Johannesburg to Cape Town
Johannesburg to Cape Town
Johannesburg to Cape Town
20 Days Starting in Johannesburg and ending in Cape Town
Visiting: Johannesburg, Mpumalanga, Letaba Ranch Other Area, Kruger National Park, Hlane National Park, Eswatini, Saint Lucia, Cape Vidal, Rorke's Drift, Dundee, Drakensberg, Lesotho, Karoo, Graaff-Reinet, Tsitsikamma National Park, Hermanus, Cape Town, Cape Peninsula
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AZJ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Physical rating:
Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
16 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
From:
$5473
$5025 (USD)
Operator discount: -$448
Tour Overview
This epic journey explores the different facets of three very diverse countries. In South Africa we go on game drives in the Kruger National Park, walk in the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains, travel along the Garden Route, enjoy wine tasting amid the country’s renowned vineyards and visit exciting Cape Town and journey through the mountain kingdoms of Eswatini (Swaziland) and Lesotho.This three week trip has something for everyone: prolific wildlife, incredible scenery, beautiful beaches, awe-inspiring mountains and, of course, the rich culture which makes these countries what they are today.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Johannesburg; Drive To Mpumalanga.
Location: Johannesburg, Mpumalanga
Accommodation: Mogodi Lodge or similar
Accommodation Name: Mogodi Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
We leave the airport and make our way to overnight in Graskop (Mpumalamga),
with views over the Graskop Gorge. En route we travel through South Africa's
highest town, Belfast (1,970m) and the scenic Robbers Pass. Our driving time
today will be approximately 5-6 hours (400km) with limited sightseeing.
Day 2 : Explore Panorama Route; To Letaba Ranch Reserve; Night Game Drive.
Location: Letaba Ranch Other Area
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Nkambeni Tented Camp (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we explore the aptly named Panorama Route. We drive through some
spectacular countryside and we stop at scenic places like Bourke's Luck
potholes and Blyde River Canyon, the third largest of its type in the
southern hemisphere. From here we continue to Letaba Ranch Reserve. This late
afternoon we go on an open, sunset game drive returning to camp after dark
with the spot-light. Our driving time today will be approximately 3-4 hours
(250km).
Day 3 : Morning Game Walk; To Kruger N.P.
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: National park huts or permanent tented camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we head out looking for wildlife on foot as we head on a game
walk through the reserve. From here we continue to Kruger National Park,
justifiably one of the most famous wildlife parks in the world. It is also
one of the oldest, established by the president Paul Kruger in 1898. It has,
arguably, the greatest variety of animals of any park in Africa, with lion,
leopard, elephant, buffalo, Black and White rhino, as well as cheetah,
giraffe, hippo and many species of antelope and smaller plains' game. The
total census includes 147 mammals, 507 birds and 114 reptiles as well as 336
different trees. The camps are also excellent and the general infrastructure
good. If you see all the predators you will be very lucky, however you will
almost certainly see some of the big five and a huge variety of smaller
mammals. We game drive through the park to the camp, where there will be a
chance for a swim and hot showers. Our driving time today will be
approximately 3-4 hours (250km).
Day 4 : Game Drives In Kruger N.P.
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: National park huts or permanent tented camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We spend all of today inside Kruger National Park and will go on game drives
in both the morning and the afternoon in order to maximise our wildlife
viewing chances.
Day 5 : To Hlane Game Reserve, Eswatini (Swaziland), Optional Nature Walk.
Location: Hlane National Park, Eswatini
Accommodation: Wisteria Lodge or similar
Accommodation Name: Hlane Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We enter Eswatini (Swaziland)Â and overnight in the Kings old hunting
grounds, now the beautiful Hlane Royal National Park. In the afternoon there
is the opportunity to leave the vehicle and enjoy a nature walk (optional).
Seeing animals and tracks outside of the confines of a vehicle is a thrilling
experience and gives us the chance to see and hear the variety of smaller
animals and birds that are often passed by on game drives. Our driving time
today will be approximately 3-4 hours (250km).
Day 6 : To St. Lucia On The Elephant Coast.
Location: Saint Lucia
Accommodation: Shonalanga Lodge or similar
Accommodation Name: Shonalanga Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we drive south towards the town of Big Bend on our way to the
border and back into South Africa. We continue towards the small town of St.
Lucia between the Indian Ocean and Lake St. Lucia. It is not uncommon to come
across stray hippos in the centre of town and the nearby lagoon is a haven
for crocs, hippos, birds and even sharks! Our driving time today will be
approximately 3-4 hours (300km).
Day 7 : Boat Trip And Game Walk; Afternoon At Cape Vidal.
Location: Cape Vidal
Accommodation: Shonalanga Lodge or similar
Accommodation Name: Shonalanga Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we spend 2 hours exploring lake St Lucia by boat, with an
excellent chance of seeing some of the many resident Hippo's, crocodiles and
Fish Eagles. From here it's a short drive to Cape Vidal, a long stretch of
beach along the Indian Ocean. We spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach or
walking to Mission Rocks (please note the walk to Mission Rocks can only be
done at low tide and takes around 4hrs return) . Or alternatively there are a
number of optional activities available, including whale watching (in season:
June-November), or sunset and night game drives on the western shores of the
lake. Our driving time today will be approximately 2-3 hours (75km).
Day 8 : To Dundee Via Rourke's Drift
Location: Rorke's Drift
Accommodation: Battlefields Country Lodge or similar
Accommodation Name: Battlefields Country Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We leave St. Lucia today and drive through the Natal midlands and on to
Dundee. En route we stop at Rourke's Drift and have a chance to learn about
the famous battle at the local museum. Immortalised by Hollywood in the film
Zulu! The events that took place here are well known and the small cluster of
buildings isolated in the enormity of the African Bush are a moving reminder
of this troubled time. Our driving time today will be approximately 5-6 hours
(350km).
Day 9 : To Royal Natal N.P.; Optional Afternoon Walk
Location: Dundee
Accommodation: Berg House Cottages or similar
Accommodation Name: Alpine Heath Resort (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We continue on to the Northern Drakensberg, our base for the next two nights.
The Drakensberg is a basalt escarpment forming the border between Kwa
Zulu-Natal and Lesotho and continuing into the Free State. It means 'Dragon
Mountains', but the Zulu named it Ukhahlamba ('the barrier of Spears'). This
is a more accurate description of the sheer, forbidding, jagged escarpment.
Some walking takes us through the lowland areas with magnificent views. Our
driving time today will be approximately 2-3 hours (200km).
Day 10 : Daywalk In The Drakensberg.
Location: Drakensberg
Accommodation: Berg House Cottages or similar
Accommodation Name: Alpine Heath Resort (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We spend a full day in the mountains where our route will have us walking
into the natural amphitheatre, following the Tugela River past Protea trees.
The Protea is the national flower of South Africa, as well as the name of
their cricket team. Our driving time today will be approximately 1 hours
(50km).
Day 11 : To The Kingdom Of Lesotho.
Location: Lesotho
Accommodation: Malealea Lodge or similar
Accommodation Name: Malealea Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is a long day's drive as we travel through the Golden Gate National
Park and the eastern farmlands of the Free State and enter Lesotho at the
Maseru border post. This mountainous kingdom has been shielded from outside
influence over the generations and the Basotho people historically used this
strategic location as a defence against events on the plains below. The lodge
situated in this rugged mountainous region provides us with an ideal
opportunity to experience the Lesotho culture. Our driving time today will be
approximately 5-6 hours (400km).
Day 12 : Free Day To Enjoy Lesotho's Culture And Mountain Scenery.
Location: Lesotho
Accommodation: Malealea Lodge or similar
Accommodation Name: Malealea Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The day is free to relax and experience the unique culture that Lesotho has
to offer. Mountain ridges protrude into the town and there's the option of
doing a day's pony trekking to a local village. Alternatively the craft shops
and markets can be an enjoyable way to pick up some African souvenirs.
Day 13 : To Graaf Reinet In The Karoo.
Location: Karoo
Accommodation: Obesa Lodge or similar
Accommodation Name: Obesa Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
On the road today as we drive south to Graaf-Reinet, the oldest town on the
Eastern Cape founded in 1786. Our driving time will be approximately 8 hours
passing through the desert landscape of the Great Karoo.
Day 14 : To Tsitsikamma N.P On The Garden Route.
Location: Graaff-Reinet
Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Storms River Huts or similar
Accommodation Name: Tsitsikamma Storms River Huts (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We drive down to the coast over the Baviaanskloof Mountains and the Kouga
Mountains before arriving at Tsitsikamma National Park at Storms River mouth.
This national park protects the indigenous forests as well as the marine life
50km out to sea. We stay at a beautifully positioned camp with the waves
breaking a stone's throw away. Our driving time today will be approximately
5-6 hours (400km).
Day 15 : Free Day To Go On Walks, Relax Or Explore The Region.
Location: Tsitsikamma National Park
Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Storms River Huts or similar
Accommodation Name: Tsitsikamma Storms River Huts (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our second day in Tsitsikamma N.P. is free to enjoy the beautiful setting.
There are a range of optional activities including walks to the Storms River
gorge and along the rocky coast, snorkelling, sea and river cruises and a
tree canopy tour through the forests. In season, approximately August to
October, the marine park becomes home to a population of migratory whales.
Day 16 : To Hermanus; Whale Watching In Season.
Location: Hermanus
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Windsor Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We drive along the beautiful Garden Route coastline via George and the
rolling cultivated fields of the Western Cape Boland to Hermanus. The route
is stunning and follows the ragged coast passing through small fishing
villages and seaside resorts. Hermanus is an interesting little town, rightly
famous for its delicious seafood and a visit to one of the great restaurants
in the evening is highly recommended. It is also widely regarded as the best
place in the world for land-based whale watching from August to November. Our
driving time today will be approximately 6-7 hours (500km).
Day 17 : Visit South Africa's Wine Region En Route To Cape Town.
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation: Cape Diamond or similar
Accommodation Name: InnsCape on Castle Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning we leave Hermanus and, hugging the coastline (there is always
a good chance to see whales in season), we drive along this scenic route to
Gordon's Bay and then onto Stellenbosch. The afternoon will be spent visiting
a few of the vineyards, which make this area world famous. Having enjoyed the
local produce, wine tasting is optional. We then take a short drive to Cape
Town. Our driving time today will be approximately 3-4 hours (200km).
Day 18 : Cape Peninsula Tour, Cape Point And Simonstown's Penguins.
Location: Cape Peninsula
Accommodation: Cape Diamond or similar
Accommodation Name: InnsCape on Castle Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
After an early morning breakfast we drive via the coastal suburbs of Clifton,
Camps Bay and Hout Bay and then over Chapman's peak drive to the famous Cape
of Good Hope Nature Reserve, which covers an area of 7,680 hectares. The
reserve is home to eland, bontebok, grysbok, springbok, wildebeest, baboon
and ostrich. Rugged cliffs, unspoilt beaches, shipwrecks and beautiful flora
are the main features of the reserve. We will also visit the famous Cape
Point lighthouse. In the afternoon we take a short (1 hour) walk that is
almost entirely downhill. Our destination is the Cape of Good Hope with a
detour to Diaz beach. The trail ends at the famous signboard 'Cape of Good
Hope'. We then return to Cape Town passing through the former Royal Navy base
town of Simonstown and a visit to the resident Penguin Colony. Our driving
time today will be approximately 3-4 hours (200km).
Day 19 : Free Day In Cape Town.
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation: Cape Diamond or similar
Accommodation Name: InnsCape on Castle Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
The day is free and an optional trip to Robben Island, site of Nelson
Mandela's incarceration during the apartheid period, is highly recommended.
Weather permitting a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain is a must
for any visitor to this picturesque city. Alternatively the beaches of Cape
Town are a great place to relax and unwind.
Day 20 : End Cape Town.
Location: Cape Town
Meals Included: Breakfast
The morning is free for some last minute shopping or sightseeing before those
no the group flights are taken to the airport for their flight home. The trip
ends after breakfast for those not on the group flights.
What's Included
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Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
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All accommodation (see below)
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All breakfasts, 16 lunches, 13 dinners
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
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Meals
19 breakfasts, 16 lunches, 13 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Visas or vaccinations
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation
Food
All breakfasts, 16 lunches, 13 dinners
Your guide and driver/assistant generally prepare the meals included in this
trip. A rough idea of what the meals will consist of is as follows: Breakfast
- cereals, coffee, tea and toast. The occasional full cooked breakfast too.
Lunch - cheese, cold meats, salads, bread or rolls, fresh fruit. Dinner -
potjies (stew), braais (barbecue), stir fries, pasta. with fresh vegetables.
Most generally cooked on the open fire. Please be aware that we need at least
two weeks notice to deal with special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian
or allergies.) For this reason if you did not indicate these on your booking
form please advise the Exodus office as soon as possible. The tour leaders do
all the shopping and meal planning and cooking for each group. He/she will
always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. We also supply the
following drinks: fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served
with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages will be at your own expense.
The water provided on this trip is safe and clean drinking water, normally
coming from bore-holes. It is not bottled water, however. If you would rather
have bottled water then this will be at your expense, though we would
encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps
diminish plastic consumption.
Accommodation
For this 20-day adventure through South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland) and Lesotho, we have picked a selection of comfortable accommodations, each well located for our activities. We stay in a range of log cabins, chalets, hotels and permanent tented camps – the latter is a quintessential African experience that allows you to experience nature while enjoying the comforts of a regular room.
We mostly stay in three-star properties throughout this itinerary. In Cape Town, we have an ideal location between the city centre and the V&A Waterfront, a star attraction in the city packed with restaurants, shops and buzzy bars. Conversely, we spend many nights in the middle of nowhere, such as our time within Kruger National Park where the calls of lions and hippos provide a very different experience to our time in the populated areas of South Africa.
While our normal hotels used are listed in the day-to-day itinerary, below are some of the notable stays on this trip.
Northern Drakensberg: Alpine Heath Resort (nights 9-10)
This stylish four-star resort has an idyllic setting in the heart of the Drakensberg. Beautiful alpine views can be enjoyed from every part of the property regardless of whether you are relaxing with a drink at your chalet’s patio or going for a paddle in one of the outdoor swimming pools. There are also five eateries including La Gruyere’s Restaurant or the Pool Bar to choose from while you enjoy downtime between walks.
Hermanus: Windsor Hotel (night 16)
The 120-year-old Windsor Hotel sits opposite Walker Bay, one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world when southern right whales migrate to the bay to breed (July to November). Whale-watching is even possible from the comfort of the hotel restaurant. However, the location of the property is also ideal out of season with a central setting within town and quick access to the 7.5mi (12km) Hermanus Cliff Path.
Worth knowing
Wifi is available in several properties but not everywhere and it can be unreliable.
Private bathrooms are available throughout the majority of the tour; however, in Kruger National Park there are shared facilities and in the Drakensberg we stay in chalets where two rooms share one bathroom and a lounge area.
The single supplement applies to the bedrooms only and you may have to share a bathroom on certain nights.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
16+ age people can go on this tour.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
Thursday - Tuesday
Aug 22, 2024 - Sep 10, 2024Sunday - Friday
Oct 06, 2024 - Oct 25, 2024Sunday - Friday
Nov 17, 2024 - Dec 06, 2024Sunday - Friday
Jan 12, 2025 - Jan 31, 2025Thursday - Tuesday
Mar 13, 2025 - Apr 01, 2025Sunday - Friday
May 25, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025Thursday - Tuesday
Aug 21, 2025 - Sep 09, 2025Sunday - Friday
Oct 05, 2025 - Oct 24, 2025Sunday - Friday
Nov 16, 2025 - Dec 05, 2025Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.