DAY TO DAY  PROGRAMME

1st day: Johannesburg (Start on Saturdays & Sundays only)
After your arrival at Johannesburg Int. Airport, you meet our local representative who will explain you the details of you trip. You receive the route & project descriptions & contact details. You will be transferred to your cottage.  After you acclimatised, you can explore the city yourself or go on a guided city tour, visiting historical landmarks like the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.

2nd day: Johannesburg – Elim /Makhado (ca. 400 km)
In the morning you receive your car at your accommodation. You travel to Elim, home to Shangaan and Venda Culture, in the midst of stunning nature and abudant birdlife. Overnight 3 nights in or near Elim.

3rd day: Drive to Olifantshoek for the day, former homeland of the Gazankulu. Experience the village living with the friendly Shangaan people, visit a local school or clinic with local Sondela friends. In the afternoon you return to your accommodation in or near Elim.

4th day: Venda is the region of myths and an intriguing place to visit for its culture and scenery. Today you can visit sacred places, waterfalls as well as local artists. In many of the villages in this area there are woodcarvers, traditional dancers, story tellers etc.

5th day: Elim – Tshakhuma
Today you travel from your accommodation to Tshakhuma, a rural village in the heart of Venda. You can spend the rest of the day and the night in this village. The village is beautifully located. Indigenous forest, hills and mountains and an abundance of fruit can be found here. You will experience staying one night in this friendly community.

6th day: Tshakhuma – Hoedspruit /Kruger National Park area
From Tshakhuma the road leads us through the Limpopo province to Hoedspruit near the Kruger National Park, where you overnight 2 nights in unique and thatched Tree house Lodges outside the park.

7th day: Today you can have a wildlife experience in Big Five territory; spot the Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard and the Buffalo. For those who prefer a guided game drive in open Land Rovers, or participate in guided bush walks with rangers and trackers; these excursions can be booked via your accommodation.

8th day: Hoedspruit /Kruger National Park area - Johannesburg (ca. 510 km)
Drive via Nelspruit. On your way you can stop over at beautiful viewpoints on the Panorama Route. Enjoy highlights as Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window. Travel to your hotel or cottage in Johannesburg, where you overnight.

9th day: Johannesburg – Matjiesfontein (ca. 1400 km)
After breakfast your car will be picked up and you will be transferred to the train station for the next part of your journey (leaves Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday only). Travelling by train gives you an idea of the size of the country and its diversity. It shows you how people live, where they work and how they survive in sometimes rough conditions. Villa’s, shacks, farms, cottages are seen in or near deserts, mountains, vineyards and fields. You will have enough time to chat to the local people who are on the train as well.

10th day: In the morning the train arrives at Matjiesfontein (leaves Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Monday only). You will spend tonight at the Lord Milner Hotel, which has remained virtually unchanged for over a century. Time to take a break! Read a book, dive in the swimming pool, get yourself a massage or wonder through the bushveld.

11th day: Matjiesfontein – Cape Town (ca 250 km)
Hop on the train again and continue to Cape Town. You will see the contrast between the dryness of the Karoo and the beautiful vineyards of the mountainous Cape. Once you have settled at your accommodation you can relax and later enjoy the night life. Spend tonight in Cape Town.

12th day : Today you can spend at leisure. You can explore Cape area; hike the Table Mountain, relax on the beaches or visit the museums or visit one of the many projects.

13th day: Cape Town & Khayelitsha (ca 150 km)
This is the day of contrasts. In the morning you can make a tour through the richest parts of Cape Town and visit the cape Peninsula and Cape Point. In the afternoon you will be picked up at your accommodation and participate on a guided tour in local township Khayelitsha. You get a short tour and check in with a local B&B where you spend the night. Enjoy a local dinner prepared for you or alternatively prepare your own in a cooking course. You can taste traditional beer (Umqombothi) in a Sheeben before you go to sleep.

14th day: After breakfast you will be picked up and your tour continues. You visit different social projects in the area, amongst which the Baphumelele Project. From Khayelitsha you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cape Town. You can visit the District Six Museum and the Streetwires project. Here you can buy your souvenirs from the people directly or even participate in workshop designing your own jewellery with the crafters.

15th day: Today you can drive to Cape Town Int. Airport for your flight home or travel to your next destination.