South African Odyssey

South African Odyssey Itinerary

• Day 1: Fly to Johannesburg

  Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Johannesburg. (N)

• Day 2: Johannesburg

  Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to Protea Hotel Wanderers for 1 night. Optional sightseeing tours, excursions or shopping, or simply relax at your hotel. Welcome briefing in the evening where you will meet your fellow travellers. (N)

• Day 3: Pretoria • Mpumalanga

  Brief orientation tour of South Africa’s capital city, Pretoria. Continue to the Lowveld, passing the historic towns of Lydenburg and Dullstroom via the Long Tom Pass. Arrive late afternoon into Hazyview, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park and stay 3 nights at Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel. (B)

• Day 4: Panorama Route

  Drive the Panorama Route with its multitude of outstanding views including some of the Blyde River Canyon, taking in the Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window. Return to your hotel in the early afternoon to relax. (B)

• Day 5: Kruger National Park

  Open vehicle safari through Kruger National Park to track the ‘Big Five’, see prolific birdlife and a host of other wildlife. Return to your hotel in the afternoon to rest or join an optional afternoon wildlife drive (payable locally). (B)

• Day 6: Mpumalanga • Eswatini (Swaziland)

  Drive from Kruger to Eswatini (Swaziland), enclaved within the borders of South Africa. An interactive cultural experience displays the charm of the Swazi people and their rich traditions. Travel via the capital city, Mbabane, to the Ezulwini valley and visit a craft market. Overnight at Royal Swazi Sun. (B, L, D)

• Day 7: Eswatini • Zululand

  Continue south and cross the border back into South Africa, passing the traditional huts and rolling hills of Zululand. Optional afternoon wildlife drive in an open safari vehicle in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, renowned for its conservation of black and white rhino and other flora and fauna. Overnight at Hluhluwe Anew Hotel (or similar). (B)

• Day 8: Zululand • Umhlanga

  Morning cruise on Lake St Lucia, where you can often spot plentiful hippos and crocs (weather dependent). Drive towards Durban, passing traditional Zulu kraals, eucalyptus plantations and sugarcane fields. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the golden beaches of the Indian Ocean. Overnight at Protea Hotel Umhlanga. (B)

• Day 9: Fly to Port Elizabeth • Knysna

  Fly from Durban to Port Elizabeth then explore the indigenous Tsitsikamma forest and visit the spectacular Storms river mouth (weather permitting). Stay 2 nights at The Rex Hotel, set on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in Knysna. (B, D)

• Day 10: Knysna

  Start the day with a lagoon cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve and take a trailer ride to the top of the Western Head for expansive views of the town, lagoon and ocean. Return to your hotel for lunch and a leisurely afternoon to explore this charming town. (B, L)

• Day 11: Knysna • Oudtshoorn

  Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to the ‘ostrich capital’ of Oudtshoorn. Take a guided tour of a working ostrich farm, followed by lunch. Continue to the limestone caverns at the Cango Caves for a guided tour. Late afternoon arrival at Hlangana Lodge for a 1-night stay. (B, L)

• Day 12: Oudtshoorn • Cape Town

  Optional early morning excursion to observe meerkats as they emerge out of their burrows to bask in the sun (weather permitting). Drive through the Karoo to Barrydale for a visit to a local farm school (subject to timings), before setting off for the picturesque spa town of Montagu. Continue to Cape Town and check in for a 3-night stay at President Hotel. (B)

• Day 13: Cape Town

  A full day at leisure to explore the city or waterfront at your own pace. Optional excursions include a helicopter ride, a visit to Robben Island or a cable car to the top of Table Mountain. Dinner will be at a lively venue as you sample Cape Malay cuisine and hear tales of the people of the Cape. (B, D)

• Day 14: Cape Town

  Full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula, following the scenic coastal paths from Sea Point through Hout Bay and on to Cape Point, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. Return via the fishing village of Fish Hoek, Muizenberg and Simon's Town to visit the penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee payable locally). (B)

• Day 15: Cape Town • Fly to London

  Morning at leisure for some final shopping or sightseeing. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home. (B)

• Day 16: London

  Morning arrival. (N)

• Meal basis

  As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

• Important information

• Non-exclusive group tour

  This tour is operated on a non-exclusive basis, therefore passengers may or may not be Cox & Kings clients.

• Departures

  This tour has multiple monthly departures departing from London on a Saturday evening. Guided group safari starts on Day 3 (Monday). This tour passes through Swaziland (eSwatini), please check requirements as certain nationalities many need a visa prior to arrival at the border. (British passport holders do not require a visa).

• Standard tour

  This tour is based in 3- and 4-star accommodation.

• Single supplement

  From £425pp.

• Private & tailor-made travel

  This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements.

Dates and Prices