Durban, Lesotho & Cape Town: 12 Day Tour (Accommodated)

Day 1. Durban to Underberg Area Accommodation. Sani Lodge.

Departing from Durban's picturesque beaches, we start our adventure by making our way inland through the beautiful mountainous countryside. Our lodge for the evening lies deep in the majestic Southern Drakensberg Mountains at the foot of the Sani Pass.

5 images Sani Lodge

Day 2. Underberg Area - Sani Pass Highlights. Sani Pass Excursion. Accommodation. Sani Lodge.

Waking early, We leave our Acacia vehicle behind and join a local guided tour of Lesotho. We drive via the Sani Pass into the Drakensberg Mountains where we catch a glimpse of the Basotho way of life as we ascend the highest road pass. At 3240 m, we enjoy the magnificent view and fresh air from the top. After lunch, we visit the highest bar in Africa for a refreshing beverage before returning back to our lodge to overnight.

3 images Sani Pass Excursion

5 images Sani Lodge

Day 3. Underberg to Battlefields & Drakensberg Highlights. Battlefields, South Africa. Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa. Accommodation. Amphitheatre Lodge.

Today we visit some historical sites of the Battlefields of Kwazulu-Natal where the local history of battles between Boers, Brits and the indigenous Zulu's took place. We make our way to our accommodation for the night situated in an idyllic setting enriched by awe-inspiring mountains.

2 images Battlefields, South Africa

3 images Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa

6 images Amphitheatre Lodge

Day 4. Drakensurg Highlights. Royal Natal National Park, South Africa. Accommodation. Amphitheatre Lodge.

Rising early, explore the Royal Natal National Park. This leading KwaZulu-Natal reserve offers wonderfully scenic views, lofty mountains and waterfalls in a prime location within the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. There are many optional trails to explore on foot and on horseback with a comprehensive guidebook available for visitors.

3 images Royal Natal National Park, South Africa

6 images Amphitheatre Lodge

Day 5. Drakensberg to Malealea, Lesotho Accommodation. Malealea Lodge.

Departing the Drakensberg this morning we make our way across the northern section of Lesotho re-entering at the Mareru Bridge Gate. We pass spectacular mountain ranges via narrow passes to Malealea Lodge. This magnificent lodge is nestled between majestic valleys and hills. Here you will have the opportunity to enjoy the many optional activities on offer.

4 images Malealea Lodge

Day 6. Malealea Accommodation. Malealea Lodge.

Today, you have a free day to explore this beautiful country on the many optional activities that are on offer. Head out and explore the winding tracks along the hills on a pony trek letting the sure-footed Lesotho ponies lead the way, try some adrenaline action on a mountain bike tour or venture by foot to waterfalls through the local Basotho villages as the people tend to the day to day duties.

4 images Malealea Lodge

Day 7. Malealea to Mountain Zebra National Park, South Africa Highlights. Mountain Zebra NP. Accommodation. Mountain Zebra National Park.

Saying 'goodbye' to Lesotho, we travel back into South Africa to the quaint and prolific Mountain Zebra National Park. At 284km², this park has over 700 Cape mountain zebras after which the park is named as well as 700 animals including eland, cape buffalo, cheetah, lion, caracal, black rhino and the bat eared fox. With a camera and binoculars at hand, we game drive in our Acacia vehicle in search for these animals en-route to our accommodation for the evening located inside the National Park.

3 images Mountain Zebra NP

Day 8. Mountain Zebra National Park to Addo to Port Elizabeth Highlights. Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa. Accommodation. Willow's Resort, Port Elizabeth.

Today we enjoy a safari in South Africa's third largest National Park, and one of the few park's in the world boasting the Big Seven - lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant, leopard, southern right whales and great white sharks. We spend most of the day exploring the reserve and the many wondrous sights.

Our accommodation for the evening is nestled on a quaint beach outside of Port Elizabeth.

3 images Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa

3 images Willow's Resort, Port Elizabeth

Day 9. Port Elizabeth to Plettenberg Bay Highlights. Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa. Accommodation. Plettenberg Bay Forever Resorts.

This morning, we rise make our way to the picturesque Tsitsikamma National Park which hosts dramatic rugged coastlines and lush indigenous forests. On entry, you have various options to choose from depending on your energy and interests. From canoe safaris to nature hikes in the forest to bird watching. We stop en-route at the Bloukrans Bridge, and if you are tempted why not jump off the highest bridge bungee in the world.

3 images Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa

5 images Plettenberg Bay Forever Resorts

Day 10. Plettenberg Bay to Oudtshoorn Highlights. Cango Caves, South Africa. Accommodation. Kleinplaas.

In Storms River, we spend the morning exploring the impressive beaches, scenic views and world-renowned forests of the Tsitsikamma National Park. Then it's off to Oudshoorn for the night, the ostrich capital of the world based in the dry Karoo. This area is home to the Cango Caves, Africa's largest show cave system of which we explore.

3 images Cango Caves, South Africa

3 images Kleinplaas

Day 11. Oudtshoorn to Hermanus Area Highlights. Cape Agulhas Light House, South Africa. Hermanus, South Africa. Accommodation. Hermanus Backpackers.

Relaxed after our night's stay, we make our way to the coastal town of Hermanus, stopping off at Cape Agulhas, the place where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Hermanus is famous for its whale watching during the southern winter (June - August) and a tourist mecca in the summer months.

3 images Cape Agulhas Light House, South Africa

3 images Hermanus, South Africa

6 images Hermanus Backpackers

Day 12. Hermanus to Cape Town Highlights. Cape Town, South Africa. Hermanus, South Africa.

A free morning in Hermanus allows ample time to explore the town's heritage sites and enjoy the many optional activities including whale watching in season. We leave before lunch and follow the coastal road to Cape Town, stopping off for a wine tasting and a tour at a local winery.

3 images Cape Town, South Africa

3 images Hermanus, South Africa

Suggested Pre-Tour Accommodation.

Road Lodge, Umhlanga

City Lodge is 4 km from the beach, 18 km from King Shaka International Airport and is adjacent to the Gateway Theatre of Shopping's sprawling upscale mall, cinemas, mini-golf and waterpark. Rooms have en suite bathrooms with showers. All rooms feature conservative decor, TVs, radios and desks. Free Wi-Fi is offered in the bar/restaurant. There's also a fitness room, an outdoor pool surrounded by tropical trees, and a sundeck.