16 days / 13 nights – Extension Nelson Mandela childhood land (+ 3 days/ 3 nights) or / and Extension Meet with the San Tribe (+ 1 day / 1 night)
Self-drive tour with assistance at Johannesburg airport – Option: driver guide
Basis: Room only, Bed and Breakfast, Dinner/Breakfast and Bed or Full Board (all meals + bed)
Category: Standard or Superior or Luxury
Extend your stay with one of our extension trips!
Pre-book your activities before departure to benefit from your negotiated prices!
This trip offers a human experience: reconnect with Nature and share moments with fascinating people proud of their cultures and their history. Discover the uniqueness of South Africa, the Rainbow Nation
Highlights :
• Meet representatives of ancestral tribes and share them with unforgettable, unique and authentic moments
• Discover the complex history of this extraordinary country
• Follow the footsteps of Nelson Mandela in the lands of his childhood
• Explore its national parks and reserves, exceptional natural heritage for which the country fights to protect
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Home > Johannesburg
Day 2: Johannesburg > Soweto
Day 3: Johannesburg
Day 4: Johannesburg > Lydenburg
Day 5: Lydenburg > Pilgrim’sRest
Day 6: Pilgrim’sRest > Kruger National Park
Days 7 & 8: Kruger National Park
Day 9: Kruger National Park > Swaziland
Day 10: Swaziland > Kwazulu Natal
Day 11: Kwazulu Natal > Saint Lucia > Durban
Day 12: Durban > Cape Town
Days 13 & 14: Cape Town
Day 15: Cape Town > Home
Day 16: Home
Extension: Nelson Mandela Childhood Land
Extension: Meet with the San tribe and discover the West Coast
Day 1: Home QJohannesburg
Flight to Johannesburg.
Day 2: Johannesburg > Soweto
On arriving at Johannesburg, you will be met by our local representative which will hand over your travel documents and assist you with collecting your car.
Your two first days will be dedicated to the contemporary History of South Africa. Plenty of interesting museums to choose from.
Suggested activity: Visit Soweto with a local guide
Suggested activity: Dine in a Shebeen, typical african restaurant in the heart of Soweto
Suggested visit: Visit Nelson Mandela House
Suggested visit: Visit Hector Pieterson Museum
Accommodation: B&B in Soweto
Day 3: Johannesburg
The discovery of the fascinating South Africa History continues today!
Suggested visit: Constitution Hills
Suggested visit: Apartheid Museum
Suggested visit: Lilliesleaf et Rivonia
Suggested visit: Visit the new trendy areas full of art galleries, nice cafes and flea markets
Accommodation: Zulu Nyala Country Manor or similar
Day 4: Johannesburg > Lydenburg
You will take the road towards Lydenburg in Mpumalanga going through Kwandebele area where the « Ndebele » tribe lives. They are well known for their brightly colored houses and outfits. You will then enjoy the beautiful landscapes Long Tom Pass offers.
Suggested activity: Visit a Ndebele village
Accommodation: Misty Mountain or similar.
Day 5: Lydenburg > Pilgrim’sRest
Suggested visit: Panoramic road (God’s Window/ Three Rondavels/ Bourke’s Potholes)
Suggested visit: Visit Pilgrim’s Rest, a former settlement during the Gold Rush in the 19th century.
Accommodation: Royal Hotel or similar
Day 6: Pilgrim’sRest > Kruger National Park
Go to the Kruger Park for your full day game drive !
Accommodation: one of the Rest Camps in Kruger Park
Days 7 & 8: Kruger National Park
Suggested activity: Half or full day 4×4 game drive
Suggested activity: Interact with elephants
Accommodation: one of the Rest Camps in Kruger Park
Option: Stay in a private reserve OK
Day 9: Kruger National Park > Swaziland
You will drive to the King of Swaziland, an independent country, ruled by H.M. King Mswati III, crowned in April 1986. Swaziland has maintained its cultural traditions and although English is widely spoken, the dominant language is Siswati. Many of its local inhabitants still consult with an “ Inyanga “, a witch doctor, to ward away evil spirits, or with a “ Sangoma”, who is mostly consulted for health reasons.
Suggested activity: Visit a traditional Swazi village
Suggested activity: Spend the day with a Swazi family and a local guide
Accommodation: Foresters Arms or similar
Day 10: Swaziland > Kwazulu Natal
Today, you will go to Zulu land and Hluhluwe area! On your way, you may stop at Swazi art craft markets and enjoy the relax atmosphere there.
Suggested activity: Visit a traditional Zulu village
Accommodation: Hilltop Camp or similar
Option : Stay at in private reserve OK
Day 11: Kwazulu Natal > Saint Lucia > Durban
You will go on a game drive in the legendary Hluhluwe reserve, famous for its exceptional concentration of white rhinos. You will also be able to see impalas, gnus, zebras, buffalos, giraffes, leopards, hyena, cheetah etc. You will then go to St Lucia and discover its wetlands (UNESCO Heritage site).
Suggested activity: Boat cruise on St Lucia wetlands.
Suggested activity: 4×4 Game Drive in Hluhluwe reserve
Accommodation: Sica’s Guest House or similar
Day 12: Durban Q Cape Town
You will have the time to visit Durban, the biggest harbour in South Africa. The majority of the population is of Indian origin, hence the number of temples and mosques, as well as shops specialising in Indian products. You will later in the day reach the airport for your flight to Cape Town.
Accommodation: Rosedene Guest House or similar.
Extension Drakensberg/ Sani Pass OK
Extension: Nelson Mandela childhood land OK
Days 13 & 14: Cape Town
During these three coming days, you will discover the great multi-cultural city of Cape and its surroundings with its fascinating history and natural beauty. Just walk on the streets, visit museums and art galleries, go up to Table Mountain to enjoy the view or join one of the many activities available.
We suggest you take a day to visit the Cape Peninsula: Boulders’ Beach, its natural reserve, go on a boat cruise in Hout bay or False Bay, watch whales in winter, go for a fantastic seafood experience at one of the renowned places etc. Explore the natural side of the city!
Another day visit: Cape wine route! Visit Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, learn about the History of this area dedicated to wine. Gourmet food and grand cru are on the list!
Suggested activities:
City centre :
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Cape Peninsula :
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Wine Route :
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And plenty of restaurants you would love to book for your so you can enjoy the special South African twist (contact us)
Accommodation: Rosedene Guest House or similar.
Option: Stay in one of the prestigious hotels on the Wineland OK
Extension: Meet with the San tribe and discover the West Coast OK
Day 15: Cape Town Q Home
Last walk around Cape Town before reaching the airport for your return flight.
Day 16: Home
End of your trip to South Africa.
Extension: Nelson Mandela Childhood Land
Day 1: Durban > Port St John
Meet with your guide and drive to Port St Johns. Fantastic landscapes with its tropical flora on the Indian Ocean coast.
Accommodation: Sunlof B&B or similar
Day 2: Port St John > Mthatha > East London
Continue to Mthatha and Qunu in the area that was formerly called Transkei. This area, homeland of Nelson Mandela, has remained particularly wild with sandy beaches and primary forest.
You will visit the museum of Qunu where Mandela spent his early days and will then drive to Mthatha.
Accommodation: Premier Hotel East London or similar
Day 3: East-London Q Cape Town
Extension: Meet with the San tribe and discover the West Coast
Stay another day and drive to the North to visit the San Cultural Center run by San tribe representatives. They will tell you about their History, their traditions and language. A special meal will be offered: their restaurant introduced modernity into their traditional San dishes.
You will then go to the West Coast national Park for a walk and admire the beautiful landscapes the park offers to its visitors.
Accommodation: Rosedene Guest House or similar.
EXTENSION PACKAGES
Botswana Extension Mozambique Extension Victoria Falls Extension