17-Day South Africa Rainbow Route

Departing from Johannesburg at 6:30 am, we'll head towards Mpumalanga where mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests characterize the landscape. We will enjoy the views from God’s Window before descending off the escarpment and heading to our game lodge on the border of the Greater Kruger National Park.

The following morning, we are up early for a full day of game viewing in Kruger National Park. We will return to our lodge late in the afternoon to enjoy the sunset over the Drakensberg Mountains. Enjoy a swim in the pool and a hearty meal before falling asleep to the sounds of Africa.

Main Destination: Greater Kruger (South Africa)

Accommodation: Makuwa Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Central Kruger NP (South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinks not included

We'll stretch our legs on a short morning walk exploring the surrounding bush before we re-enter Kruger NP and head south. Kruger NP is the largest game reserve in South Africa. It boasts the world’s greatest concentration of species and has an amazing 16 different ecosystems. Exciting game drives provide us with excellent game viewing. Spot the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and many other animals in this true African wilderness.

Main Destination: Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Accommodation: Lower Sabie Rest Camp

Mid-range rest camp located inside Southern Kruger NP (South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinks not included

Malolotja Nature Reserve in the mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland/eSwatini is our next attraction. Renowned for a great variety of habitats from short grassland to thick riverine scrub, bushveld and moist forest. We'll explore the reserve on foot to enjoy the fantastic mountain views. In the evening, relax around a campfire dinner and stay in mountain cabins for the night.

Main Destination: Malolotja Nature Reserve (Eswatini)

Accommodation: Hawane Resort

Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Malolotja NR (Eswatini)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinks not included

We visit a craft market near Mbabane which has a range of handmade crafts and a local witchdoctor stall! We re-enter South Africa and head to our lodge on a private game reserve situated on the Msinene Nature Reserve, where our local guide will lead us on a walk through the bushveld and riverine vegetation of the Msinene River, bird watching and game tracking. Nyala, hippo and the elusive leopard are all found on the reserve. The next day we take a game drive in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, which is a safe haven for the embattled rhino, followed by a visit to a modern local Zulu community. Relax in the late afternoon with a cold drink while enjoying the views over the reserve from the lodge.

Main Destination: Zululand (KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa)

Accommodation: Zululand Lodge

Mid-range tented camp located outside Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR (South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinks not included

The Drakensberg Mountains or “uKhahlamba”—the Barrier of Spears, is a 200-kilometre-long mountainous wonderland and world heritage site. From Zululand, we'll move further south to the base of these mountains where we overnight for two nights in quaint cottages. We will spend time walking along the beautiful mountain stream paths, or just enjoying the spectacular views.
En-route to the Drakensberg, we will visit the Nelson Mandela Capture Site Museum and pay our respects to this great man.

Main Destination: Royal Natal National Park (Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa)

Accommodation: Thendele Camp

Mid-range self catering accommodation Royal Natal (Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinks not included

The Wild Coast remains a relatively untouched paradise with unspoilt stretches of dramatically beautiful coastline, open spaces and pristine forest areas. We have our overnight stay in Kei Mouth and the next day is free to explore the area, meet local villagers or go down to the beach.

Main Destination: East London (City, South Africa)

Accommodation: Crawfords Beach Lodge

Mid-range hotelin Chintsa (Village, South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinks not included

The Addo Elephant National Park was established in 1931 to protect the last 11 wild elephants from extermination. Today more than 600 elephants roam through the area. The park also offers excellent viewing of black rhino, Cape buffalo, lion and leopard, as well as a host of other large and small mammals. There are also over 400 species of birds in the greater park area.

Main Destination: Addo Elephant National Park (South Africa)

Accommodation: Addo Rest Camp

Mid-range rest camp located inside Addo Elephant NP (South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinks not included

For two nights, we will stay in a lodge resort in Knysna, which is nestled on a tranquil lagoon. We will take a day trip to the Storms River mouth where there are walks up the gorge and along the rocky coast. The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80km of spectacular sea and landscapes. It's a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys, coastal forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea. Sample seafood at one of Knysna’s great restaurants (at your own expense).

Main Destination:Knysna (Garden Route, South Africa)

Accommodation: Bayview Hotel

Luxury hotelin Plettenberg Bay (Garden Route, South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)

Drinks not included

Hermanus offers some of the best land-based whale watching in the world. From June to November, southern right whales come up from the southern oceans to calve and mate in the shallow waters around the Cape. During whale season, we will take a walk along this beautiful coastline. In the summer months, we will explore the flowering fynbos in Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Enjoy the evening meal out at a local restaurant (at your own expense).

Main Destination: Hermanus (Whales, South Africa)

Accommodation: The Windsor Hotel

Mid-range hotel in Hermanus (Whales, South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)

Drinks not included

Cape Town is one of the most picturesque cities in the world, with the majestic Table Mountain providing its central focus. On our way into Cape Town, we visit Stellenbosch, South Africa’s renowned wine region, for wine tasting (own expense) and a cellar tour. The “mother city” has many attractions; we will visit the harbour at Hout Bay, visit Cape Point, enjoy the famous beaches and the V&A Waterfront. Optional visit to Robben Island (own expense). We sample the local fare at a variety of local restaurants (own expense).

Main Destination: Cape Town (City, South Africa)

Accommodation: City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Mid-range hotel in Cape Town (City, South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)

Drinks not included

In the morning we climb Table Mountain, offering panoramic views over Cape Town reaching out into the bay and Robben Island. Having explored the highlights of the Rainbow Nation we take a last look at Cape Town and catch up on last minute curio shopping in the afternoon, before your tour ends at 18:00 at the hotel.

Main Destination: Cape Town (City, South Africa)

Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)

Drinks not included