15 day Classic South Africa Self Drive Safari

Upon arrival at Johannesburg International Airport, an African Sands representative will meet you and will go through your itinerary with you. They will give you maps and will answer any questions that you might have on your South African experience. They will also advise you of recommended places to fill up your car and tell you about any places of interest on your route.

Collect your car and make your way to the town of Hazyview in the Mpumalanga region.

Your days are at leisure to explore the scenic beauty of the Panorama Route. Explore Pilrims Rest, an old turn of the century mining village, take in the magnificence of Gods Window, with its views over the Kruger National Park bushveld, Bourkes Luck Potholes and the wonderful Waterfall Route.

After breakfast, depart for Nottens Bush Camp, where you will be met by your ranger and tracker. Enjoy 2 nights at this fantastic property situated in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve on the border of the Kruger National Park.

Here you will have the opportunity to see the "Big Five" - Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Hippo and Elephant on early morning and afternoon game drives. Your game ranger will also be able to take you on a guided walk of the reserve.

Enjoy dinners at the lodge

DAY 5:

After breakfast and your early morning game drive, depart Nottens for Swaziland. This small African Kingdom is filled with cultural attractions and scenic beauty. At certain times of the year, the Ezulweni Valley is filled with vibranancy and colour as local people bedecked in their flamboyant traditional costumes come and celebrate their culture and tradition by singing and dancing to reaffirm their belief in their culture and their monarchy.

Dinner at leisure

Breakfast at the hotel  

Your journey now continues on through Swaziland and back into South Africa, into KwaZulu Natal, the kingdom of the Zulus. 

Arrive at Falaza Game Park & Spa, and your luxury tented accommodation 

Enjoy an evening game drive with a ranger into the Hluhluwe - Imfolozi National Park, one of South Africa's oldest National Parks and one of the most scenic. 

Dinner at the lodge

Breakfast at the lodge

Depart Zululand for Durban. Why not stop at Shakaland en-route and learn about the Zulu culture and traditions, by taking in one of the daily shows.

Durban is one of South Africa's main ports and offers visitors a wealth of entertainment. With its well established Indian population, Durban is a melting pot of cultures and is well worth exploring. The Indian Bazaar always adds a hint of excitement to any trip with its wonderful smells of exotic spices.

Dinner at leisure

After breakfast drive to Durban International Airport and take a scheduled flight to Port Elizabeth Airport.
 

Pick up you rental car from the airport and continue your journey along the world renowned Garden Route. Travel past the high mountains, rugged gorges, thick forests and wild coastline of the Tsitsikama National Park. Why not enjoy a leisurely hike through the forests and have lunch at the mouth of the Storms River? Continue on to the village of Knysna, nestled on the banks of the Knysna Lagoon with its galleries, coffee shops and restaurants.

Dinner at leisure

Breakfat at the hotel

Travel inland over the majestic Outeniqua Mountains, to Oudtshoorn, the "Ostrich Capital of the World". Visit one of the Ostrich show farms where you will be able to learn about the worlds largest bird, and visit the Cango Caves, one of the worlds great natural wonders sculpted through the ages by nature. Explore the fascinating limestone formations that appear in a wide variety of colours.

Dinner at leisure

Breakfast at the hotel

Continue onto Cape Town along the scenic R62 route where you will be able to take in the breathtaking beauty of the mountains and the vineyards, before reaching the "Mother City". 

Spend the next few days exploring the beauty that is Cape Town.

Cape Town has many attractions, but the highlights of the city are:

• Table Mountain – enjoy a cable way ascent to the summit of the mountain (weather permitting).
• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens – set against the majestic Table Mountain, the gardens have a rich botanical diversity (over 5 000 species).
• Robben Island – infamous island where former president Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 27 years.
• Cape Peninsula – highlights of this full day excursion along the Peninsula’s beautiful coastline include a drive along the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive, a boat trip from Hout Bay to view the Cape Fur Seal Colony, a visit to Cape Point in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (the Continent’s most south-western point), and the Penguin colony inhabiting Boulders Beach in Simons Town.
• The Cape Winelands – Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek – well worth a visit!
• The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront – a popular retail destination with both local and international visitors featuring a myriad of fine restaurants, pubs and retail outlets.
• The Two Oceans Aquarium – with more than 300 species of marine life, the aquarium demonstrates the rich bio-diversity in the oceans that surround the Cape.
• The famous Clifton beaches
• Take a drive out to Hermanus (approx. 1 ½ hour drive) and see the Whales in the bay (June – Nov)

Dinner at leisure

DAY 15:

Breakfast at the hotel

Transfer to Cape Town International Airport and drop your rental car off.
 

Complete check in formalities for your return flight home.