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26 Day Scenic South African & Lesotho Tour
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Route::

Cape Town - Winelands - Garden Route - Addo Elephant National Park (optional) / Port Alfred - Karoo Durban - KwaZulu Natal North Coast Wetland Parks - Private Game Lodges / KwaZulu Natal Wildlife Reserves - Battlefields (historical & cultural) - Drakensberg - Lesotho - Kimberley - Karoo / Overberg / Breede River Valley - Matjiesfontein - Cape Town 

Steps:

Step 1.

Cape Town
Cape Town is the cosmopolitan "Mother City of South Africa" with its beautiful and scenic peninsula, oceans, lakes, mountains, shopping malls, theatres and recreational facilities.

On arrival in Cape Town, collect your hired vehicle.  National car hire options OR
Take a private transfer to your accommodation.  Cape Town transfer options.

Depart for where your accommodation is to be reserved in Cape Town.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.


 
Step 2.
Cape Town:
Spend the day at leisure.

Excursion options in Cape Town.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 3.
Cape Town - Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek or Hermanus or Tulbach:

The Winelands Area is about a 1 hour drive from Cape Town.
From Cape Town to Hermanus, it is about a 2 hour drive.

Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl - Visit the various wine farms with wine tasting and cellar tours, Co-Ops, restored and historical buildings and farm stalls.  Enjoy scenic views of mountain passes and beautiful landscapes.  Stellenbosch is rich in cultural heritage and is the second oldest town in the Cape.

Hermanus - From Cape Town, travel along the east coast for an 1.5 hours drive to Hermanus which is a sea fishing village harbouring a small bay where the whales come in to calve in Spring - September, October, November.  Nature lovers will be delighted at the beauty of the views and the magnificent fynbos.  Footpaths meander through the many Erica and Protea species, always in bloom.

Tulbagh is a quaint historical wine and fruit town with wine (e.g. Twee Jongezellen etc,) and fruit estates, museums and restored shops.

Check in at accommodation to be reserved in Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek or Hermanus or Tulbagh.

Optional excursions in Stellenbosch or Hermanus.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 4.

Winelands/Hermanus - Mossel Bay, George, Oudtshoorn or De Rust:
The drive via Swellendam takes about 4 hours to Mossel Bay (the Gateway to the Garden Route) and 4.5 (four and a half) hours to Oudtshoorn.

Worcester - Kleinplasie Farm, where the whole farm is run as though 100 years ago with equipment, etc from days gone by.

Robertson - an area of vineyards (e.g. Graham Beck Farm for Cape's best Shiraz wines), set in the fertile Breede River Valley at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, hiking trails, nature reserves e.g. Dassiehoek Nature Reserve which offers a wide variety of fynbos, proteas and beautiful scenery; Sheilam Cactus Garden; and race horse stud farms.

Bonnievale - Bonita cheese factory, which is the largest of its kind in the country; Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve.

McGregor - a pretty little village from the 19th century in which time stood still.  The many thatch roofed Cape between nostalgic fruit and vegetable gardens are well preserved and maintained.

Montagu - natural hot spring water pool, 4x4 tractor ride to superb views of the wine farms in the Valley's below.

Barrydale - historical town situated at he mouth of the Breede River; walks; wine co-op; near to the Warmwaterberg Therapeutic hot springs.

Mossel Bay with its beaches, seafood restaurants and a good fishing area.  Mussels and oysters are in abundance here.

Oudtshoorn is the ostrich farming capital of the world and famous for the ostrich farms, but also the Cango Caves, museums, Crocodile and Cheetah Farm.

Check into accommodation to be reserved McGregor or Montagu or Mossel Bay or Oudtshoorn.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.


 
Step 5.
Oudtshoorn / Mossel Bay - George - Sedgefield - Wilderness - Knysna - Plettenberg Bay - Natures Valley - Tsitsikamma National Park - Storms River:
Spend the day exploring the Garden Route.

George - Principal Town of the Garden Route with stinkwood, yellowwood and milkwood furniture manufacturers.  Famous Quteniqua Tjoe Choo Train rides between George and Knysna (undertaken in both directions) taking you over gauges, mountain passes, sea and lakes. 
Wilderness - "fluffy" white sanded beach.  Sedgefield - lake and seaside holiday resort area.
Knysna - Lagoon and major furniture manufacturing centre (stinkwood, yellowwood and milkwood).  It also supports an oyster hatchery and many small shops.  The Knysna Elephant Park is worth a visit.  Boat cruise on Knysna lagoon, scenic steam train ride, butterfly world; a ferry ride to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, John Benn Pleasure Boat on the Knysna Lagoon.

Plettenberg Bay - a popular holiday resort with safe beaches, a lagoon and river mouth with the estuary of the Keurboom River.

Natures Valley - a beautiful beach, walks and scenic views.

Tsitsikamma Forest National Park - indigenous forest with bird life, bushbuck, bush pig and blue duiker.  There are about 30 species of indigenous trees.  This area is stunning with walks through the forests, along the beautiful beaches coves.  It is a have in itself.

Storms River - This area has diving trails, caves, walking trails, lookouts, a fynbos garden and waterfalls that must be hiked to.

Check into accommodation to be reserved in George or Knysna or Plettenberg Bay or Storms River.

Optional excursions in George, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay or Storms River.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.

 
Step 6.
Garden Route:
Spend the day at leisure.

Optional excursions in George or Knysna or Plettenberg Bay or Storms River.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 7.
Port Elizabeth - Addo Elephant National Park or Private Game Lodge or Mountain Zebra National Park or Port Alfred:
Depart for about a 2 hour drive from Storms River to Port Elizabeth.

Port Elizabeth - which is known as the "Friendly City".  It is also the gateway to the province and a fun place for all the family.  Historical sites include Donkin Street, where settlers from Britain set up home in 1820.

Depart for a wildlife safari at a private Game Lodge in the Zuurberg Area (north from Port Elizabeth) or Addo Elephant National Park or a further 2 hours drive to the Mountain Zebra National Park; or continue onto Port Alfred.

Port Alfred - 1.5 hours drive from Port Elizabeth on the Sunshine Coast and is perfectly positioned halfway between Port Elizabeth and East London at the mouth of the Kowie River.

Check into accommodation to be reserved at a private Game Lodge or Addo Elephant National Park or Mountain Zebra National Park or Port Alfred.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 8.
Eastern Cape - Grhamstown or Hogsback or Cradock in the Karoo:
Continue exploring the Eastern Cape.

If having overnight in the northern Port Elizabeth or Port Alfred region, explore the following towns. 
Grahamstown - 30 minutes drive from Port Alfred - visit this historic "City of Saints".  It has beautifully preserved Victorian architecture, fascinating museums and abundance of churches.
Hogsback - 1.50 hours drive from Port Alfred - this beautiful area is renowned for its many walks in the mountains/hills with forests and waterfalls and little streams.
Katberg - is a lovely mountainous countryside with its nature trails.  For the naturalists, there are antelope and a variety of small mammals and prolific bird life.

If having overnight at Mountain Zebra National Park, stop off the Cradock, which was originally a military outpost, established in 1813 on the upper reaches of the Great Fish River, 260km north of Port Elizabeth.  It has grown into a largish and fairly attractive Karoo town.  The fertile Fish River Valley countryside, with its orchards and pastures and fields of Lucerne, is quite unlike the Karoo proper.  The Karoo Sulphur medicinal springs are just outside the town.

Overnight at accommodation to be reserved in either Grahamstown or Cradock.
 
Step 9.
Eastern Cape / Karoo - KwaZulu Natal South Coast:
It is about a 6 hour drive to Margate.  The area to explore en route:

Depart through rural Eastern Cape or the former Transkei as it was know, to the Wild Coast.
Wild Coast - The Eastern Cape coast, which is situated in the former Transkei area, is wild, and aptly named Wild Coast.  The coast has been developed - but not over developed.  Activities include fishing, sailing, swimming, surfing, golf and skin-diving.  The largest of the seaside village are Port St Johns and Coffee Bay.  The most prominent holiday complex is the superb Wild Coast Sun.  Other much smaller and generally charming beach and river-mouth resorts dot the shoreline.

Coffee Bay - with its views of cliff and mountain settings, is a tranquil holiday village with excellent fishing, surfing and bathing.  A short stroll takes one the famed 'Hole in the Wall'.  The Orbie Gorge with dramatic scenery.

Check into accommodation to be reserved at Wild Coast Sun or Margate or San Lameer.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 10.
KwaZulu Natal South Coast:
Spend the day at leisure and enjoying the recreational facilities. 

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 11.
KwaZulu Natal South Coast - Durban or Nottingham:
Depart for Durban - A beachfront with amusement park, Sea World, entertainment, Mini Town, Botanical Gardens, shops, museums.

Check into accommodation to be reserved in Durban or Ballito or Nottingham.

Optional excursions in Durban.

Spend the balance of the day exploring the area north of Durban or enjoying an excursion.

Pietermaritzburg - Capital City of Natal - where visitors are introduced to its history via the self-guided Town Trail.  (Brochures and Maps from the Publicity House)
Howick Falls - plunges 95m into the Mgeni River.  Other cascades in the area The Shelter and the 105m Karkloof.
Valley of 1000 Hills with the Zulu Phuzulu Village
Nottingham - trout farms.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 12.
Durban - KwaZulu Natal North Coast Wetlands Parks: St Lucia Wetlands, Sodwana Bay, Lake Sibaya:

Sodwana Bay is about a 3.5 hour drive from Durban.
Sodwana Bay KwaZulu Nature Reserve - flanked by majestic sand dunes on one side, and an intricate ecosystem of wetlands and unspoilt beauty.  Activities include 4x4 drives to Lake Sibaya and Mbibi, snorkelling, bush breakfasts, potjie competitions, and many more.

St Lucia KwaZulu Nature Reserve (about 2.5 hours drive from Durban) - There is a wealth of plant ad animals life inhabiting the rivers, lakes, fresh water pans, swamp forests and dune forests.  This internationally renowned conservation area contains a greater diversity of fauna and flora than the Kruger Park.

At Cape Vidal KwaZulu Nature Reserve, there is a legend about secret treasures to be found aboard the wreck of the Dorothea which sank mysteriously offshore in 1898.
The opening of the Crocodile Centre was a milestone in the conservation of crocodiles in Africa. 

Lake Sibaya KwaZulu Natal Nature Reserve - (about 4 hours drive) - diving, deep-sea fishing, seasonal evening turtle trips.

Check into accommodation to be reserved at Sodwana Bay or St Lucia or Cape Vidal or Lake Sibaya.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 13.
KwaZulu Natal North Coast and Wetlands Parks:

Spent at leisure.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 14.

St Lucia Area - KZN Wildlife Or Private Game Lodge:
It is about a 1.5 hour drive to Hluhluwe/Mkuzi Game Reserve.
Depart for your wildlife safari.  Check into accommodation to be reserved at one of the KwaZulu Natal Wildlife Reserve in either Hluhluwe KZN Wildlife or Mkhuze KZN Wildlife or Ndumo KZN Wildlife or Ithala KZN Wildlife or Imfolozi KZN Wildlife.

OR into a private Game Lodge in Maputoland or Hluhluwe.

These Reserves are renowned for their variety of bird and animal life.  Besides the Big Five (elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo and rhino), elusive cheetah, wild dogs and many other well-known bushveld species inhabit the park, offering visitors a rich game viewing.


 
Step 15.
KZN Game Reserve or Private Game Lodge:
Spend the day at leisure and enjoying the African wilderness.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 16.

Wildlife Reserve/Lodge - Battlefields (historical & cultural):
After breakfast check out and depart for the Battlefields of Natal (about a 2 hour drive from Hluhluwe).

Ladysmith: The Museum shows relics of the towns siege for 115 days during the Anglo-Boer War.  Historical areas: Wagon Hill, Caesars Camp, Lombards Kop and Umbulwana Hill.
Dundee: Natal's Coal Capital with Anglo Boer War relics; battlefield of Rorkes Drift, Isandhlwana, Fugitives Drift, crossing over the Buffalo River.
Blood River: a site reconstructed with 64 wagons formed by the Voortrekkers in the Battle of Blood River where 464-men defeated a Zulu Impi 12 000 strong.

Check into accommodation to be reserved at either Dundee or Ladismith.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.


 
Step 17.
Battlefields:
Spent at leisure.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 18.

Battlefields - Drakensberg Mountains:
After breakfast check out and depart for about a 2.5 hours drive to the Drakensberg area.  This is an unspoilt wilderness of grass-covered hills, deep ravines of forests, spectacular Mountains with hikes and walks, waterfalls, dramatic scenery, trout streams and accommodations offering a variety of recreational facilities.

Check into accommodation to be reserved at either Underberg or Bergville or Drakensberg. 

Optional excursions in the Drakensberg area.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.


 
Step 19.
Drakensberg:
Spend the day at leisure.  Optional excursions in the Drakensberg area.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 20.
Drakensberg - Golden Gate National Park (Free State) or Lesotho:
It is approximately a 3 hour drive from the northern area of the Drakensberg to the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.  Spectacular mountain scenery and eroded formations and cliffs offer majestic panoramas.  The park offers excellent hiking trails, and numerous game species, which may be seen, including over 100 bird species.  This reserve is also the sanctuary for the rare Lammergeyer Vulture.  Camps offer excellent facilities including bowls, tennis, golf and trout fishing.

OR
Travel 3.5 hours to Lesotho - An independent country about the size of Belguim.  It is completely surrounded by South Africa from where it can be reached with its 12 border posts.  It has the unique distinction of being the only country in the world lying entirely at altitudes in excess of 10000 meters, in terrain that forms the Maluti Mountains.

Optional excursions in Lesotho (including Pony Trekking).

Check into accommodation to be reserved at Golden Gate Highlands National Park or Lesotho.
Visit remote Basotho villages on the back of the pony whilst exploring waterfalls, bushman painting and views of the magnificent gorges.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 21.
Golden Gate Highlands National Park or Lesotho:
Spent at leisure.  Optional excursions in Lesotho (including Pony Trekking).

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 22.
Golden Gate Highlands National Park / Lesotho - Bloemfontein or Kimberley:
Depart for either Bloemfontein or Kimberley.

It is just over 2.15 hours drive to Bloemfontein from the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.  It is the capital city of the Province of the Free State and also known as "City of Roses" with its annual Rose Festival held in October each year.  Many military museums, cultural history museums, beautiful garden and parks.

Continue a further 2 hours drive to Kimberley from Bloemfontein.  Visit Museums portraying early life on the diamond fields, military history from the Anglo-Boer War, mining museums and tours, the Pioneers of Aviation Museum & Art Museums.  Not to be missed is a visit to the "Big Hole" and Victorian Town open air museum.
Surrounding Kimberley are memorials and sites of some important battles of the Anglo-Boer War and the battlefield site of Magersfontein.

Check into accommodation in either Bloemfontein or Kimberley.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 23.
Kimberley - Karoo National Park in Beaufort West:
Depart to enjoy the activities or landscapes of the Karoo National Park.

Karoo National Park - A vast and rugged landscape, the Great Karoo is one of the largest natural ecosystems in South Africa.  The Karoo National Park was proclaimed in 1979 to protect a typical sample of this fascinating arid region.  It is situated outside the town of Beaufort West.

Check into accommodation at Beaufort West or Karoo National Park.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 24.

Beaufort West - Karoo, Breede River and Overberg; Worcester - Robertson - Montagu - Swellendam:

OPTION: It is about a 5 hour drive to Cape Town, should you wish to shorten this tour to spend more time in Cape Town.
Spend the day exploring the Karoo, Breede River Valley and Overberg Areas:
Barrydale - historical town situated at the mouth of the Breede River; walks; wine co-op; near to the Warmwaterberg therapeutic hot springs.
Montagu - natural hot springs water pool, 4x4 tractor ride to superb views of the wine farms in the Valley's below.
Robertson - an area of vineyards (e.g Graham Beck Wine Farm or Cape's best Shiraz wines) set in the fertile Breede River Valley at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, hiking trails, nature reserves e.g. Dassieshoek Nature Reserve which offers a wide variety of fynbos, proteas and beautiful scenery; Sheilam Cactus Garden; and race horse stud farms.
Bonnievale - Parmalat cheese factory, which is the largest of its kind in the country; Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve.
McGregor - a pretty little village from the 19th century in which time stood still.  The many thatch roofed Cape between nostalgic fruit and vegetable gardens are well preserved and maintained.
Swellendam - Situated at the foot of the scenic Langeberg Mountains; agricultural area with historical buildings; largest Youngberry growing area; walks through Langeberg Mountains; an Aero Club; The Bontebok National Park and Marloth Nature Reserve.

Check into accommodation to be reserved at Swellendam or Montagu or Robertson or Bonnievale or McGregor.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.


 
Step 25.
Karoo, Breede River Valley or Overberg:
Spend the day at leisure.

Check into alternative accommodation to be reserved at Swellendam or Montagu or Robertson or Bonnievale or McGregor.

Overnight at accommodation of your choice.
 
Step 26.
Cape Town:
Depart for about a 2 hour drive to Cape Town, travelling through the towns of Caledon, Grabouw and Somerset West.
 

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