An early departure from Johannesburg/Pretoria as we travel east towards the Mpumalanga Province and visit the many attractions along the “Panorama Route”, including God’s Window, the Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels and the historic gold mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest. In the late afternoon we descend the eastern escarpment and travel through the warm “lowveld” to a beautiful country lodge, just a short distance from the Kruger Park.

After an early breakfast at the lodge we travel the short distance to the nearest entrance gate to the Kruger National Park. Once inside the Park, excitement will mount as we start seeing some of the numerous animals that inhabit this magnificent wildlife sanctuary. We spend most of the day travelling north inside the Kruger Park arriving at our “restcamp” in the late afternoon. There is time for a short break before joining an exciting “open vehicle” game drive, looking for Africa’s “Big Five” - Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard.
Accommodation tonight is in comfortable en-suite bungalows or cottages, and dinner is enjoyed in the camp restaurant.

After breakfast we exit the Kruger Park and travel to an exclusive lodge in a nearby private game reserve. Later this afternoon an exhilarating game drive in specially adapted open 4X4 vehicles is undertaken. At dusk sundowners are enjoyed deep in the bush, after which the drive continues, making use of spotlights to search for nocturnal animals. A final highlight is a specially prepared dinner enjoyed under the stars around the campfire. (weather permitting)

An early wake up call signals the start of yet another exciting day in Big Five territory.
You depart on an early morning safari in open 4x4 vehicles after which you return to the lodge for a late breakfast.

After breakfast you can embark on a guided bush walk with an armed ranger, who will identify spoor and droppings and share with you some of the fascinating secrets of the bush. If you are lucky you may come across big game on foot - a truly exhilarating experience.
This evening another safari in open 4x4 vehicles is undertaken, followed by a scrumptious South African dinner.

After a final open vehicle game drive and a late breakfast we travel around the southern part of the Kruger National Park to enter one of the worlds last remaining (and also one of the worlds smallest) constitutional monarchies, the Kingdom of Swaziland - ruled over by the young King, his Royal Highness King Mswati III.  Here, in this country of friendly Swazi people, it is almost as if time has stood still. Despite modern cities and an extensive infrastructure of roads electricity and communications, the Swazi culture has over centuries been jealously protected.

En-route to the capital city of Mbabane we visit the well-known glass factory at Ngwenya.
Here a small group of Swazi craftsmen and women - with age-old artistry - breathe life into enchanting interpretations of the animals and birds of Africa, imbuing each with its own irresistible personality. Witness first-hand the magical art of glassblowing from an overhead balcony. Browse around the adjoining showroom which is well stocked and purchase your little memento of a truly African visit to our Kingdom.
The night is spent at a charming country hotel, ideally situated for exploring all the attractions Swaziland.

Our first stop today is a visit to the fascinating Swazi Candles factory in the Malkerns valley. Here each candle is hand-moulded and hand-finished by Swazi craftspeople, so each candle is unique in shape and character. We then travel south via the Lebombo Mountain range and the Golela border post into KwaZulu Natal. The route continues down the Indian Ocean coastline to The Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site.

This morning we visit Cape Vidal, a magnificent coastal resort set in a sheltered bay in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park is one of the jewels of the South African coastline, the first park in South Africa to be declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). St Lucia's wide variety of ecosystems and natural habitats provides for an astounding diversity of species in the area. With its lakes, lagoons, freshwater swamps and grasslands, St Lucia supports a wide variety of species - from the country’s largest population of hippos and crocodiles to giant leatherback turtles, black rhino, leopards, and a vast array of bird and marine life.

Later this afternoon we return to St. Lucia to go on board the St. Lucia ferry for a fascinating guided cruise on Lake St Lucia. On this cruise you will hear about the origins of this unique wetland, its very interesting history and be able to observe its hippo and crocodile inhabitants at close quarters. The large number and variety of birds, which are an important feature of St. Lucia, will add to the interest and excitement of this cruise.

Another highlight awaits us today as we visit an authentically re-created Zulu village at Shakaland. Feel the pulsating rhythm of mysterious and magical Africa as you re-live the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus. Shakaland is more than just a tourist attraction - it is an enriching experience affording a better understanding of the Zulu nation, its people and their intriguing customs. Shortly after our arrival you join the “Shaka Experience”, a guided tour of the village culminating in a pulsating traditional dance show and dinner.
Accommodation is in typical beehive huts, where one can experience real Zulu culture without having to sacrifice comfortable modern conveniences.

The route continues down the Indian Ocean coastline to Durban, where dropped off at the airport. Your rental vehicle is collected and your depart on the self drive leg of your tour.

END OF FULLY ESCORTED LEG
START OF SELF DRIVE TOUR

From almost sea level to over 2000 meters above sea level today’s route crosses over the interior of KwaZulu Natal to the majestic Drakensberg Mountain range.

Recommended  route:
A full day to relax in the splendour of the Drakensberg Mountains.

Suggested highlights:

• Hiking trails
• Busman cave art
• Magnificent mountain scenery

Recommended  route:
Most of today’s route will lie at more than 2000 meters above sea level travelling past the impressive Sterkfontein Dam and the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The route continues along the border of Lesotho to Bloemfontein.

Suggested highlights:

• Sterkfontein Dam and the Vulture feeding station
• Golden Gate National Park with its towering sandstone formations
• Bloemfontein, city of roses
• The Vroue Monument (Woman’s Monument)

Recommended  route:
South through the wide expanses of the arid Great Karoo landscape, past the Gariep dam and hydroelectric scheme, the biggest of its kind in South Africa, to Graaff-Reinet, the country's fourth oldest town and known as "the Athens of the Eastern Cape".

Suggested highlights:

• Gariep dam and hydroelectric scheme
• Arid semi desert Graet Karoo landscape
• Awe-inspiring landscape of the "Valley of Desolation" at sun set

Recommended  route:
Further South through the Eastern Cape Province to Oudtshoorn, ostrich capital of the world

Suggested highlights:

• Historic walk through the streets of Graaff-Reinet
• Small Karoo landscape
• Meiringspoort Pass

Recommended  route:
Across the Outeniqua Mountain pass toward the Indian Ocean coast, to the picturesque town of Knysna, in the heart of South Africa's famous "Garden Route".

Suggested highlights:

• Tour of a working Ostrich farm and the opportunity to ride an Ostrich
• The world famous Cango Caves or alternatively a tour of a Cheetah rehabilitation centre and the opportunity to touch a real Cheetah
• Knysna Waterfront
• Outeniqua Mountain pass

Recommended  route:
A full day exploring the Garden Route of South Africa.

Suggested highlights:

• A steam train trip on one of the scenic rail routes in the world (seasonal)
• Boat cruise on the Knysna Lake
• Visit to the Tsitsikamma National park and the Storms River Mouth 
• Paul Sauer Bridge

Recommended  route:
Today’s route follows the Indian Ocean via Mosselbay, Swellendam and Hermanus to Cape Town.

Suggested highlights:

• Swellendam, South Africa's third oldest city
• Whale watching at Hermanus and Walkerbay
• Scenic drive along the false bay coast

Recommended  route:
A full day exploring Cape Town and surrounds.

Suggested highlights:

• Famous South African Winelands
• Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek
• Wine tasting at working wine farms
• The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

Recommended route:
Two full days exploring Cape Town and surrounds.

Suggested highlights:

• Robben Island
• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
• Cable Car ride to the top of Table Mountain
• Castle of Good Hope
• Company Gardens
• Signal Hill with spectacular views of Cape Town
• Boat cruise to Seal Island at Hout Bay
• The spectacular Chapman’s Peak drive
• Cape Peninsula National Park
• Cape point where traditionally the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet
• Boulder's Beach with its penguin colony
• The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

The morning is at leisure, after which you travel back to the Cape Town Airport where your rental car is handed back in time for your flight home.