South Africa Camping Safari

A safari of variety and magnitude, of a world in one country. When one lives in South Africa you tend to seek the diamonds on far away horizons, often ignoring the multitude of precious stones beneath your feet. We introduce our third tour, hoping to create an everlasting impression of this country, and in doing so, giving you the complete spectrum of our land.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY OF OUR SOUTH AFRICA CAMPING SAFARI ADVENTURE

Day 1 Johannesburg

Meals: B - breakfast, Br - brunch, L - lunch, D - dinner
We meet in Johannesburg and head east towards Mpumalanga. After setting up camp we lunch in the historic gold mining town of Pilgrims Rest. The afternoon is spent exploring the multitude of natural attractions that this area is famous for: Blyde River Canyon, Bourkes Luck Potholes, God's Window and the Three Rondavels. We will visit the multitude of waterfalls found in the area. LD

Day 2 Kruger National Park

We travel the short distance through majestic woodlands to the Kruger National Park. After lunch we will do an extensive game drive in search of the wildlife for which this park is famous. We hope to find the "big five", lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. BLD

Day 3 Game Viewing

An early start, after coffee we resume our endeavour to find those species which eluded us the previous day. En route to our next camp site we stop for a picnic brunch. After setting up camp and enjoying a short siesta around the pool we do another game viewing excursion. BrD

Day 4 Mountain Kingdom of Swaziland

We exit the park and head south towards our next destination, the Mountain Kingdom of Swaziland. En route we observe traditional Swazi villages. The afternoon is spent doing an extensive trek in search of the Bald Ibis breeding colony of Malolotja. BLD

Day 5 Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve

We stop in Mbabane, the capital, where we meet the local people at the curio market. Leaving Swaziland today, we make our way into the greatest rhino sanctuary in the world. The Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve is responsible for the conservation and reintroduction of the species. We spend the afternoon in search of them and camp the night on the shores of Lake St Lucia. BLD

Day 6 St Lucia Wetlands

We spend two days in this area, giving us the chance to absorb the Zulu culture and to find the animals endemic to this region. After an early game drive we enjoy an afternoon of Zulu dancing. We will lunch with these noble people. Late afternoon at leisure to enjoy the tremendous birding of the St Lucia Wetlands. BD

Day 7 Drakensberg

An early departure, we travel south and thereafter head through the Natal Midlands towards the greatest mountain range in South Africa : the Drakensberg. The afternoon is spent preparing for the hike that we will undertake the following day. Dinner tonight is in the camp restaurant. BL

Day 8 Tugela Gorge

We awake at dawn and after a hearty breakfast we head out on the Tugela Gorge hike. En route we hope to find the reminders of a race of people who once walked the same paths that we now walk: the San Bushmen. Lunchtime finds us having a picnic at the base of a waterfall. We return back to camp in the afternoon for a traditional braai under the shadow of the Amphitheatre of this majestic mountain. BLD

Day 9 Golden Gate

A long day; today we travel around the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, stop to view the towering sandstone cliffs of the Golden Gate area and thereafter move onto our camp site in Aliwal North. We relax after the journey in the hot springs, revitalizing tired legs from the hike. BLD

Day 10 Hogsback Mountains

Leaving Aliwal, we travel over the Hogsback Mountains and enjoy an early picnic lunch in the forest. Thereafter it is onto the Addo Elephant National Park where we spend the afternoon in search of the endemic elephants which are found here. Tonight, time can be spent at the spotlit waterhole hoping to observe the creatures of the night. BLD

Day 11 Tsitsikamma National Park

The ocean is calling. Tsitsikamma National Park is our new destination today. En route we visit Jeffreys Bay, South Africas surfer's paradise. Enjoy the waves of the Indian Ocean. Today we will explore the first part of the Otter Trail as well as the Storms River Mouth on a short but eventful hike. The rugged coastline is a photographer's dream. BLD

Day 12 Knysna

We travel along the coast to Knysna, a town famous for its oysters and artists. We will explore the Heads, two sandstone cliffs that flank the opening of the Knysna lagoon, and the local curio market. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the lagoon and return to camp to freshen up and spend an evening in a local restaurant. BL

Day 13 Cango Caves

Today we head over the Outeniqua Pass towards Oudtshoorn and the Cango Caves. En route we will stop at an ostrich farm for lunch. Thereafter we will do a tour of the Cango Caves. Our destination tonight is Swellendam, where we camp the night. BLD

Day 14 Stellenbosch

Today we visit the wine farms of Stellenbosch to taste the famous wines which originate in this area. After settling into our hotel in Cape Town we have the afternoon at leisure. Visit the Waterfront Shopping Mall, enjoy the beaches or just admire the stunning beauty of the city. BL

Day 15 Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve

We explore the Cape region today, travel along Chapmans Peak Drive hoping to catch a glimpse of the whales in the bay (in season), visit Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Cape Point and the penguin colony near Simons Town. Lunch will be spent enjoying the local cuisine overlooking the ocean. We end the sightseeing-filled day with a visit to Table Mountain. B NB: Cable car excursion will be at own expense!

Day 16 Namaqualand

Leaving the Mother City, we travel north into the true wilderness area of the Western Cape. We spend the afternoon exploring the trails and footpaths of the Hantamsberg mountain range. The splendour of the Namaqualand Flower Carpet in springtime is a sight to behold.BLD

Day 17 Augrabies Falls

We pass through an arid sheep farming country. Augrabies Falls National Park is our destination. After lunch we will head out in search of the rare animal species: Black rhino, eland, gemsbok and klipspringer found here. We will also witness the spectacular Augrabies Falls, a granite gorge over which the mighty Orange River plunges on its journey to the ocean. BLD

Day 18 Kalahari Desert

Today we travel to one of the best kept secrets in Africa: the Kalahari desert and its inhabitants. We enter the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. This is the new name for the combining of South Africa's Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Botswana's Gemsbok National Park, making it one of the largest protected wilderness areas in Africa. After lunch and a short siesta at the pool we embark on an exciting game drive in search of the wildlife that this park is famous for. The Kalahari lion is the largest lion found in the world and just to spend a moment with this black maned king of the beasts is not only a privilege but an experience that you will never forget. Not only the lion, but the raptures and desert dwelling creatures will fascinate all wildlife enthusiasts. BLD

Day 19 Kalahari Desert

We rise with the sun and resume our search, often spending long periods waiting for that special moment at waterholes or in the dunes. We return for a hard-earned brunch and siesta to while away the heat of this unforgiving land. Late afternoon sees us sifting the sands, searching for the animals we have not yet seen. In the Kalahari it is the patient who are rewarded. BLD

Day 20 Explorations

A new day, a new area. We travel to a new campsite today in order to canvass a different area, and in doing so, hope to uncover new jewels beneath the sands. After brunch we seek shelter at the poolside, enjoying the sun and the solitude. Our last period in this paradise, we set out to get that special memory this afternoon, be it a bee-eater or a martial eagle, a tortoise or a cheetah. We celebrate the three special days over a dinner in the camp restaurant tonight. Br

Day 21 Fond farewells...

We depart at dawn and travel the long road back to Johannesburg. En route we pass through small farming towns and near the big cities. Hopefully you will never forget the Kalahari. BL

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