Cape Town to Johannesburg

20 Days Starting in Cape Town and ending in Johannesburg

Visiting: Cape Town, Cape Peninsula, Stellenbosch, The Garden Route, Graaff-Reinet, Lesotho, Drakensberg Mountains, Dundee, Saint Lucia, St Lucia, Eswatini, Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon, Johannesburg

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

AZJR

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

Moderate

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Walking

From: $6150

NB: Prices correct on 25-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

This epic journey explores three very diverse countries. In South Africa, we go on game drives in Kruger National Park, walk in the spectacular Drakensberg mountains, travel along the Garden Route and enjoy wine tasting in renowned vineyards. We also visit exciting Cape Town and journey through the mountain kingdoms of Eswatini (Swaziland) and Lesotho. This three-week trip has something for everyone: prolific wildlife, incredible scenery, beautiful beaches, awe-inspiring mountains and, of course, the rich culture that makes these countries what they are today.

Highlights

  • Visit Kruger and the Drakensberg

  • Discover Eswatini (Swaziland) and Lesotho

  • Enjoy Cape Town and the Garden Route

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive Cape Town

Abd Abo naser

Location: Cape Town

Arrive in Cape Town any time today. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the city. Cape Town sits in one of the most beautiful locations of any of the world’s major cities with the impressive bulk of Table Mountain as its backdrop and Table Bay in the foreground. The city is a mix of cultures as people from Europe, Africa and Asia have all settled here (either voluntarily or forcibly) over the centuries. The city is a blend of Europe and Africa and a great place to watch the world pass or visit various sites and museums.



Accommodation: Neigbourgood Castle Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 : Cape Peninsula Visit

Location: Cape Peninsula

Meals Included: Breakfast

After an early morning breakfast, we drive via the coastal suburbs of Clifton, Camps Bay and Hout Bay and then over Chapman’s Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The reserve is home to elands, springboks, wildebeest, baboons and ostriches. Rugged cliffs, unspoiled beaches, shipwrecks and beautiful flora are the main features of the reserve. We also visit the Cape Point lighthouse. In the afternoon, we take a one-hour walk that is almost entirely downhill. Our destination is the Cape of Good Hope with a detour to Diaz Beach. The trail ends at the Cape of Good Hope signboard. We then return to Cape Town, passing through the former Royal Navy base town of Simon’s Town and a visit to the resident penguin colony (optional). Our driving time today is approximately three to four hours (125mi/200km).



Accommodation: Neighbourgood Castle Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 : Cape Town

Ilse Wiespointner

Location: Cape Town

Meals Included: Breakfast

The day is free and an optional trip to Robben Island, site of Nelson Mandela’s incarceration during the apartheid period, is highly recommended. Weather permitting, a cable-car ride to the top of Table Mountain is a must.



Accommodation: Neighbourgood Castle Hotel (or similar)

Day 4 : Stellenbosch And Hermanus

Location: Stellenbosch

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Leaving Cape Town, we drive to the vineyard region of Stellenbosch where we have the option of visiting wineries and doing some wine tasting. We then continue towards Hermanus driving via Gordon’s Bay. There is always a good chance of seeing whales in season. Hermanus is an interesting little town, rightly famous for delicious seafood – a visit to one of the great restaurants in the evening is highly recommended. It is also widely regarded as the best place on Earth for land-based whale watching from August to November. Our drive time today is approximately three to four hours (120mi/190km).



Accommodation: Windsor Hotel (or similar)

Day 5 : Garden Route

Location: The Garden Route

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we drive along the beautiful Garden Route coastline via the cultivated fields of the Western Cape Boland and the town of George towards the Tsitsikamma National Park. The route is stunning and follows the ragged coast passing through small fishing villages and seaside resort. This national park, at the mouth of the Storms River, protects the indigenous forests as well as the marine life 50km out to sea. We stay at a beautifully positioned camp with the waves breaking a stone's throw away. Our driving time today will be approximately 6-7hrs (500kms).



Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Storms River Huts (or similar)

Day 6 : Tsitsikamma National Park

Location: The Garden Route

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our second day in Tsitsikamma is free to enjoy the beautiful setting. There are a range of optional activities including walks to the Storms River gorge and along the rocky coast, snorkelling, sea and river cruises and a tree canopy tour through the forests. In season, approximately August to October, the marine park is home to a population of migratory whales.



Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Storms River Huts (or similar)

Day 7 : Graaff Reinet

Location: Graaff-Reinet

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We head over the Kouga and Baviaanskloof mountains as we head towards Graaff Reinet. This small 19th-century town is set in the middle of the Karoo National Reserve and is a stopover on our way to Lesotho. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (242mi/390km).



Accommodation: Obesa Lodge (or similar)

Day 8 : Long Drive To Lesotho

Location: Lesotho

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a long day’s drive as we traverse the Great Karoo and enter Lesotho. This mountainous kingdom has been shielded from outside influence over the generations and the Bastho people historically used this strategic location as a defence against events on the plains below. Our lodge in this rugged, mountainous region provides the ideal opportunity to experience Lesotho culture. Our driving time today is approximately seven to eight hours plus time at the border (330mi/530km).



Accommodation: Malealea Lodge (or similar)

Day 9 : Lesotho

Location: Lesotho

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The day is free to relax and experience the unique culture of Lesotho. Mountain ridges protrude into the town and an optional day pony trek to a local village is recommended. Alternatively, the craft shops and markets can be an enjoyable way to pick up African souvenirs.



Accommodation: Malealea Lodge (or similar)

Day 10 : Drakensberg Mountains

Location: Drakensberg Mountains

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a long day’s drive as we travel through Lesotho and exit at the Maseru border post. We then travel through the eastern farmlands of the Free State before driving through Golden Gate National Park. We continue to the Northern Drakensberg, our base for the next two nights. The Drakensberg is a basalt escarpment forming the border between Kwa Zulu-Natal and Lesotho and continuing into the Free State. It means Dragon Mountains, but the Zulu named it Ukhahlamba (the Barrier of Spears). Our driving time today is approximately five to six hours (250mi/400km).



Accommodation: Alpine Heath (or similar)

Day 11 : Drakensberg: The Amphitheatre

Location: Drakensberg Mountains

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend a full day in the mountains where our route has us walking for approximately five to six hours into a natural amphitheatre, following the Tugela River past protea trees. The protea is the national flower of South Africa and the nickname of their cricket team. Our driving time today is approximately one hour (31mi/50km).



Accommodation: Alpine Heath (or similar)

Day 12 : Rorke's Drift And Dundee

Location: Dundee

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we drive through the Natal midlands and to Dundee. En route, we stop at Rorke’s Drift to learn about the famous battle that took place here and featured in the Michael Caine film Zulu (1964). The small cluster of buildings isolated in the enormity of the African Bush is a moving reminder of this troubled time. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (155mi/250km).



Accommodation: Battlefields Country Lodge (or similar)

Day 13 : To St Lucia

Location: Saint Lucia

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we head for the Indian Ocean and the small town of St Lucia on the shores of a lake renowned for hippos, crocs and birds. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (195mi/315km).



Accommodation: Shonalanga Lodge (or similar)

Day 14 : St Lucia

Location: St Lucia

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the early morning, we spend two hours exploring Lake St Lucia by boat, with an excellent chance of seeing some of the many resident hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles. From here, it’s a short drive to Cape Vidal, a long stretch of beach along the Indian Ocean where we spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach or walking to Mission Rocks (please note, the walk to Mission Rocks is only possible at low tide and can take about four hours’ return). Alternatively, there are several optional activities available, including whale watching (in season: June to November) or sunset and night game drives on the western shores of the lake. Our driving time today is approximately two to three hours (47mi/75km).



Accommodation: Shonalanga Lodge (or similar)

Day 15 : To Eswatini (Swaziland)

Location: Eswatini

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we head into our third country, Eswatini (Swaziland), and overnight in the king’s old hunting grounds, now the beautiful Hlane Royal National Park. In the afternoon, we can leave the vehicle for a nature walk (optional). Seeing animals and tracks outside the confines of a vehicle is a thrilling experience and gives us the chance to see and hear the variety of smaller animals and birds that are often passed by on game drives. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (185mi/300km).



Accommodation: Hlane Lodge (or similar)

Day 16 - 17 : Kruger National Park

Location: Kruger National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We cross back into South Africa and head towards Kruger, the most famous national park in Africa. It was established by president Paul Kruger in 1898 and has arguably the greatest variety of animals of any park in Africa, with lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, black and white rhinos, plus cheetahs, giraffes, hippos and many species of antelopes and smaller plains game. The total census includes 147 mammals, 507 birds, 114 reptiles and 336 different trees. The camps are also excellent and the general infrastructure good. If you see all the predators, you are very lucky; however, you will almost certainly see some of the classic safari giants and a huge variety of smaller mammals. We game drive through the park to the camps, where there is a chance for a swim and hot shower. We have two days in the park. On Day 17, morning and afternoon game drives are included to maximise our chances of seeing the plentiful fauna of this great park. Our driving time today is approximately two to three hours (87mi/140km) to the park entrance plus time on safari inside the park.



Accommodation: Kruger Park Huts or permanent tented camp

Day 18 : Morning And Afternoon Game Drives

Location: Kruger National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After game driving out of Kruger National Park, we continue to this evening’s camp for an afternoon game drive in a private concession of Kruger National Park. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (185mi/300km).



Accommodation: Nkambeni Tented Camp (or similar)

Day 19 : Bourke's Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon And Graskop

Location: Blyde River Canyon

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We head out of the park and make our way towards Graskop (Mpumalanga). En route, we drive through some spectacular countryside and stop at scenic places, such as Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon in the southern hemisphere. Our driving time today is approximately five to six hours (250mi/400km).



Accommodation: Mogodi Lodge (or similar)

Day 20 : Drive To Johannesburg

Location: Johannesburg

Meals Included: Breakfast

On our final day, we drive along good roads towards Johannesburg. The tour ends upon arrival at Johannesburg Airport and we begin our return journeys home. Drive time is around five to six hours (235mi/380km)

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, 16 lunches, 13 dinners

  • All accommodation (see below)

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Tour leader throughout

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation

  • Visas or vaccinations

Food

All breakfasts, 16 lunches and 13 dinners are included.



Your guide and driver/assistant generally prepare the meals included in this trip. A rough idea of what the meals consist of is as follows:



Breakfast: Cereals, coffee, tea and toast. The occasional cooked breakfast too

Lunch: Cheese, cold meats, salads, bread or rolls, fresh fruit

Dinner: Potjies (stew), braais (barbecue), stir fries, pasta with fresh vegetables. Most are generally cooked on the open fire.



Please be aware, we need at least two weeks’ notice to deal with special dietary requirements (eg vegetarian or allergies.) For this reason, if you did not indicate these on your booking form, please advise us as soon as possible. The tour leaders do all the shopping, meal planning and cooking for each group. They always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. We also supply the following drinks: fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages are at your own expense. We do not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops if you want to buy it yourself.



The water provided on this trip is safe and clean drinking water, normally from boreholes. It is not bottled water, however. If you would rather have bottled water, this will be at your expense. However, we would encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps diminish plastic consumption.

Accommodation

For this 20-day adventure through South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland) and Lesotho, we have picked a selection of accommodations, each well located for our activities. We stay in a range of log cabins, chalets, hotels and permanent tented camps – the latter is a quintessential African experience that allows you to experience nature while enjoying the comforts of a regular room.



We mostly stay in three-star properties throughout this itinerary. In Cape Town, we have an ideal location between the city centre and the V&A Waterfront, a star attraction in the city packed with restaurants, shops and buzzy bars. Conversely, we spend many nights in the middle of nowhere, such as our time within Kruger National Park where the calls of lions and hippos provide a very different experience to our time in the populated areas of South Africa.



While our normal hotels used are listed in the day-to-day itinerary, below are some of the notable stays on this trip.



Hermanus: Windsor Hotel (night 16)





The 120-year-old Windsor Hotel sits opposite Walker Bay, one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world when southern right whales migrate to the bay to breed (July to November). Whale-watching is even possible from the comfort of the hotel restaurant. However, the location of the property is also ideal out of season with a central setting within town and quick access to the 7.5mi (12km) Hermanus Cliff Path.



Northern Drakensberg: Alpine Heath Resort (nights 9-10)





This stylish four-star resort has an idyllic setting in the heart of the Drakensberg. Beautiful alpine views can be enjoyed from every part of the property regardless of whether you are relaxing with a drink at your chalet’s patio or going for a paddle in one of the outdoor swimming pools. There are also five eateries including La Gruyere’s Restaurant or the Pool Bar to choose from while you enjoy downtime between walks.



Worth knowing



Wifi is available in several properties but not everywhere and it can be unreliable.

Private bathrooms are available throughout the majority of the tour; however, in Kruger National Park there are shared facilities and in the Drakensberg we stay in chalets where two rooms share one bathroom and a lounge area.

The single supplement applies to the bedrooms only and you may have to share a bathroom on certain nights.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes, our local guides are English speaking.

  • Who is Exodus Travels?

    At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    International flights are not included with this tour.

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Fabulous sightseeing adventure

What an amazing experience! 3 weeks, a lot of time spent on the bus traveling, but never boring, always stunning landscapes, often wonderful wildlife, and with the help of our excellent guides, who spotted and identified animals and birds and pointed them out to us, followed up by showing us them in their wildlife books. The nights were spent in a large selection of hotels and cabins. Some were rustic, no electricity, but always comfy and clean. I was so impressed with the delicious food our guides cooked for us for dinners, accompodaring those who did not eat meat. With limited facilities they produced plentiful and tasty meals. I enjoyed the places we visited especially the organised hikes. The only slight glitch, the safari that is included was in the van which would have been unacceptable so we had to pay for an additional trip in an appropriate vehicle. I would have liked a few moe healthy options for lunch, but the r st of the trip was truly a great experience. I would recommend starting in Capetown and ending in JoBerg, otherwise you will have the best animal sightings in the first week, making the limited sightings in the end less dramatic. I would also suggest going to Capetown a few days before the tour, as there is so much to see and a limited time. I will have to return!!!!!

Cape Town to Johannesburg

I really enjoyed this tour and would highly recommend it- the tour offered the opportunity to see a lot of Southern Africa - I started the reverse itinerary in Cape Town, a beautiful city with plenty to do. There are many highlights on this trip - the landscapes and wildlife were spectacular- we saw the big 5 several times including leopard on 3 consecutive days. Many of the other highlights are outlined in the trip notes and I won't repeat them here. Our guides Justin and Fiona were excellent. This was the first fully accommodated tour offered by Exodus for this journey and all our accommodation was clean and of a good standard. The transport was spacious with regular stops on the long driving days. On one of our walks in Lesotho, the rain and hail came down and a grandma from the village invited us to take shelter in her home - the people here are very accommodating. During our trip, there were some water restrictions due to the worst drought in Southern Africa since the eighties but there was always the opportunity to get a shower every day. Similarly, a couple of places either had no electricity or restrictions on when it was available. The general standard of the local guides was good with some such as Thulani, a Zulu guide, at Rourke's drift outstanding and others still gaining experience. With the depreciation of the rand, South Africa is very cheap compared to the UK.

Cape Town to Johannesburg

Quite possibly the best holiday of my life (and I've had a few).

Caz T

The trip was a fantastic introduction to South Africa. The scenery and wildlife was excellent. The trip was very well organised and ticked all the boxes for me.

Sylvia Herd

This was a great trip, showing off the main sights of South Africa, with the added bonus of Lesotho & Swaziland. Although there were some long driving days, we were a small group of 6 who gelled really well & had a very competent staff of 3. Personally I felt the Garden Route was overrated, so I was pleased that I'd done the reverse itinerary as this saved the best until last. But I certainly wouldn't hesitate to recommend the trip.

J'burg to Capetown

We both joined this trip with some trepidation as up to now we have always organised our own world-wide trips making bookings independently. We need not have been concerned, it was brilliantly organised, the group we travelled with were great fun. Our object was the wild-life and this aspect much exceeded our expectations. In spite of being 78 years young and my partner a few years younger we found camping an absolute joy. Our driver never once gave any cause for concern, his driving was first class and a delightful character to boot.

South African dream

This was a fantastic trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg, showing off the scenery and wildlife of South Africa at its best. Blessed with fantastic weather throughout the 3 weeks, and as it was in the dry season the grasses were low, we had amazing views of the country and all it had to offer. We had 2 wine tasting sessions at Stellenbosch, saw the penguins at Boulder, had lunch in a garden restaurant while watching whales in the bay, saw beer making in Lesotho and visited Rourke's Drift. We spent time in Kruger Park, as well as visitin g Cape Vidal and Edeni Game reserves and had a river cruise at St Lucia to see the hippo and birds. It was everything I hoped for and so much more.

Cape Town to Johannesburg

Lots of laughs. Fantastic landscapes & wildlife. The trip started in Cape Town which is a beautiful city with many attractions and things to do. I would suggest having a few extra days in Cape Town to ensure you see all that is on offer. There is a lot of driving and van time, but the scenery is stunning and we had a fantastic group & tour leader, so there were many laughs and chats along the way and wildlife spotting for the bird enthusiasts. Accommodation was varied, from hotels in Cape Town and Hermanus to chalets and cabins in the National Parks. All were clean, comfortable with ensuite facilities and most had wifi connections. Our tour leader, Warren prepared many delicious dinners and was able to cater to non-meat eaters. There were a few long driving days over some very rough roads (especially driving to Lesotho), but our driver, Brilliant, was brilliant and did an amazing job getting us to Malealea in one piece. The peace & serenity of Malealea made the drive worth while. We did encounter heavy rainfall in the second half of the trip which seemed to follow us from the Drakensburg, into St Lucia, Eswatini and Kruger N.P. It didn't dampen our spirits, but did mean that roads in Kruger N.P were closed and we managed to leave St Lucia before the road out of St Lucia collapsed. The road to our accommodation in Kruger N.P (Skukuza) was flooded forcing road closures 10kms out. Warren & Brilliant, our tour guide and driver had everything under control, making sure that our safety was paramount. The highlight was the unscheduled night drive, coming close to elephants and giraffes as we drove to our alternate accommodation. Kruger N.P did not disappoint where we were able to see 4/5 Big Five (unfortunately we missed the leopards, who were busy trying to keep dry). The highlight was seeing a group of juvenile male lions chilling under some trees & shrubs trying to keep dry. There are also a lot of bird sightings, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebra, monkeys, antelope, Kudu, Waterbuck. Overall it was a fantastic trip, showing off the best of South Africa, with many special moments and highlights and I would recommend this trip.

Cape Town to Johannesburg

This is a good tour covering a lot of South Africa. There is a lot of travel but it is worth it!

What does this mean?

Varied itinerary, unusual overnights. Food quality very mixed.

Read all 12 reviews

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Sunday - Friday

Feb 02, 2025 - Feb 21, 2025
$6150
Prices last published on 24-Dec-2024

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