Cape Town to Johannesburg
Cape Town to Johannesburg
Cape Town to Johannesburg
20 Days Starting in Cape Town and ending in Johannesburg
Visiting: Swaziland, Lesotho, South Africa
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AZJR
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This epic journey explores the different facets of four 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
Depart London
Day 2
Thoseon the group flight arrive in Cape Town and transfer to the hotel.
Those not on the group flights can arrive at any time. The rest of the day is
free to relax after the flight or explore the city at the bottom of Africa.
Cape Town sits in one of the most beautiful locations of any of the world's
major cities with the impressive bulk of Table Mountain as its backdrop and
Table Bay in the foreground. The city is a melting pot of cultures as people
from Europe, Africa and Asia have all settled (either voluntarily or
forcibly) here over the centuries. The city is a blend of European and
African and a great place to watch the world go by or visit its various sites
and museums.
*Cape Diamond or similar *
Day 3
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 (optional). Our
driving time today will be approximately 3-4 hours (200km).
*Cape Diamond or similar
*
Day 4
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.
*Cape Diamond or similar
*
Day 5
Leaving Cape Town behind, we drive out to the vineyard region of Stellenbosch
where we have the option of visiting wineries and doing some wine tasting. We
then continue towards Hermanus driving via Gordon's Bay. There is always a
good chance of seeing whales when in season. 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 3-4hrs
(190kms).
*Windsor Hotel or similar
*
Day 6
Today we drive along the beautiful Garden Route coastline via the cultivated
fields of the Western Cape Boland and the town of George towards the
Tsitsikamma National Park. The route is stunning and follows the ragged coast
passing through small fishing villages and seaside resort. This national
park, at the mouth of the Storms River, 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 6-7hrs (500kms).
*Tsitsikamma Storms River Huts or similar
*
Day 7
Our second day in the 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.
*Tsitsikamma Storms River Huts or similar*
Day 8
We head over the Kouga Mountains and Baviaanskloof Mountains as we head
towards Graaff Reinet. This small 19th century town is set in the middle of
the Karoo National Reserve and is a stop-over on our way to Lesotho. Our
driving time today will be approximately 4-5hrs (390kms).
*Obesa Lodge or similar*
Day 9
Today is a long day's drive as we traverse the Great Karoo and enter Lesotho.
This mountainous kingdom has been shielded from outside influence over the
generations and the Bastho 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 7-8hrs plus
time at the border (530kms).
*Malealea Lodge or similar*
Day 10
The day is free to relax and experience the unique culture that Lesotho has
to offer. Mountain ridges protrude into the town and an optional day pony
trek to a local village is recommended. Alternatively the craft shops and
markets can be an enjoyable way to pick up some African souvenirs.
*Malealea Lodge or similar*
Day 11
Today is a long day's drive as we travel through Lesotho and exit at the
Maseru border post. When then travel through the eastern farmlands of the
Free State before driving through the Golden Gate National Park. 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'). Our driving time
today will be approximately 5-6 hours (400km).
*Berg House Cottages or similar*
Day 12
We spend a full day in the mountains where our route will have us walking for
approximately 5-6 hours 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).
*Berg House Cottages or similar*
Day 13
Today we 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 is a moving reminder of this troubled time.
Our driving time today will be approximately 4-5 hrs (250km).
*Battlefields Country Lodge or similar*
Day 14
Today we head for the Indian Ocean and the small town of St. Lucia on the
shores of a lake renowned for its hippos, crocs and birds. Our driving time
today will be approximately 4-5 hrs (315km).
*Shonalanga Lodge or similar*
Day 15
In the early 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 where we spend the afternoon relaxing on the
beach or walking to Mission Rocks (please note the walk to Mission Rocks is
only possible at low tide and can take about 4hrs return). 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).
*Shonalanga Lodge or similar*
Day 16
Today we head into our third country, Eswatini (Swaziland) 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 4-5 hrs (300km).
*Wisteria Lodge or similar*
Day 17-18
We cross back into South Africa and head towards Africa's most famous
national park: Kruger. The park was 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 camps, where there
will be a chance for a swim and hot showers. We have two days in the park and
on Day 17 both morning and afternoon game drives in our vehicle are included
to maximise our chances of seeing the plentiful fauna of this great Park. Our
driving time today will be approximately 2-3 hrs (140km) to the entrance to
the park plust time on safari inside the park.
*Kruger Park Huts or Permanent Tented Camp*
Day 19
After game driving out Kruger National Park we continue to Letaba Ranch
Reserve. This afternoon we go on an open, sunset game drive, returning after
dark with the spot-light. Our driving time today will be approximately 4-5
hours (300km).
*Mtomeni Safari Camp or similar*
Day 20
Today we head out of the park and make our way towards Graskop (Mpumalanga).
En route we will 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. Our driving time today will
be approximately 5-6 hours (400km).
*Mogodi Lodge or similar*
Day 21
On our final day we drive along good roads towards Johannesburg arriving at
the airport in time for the flight home. For those not on the group flights,
the tour ends upon arrival at Johannesburg Airport. Drive time around 5-6hrs
(380kms)
Day 22
Arrive London
What's Included
-
Meals
18 breakfasts, 15 lunches, 12 dinners.
* All breakfasts, 16 lunches, 13 dinners
* All accommodation (see below)
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout
* Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
What's Not Included
-
Travel insurance
-
Single accommodation
-
Visas or vaccinations
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. We do not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops on tour if you want to buy it yourself. 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.
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.
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.
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
-
Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
-
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
-
Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
-
Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
-
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.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
1 Select your preferred date
Sunday - Friday
Oct 27, 2024 - Nov 15, 2024Sunday - Friday
Dec 08, 2024 - Dec 27, 2024Sunday - Friday
Feb 02, 2025 - Feb 21, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels 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.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.