garden route tours, big five safari with Acacia Africa

Day 1: Johannesburg – Greater Kruger National Park
Departing Johannesburg early morning, we drive eastwards en-route to Greater Kruger, where we stop and admire some popular highlights on the Panoramic Route; Gods Window, Blyde River Canyon, Lisbon Falls, the rare rock formations at Bourke’s Luck Pot Holes and the gigantic Three Rondavals. Arriving at our bush camp on the outskirts of Kruger Park, we enjoy two nights of bush life at our rustic lodge on the private game reserve, Guernsey.

Day 2: Kruger National Park
Entering at Orpen gate after breakfast, a morning and afternoon gamedrive in Kruger is enjoyed, whilst resting, swimming and lunching in the heat of the day at a Kruger camp.
Kruger has over 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life, including the Big 5.
Prior to evening dinner, you have the option to join a night drive on a private reserve or in the National Park, after which the evening is spent sharing stories and experiences around the warm glow of a campfire.

Day 3 Kruger National Park – Swaziland – Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Leaving camp, travel south passing farming towns and Shangaan settlements, stopping in Nelspruit, cross the Crocodile River and the Swaziland border, winding through lush, mountain passes, passing craft markets, visit to the famous Ngwenya glass factory, afterwhich we enter the Mlilwane Wild Life Sanctuary, where we spend two nights at a rustic bush lodge experiencing true Swazi hospitality.

Day 4 The Kingdom of Swaziland
After breakfast, touring through the sanctuary we enter the Swazi Royal Enclosure
discovering history and culture about the last monarchy controlled country, and a guided walk through a traditional village, browse street side markets, lunching back at the Santuary, and leisure time to participate in various activities; horseback trails, mountain bike riding, guided walks or take a swim. Enjoy the mystical evening with downers, admiring the view overlooking the hippo pool while our crew prepares a delicious dinner.

Day 5 Swaziland – Hluhluwe / Zululand
Departing the Sanctuary we visit a unique Swazi candle factory, cross border into KwaZulu-Natal, a province of South Africa. Travelling further south, through Zululand, we arrive at small forest farming town Hluhluwe, settling in at our lodge before a comprehensive tour of a Zulu village. Returning to camp during the early evening, we explore surroundings, spot nocturnal bush babies and interesting creepy insects going about their business.

Day 6 Hluhluwe – St Lucia
An early breakfast, depart for Hluhluwe National Park, hosting the famous “big five” and many other wild life species. After which we head for St Lucia, a renowned Zululand beach resort, enjoy a late afternoon river cruise viewing hippo, birdlife and crocodiles. After dinner, we have the opportunity to walk into town visiting some of the local cosy pubs or relax in the gardens gazing up into the clear southern hemisphere sky, star watching

Day 7 St Lucia – Durban / Tekweni
The morning is free to enjoy many marked hiking trails, or soak up the sun on the beach. Departing before noon for Durban, uShaka Marine World will be our first stop, and where the tour ends. You have the opportunity to enjoy the night at a beach front lodge, venture out for a walk along the beach or explore the night life using taxis.

Day 8 Durban – Chintsa / East London
Departing Durban early, traveling through mountain passes from the foot of the Drakensberg, through the rugged wild coast region, formally known as Transkei, birthplace of Nelson Mandela. We visit Nelson Mandela museum. Traveling further south through rural lands of the native Xhosa people, we arrive early evening in the quaint coastal town of Chintsa spending two nights absorbing the peace and tranquility the Eastern Cape offers.

Day 9 Chintsa beach
This rustic spot, with wild untouched beauty inherited its name from the river on which it lies, meaning ‘crumbling banks’ in Xhosa. Enjoying Sunday with the combination of freedom and tranquility, we take a guided village walk, thereafter choosing to wonder the many bush trails, tan on beaches or join exciting optional adventures; fishing, surfing, bike trails, canoeing or trying your hand on a beach horse trail.

Day 10 Chintsa – Addo Elephant Park
After breakfast we continue towards Grahamstown, the national university town for arts and culture. You may explore the town or visit the historical museum before heading for Addo Elephant National Park,enjoying a late lunch and serious animal spotting. The park boasts over 400 individual elephants, with lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino,buck and antelope too. We spend the night on the outskirts of the park, Avoca resort, enjoying stillness with sun downers on the river banks at our peaceful holiday resort.

Day 11 Addo Elephant – Knysna / Tsitsikamma Forest
Depart after breakfast for a fulfilling day of stunning sights and exciting adventures within the Tsitsikamma Forest. Tsitsikamma National Park is a multi-dimensional destination, forming the top section of the magnificent Garden Route National Park. Proceeding to Knysna, renowned for its endless estuary, and visiting the famous bungee jump Bloukrans Bridge we settle into Knysna for the night with time to browse stores on the waterfront.

Day 12 Knysna
After breakfast your guide will take you to the famous heads overlooking the town, exploring the rocks and admiring scenic views. Enjoy the serenity and magical atmosphere of this wonderful destination for the rest of the day. From boat cruises, fishing trips, or the bird park, Knysna will leave you with a yearning to return. After an early dinner you can again explore the narrow streets with cosy pubs and a lively waterfront.

Day 13 Knysna – Hermanus
Relaxed from Knysna hospitality, we head south through scenic coast roads, mountains and rivers to Hermanus, famous for whale and dolphin sightings, and for the outdoor enthusiast, detouring via Cape Agulhas, where the two oceans meet, at the most southern tip of Africa. We visit the gigantic, 165 year old lighthouse before lunch in the Cape style town. Afternoon is spent exploring Hermanus, whale watching if in season, or canoeing, yachting, diving or surfing. Evening is spent enjoying the town’s atmosphere, inhaling the cool Atlantic breeze.

Day 14 Hermanus – Cape Town
A free morning where you may choose to visit the Old Harbour Open-Air Museum that is a provincial heritage site, join a whale watching tour or explore the town’s variety of shops and boardwalk on foot. Departing Hermanus before lunch we follow the rough coastal route to Cape Town, visiting a winery on the outskirts of Cape Town, and our tour ends towards late afternoon at the foot of Table Mountain in the popular mother city of South Africa, Cape Town.

Transport

Accommodation