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.

11 Day Slackpacking South Africa Tour

Itinerary at a Glance:

  • Day 01

    Arrival in the Kruger National Park, Satara Rest Camp

  • Days 02, 03 & 04

    On a walking safari in the Kruger National Park, Sweni Trail Huts

  • Day 05

    Depart Kruger for Hoedspruit, Khaya Ndlovu Safari Manor

  • Day 06

    Hike up the Mariepskop Mountain

  • Day 07

    Depart for Cape Town, Commodore Hotel

  • Day 08

    Hike up Table Mountain

  • Day 09

    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 01

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.

View from Satara Rest Camp, Kruger National Park
Bungalows at Satara Rest Camp

Days 02, 03 & 04

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.

Sundowners overlooking the Sweni River
Buffalo in the river
Up close at an elephant sighting in Kruger
Walking in the Kruger National Park
Green season on the Sweni Wilderness Trail

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 05

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.

Luxurious rooms at Khaya Ndlovu Safari Manor
Relax on your private veranda at Khaya Ndlovu Safari Manor

Day 06

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.

Mariepskop Mountain in the morning light

Day 07

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.

Relax in comfort at the Commodore Hotel
Views of Table Mountain from your room at The Commodore

Day 08

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.

Conquer the steep slopes of Platteklip Gorge up Table Mountain
Take the cable car down Table Mountain

Day 09

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.

Wind your way along the beautiful Chapman's Peak Drive
Gorgeous wooden walkways in the Cape Point Nature Reserve
Boulders Beach Penguin Colony

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).

Walk through the winelands with an experienced guide
Take in the beautiful views of the Cape Winelands

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

2025:
Sweni Wilderness Trail is closed in December
January – October
R46,485 per person sharing x 02 adults
R42,170 per person sharing x 04 adults
R41,140 per person sharing x 06 adults

November
R54,815 per person sharing x 02 adults
R44,175 per person sharing x 04 adults
R43,075 per person sharing x 06 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

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Debbie Isaacs
Debbie Isaacs
21 January 2025
We used African Travel again for the second time over Xmas and New Year. Once again, every little bit of our trip ran smoothly and without a hitch. Their communication was great throughout and we will, no doubt, be returning to them in the future too. Thanks Petru.
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Daniel Stewart
08 January 2025
We had the most amazing time on our self drive tour of Namibia organised through African Travel Gateway. Everything from the planning and booking process, to the arrival and welcome in Windhoek, to the app with the itinerary and directions made for a really relaxed and well organised holiday. But the most important part was getting to experience Namibia - what a spectacular country! The only negative was that we should have booked for longer!
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27 December 2024
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