20 days / 19 nights World in One Country
HIGHLIGHTS:
Panorama Route, game drives in Kruger National Park, Kingdom of Swaziland, St Lucia boat cruise and game drive in Hluhluwe National Park, walking in the Drakensberg Mountains, Lesotho 4×4 Route, Garden Route, Cango Caves and Cape Town.
DAY 1: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
On arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met and transferred to the Safari Club. You have the remainder of the day at leisure. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest of the group for your pre-departure meeting at 18h00.
Accommodation: Safari Club or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool and restaurant)
DAY 2: JOHANNESBURG TO MPUMALANGA, SOUTH AFRICA
Departing from Johannesburg we head east towards Mpumalanga. A landscape characterized by mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests. We spend the night in the town of Graskop, a small forestry town situated on the Drakensberg
Escarpment at the start of the Panorama route and the gateway to the Kruger National Park.
Accommodation: Graskop Hotel or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant) [B]
DAY 3 & 4: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA
This morning we start with a scenic drive along the Panorama Route, arguably one of the most beautiful destinations in South Africa. The most spectacular stretch is the Blyde River Canyon, which is the 3rd largest canyon in the world, and filled with lush vegetation and wildlife. We make a stop at Bourke’s Luck Potholes to view these spectacular rock formations, formed eons ago by erosion. In the afternoon we head into the Kruger National Park. We spend two nights inside the park and will have the chance to encounter the wildlife of Africa on exciting morning and afternoon game drives in our tour vehicle. Should you wish to partake on a game drive in an open game-viewer vehicle, these are available, at an additional expense.
Accommodation: Berg en Dal Camp or similar (bungalows with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, restaurant) [B][B]
DAY 5 & 6: KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND
Today we cross the border into the mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland, led by King Mswati III, and one of 3 monarchies in Africa. You will explore the traditions and discover the culture of which the Swazis are so proud. We spend two nights in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Swaziland’s pioneer conservation area situated in the “Valley of Heaven”. Apart from abundant bird life, there are a number of animal species to be seen including hippo, giraffe, zebra, and a variety of antelope, which we hope to spot on a guided walk in the afternoon. The next day we visit the Umphakatsi Chief’s homestead, for an interactive experience where you will get to try your hand at grinding maize and plaiting mountain
grass or join the children in Swazi song and dance. An offering of a taste of local food is made but forget about your cutlery and try it the Swazi way… with your hands!
Accommodation: Mlilwane Rest Camp or similar (beehive huts with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant) [B][BL]
DAY 7 & 8: ZULULAND, SOUTH AFRICA
After visiting a craft market en-route, we re-enter South Africa via Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. In the afternoon we make our way to The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which was listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site. Here we enjoy a boat cruise on the St Lucia estuary, getting up close to the hippos and crocodiles that inhabit the lake. The following day we explore the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, during a game drive in our tour vehicle. Additional game drives are available in an open game-viewer vehicle, which will be
charged as an additional expense. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is the oldest game reserve in Africa and is a safe haven to both the endangered black and white rhino.
Accommodation: Ezulwini Game Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & dining area) [B][B]
DAY 9 & 10: DRAKENSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA
Moving further inland, we spend the next two nights at The Cavern, which is situated in 3000 hectares of private mountain reserve, adjacent to the Royal Natal National Park – part of another World Heritage Site, namely the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park.
The main features of the park are the Drakensberg Amphitheatre, a rock wall 5 km long by up to 1200 m high, Mont-Aux-Sources peak where the Orange and Tugela rivers have their source, and the 947 m Tugela Falls, the world’s second highest waterfall. Time will be spent exploring this scenic area on guided walks.
Accommodation: The Cavern or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant) [BD][BLD]
DAY 11 & 12: LESOTHO
Today we cross the border into the Kingdom of Lesotho, the southernmost landlocked country in the world, rich in natural beauty, flora, fauna and cultural heritage. Malealea is situated in a remote part of Western Lesotho that is breath-taking in its beauty. We have the chance to experience traditional Basotho life, a nation with solid traditions, beliefs and customs. No visit to Lesotho would be complete without a pony trek and the next day we take a ride on the transport of choice for most Basotho, as these sturdy animals handle the narrow trails better than any 4×4 can!
Accommodation: Malealea Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, bar & dining area) [BL][B]
DAY 13: CRADOCK, SOUTH AFRICA
We leave the beauty of Lesotho behind us and drive to the historical Karoo town of Cradock. Founded in 1814 as a frontier stronghold, the town is an important agricultural centre with traditional Karoo hospitality. Best known for its natural sulphur spring, Cradock is a place of literary legends and the original part of the town is graced with some of the finest buildings.
Accommodation: Die Tuishuise or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, bar & restaurant) [B]
DAY 14: ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA
A benchmark conservation success, Addo Elephant National Park offers a unique wildlife habitat, famous for the Addo elephants and the remaining population of the flightless dung beetle. We spend the afternoon on a game drive in our tour vehicle, in search of elephant, black rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard. Additional game drives conducted in open game-viewer vehicles are available at an extra expense. An evening spent at the floodlit waterhole allows us to watch the nocturnal animals and listen to their calls.
Accommodation: Addo Elephant Rest Camp or similar (bungalows with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, restaurant) [B]
DAY 15 & 16: TSITSIKAMMA, SOUTH AFRICA
This morning after breakfast our journey takes us to a region of startling beauty along South Africa’s southern coastline, known as the Garden Route. We spend two nights in the Storms River Village, at the heart of the Tsitsikamma Forest. We will take a leisurely hike along one of the short trails, which allow you to explore the coastal bush and rocky shoreline. There is also an option to plunge off the world’s highest bungi jump at the Bloukrans River (for own expense).
Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, restaurant) [B][B]
DAY 17: OUDTSHOORN, SOUTH AFRICA
After visiting ‘The Heads’ in Knysna, a town nestled on a tranquil lagoon, we travel over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo to the town of Oudtshoorn. We take a trip to the famous Cango Caves, with their impressive ancient stalagmites and stalactites before we overnight in the ostrich capital of the world.
Accommodation: Turnberry Boutique Hotel or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, bar & restaurant) [B]
DAY 18 & 19: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
En-route to Cape Town, we visit the pretty university town of Stellenbosch, for wine tasting and a cellar tour. Once in Cape Town the afternoon is at leisure, enjoy sundowners at one of the fabulous beaches or indulge in some last minute shopping at the V&A Waterfront. The next day we get to explore the many attractions the ‘Mother City’ has to offer on our Cape Point tour.
Accommodation: The Townhouse Hotel or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms and restaurant) [B][B]
DAY 20: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Spend the final day at leisure. Weather dependent there is the chance to take the cable car up Table Mountain (own expense) and enjoy one last view of the Cape of Good Hope before your transfer to the airport. [B]
GROUP SIZE: 4-14 clients.
ACCOMMODATION: We make use of mid-range typical African standard lodge accommodation. Accommodation is situated either in national parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. The accommodation will be a mix of lodges, chalets and tented camps with en-suite bathrooms. Some properties are equipped with
swimming pools, restaurants and/or bar areas.
FOOD & DRINKS: Where included, most breakfasts and dinners will be enjoyed in the restaurants of the various accommodation establishments. Lunch packs are provided for driving days and excursions. Alternatively, the guide will prepare lunch en-route. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance. Should you not wish to pre-pay for this, dinners will be for your own account and will still need to be taken in local restaurants or at the lodges if there are no restaurants in the nearby vicinity.
There are no facilities available for self-catering.
VEHICLES: Jenman Safaris uses fully equipped Toyota Land Cruisers, 12-seater 4×4 safari vehicles or other appropriate vehicles with comfortable seating, large windows for game viewing, a music and PA system and air-conditioning. All luggage, besides hand luggage and photo equipment, is carried on the vehicle or trailer roof racks to ensure maximum comfort in the vehicle. Some game drives may be conducted in open-sided safari vehicles. It is recommended that you pre-book additional game drives in advance to avoid disappointment.
STAFF: Guide
