Explore Africa

Package Tour 1: BEST of SA  - Budget Adventurer *

Package Tour 2: BEST OF SA – Executive Adventurer*

Package Tour 3: Fresh Day Safari - Pilansberg*

Please note any of the itinerary items on this tour can be tailored to suit your specific needs. We also offer tailor-made package options based on the itinerary items of this specific tour.

  Package Tour 1:

BEST OF SA – Budget adventurer*

 

                         

Day 1: Arrival – Transfer to Accommodation in Pretoria

Welcome to Johannesburg! Breathe in the start of a Fresh take on SA and its rainbow-nation of 11 cultures! You will be met by a company representative (Executive Adventurer) and escorted to your overnight accommodation in Pretoria, this administrative capital city. Get a glimpse of its rich history and culture in the most unique way - through our exhilirating Pretoria Ghost Tour!!! This is a Fresh Tracks Original Tour with a twist - not for the fainthearted!

We start the journey at the haunted Erasmuskloof-house en route to the Fountains Valley, lair of the murderous “Panga”-man. Then we’ll Cruise past the formidable Central Prison while listening to chilling tales of murderers and tortured souls. Next up is the historic Church Square, with a dinner & drinks stop at the charming Café Riche to calm the nerves. Here we’ll briefly go over the plan for the next 16 days. Then we set to the Old Raadsaal, around the corner, on foot, followed by the Kruger Museum and in the darkest part of the tour, with the tombstones vaguely visible under the trees, we end off at the Heroes Acre cemetery!!

           Psst! You are welcome dress up for the night’s thrilling experience!

 Overnight:  Guest House B&B

       Dinner: Included

Fresh Adventure options: 

-          Scenic Micro-light Flight Experience

-          Ghost Tour

-          Cullinan Adventure Tour

Day 2: Panoramic Transfer to Kruger National Park 

At 7 am you will be met by your registered South African Tour Guide to start your journey to the renowned Kruger National Park in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa, where we will book into the Nkambeni Tented Lodge for a two night stay in the scenic bush-veld setting, perfect for an authentic African Safari experience. The BIG 5 is now on your doorstep!

    Overnight: Nkambeni Tented Lodge

          B/L/D:  included 

              Afternoon game drive

Day 3: Kruger National Park

At Nkambeni Tented Lodge. Between meals and game drives we laze around the pool and get back to basics with Mother Nature’s Inspiration and all the good things in life. Catch up on your reading, doze of under the African sun or fall in love again – the choice is yours!

             Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner:  Included

 

                2 Game Drives: included

OR

Day 2-3: Greater Kruger Area/Kruger National Park

Drive through scenic mountains, experience traditional Shangaan dinner and dance.

The name Manyeleti, means 'Place of the Stars' in the local Shangaan language and it is here, where guests have the opportunity to view the magnificent Southern Constellation at night. Manyeleti is situated away from the mainstream tourist areas and guests can experience the tranquillity of the African Bush in absolute seclusion. In the late afternoon/early evening relax around the pool or campfire and enjoy your sundowner drink, to be followed by a hearty meal and traditional dancing by the villagers. Fall asleep to the breath-taking beauty and haunting sounds of the African night.

The 23,000 hectare Manyeleti Game Reserve is situated between the Timbavati Private Reserve, the Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. With no fences separating Manyeleti from Kruger and the neighbouring reserves, a huge variety of wildlife roams freely over more than 2 million hectares of African bush. Game drives in open vehicles (optional) could bring you into close contact with the Big 5 (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) for an unforgettable safari experience. The Manyeleti Game Reserve is managed by the Mnisi tribe, who have been in the area for many generations. The Mnisi are committed to retaining the integrity of the game reserve and ensuring that the benefits of tourism in the reserve are delivered to the surrounding communities.

In the morning, we visit the local Mnisi School and take part in a soul-enriching Community project to help make a difference in the lives of the people we meet and learn from in the passing-by, so that can better equip ourselves and others for the journey of life.

Day 4: Kruger National Park to Panorama Route

After our morning game drive we travel to the picturesque green canyon in South Africa.  Three Rondavels, Bourkes Luck Potholes, God’s Window and the town of Graskop and all its splendour are on today’s check list.

       Overnight: We stay over at a serene guest house, set in pleasant garden                                                    surroundings and tucked away in the Sabie River Valley’s indigenous forests.

              Breakfast & Dinner: included, Lunch: own account

Fresh Adventure options:

-          River rafting

-          Fly fishing

Day 5: Swaziland

Today we have a very early start! After breakfast we travel to the small kingdom of Swaziland, where we visit the quaint Ngwenya Glass factory, Swazi Candles and markets before we retire for the night.

Overnight: Traditional Swazi accommodation. Get back to basics for the ultimate authentic African Experience! Settle into comfortable Rondavel Huts, with separate ablution facilities (yes, there are flush toilets!), taste Africa through traditional menus where you can help the Swazi women to prepare the meals, light up paraffin lanterns and feel part of the Swazi lifestyle. This is not the Hilton ladies, but well worth the visit! Do not expect star-rated accommodation here, this one is rough and tough, but truly authentic in every sense!        

                                              

Donkey cart:

Simple and very exciting! Jumping on the donkey cart is the most adventurous and fun way to visit the community. From the cart, you can visit the homestead, the school, sangomas and take part in any other organized activity of your choice. Good for all ages and great for families and bonding!

Cultural walks:

The walks allow you to visit the village, join in their daily chores, taste the local beer "umcombotsi" and listen to local folk tales. A soccer game with the local team will add to this experience. See the crafters at work and visit one of the schools.

Sangoma (traditional healer) visit:

The Sangoma, a very powerful figure in the Swazi culture, are thought to have healing powers and fortune-telling abilities. Through Shewula, we offer a carefully constructed visit in a manner that is both respectful to the traditional Swazi way of life as well as informative to the visitors. This experience will certainly open your eyes and possibly leave you wondering about your own purpose!

          Breakfast & Dinner: included, Lunch: own Account

 Day 6: St. Lucia

After we say goodbye to the party people of Swaziland we travel towards the UNESCO world heritage site, ST.LUCIA! We arrive late in the afternoon to dip our toes in the Indian Ocean. With five eco systems in one site, leather-back and loggerhead turtles, hippos and crocodiles - this destination will keep you enchanted and amazed. Kick back and relax, we are here for two nights!

       Overnight: Sea Sand Lodge, St.Lucia

              Breakfast: Included, Lunch & Dinner: own account  

Day 7: St. Lucia

Straight after breakfast we enjoy a boat cruise on the lake (included), cruising in close proximity of the hippos and crocs. The rest of the day is to be spent at leisure, exploring this amazing area.

Dating back 140 million years, rich fossil deposits of marine animals, including teeth of giant sharks, some up to sixteen cm in length, indicate that St Lucia Western Shores was a marine environment during the Cretaceous period. But these fossils are not to be found in Lake St Lucia, the Eastern Shores or the off-shore coral reefs. All of these St Lucia areas have more recent origins.

St Lucia as we know it was formed as a result of changing sea levels caused by various ice ages and wet and dry periods over the past two million years. About 125 000 years ago the sea rose more than two meters above that of present level. False Bay was a clear-water tropical habitat directly connected to the sea. Sea levels changed over the years, and around 25 000 years ago sand carried by coastal currents started depositing on the shore to form a barrier on which the coastal dunes grew. This barrier enclosed a lagoon - which was to become Lake St Lucia. Two of the rivers entering Lake St Lucia were powerful enough to force their way through this barrier to the sea - the Mkuze in the north of the Lake St Lucia area and the Umfolozi in the region of the existing St Lucia mouth. Later the Mkuze river mouth closed up, leaving only the submarine canyon off Leven Point as evidence of the old river course.

       Overnight: Seasand lodge St.Lucia

            Breakfast: Included, Lunch & Dinner: own account   

Fresh Adventure options:

-          Deep sea game fishing

-          Horse Riding

-          Quad biking

-          Water sport e.g. Water ski / Jet-ski

Day 8: Underberg

On day 8 we travel towards the southern Drakensberg, enjoying breath-taking scenery and spectacular photographic opportunities. Rolling down the N2 highway, catching glimpses of the Indian Ocean, we cruise past Ballito, Umhlanga, Durban and then Pietermaritzburg before we take the turn off to the enchanting quaint town of Underberg!

       Overnight: Guest House BB 

              Breakfast: included, Lunch & Dinner: own account 

Day 9: Underberg

After breakfast we travel up the Sani Pass (2 878 meters) to drink a beer at the highest pub in Africa!

Let us take you on a journey of discovery through this enchanting part of Africa. A tour up the famous Sani Pass will enable you to explore the Drakensberg Mountains and the Kingdom of Lesotho - a trip you will not forget... The awe-inspiring Sani Pass climbs the face of the escarpment to an altitude of 2874m and into the "Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho". It is the getaway to the "Roof of Africa". The scenery is breathtaking and attracts visitors from all over the world.

Originally developed as a bridal path in 1913, the pass served as an important link between the Underberg district and the remote settlement of Mokhotlong, in north-eastern Lesotho. The first vehicle negotiated the path in 1948. It is now used for the most part by 4x4 vehicles and has become the highlight of the Southern Drakensberg. Our tour will reveal the history of the pass, geology of the mountains, flora & fauna, and a unique experience with the Basotho people. The highest pub in Africa offers a cold beer & lunch before the descent back to Underberg.

       Overnight: Guest House BB

              Breakfast & Dinner: included, Lunch: own account

            Fly fishing (wild trout)

Day 10: Durban

Today we travel towards the port city of Durban, which boasts the biggest port in Africa! Durban is a culturally vibrant, sophisticated cosmopolitan city of over three million people; a city where East-meets-West; a city that beats with the pulse of Africa.

We’ll spend most of the day travelling the coast to Durban. This marks the second leg of our journey where you may say goodbye to some travellers who are finishing their trip at this point, and new Fresh Tacks travellers may join us from here onwards. Enjoy an iconic Durban meal of "bunny chow" (hollowed out bread filled with curry) and witness a traditional miner's gumboot dance.

Explore the beach and dive into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean just out the front door of our guest house.

The city of Durban has grown into one of South Africa's best-known and most popular coastal resorts and commercial ports. With stretches of safe, sandy beaches, an abundance of holiday accommodation destinations available and all-year sunshine attract visitors to this festive city every year. This city is enjoyed for its vibrant mix of cultures and experiences, with a large diverse population of people. The beach front area has a number of attractions, from fair grounds to restaurants, to water sports and the now world famous “uShaka Marine World”.

We visit the harbour, the Indian Market place and, then to the top of the Moses Mabida soccer stadium for a panoramic view of the city and ocean. We’ll spend the afternoon on the prestine Umhlanga beach.

       Overnight: Guest House - Durban

             Breakfast & Dinner: included, Lunch: own account

           Bunjee jumping at The Moses Madiba Stadium

Option to end tour here or Fresh Adventurers to join

Day 11: Port St. Johns

South from Durban, we travel through the unspoilt beauty of the Eastern Cape Province, into the heartland of the Xhosa people, on to Port St. Johns. It is truly paradise-like, situated on a large stretch of Indian Ocean coast referred to as the Wild Coast. Upon arrival, we will set up camp at our scenic and well-appointed campground and explore the city of Port St Johns and the nearby beaches from here.

Day 12: Boknes/Cannon Rocks

We’ll travel along the national highway, passing enjoyable views of rolling hills, farmland and traditional Xhosa villages as well as Nelson Mandela’s home. We then arrive at our next adventure destination, Boknes/Cannon Rocks, a little piece of paradise. With its unspoiled sandy beaches and a variety of fauna and flora, this Eastern Coast forest reserve provides a refuge from the urban bustle. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

There are lots to do in the area! Embrace your adventurous side - learn how to surf; take a horseback ride; hike; go deep sea fishing or sand boarding; or simply enjoy the beautiful beach. You also have the option to do a game viewing cruise on one of the nearby rivers, with world-renowned private game farms on their banks.

Fresh Adventure options:

-          Deep sea Fishing

-          Dune Boarding

-          Kite Surfing

-          Scuba diving

-          Spear fishing

-          Quad biking

-          Horseback rides

-          Hiking

-          Water sport ski, Jet-ski

Day 13-15: Addo/Tsitsikamma/Knysna

Today we cross a vista of valleys as we continue on to the Addo Elephant National Park, a unique wildlife area. Although famous for the Addo elephants, this park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and we embark on a game drive (own vehicle) in search of the resident elephants, black rhino, lion, buffalo and even leopard.

The Addo Elephant belongs to the same species as the African Elephant, but it is smaller, with more rounded ears and the females generally have no tusks. This park was named after the KhoiKhoi word, “Kadouw”, which they gave to a forting place across the nearby Sundays River. The natural vegetation includes distinctly South African tree species like, Acacia, Spekboom (“Elephants food”.), Gwarrie and Boerboon. Addo Elephant National is home to a number of different animals, including the Big 5 (elephant, black rhino, lion, buffalo, and leopard), zebra, kudu, eland, warthog, and many types of buck.

We then travel through the indigenous Tsitsikamma forests surround our next campsite, situated in the picturesque village of Storms River. Optional Activities in the area include hiking (a portion of the Otter Trail or along the coastline), abseiling, scuba diving, snorkeling, boat rides, canoeing, whale watching, or even the world’s highest bungee jump at the Storms Rivier Bridge.

Fresh Adventure options:

-          Bungee

-          Kayak & Lilo river rides

-          Scuba

-          Snorkelling

-          Otter trail, Lilo River Adventure

-          Sand-up Paddle boarding

-          Deep sea fishing

-          Boat trip around the Knysna Heads

After visiting "The Heads" in Knysna, a town nestled on a tranquil lagoon on the coast, we take a scenic drive to travel over the Outeniqua Mountains into the area known as te Klein Karoo (“Little Karoo”), where we make the quite town of Oudtshoorn our base. In the late afternoon, we’ll go and explore the famous Cango Caves or visit an ostrich farm (optional).

The Cango Caves are sculptured by nature through the ages, and is filled with mysterious and breathtaking limestone formations in a wide variety of natural colours. They lie in the Swartberg Mountain Range in a limestone belt measuring 1.5km in width and almost 16km in length. This part of the continent was once below the ocean. As the continent rose, the Little Karoo found itself above the water level. The caves started to form some 20 million years ago, when the water level dropped to such an extent that the ground water could start to seep into the limestone. As the water seeped into the ground it absorbed carbon dioxide from the decaying plant and animal matter in the soil and this made it fairly acidic. As it seeped into the limestone, cavities were created that filled with water. Rivers also formed on the surface and cut deeply enough into the limestone to allow them to reach the level of the water pockets. This caused the water to flow out about 4 million years ago. The cave was then, for the first time, exposed to air and the speleothems (cave formations) began to form. The portion of the caves that are accessible to the public extends for 1.2km, with a further 4.1km being kept closed for conservation.

Oudtshoorn is notably the ostrich capital of the world. Here ostriches are found in great numbers and the region produces the world’s best feathers, leather products and meat. Amidst the 400 ostrich farms surrounding the town, three have distinguished themselves worthy enough to be named show farms. In addition, the Klein Karoo is one of South Africa's eight wine regions, where the sweet and dessert wines are well known.

Fresh Adventure options:

-          Gansbaai Shark dive

-          Gouritz Bungee/Bridge swing

-          Caving Oudtshoorn

Day 17: Cape Town

Depart at any time. For those who to extend the tour with a day or longer in Cape Town, there are a myriad of activities to explore. There’s something for everyone - visit Robben Island; Table Mountain; explore Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope); embark on a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch (45min drive). Visit the old French Hugonote town of Franschoek and breath-taking surroundings (1hr drive from Cape Town).

For the not so faint-hearted there are numerous adrenaline-charging activities on offer in the surrounding areas - from skydiving, to abseiling, to cage diving and experience the thrill of a close encounter with the great white sharks! Or wonder through this world-class city centre, rich in culture, art and history - with some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa (Botanical Gardens and Parliament Gardens). Don’t miss the wonderful Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium and numerous other small museums and theatres, unique shops, restaurants, cafés and bars to indulge in the Mother city’s unique eclectic heartbeat.

   

Package Tour 2:

BEST OF SA – Executive adventurer*

 

                          

Day 1: Johannesburg

Arrive in Johannesburg any time and make your way to the joining point guest house/hotel. A brief departure meeting will be held in the hotel reception area in the evening of Day 1 of your tour. Please make sure you have all of the necessary visas for this tour by the time of the welcome meeting. It is very important to read the Visa section in our trip details to make sure which visas you will need, if any. Please note that not all nationalities are able to obtain a visa on arrival at the border.

Our starting hotel is located in Johannesburg - take some time on an excursion to one of our Fresh Day Tours like Soweto or the Apartheid Museum.

Fresh Adventure options:

-          Scenic Micro light Flight

-          Ghost Tour

-          Cullinan Adventure tour

Day 2-3: Greater Kruger Area/Kruger National

Enjoy the scenic route through the Low-veld escarp to Jocks Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park.

The Explorer Camp at Jock Safari Lodge offers guests a unique experiential insight of a bygone era, a time when exploring really was an adventure into this unknown Big 5 wilderness, as did the legendary Percy Fitzpatrick in the 18th century. The camp and tents have been meticulously recreated with the similar style camp beds, canvas washing basins, lanterns etc., in order to transport guests back in time.

This two day educational, walking safari is captained by two highly specialised guides and nights are spent around the camp fire enjoying hearty bush meals whilst learning more about the history of Jock of the Bushveld, Percy Fitzpatrick and how the Kruger was born. During the day, guests explore on foot, a remote part of this private concession in the heart of the Kruger National Park, to get a real sense of how trekking was done during the early days of exploration -a tribute to the original and authentic African safari adventure.

Day 4: Nkomazi

Nature lovers will be able to share in the many wonders of Nkomazi - its diversity of wildlife and habitat, its natural beauty and major geological features. Nkomazi is an ecological Aladdin’s Cave and is blessed to have features such as the oldest and largest meteorite impact deposit on earth.

We want you to experience, learn and enjoy the very best that our African wildlife experience can offer. To achieve this goal, we have brought together great game viewing in modern, open game vehicles that have been especially converted to maximize comfort, safety and viewing potential. Your Ranger will provide insightful and valuable information about the fauna and flora.

Watch the sun rise over the North Eastern boundaries of the Reserve during a game drive or take in the spectacular views from lookout points among the rocky granite sentinels of the highlands of the Reserve. Waterfalls and rock pools are impressive, while rolling grasslands support large herds of free-roaming wildlife, making Nkomazi a game-viewing haven.

Feeling adventurous? Fly-fish for yellow fish surrounded by Crocs and Hippos.

The Reserve represents a kaleidoscope of Africa’s habitats in its ability to support game on the high-lying grasslands and the low-lying Bushveld areas, supporting the ecological balance, including the Big Game.

One of the true joys of Nkomazi Game Reserve is the freedom to do nothing at all! In between game drives, your time can be filled with reading, relaxation treatments, sun-seeking and swimming or indulging in wholesome African Lodge cuisine.

Fresh Adventure options:

-          Fly fishing

-          Hiking

Day 5: Swaziland

Today we have a very early start!  After breakfast we travel to the small kingdom of Swaziland, where we visit the Ngwenya Glass factory, Swazi Candles and markets before we retire for the night.

Overnight: Traditional Swazi accommodation. Get back to basics for the ultimate authentic African Experience! Settle into comfortable Rondavel Huts, with separate ablution facilities (yes, there are flush toilets!), taste Africa through traditional menus where you can help the Swazi women to prepare the meals, light up paraffin lanterns and feel part of the Swazi lifestyle. This is not the Hilton ladies, but well worth the visit! Do not expect star-rated accommodation here, this one is rough and tough, but truly authentic in every sense!                   

                                   

Donkey cart:

Simple and very exciting! Jumping on the donkey cart is the most adventurous and fun way to visit the community. From the cart, you can visit the homestead, the school, sangomas and take part in any other organized activity of your choice. Good for all ages and great for families and bonding!

Cultural walks:

The walks allow you to visit the village, join in their daily chores, taste the local beer "umcombotsi" and listen to local folk tales. A soccer game with the local team will add to this experience. See the crafters at work and visit one of the schools.

Sangoma (traditional healer) visit:

The Sangoma, a very powerful figure in the Swazi culture, are thought to have healing powers and fortune-telling abilities. Through Shewula, we offer a carefully constructed visit in a manner that is both respectful to the traditional Swazi way of life as well as informative to the visitors. This experience will certainly open your eyes and possibly leave you wondering about your own purpose!

           Breakfast & Dinner: included, Lunch: own Account

Day 6: St. Lucia

After we say goodbye to the party people of Swaziland we travel towards a UNESCO world heritage site ST.LUCIA! , we arrive late in the afternoon to dip our toes in the Indian Ocean. With 5 eco systems, leatherback and loggerhead turtles, hippo’s and crocodiles, this destination will keep you enchanted and amazed. Kick back and relax, we are here for two nights.

       Overnight: Sea Sand Lodge St.Lucia

             Breakfast: included, Lunch & Dinner: own Account

Day 7: St. Lucia

Straight after breakfast we enjoy a boat cruise on the lake (included), cruising in close proximity of the hippos and crocs. The rest of the day is to be spent at leisure, exploring this amazing area.

Dating back 140 million years, rich fossil deposits of marine animals, including teeth of giant sharks, some up to sixteen cm in length, indicate that St Lucia Western Shores was a marine environment during the Cretaceous period. But these fossils are not to be found in Lake St Lucia, the Eastern Shores or the off-shore coral reefs. All of these St Lucia areas have more recent origins. St Lucia as we know it was formed as a result of changing sea levels caused by various ice ages and wet and dry periods over the past two million years. About 125 000 years ago the sea rose more than two meters above that of present level. False Bay was a clear-water tropical habitat directly connected to the sea. Sea levels changed over the years, and around 25 000 years ago sand carried by coastal currents started depositing on the shore to form a barrier on which the coastal dunes grew. This barrier enclosed a lagoon - which was to become Lake St Lucia. Two of the rivers entering Lake St Lucia were powerful enough to force their way through this barrier to the sea - the Mkuze in the north of the Lake St Lucia area and the Umfolozi in the region of the existing St Lucia mouth. Later the Mkuze river mouth closed up, leaving only the submarine canyon off Leven Point as evidence of the old river course.

       Overnight: Sea Sand Lodge St.Lucia

             Breakfast: included, Lunch & Dinner: Own account 

Fresh Adventure options:

-          Deep sea game fishing

-          Horse Riding

-          Quad biking

-          Water sport e.g. water ski, Jet Ski

-          Community outreach projects can be accommodated / planned to your specific needs

Day 8: Durban

Spend most of the day travelling the along the scenic coastline to Durban. Enjoy a traditional Durban meal of "bunny chow" (hollowed out bread filled with curry) and witness a traditional miner's gumboot dance.

 

Explore the beach and dive into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean on the doorstep of our guest house.

 

The city of Durban has grown into one of South Africa's best-known and most popular coastal resorts and commercial ports. With stretches of safe, sandy beaches and abundance of holiday accommodation destinations available and all-year sunshine attract visitors to this festive city every year. This city is enjoyed for its vibrant mix of cultures and experiences, with a large diverse population of people. The beach front area has a number of attractions, from fair grounds to restaurants, to water sports and the now world famous “uShaka Marine World”.

Option to end tour here or Fresh Adventurers Joining

Option to travel to the Drakensberg/Lesotho 2 days extra

Day 9: Port St. Johns

South from Durban, we travel to the Eastern Cape Province, into the heartland of the Xhosa people, and to Port St. Johns. It truly resembles paradise and is situated on a large stretch of Indian Ocean coast referred to as the Wild Coast. Upon arrival, we will set up camp at our scenic and well-appointed campground and explore the city of Port St Johns and the nearby beaches from here.

Fresh Adventure options:

-          Horse riding

-          Deep Sea Fishing

Day 10-11: Shamwari

This unique walking experience is ideal for guests looking for an adventurous and authentic experience, complimented by the colonial safari ambience of a tented bush camp. The camp is located on a plateau set amongst the only basalt and granite extrusions on Shamwari. A truly magical setting awaits our guests!

This is a flexible experience for guests to explore Shamwari Game Reserve as we believe that the rigidity of travel needs to be simplified by going back to basics. This explorer camp reflects the original safari of being on foot and sleeping around the fire at night within the comfort of a bush tent.

Guests will enjoy walks through the magnificent Shamwari Game Reserve, whereby their guide will enhance their experience with birding, cultural history and other natural history of the area, along with ample opportunity of some Big 5 encounters.

Day 12-13: Tsitsikamma/Knysna

The Garden of the Garden Route welcomes you! ‘Tsitsikamma’ is a khoi word meaning “place of abundant or sparkling water” – an apt description in every sense of the Word! The region, which sits on a 200m high plateau stretches from the Bloukrans River in the west to the Tsitsikamma River in the east, is bordered on the north by the imposing Tsitsikamma Mountains and in the south by the Indian Ocean.

The area is covered in large tracts of indigenous forest, commercial plantation and Fynbos. Deep river gorges cleft the plateau as they make their way down to the sea, creating spectacular waterfalls and deep kloofs (ravines). The water in the rivers is a characteristic dark brown (Coca Cola Water) due to its high tannin content leached from the surrounding vegetation.

A mild, all year round climate (temperature variations only between 10 °C and 25 °C generally) allows one to make the most of all the outdoor activities that are on offer, whilst a high rainfall in excess of 1200mm per year ensures the lushness of vegetation that the area is renowned for.

Indigenous Tsitsikamma forests surround the Village of Storms River. Optional Activities in the area include hiking a portion of the Otter Trail or along the coastline, abseiling, scuba diving, snorkelling, boat rides, canoeing, whale watching, or even the world’s highest bungee jump.

Fresh Adventure options:

-          Bungee jumping

-          Kayak & Lilo river trips

-          Scuba diving

-          Snorkelling

-          Otter hiking trail excursions

-          Stand-up Paddle boarding

-          Deep-sea Fishing

Day 14: Oudtshoorn

After visiting "The Heads" in Knysna, a town nestled on a tranquil lagoon on the coast, we take a scenic drive to travel over the Outeniqua Mountain range, into the area known as the Klein Karoo (“Little Karoo”), where we make the quiet town of Oudtshoorn our next stop. In the late afternoon, we’ll explore the world-famous Cango caves or visit an ostrich farm (optional).

The Cango Caves are sculptured by nature through the ages, and is filled with mysterious and breath-taking limestone formations in a wide variety of natural colours. They lie in the Swartberg Mountain Range in a limestone belt measuring 1.5km in width and almost 16km in length. This part of the continent was once below the ocean. As the continent rose, the Little Karoo found itself above the water level. The caves started to form some 20 million years ago, when the water level dropped to such an extent that the ground water could start to seep into the limestone. As the water seeped into the ground it absorbed carbon dioxide from the decaying plant and animal matter in the soil and this made it fairly acidic. As it seeped into the limestone, cavities were created that filled with water. Rivers also formed on the surface and cut deeply enough into the limestone to allow them to reach the level of the water pockets. This caused the water to flow out about 4 million years ago. The cave was then, for the first time, exposed to air and the speleothems (cave formations) began to form. The portion of the caves that are accessible to the public extends for 1.2km, with a further 4.1km being kept closed for conservation.

Oudtshoorn is notably the ostrich capital of the world. Here, ostriches are found in great numbers and the region produces the world’s best feathers, leather products and meat. Amidst the 400 ostrich farms surrounding the town, three have distinguished themselves worthy enough to be named show farms. In addition, the Klein Karoo is one of South Africa's eight wine regions, where the sweet and dessert wines are well known.

Fresh Adventure options:

-          Ostrich riding

-          Caving Cango Adventure Tour

Day 15-16: Klein Karoo/ Cape Town

From Oudtshoorn we travel on the scenic Route 62, into the Klein Karoo. After a Lunch at the infamous Ronnie’s Sex Shop (not that kind of sex shop!), we then enter the wilderness again - this time it’s Sanbona, the home of the only wild white lion pride in the world.

Sanbona Explorer at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Western Cape: Walking & camping in the 54 000 hectare wilderness sanctuary of Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the heart of the Little Karoo! Sanbona, previously home to the San People, offers a glimpse of the Legacy of the Bushman through the beauty of their Rock Art. Surrounded by ancient volcanic mountains & endless vistas, our guide will enhance the experience and enthral guests with his knowledge of birding, cultural history and facts of the area.

This unique walking experience is ideal for guests looking for an adventurous and authentic option, enhanced by the tented bush camp ambiance. The camp is located on a superbly shaded river line, north-east of the reserve and approximately 30 minutes’ drive from Dwyka Tented Lodge,

This is an unforgettable, up-close and intimate experience with nature, which provides a welcome break of the rigidity of traditional tours. The explorer camp experience beckons the traveller to become part of nature and the original concept of safari, by being on foot and sleeping around the fire at night, within the comfort of a mobile tent.

Fresh Adventure options:

-          San Rock Art excursions

-          Birding / wildlife & nature walks

-          Lion walk

-          Cage Dive with sharks at Gansbaai on route CPT

Day 17: Cape Town

Depart at any time. For those who to extend the tour with a day or longer in Cape Town, there are a myriad of activities to explore. There’s something for everyone - visit Robben Island; Table Mountain; explore Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope); embark on a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch (45min drive). Visit the old French Hugonote town of Franschoek and breath-taking surroundings (1hr drive from Cape Town).

For the not so faint-hearted there are numerous adrenaline-charging activities on offer in the surrounding areas - from skydiving, to abseiling, to cage diving and experience the thrill of a close encounter with the great white sharks! Or wonder through this world-class city centre, rich in culture, art and history - with some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa (Botanical Gardens and Parliament Gardens). Don’t miss the wonderful Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium and numerous other small museums and theatres, unique shops, restaurants, cafés and bars to indulge in the Mother city’s unique eclectic heartbeat.

   

Package 3:

Fresh Day Safari - Pilansberg

Kruger Park Tour? No Time! Your solution is our latest Fresh Adventure in the Pilansberg! The Pilanesberg National Park is set in a natural dome produced by volcanic eruptions some 1300 million years ago. Only 2 hours drive from Pretoria / Johannesburg, it is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world and its rare rock types and structure makes it a unique geological site. The park, with its breathtaking scenery, is Big Five Country - the home of rhino, lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard, more than 365 bird species and many more.

In the afternoon, we jet off to the magical playground of Sun City, with its world-class hotels, Water Adventure Park & wave pool, casinos, restaurants and extravaganza shows. Did we mention golf?

DAY TOUR ITINERARY:

06:15 – 06:30 Departure Johannesburg/Pretoria.

08:30 – 09:00 Arrival at Park

09:00 – 16:00 Game viewing in a closed air-conditioned Fresh Tracks vehicle

13:00 – Light lunch at Pilansberg Centre

16:00 – Departure from Park for Johannesburg/Pretoria

18:00 – 19:00 Drop-off.

Or

15:30 – Departure from Park to Sun City

16:00-21:00 – Evening of extravagance, at own leisure.                                                                          

21:00 – Return transfer to Johannesburg/Pretoria                                                                                    

23:00-24:00 – Drop-off.

Freshen up your tour by booking an overnight package from one of the following Lodges:

Pilansberg: Tshukudu Lodge, Ivory Tree Game Lodge, Kwa-Maritane Lodge, Shepherd’s Tree Lodge and Bakubung Lodge.

Sun City: The Palace of the Lost City, the Cascades Hotel, Sun City Hotel, the Cabanas.

 

   

                  

Fresh Adventure options:   

-          Open Vehicle Game Drive

-          Guided Bush Walk

-          Archery

-          Clay-pigeon shooting

-          Quad biking

-          Drumming sessions

-          Elephant-back safari ride

-          Horse Riding

-          Zip Line

-          Crocodile Sanctuary

-          Cultural Village

-          Water Activities: Water-ski, Wake board, Jet-ski, Parasailing

-          Premier Golf Courses

For more information and detailed itinerary with terms and conditions, please contact us on info@freshtracks.co.za  or phone us on +27 76 812 9671.

All tours can be tailored to your own adventurist needs!