12-Day South Africa Safari and Cape Tour with Lesotho and Knysna

12 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Embark on a 12-day journey through South Africa's natural wonders and cultural gems, from a night safari in Kruger National Park to the dramatic landscapes of B...

Duration: 12 Days · Tour type: Private · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Cities: Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg, Durban, Victoria Falls, Cape Town, Knysna, Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon, Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Table Mountain National Park, Robben Island, Simon's Town · Languages: English

Know before you go: Although airfare is not included in the price, we will find you the flights you need. Just ask.; All participants must book travel insurance within 72 hours of booking this tour. At a minimum, such insurance must cover cancellations, medical expenses, evacuations, flight loss or delays, and 24/7 assistance.; 1-2 persons for one room: $1,760; 3-4 persons for two rooms: $3,520; 5-6 persons for three rooms: $5,280; 7-8 persons for four rooms: $7,040; 9-10 persons for five rooms: $8,800; International airfare is included for VIP members only - ask us for details.

About ISimangaliso Wetland Park

South Africa

ISimangaliso Wetland Park

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What's Included

Lodging
Male or female tour guides
Tours in English
All ground and water transportation
All activities in the itinerary below
All entry fees
Your own on-call concierge
Breakfasts

Not Included

Hotel sales tax (required to be paid directly by guests)
Any airfare
Alcohol
Travel insurance
Any government-imposed visa fees
Anything not mentioned in the itinerary

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival at Kruger and Night Safari

Our tour starts at Kruger National Park, officially at 8:00 pm. Please be in the lobby at this time, as your tour guide and driver should be waiting for you there. We are taken into the park for a night safari. Animals often seen at this hour include lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, zebras, elephants, and buffaloes. Note that Kruger National Park (Mpumalanga Airport) is reached through Johannesburg or Cape Town in South Africa, or through Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
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Day 02

Full-Day Kruger Safari and Transfer to Hazyview

We spend the day exploring Kruger National Park by jeep. Kruger has more species of large mammals than any other game reserve in Africa. All the so-called 'big five' game animals roam within this park. They are the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and Cape buffalo. Following the full-day safari, we relocate to the village of Hazyview.
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Day 03

Blyde River Canyon and God's Window

We make a day trip today to Blyde River Canyon. Compared with canyons worldwide, Blyde is one of the largest on earth. It has some of the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon on the planet. It is also the second largest canyon in Africa. Attractions we visit include Graskop Gorge, God's Window cliffs, Lisbon Falls, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and a viewpoint called Three Rondavels.
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Day 04

Fly to Durban and Explore the City's Highlights

We relocate by flight from Kruger National Park to Durban. We have a private tour guide and driver who show us the highlights of South Africa's third largest city. One of the many attractions we visit is the Golden Mile beachfront.
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Day 05

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and iSimangaliso by Boat

We go on a day trip today. First is Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. It is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa and has the largest population of white rhinos in the world. What's more, each of the big five game animals can be found there. Next is iSimangaliso Wetland Park, where the Saint Lucia Game Reserve serves as our focal point. The park is home to around 1,200 crocodiles and 800 hippos. Other animals roaming around include elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffalos. Sea animals include whales, dolphins, and marine turtles. We explore the reserve by boat.
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Day 06

Drakensberg, Sani Pass, and Lesotho Culture

We go on another day trip today. The first stop is uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. It is known for exceptional beauty, ancient caves, and rock shelters. In fact, this park has the largest and most concentrated group of prehistoric paintings in Africa south of the Sahara. Some of the cave paintings may date back to 100,000 years ago. Next is South Africa's most scenic drive, known as the Sani Pass. The last destination for today is the country of Lesotho. There we meet natives and are offered traditional beer and homemade bread.
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Day 07

Storms River Adventure and Arrival in Knysna

We relocate from Durban to Knysna, making several stops en route. From the airport in Port Elizabeth, we are taken to Tsitsikamma National Park. The first stop within this park is Storms River. There we go on a guided zip lining tour. Next, we go on a suspension bridge walk. Afterwards, we head to Bloukrans River Bridge. It is home to one of the world's highest commercial bridge bungees. You do not have to jump. It is an optional activity with an additional charge. Last but definitely not least is the coastal town of Knysna. Before checking into the hotel, we are taken to a fantastic viewpoint at Knysna Heads and then walk around the waterfront.
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Day 08

Cango Caves, Wildlife Ranch, and John Benn Cruise

We go on a day trip today. We start at the Cango Caves. We are provided with two different options for exploring. There is a Standard Tour and an Adventure Tour. The Adventure Tour consists of crawling through narrow passages and climbing up steep rock formations guided by small lights. Both tours feature halls and limestone formations. Following our tour, we are taken to the Cango Wildlife Ranch. There we are provided with a guided tour. The ranch is home to around 90 different species of animals. Lastly for today, we head to the Knysna Waterfront Pier. There we take the sunset boat cruise. The boat is called John Benn. It is best described as a double-decker floating restaurant offering lagoon cruises to the Knysna Heads.
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Day 09

Cape Town, Table Mountain, and Robben Island

We relocate by flight from Knysna/George to Cape Town. An attractive city resting upon natural beauty, surrounded by fine scenery and dominated by Table Mountain, this relatively prosperous metropolis is the undisputed architectural gem of South Africa. Cape Town is not only the most popular international city destination in the country, but in Africa as a whole. This is due to its good climate, intimate setting, and the many historic landmarks dating from colonial times. No trip to South Africa is complete without a visit to Cape Town. After ascending and visiting Table Mountain, we are taken on a boat ride to Robben Island. There we are provided with a guided tour. Nobel Laureate and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on this island. Once used for the isolation of mainly political prisoners, Robben Island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following our tour, we return to Cape Town's Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. It attracts more than 23 million visitors a year. The complex houses over 450 retail outlets. It is also still a working harbor.
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Day 10

Cape Winelands Day Trip and Estate Tastings

We make a day trip today to Cape Winelands. This area, famous for its vineyards, is only a 1-hour drive away from Cape Town. Thanks to Cape Winelands, South Africa ranks among the top wine-producing countries in the world. Wine tasting is included on our tour, specifically in the estates.
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Day 11

Cape Peninsula, Penguins, and Coastal Viewpoints

Today we explore in and around Cape Town. Highlights include a beach stretch called Sea Point. Camps Bay Beach. Maiden's Cove. Hout Bay. Duiker Island (seals are everywhere). Chapman's Peak. Noordhoek Beach. Cape Point Nature Reserve. Cape of Good Hope. False Bay. Simon's Town. Boulder's Penguins Colony (home to approximately 2,500 breeding penguins). Muizenberg Beachfront (home to colorful beach huts). Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
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Day 12

Departure from Cape Town

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Cape Town. Note that if you can extend your trip, consider doing so. Give yourself another day or two to explore inside the city. Upon request, we can provide you with a private tour guide and driver.

Meeting Point

Meeting point: South Africa · Tour start: South Africa — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.