enjoying this delightful environment.

At the lodge, there is a waterhole where the animals come to drink during the hottest parts of the day. In the afternoon, when the weather is a little cooler and the animals become more active, there will be a game drive in an open safari vehicle, which will transition into a night drive.

During the game drive in search of the animals native to this area, and with a bit of luck, nocturnal animals such as the porcupine, hyena, leopard, bushbabies, and foxes may also be spotted.

After the game drive, back to the lodge for dinner, and then drift off to sleep with the sounds of the bush.

Overnight stay in Andy's Camp in a twin tented chalet.

• Activities include: morning game walk, afternoon/night game drive
• Overnight stay: Andy's Camp in a twin-bedded tented chalet with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: brunch and dinner

Early start and after a delicious breakfast, depart from the Balule Nature Reserve. Drive to the Panorama Route and visit the impressive Blyde River Canyon, and the 3 Rondavels. After this, drive to the open-air museum of the old mining town of Pilgrim's Rest for a walk through the historic town.

For lunch, there will be a stop in the village of Graskop where you can have lunch at Harry's Pancake Bar (at your own expense). In the afternoon, you will drive to the lodge situated on the Sabie River.

Overnight stay at Greenfire Lodge Hazyview in a twin chalet on stilts with shared bathroom. (wooden cabins on stilts)

• Activities include: visit to the Panorama Route with a visit to Blyde River Canyon and Three Rondavels, visit to a coffee plantation
• Optional activity: Gorge swing (130-metre zipline between the treetops)
• Overnight stay: two-person chalets with shared bathroom
• Meals including: breakfast and dinner
• Distance: 225 km, approx. 6 hours driving including stops for sightseeing 
• For more information, see: www.greenfire.co.za/project-details/drifters-hazyview-lodge/

Depart at sunrise and drive to the world-famous Kruger National Park for a full day of game driving through the park.

A stop will be made at one of the rest camps for lunch.At the end of the day, return to the lodge for dinner.

Overnight stay at the Greenfire Lodge Hazyview in a twin chalet on stilts with en-suite bathroom. (wooden cabins on stilts)

• Activities include: full day game drive Kruger Park, Kruger Park entrance fees
• Overnight stay: two-person chalets with shared bathroom
• Meals included: picnic breakfast and dinner (lunch at own expense)

Depart Hazyview after breakfast and drive south to eSwatini.

After crossing the border, drive through an area also known as Little Switzerland. Visit local markets and take a beautiful route via the capital, Mbabane, to the Foresters Arms hotel.

Overnight stay at the Foresters Arms hotel in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Activities include: scenic drive Eswatini
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Distance: 290 km, approx. 5 hours driving excluding border crossing
• For more information, see: www.forestersarms.co.za

After breakfast, depart from the Foresters Arms hotel and drive south.

On the way to the South African border and through Zululand, we saw various traditional villages and vast sugar cane fields.

Zululand, in Kwa Zulu Natal, was once ruled by the famous King Shaka and this area contains numerous game reserves, former hunting grounds of the Zulu King Shaka.

Arrival in St. Lucia in the afternoon. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Overnight stay in the Forest Lodge in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Optional activities: night game drive in Wetland park
• Overnight stay: two-person chalet with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast and lunch
• Distance: 370 km, approx. 5 – 5½ hours' driving excluding border crossing and stops en route
• For more information, see: www.forestkzn.co.za

Today a visit to the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park, a subtropical coastal area with white beaches, tidal pools, and a host of animals such as rhino, buffalo and of course hippos.

In the afternoon, a visit to a deserted beach for a dip in the warm Indian Ocean.

Overnight stay in the Forest Lodge in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Activities include: game drive in iSimangaliso Wetland Park including entrance fee, visit to beach and Indian Ocean
• Optional activities: night game drive in Wetland park
• Overnight stay: two-person chalet with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast and lunch

After breakfast, depart from St. Lucia and drive inland to the Drakensberg. En route, we will visit historic sites from the pioneer era called the “Battlefields".

It is here that the Boers and English fought for possession of South Africa, but also where the Zulu people, under the leadership of King Shaka Zulu, fought the English.

Visit a number of historic places where lunch will also be served. At the end of the afternoon, we will reach the Drakensberg Mountains with the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.

Overnight stay at the Alpine Heath Resort in a twin chalet with an en-suite bathroom. (chalet)

• Optional activities: visit to Isandlwana Battlefield site, Rorke’s Drift
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Distance: 480 km, approx. 6-7 hours' drive
• For more information, see: www.aha.co.za/alpine-heath-resort/

Today a visit to the Royal Natal National Park with a hike to the Tugela Gorge from where there is a brilliant view over the high peaks of the “Amphitheatre” and the Tugela Falls, which at 948 metres are the second-highest waterfall in the world.

Overnight stay at the Alpine Heath Resort in a twin chalet with an en-suite bathroom. (chalet)

• Activities include: visit Royal Natal National Park, Tugela Gorge hike (approx. 14 km)
• Optional activities: horse riding, fishing, walks
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner

This morning after breakfast, depart from the northern Drakensberg Mountains and drive south towards the Natal Midlands.

Arrival and the rest of the day at your leisure to relax or to observe the activities on the working farm.

Overnight stay at Flitwick Ranch in a double room with en-suite bathroom (hotel)

• Activities include: scenic drive through the Drakensberg Mountains
• Optional activities: horse riding, fishing, walks, stargazing (free), hot tub and horse riding (for a fee)
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Distance: 340 km, approx. 4 - 4½ hours drive
• For more information, see: www.flitwickranch.com

Early breakfast and departure towards the Wild Coast, traditionally the home of the iXhosa tribe. Pristine beaches, traditional communities and iXhosa villages, and stunning nature.

The next two nights will be spent at the Wild Coast, where walks will be taken along the beach and a visit made to one of the iXhosa villages.

Overnight stays at the Ocean View Hotel in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Activities include: scenic drive of the Wild Coast, beach, waterfall hike, coastal walk
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Distance: 480 km, approx. 6½ – 7 hours driving including stops
• For more information, see: www.oceanview.co.za

Day at leisure to relax and enjoy the unspoilt surroundings.

Long walks on the beach or a visit to Hole in the Wall, an island just off the coast with an arch in the rocks carved out by the water.

Overnight stays at the Ocean View Hotel in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Activities include: hike to Hole in The Wall along the coast (approx. 8 km), relaxing
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals including: breakfast and dinner

Depart from the Wild Coast and drive through the former Transkei homeland to the university town of Grahamstown.

A stop is made en route at the Nelson Mandela Memorial near Umtata and the birthplace of this remarkable statesman.

Then straight through what is also called “Frontier Country” after the pioneers who set off from Cape Town in ox-wagons in search of new land.

Arrival in Grahamstown and a historical walk through Cradock in the afternoon.

Overnight stay at Die Tuishuise hotel in a double room with en-suite bathroom (guesthouse)

• Activity includes: scenic drive through Frontier Country, guided historical walking tour of Cradock
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Distance: 480 km, approx. 6½-7 hours driving excluding stops
• For more information, see: www.tuishuise.co.za

This morning, get up on time and drive to Mountain Zebra National Park. Game drive through the park looking for the endangered mountain zebra, but also other animals such as cheetah, buffalo, black rhinoceros, and birds.

After visiting the Mountain Zebra National Park, we returned to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, depart from Cradock and drive to the Addo Elephant National Park for a game drive, looking for the famous Addo Elephant.

Entry to the park is on the north side, and at the end of the day, you exit the park via the south exit. From Addo Elephant Park, it's a short distance to the beachfront hotel in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Rest of the afternoon at your leisure for relaxing or taking a stroll along the beach.

Overnight stay at the Beach Hotel in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Activity includes: scenic drive through Frontier Country, game drive through Mountain Zebra N.P. and game drive through Addo Elephant N.P. including entrance fees.
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast and lunch
• Distance: 350 km
• For more information, see: www.thebeachhotel.co.za

This morning there's time for a walk on the beach and a dip in the Indian Ocean. After breakfast, depart from Port Elizabeth.

Driving via the stunning “Garden Route” to Tsitsikamma National Park where a walk will be taken over the Storms River suspension bridge.

After visiting Tsitsikamma, drive to the world's highest bungee jump over the Storms River.

For the daredevils, there's time to take a leap. Afterwards, drive via Plettenberg Bay to the coastal town of Knysna, situated on a beautiful lagoon.

The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the village and visit the charming Waterfront.

Overnight stays at The Rex Hotel in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Activities include: visit Tsitsikamma National Park, hike Tsitsikamma, suspension bridge inc. entrance fees
• Optional activities: kayaking, mountain biking, township tour, ziplining
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals including: breakfast and dinner
• Distance: 290 km, approx. 5-6 hours driving including stops
• For more information, see: www.aha.co.za/rex-hotel

After breakfast, depart from Knysna and drive via the towns of George and Mossel Bay to the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas.

Here the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.

From June to September, there's a chance you might see whales here. Picnic lunch on the beach.

Continue driving to the fishing village of Arniston. In the afternoon, take a walk to Waenhuiskrans, a huge cave by the sea.

Overnight stay in the Arniston Hotel or Arniston Cabins with an en-suite bathroom. (Hotel)

• Activities include: visit to Cape Agulhas, walk to Waenhuiskrans cave (approx. 1.6 km)
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals inclusive: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
• Distance: 430 km, approx. 5 – 5½ hours excluding stops
• For more information, see: www.arnistonhotel.com

After breakfast, depart from Arniston and drive via the “Whale Route” to the village of Hermanus, famous for the whales that reside in the bay during the winter months and give birth to their young there.

From the footpath through the village, there is a magnificent view over the bay.

From Hermanus, the journey continues along the “whale route” to the village of Betty's Bay, where a visit will be made to a small African penguin colony.

Drive via Rooi-Els and the coastal road to Gordon's Bay and then on to Cape Town. Arrive in ‘The Mother City” in the afternoon with the rest of the day at your leisure.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Cape Town.

A visit can be made to the V&A Waterfront, from where the boat departs for Robben Island, but you can also visit the historic centre of Cape Town, from the colourful houses of Bo-Kaap to the Dutch Fort.

Overnight stay at the Harbour Bridge Hotel in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Activities include: visit to penguin colony at Betty's Bay, including entrance fees, scenic drive along the coast to Cape Town
• Optional activities: parasailing, whale watching, canoeing, shark cage diving, scuba diving, boat cruise, Robben Island visit, Table Mountain
• Overnight stay: double room with en-suite bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast
• Distance: 280 km, approx. 3 ½ – 4 hours driving excluding stops
• For more information, see: www.themojohotel.com

The trip concludes today after breakfast (09:00).

End of arrangement.

• Meals included: breakfast