South Africa Safaris, South Africa Holidays

Cultural Rendezvous

Day 1 Johannesburg-Pilgrims Rest (D)
Meet the UTc representative at Johannesburg Airport and receive your documentation and assistance with collecting the car. Travel eastward along the N12 and join the N4 at Witbank. At Belfast head towards Dullstroom and Lydenberg. Explore as much of this scenic area as time permits and then overnight in Pilgrims Rest. Overnight: Royal Hotel

Day 2 Pilgrims Rest – Kruger National Park (BD)
An early departure takes you via Bourkes Luck Potholes and the the Blyde River Canyon. You might want to stop off at Shagana Cultural Village before continuing to your hotel just outside Kruger National Park. Overnight: Protea Kruger Gate Lodge

Day 3 Kruger National Park – Malelane (BD)
Enter the park this morning and spend the entire day traveling along the many routes in search of the “Big 5”. Leave the Park at the Malelane Gate and travel to your hotel, located just outside the Park. This evening, enjoy sundowners on the view deck overlooking the hippo pool in the Crocodile River just in front of the hotel. Overnight: Malelane Sun Intercontinental

Day 4 Malelane-Swaziland (B)
You might want to rise early for a final game drive before check-out. Then, travel through the Jeppe’s Reef Border Post and enter the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland. Drive through Piggs Peak area into Mbabane, where you might want to stop and explore the town beforwe continuing to Ezulweni for your overnight stop.b Overnight: Royal Swazi

Day 5 Swaziland-Zululand (B)
Travel through Manzini and Big Bend to the Golela Border Post and re-enter South Africa in Northern Kwa Zulu Natal. Tonight, spend the night in the Hluhluwe / Umfolozi Game Reserve. You might want to book an optional night game drive at the Camp. (UTc is happy to offer other suggestions for accommodations this evening). Overnight: Hilltop Camp

Day 6 Zululand-Durban (B)
We suggest a visit to St. Lucia and a cruise on the Lake (optional), before driving south through the cane fields into Durban. Drop your car off at the airport or ask us to customize a beach stay for you in Durban.

Day 1 Cape Town – Swellendam(D)
After collecting your car from the rental company, depart Cape Town and head into the winelands. We suggest you stop first in the lovely town of Paarl and take time to walk around the quaint town before traveling to Stellenbosch. Then, cross over Hell’s Hoogte before arriving at Boschendal Estate architecture. Continue via the Franschhoek Pass through Villiersdorp and Caledon to Swellendam for your overnight stop. Overnight: Klippe River

Day 2 Swellendam – Oudtshoorn – Sedgefield (B)
After an early breakfast, travel to Mossel Bay, where we recommend a stop at the Diaz Museum. Continue via the Robinson Pass to Outdtshoorn where a stop at an Ostrich Farm is sure to delight. Visit the popular Cango Caves before you continue your drive over the Ounteniqua Pass, through George, past the Wilderness Lake District to the delightful hotel on the banks of Swartvlei Lake in Sedgefield. Overnight: Lake Pleasant Hotel

Day 3 Sedgefield (B)
The day is at leisure to explore the area. Your hotel is situated in a nature reserve – perfect for a pleasant country-walk. Why not travel to neary Knysna to see the Knysna Lagoon and Featherbed Nature Reserve? Overnight: Lake Pleasant Hotel

Day 4 Sedgefield – Plettenberg Bay (BD)
This morning, travel to Plettenburg Bay where we suggest the Ocean Blue Eco-Ad-venture. An exciting beach launch takes you into the bay to search for dolphin and in the winter season (June-September) the Southern Right Whale – not to be missed! (This excursion must be pre-booked). Continue on to Elephant Park or the Monkey Land Primate Sanctuary – both worth a visit. Later this afternoon, arrive at your country hotel. Overnight: Hog Hollow Country Lodge

Day 5 Plettenberg Bay – Port Elizabeth (B)
After a leisurely morning, drive via the Tsitsikamma National Park and visit Storms River Mouth. Continue to Port Elizabeth, arriving in the mid-afternoon. Drop off the car at either the airport or hotel.