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Active South Africa: Cape Town, Kruger & Tugela Falls

10 days, Cape Town to Johannesburg

Map of the route for Active South Africa: Cape Town, Kruger & Tugela Falls
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Itinerary

Day 1Cape Town

Arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel and enjoy a welcome meeting in the evening before an included group dinner where you will get to know your fellow travellers.

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Hotel Sky Cape Town (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Dinner

Day 2Cape Town

Soak up this thrilling day in Cape Town and experience the adrenaline rush of abseiling down the cliff face of iconic Table Mountain. After breakfast the group will ride a cable car up to the top of the mountain and enjoy the views of Robben Island, Lions Head, The Twelve Apostles and Camps Bay in the deep blue Atlantic.

Head back to Cape Town in the early afternoon and spend the rest of the day and evening exploring on your own. From neighbourhood walks to lighthouse hikes, there are so many ways to get to know this incredible city.

Abseiling down Table Mountain
Cape Town1h-2h

Begin at the top about 1,000m above sea level surrounded by the incredible views of Robben Island, Lions Head, The Twelve Apostles, and Camps Bay as your back drop and the Atlantic Ocean at your feet. Listen to a safety briefing before harnessing up and abseiling down iconic Table Mountain for 112m along the cliff face. When you get to the bottom point there will be a 30 minute hike back up to the top of the mountain.

Free Time
Cape Town

Enjoy free time to partake in some active optional activities in Cape Town like sandboarding or stay in town and café hop.

1

Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow

Atlantis Dunes Sandboarding
Cape Town

Enjoy a Sandboarding experience at the Atlantic Dunes, about 45km north of Cape Town's city centre. This activity offers an exhilarating adventure in a stunning natural setting. Transfer for about 45 minutes to the vast area of pristine white sand, with some dunes reaching up to a height of 50 meters. All transportation to/from Cape Town, plus all necessary equipment and safety gear will be provided. Your professional guides will offer instructions and support throughout. All skill levels are welcome.

Accommodation

Hotel Sky Cape Town (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 3Cape Town to Tugela Falls Area via Johannesburg

Fly from Cape Town to Johannesburg in the morning and travel to your mountain lodge accommodations near Tugela Falls. The lodge is owned by the local Batlokoa (Sotho) community, and all staff and guides are members themselves. Once here, sit down for a welcome meeting and briefing about the hiking that is expected in the coming days. Then, have an included group dinner at the restaurant on the lodge property.

Plane
Cape Town – Johannesburg2h

Sit back and relax on your included flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg for the next part of your adventure.

Private Vehicle
Johannesburg – Phuthaditjhaba5h330km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between the airport in Johannesburg to your lodge accommodations in the mountains. The views along the way will be stunning as you climb upwards into the mountains past rural dwellings and beautiful vistas.

Free Time
Phuthaditjhaba Evening

Get settled at the mountain lodge near Tugela Falls. It is owned by the local Batlokoa (Sotho) community, and the staff and guides are members of the community. The Lodge is certified by Fair Trade Tourism. Spend free time enjoying the property before your evening safety briefing regarding the next day's hikes.

Accommodation

Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge (or similar)
Lodge

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 4Tugela Falls Area

This morning you have two hiking options to decide between. Choose to set off on the more intense Sentinel Peak hike to the second highest waterfall in the world, Tugela Falls and enjoy lunch at the top. Or opt for the Gudu and Mahai Falls guided hikes along more gentle routes and have lunch back at the lodge in between each one. Dinner will be had back at the lodge with views over the surrounding scenery you spent the day immersed in.

Choose between two guided hiking options this morning. One is more strenuous and takes you to the top of Tugela Falls, the second highest waterfall in the world, while the other is moderate and also visits two separates waterfalls with a return to the lodge in between for lunch.

Option 1: Sentinel Peak with Tugela Falls
7h-9h 12km

Option 1: Hike the Sentinel Peak trail to the top of Tugela Falls. This 12km trail will take most of the day and a packed lunch will be had at the top overlooking the impressive Drakensberg. The hike is also commonly known as the 'chain ladders hike' because of a series of chain ladders that hikers must climb up along an almost vertical rock face. Certainly not for the faint of heart, but well worth the incredible views you are rewarded with at the top.

In regards to the chain ladders, there are two sections of about 50 rungs a piece and a choice between one with large "grabbing handles". Please feel confident before attempting this section as there's no shame in choosing the alternate route.

Option 2: Gudu & Mahai Falls Hike
5h 7-8km

Option 2:
Hike first to Gudu Falls on a shorter more moderate trail that leads you to the base of a waterfall in this lush green environment of rolling hills. Travel back to the lodge for an included lunch and then walk from the lodge on a nearby trail through peaceful scenery and quiet forests. Pass Mahai Cave and walk down to the tranquility pool named the 'Crack'.

Accommodation

Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge (or similar)
Lodge

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 5Tugela Falls Area to Pridelands Conservancy

After breakfast at the lodge transfer to the airport and onwards to Hoedspruit and your immersive and active lodge stay. Once at the lodge, sit down for a brief orientation of the property and the safety rules for the upcoming bush camp stay. Take some time to get settled in before the afternoon open safari vehicle drive through the bush searching for wildlife and continuing after sunset with a focus on nocturnal life and astronomy.

Afternoon & Evening Bush Safari
Pridelands Conservancy3h

Set off in a open safari vehicle into the African bush with a focus on the area's ecology. Search for the resident wildlife going about their daily routines and watch the sunset over this incredible landscape. The drive will continue in the evening with a shifted focus to nocturnal life and astronomy.

Private Vehicle
Hoedspruit – Pridelands Conservancy30m17km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle to your accommodations in the magnificent bush landscape awash in the golden light. There will be a safety briefing before you are shown your rooms.

Plane
Johannesburg – Hoedspruit1h

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery on your flight out to Hoedspruit and the wild area of Kruger National Park and your unique Eco camp accommodations in the bush.

Private Vehicle
Phuthaditjhaba – Johannesburg5h357km

Travel back to the airport near Johannesburg from your lodge stay near Tugela Falls and at the base of Sentinel Peak. The drive will take most of the morning, but the scenery will be enjoyable.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 6Pridelands Conservancy

Enjoy a full-day wilderness trail experience in the form of a bush walk. Connect with the wilderness and learn a minimal impact approach as you spend the day trekking on foot, observing wildlife both near and far, and learning about how guides and rangers in South Africa are taught to track and observe the animals in the bush. In the afternoon, set up an eco-friendly tent camp in the wild with your local guides. You will stay overnight here in your pitched tent along with the company of your travel mates and guides for a once in a lifetime opportunity to sleep under the starts in the savanna. Enjoy dinner around the fire and listen out for wildlife in the distance. The night sky should put on quite a display, so don't forget to look up as you drift off to sleep.

Full-Day Wilderness Trail & Overnight Bush Camp Experience
Pridelands Conservancy

Today's experience is an in-depth introduction to the bush. Begin with a walk from the main lodge along a wilderness trail with your expert guides. Lessons during the walk include wilderness appreciation and Minimal Impact Approach and how to set up an eco-friendly camp in the surroundings. There will also be lessons at camp about how to build an eco-friendly fire, the importance of night watch, and mastering time with the light and by the stars. You will take those lessons learned and employ a mimimal impact approach while camping in the bush. Dinner will be served as you spend the night under the vast sky of stars.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 7Pridelands Conservancy

Rise early and after some refreshments clear the camp leaving no trace. Trek back to Pridelands Conservancy with your guide and group and indulge in a hearty breakfast there at the lodge. Later in the day, listen in on an expert-led discussion at the Pridelands Basecamp about an important wilderness topic led by your local expert. Later in the day, hop into the vehicles and join an afternoon safari drive incorporating important points from your earlier talk into the safari drive. Enjoy a Boma dinner back at the camp and fall asleep under the stars.

Morning Bush Walk
Pridelands Conservancy3h

Awake in the early morning at camp and experience all of the responsible tasks needed in order to leave no trace. Clean camp, pack breakfast for the walk back and then set of into the bush as your guide points out various plants and animals in the morning light. Upon arrival to the Pridelands main camp there will be a hearty breakfast to refuel after an active few hours.

Afternoon Discussion & Safari Drive - Kruger Area
Pridelands Conservancy4h

Attend an afternoon discussion at the main lodge on a wildlife topic. Have lunch at the restaurant on the property and then embark on a safari drive in which you spot the resident animals and your guide incorporates aspects from the discussion in your drive experience. Topics range from Animal Tracks to Common Tree and Shrubs, and Bird Identification, leaving travellers with a deeper understanding of the topics discussed as well as first-hand experience identifying tracks, plants, and birds while on safari afterwards.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 8Pridelands Conservancy

As the sun begins to rise the group will embark on an adrenaline-pumping mountain biking activity through the reserve. In the afternoon, choose to join an outdoor wilderness focused discussion led by the local guides and rangers. On your final evening in the conservancy, head out on a last safari drive to spot those last few animals. Bid farewell to the savanna with dinner and a drumming session out in the bush as darkness falls.

Morning Bike Ride through Pridelands Conservancy
Pridelands Conservancy

Pedal through the morning glow on a sunrise bike ride through the wild landscape. Feel the wind rush past and search for resident wildlife going about their business. Along the way the group will make a pit stop for some coffee and a quick bite to eat before continuing back to the lodge.

Afternoon Discussion & Safari Drive - Kruger Area
Pridelands Conservancy4h

Attend an afternoon discussion at the main lodge on a wildlife topic. Have lunch at the restaurant on the property and then embark on a safari drive in which you spot the resident animals and your guide incorporates aspects from the discussion in your drive experience. Topics range from Animal Tracks to Common Tree and Shrubs, and Bird Identification, leaving travellers with a deeper understanding of the topics discussed as well as first-hand experience identifying tracks, plants, and birds while on safari afterwards.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 9Pridelands Conservancy/Kruger to Johannesburg

Sip your morning tea or coffee in the bush as the golden light crosses the savanna. Set out on a short morning drive to simply enjoy and envelop yourself in the dawn with nature rising around you. Return for breakfast before transferring onwards to the airport for your flight back to Johannesburg. Arrive in the late afternoon, get settled at the hotel, and enjoy a free evening to explore and grab dinner at a trendy spot in the city with your fellow travel mates and CEO.

Morning Safari Drive - Kruger Area
Pridelands Conservancy2h30m

Soak in the calming atmosphere of the bush on a final morning safari drive from camp. Search for the big five and slow down as the sun rises to sit in silence and simply be in nature.

Free Time
Johannesburg

Spend time on your own in Johannesburg. Visit historical sites, walk through the botanical garden, or choose to find a delicious local spot to try some regional staples.

Plane
Hoedspruit – Johannesburg1h

Fly back to Johannesburg from your time in the bush.

Private Vehicle
Pridelands Conservancy – Hoedspruit30m16km

Travel back to Hoedspruit from your active stay at a lodge in the Kruger area. Enjoy the scenery as you ride in a private vehicle to the airfield.

Accommodation

Onomo Johannesburg Sandton Hotel (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 10Johannesburg

Depart at any time.

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Active South Africa: Cape Town, Kruger & Tugela Falls

| 10 days - Cape Town to Johannesburg - from $2812 USD