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SOUTH AFRICA
Itinerary South Africa, the most beautiful of the east
Destination
South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa and is known for its impressive nature.
The largely mountainous country is rich in lakes and waterfalls. And of course South Africa is also known for its many nature reserves and game parks, with Kruger Park as the largest game park. But you can also admire a lot of wildlife on the coast, such as on Robben Island or go out to sea and admire the whales.
South Africa is one of the most wonderful countries we have ever visited. A trip to South Africa is full of magical impressions that you will never forget. ​
South Africa is big and you can never visit the whole of South Africa in a single trip. Read below the itinerary through South Africa that we followed and that made an unforgettable impression on us.
currencies
South -African Rand
language
English / African
flight time
-
in African
Hallo / Hi
Best time to visit
September - October / March - April
Capital
Pretoria, Bloemfontein & Capetown
South Africa, travel route through the east of this magical country
South Africa has so many beautiful and special places to see. But South Africa is also very big.
So unfortunately it is not possible to see everything in a single tour of South Africa.
This itinerary takes you along the most beautiful places in the East of South Africa. From a spectacular mountain range, to relaxing on the beach and sleeping in the middle of a game park, you will see the most beautiful places of the eastern South Africa
Johannesburg is the first necessary stop on our East South Africa itinerary. ​
The airport is in Johannesburg and anyone who wants to explore the east of South Africa lands at the airport of Johannesburg.
Because you do not immediately feel like traveling further after a long journey, we advise you to spend the first night in Johannesburg.
However, exploring Johannesburg is at your own risk. Johannesburg is known for crime in this city. Which is a pity, because many people skip Johannesburg because of this during their tour of South Africa.
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Johannesburg has a rich and special history, which you can see in the city. You can visit the Apartheid Museum, Soweto and Constition Hill.
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Food tips Johannesburg
NCW Restaurant, great food in a cool atmosphere
Address: 46 Main Rd, Melville, Johannesburg, 2109, South Africa
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Flames, luxury dinner with a view
Address: 67 Jan Smuts Ave, Westcliff, Randburg, 2132, South Africa
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Bespoke, the most beautiful and colorful dishes
Address: shop no. 3, 66 Tyrone Ave Bespokery, Parkview, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
Sleeping in Johannesburg
Bellgrove Guest House Sandton, a beautiful guesthouse with a homy feeling and nice swimming pool
Pablo House, woke up the first day with a beautiful South African view
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The Cliffside Boutique Getaway , a beautiful view, nice rooms and a lovely garden
The second stop on our South Africa itinerary is the Drakensberg Mountains. The Drakensberg is an impressive, almost magical mountain range in eastern South Africa.
Because this is the first stop afterJohannesburg it may not be quite what you expected when traveling through South Africa. But that's the nice thing about South Africa, it's so varied and the landscape is so diverse.
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But so unexpectedly the Drakensberg being in the South Africa, so unexpectedly this mountain range suddenly appears when you drive to it. In an almost completely flat landscape, the peaks of the Drakensberg suddenly loom into view.
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The mountains of theDrakensberg hide all kinds of beautiful places. Many waterfalls, beautiful hiking trails and lots of animals. We can't say it was our favorite stop in South Africa because everything is so different and incomparable. But wow, this mountain range in South Africa is magical!
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More South Africa
Food tips The Drakensberg
The Valley Bakery, for a tasty and cozy breakfast in the Drakensberg
Address: Champagne Valley, Cathkin Park, Winterton, 3340, South Africa
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Lemon Tree Bistro, simple, but delicious food in a homely atmosphere
Address: Underberg, 3257, South Africa
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Bingelela Contemporary Classic Restaurant and Pizzeria, a real South African restaurant with good food and even a swimming pool and trampoline
Address;Needwood farm Bergville, Bergville 3350 South Africa
Sleeping in the Drakensberg Mountains
Premier Resort Sani Pass a beautiful place with all-round views over the Drakensberg.
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Little Switzerland Resort by Dream Resorts, a green and relaxing view with even a zebra in the garden
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Durban really is something else. This big city may not immediately impress you when you arrive here, and yet this city is a nice change from all the other stops we visit. Where a tour of South Africa is mainly about a lot of nature and wildlife, walking through a big city like Durban is a good break from all this hiking through the nature parks.
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Durban is not particularly pretty. They are mainly large and modern buildings.
But this city is doing something right, because it has been voted the best city in South Africa for several years.
There is plenty to do inDurban. For example, the City Hall, which is a copy of the Belfast City Hall, is a popular landmark in Durban. You can view this town hall both from the outside and from the inside.
The Umhlanga Lighthouse is also a popular attraction in Durban.
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Or visit the Botanical Gardens, the oldest botanical gardens in South Africa with lots of native, but also exotic plants.
Durban has beautiful sandy beaches. Great to just do nothing during your tour through South Africa.
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Durban is therefore a nice change from all the nature parks during this travel route through the east of South Africa.
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If you stay an extra day in Durban, you can also drive to the Valley of a Thousand Hills. This is about an hour's drive from Durban, but well worth it. This area owes its name to the many green hills that you see here.
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Food tips Durban
The Grill Jichana Durban, for a well-grilled piece of meat
Address: Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani, 63 Snell Parade, North Beach, Durban, 4001, South Sfrica
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Surf Rider's cafe, the most beautiful milkshakes and beautiful dishes
Address: 17 Erskine Terrace, South Beach, Durban, 4001, South Africa
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9th Avenue Waterside, great food on Durban harbour
Address: 2 Maritime Pl, Harbour, Durban, 4001, South Africa
Sleep in Durban
Sandals Guest House, a beautiful guesthouse with a beachy vibe in Durban
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Endless Horizons Boutique Hotel, swimming with the best view in Durban
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Goble Palms Guest Lodge & urban retreat, relax in this guesthouse in a guesthouse which is a mix between South Africa and Louisana.
Hluluwe is one of the best places in South Africa to spot the big 5. ItHluhluwe–iMfolozi Park is a game reserve that is home to South Africa's most impressive wildlife.
According to many, Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park a better place to spot wildlife than the entire famous Kruger Park. Probably because it feels a bit more authentic than the large and massively visited Kruger Park.
And becauseHluhluwe–iMfolozi Park is a lot smaller, the chance that you spot the Big 5 here is a lot higher. You drive more on unpaved roads here and the animals seem to be closer than in the largest Kruger Park. You may also come face to face with one of the special animals that live in South Africa. We have had some magical experiences in Hluluwe, experiences that we will never forget.
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Hluluwe is also not far fromSt Lucia. Here you can visit the famous iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Aboat trip through this special nature reserve is definitely recommended. Come face to face with hippos, crocodiles and even sharks. And then we haven't even mentioned the special bird species that live here.
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Although it is difficult to choose, Hluluwe was our favorite stop on this South African itinerary. We therefore recommend that you take your time here and stay at least 3 or 4 nights in this region.
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Sleeping in Hluluwe, Kwazulu-Natal
Bayala Private Safari Lodges, super nice safari lodges in a trendy safari style
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Zululand Lodge,sleeping at height in a game reserve. What a view!
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Nibela Lake Lodge by Dream Resorts, a dream location on Lake St Lucia.
Read more about the Ezulwini Game Lodge here, where you can just be surprised by giraffes on your terrace.
Swaziland is not a necessary stop on this South African itinerary. But because we always like to explore another country, we did visit Swaziland.
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It was the most bizarre border crossing we've ever done. Because if everything was reasonably tidy in South Africa, as soon as we crossed the border we encountered the first children walking with water on their backs and families washing their clothes in the brown lakes along the highway. It immediately puts you back on the ground with both feet.
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This is of course not the tourist side of Swaziland, but it is the real Swaziland.
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Just as in South Africa Swaziland has a lot of beautiful nature to discover. You can visit beautiful nature parks with great waterfalls, such as Phophonyane Falls Nature Reserve. Or visit the cultural village of Mantenga, where you can see how the local tribes lived in Swaziland. Or go up to the heights on the Malolotja Canopy Tour and enjoy spectacular views
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Food tips Swaziland
The Velvet Monkey, delicious Italian food in a very cool restaurant
Address: 49 MR103, Lobamba Ezulwini, H100, Eswatini
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Sleep in Swaziland
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Summerfield Botanical Garden & Exclusive Resort,real vacation in this tropical resort
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Hlane Royal National Park, back to basics in the middle of a beautiful nature reserve
Krugerpark is the most famous wildlife park in South Africa. It is also the largest wildlife park in this country. Whether it is also the most beautiful game park in South Africa, you will have to experience that yourself. Personally, we prefer smaller game reserves.
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However when traveling through eastern South Africa stopping at Krugerpark is a must-do. Because the largest game park in South Africa, you just want to have been there.
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You can explore the Kruger Park with your own car. At the various stopping points in the Kruger Park, you will see large signs showing which animals have been spotted where that day, if you are looking for the Big 5. At these stops you will also find beautiful viewpoints and good restaurants.
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There a several different tours you can book in Krugerpark. Zo you can book a safari with a guide, but also a night safari, for example.
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There are several bungalow parks in the Kruger Park. So you can sleep in the middle of the largest game park in South Africa. If you want a little more luxury, we recommend sleeping in Hazyview, for example. Here you will find some very nice guest houses less than 20 kilometers from the Kruger Park.
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Hazyview is one of the most beautiful places in South Africa.
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And that's not because Hazyview itself is such a special or nice place. It's the location, the location, of Hazyview that makes this such a nice end to your holiday. Hazyview is conveniently located between
Krugerpark and the most beautiful route of South Africa, the Panoramaroute.
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Moreover, the guest houses and guesthouses in Hazyview are all beautifully surrounded by greenery, because it makes a wonderfully relaxing place to end your holiday. Moreover, they often also cook delicious South African meals at these guest houses.
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As we said, some of the most special sights in Hazyview are the Krugerpark and the Panoramaroute.
But there is still more to do. For example, you can admire elephants up close at Elephant whispers or opt for an exciting conclusion to your tour at height through the Skyway Trails.
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Food tips Hazyview
Topolino's Italian Restaurant, good Italian food on a nice terrace
Address: 25 036357, 31.124696, Hazyview, 1242, South Africa
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Kuka Restaurant & Cocktail lounge, A fresh and hip place with beautiful dishes
Address: Perry's Bridge Trading Post, R40, Hazyview, 1242, South Africa
Pioneer's Grill, the restaurant may be a bit dated, but the good food more than makes up for it.
Address: 1, Perry's Bridge Trading Post, R40, Hazyview, 1242, South Africa
Sleeping in Hazyview
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Mdluli Safari Lodge, sleep in a romantic tent with a beautiful view all around. What a fresh place.
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The Zarafa, luxurious sleeping, luxurious dining and that with a great view.
Best time to travel to South Africa
Because South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are the exact opposite of ours. In our summer (June to August) it is winter in South Africa. So in our winter it is summer in South Africa. The best time to travel to South Africa is in autumn and spring. The temperatures are then the best.
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Although South Africa can actually be visited all year round. The differences between the different seasons are not great. So even in the South African winter the temperatures are still pleasant.
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Explore South Africa
It is best to rent a car to explore South Africa, because the various game parks, cities and sights are fairly far apart.
The roads in South Africa are fine and easy to drive. Please note that driving is on the left in South Africa.
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