Around South Africa in 21 days

Day notes

Day 1. Arrival Johannesburg ORT Airport

Welcome to South Africa!

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, the hotel shuttle will be waiting to take you to the hotel for your first night in South Africa.

Day notes

Day 2. Panorama Route

After breakfast you return to the airport to pick up your rental car. Now the self drive adventure begins! Drive towards Sabie. Travel along the highlights of the Panorama route. The Panorama Route is one of the most enchanting parts of South Africa, connecting the Lowveld with the beautiful geological area of ​​the Mpumalanga Drakensberg. One of the biggest highlights of the region is the Blyde River Canyon Reserve, the fourth largest canyon of its kind in the world, with a spectacular diversity of game and birdlife. Other highlights include the towering waterfalls of Graskop and Sabie, Lisbon Falls and the Berlin Falls, God's Window and the Gold Rush territory, Pilgrim's Rest, where the first gold miners lived. Enjoy the view and the beautiful nature. By the end of the afternoon you will drive to the lodge.

Day notes

Day 3 & 4. (Greater) Kruger National Park 

Time to explore the Kruger Park with your own rental car.

The park is easy to travel because of the good roads. There are several picnic spots and restaurants in the park for a lunch stop. Please note that you will need to bring your passport for identification at the Kruger Park entrance. In warm months it might be a good idea to get to Kruger early, most animals are more active early in the day.

On 1 of the days you go on an organized sunrise or sunset game drive in the park. With over 2 million hectares of land, Kruger National Park is one of the world's largest game parks, and is without a doubt an extraordinary, fascinating destination.

Thanks to its exceptional size, you will find a special diversity of landscapes, views, ecosystems, animals, trees and birds here. A visit to the Kruger National Park is therefore an unforgettable and perhaps even a life-changing experience!

There is the option to opt for a smaller-scale safari in a private reserve;

Alternative 1: Baluleni Safari Lodge

This lodge is located in the Greater Kruger Park, in the Balule Private Nature Reserve (there are no fences between Kruger and this reserve). Accommodation includes all meals, 4 game drives in the Balule Game Reserve and 1 full day in the Kruger National Park in an open safari vehicle with a guide.

Alternative 2: Baobab Ridge lodge

This lodge is located in the Greater Kruger Park, in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve (there are no fences between Kruger Park and this reserve).

Stay includes 2 game drives per day, all meals and local drinks.

Day notes

Day 5. ESwatini

Today you cross the border into Swaziland.

The lodge is extremely helpful arranging local activities. You will experience that Swaziland has a very different atmosphere compared to South Africa and the people are extremely friendly and helpful. Candle factories, craft markets, nature reserves, bike rides and hiking trails, plenty to do!

Read more https://africantravels.com/nl/wat-kun-je-doen-in-swaziland-eswatini/

Day notes

Day 6 & 7. ISimangaliso Wetland Park

Continue via Kwazulu Natal to green St Lucia.

Those who get up early can visit the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park for a few hours on the way. You have the chance to see the Big 5 and many other animals. It is more mountainous than Kruger but the roads are still passable.

St. Lucia itself is known for its large lagoon, which is teeming with crocodiles and hippos. On 1 of the days we book a boat trip for you so that you can view it at your leisure. A day trip to the nearby Isimangaliso Park is also very worthwhile, the combination of wildlife and a beautiful large beach is unique and beautiful!

Wildlife found in Isimangaliso Park includes elephants, leopards, black and southern white rhinoceroses, cape buffalo, and ocean whales, dolphins, and sea turtles, including leatherback and loggerhead turtles.

The park is also home to 1,200 crocodiles and 800 hippos which are best spotted on a boat safari.

Day notes

Day 8. Umhlanga

Continue along the coast to the seaside town of Umhlanga.

In the right season, this is a wonderful place for a dip in the blue ocean! Also, this place is near the airport, from where you will continue your journey the next day.

Day notes

Day 9 & 10. Sundays River Valley

Durban airport is a short 20-minute drive away.

Return the car and take the plane to Port-Elizabeth.

Here you pick up the second rental car and drive to the Addo National Park.

Addo Elephant Park is again excellent to explore with your own rental car. However, the lodge also offers game drives in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. We can book this activity in advance.

The lodge is located a short distance from the Addo Elephant Park. Addo Elephant National Park is South Africa's fourth largest national game park and offers an unforgettable safari experience. Here you will find a lot of wild animals, including of course elephants, but also lions, buffaloes, black rhinoceroses, spotted hyenas, leopards, antelopes, zebras and more than 400 bird species can be viewed here!

Day notes

Day 11. Stormsriver

Continue towards the coast and start exploring the breathtaking Garden Route!

This route offers the opportunity to view some beautiful secluded bays and spots, take the time to take a turn here and there and explore the area! The property is located right next to the dramatic coastline. You can walk to the suspension bridge over the river in less than half an hour.

There are also canoe and other activities to do. For the adventurous there is the possibility to bungy jump from the Bloukrans Bridge, one of the highest bungy jumps in the world.

Day notes

Day 12 & 13. Knysna

Continue to Knysna.

Visit the Knysna heads or take a boat trip on the lagoon or the sea, we can arrange this for you. There are plenty of excursions to book for the more active. Canoe trips in Wilderness, surf lessons in Plettenberg bay, mountain biking or try out a SUP board!

On the 2nd day you go out to sea by boat in search of whales, seals and dolphins.

Day notes

Day 14 & 15. Oudthoorn

Travel towards the mountains to the small town of Oudtshoorn.

The ostrich farms are the biggest attraction of this beautiful area. A visit to such a farm is very interesting and definitely worth it. The famous Cango Caves are also very impressive. Accommodation this time is 'glamping'. You sleep under canvas, but that's really where the 'basic' ends. The tents are equipped with every luxury!

If desired, meals can be ordered in advance that can be prepared in the tent, or you drive to the village to do some shopping there.

Day notes

Day 16 & 17. Stellenbosch

Time to enjoy South Africa's best wines!

Book a wine tour or picnic through us in advance, or explore the various wineries with your own rental car. In the evening you can go into the village for dinner in one of the cozy restaurants or at one of the wine estates in the area. Less than an hour's drive from Cape Town are the valleys and mountains that are synonymous with the best wines in the world. Spectacular mountain landscapes, good hotels and guesthouses, 300 years of expertise in wine making and a great many top restaurants make the Cape Winelands a sought-after destination. This is the center of South Africa's award winning wine industry and interesting stops include Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and many other award winning estates. Stellenbosch Stellenbosch is a picturesque university town surrounded by mountains and vineyards, and is a beautiful mix of historic architecture, classic long avenues surrounded by oak trees and a fun student life. A walk through the city center will take you past beautifully preserved Victorian and neo-Cape Dutch (also known as Cape Dutch) architecture. But you will also find beautiful art galleries, craft shops, clothing boutiques and gift shops here. In addition, there is also plenty to discover in Stellenbosch for foodies! Enjoy the delicious cuisine and the best wines in one of the chic restaurants or in the cozy bistros.

Stellenbosch is also the ideal base from which to explore the famous local wine route, home to some of the country's leading vineyards. Franschhoek Idyllically located in the Cape Winelands, this peaceful town is one of the oldest in South Africa. Franschhoek (Franse Hoek) used to be a sleepy little village, founded by the French Huguenots who had fled Europe and were looking for a remote place to settle.

They found this place in the fertile valley of Franschhoek and this piece of history is still displayed in a fascinating way in the Hugenot Memorial Museum. The Cape Dutch (Dutch Cape) architecture is remarkably well preserved, probably due to the restrictions placed on renovations and new construction in order to best preserve the authentic spirit of the original founders and the village itself. Nice day trips to Cape Town are possible because this city is close by, and on the way there you can also easily discover the great wine regions and accompanying country houses.

In Cape Town itself you will find an impressive range of different restaurants, but you can also relax shopping in the authentic, trendy and exclusive boutiques that are located along the tree-lined avenues.

Paarl:

Located in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Paarl has an array of cultural and historical attractions and is surrounded by a number of spectacular nature reserves. Paarl is named after the huge granite dome of the rock, which overlooks the city that was founded in 1690. The famous 11 kilometer long main street has the Strooidak church, the Die Oude Pastorie Museum and the Patriot building. Labories' beautiful home on Main Street has been purchased by KWV. With an area of ​​22 hectares, the KWV cellar complex is the largest in the world. The beautiful cathedral cellar, with its vaulted roof and large carved red wine barrels, is spectacular and depicts the history of the Cape wine industry. Visitors can enjoy a wide selection of activities including: wine tasting, scenic fynbos walks, cycling, local food tasting and much more.

Day notes

Day 18 - 20. Cape Town

The next few days are free to spend in the metropolis of Cape Town!

Visit Table Mountain, Robben Island and Cape Point. But there are also many lesser-known sights that are definitely worth a visit.

A bike ride to the townships is possible. It is recommended to book Robben Island in advance.

Day notes

Day 21. Last day of your journey

Today the South Africa adventure will come to an end.

Hopefully you have made enough memories to enjoy them for a long time to come!

Time to go home. You leave for Cape Town airport, where you return the rental car in time for the flight.