SOUTHERN AFRICA SIGNATURE JOURNEY

SOUTHERN AFRICA SIGNATURE JOURNEY

From ZAR 92,000 per person
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SOUTHERN AFRICA SIGNATURE JOURNEY
SOUTHERN AFRICA SIGNATURE JOURNEY
Duration: 19 Days (Guided Tour)

This carefully curated small-group lodge safari showcases the very best of South Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho over 19 memorable days from Johannesburg to Cape Town. 

Experience exceptional Big Five wildlife viewing in Kruger National Park, admire the dramatic mountain scenery of the Drakensberg, and journey along the renowned Garden Route. 

Along the way, discover rich cultures, fascinating heritage, and diverse landscapes that make Southern Africa so compelling. This immersive journey delivers a well-balanced blend of wildlife, scenery and cultural discovery.

From ZAR 92,000 per person
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ROUTE

Important Information

Highlights of the Journey
Johannesburg
  • As one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic cities, Johannesburg serves as the economic hub of the continent and a key gateway into Southern Africa. The city offers a fascinating blend of modern skyscrapers, traditional medicine markets, multicultural dining and significant historical sites. 

  • Visitors can explore excellent museums and galleries, enjoy outstanding shopping, and visit nearby Soweto, one of the region’s most well-known cultural attractions.

Graskop
  • Perched on the edge of the Drakensberg Escarpment, the forestry town of Graskop — meaning “Grassy Hill” — lies at the heart of Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route. Once a gold mining settlement, it is now a popular stopover and gateway to many of the region’s natural highlights. 

  • Nearby attractions include Kruger National Park, the impressive Blyde River Canyon, Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels. The area is also known for beautiful waterfalls such as Mac Mac Falls, Motitsi Waterfall, Lisbon Falls and Berlin Falls.

Hazyview
  • Surrounded by subtropical fruit orchards, Hazyview is a small agricultural town and an important gateway to the southern Kruger region and Panorama Escarpment. 
  • The area is well known for its wide range of outdoor activities, including mountain biking, quad biking, ziplining, tubing and river rafting. Visitors may also explore the Panorama Route viewpoints, cultural experiences, or enjoy horse riding along the Sabie River.

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Located in Eswatini’s aptly named “Valley of Heaven,” Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary offers a scenic landscape of open plains, granite hills and abundant birdlife. 
  • The southern section can be explored on foot, mountain bike, horseback or by vehicle, while the more remote northern areas are accessible only with guided hiking groups. The nearby towns of Malkerns and Ezulwini are well known for their craft markets and cultural attractions.

Hluhluwe
  • Situated between the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, Hluhluwe is surrounded by lush, scenic landscapes shaped by nearby wetlands. 
  • The region is also known for its significant pineapple production and rich agricultural heritage.

St Lucia
  • Located on the St Lucia Estuary and surrounded by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia is a tranquil destination defined by unspoilt natural beauty. The area offers excellent opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, mountain biking and fishing. 
  • Boat excursions on the estuary provide close-up sightings of hippos, crocodiles and water birds in their natural habitat.

Southern Drakensberg
  • The Southern Drakensberg is a spectacular region of forests, rivers and mountain scenery protected within several nature reserves. The area supports diverse flora and fauna and features hiking trails leading to caves adorned with ancient Khoisan rock art. 
  • One of the region’s most iconic experiences is the ascent of Sani Pass — South Africa’s highest mountain pass — which climbs to nearly 3,000 metres and connects to Lesotho, offering breathtaking panoramic views.

Chintsa
  • Located near East London along South Africa’s Wild Coast, Chintsa is a peaceful coastal destination made up of Chintsa East and Chintsa West, separated by the Chintsa River Mouth. 
  • The area features an unspoilt stretch of white-sand beach bordered by lush vegetation and offers opportunities for surfing, kayaking, fishing and relaxed seaside exploration.

Oudtshoorn
  • Known as the Ostrich Capital of the World, Oudtshoorn lies along the famous Route 62 and is home to the impressive Cango Caves. 
  • The region is renowned for its ostrich farming heritage and its vast cave system, where dramatic stalactites and stalagmites create striking underground formations.

Cape Town
  • Set between the iconic Table Mountain and the sparkling waters of Table Bay at the meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, Cape Town is one of the world’s most scenic cities. 
  • The Mother City combines rich cultural heritage, vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, renowned vineyards and dramatic mountain landscapes. With its diverse natural beauty and cosmopolitan atmosphere, Cape Town consistently ranks among the world’s most captivating destinations.
Day 1
Southern Sun OR Tambo International Airport (or similar)
Johannesburg



Day 2
The Graskop Hotel (or similar)

Graskop



Days 3 - 4

Hippo Hollow Country Estate (or similar)

Hazyview



Days 5 - 6

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Rest Camp (or similar)
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary



Days 7 - 8
Elephant Lake Hotel (or similar)
St Lucia



Days 9 - 10
Premier Resort Sani Pass (or similar)
Southern Drakensberg



Days 11 - 12
Crawford’s Beach Lodge (or similar)
Chintsa



Day 13
Zuurberg Mountain Village (or similar)
Greater Addo



Days 14 - 15
Tsitsikamma Village Inn (or similar)
Tsitsikamma



Day 16
Mooiplaas Guest House (or similar)
Oudtshoorn



Days 17 - 18
Pullman Cape Town City Centre (or similar)
Cape Town
Included
  • Accommodation as specified in the itinerary or similar standard.
  • All transport in a fully equipped vehicle.
  • Game drives and activities as mentioned.
  • Meals as per itinerary.
  • Services of an experienced local guide.
  • Park entrance fees.
  • Airport transfers on the first and last day of the tour.

 

Excluded
  • International and domestic flights.
  • Pre- and post-tour accommodation.
  • Optional activities.
  • All drinks.
  • Gratuities.
  • Personal expenses (telephone calls, curios, etc.). 
  • Travel insurance.
TRANSPORT
  • Airport transfers are typically conducted in comfortable sedan vehicles or minibuses, depending on group size. 
  • Touring throughout the itinerary is operated in fully equipped vehicles suitable for long-distance travel. Scheduled safari activities and game drives are conducted in open 4×4 safari vehicles where applicable.

 

Visas
  • It is the responsibility of each traveller to arrange all visas required for the countries visited on this itinerary prior to departure. 

  • Please ensure your passport has sufficient validity and blank pages in accordance with entry requirements for South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho.
 Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel and cancellation insurance is compulsory for all guests on this journey. Insurance arrangements remain the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Your policy must provide cover for the full duration of your trip, including but not limited to:

  • Personal Injury
  • Loss or damage to personal belongings (including camera and electronic equipment)
  • Medical expenses
  • Repatriation costs
  • Loss of luggage 

ITINERARY

Day 1 — Arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa
  • On arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after your journey.

  • This evening, meet your guide and fellow travellers at 18h00 for a pre-departure briefing.
Day 2 — Johannesburg to Mpumalanga
  • Departing Johannesburg, travel east into Mpumalanga, a region renowned for its dramatic mountains, sweeping passes, valleys, rivers and forests.

  • Overnight in the forestry town of Graskop, perched on the Drakensberg Escarpment and gateway to the Panorama Route and Kruger region.
Day 3 — Panorama Route: Bourke’s Luck Potholes & Blyde River Canyon
  • Enjoy a scenic exploration of the Panorama Route, one of South Africa’s most celebrated drives.

  • Visit the remarkable Bourke’s Luck Potholes, where centuries of erosion have sculpted striking rock formations. 

  • Continuing to the magnificent Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon in the world, known for its lush vegetation and dramatic cliffs.
Day 4 — Kruger National Park
  • Today is devoted to wildlife viewing in the world-famous Kruger National Park.

  • Enjoy a full-day open-vehicle safari in search of Africa’s iconic wildlife across this vast and diverse reserve.
Days 5 - 6 — Kingdom of Eswatini
  • Cross the border into the mountainous Eswatini (formerly Swaziland).

  • Spend two nights in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, the country’s pioneering conservation area set in the scenic “Valley of Heaven.”


Activities include:

  • Guided nature walk in search of plains game and birdlife.
  • Cultural visit to an Umphakatsi Chief’s homestead.
  • Interactive Swazi cultural experience with song, dance and traditional food tasting.
Day 7 — Zululand, South Africa
  • After visiting a local craft market, re-enter South Africa via northern KwaZulu-Natal.

  • Arrive at your lodge in Zululand late afternoon.
Day 8 — Hluhluwe-iMfolozi & St Lucia Estuary
  • Enjoy a game drive in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, Africa’s oldest proclaimed game reserve and an important sanctuary for both black and white rhino.

  • Later, travel to iSimangaliso Wetland Park for a boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary, home to hippos and crocodiles.
Days 9 -10 — Southern Drakensberg & Lesotho
  • Journey into the spectacular Southern Drakensberg region.

  • Embark on a guided 4×4 excursion up the legendary Sani Pass into Lesotho. 

  • At the summit, enjoy time at the highest pub in Africa while taking in sweeping mountain views.
Days 11 - 12 — Chintsa, Wild Coast
  • Travel south to Chintsa, a tranquil gem along the Wild Coast.

  • Spend time at leisure enjoying long, unspoilt beaches and the relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Day 13 — Zuurberg Mountains, Addo Region
  • Traverse the historic Zuurberg Mountain Pass with your guide, learning about the region’s early explorers and settlers.

  • In the late afternoon, enjoy a guided walk in the Zuurberg Mountains.
Days 14 - 15 — Addo & Tsitsikamma
  • Begin with a morning open-vehicle safari in Addo Elephant National Park, famous for its large elephant herds.

  • Continue along the Garden Route to Tsitsikamma, staying near Storms River Village.


Activities include:

  • Guided walk to the Storms River suspension bridge.
  • Short forest trails.
  • Optional Bloukrans Bridge bungee jump (own expense).
Day 16 — Tsitsikamma to Oudtshoorn
  • Travel over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo, arriving in Oudtshoorn.

  • Visit an ostrich farm followed by a tour of the impressive Cango Caves.
Days 17 - 18 — Cape Town
  • After the morning’s activities, continue to Cape Town, stopping in Robertson for a wine tasting en route.

Day 17: Afternoon at leisure on arrival.
Day 18: Full-day Cape Peninsula tour featuring:

  • Atlantic Seaboard coastal drive.
  • Hout Bay (optional Seal Island boat trip).
  • Chapman's Peak Drive.
  • Cape Point & Good Hope Nature Reserve.
  • Simon's Town.
  • Boulders Beach penguin colony (entrance fee payable).
Day 19 — Departure
  • Enjoy your final day at leisure. Weather permitting, you may choose to take the cable car up Table Mountain (own expense) for one last panoramic view of the Cape.

  • Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

We look forward to welcoming you again on another African adventure in the future.

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