19 Day South Africa Safari Adventure – Small Group Tour
Join a 19-day South Africa Safari Adventure from Johannesburg to Cape Town, traveling in comfort on a small group tour limited to 12 guests. Discover South Africa’s rich wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and vibrant cultures on this budget-friendly African safari.
Highlights of This South Africa Safari Adventure
- Experience the iconic Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe Game Reserve
- Explore the Panorama Route and Drakensberg Mountains
- Visit three countries: South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho
- Discover coastal beauty along the Garden Route and Cape Whale Coast
- Stay in hand-picked lodges and enjoy most meals included
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Johannesburg to Kruger National Park
Begin your South Africa Safari Adventure by heading east to the renowned Kruger National Park. Settle into your safari lodge in a private Kruger concession and opt for an exciting sunset game drive.
Optional: Sunset Game Drive
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Full-Day Safari in Kruger National Park
Embark on a full-day 4×4 safari in South Africa’s premier wildlife destination. Spot the Big Five and other incredible wildlife species.
Included: Kruger Game Drive in Open Vehicle
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Panorama Route & Kruger National Park
Opt for a morning bush walk, then explore the scenic Panorama Route with stops at Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, and Bourke’s Luck Potholes.
Included: Panorama Route Tour
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Kruger to Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini
Enjoy a final morning game drive in Kruger before traveling into the Kingdom of Eswatini. Overnight in the tranquil Ezulwini Valley.
Included: Morning Game Drive
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary – Eswatini
Take a guided nature walk in Mlilwane, then spend the rest of the day enjoying optional activities such as hiking, mountain biking, or game drives.
Included: Nature Walk
Optional: Game Drives, Hiking, Biking
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Eswatini to Zululand & St Lucia
Return to South Africa and travel into the heart of Zululand. Stay overnight in St Lucia near the biodiverse iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Hluhluwe Game Reserve & St Lucia Estuary
Enjoy a Big Five game drive in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, followed by a sunset boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary for hippo and bird watching.
Included: Hluhluwe Game Drive & Boat Safari
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: St Lucia to Drakensberg Mountains
Travel to the scenic Drakensberg Escarpment, stopping at Mandela Capture Site and Howick Falls. Stay in Himeville near the Sani Pass.
Included: Mandela Site, Howick Falls
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park
Explore South Africa’s highest peaks on a guided hike in the UNESCO-listed uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. Optional horse riding also available.
Included: Drakensberg Hike
Optional: Horse Riding
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Drakensberg to Malealea – Lesotho
Cross into Lesotho via Golden Gate National Park. Overnight in Malealea village surrounded by the stunning Maloti Mountains.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Drakensberg to Malealea – Lesotho
On Day 10 of our South Africa Safari Adventure, we enter our third country on tour — the highland kingdom of Lesotho. Our journey takes us through the awe-inspiring landscapes of Golden Gate Highlands National Park before we cross the border into Lesotho.
Driving past Maseru, Lesotho’s capital, we ascend into the stunning Maloti Mountains. Our destination is the picturesque village of Malealea, where we stay in a rustic lodge nestled in the peaceful Makhomalong Valley. This remote setting offers a truly authentic experience of Lesotho’s natural beauty and culture.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Exploring Lesotho – Village Walk & Pony Trek
Today, we explore Lesotho’s mountain culture and dramatic scenery. In the morning, enjoy a guided village walk through Malealea, learning about local customs, traditions, and the Basotho way of life. Later, you can embark on an optional pony trek (at extra cost), the traditional mode of transport in Lesotho, to access nearby viewpoints or waterfalls.
Enjoy the serene pace of life in Lesotho and immerse yourself in its unspoiled surroundings during this unique part of your South Africa Safari Adventure.
Included Activity: Guided Village Walk
Optional Activity: Pony Trekking
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Lesotho to the Wild Coast – South Africa
We leave Lesotho behind and re-enter South Africa, traveling through the rural Eastern Cape province. This is one of the most culturally rich and unspoiled regions in the country. We drive to a remote section of the Wild Coast, famous for its rugged coastline, rolling green hills, and Xhosa heritage.
Our lodge for the night is located near the beach, offering stunning views and peaceful surroundings. Enjoy a relaxing evening or take a walk along the dramatic coast — a highlight of any South Africa Safari Adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13: Wild Coast – South Africa
Spend the day soaking in the tranquil beauty of South Africa’s Wild Coast. Go for a hike along the cliffs, swim in the ocean, or simply relax at the lodge. You can also engage with the local Xhosa communities and learn about their deep cultural roots and traditions.
This part of your South Africa Safari Adventure is all about connecting with South Africa’s natural beauty and diverse cultural identity.
Optional Activity: Hike, Swim, Cultural Visit
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14: Wild Coast to Addo Elephant National Park – South Africa
We continue our adventure along the South African coast, heading to one of the top safari destinations — Addo Elephant National Park. This renowned Big 5 reserve is home to over 600 elephants, as well as lions, leopards, buffalo, black rhinos, and numerous antelope species.
Our lodge near Addo offers easy access to the park and a comfortable base to rest before our game drives tomorrow.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15: Addo Elephant National Park Safari – South Africa
Today we embark on an exciting safari in Addo Elephant National Park. We spend the day exploring the park in search of elephants, lions, zebras, warthogs, and more. Addo is famous for its successful conservation of the African elephant and offers excellent wildlife sightings year-round.
This is another unforgettable moment on your South Africa Safari Adventure, with the chance to see wildlife up close in their natural habitat.
Included Activity: Full-Day Safari in Addo Elephant National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 16: Addo to Tsitsikamma National Park & Garden Route – South Africa
Leaving Addo, we drive to the lush forests and rocky coastline of Tsitsikamma National Park — a jewel of the famous Garden Route. Along the way, we stop at scenic viewpoints and local towns to experience the charm of South Africa’s southern coastline.
In Tsitsikamma, you can walk the suspension bridge over Storms River or enjoy an optional zipline canopy tour through the indigenous forest (extra cost). Tonight, we stay in a lodge near the coast, surrounded by nature.
Included Activity: Tsitsikamma National Park Entry
Optional Activity: Canopy Tour
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 17: Garden Route to Klein Karoo – South Africa
Today we travel inland to the semi-arid Klein Karoo region, known for its wide open spaces and dramatic mountain scenery. Our destination is the town of Oudtshoorn, famous for its ostrich farms and the impressive Cango Caves.
You’ll have the opportunity to visit an ostrich farm or explore the underground wonders of the Cango Caves on an optional guided tour.
Optional Activity: Ostrich Farm Visit or Cango Caves Tour
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 18: Klein Karoo to Cape Winelands – South Africa
We journey through the beautiful Route 62, stopping at charming towns and scenic viewpoints on our way to the Cape Winelands. Our overnight stay is in the wine-growing region near Stellenbosch, where you can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Toast the last night of your South Africa Safari Adventure with a glass of local wine and delicious South African cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 19: Cape Winelands to Cape Town – South Africa
On the final day of our South Africa Safari Adventure, we drive into the vibrant city of Cape Town, one of the most iconic travel destinations in Africa. Before arriving in the city, we visit the spectacular Cape Whale Route, stopping at viewpoints to take in the ocean scenery and, during whale season (June–November), possibly see southern right whales.
We arrive in Cape Town in the afternoon, where your tour ends. You are free to extend your stay and explore the city’s highlights including Table Mountain, Robben Island, and the Cape Peninsula.
Meals: Breakfast
End of 19-Day South Africa Safari Adventure