Southern Africa 2019: 25-Day Itinerary

Follow this 25-day itinerary to see the highlights of South Africa, Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park. The trip departs from and returns to Sydney, Australia.

Photos of South Africa: 25 Days including Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls

Day 1
Fly Sydney to Johannesburg with Qantas
Depart Sydney on an 11am Qantas flight, arriving in Johannesburg 4.15pm the next day.
Accommodation: Airport Gardens Boutique Hotel 

Day 2
Johannesburg to Hoedspruit
Leaving Johannesburg at 7.30am, we take a 6-hour bus trip to Hoedspruit with Pro Tours Coach Charter via Dullstroom. In Hoedspruit we hire cars from Bidvest Car Rental followed by a delicious lunch at the Hat & Creek Restaurant. It is a 30 minute drive to our accommodation.
Accommodation: Timbavati Safari Lodge

Day 3
Kruger National Park
We do a self-drive trip into Kruger National Park, entering via Orpen Gate. Spending the whole day in Kruger, lots of wildlife is spotted. We have lunch at Satara Rest Camp.

In the evening we take an organised Sunset Safari Drive into Manyeti Private Game Reserve, followed by dinner at Timbavati Safari Lodge on the terrace.

Day 4
Panoramic Drive
Today we drive the beautiful Panoramic Route stopping at Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window. Have lunch at Divine Foods, Graskop enjoying delicious food and views of the Canyon. Return to Timbavati Safari Lodge via Bushbuckridge and get a glimpse of everyday life of the local African people.
In the evening we enjoy dinner in the Timbavati Safari Lodge boma.

Day 5
Kruger National Park
We take an organised Safari Drive into Kruger National Park, departing at 5.30am, arriving back at Timbavati at 3.30pm – an amazing day of wildlife sightings and encounters. Lunch at Satara Rest Camp.
In the evening we enjoy dinner at Timbavati Safari Lodge on the terrace.

Day 6
Hoedspruit to Johannesburg
After an early morning Game Drive into Manyeti Private Game Reserve, we return to Timbavati Safari Lodge for breakfast, then drive to Hoedspruit and return our rental cars to Bidvest Car Rental. From there we take the bus back to Johannesburg (ProTours Coach Charter) stopping at Dullstroom for lunch. Some of the group eat at Art of Food restaurant and others at Rose Cottage Cafe – both are highly recommended.
We arrive in Johannesburg just before 6pm.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice, Melrose Arch with dinner at Moyo Restaurant in the Melrose Arch precinct.

Day 7
Johannesburg
We take an oganised tour to Soweto and Apartheid Museum with Agnes and Rudie of Felleng Tours
We spend a wonderful day visiting Kliptown (Freedom Square, the markets) and the Kliptown Youth Program school. We visit Vilakazi Street to visit Nelson Mandela’s House and have lunch at Sakhumzi Restaurant. From there it is a short drive via FNB Stadium to the Apartheid Museum where we spend a couple of hours. 
Accommodation: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice, Melrose Arch

Day 8
Fly Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth
We take a Mango Airlines flight to Port Elizabeth (1.5 hours) and collect our cars from Bidvest Rental Cars. We drive to Jeffreys Bay and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch at Kitchen Windows Beach Restaurant. We stop to look at Supertubes, the famous surfing beach, before continuing on to Storms River Rest Camp. We have dinner at the Cattle Baron restaurant.
Accommodation: Storms River Mouth Rest Camp chalets

Day 9
Storms River
We do the pretty Suspension Bridges walk in the morning and many of the group take the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour in the afternoon.

Day 10
Knysna
Drive from Storms River to Knysna stopping at Bloukrans Bridge to see the bungy jumping, visit Monkeyland and Birds of Eden, lunch at the Lookout (Plettenburg Bay) arriving in Knysna about 4pm.
Dinner: The Bell, Belvidere Manor
Accommodation: Belvidere Manor, Knysna

Day 11
Knysna
A day of sightseeing and shopping in Knysna:

1. Drive to Brentons Beach, stopping at the high point of the road to see the beautiful view of Knysna. Take a walk on Brentons Beach.
2. The Heads – East Head Cafe
3. Leisure Island
4. Thesen Island
5. The Waterfront
6. Knysna Mall
7. Buffels Bay
8. Goukamma Nature Reserve to walk along the beach
9. Sunset at Brentons Beach
10. Dinner at Freshline Seafood Restaurant

Day 12
Outdshoorn
Drive from Knysna to Outdshoorn via Victoria Bay and the Garden Route Shopping Mall, arriving in Outdshoorn in time to take a tour of Safari Ostrich Farm.
Accommodation and dinner: Old Mill Lodge & Restaurant, 14kms from Outdshoorn.

Day 13
Outdshoorn to Franschhoek
We drive the scenic Route 62 via Calitzdorp and Barrydale, stopping for a delicious lunch at The Barn in Montagu. We pass through Villiersdorp before taking the beautiful Franschhoek Pass to arrive in Franschhoek late afternoon.
Accommodation: The Ivy Apartments, Franschhoek

Day 14
Franschhoek
Stroll along the main street of Franschhoek and drop into the Tourist Information Office for maps and information. Visit several beautiful wineries in the area:

• La Petite Ferme
• Le Lude (have lunch at Orangerie Restaurant)
• Dieu Donne
• Mont Rochelle
• Boschendal
• Delaire Graff
• Tokara

Day 15
Day trip Franschhoek to Hermanus
After breakfast at Bon Bon Cafe just outside of Franschhoek, drive across the Franschhoek Pass to Hermanus, lunch at Pringle Bay and along the coast of False Bay for sensational views, returning to Stellenbosch.
Accommodation: Eendracht Hotel, Stellenbosch

Day 16
Stellenbosch
After a stroll around the streets of Stellenbosch, tour Stellenbosch wineries:

• Waterford Estate
• Spier
• Babylonsteron
• Delaire Graff
• Tokana
• La Motte
• Mont Rochelle for drinks at sunset

Accommodation: Eendracht Hotel, Stellenbosch

Day 17
Drive Stellenbosch to Cape Town
Lunch at the Waterfront
Take cable car up to Table Mountain
Drinks and dinner at Camps Bay to watch sunset
Accommodation: Lawhill Luxury Apartments – V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Day 18
Cape Town
Do the amazing Cape Point Drive: Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Simonstown, Penguins at Boulders Beach, Cape Point, Chapmans Peak, Hout Bay
Accommodation: Lawhill Apartments, V&A Waterfront

Day 19
Cape Town
Explore the beautiful city of Cape Town:

• Drive through  Cape Town’s main streets
• Parliament buildings and St George’s Cathedral
• Long Street
• Mount Nelson Hotel
• Colourful houses at Bo-kaap
• Kirstenbosch Gardens
• V&A Waterfront including Watershed, V&A Food Market

Day 20
Cape Town
Lunch at Groot Constantia  Founded in 1685, Groot Constantia is the oldest wine-producing farm in South Africa. A beautiful setting with two excellent restaurants and three wine-tasting venues – you can spend many hours here.

Day 21
Fly Cape Town to Victoria Falls
Do a Sunset Cruise on Zambezi River
Accommodation: Shearwater Explorer’s Village, Victoria Falls

Day 22
Victoria  Falls
Explore the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls. Either take a guided walk or explore on your own.
Other activities include helicopter flight over the Falls, lunch or high tea at Victoria Falls Hotel, explore the many curio shops in Victoria Falls.
Take a Walk with the Lions – a once in a lifetime opportunity.
(Note: when we last checked in December 2023, Lionencounter.com were no longer offering Walk with the Lions however there are other experiences available.)

Day 23
Chobe National Park
Travel on the Shearwater Coach from Victoria Falls to Hasane near Chobe National Park.
Do the amazing Sunset Cruise on the Chobe River in Chobe National Park – a highlight!
Accommodation: Chobe Bush Lodge & Chobe Safari Lodge (Pezottis)

Day 24
Victoria Falls
Early morning safari drive through Chobe National Park.
After breakfast at Chobe Bush Lodge, take the Shearwater coach back to Victoria Falls.
Take a walk across the Zimbabwe-Zambia bridge for wonderful views of Victoria Falls from the Zambian side.
Enjoy drinks at sunset at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge’s Buffalo Bar, followed by dinner and entertainment at the Boma.
Accommodation: Shearwater Explorer’s Lodge, Victoria Falls

Day 25
Victoria Falls to Sydney
Fly Victoria Falls to Johannesburg on South African Airways
Fly Johannesburg to Sydney on Qantas