South Africa – A World in One Country

This safari has it all: Exciting wildlife, breath-taking scenery and insights into culture and history of South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland.

QUICK FACTS

2023 Cost:

$4,180 per person sharing

$  990 single supplement

DEPARTURE DATES 2023

D – German guided departures / GD – Guaranteed departures /

F – French guided departures / # Low Season departures

ITINERARY

B – Breakfast       L – Lunch                D – Dinner

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)

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN JOHANNESBURG

Below is a list of some of the most popular optional activities on offer in Johannesburg. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.   All activities are subject to availability and may require a minimum amount of passengers to operate. Certain activities only operate at specific times of the year or on certain days of the week only. Please contact our reservation office for further information. Should you wish to partake in an activity that is not listed below, we will gladly assist you with rates and reservations.

Apartheid Museum Tour

Gold Reef City Tour

Johannesburg City Tour

Soweto Tour

Lesedi Cultural Village Tour

Sun City Tour

DAY 2: JOHANNESBURG TO MPUMALANGA, SOUTH AFRICA                                                                     B

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.

Distance:       385 km                  Departure:            06h30

Accommodation: Graskop Hotel or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

DAY 3 & 4: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA                           B, B

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 3^rd 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.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

ADDITIONAL GAME DRIVES IN OPEN GAME-VIEWER VEHICLE

Full Day Game Drive            Price: $85 per person

*Pre-booking recommended. Based on a minimum of 2 people. Departure times are seasonally dependent.

Distance:           250 km                  Departure:            07h00

Accommodation: Berg en Dal Camp or similar (bungalows with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, restaurant)

DAY 5 & 6: KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND                                                      B, BL

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!

Distance:       190 km                            Departure:            08h00

Accommodation: Mlilwane Rest Camp or similar (beehive huts with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant)

DAY 7 & 8: ZULULAND, SOUTH AFRICA                        B, B

After visiting a craft market en-route, we re-enter South Africa via Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. We arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon. The following day we explore the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, during a game drive in our tour vehicle. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is the oldest game reserve in Africa and is a safe haven to both the endangered black and white rhino. 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.

Distance: 440 km                      Departure: 08h00

Accommodation: Ezulwini Game Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & dining area)

DAY 9 & 10: DRAKENSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA                                             BD, BLD

Moving further inland, we spend the next two nights in Northern Drakensberg which is an area known for its magnificent scenery of towering mountains, indigenous forests, and cool berg streams. At 3,482 metres in height, The Drakensberg, known in Zulu as uKhahlamba or the “Barrier of Spears”, is South Africa’s highest mountain range, stretching its rugged form roughly 1,000 km from south-west to north-east. Time will be spent exploring this picturesque World Heritage Site on guided walks.

Distance:            540 km                     Departure:            08h00

Accommodation: The Cavern or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Day 9

Breakfast:                                                 At Ezulwini Game Lodge or similar         

Lunch:                                                        For your own account

Dinner:                                                       At The Cavern or similar

Day 10

All meals:                                                 At The Cavern or similar             

DAY 11 & 12:   LESOTHO                                                                BL, B

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!

Distance:    420 km                       Departure:            08h00

Accommodation: Malealea Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, bar & dining area)

Day 11

Breakfast:                                                 At The Cavern or similar

Lunch:                                                        Lunch pack from The Cavern or similar

Dinner:                                                       For your own account

Day 12

Breakfast:                                                 At Malealea Lodge or similar

Lunch & Dinner:                                    For your own account

DAY 13:   CRADOCK, SOUTH AFRICA                                                      B

We leave the beauty of Lesotho behind us and drive to the historical town of Cradock, known for spectacular starry nights and traditional Karoo hospitality. Founded in 1814 as a frontier stronghold, the town is an important agricultural centre for cattle, dairy and fruit farming. Cradock is a place of literary legends and the original part of the town is graced with some of the finest old buildings.

Distance:           415 km                   Departure:            08h00

Accommodation: Die Tuishuise or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, bar & restaurant)

DAY 14: ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA                 B

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.

ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK

ADDITIONAL GAME DRIVE IN OPEN GAME-VIEWER VEHICLE

Sundowner Game Drive Incl. snacks and drinks                     Price to be advised

*Pre-booking recommended. Based on a minimum of 2 people. Departure times are seasonally dependent.

Distance:         300 km            Departure:            08h00

Accommodation: Addo Elephant Rest Camp or similar (bungalows with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, restaurant)

DAY 15 & 16: TSITSIKAMMA, SOUTH AFRICA                        B, B

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).

Distance:       240 km                   Departure:            08h00

Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, restaurant)

DAY 17: KNYSNA TO OUDTSHOORN, SOUTH AFRICA                     B

After visiting ‘The Heads’ in Knysna, a town nestled on a tranquil lagoon, we will enjoy an interactive and educational oyster tasting experience. We continue our journey, travelling over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo arriving in the town of Oudtshoorn. We take a trip to the famous Cango Caves, with their impressive ancient stalagmites and stalactites before overnighting in the ostrich capital of the world.

Distance:      280 km               Departure:            08h00

Accommodation: Mooiplaas Guest House or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, bar, restaurant and swimming pool)

DAY 18 & 19: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA                        B, B

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.

Distance:     450 km                   Departure:            08h00

Accommodation: The Townhouse Hotel or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant)      

DAY 20: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA                        B

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.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN CAPE TOWN

Below is a list of some of the most popular optional activities on offer in Cape Town. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.   All activities are subject to availability and may require a minimum amount of passengers to operate.   Certain activities only operate at specific times of the year or certain days of the week. Please contact our reservation office for further information. Should you wish to partake in an activity that is not listed below, we will gladly assist you with rates and reservations.

Full Day Cape Winelands Tour

Winelands with Bicycles

Cape Town City Cycle Tour

Township Tour

Shark Cage Diving (Gansbaai)

Whale Route Tour

Give Back Cultural Field Trip

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PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION

DEPARTURE:

The World in One Country Safari departs from The Safari Club or similar in Johannesburg.

Please note that the daily departure times are a guideline only and are subject to change due to seasonal variations, as well as unforeseen circumstances. The final decision rests with your guide who will advise you at what time you will be departing each day.

On the evening of Day 1, there will be a meeting presented by your guide, at 18h00, at The Safari Club. It is imperative that all clients attend this meeting so as not to miss out on any critical information.

Whilst it is our every intention to adhere to the above mentioned itinerary, there may on occasion be a necessity to make alterations in order to make the tour more enjoyable or practical. Therefore please treat the itinerary as a guide only.

TRANSPORT:

We use fully equipped Toyota Quantum’s, Mercedes Benz Sprinters or Vito’s or other appropriate vehicles with comfortable seating, a music system, PA system and air-conditioning. Please note all game drives are conducted in the touring vehicle. Clients have the option to book additional game drives in open game-viewer vehicles. It is recommended that you pre-book additional game drives in advance to avoid disappointment.

TRAVELLING TIMES AND DISTANCES:

All travelling times are affected by road conditions, border crossings, detours and weather conditions, therefore on certain days travelling times may be longer than anticipated especially where there is a lot of distance to be covered.  Please keep in mind that the time it takes to travel 100 km in your home country is not equivalent to the time it takes to travel 100 km on African roads, therefore we encourage you to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery Africa has to offer.   Where possible additional stops will be made to ensure your travelling comfort at all times.

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. Most of them have a private bathroom with a shower and toilet. Some properties are equipped with swimming pools and/or bar areas.

MEALS:

Breakfast is included daily and provided by the lodge restaurants. A dinner package is available, at additional cost for 7 dinners. This needs to be booked in advance and the meals are to be taken in the lodge restaurants. 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.

VISAS:

The onus is on the client to organize all visas required to visit South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho prior to departure.   US citizens do NOT require visas for any of these countries.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:

Please note that travel and cancellation insurance is mandatory for every guest travelling. All insurance is solely the responsibility of our guests. Please ensure you arrange your own insurance with protection for the full duration of your journey to cover personal injury, damage and loss of personal items including but not limited to camera equipment and other electronic items, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and loss of luggage, etc. Please speak to your travel agent if you require assistance.

Call or Text (818) 353-9500