Ultimate Southern Africa Adventure Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in South Africa

Welcome to South Africa! Once you and your family arrive at the airport in Johannesburg, you’ll be met by your guide and taken to the hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to do as you please.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Johannesburg
Meals: None

Day 2 Lesotho and Parys

The first full day of your tour of Southern Africa begins with a departure to Lesotho. You’ll stop in Parys along the way for a cup of great coffee and a chance to stretch your legs in this artsy town before continuing on. Then, you’ll have another break in Ladybrand for lunch, and finally, finish the trip at your hotel for the evening.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Malealea
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Tour of Malealea and Gorge Hiking

Today’s going to be an adventurous one! After breakfast, you’ll be treated to an intimate tour of Malealea, a small town nestled near the Maloti Mountains. Enjoy meeting the women who brew beer in their huts, the men working the fields, the children at school, all as their authentic selves. A stop at the Basotho cultural museum is also included. Then, the afternoon takes you up to the top of Pitseng Gorge for a hike with expansive views.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Malealea
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Golden Gate Highlands

Day 4 of your 4 countries tour takes you back over the border into South Africa, where you’re headed for Northern Drakensberg. This region has stunning mountain scenery, and you’ll get a peek at them upon entry to Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The Maluti Mountains tower above while you explore unique rock formations closer to the ground, like the Brandwag Buttress. After enjoying the park, it’s off to the hotel for the evening.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bergville
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Royal Natal National Park

After breakfast, it’s off to Royal Natal National Park, a place renowned for its scenery. Mountains dominate this incredible nature reserve, and you’ll be able to spend the day choosing some trails that suit your fitness level to enjoy them. In the afternoon, you’ll have time to enjoy the pool and relax.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bergville
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Tour of Durban

Durban is a beautiful, beach-clad city and KwaZulu-Natal’s tourist hub. You’ll visit Moses Mabhida Stadium where there’s a skycar that provides a birds-eye view of the city. Then, get your taste buds ready for a foodie walking tour of the city! Gelato, curry, local produce, and gin are all on the menu. Finally, it’s off to the hotel for the rest of the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Durban
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 St. Lucia boat cruise and Kosi Bay

Day 7 of your tour of Southern Africa begins with a drive towards Kosi Bay, a picturesque seaside area on the Indian Ocean. First, you’ll make a pit stop in St. Lucia, where a boat will be waiting to whisk you across the gorgeous estuary. Once you’ve made it to Kosi Bay, you’ll set up camp for the next two nights and enjoy the beach.
Overnight Location: Camping in Kosi Bay
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Choice of activities in Kosi Bay

Kosi Bay deserves a day of its own, so today is free for you to do as you please. Some of the available activities in the area include fishing, snorkelling, boat cruises, hiking, birding, and loggerhead turtle tours. Have fun!
Overnight Location: Camping in Kosi Bay
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Choice of activities in Bilene

Welcome to Mozambique! The road into the country passes through an elephant reserve, so keep your eyes out the window and you might see some of the gentle giants. Then, it’s across Africa’s longest bridge and to the town of Bilene. This beachy resort town boasts an idyllic white-sand coastline dotted by flamingoes. You’re free to do as you please here today, whether it be quad biking, a visit to Wimbi Beach, deep-sea fishing, snorkelling, diving, horseback riding, or turtle safaris.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bilene
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Choice of activities in Bilene

One day simply isn’t enough in Bilene, so enjoy one more chance to take advantage of the town and its activities however you prefer.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bilene
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 Maputo

The next leg of your African tour heads towards Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Here, you’ll enjoy lunch at one of the wonderful restaurants, stroll along to enjoy the Portuguese colonial architecture, and visit the incredible railway station built by Gustave Eiffel (yes, that Eiffel!). Then, you’ll spend the evening enjoying the bustling market before heading back to the hotel for the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Maputo
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 Hlane Royal National Park

Time to knock another country off the list! You’ll cross the border into the Kingdom of Swaziland, recently renamed eSwatini, first thing in the morning. You’ll head into Hlane Royal National Park, which is home to lion, elephant, leopard, white rhino, vultures, and more. Enjoy a 2-hour guided walking tour before dinner. In the evening, you have the option of enjoying a sunset game drive complete with a cocktail!
Overnight Location: Safari lodge in Hlane Royal National Park
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 Hlane Umphakatsi and Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is South Africa’s most renowned game reserve. One of the most exciting parts is the ‘Southern Circle’, where rhinos and lions frequent. This is exactly where you’re headed today! First, you’ll spend some time at the Hlane Umphakatsi, which is a unique group that practices the rural Swazi way of life. You’ll tour their homestead, learn about their culture, and try some of their crafts. Afterwards, it’s on to Kruger for a game drive while en route to camp.
Overnight Location: Camping in Kruger National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 14 Southern Kruger sunset game drive

Today’s morning is nice and relaxed. After breakfast, you’re welcome to enjoy some siesta time at camp, and then you’ll head out for a sunset game drive. What a treat!
Overnight Location: Camping in Kruger National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 15 Game drives in Kruger National Park

Today is all about the animals that call Kruger home. You’ll enjoy morning, afternoon, and sunset game drives.
Overnight Location: Camping in Kruger National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 16 Travel to Lowveld

The next portion of your Southern Africa adventure takes you to Lowveld, an area that lies between Mozambique and the Mpumalanga region of Drakensberg. It’s known for its lovely subtropical climate, abundant wildlife, and a neat old gold rush town. You’ll enjoy a game drive on the way out of Kruger and then enjoy the facilities once you arrive at the lodge. Cocktails at a lookout point await.
Overnight Location: Hotel in White River
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 17 Departure

First thing in the morning, you’ll depart for Nelspruit to visit the Chimp Eden Jane Goodall Institute. This 1,000 ha game reserve and chimpanzee sanctuary is the perfect place for a tour. Then, it’s on to the town of Kaapschehoop, where wild horses roam! This interesting little town is full of galleries and artists, so it’s worth taking some time to explore before lunch. You can also walk out to a nearby escarpment for a view of the plunging Baberton Valley, where you can see all the way to Mozambique on a good day. Legend has it, ghosts frequent the area. Four countries later, it’s time to leave Southern Africa. You’ll end the day with a drive to the airport- safe travels home!
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast