Ultimate Southern Africa

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Pretoria

Arrive in Pretoria at any time.

Day 2-3 Manyeleti Game Reserve (2B,2D)

Enter the reserve and check into the lodge at Manyeleti. Located on the edge of the famous Kruger National park, we stand a good chance of sighting Africa's famed "Big 5" - the elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo.

Day 4 Kruger National Park (B)

Travel into to Kruger National Park, one of the top safari destinations in the world. Along with the "Big Five", hippos, crocodiles, zebra, wildebeest, monkeys, and amazing bird life abound in this best conserved game park in Africa.

Day 5-6 Praia Do Bilene

Head for the Southern Mozambique coast, which features numerous coastal lakes and lagoons containing a variety of freshwater fish species and over 50 reported bird species. Excellent optional water activities such as snorkeling, boating, and fishing are available.

Day 7-8 Inhambane (B,2D)

Enjoy the warm hospitality of the local people and taste some of the world’s best seafood. Snorkel, body surf, or just enjoy the local vibe on some of the best beaches in Africa.

Day 9 Maputo (B)

Spend the day exploring historic Maputo, a former Portuguese colonial city, starting at the top of Av. Samora Machel outside the impressive Cathedral of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao.

Day 10-11 Swaziland (2B,2D)

Enter the Kingdom of Swaziland, and head for Mlilwane, Swaziland’s pioneer conservation area. Optional activities include walks or mountain biking, sighting the many antelope and zebra, or take the opportunity to visit a traditional Swazi village.

Day 12-13 Zululand (2B,2D)

Journey into the Zululand area, one of South Africa’s most diverse natural regions. One of the best areas to view to hippo and crocs, St. Lucia Estuary offers many optional activities such as boat cruises, nature walks, and kayaking.

Day 14 Durban (B)

Travel along the coast to Durban, with its beautiful downtown beaches, lively atmosphere, and street markets that boast some of the nicest handicrafts of the region.

Day 15-16 Drakensberg Mountains (2B)

Head towards the spectacular Drakensberg mountain range, originally referred to as the “Dragon Mountains”. Relax at the hotel or take an optional hike through this beautiful natural landscape.

Day 17-18 Haga Haga

Drive to Haga Haga and pass through Mooi River, along the Wild Coast with its dramatic beaches and indigenous forests.

Day 19 Patensie (D)

Head to Patensie, the gateway to Baviaanskloofberg. Spend the evening on a sundowner game drive.

Day 20-21 Plettenberg Bay (B)

Take an optional trip to Tsitsikamma National Park, or enjoy the surroundings of Plettenberg Bay. Optional activities include abseiling, sea kayaking, mountain biking, and bungee jumping.

Day 22 Outdshoorn

Travel over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo. Visit the impressive Cango Caves or take a tour of an ostrich farm where the more adventurous can ride one of these enormous birds!

Day 23 Stellenbosch

Visit Stellenbosch, South Africa's principal wineland, to enjoy a day of wine tasting.

Day 24 Cape Town (B)

Drive to Cape Town, the South African "mother city". Climb Table Mountain or relax on the cable car before exploring.

Day 25 West Coast and Lambert's Bay (B)

Travel to the picturesque Lambert's Bay area, where the diligent spotter may glimpse a humpback whale or dolphin offshore. Visit the well known “Bird Island” where you can find more than 25,000 Blue-eyed Gannets (seasonal).

Day 26 Gariep River (B)

Enter Namibia and more arid regions and stop at Gariep River. Swim, relax or take a ride down the river in a canoe.

Day 27 Fish River Canyon

Journey to Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa. Watch a spectacular sunset slip over the canyon's rim.

Day 28-29 Namib Desert (2B,2D)

Head towards the incomparable Sossusvlei, a clay pan enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes. The following day, walk with a guide into these impressive dunes.

Day 30-31 Swakopmund (2B)

Travel through mountains and the Namib Desert to Swakopmund, a historical town that originated from the German colonial period. Explore the town, or try quad biking or dune boarding in this lunar landscape. Take an optional flight (weather permitting), over the famous Skeleton Coast.

Day 32 Damaraland (B)

Head towards Khorixas and stop at a local craft market. Take the optional visit to the rock engravings in Twyfelfontein and see remainders of prehistoric volcanic activity.

Day 33-34 Etosha National Park

From Khorixas, head to Etosha National Park. Explore the pans via a game drive, with excellent opportunities to spot lion, giraffe, elephant, hippo, and antelope.

Day 35 Windhoek (B)

Head south to the capital of Namibia. Take an optional city tour, or visit one of the many handicraft markets in this historic city.

Day 36 Kalahari

Depart towards the East through the desert, for one last night in Namibia.

Day 37 Maun (B)

Cross into Botswana and travel towards Maun, the biggest town in the Okavango Delta area. Spend the afternoon at leisure and prepare for a journey deep into the Delta.

Day 38-39 Okavango Delta (2B,2L,2D)

The Okavango Delta excursion is an experience not to be missed. In one of the world's largest inland water systems, enjoy game walks and traditional maukuru excursions, marveling at the amazing wildlife. This is truly an African experience!

Day 40 Gweta (B,D)

Head back to Maun and proceed towards Gweta to spend the night in traditional mud huts.

Day 41 Chobe National Park (B)

Chobe National Park, a beautiful wilderness area, abounds with wildlife and is home to one of the largest elephant populations in Southern Africa.

Day 42-43 Livingstone, Zambia (2B)

After a morning game drive, cross the border into Zambia on the Kazangula Ferry. Spend the next day exploring the breathtaking Victoria Falls and surrounding areas.

Day 44 Gweta (B,L,D)

Visit Gweta, the gateway to the Ntwetwe Pans. The surrounding grasslands are home to an impressive number of antelope which attract a wide variety of predators.

Day 45 Ntwetwe Pan (B,L,D)

Spend time exploring the Ntwetwe Pan, one of the wilder pans in southern Africa. The pan is known for its abundance of ancient Stone-Age tools.

Day 46-47 Khama Rhino Sanctuary (B)

Journey to Serowe, where we will visit the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, a community based wildlife project to assist in saving the endangered Rhino, and restore the area to is previous natural state.

Day 48 Mokolodi Game Reserve

Head to Mokolodi Game Reserve, a private reserve just outside Gaborone. Take an included game drive in search of zebra, giraffe, and rhinos.

Day 49-50 Waterberg (B,2D)

Say goodbye to Botswana and travel across the border to Waterberg, in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The Waterberg Mountain Range stretches more than 5,000 square kilometres and the district is steeped in history, with artifacts found in the area dating back to the Stone Age.

Day 51 Pretoria (B)

Travel to Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa and the third largest city.