South Africa Grand Tour - 14 Days



Who is this trip for
Age range
12 - 99Start / End
- Johannesburg
- Cape Town
Physical rating
Group size
1 - 24Meals included
22Highlights
- Blyde River Canyon - Travel along the breathtaking Panorama Route and take in awe-inspiring views of the canyon from various vantage points
- Kruger National Park - Search for the Big Five and other African wildlife on a full day safari in South Africa's premier national park
- Eswatini - Enjoy a vibrant showcase of Swazi culture at Matsamo Cultural Village, visit local craft markets and stay in the picturesque Ezulwini Valley
- Mkhuze, Zululand - Visit to an authentic Zulu homestead for a glimpse into contemporary Zulu life and enjoy a game drive in the Mkhuze Game Reserve, home to the Big Five
- Durban - Enjoy a morning city tour of Durban, a melting pot of cultural and historical contrasts
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park - Spot hippos, crocodiles and a plethora of birds on an estuarine boat trip in this diverse wetland reserve
- The Garden Route - Admire some of the world's most beautiful scenery as you travel along a stretch of this gorgeous coastline from Port Elizabeth
- Tsitsikamma - Stroll along the suspension bridge that spans the Storms River mouth gorge, offering spectacular views
- Plettenburg Bay - Encounter different species of free-roaming primates at Monkeyland, see a wonderful array of birdlife at the Birds of Eden and visit neighbouring Knysna
- Oudtshoorn - Take a guided tour of a working ostrich farm and visit the remarkable Cango Caves
- Cape Winelands - Go wine tasting in South Africa's famous winelands on a full-day tour, visiting Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl
- Cape Town - Discover the breathtaking Cape Peninsula on a full day tour and see the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, explore South Africa's 'Mother City' on a morning tour and take the cable car up Table Mountain
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Summary
LODGE SAFARI: The grand tour of South Africa that has it all! Incredible wildlife, breathtaking scenery and cultural insights. Set off on an unforgettable 14-day journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town. Traverse the breathtaking Panorama Route, embark on a thrilling safari in Kruger National Park, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Eswatini. Enjoy another Big Five safari in the wildlife-rich Mkhuze Game Reserve and spot hippos and crocs on a St Lucia boat trip. From Port Elizabeth travel along the picturesque Garden Route, discovering its natural wonders, including spectacular Tsitsikamma and the Cango Caves. Encounter ostriches in Oudtshoorn and primates at Plettenberg Bay's Monkeyland. Our adventure ends in Cape Town, where you’ll marvel at the beauty of Table Mountain, explore the Cape Peninsula, and indulge in wine tasting on a tour of the Cape Winelands.
Itinerary
Day 1
Johannesburg to Hoedspruit
Johannesburg - Hoedspruit. This morning meet your tour guide at the Radisson Hotel OR Tambo Airport at 07.30 for pre-tour formalities, ready to depart at 08.00.
We set off on a remarkable adventure from Johannesburg to the captivating Mpumalanga, known as the "Land of the Rising Sun." Travelling along the scenic Panorama Route, where we discover the breathtaking Blyde River Canyon. Marvel at the spectacular views from several lookout points, beginning with Bourke’s Luck Potholes and concluding at the renowned Three Rondavels. If time and weather allow, we’ll also stop at God’s Window to enjoy its stunning panoramic views. Arriving at our hotel in the late afternoon, settle in, and take a moment to unwind before dinner.
Please note:This tour departs from Radisson Hotel OR Tambo Airport at 08.00 on Day 1, so you will need to book a night's pre tour accommodation in Johannesburg. We can book pre tour accommodation at Radisson Hotel OR Tambo Airport if required. You will need to make their own way to this hotel for the departure, if you do not stay there the night before.
Day 2
Kruger NP full day safari
It's an early start this morning as we head to the famous Kruger National Park for a full day open vehicle game drive. Spanning nearly 2 million hectares, this extraordinary wildlife reserve provides one of Africa’s finest opportunities to witness its diverse flora and fauna. After the safari we return to our hotel where there's time to relax before dinner at the lodge.
Day 3
Eswatini (Swaziland)
Hoedspruit - Eswatini. After breakfast, we set off for the Royal Kingdom of Eswatini (also known as Swaziland), a mesmerising land rich in African traditions and breathtaking scenery. Here we enjoy a lively display of Swazi culture, followed by a delicious traditional lunch at Matsamo Cultural Village. Next, we visit the Ngwenya Glass Works, where skilled artisans create beautiful sculptures from molten glass. After exploring the vibrant local craft markets, we arrive at our hotel, nestled in the scenic Ezulwini Valley. Dinner this evening will be served at the hotel.
Day 4
Mkhuze, Zululand
Eswatini - Mkhuze. After breakfast, we depart for a morning visit to the Swazi Candle Factory, where skilled artisans handcraft each unique candle using the traditional “millefiore” technique. Every candle is a masterpiece, featuring an enchanting variety of patterns and designs. We then continue our journey through Big Bend into KwaZulu Natal, arriving at our hotel in the afternoon. From there, we embark on a thrilling scenic drive up the Ubombo Mountains, where we’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Lake Jozini. As the sun sets, we stop for sundowners and visit an authentic Zulu homestead to gain insight into contemporary Zulu life before heading to our hotel for dinner.
Day 5
Mkhuze Game Reserve safari
Today, we embark on an exciting open vehicle game drive in the uMkhuze Game Reserve, home to an incredible variety of habitats, from the eastern slopes of the Lebombo Mountains to rolling acacia savannah, swamps, woodlands, and riverine forests. The reserve is teeming with wildlife, including black and white rhino, elephant, giraffe, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, and an abundance of plains game. Since the reintroduction of lions in 2013, uMkhuze has become a Big Five reserve. Bird enthusiasts will be thrilled by the exceptional birdlife, with 420 recorded species. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon and round off the day with a delicious dinner.
Day 6
St Lucia boat trip & Umhlanga
Mkhuze - St Lucia - Umhlanga. After an early breakfast, we set off along the breathtaking Elephant Coast of KwaZulu Natal towards St Lucia, situated at the southern tip of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, we embark on an estuarine boat trip, offering a rare opportunity to spot crocodiles, hippos, and an array of bird species, including the elusive African Fish Eagle. We then continue our journey to Umhlanga, a resort town north of Durban. Arriving at our hotel in the afternoon, dinner arrangements for the evening are left to your choice.
Day 7
Durban city tour & Port Elizabeth
Umhlanga - Durban - Port Elizabeth. We begin the day with a morning city tour of Durban, a vibrant melting pot of cultural and historical contrasts. We’ll drive along the iconic Golden Mile, passing striking art-deco buildings and uShaka Marine World, before visiting Victoria Embankment, with its historical landmarks such as the Natal Museum and City Hall. Following the tour, we make our way to King Shaka International Airport to check in for our domestic flight to Port Elizabeth (flight not included). Upon arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel, leaving the rest of the day free to relax.
Please note: The flight from Durban to Port Elizabeth is not included. Please book the afternoon Airlink flight departing at approx 16.20. If you require assistance contact us.
Day 8
Tsitsikamma & Plettenberg Bay
Port Elizabeth - Plettenberg Bay. We depart from Port Elizabeth and journey along the scenic coastline to the stunning Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park, often called the "garden of the Garden Route." Here, we take a leisurely walk across the suspension bridge spanning the Storms River mouth gorge, offering breathtaking views and excellent photo opportunities. After our exploration, we continue to Plettenberg Bay for dinner and an overnight stay, where we can relax and reflect on the day’s memorable adventures.
Day 9
Birds of Eden, Monkeyland & Knysna
This morning we experience the magic of nature at Birds of Eden, the world’s largest free-flight bird aviary, where you can observe a diverse collection of African birds in a serene setting. Next stop is Monkeyland - the world’s first free roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. In the afternoon, we head to the picturesque Knysna Waterfront where there's time to explore before enjoying an early dinner at a waterfront restaurant.
Day 10
Oudtshoorn ostrich farm
Plettenberg Bay - Oudtshoorn. After breakfast we travel to Oudtshoorn, the "feather capital" of the world. Here, we visit a working ostrich farm for an insightful guided tour before checking into our accommodation in the late afternoon and spending the evening at leisure.
Day 11
Cango Caves & Route 62 to Cape Town
Oudtshoorn - Cape Town. After breakfast we visit the Cango Caves, for a morning tour of this remarkable natural wonder. Then we bid farewell to Oudtshoorn and set off along scenic Route 62 to Cape Town, stopping for a lunch break in Barrydale en route. Arriving into Cape Town around 5pm, the evening is free for you to head out and dine at one of the city's many excellent restaurants.
Day 12
Full day Cape Peninsula Tour
Today we enjoy a full-day Cape Point and Peninsula tour. We travel along the breathtaking Atlantic Seaboard, passing through Sea Point, Clifton, and Camps Bay, with a stop at a scenic lookout point in Llandudno. We then continue to Hout Bay, a picturesque fishing harbour, where we have the option to take a boat trip to Seal Island (additional cost). Next, we journey along Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve. After lunch at a nearby restaurant (not included), we visit the historic Simon’s Town, famous for its Victorian architecture and see the large penguin colony at Boulders Beach. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 13
Full day Cape Winelands Tour
We start the day with breakfast before setting off on a delightful full-day Cape Winelands tour. This scenic drive takes us through breathtaking mountain ranges, vineyards, and Cape Dutch homesteads, heading towards Stellenbosch, the heart of South Africa's wine industry. Here, we enjoy our first wine tasting amidst the picturesque estates. We then travel over the Helshoogte Pass to Franschhoek, the Gourmet Capital of South Africa, where we have the opportunity to enjoy another wine tasting and indulge in a culinary experience at one of the area’s renowned restaurants (lunch at our own expense). The day concludes with a visit to a wine estate in the Paarl region, rounding off a wonderful day before returning to Cape Town.
Day 14
Cape Town city tour
Our tour concludes with a morning city tour that showcases Cape Town's rich history and lively culture. Weather permitting, we begin with a trip up Table Mountain (cable car fee not included). We then explore the Company Gardens, the South African Museum, the Castle of Good Hope, and the vibrant Greenmarket Square. We also visit the colourful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, home to the Cape Muslim community, and learn about their significant contributions to the city’s heritage. By 12:30pm, we will be dropped off at our hotel, marking the end of our grand tour of South Africa.
What's Included
Meals
Breakfasts: 14, Lunches: 1, Dinners: 7
Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
Vegetarian options availableLocal Guide
GuidedThis adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
Wifi
Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.
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Essential trip information
Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.
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