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Route Rating Level 1 to Level 3

PDF iconDetailed Itinerary

RESERVE THIS TRIP!

Premiere Inns
  • From $7,498
    To $7,698 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$1,560 for sgl. occ.)
  • Internal Flights: $2,300

Reserve early for the best available price. More Info

11 DAYS, 10 NIGHTS
ROLLOVER DATES BELOW FOR SPECIFIC PRICES
2008 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
2009 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
ROLLOVER DATES ABOVE FOR SPECIFIC PRICES
TRIP NOTES

All meals included.

Cancellation Policy

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Meet / Depart

Cape Town, South Africa/Johannesburg, South Africa

Special Interest

Culture & History, Exotic Adventure, Fine Wine & Cuisine, Geological Wonders, Horseback Ride, Mountain Bike, Natural Beauty &/or Wildlife, Romance &/or Honeymoon, Safari, Spa, Tropical/Winter Sunshine, Whale Watch

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Contact Us

Call: 800-462-2848
or 510-527-1555
Fax: 510-527-1444
E-mail us

801 Cedar St.
Berkeley, CA 94710

Business Hours:
7 days a week
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time

Or contact your travel agent

South Africa Walking Vacations

South Africa & Botswana Walking

Big Game Viewing

Have you always dreamed of visiting Africa but been overwhelmed by its great distances and many options, and underwhelmed by the thought of sitting endlessly in a cramped safari vehicle? Dream no more. Experience the magic in true Backroads active style, hiking through the wilds of South Africa and Botswana, with a private open-topped Land Rover always available for intimate close-ups of spectacular wildlife. Unlike many African trips, each day features multiple activity options. Private chartered flights provide access to a wide diversity of landscapes and many of the continent's best lodges.

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Days 1-2 constantia

Meet in Cape Town Hike along Table Mountain, the city's cloud-draped landmark Visit the world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Hike to Cape Point, with chances to spot ostriches, cape mountain zebras, baboons and rare African penguins.

Days 3-4 cederberg mountains

Journey to Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve, one of Africa's most luxurious settings Walk to view ancient Bushman rock art, keeping an eye out for zebras and bontebok  Relax at the hotel spa.

Days 5-6 mashatu game reserve

A private chartered plane takes us to Botswana's Mashatu, a remote private game reserve teeming with wildlife Walk along ancient elephant paths  Open-topped Land Rovers take us into the bush for a classic safari.

Days 7-8 drakensburg mountains

Fly by private plane back to South Africa Walk through the hills of a beautiful plantation reminiscent of Out of Africa From the Great Escarpment, take in stunning views of the wild bush below.

Days 9-11 sabi sands game reserve

Visit an African tribal community with our local guide  Travel to Londolozi Private Game Reserve for exhilarating excursions into the bush, on foot and in Land Rovers, to view the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos Fly to Johannesburg.

Route Rating What's this? Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Each offers options for more or less activity, so you can decide exactly how much you want to do day by day.

Lodging What's this? Our lodgings are divided into three different categories.

Premiere Inns:These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.

Casual Inns:These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the areawith such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.

Deluxe Camping:We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.

Detailed Itinerary

Reserve This Trip!

Trip praise

Having spent a great deal of time in Southern Africa as a student on anthropological expeditions, I've been fortunate to see its great diversity and beauty—from majestic leopards at Londolozi, great herds of elephant in Botswana to stunning scenery of Cape Town and the Drakensburg mountains. It really is a world within one country—and has the luxury comforts and cuisine to make any visit a treat.
Christian Chumbley—Regional Manager Asia, South Africa & the East Coast

For more than 29 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the South Africa tour experts. For walking tours and hiking tours in Africa, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Africa walking tours and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Africa multisport tours click here.

South Africa & Botswana Walking

IDEAL OASES : Premiere Inns

The Cellars-Hohenort

Constantia (2 nights): This exquisite Relais & Châteaux-member winelands manor house, with stunning views of Table Mountain, was voted among the 20 Best Overseas Leisure Hotels in Africa, the Indian Ocean and Middle East by readers of Condé Nast Traveler.

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat

Cederberg Mountains (2 nights): This Relais & Châteaux member, winner of a coveted Grand Award from Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report, has a spa, delectable cuisine, exquisite guest rooms and magnificent surroundings.

Mashatu Main Camp

Mashatu Game Reserve (2 nights): In the midst of one of southern Africa's largest elephant herds, this spectacularly situated luxury camp has spacious suites, a pool and open-air dining.

Cybele Forest Lodge and Health Spa

Drakensburg Mountains (2 nights): A luxurious Relais & Châteaux farmhouse set amid 300 lush acres of forest, meadows and gardens.

Londolozi Private Game Reserve

Sabi Sands Game Reserve (2 nights): At this unabashedly elegant Relais & Châteaux member, posh chalets have balconies for observing elephants, hippos and other animals.

South Africa & Botswana Walking South Africa & Botswana Walking

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat

South Africa & Botswana Walking

Route Rating

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Levels 1 to 2  4 Route Options Available
  • 1, 2.1, 3, 5 miles
  • 0 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 1 to 2  1 Route Option Available
  • 5 miles 
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 1 to 2 1 Route Option Available
  • 2 hours
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
  • 3, 4.3 miles
  • 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • Game Walking 1-2 hours
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Levels 1 to 2  2 Route Options Available
  • 2-3 hours
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 7
  • Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
  • 2 miles
  • 2 hours
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain  
Day 8
  • Level 1   1 Route Option Available
  • 4.3 miles
  • 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 9
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • African Community Stroll 1.5 hours
Day 10
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • Game Walking 1-2 hours
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 11
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • Optional Game Walking 1.5 hours
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
South Africa & Botswana Walking South Africa & Botswana Walking

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours		 10-20
miles		 2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours		 21-30
miles		 5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours		 31-40
miles		 7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours		 41-55
miles		 9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours		 56-75+
miles		 11-13+
miles