Day 1: Johannesburg      -Michaelangelo Hotel

Arrive into Johannesburg International airport (own arrangements).

You will be met and transferred to the Michaelangelo Hotel in Sandton.  The magnificent Renaissance architecture is in heart of the Richest Square Mile in South Africa, located on Nelson Mandela Square.

At 1:00pm a guide will return to the Palazzo to collect you for an afternoon tour of the colourful Soweto neighbourhood (previously known and the south-west township). This memorable tour delves into South Africa's Apartheid roots and grants travellers a look into the history, culture and people in this iconic destination.

Return to your hotel to freshen up. Meet your tour guide in the hotel restaurant at 7:30pm for a welcome dinner and introduction to the tour, as well as meeting your travelling companions.

Overnight: Michaelangelo Hotel

Included: Transfers, accommodation, tour of Soweto (including entrance fees) and welcome dinner.

Excluded: International flights (own arrangements), lunch, all drinks and any other activities and services not listed.

 

Day 2: Harrismith- De Oude Huize Yard

At ForTheThrills we prefer to take the keys, hand them over, and let you do the exploring  with us. Today is the official start of your Series Land Rover journey from Johannesburg to the northern Drakensberg. Your guide will meet you at the Palazzo after breakfast, leaving Gauteng Province towards Kwa Zulu Natal. 

We have lunch in Harrismith at Dom’s With Love before embarking on some of the interesting souvenir shopping opportunities.   Distinctive southern African curios and arty things are available at Marqwahouse. The Drakensberg range and Maluti Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop to Harrismith.

We continue along the N3 towards Durban, through the Van Reenen’s Pass and to the Tugela Toll Plaza. We continue through the plaza, then exit onto the R616 to Bergville then left towards Ladysmith. After 5 minutes, we turn right onto the R60 to Winterton. A further along 30 km we get to a T-junction then turn left over the bridge, taking the first turn to the right onto the R600 Central Drakensberg where we will cross a railway line.

Cathkin and Champagne Castle peaks are 3149m and 3248m above sea level respectively. These, together with Monk’s Cowl (3234m) are some of the highest peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains. Cathkin was named after an area around Glasgow, Scotland by the first Scottish settlers in the Drakensberg.

Overnight:  Drakensberg Sun Hotel

DISTANCE - 175 KMS

Included: Breakfast and accommodation.

Excluded: Tolls. All drinks, any other activities and services not listed.

 

Day 3: Himeville- Himeville Arms Hotel

As we continue to enjoy rural Africa watching for any potholes, pedestrians or straying domestic animals, today we have a relaxed start with a leisurely breakfast before we head into the Giant’s Castle area of the Drakensberg. Rich in San Art Paintings we visit to the Cave Museum showing San family life with clothes, tools and weapons is extremely interesting. Near to Giant’s Castle is a Vulture Restaurant where birds of prey like the Lemmergeier and Black Eagle can be seen from a camouflaged hide.

DISTANCE - 195 KMS

Overnight: Himeville Arms Hotel              

Included: Breakfast and accommodation.

Excluded: Any other meals, all drinks and any other activities and services not listed.

 

Day 4: Venture Inn Hotel, Port Shepstone

Making a very early start with head to Sani where we will enjoy a whole exciting day at the Sani Pass and the highest pub in Africa. Our direction through the beautiful Khomazana river valley steepens as the road gains altitude and the views become expansive. The Sani Pass is the third steepest pass in the world, which is why we are going to use 4X4 through beautiful mountain scenery into Lesotho where you can meet some of the Basotho people and experience their culture and way of living. The route, called the ‘Roof of Africa’ has a nerve wrecking final climb of over 800 metres in just 8 kilometres.

Bumping our way over a short, but very poor quality road to the Sani Mountain Lodge we can enjoy a rest at the highest pub in Africa. With a roaring fire and walls adorned with history and graffiti, where you can get a meal as well. The Highest Pub in Africa lives up to its name at 2873 meters above sea level. The Pub is situated at the top of the Sani Pass, a steep 4x4 trail with 27 corners and a number of them are tight switchbacks. Only 4x4 vehicles are permitted to use the pass.

DISTANCE – 205 KMS

Overnight:  Venture Inn

Included: Breakfast and accommodation.

Excluded: Any other meals, all drinks and any other activities and services not listed.

 

Day 5: Ocean Reef Hotel, Zinwkazi Beach

After an exhilarating day in the mountains we spend some time relaxing at the by the Indian Ocean.  Driving serenely along the coastal road, north, towards Durban, we pass through many coastal towns including Anerley, Athlone Park,  Bazley, Clansthal, Doonside, Elysium, Freeland Park,  Hibberdene, Illovo Beach, Ixopo, Kelso, Manaba Beach,  Mellville Beach, Mtwalume, Munster, Oslo Beach, Park Rynie and Pennington.

DISTANCE - 123 KMS

Overnight:  Ocean Reef Hotel, Zinkwazi Beach

Included: Breakfast and accommodation.

Excluded: Any other meals, all drinks and any other activities and services not listed.

 

Day 6: Royal Country Inn, Dundee

Today is takes us to Dundee. We stop for lunch in Greytown, at the Tranquil-Tea restaurant. Our route takes us through The Valley of a Thousand Hills, fertile sugar farms, into the rolling hills of timberland around Greytown and the through the magnificent scenery of The Tugela Basin, South Africa's largest river.

As we travel on the N3 linking Durban and Johannesburg, only 8 km off the motorway near Ladysmith, we arrive at the famous Battlefield of Spion Kop. Over a century ago on the 24th January 1900, Spion Kop was the scene of a bloody and futile battle fought between South Africans and British forces during the South African War, 1899 to 1902. Raymond Heron, a renowned historian, has a fascinating presentation on the war and the far-reaching effects it had on Britain and South Africa. During Raymond’s vivid presentation, one is able to relive memories of the war and walk in the footsteps of three great leaders – General Louis Botha, later to become the Union of South Africa’s first prime minister, and Mohandas (later the “Mahatma”) Gandhi, as well as Winston Churchill.

After an interesting afternoon we continue on to Dundee.

Overnight: Royal Country Inn

DISTANCE – 352 KMS

Included: Breakfast and accommodation.

Excluded: Any other meals, all drinks and any other activities and services not listed.

 

Day 7:  Izimbali Lodge, Ermelo

Stopping for lunch in Newcastle at the Pint and Pigout Restaurant we head north to Ermelo.  From KwaZulu-Natal the N11 continues through Newcastle, where it meets the R34 from Ladysmith to end at the N3 freeway. The N11 is arguably a difficult road because it carries 1000 trucks a day due to being an alternate route between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal to the N3 freeway. We travel carefully here in an unhurried ride north.

DISTANCE -  188 KMS

Overnight:  Izimbali Lodge

Included: Breakfast and accommodation.

Excluded: Any other meals, all drinks and any other activities and services not listed.

 

Day 9: Palazzo Hotel, Johannesburg

Continuing north-west along the N17 we return to Gauteng Province and Johannesburg.  Arriving back in Johannesburg around lunch time you will have the opportunity to repack your souvenirs. Although this marks the end of our tour, before you say farewell to sunny South Africa, please do not rush off, there are many local attractions not to be missed.

At our farewell dinner we get the opportunity to exchange photos and addresses as we tick our tremendous journey off our bucket-list. 

DISTANCE -  265 KMS

Included: Breakfast, dinner and accommodation.

Excluded: Any other meals, all drinks and any other activities and services not listed.

 

Day 10:                 Departure

Having spent the week with Series Landi enthusiasts , next morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Johannesburg OR Tambo airport to connect with our international flight, travelling under our own flight arrangements If you wish to extend your journey Harleys Safaris/ ForTheThrills are able to assist you at additional cost.

Included: Breakfast and transfers.

Excluded: Any other meals, all drinks and any other activities and services not listed,  Internal and international flights.

 

Please note that you need to be 25 years or older to drive, due to Insurance policies.