16 days /15 nights    South Africa, Lesotho and Wildcoast

Day 1:  JOHANNESBURG / SOWETO
Arriving at Johannesburg International Airport (O.R Tambo), you will be met by a representative who will hand you over your travel documents and assist with the formalities of your car hire, before you set off to your guesthouse. Alternatively you can choose to be transferred to your accommodation and have your car delivered at your at your accommodation next morning. After you have checked in and acclimatized you can go explore the City, visiting historical landmarks in Johannesburg.

Optional:  Sleep in a guesthouse in the famous Soweto Township

Day 2:  JOHANNESBURG – GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL PARK (ca. 425km)
After breakfast, you depart for the Golden Gate National Park, near the border of Lesotho, where you will spend the night. Golden Gate Highlands National Park situated in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the northeastern Free State. This 11 600 hectares of unique environment is true highland habitat, providing home to a variety of mammals, birds and many other species. Overnight 1 night near Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Day 3:  GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL PARK - ROMA (ca. 380km)
Crossing the border of South Africa and Lesotho, you enter the mountainous Kingdom. You will drive through the Capital of Lesotho, Maseru to get to Roma situated on the foothills of the Maluti Mountains. Donkeys still herded bring grain for grinding. Cattle, pigs, and chickens roam freely among the blanket-clad equestrians who come to shop at the Trading Post. Overnight 1 night in Roma.

Day 4 & 5:  ROMA - MALEALEA (ca. 300km)
Continue south to Malealea, where you will spend 2 nights in a lodge, often awarded for its positive responsible tourism impact. Lesotho is rich in flora and fauna, and absorbing prehistoric and cultural heritage is a unique tourism experience. Mountains, valleys, and rivers provide memorable scenery for tourists. With a long list of activities and magnificent landscape, you can relax or explore “the Kingdom in the sky”.Overnight 2 nights in Malealea.

Optional: pony trekking; horse back rides, mountain biking, hiking with experienced guides. You can also choose to visit the local village, school or craft - market. These activities can be booked in advance or with your lodge directly.

Day 6 & 7:  MALEALEA – MOOROSI CHALETS (ca. 110km)
Departing Malealea after breakfast, you will begin you 2.5-hour drive through spectacular scenery en route to the Moorosi Chalets, run by the local community. Nestled in the scenic Quthing River Valley, you can enjoy the tranquillity and spectacular star gazing on a clear night. The second day you can enjoy a guided walk up Thaba Moroosi, and see the Bushmen rock art. Activities in the area include Lesotho’s best-kept secret - trout fishing in the Tsatsane area where you can stay overnight in a traditional village, where you will experience a typical day in the life of the mountain Basotho. Overnight 2 nights in Moroosi Chalets.

Optional: In the evening, you can enjoy a Bearded Vulture sunset drive & hike.

Day 8:  MOOROSI CHALETS - MATATIELE (ca. 340km)
Departing Lesotho, you cross the Qachas Nek Border into South Africa, 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. Enjoy village tours and horse riding. The warm welcome of the Xhosa, Sotho and Phuti cultures will enchant you. Overnight 1 night in a Fairtrade in Tourism accredited Guest House; dinner is included. If you want, you can assist in preparing evening dinner and learn how to make traditional dishes.

Optional: 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 !

Day 9:  MATATIELE – LEISURE BAY / PORT EDWARD (ca. 250km)
Continue to the Eastern Cape Coast to Leisure Bay. Travel through Umtata the Capital of the Transkei and visit the Nelson Mandela Museum. The seaside village of Leisure Bay has the longest stretch of beachfront with three shark-protected beaches from which to choose. It is a 10-minute drive from Leisure Bay to the bustling town of Port Edward. Overnight 1 night in Leisure Bay /  Port Edward

Optional: You can choose to extend your holiday. The Amadiba Community invites you to experience a journey into the wilderness, landscape, culture and history of the beautiful Transkei Wild Coast. Interact directly with the people and the place as you traverse 25kms of the coast on horse, by foot and in canoes.Trails and itineraries are flexible to suit personal needs with a maximum of 12 people per trail. You may choose between a 4 day (3 nights) and 6 day (5 nights) trail. There are also 1-day rides available. Trails are done either on horseback or as a hike.

Day 10 & 11:  LEISURE BAY/ PORT EDWARD – COFFEE BAY (ca. 290km)
Departing the Port Edward, you will continue to Coffee Bay, one of the most beautiful places in South Africa. Set amongst the rolling hills in the midst of beaches, forests and lagoons. Home to dolphins, whales, and some of the most beautiful Xhora River where kamikaze fish may jump into your boat and Malachite kingfishers dive in the spectacular remote beaches this is the Wild Coast. The community who offers canoe trips up the clear streams that run down from the cliffs. Ancient cycad trees populate the area reminiscent of the dinosaur era. Here you will spend 2 nights, under skies so clear, the eco-friendly lodge guarantees shooting stars. Overnight 2 nights in a Fairtrade in Tourism accredited Lodge near Coffee Bay

Day 12 & 13:  COFFEE BAY - CINTSA (ca. 240km)
Departing the wild coast, you will continue to one of South Africa’s secret paradises, Cintsa. With unspoiled paradise stretching from East London to Port St Edwards; a sunny stretch of coast line which offers some of the best angling, hiking and diving on the coast. You will spend 2 nights in Cintsa, which is still relatively undeveloped and wild, owing to its sparse population. The beaches are safe and scenery is magnificent, the cultural diversity alone makes the Wild Coast well worth visiting. Overnight 2 nights in Cintsa.

Day 14:  CINTSA – PORT ELIZABETH (ca. 340km)
Leaving the wild coast behind you will head towards Port Elizabeth, a city situated in the Eastern Cape Province, located on Algoa Bay, and is one of the major sea ports in South Africa. Port Elizabeth, ("PE"), nicknamed "The Friendly City" or "The Windy City", Famous also for its long white beaches, horse rides and museums – Port Elizabeth has something for everybody. Spend your day exploring this seaside town. In the afternoon you will be picked up from your hotel for a Shebeen Tour with Fairtrade in Tourism accredited Calabash Tours; experience the diversity of Townships and enjoy unbeatable African hospitality when relaxing at the shebeen for dinner and drinks. Overnight 1 nights in Port Elizabeth.

Day 15:  ADDO ELEPHANT PARK
Today you have the whole day to explore Addo Elephant Park, near Port Elizabeth. Addo – world renowned for its large Elephant Population is the perfect place to meet the African Elephants. Also home to a variety of other animals, Addo is always full of surprises. The park has more than 300 Elephants, which used to live in and around the Eastern Cape. These particular elephants feed on the leaves “The pink-flowered spekboom (Portulacaria Afra)”.

Optional Activities: hikes, horse trails, game drives and bird watching

Day 16:  PORT ELIZABETH
Drop your car off at Port Elizabeth International and connect with your onward travels.