This is the ultimate, high-intensity 13-day traverse of Southern Africa. The journey connects the Big Five wildlife of Kruger National Park with the culture of Mozambique and Eswatini, the majesty of Lesotho’s high mountains, the natural thrills of the Garden Route, and the spectacular finale in Cape Town.

This epic tour is a high-intensity, 13-day traverse across four Southern African nations, blending wildlife, cultural immersion, and spectacular scenery. It links the vast bushveld of Kruger with the high mountain kingdom of Lesotho, culminating in a world-class journey along South Africa’s Garden Route to Cape Town.

Countries Visited: South Africa, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho.

Tour Highlights: Day 1 to Day 13

Day	Destination	Primary Highlight
Day 1	Panorama Route (SA)	Blyde River Canyon: Viewing one of the world’s largest canyons.
Day 2	Kruger National Park (SA)	Big Five Safari: Tracking Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, and Buffalo.
Day 3	Maputo (MOZ)	Colonial Charm: Exploring the beautiful Maputo Railway Station and city architecture.
Day 4	Eswatini (ESW)	Swazi Culture: Experiencing traditional dances at the Mantenga Cultural Village.
Day 5	St Lucia (SA)	Swazi Crafts: Seeing the intricate art of the Swazi Candles Factory.
Day 6	Lake St Lucia (SA)	Hippo Cruise: Boat trip to see large concentrations of Hippos and Crocodiles.
Day 7	Sani Pass (LES)	Highest Pub in Africa: Conquering the Sani Pass in a 4×4.
Day 8	Semonkong (LES)	Maletsunyane Falls: Witnessing one of Southern Africa’s highest single-drop waterfalls.
Day 9	Gariep Dam (SA)	Engineering Marvel: Viewing South Africa’s largest dam after the Karoo Traverse.
Day 10	Addo & Tsitsikamma (SA)	Addo Elephants & Coastal Thrills: Morning safari followed by the Storms River Suspension Bridge.
Day 11	Hermanus (SA)	Marine Giants: Land-based Whale Watching (seasonal) and exploring the Cango Caves.
Day 12	Cape Town (SA)	Iconic Views: Ascending Table Mountain and a visit to the colourful Bo-Kaap.
Day 13	Cape Peninsula (SA)	African Penguins & Cape Point: Visiting Boulders Beach and the Cape of Good Hope.

Day-by-Day Itinerary (Day 1 to Day 13)

Day	Destination & Country	Highlights & Key Focus	Why / Where / How	Overnight
Day 1	Panorama Route & Kruger Gateway (SA)	Panorama Route, Three Rondavels, Blyde River Canyon. Dramatic scenic driving before heading to the Lowveld, preparing for the safari.	Why: Offers breathtaking, iconic views before the wildlife experience. Where: Mpumalanga Escarpment. How: Comfortable vehicle transfer with scenic stops.	Skukuza Safaris Lodge (inside Kruger)
Day 2	Kruger National Park Safari (SA)	Full Day Safari: Big Five Tracking. Dedicated morning and afternoon game drives to spot the iconic Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, and Buffalo.	Why: Prime time to spot predators in Africa’s premier wildlife sanctuary. Where: Kruger National Park. How: Morning or sunset drive: Open Sanparks vehicle with an experienced ranger.	Skukuza Safaris Lodge
Day 3	Maputo Exploration (MOZ)	Colonial Architecture & City Life. Tour Maputo, visiting the Central Market, the iconic Maputo Railway Station, and the historic Maputo Fortress.	Why: To experience the unique culture and Portuguese heritage of the Mozambican capital. Where: Maputo City. How: Guided walk/drive through key city sites.	Tan n Biki Lodge (Maputo)
Day 4	Eswatini Culture & Nature (ESW)	Swazi Culture & Hlane Safari. Game drive in Hlane Royal National Park. Afternoon cultural immersion at Mantenga Cultural Village (traditional dances).	Why: Deep dive into the rich and unique Swazi culture. Where: Ezulwini Valley. How: Vehicle transfer, guided game drive, and cultural tour.	Mlilwane Nature Reserve (Beehive Hut)
Day 5	Handicrafts & St Lucia (SA)	Swazi Candles & iSimangaliso. Visit the famous Swazi Candles Factory. Re-enter South Africa and drive to St Lucia, gateway to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.	Why: See local artistry; position for the wetland safari. Where: Eswatini exit to KwaZulu-Natal. How: Vehicle transfer and border formalities.	St Lucia (e.g., Leopard Lodge)
Day 6	Lake St Lucia & Drakensberg (SA)	Hippo & Croc Cruise. Morning boat cruise on Lake St Lucia to view large concentrations of hippos and crocodiles. Scenic drive inland toward the Drakensberg.	Why: Experience the UNESCO Wetland Park ecosystem. Where: iSimangaliso Wetland Park. How: Guided boat safari, followed by vehicle transfer.	Underberg (Drakensberg Foothills)
Day 7	Sani Pass & Lesotho Highlands (LES)	Highest Pub in Africa. Exhilarating 4×4 ascent of the Sani Pass. Lunch at 2,874m above sea level. Basotho Cultural Exchange in a local mountain village.	Why: Achieve a mountain adventure and cultural immersion. Where: Sani Pass. How: Specialist 4×4 vehicle (required) and guided tour.	Underberg (SA)
Day 8	Maletsunyane Falls (LES)	Kingdom in the Sky Majesty. Drive deep into the Lesotho highlands. Witness the spectacular 192m single-drop Maletsunyane Falls.	Why: To see the rugged beauty of the Lesotho interior. Where: Semonkong. How: Vehicle transfer and sightseeing.	Semonkong Lodge
Day 9	Karoo Traverse & Gariep Dam (SA)	The Great Trek & Engineering Marvel. Final border crossing from Lesotho. Long traverse across the vast, arid Karoo landscape to the Gariep Dam, South Africa’s largest dam.	Why: Transition from mountains to the heartland; appreciate the Karoo’s vastness. Where: Karoo to Gariep Dam. How: Extended vehicle transfer.	Waschbank River Lodge (Gariep Dam)
Day 10	Addo Safari & Garden Route (SA)	Addo Elephants, Bloukrans, Tsitsikamma. Morning game drive in Addo Elephant National Park. Drive the N2: Stop at Bloukrans Bridge (optional bungy) and the Storms River Suspension Bridge (Tsitsikamma).	Why: A final safari and adrenaline/coastal nature fix. Where: Eastern Cape to Klein Karoo. How: Game drive and vehicle transfer with stops.	Oudtshoorn
Day 11	Cango Caves, Route 62, & Hermanus (SA)	Underground Exploration & Whales. Morning tour of the magnificent Cango Caves. Drive the scenic Route 62. Arrive in Hermanus, famous for land-based Whale Watching (seasonal).	Why: Experience Karoo geology and the unique coastal environment. Where: Oudtshoorn to Hermanus. How: Guided cave tour and vehicle transfer.	Hermanus
Day 12	Cape Town: City & Mountain (SA)	Table Mountain, V&A, & Bo-Kaap. Scenic drive to Cape Town. Ascend Table Mountain (weather permitting). Explore the V&A Waterfront. Quick visit to the colourful houses of Bo-Kaap.	Why: Essential Cape Town icons and cultural photo opportunities. Where: Hermanus to Cape Town. How: Vehicle transfer, Cableway, and guided drive.	Cape Town
Day 13	Cape Peninsula & Farewell (SA)	Cape Point, Boulders Beach, Winelands. Drive the Peninsula via Chapman’s Peak Drive. Visit Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Stop at Boulders Beach (African Penguins). Final wine tasting.	Why: Dramatic coastal views and a sophisticated farewell. Where: Cape Peninsula. How: Vehicle transfer and guided stops.	Departure (CPT)

This tour is designed for the adventurous and culturally curious traveller who seeks maximum variety and immersion across Southern Africa in a condensed timeframe. It is ideal for those who prioritise diverse experiences, ranging from intense wildlife safaris and challenging mountain adventures to vibrant city exploration and world-class coastal drives.

The 13-Day Grand Slam is inherently flexible and can be tailored to suit different preferences. Notably, while the primary route is structured to begin near Johannesburg (for the immediate start to Kruger) and culminate in Cape Town, the entire itinerary can be seamlessly reversed. Travellers can choose to start the tour in Cape Town (with the Peninsula and Winelands) and conclude the epic journey in Johannesburg after visiting Kruger and the Panorama Route, allowing for ultimate convenience in flight booking and regional logistics.

Should your travel window be shorter, or do you wish to focus solely on the highlights of a specific region, this itinerary offers natural break points. For an intense concentration on South Africa’s flagship experiences, consider the 6-Day Kruger, Mozambique, Eswatini and Lesotho Tour. Alternatively, for a deeper dive into the unique cultures and mountain kingdoms, the 9-Day Multi-Country Explorer, after visiting Mozambique, Eswatini, and the Lesotho Highlands, makes it ideal for a focused regional adventure.

Meal Inclusion Policy

Please note that this Grand Slam tour operates on a Bed & Breakfast (B&B) basis for most nights. This means that lunch and dinner are generally NOT included in the base tour price. This approach offers guests the flexibility to choose where and what they wish to eat, whether opting for local restaurants in cities like Maputo and Cape Town, enjoying simple pub fare in mountain villages, or purchasing their own picnic items for long drives.

Specific exceptions where meals are included will be noted in your final booking confirmation (e.g., certain safari lodges may include dinner). Budgeting for lunch and dinner expenses throughout the 13 days is highly recommended.

Features

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Pricing

13 Day Tour Pricing

Adults Sharing

R 75,000.00
Children under 12yrs (POR)

R 55,000.00
Solo Travellers

Solo Travelers

R 99,000.00

Location

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FAQ

Here are 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the 13-Day Grand Slam tour:

Which countries are visited on this 13-Day Grand Slam tour? This comprehensive tour visits four Southern African countries: South Africa, Mozambique, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), and Lesotho.

Can the tour be started in Cape Town instead of near Johannesburg?

Yes, the 13-Day Grand Slam itinerary is entirely flexible and can be operated in reverse. You can start the tour in Cape Town (with the Peninsula and Garden Route) and conclude the journey near Johannesburg (after visiting Kruger National Park).

Are visas required for the four countries, and are they difficult to obtain?

Visa requirements depend heavily on your nationality. Most travellers will need visas for Mozambique. Eswatini and Lesotho generally offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry for many nationalities. We advise consulting your nearest consulate for each country well in advance, especially for Mozambique.

What is the accommodation style, and are all meals included?

Accommodation ranges from comfortable lodges inside or near national parks (like Skukuza Safaris Lodge and Tan n Biki Lodge) to guesthouses and unique stays (like the traditional Beehive Hut in Eswatini and the mountain lodge in Semonkong). While most tours include breakfast, daily inclusions vary, so please confirm the exact meal plan (e.g., whether lunch and dinner are included on safari days).

What is the minimum fitness level required for this tour?

This is an active, fast-paced itinerary involving long driving days, border crossings, and high-altitude areas (Sani Pass and Lesotho). A moderate level of fitness is required for short hikes (like Tsitsikamma) and walking on uneven terrain. Passengers should be comfortable spending extended periods in a vehicle.

What type of vehicle is used for the Sani Pass ascent on Day 7?

Due to the extreme nature and condition of the road, the ascent of the Sani Pass from South Africa into Lesotho is strictly carried out in a specialised 4x4 vehicle driven by a qualified mountain guide

What happens if Table Mountain is closed on Day 12?

Table Mountain's cableway often closes due to high winds. If this occurs on Day 12, an alternative activity will be offered, such as a visit to the Bo-Kaap and Robben Island ferry trip (time permitting and subject to booking), or exploring the other scenic drives in the area like the one leading to Signal Hill.