Rising early this morning we enter the Kruger National Park to enjoy a full day of game viewing. The abundance of wildlife presents us with opportunities for excellent sightings, and the Kruger is also home to the famed members of Africa’s Big-5. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Our Game drive through the park is in an open-sided 4x4 vehicle.

While those who elect to do the optional morning walk will have an earlier start, we set out a little later today and travel the short distance to the Panorama Route. Strung along the escarpment that divides the central plateau and low-lying bushveld of the Kruger, the sights of the Panorama route offer us a day of scenic delights. We will visit the highlights of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels and God’s Window before returning to camp in the late afternoon.

We start the day early with some coffee and traditional rusks before setting off through Kruger on our way to Eswatini. Our vehicle offers an excellent platform for game viewing as we make our way south. We exit the southern end of the park and travel the short distance to Eswatini border, our route this afternoon winds through the mountains and forests of this landlocked kingdom. Our destination for today is the Ezulwini Valley just south of the capital Mbabane.

Officially known as the Kingdom of Eswatini, Eswatini is a landlocked country which means that it doesn’t have a coastline and is completely surrounded by South Africa.  Some key Swazi phrases to try include:  Hello: “Sawubona” or Yes: “Yebo”.   Today you will have the opportunity to explore your surroundings.

We bid farewell to Eswatini and re-enter South Africa, continuing south into the reaches of Zululand, once the realm of the mighty King Shaka who united the Zulu clans.

We set out early this morning for a game drive in the nearby Hluhulwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, one of the last strongholds of the endangered rhinoceros. While rhinoceros are the most famous of the park’s inhabitants, the park also provides a home to many other species, including the Big-5 that we all hope to see. Returning to our lodging for a siesta, we freshen up for an afternoon boat cruise on St Lucia estuary.

Running the length of the Kwazulu-Natal province, the Ukuhlamba Drakensberg Park is a UNESCO recognised world heritage site. Whether you go by the Zulu name uKhahlamba, meaning 'barrier of spears', or the Afrikaans name Drakensberge, meaning 'dragon mountains', these towering mountains will be our backdrop for the next two nights. On our way we make a stop to view the scenic Howick Falls and a visit to the nearby site that marked the capture of South Africa’s most famous man, Nelson Mandela.

We set out this morning for a lengthy hike. While we encourage everyone to make the most of the day in mountains, we may offer separate options depending on the activity level of the group. With a number of trails available we can ensure that we cater to every need, the most important aim is to ensure everyone enjoys this mountain paradise at their own pace.

Our journey today begins with a mountain pass as our route winds its way through the magnificent cliffs off the Golden Gate National Park before we enter Lesotho in the afternoon, we pass the capital city of Maseru as continue the climb to our base high amongst the mountain peaks.

The clean air of the mountains accompanies us this morning as we explore the surrounding area offers a unique and adventurous landscape to explore on foot and we will set out on the trail which is a couple of hours.

Returning to South Africa, we descend the mountains and take aim across the Great Karoo. The semi-arid Karoo represents the heartland of rural South Africa and presents a stark contrast to the mountains we leave behind. Our overnight stop is set in the historic town of Graaff-Reinet, the fourth oldest town in the country. We cross the mighty Orange (Gariep) River today as we journey through the vast countryside of the Karoo.

This morning you will have the opportunity to join a sunrise excursion to the Valley of Desolation. This unique valley offers a panoramic view over the town and the wide-open plains stretching out below. Setting course for the coast once again, we pass through the open plains of the Karoo and head to the famous Addo Elephant National Park where we will enjoy a half day game drive in our Nomad vehicle, in search of the famous elephants that call Addo home.

We once again head into Addo Elephant National Park for our game drive.  Recent expansion has seen Addo grow to become the third largest of South Africa’s National Parks. The unique vegetation of Addo supports a wide variety of wildlife and we will spend the morning in search of the animals.

Setting out early this morning we make a brief visit to the surfing mecca of Jeffreys Bay.  Most famous for its waves this little town is also home to a small Surfing Museum. We then turn west to the Tsitsikamma region where we set up for the next two nights and where the wonders of the Garden Route await.

Tsitsikamma National Park is one of South Africa’s premier marine reserves and this morning we set out to explore the rugged coastline on foot. Our hike along the Waterfall Trail sees us cover the first section of the world-renowned Otter Trail. This is not an easy hike and those who prefer a more leisurely option can make use of the boardwalks to the Storms River Mouth. We return after our hike and you will have the opportunity to book the Woodcutters Journey in the afternoon – experiencing the uniqueness of the Tsitsikamma biome and learning about the history of the area and its indigenous fauna & flora.

After a stop in the town of Knysna, we make our way inland, crossing the Outeniqua Mountains and descend to the town of Oudtshoorn.  We head to the famous Cango caves to enjoy a guided tour where we marvel at the astonishing formations that have formed in these impressive limestone caves.

After breakfast, we depart Oudtshoorn, traveling through the picturesque Little Karoo and continuing our journey along the Garden Route. En route, we pass charming country towns and rolling farmlands before reaching Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Take time to explore the rugged coastline and capture unforgettable photos at this iconic landmark.  We continue our scenic drive, towards Hermanus, renowned for its spectacular whale-watching opportunities (seasonal June–November) and vibrant seaside atmosphere.  Once we have settled into our accommodation, we enjoy a relaxing evening in this charming coastal town.  In the evening, your guide will arrange an optional dinner out at a selected local restaurant, offering a wonderful opportunity to enjoy regional cuisine and great company.

This morning, we have time to stroll along the Cliff Path (boardwalk) in Hermanus, offering panoramic ocean views and if you’re lucky, a glimpse of the southern right whales (seasonal June – November).  We depart Hermanus and drive along the beautiful Cape Whale Coast which is a pristine stretch on the South African coastline, stopping at one of the largest breeding colonies of African Penguins, Stony Point Nature Reserve.  If time permits, we may take a scenic detour through a section of the renowned Cape Winelands, where we’ll get the opportunity to stop, stretch our legs and grab a bite to eat for lunch (optional). Your tour comes to an end upon arrival in the city centre of Cape Town.