Roads of the Rainbow Nation

On arrival into Johannesburg you’ll be whisked to your hotel in Sandton for a 2 night stay. Nelson Mandela Square is close by, as is the main shopping centre, so you can wander at your leisure or ask us to arrange a tour, perhaps to Soweto township.

The following day the group head to the motorhome depot to collect vehicles. Full familiarisation is provided, so you can hit the road with confidence the next day. Following the vehicle handover you’ll be taken back to the hotel for the remainder of the day, with a group welcome dinner that evening. Time to get to know your travelling companions!

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Distance: 368km (229miles)

After breakfast you’ll be taken back to the depot where you’ll collect your vehicle and head off. Today’s destination is Sabie, allowing you to enjoy the stunning Panorama Route.

Spend a day on the Panorama Route, one of the country’s most thrilling scenic drives. Discover the Mpumalanga Highlands and the Great Escarpment of the Drakensberg. The craggy mountains provide amazing vistas over the African grasslands and the sublime Blyde River Canyon. Other must-sees include God’s Window, The Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the towns of Pilgrim’s Rest and Graskop.

An optional excursion is a visit to the Graskop Gorge where a viewing lift takes you 51 metres down the side of the gorge into the forest beneath. Down here timber walkways and bridges snake through the lush forest for several hundred metres, providing an introduction to the vast array of fascinating flora and fauna.

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Distance: 160km (99miles)

The Kruger National Park is simply vast, almost the size of Belgium, and one of the most dramatic wildlife reserves on the planet. You’ll spend three days here, with the chance to immerse yourself in the natural surroundings and marvel at the wildlife. With 147 mammal species, 114 reptile species and 507 bird species, there’s no shortage of things to see. For many, it’s all about the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo) and when seeking those, you never know your luck!

There’s also a remarkable prehistoric past, with hundreds of Stone Age sites, rock art and evidence of man from well over 100,000 years ago.

The Kruger is an experience of a lifetime, so we want to ensure you have the chance to see it properly. A full day guided safari is included in your tour, travelling in open vehicles with panoramic views of your surroundings, so you won’t miss a thing. You can even come back in your motorhome the next day for more.

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Distance: 209km (130miles)

Next stop is Swaziland, officially known as the Kingdom of eSwatini. This small, landlocked nation has a unique, colourful culture and a long history as the last remaining monarchy in Africa. The landscape here ranges from majestic mountains to sweeping savannah, from dense lush rainforest to fertile river valleys. As you travel you’ll pass the gorgeous Valley of Heaven, you can pause to buy souvenir handicrafts in Malkerns Valley and spot big game in the Hlane Royal National Park. Catching sight of a lion in its natural habitat never fails to be an enduring memory, no matter how many times you have the privilege to witness it.

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Distance: 271km (168miles)

Head south towards the Bonamanzi Game Reserve where the Hluhluwe river is regarded as one of the best bird watching locations in Southern Africa.

In the Reserve itself you are able to self-drive in certain areas or join a guided game drive. An alternative is to find a guide in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park, not far away, or take a guided bush walk into the False Bay plains at Bonamanzi. This really does get you up close and personal to the amazing natural surroundings.

To maximise your wildlife experience, your tour includes a two hour ‘Hippo and Croc Cruise’ on Lake St Lucia. Step aboard the luxury ferry and see these incredible animals in comfort and safety.

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Distance: 296km (184miles)

The next few days sees a change of theme as the tour enters Zulu battlefield country. Rorke’s Drift is the most well known, portrayed in the film ‘Zulu’, while Isandlwana is poignant for the white cairns scattered across the battlefield, each marking a British soldier killed during the battle in 1879.

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Distance: 355km (221miles)

Today you’ll head inland to the Drakensberg mountains which separate South Africa from Lesotho, completely encircled by South Africa.

Here you’ll find stunning landscapes and plenty of interest, with prehistoric Rock Art, hiking trails, riding and fishing. Discover the area for yourself in your motorhome or take a guided excursion.

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Distance: 261km (162miles)

The Wild Coast runs for over 200 km down an unspoilt, ruggedly beautiful, stretch of coast. This ribbon of untarnished shoreline is peppered with little secret coves, soaring cliffs, swimming holes and empty beaches, backed by the sweeping hills of the interior. It’s a stunning wild place, very special to those who cherish tranquillity and natural beauty.

When not savouring your peaceful surroundings, take the chance to enjoy some swimming, fishing or perhaps diving. Venture into the hills to visit the traditional villages and take a walk along one of the coastal trails.

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Distance: 373km (232miles)

The journey continues along the Wild Coast, passing Port St Johns and Mthata, coming to Morgan Bay where it’s pleasant to stop for a couple of days and soak up the scenery. Explore the forest trails with their exuberant flora and fauna, maybe hiring a bike, and get to know the colourful birdlife. Or take a kayak and enjoy the peaceful waters of the lagoon, a lovely activity especially as the sun goes down.

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Distance: 351km (218miles)

The Addo Elephant National Park lies in Eastern Cape Province and provides fantastic safaris – it is, after all, the third largest national park so there’s plenty of space for all. Notably, it is the only place where you have the chance of seeing the Big 7: the aforementioned Big 5 plus the southern right whales and the great white shark (obviously these are in the ocean off Algoa Bay!). In addition you can see zebra, spotted hyena, antelope and myriad species of birdlife. The wildlife is all around as you travel – a popular plan is to take a guided game drive in open top safari trucks, then explore further in your own van.

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Distance: 230km (143miles)

The renowned Garden Route is very special and Storms River is a great place from which to explore. Top of the list must be a visit to Nature’s Valley or Plettenberg Bay, then head to the Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, Birds of Eden and Monkeyland.

Set beside a gorgeous lagoon, the town of Knysna is a great excursion. Savour the magnificent seascapes out over the Indian Ocean from a vantage point overlooking The Heads, the craggy headlands either side of the mouth of the lagoon.

Included in your tour is the Featherbed Echo Experience which will ensure you enjoy the best of your time in Knysna. This starts with a scenic cruise on the lagoon, followed by a guided walk through the Featherbed Nature Reserve and lunch in the shade of the milkwood trees beside the sea.

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Distance: 217km (135miles)

Next stop is Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo area of the Western Cape. This is ostrich country, wine too, and there are ostrich farms all along the Route 62 wine route. The CP Nel Museum is a must for anyone wanting to learn more about the ostrich trade and its impact, while the Cango wildlife Ranch and the 20 million year old Cango Caves are a real spectacle.

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Distance: 238km (148miles)

Leaving Oudtshoorn you’ll head down Route 62 towards Barrydale. Here a stop at Ronnie’s Sex Shop is a popular option: this quirky pub is something of a tourist attraction with its graffiti and cheeky name – it was originally a farm stall called Ronnie’s Shop but when friends played a prank and changed the name, they inadvertently launched a successful new business.

Continuing on to Montagu you can relax at the campsite, or get to know the local area. Try Avalon Springs, the Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary or just sample the local wine in one of the wineries.

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Distance: 188km (117miles)

The trip finale is Cape Town, a true world city framed by the Atlantic and with Table Mountain as an instantly recognisable backdrop. Having handed back the motorhome keys at the depot, you’ll be transferred to the Hollow Boutique Hotel in the city centre where you can enjoy a two day wind down after your memorable trip.

You can please yourself exploring the city, the beaches of Camps Bay and the Kirstenbosch gardens. For many, a top priority is to head up to Table Mountain for epic views over Cape Town and beyond.

Enjoy a farewell group dinner at Gold Restaurant – with a 14 course meal accompanied by traditional drumming, song and live entertainment, this is quite a climax to the trip!

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