Following in the footsteps of Joy Anne, travel blogger for Fairtrade in Tourism South Africa, you can enjoy the dream travel route she has been blogging about! This package offered is a shortened version but gives you the flexibility to extend where you want, to your taste, timeframe and budget. Add hiking trips and volunteering experiences. Or stay longer in one of the nature reserves. On this trip you stay in magnificent nature reserves and  meet the locals of the Eastern cape, Drakensbergen and Wildcoast. Stay and share with locals, try traditional home prepared food. See  mind-blowing mountain views and chill at refreshing seascapes. Discover pure local South Africa!

Dream Travel Route

Day 1 Amakhala Game Reserve

From the airport or your accommodation you drive to Amakhala Private Game reserve. The haunting cry of the fish eagle echoes through the rugged krantzes, and the veld grass whispers with the roaming of Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Cheetah, Giraffe, Zebra and numerous other antelope. At Amakhala you can experience the delights of the African bushveld while on safari, bushwalk, river cruise or simply with a glass of wine from the veranda of your lodge. You can bring an optional visit Isipho site, craft workshop or the  Amakhala Conservation Centre.

In the evening you can choose to go on an evening safari, in a 4×4 with an experienced and qualified ranger.

Overnight: Amakhala Game Reserve incl. meals and 1 game drive a day

Day 2 Amakhala Game Reserve

Today you have many possibilities, discover Port Elizabeth (also known as Mandela Bay), stroll along its seashore and shops or participate in an optional cultural excursion from Fairtrade certified Calabash Tours. Calabash Tours has been offering ethical, informative and fun social history tours of Port Elizabeth since 1997. These tours take you on a journey of discovery, from the harsh realities of our apartheid past, to the great triumphs of the current democratic South Africa. Our tours are well researched, developed with community consent, and give you a great insight into South Africa today. Tours depart daily at 10:00am and 4:00pm. Share Africa can include this unique cultural excursion at your convenience.

Overnight: Amakhala Game Reserve incl. meals and 1 Game Drive a day

Day 3 Stormsriver Rest Camp  (230 km)

Leaving Addo behind you travel over the N2 to the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park. The heartland of the park stretches some 5km to sea, protecting a wonderland of inter-tidal life, reef and deep-sea fish.  Dolphins frolic in the breakers, surfing and playing for the sheer joy of life, and the gentle giant of the ocean, the southern right whale visits here, coming inshore to breed. You can choose to explore this great nature reserve on an optional Fairtrade in Tourism certified Stormsriver Adventure Canopy Tour.

Note that the accommodation for tonight is self catering, so don’t forget to stop en route for some groceries.

Overnight: Stormsriver Mouth Rest Camp, room only

Day 4 Plettenberg (55 km)

Today you continue your way to Plettenberg, the Jewel of the Garden Route. You have many possibilities to explore the area, see the unspoiled golden beaches, a dramatic rocky peninsula, intriguing lagoons and estuaries, towering indigenous forests and unpolluted rivers and sea. With its exceptional climate and beautiful view sites over the Indian Ocean, Plettenberg Bay is the perfect destination for people that want to discover the great diversity that South Africa has to offer.

Overnight: Albergo Backpackers incl. breakfast

Day 5 Plettenberg

Today you participate on an Marine discovery with a great possibility to see whales up to a distance of 300m to the boat with  Ocean Safaris Boat based tour this tour is included in the trip.

Overnight: Albergo Guesthouse incl. breakfast

Day 6 Knysna  (40 km)

We continue to  the Lagoon city of Knysna, between the town of George and the Tsitsikama forests, the ruggedly beautiful Outeniqua and Langkloof mountains drop down from the interior plateau to the coastal plain.  Knysna, part of the Western Cape, is beautifully surrounded by lush forests, clear lakes and beautiful beaches. You can book an optional trip on the lagoon or visit Amwa designs a Fair Trade design and manufacturing workshop.  In the evening you partake in a different experience! Choose the excitement of the unknown and the opportunity to share the reality of other people’s lives. Meet local South Africa and overnight by a local family.

Overnight  Homestay of Mothers of Creation incl. breakfast

Day 7 Grahamstown (395 km)

Today you drive back to into the Eastern Cape, partly over the same route of the N2, to the city of  Grahamstown – you enjoy another homestay, the accommodation provided is family friendly and close to the town centre. You will be bale to go in to the town to one of the restaurants and cafes or

Overnight: Kwam eMakana Homestay incl. breakfast

Day 8 Coffee Bay   (340 km)

Today you have to leave early and travel via Umthata , the Capital of the Transkei, where you can visit the Nelson Mandela Museum. Continue your way to Coffee bay – nearby you find Mdumbi. Overlooking an awesome beach, it is the perfect spot for a South African, Wild Coast beach holiday experience. Unspoiled, rough, natural, local South Africa at its best!

Overnight:  Mdumbi Bed & Breakfast incl. breakfast

Day 9 Coffee Bay

You have the whole day at leisure. You can visit nearby Coffeeshack, situated in coffee bay and book an optional visit Hole in the wall with FTTSA trained guide. This COASTAL HIKE TO HOLE-IN-THE-WALL – an always-popular 3-hour walk to one of the region’s most beautiful natural features. End a memorable experience with lunch on the beach and an adrenalin-pumping dive…

Overnight:  Mdumbi Bed & Breakfast incl. breakfast

Day 10 Matatiele /Drakensbergen (230 km)

Today you we leave early and continue to the western tip of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Here you will find Matatiele, so named from the Sotho word Matata-ile meaning the Ducks Have Flown. Spend your night in very comfortable Masakala Guesthouse, traditional rondavels; owned and serviced by the local community. The warm welcome of the Xhosa, Sotho and Phuti cultures will enchant you.

Overnight in Masakala Guest House incl. breakfast
If you want, you can assist in preparing evening dinner and learn how to make traditional dishes.

Day 11 Drakensbergen

Today you can explore the Drakensbergen area. Enjoy hiking and village tours or go horse riding. Or you can choose to extend your holiday. Fairtrade in Tourism accredited Mehloding trails, owned and serviced by the Matatiele Community, invites you to experience a journey into the landscape, culture and history of the beautiful Drakensberg area. For the fit and the adventurous …. a stunning guided trail, 4 days/ 4 nights, into this lesser known part of the Ukhahlamba / Drakensberg national park ; a World Heritage Site. Discover San rock art, protea and tree ferns, indigenous forests, wild flower gardens and rare birds. Pass through rural villages and be greeted by friendly local communities and experience traditional culture. At the end of each day be welcomed by your hostess at comfortable chalets where you can enjoy a hot shower, African cuisine and an inviting bed!

Overnight: Masakala Guest House incl. breakfast

Day 12 Durban (260 km)

Leave early and drive to Underberg, here you can book an optional visit to the Sani Pass into Lesotho. Continue to Durban. From here we can organize your onwards travel or your flight home.

RATES & INCLUSIVE / EXCLUSIVE

Rates from ZAR 5,750.00 per person

Included:

• 11 nights in comfortable accommodation
• 10 Breakfasts included
• 2 Lunches included
• 2 Dinners included
• 1 night in Stormsriver nature reserve on the basis of room only
• Ocean Safaris Boat based tour
• 2 Game Drive experiences
• Detailed route descriptions and vouchers for the booked accommodation and excursion.

Excluded:

• Car rental incl. fuel and insurance
• conservation fee into national parks
• meals not mentioned
• personal expenses

Please read our terms and conditions to inform yourself about our booking procedures.
Kindly note that the prices and accommodation are subject to change based on date, availability and special requests.

What makes this tour different:

On this tour are you guaranteed to experience local South Africa in its purest form. You will visit unspoiled areas, overnight at local home stay accommodation and will get the chance to meet the South African as strangers and leave as friends. Explore South Africa’s diverse nature in the National Parks during this 12 day introduction to the real South Africa.

Contact us now if you want to have information on availabilities or other open questions!