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Winelands Tour: Cape Town
Big 5 Tour: Mpumalanga
Sunshine Coast Tour: Durban

Johannesburg - KwaZulu Natal

A round trip departing from Johannesburg approximately once every two months. We take in most of the popular tourist sites offered in part of the Free State, Drakensberg Area, KwaZulu Natal and head home via the Mpumalanga area

  • Length of Trip: 10 days
    Days Riding: 9 days
    Total Mileage: 3 500Km

GAUTENG

This province is the commercial heart of South Africa containing the important cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria. Despite the urbanisation of the Johannesburg region, there are plenty opportunity for getting back to nature. Game farms, dams lakes and rivers (for watersports and fishing, hiking trails), and picnic spots are plentiful and the Hartebeespoort Dam and Vaal River area are a particularly popular recreational spots.

The province is described as "The Heartbeat of Africa". Johannesburg, known as the "City of Gold" or Egoli, is the commercial powerhouse of South Africa.

Pretoria is about 30 miles north of Johannesburg is the country's administrative capital, is known as the 'Jacaranda City' after the purple-blossomed trees which bloom in such profusion in late September-October, the South African spring time. It is a fascinating melting pot of different culture - South Africa is one city. Outside the city are bushveld game farms as well as more than 100 nature reserves and bird sanctuaries of which the Rietvlei Nature Reserve is the largest

FREE STATE

This landlocked province between the Vaal River in the north and the Orange River in the south is an area of wide, open spaces - an immense rolling prairie, checkered with farmsteads and windmills.

Hospitality is one of the province's prized assets and a Free State farm holiday offers a unique opportunity to get to know the friendly people who inhabit this region. One of South Africa's major rivers, the Vaal flows through the province and there are attractive holiday resorts near two of the river's largest dams.

The mountains of the eastern highlands harbour romantic hideaways and rugged hiking trails. The Golden Gate National Park in the north-east, with its spectacular sandstone formations, an area of scenic beauty, has a network of nature trails and provides the opportunity to see antelope and bird life.

The adjoining Qwaqwa (pronounced KwaKwa) National Park is sanctuary to rare species of vulture. Other protected areas include the Mount Everest Game Reserve at Harrismith and the Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve, a birdwatchers' paradise near the small town of Memel. Qwaqwa and many other parts of the Free State are home to the South Sotho people and their culture can be appreciated at the Basotho Cultural Village.

Capital of the Free State is Bloemfontein, known as the 'City of Roses'

KWAZULU NATAL

KwaZulu-Natal is one of South Africa's smallest provinces encompassing the territory known as Zululand towards the north. Near Eshowe visitors can stay in typical Zulu villages (with beehive shaped, thatched huts). In this region are a number of important wildlife conservation areas, including award-winning Hluhluwe/ Umfolozi public game reserve, where the white rhino was saved from extinction, and the coral reefs and water wonderland of the St Lucia 'estuary and Lake St. Lucia.

To the west are the soaring peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains, with protected public parks from which the magnificent scenery can be enjoyed. This region is famed for its proliferation of ancient rock paintings by the San (Bushmen), South Africa's original inhabitants.

The province is also known for its Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer battlefield sites. At its heart is the city of Pietermaritzburg. With its "olde worlde" dignity it is affectionately referred to as "The Last Outpost of the British Empire". The Midlands region boasts excellent country hotels, arts and craft routes, white water rafting on the Tugela River, trout fishing and wonderful scenery.

KwaZulu-Natal's sub-tropical climate makes it the haunt of sunbathers, swimmers and watersports enthusiasts all-year-round. Cities and towns, such as Umhlanga Rocks, have well-developed resort areas, geared for looking after demanding tourists. Durban, with its "golden mile" of modern hotels and restaurants, has been dubbed South Africa's "Sunshine Playground"

MPUMALANGA

This is one of the premier tourist areas of South Africa offering a variety of tourist routes, each with its own special attractions. An appealing diversity of cultures, featuring some of the most colourful and interesting tribal groupings in the country, is a particular highlight.

Mpumalanga is a sportsman's paradise. There are golf courses in some of the province's most scenic areas. Hang-gliding, micro-lighting and para-gliding are popular and hiking is available throughout the province with the world-renowned Kruger National Park offering guided walks for small groups. Large dams provide the opportunity for watersports whilst dams and streams in the high country attract trout fishermen.

The landscapes of the escarpment are dramatic. The eastern faces of the mountains are particularly steep, plunging hundreds of metres down to the Kruger National Park and Mozambique.

The Blyde River Canyon, one of the great natural features of Southern Africa and the third largest canyon in the world, is a majestic, red sandstone gorge whose almost sheer cliff-face plunges nearly a kilometre below. Dominating the gorge are the triple peaks known as the "Three Rondavels".

The Blyde River Botanical Reserve is situated in South Africa’s Blyde River Canyon, which is renowned for its breath-taking beauty, and its towering peaks, broad, fast-flowing rivers and green indigenous forest.

Gold diggers, transport-riders and big game hunters roamed the area and have left behind a fascinating history. The village of Pilgrim's Rest is a national monument where visitors are transported back to the days of the early gold rush of the late 19th century.

Other tourist attractions, Barberton, Sabi and the Long Tom Pass gives an intriguing glimpse into a colourful past The area known as the Lowveld is the haunt of big game. West of the Kruger National Park are number of private game reserves, each with its own distinct character.