19-day South African Explorer comfort group safari

This morning, get up on time and after breakfast, depart for a full day of game driving in the Kruger National Park in a special, open 4x4 safari vehicle.

Overnight stay at Nkambeni Tented Lodge in a permanent en-suite safari tent. (tented lodge)

• Activities include: full-day game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle in the Kruger National Park, including entrance fees.
• Meals including: breakfast and dinner
• Overnight stay: Nkambeni Tented Lodge or equivalent in a permanent twin safari tent with en-suite bathroom

This morning, there's an opportunity to do a morning game walk (not included in the holiday package).

Thereafter, depart Nkambeni Lodge for the drive along the renowned Panorama Route, one of South Africa’s most beautiful routes.

A visit will be made to Bourke's Luck Potholes, the Blyde River Canyon including God's Window and the Three Rondavels.

Overnight stay at Nkambeni Tented Lodge in a permanent en-suite safari tent. (tented lodge)

• Activities include: visit to Panorama Route, God’s Window, Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes
• Meals including: breakfast and dinner
• Overnight stay: Nkambeni Tented Lodge or equivalent in a permanent twin safari tent with en-suite bathroom

After breakfast, depart from Nkambeni Tented Lodge and game drive through Kruger Park to the southern exit of Kruger Park.

Then drive towards the Jeppe's Reef border with the Kingdom of Swaziland.

En route to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, there will be a stop at a local market where nice souvenirs can be purchased. The afternoon is at your leisure in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.

Because there are no dangerous animals here, you can go for walks, mountain bike tours or horse riding.

Overnight stay in a twin room with en-suite bathroom at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary rest camp. (lodge)

• Activities include: game drive through Kruger Park heading south
• Meals including: breakfast and dinner
• Accommodation: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary or equivalent in a twin room with en-suite bathroom
• For more information, see: www.biggameparks.org/mlilwane of Big Game Parks Hlane of www.mantengalodge.com

The day is at leisure to relax at the camp or to do optional activities in the park.

Overnight stay in a twin room with en-suite bathroom at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary rest camp. (lodge)

• Optional activities: game drives, Swazi cultural evening, mountain biking, horse riding and hiking
• Meals including: breakfast and dinner
• Accommodation: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary or equivalent in a twin room with en-suite bathroom

After breakfast, depart from Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and drive south towards the Golela border and the warm Indian Ocean coast and the town of St. Lucia.

Arriving in the afternoon and time to relax.

Overnight stay at Shonalanga Lodge. (chalet)

• Meals including: breakfast and dinner
• Overnight stay: Shonalanga Lodge or equivalent in a twin room with en-suite bathroom
• For more information, see: www.shonalanga.net of www.forestkzn.co.za

After breakfast, depart from St. Lucia and drive to the nearby Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve for a morning game drive.

The Hluhluwe–Umfolozi Game Reserve is the only State-owned Big Five park located in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The park has the world's largest population of white rhinoceros.

After visiting Hluhluwe–Umfolozi Park, we returned to St Lucia and had time to relax.

In the afternoon, a sunset boat cruise on Lake St. Lucia in search of flamingos and hippos.

Overnight stay at Shonalanga Lodge (chalet).

• Activities include: morning game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, boat cruise on Lake St Lucia
• Meals included: breakfast
• Overnight stay: Shonalanga Lodge or equivalent in a twin room with en-suite bathroom

After breakfast, depart from St. Lucia and drive towards the Drakensberg Mountains.

The Drakensberg Mountains are South Africa's highest mountain range, with peaks reaching up to 3000 metres. Hiking is the most popular activity here, and this afternoon there's a lovely walk with the guide.

On the way, a stop will be made at the village of Howick for a short walk and a visit to the waterfalls.

After visiting Howick, we drive to the Drakensberg Mountains, with a stop en route at the “Capture Site”, the place where police stopped a car with a wanted Nelson Mandela inside in 1962.

From that day until his release 27 years later, Nelson Mandela was a prisoner of the State. Today, this place is a memorial site with a beautiful monument.

Arrive in the afternoon and the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight stay in a double room at the Monks Cowl resort. (hotel)

• Activities include: visit to Howick Falls, Mandela Capture Site
• Meals: breakfast and dinner
• Overnight stay: Monks Cowl Resort in a double room with en-suite bathroom
• For more information, see: www.goodersonleisure.co.za

Full day in the Drakensberg Mountains.

Today a hike will be made through the Drakensberg Mountains, accompanied by a guide, which will include a visit to the rock paintings at Battle Cave.

After the walk, return to Monks Cowl Resort and the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight stay at the Monks Cowl Resort in a double room. (hotel)

• Activity includes: guided hike in the Drakensberg Mountains (entrance fee and bushman rock painting visit included)
• Meals: breakfast and dinner
• Overnight stay: Monks Cowl Resort in a double room with en-suite bathroom

Depart from Monks Cowl resort and drive via a scenic route along the Drakensberg mountains to the border of Lesotho, a “landlocked” mountain kingdom surrounded by South Africa.

Arrive at the lodge in Lesotho in the late afternoon with the rest of the day at your leisure to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Overnight stay at Semonkong or Malealea Lodge in a double room.

• Breakfast and dinner meals
• Overnight stay: Semonkong or Malealea Lodge in a double room with an en-suite bathroom
• For more information, see: www.semonkonglodge.com of www.malealealodge.com

This morning, a lovely walk with the guide to a waterfall.

Rest of the afternoon at your leisure.

Overnight stay at Semonkong or Malealea Lodge in a double room.

• Activities include: guided hike to waterfall and rock paintings
• Optional activities: pony trekking and village tour (must be booked in advance when booking the trip)
• Meals including: breakfast and dinner
• Overnight stay: Semonkong or Malealea Lodge in a double room with an en-suite bathroom

Depart from the “Kingdom in the Skies” and drive towards the border with South Africa and the Great Karoo, a semi-desert region known primarily for agriculture and livestock farming.

Graaff Reinet is a historic town which is the 4th oldest town in South Africa, after Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Swellendam.

Overnight stay at Profcon Resort or Camdeboo cottages in a double room. (hotel)

• Meals: breakfast and dinner
• Overnight stays: Profcon Resort or Camdeboo cottages in a double room with en-suite bathroom
• For more information, see: www.profconresort.co.za

In the early morning, the opportunity for a sunrise drive to the nearby Valley of Desolation.

Afterwards, depart from Graaff Reinet and drive to Addo Elephant National Park, the only park in the world with the ‘Big Seven“ – elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, whale, and great white shark.

In the afternoon, after the game drive in Addo National Park, drive to nearby Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha).

Overnight stay at the Garden Court Kings Beach hotel in a double room with en-suite.

• Activities include: sunrise drive in the Valley of Desolation, afternoon game drive in Addo National Park in the safari truck
• Meals included: breakfast
• Overnight stay: Garden Court Kings Beach hotel in a double room with ensuite bathroom
• For more information, see: www.southernsun.com/garden-court-kings-beach of www.africanos.co.za

In the morning, time to relax and take a walk on the beach. In the afternoon, drive to Addo Elephant National Park for an afternoon game drive.

After the game drive, return to Port Elizabeth.

Overnight stay at the Garden Court Kings Beach hotel in a double room with en-suite.

• Activities include: afternoon game drive Addo Elephant National Park
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Overnight stay: Garden Court Kings Beach hotel in a double room with ensuite bathroom

Depart from Port Elizabeth after receiving and driving to the village of Jeffrey’s Bay, the surf mecca of South Africa.

Then drive via a scenic route to Stormsriver Village and the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Overnight stay at the Tsitsikamma Village Inn in a double room with an en-suite bathroom. (guesthouse)

• Activity including: visit to the village of Jeffreys Bay
• Meals including: breakfast and dinner
• Overnight stay: Tsitsikamma Village Inn or equivalent in a double room with en-suite bathroom.
• For more information, see: www.tsitsikammavillageinn.co.za of www.stormsriverguestlodge.co.za

Full day around Storms River Village and surroundings.

In the morning, a walk can be taken in Tsitsikamma National Park with the guide.

The afternoon is at your leisure for relaxing or booking an activity such as the Woodcutters Journey excursion, Bungee jumping or a canopy tour.

Overnight stay at the Tsitsikamma Village Inn in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Optional activities: treetop canopy tours, black water tubing, Woodcutters Journey tour, bungee jumping
• Meals included: breakfast
• Overnight stay: Tsitsikamma Village Inn or equivalent in a double room with en-suite bathroom.

Depart Storms River Village and drive to the village of Knysna for a stop at a scenic viewpoint.

Then drive via the Outeniqua mountain pass to Oudtshoorn.

Visit to the famous Cango Caves with a guide. Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight stay at Denne Country House or Zeekoe Lodge in a double room with en-suite bathroom. (guesthouse)

• Activities include: standard tour Cango Caves caves
• Meals including: breakfast and dinner
• Overnight stay: De Denne Country House or De Zeekoe Lodge in a double room with bathroom
• For more information, see: www.dedenne.com of www.dezeekoe.co.za

After breakfast, depart from Oudtshoorn and drive along Route 62, passing charming villages in the Klein Karoo like Calitzdorp and Barrydale, with a stop en route at one of the padstals (shops selling local produce along the roadside).

From the dry Karoo to the wild coast at Cape Agulhas, the most southerly tip of Africa and the spot where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet.

Then drive on to the coastal town of Hermanus, where there's a chance to see whales that overwinter here during the winter months (June to November).

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

• Meals included: breakfast
• Overnight stay: Windsor or Arniston hotel in a double room with en-suite
• For more information, see: www.windsorhotel.co.za of www.arnistonhotel.com

After breakfast, depart from Arniston/Hermanus and drive along the “Whale Coast Route” towards Cape Town, with a stop en route at the Stony Point Nature Reserve to visit the African Penguin colony there.

After visiting the penguins and if time permits, drive to the well-known Cape Winelands, before driving to Cape Town where the tour ends late in the afternoon.

End of arrangement.

• Meals included: breakfast
• Activities include: walk along the Hermanus Cliff Path, visit to Stony Point Nature Reserve and penguin colony