Project Description
South African Explorer
13 Days
Johannesburg to Cape Town
CLASSIC SCHEDULED GUIDED TOUR
TIRS
LIVE THIS !
Enjoy game viewing in 5 different areas; stay at a private game lodge and see Africa’s ‘Big 5’. Spot unique wildlife at a World Heritage Site; board an ocean safari; enjoy a sunset oyster cruise on the Knysna Estuary and walk through the Tsitsikamma Forest.

Languages | English, German and French |
Departure days | Sundays |
Departure locations | By arrangement from O.R. Tambo International Airport |
Vehicle | Luxury sedan or minibus |
Group size | 2-8 guests Except for day trips TIJR (day 1) and TICP (DAY 12) where group size is 2-40 guests |
Note: Guests are invited to donate stationery to Qolweni’s school
Additional Touring Options
Private tour: Itinerary available on a private basis departing on selected days. On request and subject to availability (not available on Freesale). Departure on any other day is subject to availability and a surcharge may apply. Public attractions will not be private. Other language tour guides available on request.
Self-drive tour: Itinerary (excluding entrance fees and excursions) available on a self-drive basis departing on selected days. On request and subject to availability (not available on Freesale). Departure on any other day is subject to availability and a surcharge may apply.
Accommodation | 3 and 4-star hotels |
Meals | 12 breakfasts and 4 dinners |
Entrance Fees |
Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, conservation fee into Kruger National Park and private game reserve, Garden Route National Park (Storms River) conservation fee, Cango Caves |
Transfers |
All airport transfers (within 2 days before or after the tour) |
Excursions |
Johannesburg city half day tour, 2 open safari vehicle game drives in private game reserves and 1 game drive in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia Estuary boat cruise, sunset Knysna oyster cruise, ocean safari, ostrich farm tractor tour, olive farm tour, olive and wine tasting, Cape Point full day tour |
English Departure Dates 
Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 | 2,16,30 | 13,27 | 10 | 10,24 | 21 | 5,19 | 16,30 | 14,28 | 25 | 8,22 | 6 |
German Departure Dates 
Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11,25 | 9,23 | 6,20 | 3,17 | 3,17,31 | 14,28 | 12,26 | 9,23 | 7,21 | 4,18 | 1,15,29 | 13,27 |
French Departure Dates 
Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
18 | – | – | 24 | – | 7 | – | 2 | – | 11 | – | 20 |
- ‘Big 5’ private game lodge
- Kruger National Park
- Panorama Route
- iSimangaliso Wetlands Park
- Ocean safari
- Township school visit
- Sunset Knysna oyster cruise
- Tractor tour on an ostrich farm
- Olive and wine tasting
Day 1 | Sunday
DAY OF ARRIVAL (±30km)
On arrival at the airport, guests will be collected and transferred to the hotel. After lunch (own account), embark on a guided afternoon city tour of Johannesburg. Explore South Africa’s heritage; experience the street life of Newtown, and take a trip to the Carlton Centre and Constitution Hill. Dine at the hotel (own account).
Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Balalaika or similar – Breakfast.
Day 2 | Monday
JOHANNESBURG to MAKALALI GAME RESERVE via
DULLSTROOM (±456km)
Guests are collected from the hotel and travel eastwards to the province of Limpopo, via Dullstroom. Guests will stop for lunch (own account) en route and arrive at a private game reserve, to enjoy a guided, open vehicle game drive. Return to the lodge for pre-dinner drinks (own account) and dinner.
Overnight at Makalali Main Lodge or similar – Dinner, breakfast, and 2 game viewing excursions.
Day 3 | Tuesday
MAKALALI GAME RESERVE to HAZYVIEW via PANORAMA ROUTE (±180km)
Experience an early morning start in the bushveld on a guided, open vehicle game drive. They will enjoy coffee and rusks in the bush before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Head to one of Mpumalanga’s most magnificent attractions: The Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels. The Panorama Route affords guests memorable views of the more significant sights in this area, including God’s Window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Lunch (own account) is enjoyed along this scenic route. The tour stops in Hazyview for the evening.
Overnight at Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort or similar – Dinner and breakfast.
Day 4 | Wednesday
HAZYVIEW to SWAZILAND via KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (±160km)
Guests enjoy an early breakfast before departing the hotel, and head towards Mpumalanga’s flagship attraction – the Kruger National Park. A closed vehicle game drive allows guests to take in the park and view the ‘Big 5’ and other fauna and flora. Enjoy lunch (own account) enroute to the Kingdom of Swaziland. Guests enter at the Jeppes Reef border. Arrive at the hotel later in the afternoon and enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at Royal Swazi Spa or similar – Dinner and breakfast.
NOTE: When entering the Kingdom of Swaziland, guests must ensure they are in possession of a valid passport and for nationals of applicable countries, multi-entry visa regulations apply (own account).
Day 5 | Thursday
SWAZILAND to ST LUCIA (±335km)
After an early breakfast, guests stop to visit the Swazi Candle Factory and Crafts Market. Exit Swaziland at the Lavumisa Border post and enter South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province in an area colloquially referred to as the Elephant Coast. In the late afternoon guests arrive at the hotel and have the opportunity to freshen up before pre-dinner drinks and dinner (both own account).
Overnight at Forest Lodge or similar – Breakfast and 1 game excursion.
Day 6 | Friday
ST LUCIA to DURBAN (±245km)
Before breakfast, guests embark on an open safari vehicle and enjoy a game drive through South Africa’s first World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a colloquial reference roughly translated as ‘miracle and wonder’. Observe hippos, crocodiles, and an abundance of birds on an ecofriendly boat cruise on the estuary. They can have lunch (own account) while taking in the lake vista before departing for the city of Durban. Enjoy dinner at the Durban beachfront hotel or in town (own account).
Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Edward or similar – Breakfast.
Day 7 | Saturday
DURBAN to PORT ELIZABETH – flight (own account and own
arrangements)
Breakfast is enjoyed at the hotel and the morning spent at leisure. Take a walk along the promenade or a ride on a Zulu rickshaw to the beachfront market (own account). Guests are collected from the hotel and transferred to King Shaka International Airport for a flight to Port Elizabeth (flight not included). On arrival, guests are met and transferred to a city hotel. Dine (own account) at the hotel or at a restaurant of choice.
Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Marine or similar – Breakfast.
NOTE: Recommended TIPC Madiba Bay Cultural Evening Tour 16h00 – 20h00 including dinner (own account)
Day 8 | Sunday
PORT ELIZABETH to KNYSNA via TSITSIKAMMA FOREST (±285km)
Guests are collected from their hotel and head west to Knysna via Storm’s River and the Tsitsikamma Forest; in the heart of the Garden Route. Guests will stop at Storm’s River and enjoy a short walk to the suspension bridge to take in the views. Enjoy lunch (own account) in the Tsitsikamma Forest area, home to century-old trees, then continue on to the picturesque town of Knysna. After arrival and check-in, guests board the informative Knysna oyster cruise to sample oysters and enjoy a sundowner. Guests savour an
evening’s dinner next to the Knysna Estuary (own account).
Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays or similar – Breakfast.
Day 9 | Monday
KNYSNA to PLETTENBERG BAY and back (±60km)
After breakfast, guests make their way to Plettenberg Bay. Guests depart from Lookout Beach on a marine excursion (weather permitting) dedicated to the observation and conservation of marine mammals. This Fair Trade Tourism certified ocean safari affords guests extensive and memorable whale, dolphin and seal watching. Back on shore they can enjoy a relaxing lunch (own account). In the afternoon, guests take a guided tour of the Qolweni Township, school, and crèche. This is a community development programme; allocated tour proceeds fund the education of Qolweni’s children. Guests are invited to donate pencils, books and other stationary. Take the scenic drive back to Knysna; spending the afternoon at leisure or exploring the village of Knysna. In the early evening, guests enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants at the Knysna Waterfront (own account).
Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays or similar – Breakfast.
Day 10 | Tuesday
KNYSNA to OUDTSHOORN via WILDERNESS (±125km)
After breakfast, the tour departs for Oudtshoorn, in the Klein Karoo. Continue via the Outeniqua Pass over the Outeniqua Mountains. Oudtshoorn is the principal town of the Klein Karoo and the ostrich capital of the world. Lunch (for own account) at an ostrich farm in the Cango Valley on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn and guests take an informative tractor tour of the farm. Enjoy dinner in this quaint setting.
Overnight at Surval Boutique Olive Estate or similar – Dinner and breakfast.
Day 11 | Wednesday
OUDTSHOORN to CAPE TOWN via ROUTE 62 (±420km)
The tour departs for Cape Town, via the Cango Caves and the iconic Route 62. After breakfast guests enjoy an olive farm tour and tasting, paired with Protea Rose or juice, before the tour departs for the Cango Caves. Departing the Cango Cave system, the tour traces Route 62, the region’s iconic freeway. Guests can enjoy a wine tasting (own account) and the sweeping views of the Tradouw Valley. Lunch is enjoyed en route (own account). Guests arrive at a Cape Town hotel in the late afternoon. Guests dine at the hotel or a city restaurant (own account).
Overnight at StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl or similar – Breakfast.
Day 12 | Thursday
CAPE POINT FULL DAY TOUR
After breakfast, guests join a guided full day Cape Point tour. Travel along the Atlantic seaboard to Cape Point via Chapman’s Peak and the Cape Peninsula. Visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve; Boulders penguin colony (own account) and the internationally-recognised Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Dine at one of many city restaurants (own account).
Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Fire & Ice! Cape Town or similar – Breakfast.
Day 13 | Friday
DAY OF DEPARTURE
Guests enjoy breakfast and spend the day at leisure. A scheduled transfer to the Cape Town International Airport concludes the tour.
NOTE: All airport transfers are included in this package
RECOMMENDED PRE HOTEL
Protea Hotel by Marriott Durban Balalaika
Location: Sandton, Johannesburg
- A bit of country in the heart of Sandton
- Complimentary uncapped Wi-Fi
- Bull Run Restaurant famed for its aged South African beef
- Complimentary shuttle service to Sandton City and Gautrain
RECOMMENDED PRE HOTEL
Protea Hotel by Marriott Fire & Ice! Cape Town
Location: Tamboerskloof, Cape Town
- Near the vibrant nightlife hotspots, cafés and restaurants in Long Street
- Famous for their burgers and milkshakes
- Walking distance to city highlights
RECOMMENDED PRE TOUR
Amandla – Untold Stories of Joburg and Soweto (TIJJ)
- Full Day Joburg and Soweto story-telling tour
- Departs Johannesburg daily; English
- Liliesleaf
- Vilakazi Street in Soweto
- Constitution Hill and Prison
- Local community project
RECOMMENDED PRE / POST TOURS
Mother City – Untold Stories of Cape Town (TICM)
- Full day Cape Town story-telling tour
- Departs Cape Town daily; English
- Cape Malay, Bo-Kaap
- Castle of Good Hope
- Local community project