Lesotho, Eswatini, South Africa · Safari

20-Day South Africa Safari and Culture Adventure from Johannesburg

20 Days Round trip from Johannesburg Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels on the Panorama Route
  • 02 Enjoy game drives in Kruger National Park and look out for the Big Five and dramatic wildlife interactions
  • 03 Experience traditional dances, local cuisine, village life, and Basotho cultural performances in Eswatini and Lesotho
  • 04 Take a boat cruise to see hippos and explore the wetlands of St. Lucia
  • 05 Visit Bushman paintings in Royal Natal National Park and enjoy pony trekking and village walks
  • 06 Explore the Tsitsikamma area with activities such as bungy jumping, blackwater tubing, and ziplining
  • 07 Tour the Cango Caves and an ostrich farm, and continue through Hermanus for whale watching

Experience a 20-day journey through South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho, combining scenic drives, thrilling safaris in Kruger National Park, and cultural immersions in Eswatini and the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. Discover the wetlands of St. Lucia, vibrant Durban, the dramatic landscapes of KwaZulu-Natal, and the stunning Garden Route. Along the way, enjoy game drives, boat cruises, hiking, pony trekking, village walks, whale watching, and visits to Oudtshoorn's Cango Caves and ostrich farms.

Experience the untamed beauty of fauna and flora and, most importantly, see hippos in their numbers.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 20 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities East London, Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Kruger National Park, Hermanus, Royal Natal National Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Golden Gate National Park, Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve, Wilderness National Park
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Drive from Johannesburg to Graskop via the Panorama Route

  • Drive from Johannesburg to Graskop.
  • En route, visit the famous Burk's Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels on the Panorama Route.

Please note that this is a long drive, and the duration of the experience will be monitored to allow safe travel and a timely arrival.

2
Day 02

Enter Kruger National Park and enjoy sunset game viewing

  • On this day, drive into Kruger National Park.
  • Transfer to your accommodation in one of the park's camps.
  • Enjoy a game drive in the vehicle upon entry and have lunch inside the park.
  • On arrival, check into your accommodation and prepare for the afternoon game drive in our vehicle. This will include a sunset drive inside the park.
  • Check into your accommodation to freshen up and relax. Have all meals at a restaurant in the park.
3
Day 03

Big Five spotting in Kruger

  • Today, see a variety of wild animals in the comfort of their natural environment.
  • In good weather, get to see the Big 5 (Leopard, Buffalo, Lion, Elephant, and Rhino). Also look out for packs of hyenas and wild dogs, cheetahs, and other scavengers.
4
Day 04

Full day of game drives and wildlife encounters

  • Today's activity continues the animal kingdom adventure of game drives in the park.
  • Witness killing, mating, territorial fights and takeovers, and stealing by scavengers.
  • This day is dedicated explicitly to game drives and animal viewing.
  • The game drive service provider will handle lunch, and dinner will be held at one of the park's restaurants unless clients make a unanimous decision to have it prepared by our cook guide.
5
Day 05

Cross into Eswatini for culture and tradition

  • Drive to Eswatini, previously known as Swaziland.
  • On this day, cross the border into Eswatini to enjoy the culture, dances, cuisine, and interaction with authentic indigenes of this history-filled Kingdom.
  • In September, experience the Royal dance, where young girls gather with reeds and perform the royal household dances of tradition.
  • Upon arrival, have lunch and relax before seeing Big Bend and the candle factory. Later, enjoy food prepared by our guide or from a restaurant in town.
6
Day 06

Village walks and cultural tours in Eswatini

  • On this day, enjoy village walks and cultural tours, during which we visit huts and get a first-hand experience of how Eswatini indigenes live.
  • See how the entire kingship is handled and how villagers live. Our cook guide will make and serve all meals.

Afternoon activities include:

Traditional dances

Traditional songs

Traditional cuisine

7
Day 07

Travel to St. Lucia and cruise the wetlands

  • Proceed to St. Lucia in the iSimangaliso wetlands to witness the beauty of nature on the eastern side of South Africa.
  • Upon arrival, check into your accommodation and proceed to lunch.
  • Enjoy an afternoon boat cruise provided by an individual service provider. Experience the untamed beauty of fauna and flora and, most importantly, see hippos in their numbers. This is also home to the famous Kingfisher bird.
  • Have dinner in one of St. Lucia's restaurants, which offers a variety of seafood dishes.
8
Day 08

Early game drive in iSimangaliso Game Reserve

  • On this day, wake up to a nature-filled day with an early morning game drive to the iSimangaliso Game Reserve to witness the animal kingdom in the wetlands.
  • Have lunch and relaxation time, and explore St. Lucia and other activities.
9
Day 09

Drive to Durban via the Mandela Capture Site

  • On this day, drive to Durban to experience more of Urban Zululand.
  • Have lunch and dinner in different indigenous restaurants to experience a blend of Zulu and Indian cuisine.
  • Walk on the beach and stretch or jog on the sand.
  • On the way to Durban, visit the Mandela Capture Site and enjoy the historical storytelling.
10
Day 10

Explore Durban's top attractions and ocean activities

  • On this day, enjoy a variety of activities, such as:
    • Ocean Safari
    • uShaka Marine World
    • Moses Mabhida Stadium
    • Shaka's Kraal
    • uShaka Wet 'n Wild activities
11
Day 11

Scenic drive through KwaZulu-Natal to Bergendal

  • Enjoy a long drive to Bergendal in KwaZulu-Natal, a place full of activities and markings of ancient living.
  • Check into your accommodation and convene for dinner and a briefing about the following day.
  • En route, experience a fun-filled drive through the Maluti Route, the Clarens mountains, and Golden Gate National Park.
12
Day 12

Nature activities in Royal Natal National Park

  • On this day, enjoy a variety of activities, such as:
    • Bushman paintings
    • Nature walk
    • Hiking to the Cascades
    • Enjoyment in Royal Natal National Park
    • Amphitheatre
13
Day 13

Journey into Lesotho's mountain kingdom

  • On this day, drive to Lesotho in an area called Malealea.
  • Travel for half a day to the mountain Kingdom to experience more of Lesotho's culture, traditions, and landscape.
  • On the first day, have dinner followed by the famous Basotho welcome songs and dances.
14
Day 14

Pony trekking and village life in Lesotho

  • On this day, experience the closest thing to real African culture, with a variety of activities including:
    • Pony trekking
    • Village walk
    • Nature walk
15
Day 15

Drive to the aMatola area in Cintsa East London

  • Today, enjoy a half-day drive to the famous aMatola area in Cintsa East London to experience the fauna and flora, as this day's road travel takes a long time.
  • Have lunch and time to settle into your accommodation for relaxation.
16
Day 16

Choose from adventure and nature activities in the east

  • Today, choose from several activities to spend the day while experiencing the eastern part of South Africa.
  • Some activities include boat cruises, quad biking, nature walks, animal interaction, and beach walks.
  • At the right time of year, in October, be part of the famous beer fest to taste some of the home-grown beers of South Africa.
17
Day 17

Drive to Plettenberg Bay via Wilderness and Tsitsikamma

  • Drive to Plettenberg Bay on this day, passing through the Wilderness to witness nature's untamed animal kingdom.
  • Also visit other places of interest in the Tsitsikamma area, including adrenaline-filled activities such as bungy jumping, blackwater tubing, and ziplining.
  • In between activities, have lunch in one of the restaurants along the route.
18
Day 18

Monkey Land, Otter Trail, and Black River Mouth

  • On this day, continue with other activities and sightseeing, including the famous Monkey Land, the Otter Trail, and the Black River mouth.
  • Before heading back to the accommodation, have lunch in town, where history and culture will be shared through the guide's demonstration and storytelling.
19
Day 19

Oudtshoorn, Cango Caves, and ostrich farm visit

  • Drive to your next accommodation in Oudtshoorn, where you will visit the Cango Caves and the ostrich farm and enjoy various other activities.
  • History is presented over lunch at an ostrich farm.
20
Day 20

Garden Route journey toward Cape Town and Hermanus

  • The tour ends in Cape Town, where the last dinner will be held.
  • En route, drive through the Garden Route with splendid views of the southeast topography. This also includes a visit to Hermanus for whale watching.
  • Lunch can be enjoyed after the shark cage experience for the brave at heart.
  • Then, proceed to Swellendam to conclude your tour.
Kruger National Park game drives, iSimangaliso wetlands boat cruises, Cango Caves and ostrich farms, Hermanus whale watching

Where this trip takes you

Kruger National Park game drives, iSimangaliso wetlands boat cruises, Cango Caves and ostrich farms, Hermanus whale watching

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Johannesburg 13 cities · 20 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Entrance fees
  • Accommodation
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Personalised guiding
  • Transport
  • Road taxes

What's Not Included

  • Adventure gear
  • Insect repellent
  • Souvenirs
  • Tipping
  • Visa
  • Adrenaline activities

What to bring

  • Passport in the case of foreign nationals
  • Identity document for SA citizens
  • Adventure gear
  • Insect repellent
  • Nature-blending attire

Know before you go

  • Temperatures vary from one place to another.
  • Do not expose your limbs to animals.
  • Do not feed any wild animals.
  • Always tip your waiter.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tour start
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 20 days finish where they began, in Johannesburg.

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