12 Day South Africa Overland Tour from Cape Town to Johannesburg

Day 1: Depart from Cape Town at 8am and travel on the R62, the world's longest wine route to Oudtshoorn.

1. R 62 nel Klein Karoo
   5h
   Traveling along the R62 Wine Route from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn is a scenic journey through the heart of South Africa’s countryside, known for its rugged beauty, charming small towns, and award-winning wines. As you leave Cape Town behind, the route winds through the fertile vineyards of the Breede River Valley and into the arid landscapes of the Klein Karoo. Towns like Robertson, Montagu, Calitzdorp, and Barrydale each offer their own unique charm, with boutique wine estates, art galleries, farm stalls, and warm hospitality.
2. Cango Caves
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Visiting the Cango Caves, nestled 30 km north of Oudtshoorn in the verdant foothills of the Swartberg, is stepping into a 20‑million‑year‑old limestone marvel—Africa’s largest show‑cave and one of Southern Africa’s Seven Wonders.

Day 2: Game safari in Botlierskop Game Reserve. Tour of Knyna Heads and Knysna Lagoon

1. 3h · Admission ticket included
   A game safari at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve offers an enchanting blend of wilderness adventure and luxury along the Garden Route. Set on 4,200‑6,000 ha of malaria‑free land, this family‑run reserve is home to over 26 species—including four of the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino), cheetah, giraffe, hippo, and even the rare black impala and mountain zebra.
2. Knysna Heads
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Visiting Knysna Heads is an unforgettable Garden Route experience where dramatic sandstone cliffs stand as sentinels guarding the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon from the Indian Ocean.
3. The Waterfront Knysna Quays
   2h
   Visit the Knysna Quays Waterfront and relax here.

Day 3: Hiking in Robberg Nature Reserve. Visit beaches in Plettenberg Bay. Travel to Port Elizabeth.

1. Robberg Nature Reserve
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Hiking at Robberg Nature Reserve, just south of Plettenberg Bay along the Garden Route, is a breathtaking coastal adventure offering panoramic ocean views, abundant wildlife, and dramatic landscapes. Managed by CapeNature, this UNESCO‑recognized reserve features three circular hiking trails of varying difficulty and length.
2. Plettenberg Bay
   1h
   Plettenberg Bay’s Main Beach—also known as Central Beach—is the heart of beach life along the Garden Route. With its wide sweep of golden sand, calm, clear waters, and Blue‑Flag status, it’s the perfect spot for families, sunbathing, and swimming
   plettgetaways.com
   . Lifeguards patrol year‑round, ensuring safety, and nearby amenities include public toilets, shops, ice‑cream stalls, restaurants, and beachfront bars. Relax at the Main Beach.
3. Port Elizabeth
   15h
   Travel on the Garden Route. Overnight in Port Elizabeth.

Day 4: Travel to East London. Stop in Port Alfred.

1. Port Alfred
   2h
   Port Alfred—known locally as the “heart of the Sunshine Coast”—is a charming Eastern Cape town nestled at the mouth of the Kowie River where it meets the warm Indian. Its golden, Blue‑Flag beaches—Kelly’s, East, and West—are perfect for swimming, surfing, family outings, and long coastal walks
2. East London
   15h
   Visiting East London is a delightful way to unwind by the beach on South Africa’s Sunshine Coast. Just east of the Buffalo River mouth lies Orient Beach, a family‑friendly Blue‑Flag spot complete with tidal pools, children’s splash facilities, shaded lawns, cafés, and lifeguards-at-peak times—ideal for a relaxed seaside morning. Overnight in East London.

Day 5: Travel to Mthatha. Stop in Mvezo. Visit Mthatha Museum.

1. 1h
   This is Nelson Mandela's birthplace. A meaningful stop in Mvezo, the remote birthplace of Nelson Mandela on the banks of the Mbashe River, offers more than just a photo opportunity—it’s a journey into South Africa’s soul. Here, within the Nelson Mandela Birthplace Museum's open-air complex, you can explore a traditional Thembu rondavel (tipi) marking the exact spot where Mandela was born, see where his umbilical cord was buried in line with Xhosa tradition, and learn about his early life and local customs.
2. Nelson Mandela Museum
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Visiting the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, offers a profound journey into the life of South Africa’s iconic leader. Housed in the historic Bhunga Building—a former seat of the Transkei Parliament—the museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing Mandela’s legacy. The Bhunga Building, with its white-pillared façade, now serves as a vibrant space showcasing exhibitions that trace Mandela’s life, from his early years to his presidency and beyond. Inside, visitors can explore various displays, including photographs, documents, and artifacts, providing insights into his journey and the values he upheld.

Day 6: Travel to Drakensberg Mountains. Hiking in Drakensberg.

1. Drakensberg Mountains
   15h · Admission ticket included
   Visiting the Drakensberg Mountains—also known by their Zulu name uKhahlamba or “Barrier of Spears”—is a soul-stirring exploration of some of southern Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes. Towering basalt cliffs rise over 3,000 m, plunging into emerald valleys carved over millennia. Trails like the Amphitheatre Slackpacking, Cathedral Peak, and Giant’s Castle offer unforgettable hikes, showcasing rugged ridges, waterfalls (such as the world‑second‑highest Tugela Falls at ~948 m), and ancient San rock art nestled in caves.
2. Drakensberg Region
   15h
   Go for hiking in the Drakensberg area, an exciting, in touch with nature, experience some of the best of South Africa. Overnight in Drakensberg.

Day 7: Visit Mandela Capture Site and Howick Falls. Travel to Durban.

1. Nelson Mandela Capture Site
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Visiting the Nelson Mandela Capture Site near Howick is a deeply moving experience—a chance to stand where Mandela was arrested on 5 August 1962 after evading the apartheid regime. Nelson Mandela was arrested by apartheid police on 5 August 1962. This pivotal moment in South Africa’s history is commemorated by a striking and world-renowned sculpture titled Release, made up of 50 steel columns that, when viewed from the right angle, form a hauntingly lifelike image of Mandela’s face. As visitors walk the symbolic pathway leading to the sculpture—representing the Long Walk to Freedom—they are drawn into the story of struggle,
2. Howick Falls
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Visiting Howick Falls—known in Zulu as KwaNogqaza (“Place of the Tall One”)—is a dramatic and culturally rich experience in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Tucked near the town of Howick on the Umgeni River, this single-drop waterfall plunges approximately 95 m (some sources list as high as 111 m), creating a powerful cascade into a lush, forested gorge.
3. Durban
   15h
   Travel to Durban and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine city. Overnight in Durban.

Day 8: Travel to Isimangaliso Wetlands Park. Hippo and Croc Boat Cruise in St Lucia Estuary.

1. iSimangaliso Wetland Park
   3h
   Traveling from Durban to iSimangaliso Wetland Park is an enchanting drive of about 280 km (roughly 2.5–3 hours) along the well-maintained N2 highway—ideal for soaking in coastal scenery.
2. Saint Lucia Estuary
   2h · Admission ticket included
   A hippo-and-crocodile boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary in iSimangaliso is a must-do wildlife encounter. Departing from Siyabonga or Sunset Jetty in small, shallow-draft boats (typically 15 passengers), the two-hour cruise takes you deep into Africa’s largest estuarine system—home to around 800 hippos and 1,200 Nile crocodiles. As you glide past mangrove-lined banks, your knowledgeable skipper provides live commentary on the animals’ habits and the rich birdlife, including species like African fish eagles and giant kingfishers

Day 9: Travel through Mpumalanga to Kruger National Park

1. Mpumalanga
   5h
   Traveling through Mpumalanga to reach Kruger National Park is a journey that unveils some of South Africa’s most captivating natural beauty. As you wind your way along scenic routes like the Panorama Route, you pass through misty mountains, lush forests, and vast highveld grasslands, all rich in color and life. Along the way, highlights such as God's Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the Three Rondavels offer breathtaking views over deep valleys and ancient rock formations. The region’s rolling hills give way to warmer, low-lying bushveld as you approach Kruger, one of Africa’s premier safari destinations. This transition marks not only a shift in landscape but also in the rhythm of your journey—from scenic wonder to thrilling wildlife adventure. Whether you’re self-driving or part of a guided tour, traveling through Mpumalanga to Kruger is an immersive experience that blends spectacular scenery with the anticipation of encountering Africa’s Big Five.

Day 10: Full day game safari in Kruger National Park

1. Kruger National Park
   9h · Admission ticket included
   A full-day safari in Kruger National Park is an unforgettable adventure that immerses you in the heart of the African wilderness from sunrise to sunset. Setting out in an open game drive vehicle with an experienced ranger, you’ll explore vast stretches of savannah, riverbeds, woodlands, and watering holes—each teeming with wildlife. As the day unfolds, you may encounter the famed Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino—along with giraffes gracefully browsing treetops, herds of zebras and impalas grazing, and crocodiles sunning along riverbanks. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the park’s rich avian diversity, from colorful lilac-breasted rollers to soaring eagles. Throughout the day, your guide shares fascinating insights into animal behavior, plant life, and the park’s conservation efforts. A full-day safari in Kruger is more than a sightseeing trip—it’s a deeply rewarding journey through one of the world’s most iconic wildlife sanctuaries.

Day 11: Visit God's Window, Bourkes Luck Potholes, The Three Rondavels and Lisbon Falls

1. God's Window
   2h · Admission ticket included
   A visit to God’s Window is a breathtaking highlight along Mpumalanga’s famed Panorama Route, offering one of the most awe-inspiring views in South Africa. Perched on the edge of the Drakensberg Escarpment, God’s Window earns its name from the seemingly endless vista it provides—lush, forested cliffs drop dramatically into the Lowveld below, stretching all the way to the Kruger National Park and even Mozambique on a clear day. A short walk through a misty rainforest takes you to several viewing platforms where you can marvel at waterfalls, deep ravines, and the sweeping landscape bathed in golden sunlight. The air is cool and crisp, often laced with clouds that drift over the edge like a curtain parting to reveal nature’s grandeur. Whether visited in the early morning light or at sunset, God’s Window is a place of serenity and awe that captures the sheer beauty of South Africa’s natural scenery.
2. Bourkes' Luck Potholes
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Visiting Bourke’s Luck Potholes along Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route is stepping into a spectacular showcase of geological artistry. At the dramatic convergence of the Treur and Blyde Rivers, swirling water currents have carved deep, cylindrical potholes into the sandstone over thousands of years—creating an otherworldly landscape of spirals and pools in vivid reds and ochres.
3. Three Rondavels
   2h · Admission ticket included
   A visit to the Three Rondavels offers one of the most iconic and awe-inspiring views along the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga. These three massive, rounded mountain peaks resemble traditional African huts—or “rondavels”—and rise dramatically above the vast Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest green canyons in the world. The scenic viewpoint provides a sweeping vista of the canyon’s cliffs, the winding Blyde River below, and the expansive Lowveld stretching into the distance. Carved over millions of years by water and wind, the Three Rondavels are a geological marvel steeped in both natural history and cultural significance. On clear days, the view is breathtaking, with the changing light casting shadows and highlights across the rugged rock faces. This stop is not just a photographic gem, but also a moment to pause and take in the immense beauty and scale of South Africa’s landscape.
4. Lisbon Falls
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Visiting Lisbon Falls is a must on Mpumalanga’s legendary Panorama Route. Cascading an impressive 94 m down a lush gorge, it proudly stands as the province’s highest waterfall. Located just north of Graskop along the R532, the falls are easily accessible via a sturdy parking area guarded during opening hours (08:00–17:00), with clean facilities and a safe viewing deck overlooking the cascade and valley.

Day 12: Travel through Mpumalanga from Kruger National Park to Johannesburg

1. Mpumalanga
   5h
   Traveling from Kruger National Park to Johannesburg takes you on a scenic and enriching journey through the diverse landscapes of Mpumalanga. As you leave the bushveld behind, the road ascends into the Drakensberg escarpment, unveiling a dramatic panorama of mountains, deep valleys, winding rivers, and lush forested hills. This route offers sweeping views and occasional stops to admire natural wonders like Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest green canyons in the world. You may also pass charming highland towns, waterfalls, and stretches of farmland that give a glimpse into rural South African life. The contrast between the untamed wild of Kruger and the cultivated beauty of Mpumalanga creates a memorable travel experience. As you descend onto the Highveld and continue westward, the scenery flattens out, leading you into the urban heart of Johannesburg by afternoon—bringing an end to a journey rich in both natural splendor and cultural insight.

Pickup details

We pick up travelers from all over Cape Town, 50km radius

• Wheelchair accessible
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• no health restrictions