17 days – Rainbow Route

(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Departing from Johannesburg at 06:30am we head towards Mpumalanga where mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls & forests characterise the landscape. We 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 NP.

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

Day 2: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 1-2: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 1-2: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge

Includes: Entrance to God’s Window & the Three Rondavels viewpoint
Distance/time: Day 1 ±620km, 8h00 actual driving time, so with a lunch stop and sightseeing at Gods Window and the Three Rondavels we expect a total travel day of ±10h00

Day 2 ±150km, today is all game driving of ±9h00

Overnight: Makuwa Safari Lodge – twin room with en suite facilities. Swimming pool.
WiFi not available. 3G

We stretch our legs on a short morning walk exploring the surrounding bush before we re-enter Kruger NP and head south. Kruger NP, the largest game reserve in South Africa, 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 5” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and many other animals in this true African wilderness.

Day 3: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 3: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 3: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes: Entrance to Kruger National Park, morning & afternoon game drives.
Distance/time: ±100km afternoon game drive of variable duration.
Optional Activities Night game drive in national parks open game viewing vehicle.
Overnight: Kruger National Park Chalets or Tents – we stay in national parks board in en-suite chalets or
permanent tents. Swimming pool, restaurant, and telephone. WiFi not available

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 explore the reserve on foot to enjoy the fantastic mountain views. Relax around a campfire dinner and stay in mountain cabins for the night.

Day 4: Breakfast will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 4: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 4: Dinner will be a set menu provided by the lodge

Includes: Entrance fees to Malalotja Nature Reserve.
Distance/time: ±200km, 4h00 actual driving time, but the roads are hilly, and this combined with busy rural
communities + a border crossing can make it a long day of ±7h00.
Overnight: Hawane Lodge – Chalet – twin bed en suite rooms. Swimming pool, restaurant & bar. WiFi available.

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. Relax in the late afternoon with a cold drink while enjoying the views over the reserve from the lodge.

Day 5: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge
Day 5: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 5: Dinner will be provided by the lodge
Day 6: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge
Day 6: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 6: Dinner will be provided by the lodge

Includes: Entrance to Hluhluwe Game Reserve, morning game drive and afternoon

Distance/time: ±295km, 6h00 actual driving time, excluding sightseeing and border formalities, we also stop for lunch and expect a travel day of ±8h00.
Overnight: Zululand Lodge, permanent tented lodge – Each permanent tented room is en suite, and raised on a wooden deck. WiFi not available.

The Drakensberg Mountains or “uKhahlamba” – the Barrier of Spears, is a 200-kilometre-long mountainous wonderland and world heritage site. From Zululand we move further south to the base of these mountains where we overnight for two nights in quaint cottages. We will spend time walking along 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.

Day 7: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge
Day 8: Breakfast provide by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 7, 8: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 7, 8: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes: Nelson Mandela Capture Site Museum entrance. Morning and afternoon hikes in the Drakensberg Mountains.
Distance/time: ±500km, 7h00 actual driving time, this is a busy day and with a long stop for lunch, we expect a travel day of ±8h00.
Overnight: Lotheni chalets – for 2 nights in the Drakensberg, we stay in the park chalets. Twin rooms with en-suite facilities. WiFi not available.

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

Day 9, 10: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 9: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 10: Lunch will be an own expense meal
Day 9: Dinner provided by the lodge
Day 10: Dinner will be an own expense meal

Includes:
Distance/time: ±550km, 9h00 actual driving time on day 9, the road is slow, with cattle and lots of villages so we expect a very long travel day at ±10h00.
Overnight: Crawford Beach Lodge – twin room en-suite. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, bar, internet & telephone. Wifi available.

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 and over 400 species of birds in the greater park area.

Day 11: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 11: Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 11: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes: Entrance fees to Addo Elephant National park, afternoon & morning game drive.
Distance/time: ±360km, 5h30 actual driving time, we drive in the morning and aim for an afternoon game drive, we expect a travel day of ±8h30.
Optional Activities Night game drives in national park open game viewing vehicles.
Overnight: Addo National Park chalets – twin share chalet (or lodge tent) with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, restaurant, telephone & floodlit waterhole.
Wifi available at restaurant at a fee.

The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80km of spectacular sea and landscapes; a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys, coastal forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea. We visit the Storms River mouth where there are walks up the gorge and along the rocky coast.

We will stay 2 nights in Plettenberg Bay in the heart of the Garden Route. In the morning you can either book an ocean safari to see whales and dolphins (own expense) or spend time on the magnificent blue flag beaches. Your guides will also lead a walk on the beautiful Robberg Peninsula in the afternoon. Sample seafood at one of Pletts’ great restaurants (own expense).

Day 12: Breakfast provide by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 12: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 12: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Day 13: Breakfast will be provided by the hotel
Day 13: Lunch will be an own expense meal
Day 13: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes: Entrance fees to Tsitsikamma National Park & Robberg Nature Reserve.
Distance/time: ±320km, 4h30 actual driving time, the coastal road is relatively flat and we should make good time. We stop off to walk at Tsitsikamma so we expect a total travel day of ±8h00 with stops.
Optional Activities Ocean safari boat cruise.
Overnight: Bayview Hotel – twin rooms with en-suite bathroom. Bar & restaurant. Wifi available.

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. In 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 an evening meal out at a local restaurant (own expense).

Day 14: Breakfast provided by the hotel
Day 14: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 14: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes: N/A
Distance/time: ±450km, 6h30 actual driving time, excluding stops for sightseeing and lunch we expect a travel day ±8h00.
Optional Activities Whale watching by boat.
Overnight: Windsor Hotel – rooms are twin share rooms with en-suite facilities. Wifi available.

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).

Day 15, 16: Breakfast will be provided by the guesthouse
Day 15, 16: Lunch will be an own expense meal
Day 15, 16: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes: Cellar tour, Entrance fees to Penguin colony & Cape Point National Park.
Distance/time: Day 15 ±150km, 2h00 actual driving time, it’s a short travel day but the wine estate visit and lunch can slow us down! Arrive Cape Town late afternoon.
Day 16 ±150km, 3h30 actual driving time, but with stops, penguins and lunch it is a full day out.
Optional Activities Robben Island cruise, shark cage diving, seal colony visit.
Overnight: Sweetest Guesthouses – Sweetest Guesthouses is a collection of individually decorated houses in a metropolitan area of Cape Town near the V&A Waterfront.

The group may be spread amongst any of the houses, within walking distance of each other, and the group breakfasts will be taken in the same house. Rooms are twin with en suite facilities. (Or similar guest house). WiFi available.

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 curio shopping in the afternoon before your tour ends at 18:00 at the guest house.

Day 17: Breakfast will be provided by the guesthouse
Day 17: Lunch will be an own expense meal
Day 17: N/A

Includes: Guided walk up Table Mountain
Distance/time: N/A
Overnight: N/A

Please Note:
The distance and time travel times are and estimate only, and subject to local road conditions.

The accommodation specified above and in the itinerary, is a guide only and is subject to availability. Alternatives will be of a similar standard, and accommodation changes will be made without notice.

Sustainable Tourism:
Zululand Lodge is part of the Msinene Conservancy located in Northern KwaZulu-Natal. The Conservancy concentrates on land conservation, education and anti-poaching. Giraffe, zebra and wildebeest have been reintroduced to the conservancy. The Rainbow Route stays on the conservancy and your patronage helps to fund conservation in the area.