The Scenic Route is an overview tour of South Africa, including the well known highlights and focuses on the national parks. This tour covers a great distance in this diverse country and involves long days on the road, generally followed by a full day to explore the area. This is an all encompassing tour and a fantastic way to explore South Africa.
Summary
• A comprehensive introduction to the Rainbow Nation - a world in one country!
• Exciting trip with culture, wildlife, adventure, walking, mountains and beaches.
• Kruger NP, Swaziland, Zululand, Drakensburg, Lesotho, Karoo, Garden Route and Cape Town.
Departs: Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday at 6:30am.
Ends: Cape Town, South Africa on Tuesday at 6:00pm.
Group size: Guaranteed from 4 guests; 12 guests maximum.
Highlights
• Mpumalanga Panorama Route – sight seeing
• Kruger National Park – game drives
• Swaziland – mountain walks
• Zululand – game drives & cultural village
• Drakensberg Mountains – mountain walks
• Lesotho – trekking with local guide with pony
• Karoo – visit a quaint Karoo town
• Addo Game Reserve – game drives
• Tsitsikamma – forest and coastal walks
• Cape Town – Cape Point & Table Mountain
Overnights
• 11 nights on safari we stay at designated campsites in national parks and villages. South African campsite facilities are generally very good. There are hot and cold showers, laundry facilities & shops. We supply all the camping equipment with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow.
•
3 nights in intimate guest houses where each twin room has en suite facilities.
•
3 nights in simple twin rooms with shared ablutions. This means you don’t camp in the cold mountains.
Meals
• 17 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 14 dinners will be provided by the safari crew, prepared at the truck with assistance from the group.
•
3 breakfasts provided by the lodge.
SAFARI
COST: $1,985 per person sharing.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $240 for single tent.
Single tent supplement is applicable to the camping nights only. On accommodated nights clients will share with a same gender client.
If you are a single traveler, you will be assigned to room with another same gender single traveler and there is no
supplemental payment required. If you request to room alone, then the price supplement will be charged.
ADD-ON: All Scenic Route departures can be combined before the Cape to Victoria Falls Explorer Safari to create a complete circular safari in Southern Africa. |
CLICK TO SEE DEPARTURE DATES
|
|
DAY 1;
(1 Night)
JOHANNESBURG to MPUMALANGA, South Africa [camping -LD] |
 Departing from Johannesburg at 06:30am we head east towards Mpumalanga. A landscape characterised by mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests. We will camp the night in the old gold rush town of Pilgrims Rest, a living museum dating back to 1873. We explore the quaint town, visit Bourkes Luck Potholes and the viewpoint at God’s Window.
|
Includes: Entrance to God’s Window & Bourkes Luck Potholes. Day 1: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 1: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.
Overnight: Campsite – good ablution facilities & hot showers.
Distance / Time: 350kms, ± 5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch.
|
DAYS 2 - 3;
(2 Nights)
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, South Africa [camping BLD] |
 Big game country - exciting game drives provide us with excellent game viewing. Spot lion, elephant, rhino and other animals in one of the last African wildernesses. Early morning & afternoon game drives get us close to the wildlife.
|
Includes: Entrance to Kruger National Park, morning & afternoon game drives. Day 2, 3: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 2, 3: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 2, 3: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.
Overnight: Campsite – good ablution facilities, hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant & shop.
Distance / Time: 150kms, ± 2 hours + 3 x 3 hour game drives.
Optional Activities: Night game drives in National Park open game viewing vehicles. |
|
DAY 4;
(1 Night)
KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND [cabins BLD] |
 The mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland, led by King Mswati III, is one of only 3 monarchies in Africa. Swazis are proud of their traditional lifestyle & cultures. We explore the Malolotja reserve on foot to enjoy the mountain scenery, rare birdlife, and the 95m high Malolotja waterfall. Overnight in log cabins with fantastic panoramic views.
|
Includes: Entrance to Malalotja Game Reserve. Day 4: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 4: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 4: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.
Overnight: Malolotja Nature Reserve - 1 night, mountain cabins, 2 twin bedrooms per cabin which share a bathroom and a washroom. WiFi not available.
Distance / Time: 200kms, ± 4 hours, excluding 2-3 hour morning drive out of Kruger, shopping stop in
Malelane, Jeppes Reef border formalities & stops for sightseeing etc. |
DAYS 5 -
6; (2 Nights)
ZULULAND, South Africa [camping BLD] |
 After visiting the craft markets near Mbabane, we re-enter South Africa. KwaZulu Natal is one of the last refuges for the threatened rhino populations. We have a game drive in search of these ancient creatures and stop waterholes to watch game come down to drink.
|
Includes: Entrance fees, game drive. Day 5, 6: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 5, 6: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 5, 6: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.
Overnight: Campsite – good ablution facilities, hot showers.
Distance / Time: 300kms, ± 4 hours, excluding border formalities + game drives. |
DAYS 7 -
8; (2 Nights)
DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS, South Africa [camping BLD] |
 Moving further south to the base of the Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains). We have two nights at the foot of the mountains allowing time for walking along beautiful mountain stream paths, or just enjoying spectacular views.
|
Includes: Morning and afternoon hikes in the Drakensberg Mountains. Day 7, 8: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 7, 8: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 7, 8: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.
Overnight: Campsite – good ablution facilities, hot showers.
Distance / Time: 400kms, ± 6 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch. |
DAYS 9 - 10;
(2 Nights)
LESOTHO [chalets BLD] |
 We travel through the towering red sandstone cliffs of Golden Gate en route to Lesotho. Quaint villages and towns offer interesting stops along the way. We cross the border and head to southern Lesotho to our overnight chalets at Malealea. This lodge nestled in the mountains forms our base for two nights. The next morning we are up early and spend the day trekking with a local guide and his pony through the rugged mountains.
|
Includes: Trekking with local guide and his pony. Day 9, 10: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 9, 10: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 9, 10: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.
Overnight: Malealea Lodge, Basotho Huts – 2 nights, bedrooms are twin sharing with shared ablutions. WiFi not available.
Distance / Time: 370kms, ± 8 hours, excluding stops for border formalities sightseeing & lunch.
|
DAY 11;
(1 Night)
KAROO, South Africa [guest house BL-] |
 Descending from the Lesotho highlands we make our way into the great Karoo. It covers most of central South Africa and is a vast semi desert. It has become famous for its sheep and ostrich farming industries, and roadside stalls selling handmade windmills.
|
Includes: Day 11: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 11: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 11: Dinner will be an own expense meal.
Overnight: Cradock Tuis Huis Guest House – 1 night we stay in an historic guest house. Twin rooms en suite. Restaurant. WiFi available.
Distance / Time: 370kms, ± 8 hours – a long day!, excluding stops for border formalities sightseeing & lunch. |
DAY 12; (1 Night)
ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK, South Africa [camping BLD] |
 A conservation success, Addo Elephant N.P. offers a unique wildlife area, famous for the Addo Elephants. We head out on game drives in search of elephant, black rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard. Evening viewing at the floodlit waterhole allows us to watch the nocturnal animals.
|
Includes: Entrance fees to Addo Elephant National Park, afternoon & morning game drives. Day 12: Breakfast provided by the guest house. Day 12: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 12: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.
Overnight: Campsite – good ablution facilities, hot showers, restaurant, bar, and shop.
Distance / Time: 276kms, ± 31/2 hours Excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch + game drives.
Optional Activities: Night game drives in National Park open game viewing vehicles. |
DAYS 13 -
14; (2 Nights)
TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK, South Africa [camping BLD] |
 Indigenous Tsitsikamma forests surround the campsite at Storms River mouth, and there are walks up the Storms River Gorge and along the rocky coastline. There is an option of the world’s highest bungi jump (own expense). Whales may be seen in season (July to November).
|
Includes: Entrance fees to Tsitsikamma National Park. Day 13, 14: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 13, 14: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 13, 14: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.
Overnight: Campsite – good ablution facilities, hot showers, restaurant, bar & shop.
Distance / Time: 220kms, ± 3 hours excluding stops for sightseeing.
Optional Activities: Bungi jumping, whale watching & treetop canopy tour. |
DAY 15;
(1 Night)
WESTERN CAPE, South Africa [camping BLD] |
 After visiting the famous “Knysna Heads”, which overlook the sea entrance to the tranquil Knysna lagoon, we travel south along the Garden Route. We drive along the coast before turning inland through the beautiful scenery of the Overberg region and overnight on the doorstep of the Cape winelands.
|
Includes: Day 15: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 15: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 15: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.
Overnigh: Campsite – good ablution facilities, hot showers.
Distance / Time: 510kms, ± 7 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch.
|
DAYS 16 - 17;
(2 Nights)
CAPE TOWN, South Africa [guest house B - -] |
 We visit Stellenbosch for wine tasting and a cellar tour. Explore Cape Town and the “mother city’s” many attractions; visit Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope, Chapman’s Peak drive, the harbour at Hout Bay, enjoy the famous beaches and the V&A Waterfront. Optional visit to Robben Island (own expense). Meals at a variety of local restaurants (own expense).
|
Includes: Cellar Tour, entrance fees to Penguin colony & Cape Point National Park. Day 16, 17: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 16, 17: Lunch will be an own expense meal. Day 16, 17: Dinner will be an own expense meal. Day 16, 17: Breakfast provided by the guest house. Day 16, 17: Lunch will be an own expense meal. Day 16, 17: Dinner will be an own expense meal.
Overnight: Sweetest Guesthouses – is a collection of individually decorated houses in a metropolitan area of Cape Town near the V&A Waterfront. The group may be spread amongst any of the houses, within walking distance of each other, and the group breakfasts will be taken in the same house. Rooms are twin with en-suite facilities (or similar guest house). WiFi available .
Distance / Time: 160kms, ± 2 hours + full day Cape Peninsular tour on day 17.
Optional Activities: Robben Island cruise, Shark Cage diving, Seal colony visit.
|
DAY 18
CAPE TOWN - TOUR ENDS [Tour ends] |
We climb Table Mountain in the morning admiring the views over Table Bay and Cape Town. Spend the afternoon catching up on last minute curio shopping or just lazing on the beach absorbing the Cape’s sunshine. Tour ends at +/-18:00. |
Includes: Day 18: Breakfast provided by the guest house. Day 18: Lunch will be an own expense meal.
Overnight: N/A
Distance / Time: N/A |
Note: This tour covers a great distance. You’ll see all the highlights of this diverse country but this means we have to spend several days travelling. This involves long days on the road, generally followed by a full day to explore the area. This is an all encompassing tour and a fantastic way to explore South Africa. The distances and times are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions.
Special Interest: Lesotho Pony Trek: We trek for a day through the mountainous regions of Lesotho. Ponies have been used for hundreds of years by the Basotho as transport through the Drakensberg.
Sustainable Tourism: Our stay in Lesotho supports the Malealea community. Local guides, village accommodation and some of the fresh produce used in the lodge are sourced from the local villages in a responsible and sustain¬able method, thus providing income, and better living standards for the Malealea villages and the local community.
ADD-ON: All Scenic Route departures can be combined before the Cape to Victoria Falls Explorer Safari to create a complete circular safari in Southern Africa.
 Top
CLICK TO SEE DEPARTURE DATES
Transport
• On foot - easy to moderate walks throughout the tour. Walks are 3 – 4 hours.
• Vehicle - for longer distance travel, place to place, we use custom-built safari trucks with 12 forward facing seats. Comfortable touring and good for game viewing. Large, sliding windows and viewing hatches give everyone a good view; or Mercedes Sprinter minibuses with 12 forward facing seats (and trailer for equipment and baggage). There are several long days of travelling but the vehicles have a comfortable cruising speed and this tour is all about the journey and not just the destination! The emphasis of the trip is “getting out and doing things”.
Accommodation
Camping - 11 nights on safari we stay at designated campsites in national parks and towns. South African campsite facilities are generally very good. There are hot and cold showers, restaurants, washing facilities & laundries, post office/telephones, kiosks available at most of the campsites. We supply all the camping equipment with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow. The dome tents we use are 2.2 x 2.2 x 1.8 metres and putting them up or down takes only 5 minutes. Tents have built-in insect nets. We supply mattresses, which are about 5 cm thick, warm and comfortable. The camp chairs have a backrest.
Local Payment
There is no local payment required on this safari.
Participation
An essential part of your safari is participation – from putting up your tent to packing the truck in the morning – it’s all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation but we do ask the clients to help (on rotation) with the washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun!
Shopping
Craft shopping for carvings, candles, batiks, wirework, paintings and clothing, in Swaziland, Zululand and Knysna, is some of the best in Southern Africa.
Food
• We pride ourselves on giving very good healthy meals to our clients and will provide three meals per day, except where shown in itinerary, when we try out local restaurants.
• The tour leaders do the shopping and meal planning for each group. He/she will always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. A rough idea of what these will consist of is: Breakfast - cereals or coffee and toast or the occasional fried breakfast, Lunch - cheese, cold meats, salads on bread or rolls, Dinner - braais (local barbecue), potjies (stews), stir fries etc. We use regular plates, cups and cutlery. All cooking and eating utensils will also be provided.
• We do cater for special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian or allergies). Please advise requirements at the time of booking.
• We will supply fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages will be for your own expense. We will not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops on tour.
Difficulty
• Anyone who is generally active and in good health should enjoy this trip. A combination of camping and basic accommodation makes for a comfortable tour.
• Full itinerary with a couple of long driving days but also plenty of outdoors activity.
• Everyone is asked to help out with the running of camp on tour. In other words if everyone spends a little time setting up camp, preparing meals and cleaning up then the tour will run smoothly and everyone will have a good time. Participation is the name of the game.
Things you should know
• Includes park entrances.
• You will need a valid passport and visas for entry into Swaziland & Lesotho and re-entering South Africa.
• Luggage, please pack to a limit of 12kgs in a soft sports tog bag. Bring a daypack for walks.
• We recommend that you bring South African Rand for personal expenses on this trip. Travellers cheques can be changed in most large towns. Major credit cards can also be used for optional activities and restaurant bills.
Common questions about this trip
• What do I need to bring? Comfortable clothes for warm days and cool evenings, walking shoes, a raincoat, hat and sunglasses, swimsuit, and a water bottle. A small pair of binoculars also comes in very handy and most importantly - a sense of adventure!
• Is it safe? South Africa, like many countries, has its problems but your guide knows the country intimately and will endeavour to show you the best parts while looking after you. Be aware, but not paranoid, and you will have a great trip.
• Do I need malaria tablets? Mpumalanga, Swaziland and Zululand (ie: first week of tour) is a limited risk malaria area and prophylactics are recommended.
• Solo Traveler? Going it alone won’t make your holiday more expensive; our reservations staff will match you up with another same-gender traveler to keep your holiday affordable. If however you request a single room or tent these are available, with a price supplement.
Top
Please contact us for dates.
The Cape to Vic Falls Explorer Safari can be combined with this Scenic Route departure to create a complete southern Africa journey.
Top  Return to Budget Safari Packages
|
