In Depth South Africa Tour (21 Days)

The In Depth South Africa Tour aims to bring to life a country with a great diversity in almost everything, from landscapes to cultures and wildlife. South Africa truly is a world in one country.

The tour visits Magoebas Kloof, the Kruger National Park, Swaziland, Zululand, the Garden Route, the West Coast and Cape Town. It is a private tour which can start on any date specified by clients. The tour is accompanied by an experienced African Sky Guide.

Prices vary depending on the time of year and the size of your traveling party. Please send us a request with your particular requirements. We will return a detailed no obligation quotation to you within 24hrs of receiving the request. We can quote you in any currency of your choice. Bookings confirmed with a deposit more than six months in advance is subject to a discount of 5%.
Tour Package Price:	From R40 997 (South African Rand) per person sharing
Tour Starting Date:	Any date specified by clients, this is a private tour
Tour Starting Point:	Anywhere in Johannesburg or Pretoria
Tour Ending Point:	Anywhere in Cape Town
What is Included:	Below the detailed itinerary
What is Excluded:	Below the detailed itinerary

Detailed Tour Itinerary Day 1: Tzaneen - Guided by African Sky Guide Guests are met upon arrival at the O.R. Tambo International Airport from where we travel in a northerly direction, following the National Highway to Polokwane. En route to the overnight destination we pass Moria, the center of the Zion Christian Church where each Easter millions of followers congregate for the largest annual religious ceremony in South Africa. A visit is then made to the the Modjadji Cycad Forest. Once the main diet of the prehistoric mammal-like reptiles that lived in the area, the Modjadji cycad (Encephalartos transvenosus) forms a unique natural forest which can be viewed in its prehistoric state thanks to its strict protection by succeeding generations of Modjadji ('rain queens'), the hereditary rulers in the area.
Overnight: Glenshiel
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Kruger National Park - Guided by African Sky Guide An early wake-up call by your guide is followed by a cup of coffee before we make our way to the northern part of the central Kruger National Park. The vegetation of this area is characterized by Mopani shrub. This plant is a favorite food source for the many elephant in this part of Kruger and seeing these graceful beasts in large numbers is a near certainty in this part of the Park. Letaba is reached around lunch time. We devote some time to relaxation before visiting the local Elephant Museum. The museum offers guests a unique insight into the behavior and habits of these the largest of Africa's mammals. It is also home to the tusks of the "Magnificent Seven" (Largest Tuskers to have died in the Kruger National Park). Some time is then devoted to relaxation before embarking on a late afternoon game drive.
Overnight: Letaba
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3: Kruger National Park - Guided by African Sky Guide The day is devoted to two interpretive game drives in the company of your experienced guide. Kruger offers one of the greatest diversities in fauna and flora to be found anywhere in the world. It is home to 336 tree species, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Your guides intimate knowledge of the area and his insight into the habitat preferences of the different species will ensure that your sightings are maximized.
Overnight: Letaba
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4: Kruger National Park- Guided by African Sky Guide An early morning and late afternoon game drive in the company of your experienced guide fill a day of wonder as the rhythms of the wilderness and the laws that govern life in a remote ecosystem become more apparent. The legendary Big Five, regarded to be the most majestic and awe inspiring mammals to be found anywhere in the world, are sure to be amongst the day’s highlights. In addition to the lion, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopard, the reserve is blessed with a rich diversity of antelope and other mammal species. The day will be completed with a night drive accompanied by one of the professional Game Rangers. Night drives become the highlight of the South African Tour offering glimpses of nocturnal animals often not seen during the day.
Overnight: Letaba
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5: Mpumalanga Highlands - Guided by African Sky Guide The Mpumalanga Panoramic Route is the focus of the day. Here visits are made to the Blyde River Gorge dominated by the triplet peaks of the Three Rondavels and Bourke's Luck where the unique geological features of the potholes are admired. Gods Window is then reached, a cleft in the edge of the escarpment from where magnificent views of the Lowveld can be enjoyed. God's Window is situated in a patch of indigenous forest where many flowering and aromatic plants flourish. A visit is also made to the historical mining village of Pilgrims Rest. It is one of the most perfect examples in the world, of a mining town born during the excitement of an alluvial gold rush. Gold was discovered here in 1873 and the town was declared a national monument in 1986. Guests will have a gold digging and panning demonstration before traveling to the overnight destination.
Overnight: Mount Sheba
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6: Maputoland - Guided by African Sky Guide After breakfast the tour traverses the towns of Nelspruit, Barberton, Carolina, Ermelo, Piet Retief and Pongola en route to the overnight destination. We devote some time to exploring Baberton. Barberton was a boom town during the gold rush of the late 19th century. It was also home to the famous writer Percy Fitzpatrick whose epic tale " Jock of the Bushveld" has received international acclaim. A statue was erected in honor of this famous dog in front of the town hall. Splendid scenery ranging from Savannah Grassland to forested hills and Banana Plantations brings the diversity of South Africa to life as the road meanders south to the rolling hills of Zululand.
Overnight: Ghost Mountain Inn
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7: Zululand - Guided by African Sky Guide Breakfast and a drive to St Lucia is followed by a boat cruise on this coastal lagoon which has been declared a world heritage sight. The boat cruise will offer the opportunity of viewing the many hippo and crocodile which inhabit Lake St Lucia. The area is also a bird watchers paradise with 350 to 400 different species occurring in the area. The lake originated when a number of rivers combined their water to form a vast estuary system, roughly in the shape of the letter H and with an average depth of only one meter. Following the visit to St Lucia we travel inland to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve. The game reserve was proclaimed in 1895 and its varied landscape, ranging from densely forested lowlands to open hill summits, provides a sanctuary for a considerable diversity of flora and fauna. An afternoon game drive is conducted in the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve.
Overnight: Hilltop
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8: Zululand - Guided by African Sky Guide The different ecological areas, ranging from riverine brush to open savannah support an abundance of wildlife, most notably the Black and White Rhino. This Game Reserve played and is still playing an instrumental role in protecting both of these species from extinction. The current population of White Rhino which occur in South Africa has largely been re-stocked from this area. The White Rhino is much larger than the Black, it is a grazer as opposed to the Black Rhino which is a browser. Sightings of other large game, most notably the Big Five is sure to make this day spent on safari in Zululand a day to be remembered..
Overnight: Hilltop
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 9: Addo - Guided by African Sky Guide Breakfast is followed by a drive to Durban, from where we fly to Port Elizabeth. From Port Elizabeth we travel to the Addo National Park. Addo Elephant National Park is situated 72km by road from Port Elizabeth. Established in 1931 to save 11 Elephants on the brink of extinction. It is now home to more than 350 of them, 280 Cape Buffalo, black Rhino, a range of Antelope species, as well as the rare flightless dung Beetle, Addo Elephant Elephant Park is a perfect destination for the adventurous outdoor and nature lover. We reach the park during the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset over the Zuurberg Bushveld
Overnight: Addo Main Camp
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 10: Addo - Guided by African Sky Guide An early morning and late afternoon game drive in this area of unique ecology is the focus of the day. From the graceful elephant , who embody Africa in some mysterious way to the rare black rhino, much smaller than the white but reputed for it's temperament which could flare, sometimes seemingly unprovoked. The Big cats and a large number of different plains game species that once again roam free in this their ancestral grazing grounds afford a glimpse of Africa in all her glory. The focus is on interpretive game viewing , with the guide enhancing the understanding of the animals through their knowledge of the habits and behavior of the different species.
Overnight: Addo Main Camp
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 11: Garden Route - Guided by African Sky Guide A last morning game drive is followed by breakfast after which we travel South to Knysna, the jewel of the garden route.We pass through the Tsitsikamma National Park and make a quick stop at Storms River Mouth, to take a short walk to the famous Big Tree. A Yellowwood giant standing 36.6 meters high and is estimated to be +/- 800 years old. The scenic route then makes its way south en route to Natures Valley, which is reached after descending the Grootrivier Pass into the valley below where the town is located adjacent to the Grootrivier Lagoon. This river also marks the Western Boundary of the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve. Knysna is reached during the mid afternoon.
Overnight: Villa Castollini
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 12: Garden Route - Guided by African Sky Guide Knysna is primarily built on the northern shore of a large warm-water estuary, fed by the Knysna River. The estuary opens to the ocean after passing between “The Heads”, and has become infamous due to the loss of boats and fishermen passing through their treacherous and unpredictable waters. During the morning we board a ferry crossing the lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Featherbed Nature Reserve is a prime example of eco-tourism and in order to protect the splendor of the natural beauty, visitor numbers are limited. During the afternoon the Knysna Elephant Sanctuary will offer guests a closer look at the African Elephant by touching and feeding these gentle giants.
Overnight: Villa Castollini
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 13: Little Karoo - Guided by African Sky Guide After an early breakfast guests will travel to George and turn off to the town of Oudtshoorn crossing the Outeniqua Mountains. The Outeniqua Mountain range is characterized by gentle southern slopes and steep drops on the north side down to the low valley, the Little Karoo. Oudtshoorn is a large and modern town that relies mostly on farming and the ever-present ostrich industry. Guests will visit a local ostrich farm and during their visit they will learn more about the world’s largest bird which lays the largest egg and has the most beautiful feathers. After an opportunity to take part in an ostrich ride race, standing on their eggs and cuddling the chicks, we make our way to the Cango Caves. The extensive cave system of tunnels and chambers go on for over four kilometers of which only about a quarter of this is open to visitors. The cave exploration is followed by a visit to the Cango Wildlife Ranch. The ranch is one of the leading cheetah breeders in South Africa where guests are permitted to enter a fenced area to interact with a tame Cheetah.
Overnight: Adley House
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 14: Winelands - Guided by African Sky Guide Route 62 passes the towns of Calitzdorp, Ladismith, Barrydale, Ashton and Robertson before we reach Franschhoek. A few kilometers from Robertson we turn off on a dirt road and make our way to the Sheilam Cactus Gardens, sometimes known as Little Mexico. It is home of about 3000 of the weirdest and most interesting exotic cactus plants. After visiting the Cactus Gardens we visit two of Robertson most respected wineries. The wine industry in Robertson has grown from less than 25 cellars to more than 50 registered wine cellars as of today. There are a number of wine cellars that receive the highest awards both locally and internationally every year. Robertson wine cellars include Graham Beck, Springfield, Bon Cap, Majors Hill and the Excelsior Estate. The tour then makes its way to Franschhoek.
Overnight: Rusthof
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 15: Winelands - Guided by African Sky Guide
The Cape Dutch architecture in Franschhoek is unspoiled, with restrictions having been placed on the extent of renovations and new construction in order to preserve the spirit of the original settlers to the area. We visit the Huguenot Museum. The three high arches symbolize the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The central female figure, personifies religious freedom with a bible in her one hand and broken chain in the other. She is casting off her cloak of oppression and her position on top of the globe shows her spiritual freedom. The fleur-de-lis on her robe represents a noble spirit and character. The French Huguenots brought their knowledge of viticulture with them and upon receiving land from the Dutch East India Company many vineyards where established producing, till today, some of the world’s finest wines. After visiting the museum we visit three of the finest wine estates in the region. Here guests will enjoy some insight into the production of wine in South Africa and will have the opportunity of sampling some of South Africa's finest.

Overnight: Rusthof