An unforgettable journey through four countries of Southern Africa
Dive deep into the beauty of Southern Africa, from the shores of Mozambique to the safari reserves of South Africa on the Ultimate Southern Africa Adventure Tour.
The Ultimate Southern Africa Adventure Tour shows you the best of South Africa, Mozambique, eSwatini, and Lesotho. You’ll stay in friendly villages like Malealea that still follow traditional ways of life and explore busy cities like Maputo and Durban that combine old and new. Hike high into the mountains of Northern Drakensberg and drive deep into Royal Natal National Park.
The Ultimate Southern Africa Adventure Tour shows you the legendary wildlife of the region, with game drives through renowned Kruger National Park and Hlane Royal National Park. You’ll cruise across estuaries and bright blue coves near Kosi Bay and pick and choose individualized activities to make the tour your own. The Ultimate Southern Africa Adventure Tour is an exhilarating chance to see why Southern Africa is a must-visit.
Highlights of the Ultimate Southern Africa Adventure Tour
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Ultimate Southern Africa Adventure Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in South Africa
Welcome to South Africa! Once you and your family arrive at the airport in Johannesburg, you’ll be met by your guide and taken to the hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to do as you please.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Johannesburg
Meals: None
Day 2 Lesotho and Parys
The first full day of your tour of Southern Africa begins with a departure to Lesotho. You’ll stop in Parys along the way for a cup of great coffee and a chance to stretch your legs in this artsy town before continuing on. Then, you’ll have another break in Ladybrand for lunch, and finally, finish the trip at your hotel for the evening.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Malealea
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Tour of Malealea and Gorge Hiking
Today’s going to be an adventurous one! After breakfast, you’ll be treated to an intimate tour of Malealea, a small town nestled near the Maloti Mountains. Enjoy meeting the women who brew beer in their huts, the men working the fields, the children at school, all as their authentic selves. A stop at the Basotho cultural museum is also included. Then, the afternoon takes you up to the top of Pitseng Gorge for a hike with expansive views.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Malealea
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Golden Gate Highlands
Day 4 of your 4 countries tour takes you back over the border into South Africa, where you’re headed for Northern Drakensberg. This region has stunning mountain scenery, and you’ll get a peek at them upon entry to Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The Maluti Mountains tower above while you explore unique rock formations closer to the ground, like the Brandwag Buttress. After enjoying the park, it’s off to the hotel for the evening.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bergville
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Royal Natal National Park
After breakfast, it’s off to Royal Natal National Park, a place renowned for its scenery. Mountains dominate this incredible nature reserve, and you’ll be able to spend the day choosing some trails that suit your fitness level to enjoy them. In the afternoon, you’ll have time to enjoy the pool and relax.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bergville
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Tour of Durban
Durban is a beautiful, beach-clad city and KwaZulu-Natal’s tourist hub. You’ll visit Moses Mabhida Stadium where there’s a skycar that provides a birds-eye view of the city. Then, get your taste buds ready for a foodie walking tour of the city! Gelato, curry, local produce, and gin are all on the menu. Finally, it’s off to the hotel for the rest of the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Durban
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 St. Lucia boat cruise and Kosi Bay
Day 7 of your tour of Southern Africa begins with a drive towards Kosi Bay, a picturesque seaside area on the Indian Ocean. First, you’ll make a pit stop in St. Lucia, where a boat will be waiting to whisk you across the gorgeous estuary. Once you’ve made it to Kosi Bay, you’ll set up camp for the next two nights and enjoy the beach.
Overnight Location: Camping in Kosi Bay
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Choice of activities in Kosi Bay
Kosi Bay deserves a day of its own, so today is free for you to do as you please. Some of the available activities in the area include fishing, snorkelling, boat cruises, hiking, birding, and loggerhead turtle tours. Have fun!
Overnight Location: Camping in Kosi Bay
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Choice of activities in Bilene
Welcome to Mozambique! The road into the country passes through an elephant reserve, so keep your eyes out the window and you might see some of the gentle giants. Then, it’s across Africa’s longest bridge and to the town of Bilene. This beachy resort town boasts an idyllic white-sand coastline dotted by flamingoes. You’re free to do as you please here today, whether it be quad biking, a visit to Wimbi Beach, deep-sea fishing, snorkelling, diving, horseback riding, or turtle safaris.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bilene
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Choice of activities in Bilene
One day simply isn’t enough in Bilene, so enjoy one more chance to take advantage of the town and its activities however you prefer.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bilene
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 Maputo
The next leg of your African tour heads towards Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Here, you’ll enjoy lunch at one of the wonderful restaurants, stroll along to enjoy the Portuguese colonial architecture, and visit the incredible railway station built by Gustave Eiffel (yes, that Eiffel!). Then, you’ll spend the evening enjoying the bustling market before heading back to the hotel for the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Maputo
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 Hlane Royal National Park
Time to knock another country off the list! You’ll cross the border into the Kingdom of Swaziland, recently renamed eSwatini, first thing in the morning. You’ll head into Hlane Royal National Park, which is home to lion, elephant, leopard, white rhino, vultures, and more. Enjoy a 2-hour guided walking tour before dinner. In the evening, you have the option of enjoying a sunset game drive complete with a cocktail!
Overnight Location: Safari lodge in Hlane Royal National Park
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 Hlane Umphakatsi and Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is South Africa’s most renowned game reserve. One of the most exciting parts is the ‘Southern Circle’, where rhinos and lions frequent. This is exactly where you’re headed today! First, you’ll spend some time at the Hlane Umphakatsi, which is a unique group that practices the rural Swazi way of life. You’ll tour their homestead, learn about their culture, and try some of their crafts. Afterwards, it’s on to Kruger for a game drive while en route to camp.
Overnight Location: Camping in Kruger National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 14 Southern Kruger sunset game drive
Today’s morning is nice and relaxed. After breakfast, you’re welcome to enjoy some siesta time at camp, and then you’ll head out for a sunset game drive. What a treat!
Overnight Location: Camping in Kruger National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 15 Game drives in Kruger National Park
Today is all about the animals that call Kruger home. You’ll enjoy morning, afternoon, and sunset game drives.
Overnight Location: Camping in Kruger National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 16 Travel to Lowveld
The next portion of your Southern Africa adventure takes you to Lowveld, an area that lies between Mozambique and the Mpumalanga region of Drakensberg. It’s known for its lovely subtropical climate, abundant wildlife, and a neat old gold rush town. You’ll enjoy a game drive on the way out of Kruger and then enjoy the facilities once you arrive at the lodge. Cocktails at a lookout point await.
Overnight Location: Hotel in White River
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 17 Departure
First thing in the morning, you’ll depart for Nelspruit to visit the Chimp Eden Jane Goodall Institute. This 1,000 ha game reserve and chimpanzee sanctuary is the perfect place for a tour. Then, it’s on to the town of Kaapschehoop, where wild horses roam! This interesting little town is full of galleries and artists, so it’s worth taking some time to explore before lunch. You can also walk out to a nearby escarpment for a view of the plunging Baberton Valley, where you can see all the way to Mozambique on a good day. Legend has it, ghosts frequent the area. Four countries later, it’s time to leave Southern Africa. You’ll end the day with a drive to the airport- safe travels home!
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast
Ultimate Southern Africa Adventure Tour Price and Dates
This guided tour of Southern Africa is always run as a private tour for your group only and the price depends on the size of your group.
Prices below are per person:
- Guided Groups of 4: from $3,950 USD per person
Please note that the pricing might change depending on the availability and the group size
Book NowAccommodation on the Ultimate Southern Africa Adventure Tour
This tour is based in 3 & 4-star hotels and safari lodges. The hotels offer comfortable rooms that often have ensuite bathrooms. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travellers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travellers up where possible.
Hotels on Standard Tour
The Aviator Hotel in Johannesburg ★★★
The Aviator Hotel is a comfortable lodge near the airport in Johannesburg, offering a nice pool and well-equipped rooms.
Malealea Lodge in Malealea ★★★
The Malealea Lodge is like an oasis in the bush, with wonderful hosts and cozy accommodations.
Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge in Northern Drakensberg ★★★
This lodge offers an array of rooms, from camping spots to deluxe ensuite rooms. There is a great outdoor pool, a hot tub, a bar, and a restaurant onsite.
Garden Court Umhlanga in Durban ★★★
Garden Court offers a contemporary, clean design, free WiFi, a gym, and more. It’s located close to a shopping and food centre.
Utshwayelo Kosi Mouth Camp in Kosi Bay
This camp has a charming beach lodge atmosphere and great proximity to the Isimangaliso Wetland Reserve, making it a breeze to enjoy the local attractions.
San Martinho Beach Club in Bilene ★★★
This beach club has incredible activities and amenities, including two pools, direct beach access, banana boat rides, bike rentals, and more.
StayEasy Hotel in Maputo ★★★
This comfortable hotel has modern, clean ensuite rooms and a nice pool. It’s close to the beach and offers air conditioning and WiFi.
Hlane Royal National Park Ndlovu Camp in Hlane Royal National Park
This campsite has cozy huts, wonderful scenery, and friendly staff.
Lower Sabie Rest Camp in Southern Kruger
This rest camp has a lovely setting, nice facilities, and a pool.
Muluwa Lodge in White River ★★★★
Muluwa Lodge has a spectacular view over the nearby valley, extra-long beds, walk-in showers, and spacious rooms.
What’s Included in the Ultimate Southern Africa Adventure Tour?
Meals
16 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners are included, as well as cocktails on day 16.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 16 nights is included.
Transportation during the Tour
Personal and luggage transfer to and from the airport is included, as well as transportation throughout the tour.
Also Included
- Entrance fees to parks, gardens, and conservation sites
- English-speaking guide
- General camping equipment
- Game drives, boat cruises, and other non-optional excursions
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Travel to and from Johannesburg
- Lunches and dinners or drinks and snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist taxes if applicable
- Visas if required
- Personal equipment (including personal equipment for camping)
Optional Extras
- Additional activities and excursions
- Single room supplements
- Solo traveller supplements
- Any additional nights before or after the tour
Frequently Asked Questions about Ultimate Southern Africa Adventure Tour
Highline Tours and Travel is a tour operator that explores exotic destinations: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, East Africa, Mozambique, to name a few. They offer phenomenal safari, activity and adventure, and romantic getaway tours that will undoubtedly leave a vivid, lasting memory.
The tour guides for Highline Tours and Travel have a magical way of elevating tours from lovely to personable and memorable. They believe in creating a dynamic, encouraging, and fun environment.
Highline Tours and Travel’s vision is to provide the best holiday possible for all clients in hopes that they will become ambassadors for the stunning African continent.
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Local Guide
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Machiel Breedt has spent the last five years guiding tourists in South Africa. He enjoys introducing participants to his country’s vast, diverse scenery, from the animals of Kruger National Park in the North to St Lucia and the beautiful coastline, to the Drakensberg mountains and the Wine of the Cape.
- Q: What is your favourite trip to do and why?
- A: Probably touring from Cape Town to Vic Falls via Namibia and Botswana. It is pure Africa. The vibe of Cape Town and surrounds, to the vastness of the Namibian deserts and plains, to the breath-taking nature and wildlife of Botswana, to the amazing Victoria Falls.
- Q: What is your most unforgettable moment when guiding?
- A: I have 2 moments that I will never forget. The first one is a couple of years ago I had a group doing a 16-day tour from Johannesburg to Cape Town and on that tour was two sisters who got separated at a very young age and didn’t see each other again for about 50 years. One day they walked past each other in a supermarket and recognised one another. One of the local radio stations heard about the story and sponsored them a vacation to enjoy together, and I had the honour of having them on my tour and showing them our beautiful country.
- The second is the time that we were on safari in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and we saw a pack of about 20 lions devouring the carcass of an elephant.
- Q: What is one local dish or drink that tourists must try on a visit to your country and why?
- A: It would most definitely be biltong and Amarula. Biltong is meat that is dried with a variety of spices, and it’s just too delicious for words. Amarula is a cream liqueur that is made from the fruits of the Marula tree and just goes down so nice after a long and hot African summer day.