The 14 days South Africa safari covers areas with wilderness in South Africa from Drakensberg to Lesotho highlands. The trip also includes Tsitsikamma and Addo elephant National Park. The safari starts in Durban and ends in Cape Town.
14 Days South Africa safari – Trip summary
Day 1: Arrival in Durban
Day 2: Transfer to Drakensberg
Day 3: Full day in Drakensberg
Day 4: Transfer to Lesotho highlands
Day 5: Full day exploration of Lesotho highlands
Day 6: Transfer to Wild coast
Day 7: Full day in Wild coast
Day 8: Addo elephant National Park
Day 9: Transfer to Tsitsikamma National Park
Day 10: Tsitsikamma National Park
Day 11: Garden route
Day 12: Transfer to Cape Town
Day 13: Full day in Cape Town
Day 14: Cape Town
Detailed Itinerary – 14 Days South Africa safari
Day 1: Arrival in Durban
On arrival at King Shaka International Airport, you will be welcomed and picked by the company tour guide and transfer you to your hotel in Durban city. The drive is about 35 km (30 to 40 minutes) along the coastal route. After checking in and freshening up you can take a leisurely stroll around the city and try some local food at Florida Road for traditional Bunny Chow or some fresh seafood. If you arrive early you might choose to explore the nearby attractions like; Victoria Street Market and buy souvenirs, crafts among others. Visit the KwaMuhle museum which outlines the history and culture of South Africa. Other places one can visit while in Durban include; uShaka Marine World, Durban Botanic Gardens, SkyCar at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Day 2: Transfer to Drakensberg
After breakfast, leave Durban and drive 4 to 5 hours (250–300 km) to the Drakensberg Mountains. Along the way, stop at the Midlands Meander to pick up a souvenir from its art galleries, coffee shops, or craft stores. Next, visit Howick Falls, where the Umgeni River drops 95 meters into a gorge. You can also stop at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, a museum marking where Mandela was arrested in 1962.
Continue driving through small villages and farmlands until you reach the Drakensberg. Check into your lodge and take in the beautiful mountain views. If there’s time, go for a short walk, look for wildlife, or visit nearby San rock art sites that show ancient Bushmen stories.
Day 3: Full day in Drakensberg
Wake up and enjoy your breakfast with panoramic views of the Drakensberg mountain chain. Later you will be led in the guided hikes into the mountains. The short walks through rolling foothills to more challenging hikes that have cliffs, hidden valleys and cascading waterfalls. Along the way you will get a chance to spot birds like bearded vultures and a variety of flora and fauna. Drakensberg mountains is South Africa’s highest range and UNESCO World Heritage site sitting at 3482 meters. The range forms part of the border between Lesotho and South Africa. The Drakensberg range is often referred to as the Barrier of Spears or the Dragon Mountains.
Day 4: Transfer to Lesotho highlands
After breakfast, leave the Drakensberg and drive to Lesotho, called the “Kingdom in the Sky.” The trip takes 5 to 6 hours and covers about 300 km, depending on the route and border. You’ll pass Golden Gate Highlands National Park, known for its cliffs and animals like zebras, elands, and birds. Drive through valleys and up the Sani Pass, with great mountain views, and stop at the Highest Pub in Africa. Reach the Lesotho Highlands, see Basotho villages, and get to your lodge or homestay in the afternoon to rest.
Day 5: Full day exploration of Lesotho highlands
After breakfast, head out to explore the Lesotho Highlands, with its mountains, valleys, and traditional villages. Visit Basotho villages to see their customs, clothes, and daily life.
Choose a hiking trail that fits your fitness level, from easy to challenging. Walk through beautiful highlands, passing clear streams and great views. Watch for locals riding horses or tending livestock. Stop for a picnic lunch and take photos of the scenery. In the late afternoon, return to your lodge or homestay to rest, eat dinner, and enjoy the calm mountain setting.
Day 6: Transfer to Wild coast
After breakfast, leave the Lesotho Highlands for a 9–10 hour drive to the Wild Coast. The route passes through Golden Gate Highlands National Park, with its sandstone cliffs and wildlife, then continues through the Eastern Free State and Eastern Cape, with hills and small villages. Stop in Mthatha, Nelson Mandela’s birthplace, to visit the Nelson Mandela Museum.
In the late afternoon, arrive in Cintsa, a coastal town between forest and the Indian Ocean, where Xhosa communities keep their traditions alive. Check in, and have dinner by the sea
Day 7: Full day in Wild coast
Wake up and have breakfast with views of the ocean. After that, go for a guided nature walk in the nearby Xhosa community to see their traditions, crafts, and music. Then, hike along the Wild Coast trails to see the ocean, hills, and quiet beaches.
In the afternoon, choose what to do. You can relax on Cintsa’s beaches, swim, or try activities like canoeing on the Cintsa River, surfing lessons, horseback riding on the beach, hiking, or mountain biking in the hills.
Day 8: Addo elephant National Park
After breakfast in Cintsa, pack up and leave the Wild Coast for a 4 to 5 hour drive to Addo Elephant National Park. The road goes through the Eastern Cape’s hills, small villages, and pretty scenery. You’ll pass East London, known for its beaches, and Makhanda, with its old buildings and fun culture.
When you get to Addo, you’ll see it’s a great place for safaris. Started in 1931 to save 11 elephants, it now has over 450 elephants, plus buffalo, rhinos, zebras, antelopes, and a rare dung beetle. In the afternoon, go on a group game drive to see these animals and learn how the park protects them.
Day 9: Transfer to Tsitsikamma National Park
Start with an early game drive in Addo Elephant National Park to spot elephants, buffalo, and more. Conduct the game drive in an open safari vehicle so as you are able to spot elephants, buffalo, antelope, and other wildlife. After the drive, travel west along the Garden Route for about 3 to 4 hours, covering 210 km. You’ll pass small towns like Colchester and Jeffreys Bay, known for its beaches and surfing.
Arrive at Tsitsikamma National Park, where forests meet the Indian Ocean. The park has a rugged coastline, the Storms River Mouth, and trails with wildlife. In the afternoon, the park ranger will guide you to a local activity center to learn about options for your free day tomorrow, including hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, zip-lining, or walking the suspension bridge over the gorge. If you’re interested in any of the activities you can book.
Start the day with an early morning game drive in Addo Elephant National Park, where you’ll have another chance to spot elephants, buffalo, antelope, and other wildlife from your overland vehicle. After the drive, set off westwards along the scenic Garden Route, a journey of about 210 km (3–4 hours). On the way, you’ll pass through small towns like Colchester and the surfing hotspot of Jeffreys Bay, with its golden beaches and rolling waves, before reaching the lush Tsitsikamma region.
Arrive at Tsitsikamma National Park, a stunning stretch where ancient forests meet the Indian Ocean. The park is famous for its dramatic coastline, the Storms River Mouth, and wildlife-rich trails. In the afternoon, your group leader will take you to a local activity centre where you can learn about the many adventure options available, from hiking and birdwatching to kayaking, zip-lining, or walking the suspension bridge over the gorge. These activities can be booked for your free day tomorrow.
Day 10: Tsitsikamma National Park
Start your day with breakfast at 7:00 AM, later go for a full day of exploration of Tsitsikamma National Park. Start with the Storms River Mouth trail which takes you through coastal forest to the suspension bridge where the river meets the Indian Ocean. Along the way you will spot Cape clawless otters, vervet monkeys among others. Next, hike the Waterfall Trail that takes along the Otter Trail’s first section. The path follows the rocky coast to a waterfall where you can spot baboons, tortoises, dolphins or southern right whales on water shores. Have lunch near the water falls. In the afternoon you can choose to go kayaking, zip lining, or snorkeling. Alternatively you can go for a bird watching walk to spot African black oystercatchers. Return to the Storms River Mouth rest camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11: Garden route
Today, you’ll travel through the dry Karoo region to Oudtshoorn, known for its ostriches. Stop in Knysna, a small coastal town, to walk around and see its lagoon. Then, visit the Cango Caves, limestone caves with rock formations, including Cleopatra’s Needle, which is 29 feet tall and about 150,000 years old. A guide will explain the caves’ history and how they formed. In Oudtshoorn, you’ll learn about its past when people got rich selling ostrich feathers in the early 1900s.
Day 12: Transfer to Cape Town
After breakfast, you can go for wild meerkats encountering, watch them as they emerge from their burrows. You will be allowed time to see these habituated animals as they go about their morning routine of foraging and frolicking. Afterward, travel from the Garden Route to Cape Town (420 to 480 km, about 6 to 7 hours). The drive takes you through the Karoo with stops in towns like Barrydale and Montagu, famous for fresh produce and hot springs. Continue through the Cape Winelands, with optional visits to Stellenbosch or Franschhoek for wine tasting and Cape Dutch architecture. Arrive in Cape Town by evening, you can choose from the hip restaurants and bars for dinner and beautiful views of Table Mountain.
Day 13: Full day in Cape Town
In the morning visit the Boulders Beach to watch African penguins walking between the big granite rocks. The rest of the day you can explore the Cape Peninsula. Walk along Chapman’s Peak Drive and stop at Hout Bay, where you can take a short boat ride to see Cape fur seals. Continue to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and walk up to the lighthouse at Cape Point for sea views. On the way back, drive through the fishing towns of Kalk Bay and Muizenberg, famous for their colorful beach huts. In the evening, return to Cape Town. You can take the cable car or hike up Table Mountain for great views, explore the city, or relax with local food and wine by the ocean.
Day 14: Cape Town
After breakfast, your South African journey comes to an end.