15 Days Southern Highlands Odyssey

About the destination: Johannesburg is the port of entry for the majority of tourists visiting South Africa and its largest city. First time visitors may also not be aware that Johannesburg and Pretoria are only 60km from each other, but the two cities are worlds apart, and the contrast is fascinating. South Africa's largest city is cosmopolitan, quirky and vibrant with glorious weather and friendly people. One of Johannesburg endearing characteristics is that it is a truly international and very cosmopolitan place. Johannesburg is unapologetically and unmistakably African with enough First World infrastructure to make for comfortable tourism. Newtown and the Market Theatre area are the city's cultural precinct. Braamfontein, the university area, has a great Saturday market, lively night life, is very artsy. Don’t miss the stunning Apartheid Museum. The most well-known and celebrated of South Africa's townships is Soweto, the sprawling mix of shanty town and formal housing estates that lies approximately 30km outside of Johannesburg in Gauteng. Johannesburg offers lots of interesting and often quirky things to do, be willing to scratch beneath the surface and you'll find enough to happily occupy a few days and provide excellent context to help you understand the turbulent history that has made South Africa what it is today.

About the destination: Pretoria is a city placed in the north part of Gauteng's province, in South Africa, inside the Metropolitan Municipality of Tshwane's City. It is the administrative capital of South Africa, close to the cardinal cities legislative of Cape Town and the Bloemfontein's judicial one. The Executive Power is located in Pretoria. The metropolitan area of Pretoria is the fifth one in importance of South Africa, with an estimated population of 2.985.997. Pretoria is considered to be the city that offers more services on the national level in university studies, with universities such as the University of Pretoria, founded in 1908 which is one of the oldest ones and extensive in the public area, the University of South Africa, which is the first one in the country that offers qualifications distantly, and Tshwane's Technological University, which receives the major quantity of sciences students in South Africa. Also it is the headquarter of the Council for the Scientific and Industrial Investigation of South Africa. Pretoria is also known popularly in Africa as “The city Jacaranda “due to the quantity of trees Jacaranda that exists in the streets, parks and gardens. Some of the most attractive tourist destinations of Pretoria, apart from the already mentioned ones, are: Groenkloof's natural reserve, Vrootrekker's monument and the buildings of the union.

About the destination: Maseru is the capital and most populated city of Lesotho, located on the banks of the Caledon River, bordering South Africa. It is the capital of the homonymous district. Until the year 2004 Maseru had a growing textile industry supported by Chinese investors, but since the end of the collection of tariffs to the Chinese textile industry by the United States the item has entered into a deep crisis, almost disappearing. Other economic activities in the city were the manufacture of candles and carpets, but they have been overshadowed by the South African industry. Maseru connects with South Africa through the border post of Maseru Bridge. Ladybrand is the closest South African town. Maseru was a small town when it was made capital of the Basotho by King Moshoeshoe I in 1869. It was the capital of the British protectorate of Basutoland between 1869 and 1871 and between 1884 and 1966, when Basutoland gained independence and its name was changed to Lesotho . The National University of Lesotho is located near the city, in a town called Rome, and there is also an international airport nearby, in Thoteng-ea-Moli.

About the destination: Clarens is a small town situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains in the Free State province of South Africa and nicknamed the "Jewel of the Eastern Free State". It was established in 1912 and named after the town of Clarens in Switzerland where exiled Paul Kruger spent his last days. It is situated 336 km from Johannesburg, 284 km from Bloemfontein, 389 km from Durban

About the destination: The Drakensberg mountains ("Mountains of the Dragon" in Afrikaans) are the highest mountains of South Africa, rising in Thabana Ntlenyana until the 3482 ms of height. In IsiZulu, the language of the Zulus, they are called uKhahlamba, the "barrier of the spears". In Lesotho they are known as Maloti.

About the destination: Durban is a city of South Africa in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, on the banks of the Indian Ocean. With 3,5 million inhabitants it is the biggest third city of the country, after Johannesburg and Cape Town Durban is South Africa’s self-styled 'playground', where year-round warm weather encourages visitors to make the most of the province’s outdoor lifestyle. Also known as 'Surf City', Durban is renowned for its magnificent bathing and surfing beaches, which stretch along the city's beachfront from Durban harbor in the south to the upmarket suburb of Umhlanga in the north. An expansive paved promenade offers access to the best of these beaches – the Golden Mile – where joggers, cyclists, dog owners, surfers, body boarders and walkers enjoy early-morning and late-afternoon exercise. Visitors cannot miss, Segway tours, a city-viewing Sky Car and bungee swing. Culturally, Durban exhibits a mix of Indian, Zulu and post-colonial influences, reflected in the city’s architecture and cuisine. Curries, seafood and fusion food are popular at beachfront restaurants, and coffee shops that line Florida Road and Helen Joseph Road. Durban its the perfect place for visitors.