Overview

Immerse yourself in the marvels of South Africa with our invigorating 12-day adventure that carries you from the vibrant cityscape of Durban, tracing the serpentine coastline to the picturesque city of Cape Town. Our journey promises to be a feast for the senses, offering a rich tapestry of National Parks known for their global acclaim, including the majestic Addo Elephant National Park, the haven for the awe-inspiring Big 5.

Our voyage initiates amidst the piercing peaks of the Ukuhlamba Drakensberg Park. A UNESCO-certified gem, it unfurls across the expanse of the Kwazulu-Natal province. Known by its Zulu moniker, uKhahlamba, translating to ‘barrier of spears’, and by its Afrikaans sobriquet, Drakensberg, or ‘dragon mountains’, this dramatic mountain range offers us an enchanting silhouette for the initial two evenings of our expedition.

Our path weaves through the towering cliffs of the Golden Gate National Park as we advance towards the awe-inspiring terrain of Lesotho. Here, we nestle among lofty mountain peaks, with the crisp, invigorating mountain air as our faithful companion. Our exploration includes a day’s trek through these magnificent mountains, culminating in a heartfelt encounter with the local community dwelling in this high-altitude serenity.

Realigning our compass towards the coast, we traverse the vast expanses of the Karoo plains and the captivating wildlife wonders of the Addo National Park. We indulge in a mesmerising game drive aboard our Nomad truck, engaging in a thrilling pursuit of the revered elephants that have made Addo their sanctuary.

The enchanting Garden Route beckons us from Addo, guiding us along the final stretch towards Cape Town. We delve into the rugged beauty of the Tsitsikamma National Park, celebrated for its pristine beaches and untamed coastline. Our journey leads us inland, where we ascend the Outeniqua Mountains, only to descend into the quaint town of Oudtshoorn, home to the mesmerising Cango caves. Here, we relish a guided exploration of the impressive formations gracing these limestone caverns.

The concluding chapters of our journey are etched along the coast. We engage in the delightful pursuit of the seasonal whales gracing the waters off the Cape Whale Coast, and take delight in a visit to a penguin colony, offering a close encounter with the endearing African penguin. Our grand journey finds its finale upon reaching the heart of Cape Town, the mother city herself.

Day 1 – Kwa Zulu Natal Coast – UKhahlamba Drakensberg Park

Running the length of the Kwazulu-Natal province, the Ukuhlamba Drakensberg Park is a UNESCO recognised world heritage site. Whether you go by the Zulu name uKhahlamba, meaning ‘barrier of spears’, or the Afrikaans name Drakensberge, meaning ‘dragon mountains’, these towering mountains will be our backdrop for the next two nights. On our way we make a short stop to view the scenic Howick Falls and a visit to the nearby site that marked the capture of South Africa’s most famous man, Nelson Mandela.

Day 2 – UKhahlamba Drakensberg Park

We set out this morning for a lengthy hike. While we encourage everyone to make the most of the day in mountains, we may offer separate options depending on the activity level of the group. With a number of trails available we can ensure that we cater to every need, the most important aim is to ensure everyone enjoys this mountain paradise at their own pace.

Day 3 – Lesotho

Our journey today begins with a mountain pass as our route winds its way through the magnificent hills and mountains before we enter Lesotho in the afternoon, we pass the capital city of Maseru as continue the climb to our base high amongst the mountain peaks. 

Day 5 – South Africa – Graaff Reinet

Returning to South Africa, we descend the mountains and take aim across the Great Karoo. The semi-arid Karoo represents the heartland of rural South Africa and presents a stark contrast to the mountains we leave behind. Our overnight stop is set in the historic town of Graaff-Reinet, the fourth oldest town in the country. We cross the mighty Orange (Gariep) River today as we journey through the vast countryside of the Karoo. This evening you will have the opportunity to join a sundowner excursion to the Valley of Desolation. This unique valley offers a panoramic view over the town and the wide open plains stretching out below. Kindly note that during the winter months, this activity will become a Sunrise excursion to the Valley of Desolation the following morning.

Day 6 – Gqeberha (Gateway to Addo Elephant National Park)

Setting course for the coast once again, we pass through the open plains of the Karoo and head to the famous Addo Elephant National Park where we will enjoy a half day game drive in our Nomad truck, in search of the famous elephants that call Addo home. Our overnight accommodation is in the heart of Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).

Day 7 – Greater Addo Elephant National Park area

This morning we leave the city of Gqeberha and once again head into Addo Elephant National Park for our game drive.  Recent expansion has seen Addo grow to become the third largest of South Africa’s National Parks. The unique vegetation of Addo supports a wide variety of wildlife and we will spend the morning in search of the animals. 

Day 8 – Tsitsikamma National Park

Setting out early this morning we make a brief visit to the surfing mecca of Jeffreys Bay.  Most famous for its waves this little town is also home to a small Surfing Museum. We then turn west to the Tsitiskamma region where we set up for the next two nights and where the wonders of the Garden Route await.

Day 9 – Tsitsikamma National Park

Tsitsikamma National Park is one of South Africa’s premier marine reserves and this morning we set out to explore the rugged coastline on foot. Our hike along the Waterfall Trail sees us cover the first section of the world renowned Otter Trail. This is not an easy hike and those who prefer a more leisurely option can make use of the boardwalks to the Storms River Mouth. We return after our hike and you will have the opportunity to book the Woodcutters Journey in the afternoon – experiencing the uniqueness of the Tsitsikamma biome and learning about the history of the area and its indigenous fauna & flora.

Day 10 – Oudtshoorn

After a stop in the town of Knysna, we make our way inland, crossing the Outeniqua Mountains and descend to the town of Oudtshoorn.  We head to the famous Cango caves to enjoy a guided tour where we marvel at the astonishing formations that have formed in these impressive limestone caves.

Day 11 – Route 62 – Barrydale

This morning prior to bidding farewell to the Klein Karoo, we stop to experience one of Africa’s most endearing creatures – The meerkat! You’ll have the opportunity to sit and watch these curious animals go about their day in the natural world without much disturbance form humans, as they wake up and catch the morning sun rays. We then follow a section of the scenic Route 62, stopping to experience some of the many farm stalls on the way. One of the more quirky highlights today is Ronnie’s Sex Shop, not a sex shop at all, but a rather interesting country pub!

Day 12 – The Cape Whale Coast Route & Africa’s Southernmost Tip

After passing through some quaint Overberg villages, we reach the southernmost tip of the African continent, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, Cape Agulhas.  We will then drive along the beautiful Cape Whale Coast which is a pristine stretch on the South African coastline. Stretching from the town of Rooiels for roughly 150km, to the east, making up a collection of villages, farms, rivers, bays, coves and valleys.  We will have a short time to stroll along the boardwalk in Hermanus in search of the southern right whales that frequent the shores in the months of July to November. Next we stop at the largest breeding colony of African Penguins, Stony Point Nature Reserve, before travelling along the coast to the city centre of Cape Town. Your tour comes to an end upon arrival in the city centre of Cape Town.

  •   Crew3 Crew
  •   Max Passengers 20 Passengers Max
  •   Vehicle 20 Seater Vehicle
  •   Duration12 Days and 11 Nights
  •   From / ToDurban to Cape Town
  •   Meals11 Breakfast  11 Lunch 11 Dinner
  •   Countries South Africa, Lesotho

Dates

  • Available
  • On Request
  • Camping
  • Accommodated
  • Small Group
  • German Translator
  • German Guided
  • Special

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Pre & Post Tour

Pre & Post Tour Accommodation

Nomad can book accommodation before and after your tour.

Pre Tour Accommodation - Durban

From R1,350
  Airport Transfer Available Garden Court South Beach – Durban

Situated in the warm subtropical city of Durban, on the lush coastline of KwaZulu-Natal, Garden Court South Beach is the ideal home away from home for our travellers. The hotel lies within easy reach of Durban’s popular South Beach, and provides an ideal springboard from which to explore Durban and… … Read More

Post Tour Accommodation - Cape Town

From R1,990
  Airport Transfer Available Double Tree By Hilton – Upper Eastside

Our Cape Town departure point for scheduled tours. Nearby the base of Table Mountain with views of Devil's Peak. This hotel is a 15-minute walk from The Old Biscuit Mill, and offers free shuttle services to the V&A waterfront – please book in advance. Rooms feature city views and walk-in… … Read More

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