South African Hotels

The South African Essentials Tour

14 Days

The South African Essentials Tour takes 14 days starting from Cape Town and ending in Johannesburg. This unique tour through South Africa provides travellers with the opportunity to explore the many landscapes, sites & attractions throughout the country including Cape Town, the scenic Garden Route, the bustling city of Durban with its tropical surroundings, the Drakensberg mountain range as well as the Kruger National Park.

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The South African Essentials Tour Overview

The South African Essentials Tour takes 14 days starting from Cape Town and ending in Johannesburg. This unique tour through South Africa provides travellers with the opportunity to explore the many landscapes, sites & attractions throughout the country including Cape Town, the scenic Garden Route, the bustling city of Durban with its tropical surroundings, the Drakensberg mountain range as well as the Kruger National Park.

Day 1: Tuesday

Transfer from Cape Town International Airport to your Hotel. Optional Table Mountain and City tour is available.

Day 2: Wednesday
Have a day at Leisure in the “Mother City”. Optional full day Highlights Tour available. Highlights of this whole day tour include Cape of Good Hope Reserve; the funicular (optional extra) to reach the Hill at Cape of Good Hope. The penguin colony at Boulders Beach; Chapman’s Peak (subject to the road being open) and a tour of the Historic Town of Stellenbosch as well as a Wine Tasting at a local Wine Estate.
Lagoon Beach or Similar – Bed and Breakfast

Day 3: Thursday
Depart Cape Town via Route 62, driving through little towns like Worcester and Montagu before entering the Little Karoo. Arriving in Oudtshoorn where you will visit the Cango Caves, exploring the stalactites and stalagmites. Arriving at your hotel late afternoon
PH Riempies Estate or Similar Bed & Breakfast

Day 4: Friday
Enjoy late breakfast before going to the Safari Ostrich Farm. Learn how a traditional Ostrich Farmworks and the various types of Ostriches that you get. After the tour, enjoy a typical Farm Style lunch (not included) before leaving for the coast.
PH Keurboomsriver or Similar Bed & Breakfast

Day 5: Saturday
A day at leisure: Spent the day next to the pool or take a walk on the beach. Optional Day Tour available.

PH Keurboomsriver or Similar Bed & Breakfast

Day 6: Sunday
Leaving Keurbooms behind we visit the Storms River Mouth and the Tsitsikamma National Park. Arrive in Port Elizabeth in time for lunch (not included). Following the N2 we pass the historic town of Grahamstown before we arrive in East London.
Premier Hotel King David or Similar Bed & Breakfast

Day 7: Monday
An early start takes us to the Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu, near Umtata. We start experiencing the beautiful views of the Sani Pass region that for a long time was the only way for the people to transport products such as mohair, wool and peas from Lesotho to Natal. Arriving late afternoon
Drakensberg Gardens Hotel or Similar Bed & Breakfast

Day 8: Tuesday
Full day at leisure to enjoy the beautiful views of the magnificent southern Drakensberg mountains. Optional 4x4 adventure tour up Sani Pass and into Lesotho is available (passport required).
Drakensberg Gardens hotel or Similar Bed & Breakfast

Day 9: Wednesday
Departure from the hotel takes us to the Himeville Museum. Travelling on incredibly beautiful passes with many sights of magnificent beauty, we exit the Great Drakensberg Mountains. We make our way to Durban, South Africa’s third-largest city.

Day 10: Thursday
Leaving Durban, we head north toward the area called Maputoland; we enter the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park area, the oldest conservation area in South Africa. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure or have an Optional Boat Cruise in the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, or maybe Open Safari Vehicle Safari Drive.

Day 11: Friday
After Breakfast, enter Swaziland and enjoy the views of the local population and their ways of living. Visit the Ngwenya Glass factory for some local and traditional curious, before re-entering South Africa on our way to our hotel.

Day 12: Saturday
Spend the day in the park, looking for the unusual flora and fauna. This park was proclaimed in 1926 and covers an area of about 21 500 km². The topography of the park is consistent except in the northern reaches. From mammals, predators, reptiles and birds, there are many opportunities for you to see the Big Five and capture your experience on camera. Optional full-day safari drive in an open safari vehicle is available

Day 13: Sunday
Leave your lodge and head for the Panorama route. On the list of attractions are Mac Mac Falls, God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Blyde River Canyon, (one of the natural wonders of Africa), arrive at your Lodge.

Day 14: Monday
Early morning safari drive before we head back to Gauteng past Orighstad, through Pilgrims Rest, over Long Tom Pass, through Lydenburg, Belfast, Witbank before you are dropped off at your hotel or the airport.

Highlights of Tour:

  • Cape Peninsula, Western Cape
  • Cape Town, Western Cape
  • Garden Route, Western Cape
  • Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
  • East London, Eastern Cape
  • Drakensberg Mountain range, KwaZulu-Natal
  • Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
  • iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal
  • Hluhluwe Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal
  • Swaziland
  • Kruger National Park
  • Panorama Route, Mpumalanga
  • Mpumalanga
  • Johannesburg, Gauteng

Tour information:

  • Days: 14 days and 13 nights
  • Min/ Max Participants: Two, Twenty Five
  • Accommodation: Explorer Class hotels & private lodges
  • Vehicle type: Luxury Sedan/ Luxury Microbus/ Luxury Coach
  • Driver/ Guide: Services of THETA registered driver/ guide throughout tour and
  • Safari drives with an experienced ranger
  • Languages available: English – German
  • Other language guides available on request if booked on a private basis
  • Visas/ Passports: Multiple entry visas for South Africa where applicable. For Swaziland entry, passport and visa conditions apply