Please leave your contact details and enter a short description of your dream adventure and we will forward your request to this travel company and 2 more industry expert companies that organise best trips in South Africa. They will be in touch with tailored proposals within three working days.
Our tours come with an "Optional Activity Package". You will need to purchase this package if you would like to partake in what we consider to be "essential activities" on our tours. The Activity Package has been written into the itinerary of the tour so please keep this in mind as if you don't book the package, the activities won't be included. We suggest that you prebook and prepay for your Activity Package to ensure availability.
Leaving the city of Johannesburg behind us we make our way east through the coalfields of Mpumalanga. Our journey today follows in the footsteps of the old trade-routes to the Lowveld and the Kruger National Park. This afternoon there will be an opportunity to join an optional sundowner drive, booking is essential and your guide can assist on departure this morning.
Day 02Rising early this morning we enter the Kruger National Park to enjoy a full-day of game viewing in open 4×4 vehicles. The abundance of wildlife presents us with opportunities for excellent sightings and the Kruger is also home to the famed members of Africa’s Big-5. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species including 336 trees, 49 fish, 114 reptiles and 147 mammals. Our activity package offers the added excitement of experiencing the park from an open-sided 4×4 vehicle. This evening there is a second opportunity for the optional Sundowner drive.
Day 03While those who elect to do the optional morning walk will have an earlier start, we set out a little later today and travel the short distance to the Panorama Route. Strung along the escarpment that divides the central plateau and low-lying bushveld of the Kruger, the sights of the Panorama route offer us a day of scenic delights. We will visit the highlights of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels and God’s Window before returning to camp in the late afternoon.
Day 04We start the day early with some traditional coffee and rusks before setting off through Kruger on our way to Swaziland. We exit the southern end of the park and travel the short distance to the Swaziland border. Our overnight accommodation is nestled at the foot of Mount Emlembe, Swaziland’s highest mountain and this afternoon we will visit the town’s mining museum and take a step back in history to 2001 when the mining company that had built and operated Bulembu for more than 60 years, closed its doors and walked away.
Day 05
Today we exit Swaziland and return to South Africa, making our way to the town of St Lucia and continue south into the reaches of Zululand, once the realm of the mighty King Shaka who united the Zulu clans. This evening we are treated to a cultural experience where we will learn more of the Zulu traditions and language.
Day 06We set out early this morning for a game drive in the nearby Hluhulwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, one of the last strongholds of the endangered Rhinoceros. The reserve has played a critical role in the preservation of these endangered animals, both Black and White Rhinoceros occur in the park and many populations owe their ongoing existence to animals that have been raised here. While Rhinoceros are the most famous of the parks inhabitants, the park also provides a home to many other species, including the Big-5 that we all hope to see. Returning to our lodging for a siesta, we freshen up for an afternoon boat cruise on St Lucia estuary.
Activity Package Hluhkuwe-Imfolozi National Park Day 07
Durban has long been the favourite holiday destination for South Africans, the golden mile with its warm seas and safe swimming beaches attracts visitors throughout the year. This afternoon we have time to spend on the beaches of the golden mile and tonight we enjoy a dinner out, an opportunity to sample the Indian influenced dishes that have become a hallmark of Durban cuisine.
Day 08A lazy morning offers the chance for a final swim or stroll along the beach before we leave the coast behind us, our destination is the mountains of the Drakensberg. Running the length of the Kwazulu-Natal province, the Ukuhlamba Drakensberg Park is a UNESCO recognised world heritage site. Whether you go by the Zulu name uKhahlamba, meaning ‘barrier of spears’, or the Afrikaans name Drakensberge, meaning ‘dragon mountains’, these towering mountains will be our backdrop for the next two nights. On our way we make a stop at the scenic Howick Falls and a visit to the nearby site that marked the capture of South Africa’s most famous man. In 1962, police waved down a car on a lonely stretch of road, they arrested Nelson Mandela who would go on to serve 27 years in prison before eventually becoming the president of South Africa in 1994.
Day 09We set out this morning for a day of hiking to explore the mountains of the Drakensberg, along our way we will have the opportunity to view examples of San rock art with a local guide. While we encourage everyone to make the most of the day in mountains, we may offer separate options depending on the activity level of the group. With a number of trails available we can ensure that we cater to every need, the most important aim is to ensure everyone enjoys this mountain paradise at their own pace.
Day 10Our journey today begins with a mountain pass and an opportunity to visit a vulture restaurant where we hope to view these fascinating birds. Our route winds its way through the magnificent cliffs off the Golden Gate National Park before we enter Lesotho in the afternoon, we pass the capital city of Maseru as continue the climb to our base high amongst the mountain peaks.
Day 11The clean air of the mountains accompanies us this morning as we explore the mountains on foot, our hike concludes with a village visit and the opportunity to gain insight into the community that calls these mountains home. The Basotho are famous for their traditional hats, blankets and their sturdy ponies. Basotho ponies are renowned for their surefootedness in the mountains and you have the opportunity of an optional pony trek this afternoon to experience this first-hand.
Day 12Returning to South Africa, we descend the mountains and take aim across the Great Karoo. The semi-arid Karoo represents the heartland of rural South Africa and presents a stark contrast to the mountains we leave behind. Our overnight stop is set in the historic town of Graaff-Reinet, the fourth oldest town in the country. We cross the mighty Orange (Gariep) River today as we journey through the vast countryside of the Karoo. This afternoon we are joined by a local guide who will introduce us to the historical highlights of the town, ending with a sundowner excursion to the Valley of Desolation, this unique valley offers a panoramic view over the town and the wide open plains stretching out below.
Day 13Famed for the elephants after which the park was named, recent expansion has seen Addo grow to become the third largest of South Africa’s National Parks. The unique vegetation of Addo supports and this afternoon we will once again venture into the park in search of the animals.
Day 14After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to Port Elizabeth where your tour will come to an end upon arrival at the Kings Beach Hotel.
Contact us
