South Africa Without Borders

South Africa safari holiday

This itinerary is based on the combination of two unforgettable journeys. The itinerary combines the most versatile route through South Africa with a cross-country trip straight through the former homeland Transkei and the genuinely African Wild Coast. What can you expect during this South Africa safari holiday? You'll see rolling hills dotted with thatched huts, grazing herds of goats and, despite the low standard of living, you'll also see smiling people everywhere you look. This is the land of travellers, but not the land of tourists. People actually take time for conversation and are interested in one another. The coastline is especially beautiful: white beaches perfect for surfing, surrounded by subtropical trees and plants. The name Wild Coast eludes to, among other things, the vast number of ships that have wrecked here.

There's more! On this itinerary you'll also visit the famous national parks of Kruger, Hluhluwe, and Mlilwane in Swaziland. You'll also travel to the beaches and cities of KwaZulu Natal. The culmination of the journey is a drive along the Garden Route to Cape Town, where you'll have plenty of time to explore the wine territory. 

If you decide to set off on this South Africa safari holiday, set your senses on high alert and smell, taste and experience everything South Africa has to offer!

Your flight to will most likely depart from the UK in the evening and arrive in South Africa the following morning. After arrival you'll be able to pick up your rental car and become acquainted with our local representative either here or at the first hotel. Once you have your car, you'll drive for approximately 60 km to your hotel in Pretoria. After you arrive at your hotel you'll have time to freshen up, rest up and visit a few of the sights in Pretoria such as the buildings of Parliament and their gardens, the Voortrekkers monument (to commemorate the Boers that trekked north into the heart of the African grassland) and the Paul Kruger house. Invigorated by all of the new impressions and surroundings, you should have enough energy left to visit the bars, restaurants and stores in Hatfield.

Total distance on Day 1 of the South Africa safari holiday is approximately 60 km.

If you choose a direct flight to South Africa, you'll most likely arrive late at night. We'll make reservations for you in Johannesburg, not far from the airport, so that you don't have drive all the way to the hotel in Pretoria after arrival. 
 

You'll leave Pretoria early in the morning by rental car and take the N4 to the eastern province of Mpumalanga. Gradually the countryside will become more meadow-like and hilly and traffic will become scarce. You'll arrive at Dullstroom in the afternoon; one of the best fly fishing areas in South Africa and also known for birds of prey. It's also a wonderful area to go horseback riding.

This picturesque town between Pretoria and Kruger Park is a great place to stay on any South Africa safari holiday. Spend the night in our guest house with charming features such as a fireplace and a large garden. Your room will have a heater, tv and coffee and tea facilities. Breakfast is included.

Total distance on Day 2 is approximately 300km or 3.5 hours.

You'll be woken up at 06.00 this morning on the South Africa safari holiday. Normally maybe not your favorite time to wake up, but you forget it all when you are driving through the bush and suddenly see an elephant with the sunrise in the background. You drive straight through the 'Big 5' reserve in an open land rover and see the beauty of the bush up close. The rangers know where which animals can be found and they can also tell you quite a bit about the flora and fauna, tracks and animal droppings.....

In the afternoon you'll go back for another game drive. Since the reserve is relatively small and since a large number of animals live in the reserve, chances are you will encounter the 'Big 5' during your activity. The reserve is quite exclusive and only a few South Africa safari lodges have permits to be there. The guides and trackers available to you are extremely qualified and know all of the secrets of the bush. In between game drives relax in the swimming pool, while giraffes and zebra's swish their tails through the water of the river nearby.

After breakfast, say goodbye to your new friends at the bush lodge and drive towards Kruger's Orpen Gate. As you pass Satara and the Orpen dam, you'll head further and further south through Kruger. The roads are in excellent condition and you'll encounter all kinds of wild animals during your drive. Stop at one of the many camps or rest stops along the way to stretch your legs.

Keep in mind, the speed limit in this area is 40-50 km/hour.

You'll spend night 5 of the South Africa safari holiday in one of the Kruger's southern camps: Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Pretoriuskop, Berg and Dal or Crocodile Bridge. Be sure to take into account that the park is larger than you would imagine it to be and that at 18.00 all camp and park gates are closed. Click here for a Map of Kruger. 
 

If you feel like going on a game walk or game drive in Kruger this morning let us know and we'll arrange for an armed ranger to accompany you through the park. Most of the time these game walks are completely booked full by the time you arrive at the reserve, therefore it's better to book these activities ahead of time. Coming from the southern part of Kruger Park it's about a 275 km drive to Mlilwane National Park. Once you leave Kruger behind you it won't be long until you reach the Swaziland border. A scenic road leads through the mountain passes of Piggs Peak and along the Malotja Reserve to the busy, somewhat chaotic capital city of Mbabane. After a visit to the Swazi market stands, where all types of art and other products can be purchased, you'll reach Mlilwane Natural Park. This is the largest natural park in the country. After you've passed the entrance, head for the camp where you'll spend the night in a traditional beehive hut in a small Swazi village. This accommodation is very basic, featuring 2 single beds, electricity, mosquito netting and basic plumbing. But then again, what else do you need?

At your request you can also stay in the colonial lodge 'O'Reillys', home of the founder of the park, which is a more expensive and exclusive option.

Total distance on Day 6 is approximately 275 kilometres or 4 hours (depending on how long it takes at the border).
 

Leave from Mlilwane and drive further south past Manzini and Big Bend along the Mozambique border to Golela, the KwaZulu Natal border. The landscape will become flatter and more arid. Once you reach South African territory, take the highway to Hlhuhluwe and then take the exit to the village of St. Lucia. The village is very nearby the lake and reserve both known by the same name, St. Lucia. Spend the night in a small, pleasant accommodation with swimming pool near the main street, restaurants and stores. There are also several bars nearby that would be great for a drink and some music in the evening hours.

Total distance on Day 8 is approximately 350 kilometres or around 5 hours (depending on time at border).
 

You have two days to explore Lake St. Lucia and the beautiful Hluhluwe National Park. A boat leaves from the village of St. Lucia several times a day for an approximately 2 hour cruise on St Lucia lake. Aside from crocodiles you'll also see hippos, flamingos, pelicans and other fish-eating birds. This trip can easily be booked on location. Visit the nearby beach of Cape Vidal. The trail past many cut down trees is unique and on route to the beach you may even run into the white rhino!

Tip: Near St. Lucia you'll find the Zulu-village Khula. South Africa Travel Plan supports the small village's school, where many children do not even have enough money to pay tuition or for lunch. Click here for information on the South African charity project. If you're interested in doing some independent travel in South Africa and visiting the school and the village, a guide can take you there in the morning.

Today you'll travel from Umhlanga to Underberg. South of Drakensberg, on a plateau with a view of the Umzimkulu River, lies the village of Underberg. The area is known for fly fishing and it's a great place for a pick nick and a visit to the Himeville Nature Reserve and the Sani Pass. Keep in mind that you won't be able to cross this pass with a regular compact car. You'll spend the night in our cosy guest house.

If you would like to visit the Sanipass than we can organize this for you. Together with a guide in a 4 wheel drive you will come across breathtaking views and stunning rockformations on your way to Lesotho. In this small country you'll visit the Basothi people, a unique cultural experience. Of course you cannot miss out on the highest pub in Africa, the Sani Top Chalet. If you would like to do this excursion you will need an extra night in Underberg because it will take between 6 and 7 hours.

The trip continues to a part of South Africa that's still truly wild: the Transkei. The Transkei is the land of the Xhosa and it is also Nelson Mandela's birthplace. When driving through this land of rolling hills you'll see an occasional thatched hut, grazing herds of goats and, despite the low standard of living, you'll also see smiling people everywhere you look.

You'll find a long sandy beach, idyllically situated between green hills and the turquoise sea. The bay got its' name in 1893 when a ship full of coffee beans wrecked there. Some of the coffee beans sprouted, however the plants did not survive and you won't find any coffee bean plants in the area. Spend the night in a cosy hotel with pool at the beach.

Total distance on Day 13 is approximately 305 km.

Spend the day relaxing on the beach or by the pool. Want to unwind from your long drives in a more active manner? How about a horseback ride or some surfing? Be sure to visit the Hole in the Wall, a spectacular rock formation and the result of centuries of waves and erosion (see the picture to the left). Or go dolphin-spotting or whale-watching (only in the appropriate seasons). There are also organized township tours that leave from the village. You'll spend another night in Coffee Bay on your South Africa safari holiday.

Today you'll spend the day in Knysna and surrounding areas. Knysna is one of the most important towns on the Garden Route. Everything you could ever need is nearby, including a beautiful lagoon. The town itself isn't very large, however there are fun bars, pubs and restaurants that feature live-music until late at night. There's plenty to do during the day: hiking, dolphin-spotting or whale-watching, kayaking on the Knysna lagoon, diving and snorkelling, mountain biking, rock climbing, a visit to Tsitsikamma, a visit to the Robberg reserve and much more.

Today you finally get to truly stretch out and recover from all the driving you've been doing. About an hour from Knysna you'll find the Tsitsikamma National Park. This is where the famous Otter trail is located; a spectacular 5-day hike from Storms River Mouth to Nature’s Valley. The guided Otter trail hike (which includes overnight stays in huts along the trail) is so popular, especially among South Africans, that it is booked full a year in advance. However the trail can also be hiked independently. The Tsitsikamma is a long narrow stretch of rugged coastline with massive cliffs created by the relentless pounding of ocean waves, secluded beaches, waterfalls and native coastal woods known as fynbos in the river valleys.

Total distance on Day 18 is approximately 120 km.

Today you'll travel on to Swellendam with its' broad, oak-lined streets with historic houses that bring back an atmosphere of days gone by. Once you leave the Karoo, the scenery changes dramatically and becomes green and hilly. Follow the famous Route 62 past rugged mountains, friendly villages, wine vineyards and ostriches in pastures. After arrival in Swellendam you'll spend the night in a cosy bed and breakfast.

Total distance on Day 20 is approximately 230km.

After breakfast it is time for the next destination: Stellenbosch. Once you reach Stellenbosch you may want to park your car and explore the surrounding area. In the evening you can go for a relaxing walk through the vineyards and soak up the atmosphere. You'll stay at our charming guest house in a room with all necessary amenities. The guest house also has a swimming pool and breakfast is included during your stay. In the evening we can reserve a table for you in a private gazebo at the Moyo restaurant on the Spier Estate. This open-air restaurant has several buffets with the most delicious dishes where you can go back for seconds, thirds or more. Visiting this restaurant alone is quite an extraordinary experience.

Total distance on Day 21 is approximately 185km.

Today you'll drive to Cape Town at your own pace; it's not that far from Stellenbosch and won't take too long to reach. You may want to take a detour and drive around Cape Point into Cape Town. Follow the beautiful coastal route past Falsebaai, Muizenberg, Kalkbaai and Simonstown. If you drive a little further you'll reach the popular Boulders Beach with its' Penguins and white sandy beaches. This would be a great moment for a refreshing dive into the sea. As you continue along the route you'll reach the Cape Nature Reserve, a park with many small wild animals (better known as Cape of Good Hope). There are plenty of spots where you can stop along the way, stretch out for a bit and perhaps have a picnic on one of the secluded beaches. After lunch, continue on the Chapmans Peak route and pass by fisherman's town Houtbaai. From here it's only a 30-minute drive to Cape Town.

In Cape Town you'll be staying at a cosy guest house run by friendly owners. Your accommodation is situated in the heart of Greenpoint, Signal Hill and is only an 8-minute walk from the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. You'll be staying in the centre of the city and yet the guest house is located on top of a quiet hill; therefore you'll still be to enjoy a peaceful stay in this accommodation. There is sufficient parking space in front of the guest house.

Total distance on Day 24 of your South Africa safari holiday is approximately 45 km, depending on which route is chosen.

Today and tomorrow are completely dedicated to this amazing city! Cape Town is the most beautiful city in South Africa to many, and it's also the most frequently visited city in South Africa. It features a mix of the western and third world, with luxurious suburbs and extreme poverty in the townships. It is also well known for Table Mountain, the wine territories surrounding the city and the many outdoor activities that can be participated in here. Above all the city has a wonderful, exciting feel to it; anything is possible! At the very least you should try to visit the city's bustling waterfront, take a ride on the cable car up to the top of the Table Mountain, go on a picnic in the botanical gardens and take a boat trip to Robben island; this is where Nelson Mandela, among others, was kept imprisoned for so many years during the Apartheid regime. 

You can also stroll between the stalls the craft market in the centre of town or enjoy a drink and the view from a terrace at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. If you like, you can also get in your car and drive to Cape Town's northern beaches. Blouberg beach offers a particularly good view of the Table Mountain. If you want some more ideas of things to see on your South Africa safari holiday, give our travel specialist a call on the number below.