Your flight from the UK will most likely depart in the evening and arrive in South Africa the following morning. After arrival, you'll pick up your rental car and meet our local representative either at the rental office or at your first hotel. Once you have your car your South Africa trip will truly begin and you'll drive for approximately 60km to your hotel in Pretoria. After arrival 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. Excited by all of your new surroundings, you'll probably have enough energy to explore the bars and restaurants in Hatfield.  If you're arriving in South Africa at night, we'll make reservations for you in Johannesburg, not far from the airport, so that you don't have to drive all the way to the hotel in Pretoria after arrival.

You'll leave Pretoria early in the morning by rental car and continue your South Africa trip up the N4 to the eastern province of Mpumalanga. Gradually the countryside will become more meadow-like, hills will appear and traffic will become scarce. After a while you will see the peaks of the Drakensberg looming in the distance and you'll pass the impressive, in some areas 700 meter deep, Blyde River Canyon. Today's itinerary ends in the village of Hazyview; a village beautifully situated between sugar cane and banana plantations, at the Kruger Park border. Spend the night just outside of the village in a charming hotel with swimming pool amidst fields. Stay in for a great dinner or explore other dining options in the area; it's all up to you!

You will have plenty of time for independent sightseeing on day three of your South Africa trip. You'll drive past Blyde River Canyon and visit the uniquely shaped hills at the Three Rondavels. Along the way, you can stop to see the amazing effects of wind and erosion, at Bourkes Luck Potholes. Another must is God's Window, where you can see all the way to Mozambique if skies are clear. There are several other possible stops along the way, such as the quaint village of Sabie or the former mining town of Pilgrim's Rest with its historic houses, facades and stores. Be sure to visit one of the many friendly cafés for lunch.

Hazyview is only a few kilometres away from the Numbi gate at Kruger Park (the 'National Wildlife Reserve'). Wake up early and try to arrive at Kruger just after sunrise. This is the best time to see wild animals and even more importantly, the Big Five on your South Africa holiday. Tickets and maps are available at the entrance of the park. The speed limit in the park is 40km per hour, so please drive carefully. Spend the night in one of the rest camps in the middle of Kruger. These rest camps are completely surrounded by gates and therefore closed off from the park for your protection. You'll sleep in a rondavel (a round hut with a thatched roof) with an area for a 'braai' or barbeque. The camp also has a bar, a restaurant and a store (open until approximately 19.00). If you like, you can also prepare your own dinner.

Day 5 of your South Africa trip will also be spent in Kruger Park. With 2 million hectares of land, Kruger is almost a country in itself and many people base their South Africa holiday around visitng this famous National Park. Be sure to wake up early because an hour before sunrise you'll take off in a group of a maximum of 8 people (12 years and older) for an adventurous 3-4 hour walking safari (game walk) lead by two armed rangers. Explore the park on foot whilst searching for small and large wild animals and learning all there is to know about Kruger. The walk ends back at camp where a hearty breakfast will await you. After breakfast, be sure to stock up on supplies for your drive today. 

The roads, mostly asphalt, are in excellent condition and there are plenty of opportunities to stop along the way and enjoy the view and the animals. You'll spend the night in one of the camps in the southern part of the park: Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Pretoriuskop, Berg-en-Dal or Crocodile Bridge (approx. 60km). 
Click here for a map of Kruger Park

This morning, you'll head further south over quiet, well maintained highways. You'll reach the Indian Ocean coast effortlessly and before you know it you'll be driving past beach towns filled with country cottages owned by people from the cities. Eventually you'll arrive at beach town Umhlanga and nearby Durban. Durban is a large, hectic and exotic harbour city. Durban is the largest harbour in Southern Africa and it has a booming city centre with beautiful buildings. For the best fish restaurants, visit the harbour district. The climate in this area is subtropical and the city is ideally located at the edge of Indian Ocean beaches. Your accommodation is located slightly to the north of Durban in beach town Umhlanga. From here you'll be able to, either spend the day at the beach, or you can visit the city. You'll spend the night in a fine bed & breakfast close to the beach.

Tip: Have some free time left and want some rest and relaxation on your South Africa trip? Stay at the sandy beaches of Umhlanga for a few extra days, particularly recommended during the months November-April. The average temperature during this time of year is 28 degrees Celsius.

From Addo, you'll drive your rental car to Knysna. Along the way, you can stop off at beach towns such as St. Francis Bay or Jeffrey’s Bay. After a while you'll reach Tsitiskamma National Park where there are several hiking trails available to you. At the end of the day you'll reach Knysna, your home for the next few days. Your hotel is centrally located near many great restaurants.

This morning, you'll travel from Knysna lagoon through George and on to the arid region of the Small Karoo. Here you'll find the world capital of ostrich farming, Oudtshoorn. This is a vast town with broad lanes and lovely old buildings. You'll spend the night just outside of town, amidst ostrich farms, in our cosy little guest house complete with a swimming pool. Breakfast is included.

In the afternoon, you'll have several interesting activities to choose from such as a visit to the nearby Cango limestone caves. If you prefer to stay outdoors, you can drive a little further to the beautiful 'Rust en Vrede' ('Rest and Peace') waterfall. It's located in a small natural park that closes at 16:30. Another option is the Cango wildlife ranch. Here, you can cuddle a cheetah, hold a snake and try cage diving between crocodiles. Click here for more information on ostrich farming and the Swartberg pass.

Note: If you want to see the ostriches, the caves and the Prince Albert pass, you'll need to book an additional stay in Oudtshoorn on your South Africa tour.

Your South Africa trip will continue today with a drive through flowing fields along the N2 from Caledon to Hermanus. Keep a close eye on the coast; you may be able to spot dolphins from here, and perhaps even a whale if they are in season. While driving along the coast you'll head towards the Cape Peninsula and eventually you'll reach Cape Town. If you're running a bit late today, skip the peninsula and head straight to Cape Town and visit the peninsula tomorrow. You can combine a trip to the peninsula with a visit to the wine territories Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl. 

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in Africa and a must see on any South Africa holiday. It's a real mixture of the Western and Third World, with luxurious suburbs and extreme poverty in the townships. It's well known for Table Mountain, the sweeping winelands surrounding the city and the many outdoor activities available.
 
Above all, the city has a wonderful, exciting feel to it - anything is possible! Visit the city centre, ride the cable car to the top of the Table Mountain, relax in Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, drive the Cape Peninsula Coast Road and head to the winelands for a glass (or two... or three) of SA wine. Be sure to add Robben Island to your Cape Town trip - this is where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for so many years during the Apartheid regime. On Day 20 your South Africa trip will finish and you'll return your car to the rental office at the airport and board a plane back home. If you have time, a final visit to the beautiful Camps Bay beach for a stroll on the sand will help you relax before your flight.