11 Day Slackpacking South Africa Tour

During this 11-day slackpacking tour you will discover the Kruger National Park on foot, summit the Mariepskop mountain in the Blyde River Canyon, climb the iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town and discover the beauty of the Cape Point Nature Reserve as well as the distinct mountains that make up the Cape Winelands.

Itinerary at a Glance:
Day 1 – Arrival in the Kruger National Park, Satara Rest Camp
Day 2, 3 & 4 – On a walking safari in the Kruger National Park, Sweni Trail Huts
Day 5 – Depart Kruger for Hoedspruit, Khaya Ndlovu Safari Manor
Day 6 – Hike up the Mariepskop Mountain
Day 7 – Depart for Cape Town, Commodore Hotel
Day 8 – Hike up Table Mountain
Day 9 – Cape Peninsula Tour and Cape Point Nature Reserve Hike
Day 10 – Hike through the Cape Winelands, La Fontaine Guest House
Day 11 – Departure from Cape Town

 

Day 1 – Arrival in the Kruger National Park, Satara Rest Camp

This morning you will arrive off your international flight at OR Tambo International Airport, from here you will make your way to the domestic terminal where you will check in for your flight to Hoedspruit Airport.  Upon arrival at Hoedspruit Airport, you will be transferred into the Kruger National Park to Satara Rest Camp, here you will spend 1 night on a self-catering basis. Satara Rest Camp is one of the bigger camps in the Kruger Park, with full amenities such as a shop, a restaurant and a swimming pool.  The evening is yours to enjoy dinner at the restaurant before your walking safari begins tomorrow.

Day 2, 3 & 4 – On a walking safari in the Kruger National Park, Sweni Trail Huts

Today will begin by meeting your guide at Satara Rest Camp for a full briefing on the Sweni Wilderness Trail before being transferred to the Sweni Trail Camp, this will be your accommodation for the next 3 nights. Each hut sleeps 2 people, the huts are equipped with basic amenities, there are communal ablutions with gas geysers and flush toilets. The Sweni Trail departs on a Wednesday or a Sunday so please bear this in mind when planning your trip.

Each day will begin with an early morning coffee before you head out on foot for a walking safari, during these walks you will be guided by a SANParks Ranger who will point out animals, show your different flora and fauna and guide you on an incredible experience through the bush.  Watching wildlife from ground level is a unique experience, the highlight of the trail is the Sweni River of which you will traverse, this river attracts an abundance of wildlife including elephants, buffalo, lions and much more.

You will return to camp in time for a hearty brunch followed by a relaxing time at the trail camp during the heat of the day.  In the late afternoon, you will head out again on foot for another game walk and sundowners. After your afternoon walk you will return to camp for a delicious dinner around the campfire.

Day 5 – Depart Kruger for Hoedspruit, Khaya Ndlovu Safari Manor

This morning you will enjoy one last breakfast in the depths of the Kruger National Park before you are transferred back to Satara Rest Camp.  From here you will be transferred to Khaya Ndlovu Safari Manor where you will spend the following 2 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.  The evening is yours to relax at the lodge before your hike tomorrow.

Day 6 – Hike up the Mariepskop Mountain

After breakfast this morning you will be collected by your guide for a breathtaking hike up the Mariepskop Mountain in the Blyde River Canyon. You would begin with a transfer from your lodge to the base of the mountain, from here your guide will lead you up the stunning slopes of the mountain pointing out all the different flora along the way.  The hike is up 1945m and once you reach the summit the views are out of this world, with a panoramic view of the Bylde River Canyon and the incredible environment around you, this summit is one to remember.  Once you have spent enough time exploring the summit you will make your way back down the mountain, once you reach the base you will be transferred back to your lodge.

Day 7 – Depart for Cape Town, Commodore Hotel

This morning after breakfast you will be transferred back to the Hoedspruit Airport in time for your flight to Cape Town, as you begin your descent into Cape Town you will catch a glimpse of the mountains you will be walking through over the next few days.  Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be transferred to the Commodore Hotel where you will spend the next 3 nights on a bed-and-breakfast basis.  The evening is yours to relax at the hotel or explore the nearby V&A Waterfront.

Day 8 – Hike up Table Mountain

The earlier start to today the better as you begin on an exciting walk up the iconic Table Mountain. You will be collected from your hotel by your guide and drive to the bottom of Table Mountain, from here you will begin your hike up the front of the mountain via Platteklip Gorge, one of the most popular routes up the mountain.  The hike up will take around 2 hours depending on how fast you take it, we recommend taking it slow and stopping along the way to take in the beautiful views of Cape Town City and the Cape Town Harbour that will begin to emerge the further up the mountain you get.  Once you reach the top you will be able to explore all the viewpoints, walk through the diverse vegetation that covers the tabletop, and maybe have a coffee at the café before hopping in the cable car for your trip down the mountain.  You will then be transferred back to your hotel and the afternoon is yours to relax and explore the Waterfront area.

Day 9 – Cape Peninsula Tour and Cape Point Nature Reserve Hike

This morning you will be collected from your hotel after breakfast for your fun-filled day of adventure through the Cape Peninsula.  Before you head out to the peninsula you will go on a short walk through the colourful suburb of BoKaap in central Cape Town, and then you will drive along the coastal road through Clifton and Camps Bay and then onto the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive, this road winds its way from Cape Town to Cape Point with some stunning views of the ocean and mountains along the way.  We will stop off at the Cape Point Nature Reserve where you will embark on a 40 minute hike through the nature reserve ending at the lighthouse.

From here we will head towards the naval town of Simonstown where we will take a stroll along the boardwalk to see the Boulders Beach penguin colony.  From here we will find a local restaurant for lunch (at your own cost) before heading to Muizenberg to try and spot some sharks.  The day will end off driving through the leafy suburb of Constantia and some optional wine tastings before heading back to your hotel.

Day 10 – Hike through the Cape Winelands, La Fontaine Guest House

This morning after breakfast you will be collected and transferred to the meeting point in Stellenbosch to begin your trail through the gorgeous wine farms in the Banhoek Valley between the towns of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. As you traverse the vineyards and surrounding wine farms your guide will tell you more about the process of wine making as well as the indigenous plants that grow in these areas and the life in general on a working wine farm.  Along the way we will stop for wine tastings and cellar tours at two different wine farms before ending off at another wine farm for a delicious lunch (drinks are not included).

After lunch you will be transferred to the La Fontaine Guest House in Franschhoek where you will spend the night on a bed a breakfast basis.  The evening is yours to enjoy the facilities at the hotel and the beautiful scenery of the Cape Winelands.

Day 11 – Departure from Cape Town

As all good things do, your time in South Africa draws to a close.  After breakfast you will be transferred to the Cape Town International Airport.  You will board your onward flight with incredible memories of your trails through South Africa.

Tour Costs:

2024:
January – November (Sweni Wilderness Trail is closed in December)
R45 410 per person sharing x 02 adults

2025:
January – November (Sweni Wilderness Trail is closed in December)
R49 990 per person sharing x 02 adults

Cost Include:
01 night accommodation at Satara Rest Camp (Self Catering)
03 nights accommodation at Sweni Wilderness Trail (Full Board)
02 nights accommodation at Khaya Ndlovu Safari Manor (Bed and Breakfast)
03 nights accommodation at The Commodore Hotel (Bed and Breakfast)
01 night accommodation at La Fontaine Guest House (Bed and Breakfast)

Parks and entrance fees
All activities as per itinerary
Drinking water on activities (please provide your own bottle to reduce plastic waste)
All road transfers as per itinerary
Tourism levy of 1 %

Flights
Johannesburg to Hoedspruit (economy class)
Hoedspruit to Cape Town (economy class)

Costs Exclude:
Visas if required
Airport taxes
Personal items and gratuities
Bar accounts not specified
Meals not specified
Flights not specified
Park fees not specified
Table Mountain cable car tickets

What to bring for the walks/hikes:
Comfortable clothing and footwear
Hat
Warm/all-weather jacket
Water bottle
Camera
Walking stick if needed
Sunscreen
Torch (Sweni Trail)
Malaria medication (Please consult your doctor)
Insect repellent