Itinerary

DAYS 1 - 2; (2 Nights)
MPUMALANGA, South Africa  [Chalets - breakfast x1, lunch x2, dinner x2]

After the tour briefing, we depart Johannesburg at 06:30am and head east towards Mpumalanga.  During the afternoon we visit the gold mining town of Pilgrims Rest, explore Bourkes Luck Potholes and the viewpoint over God’s Window.  We then make our way to our chalets near the escarpment. We spend the next day exploring the Blyde River canyon on foot.


Includes: Entrance fees to Bourkes Luck Potholes & Blyde River Canyon.
Overnight: Chalets - 2 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 bathroom shared between 2 bedrooms. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant.
Distance / Time: 400kms, ± 5½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing, breakfast & lunch.
Optional Activities: N/A

DAYS 3 - 4; (2 Nights)
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, South Africa  [Tented Lodge or Chalets - breakfast, lunch & dinner]

Big Game Safari.  We spend the next 2 days on game drives in search of the elusive leopard, the majestic lion and the mighty elephant.  Exciting game viewing on morning and afternoon game drives with the midday spent out of the heat resting in the camp. Our professional guides will impart their extensive knowledge of ecology, fauna and flora during our time in the bush.  Night game drives with spotlights are available (own expense).

Includes: Entrance to Kruger National Park, morning & afternoon game drives.
Overnight: Chalets – twin chalets (or lodge tent) en-suite facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar.
Distance / Time: 150kms, ± 2 hours + 3 x 3 hour game drives.
Optional Activities: Night game drives in National Park open game viewing vehicles.

DAYS 5 - 6; (2 Nights)
KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND  [Cabins - breakfast, lunch & dinner]

We enter the Kingdom of Swaziland and travel through a lush fruit farming area before heading into the mountains of Swaziland.  We spend 2 nights in Malalotja Nature Reserve with a full day to get out and walk through this seldom explored mountainous reserve.  The Swazi people have a rich cultural heritage and we will visit the craft and medicine markets as we pass through the capital (on day 7), Mbabane.

Includes: Entrance fees to Malalotja Nature Reserve.
Overnight: Cabin – each cabin sleeps a maximum of 6 people in 2 bedrooms and a loft room which share a ablution facilities, hot showers.
Distance / Time: 200kms, ± 4 hours, excluding 2-3 hour morning drive out of Kruger, shopping stop in Malelane, Jeppes Reef border formalities & stops for sightseeing etc.
Optional Activities: N/A

DAYS 7 - 9; (3 Nights)
ST. LUCIA, South Africa  [Cabins - breakfast, lunch & dinner]

We cross back into South Africa and head into the Zululand heartland. We visit a traditional village to learn more about the proud Zulu culture, and get a chance to meet the local people. We base ourselves on the shores of Lake St Lucia – a Unesco world heritage site. The park's uniqueness lies in its remarkable combination of estuarine lakes, subtropical coastline, forests and wildlife.

We will spend a day in the Hluhluwe game reserve where rhino conservation has been a priority. We then have another full day free to explore the St. Lucia estuary and the beaches, as we enjoy a boat cruise or kayak excursion (own expense).

Includes: Entrance fees to Lake St Lucia & Hluhluwe Game Reserve.
Overnight: Cabins - 2 twin share bedrooms with 1 bathroom and 1 washroom shared between 2 rooms, swimming pool, restaurant & bar.
Distance / Time: 400kms, ± 6 hours, excluding border formalities, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch.
Optional Activities: Boat cruise, kayak excursion.

DAY 10; (1 Night)
BATTLEFIELDS, South Africa  [Lodge - breakfast & lunch]

We leave the coastline and make our way through the scenic hills and valleys of Zululand to the small town of Dundee.  Here the battles were fought between the Zulus, British and the Boer troops - war cries still resound in the hills.  We spend time at Rourkes Drift and Islandwana battlefields with an informative visit to the Tulana museum.

Includes: Visit to Roukes Drift and Islandwana battlefields; entrance to Tulana Museum.
Overnight: Chalets – twin chalets (or lodge tent) en-suite facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar.
Distance / Time: 350kms, ± 5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch.
Optional Activities: N/A

DAYS 11 - 12; (2 Nights)
DRAKENSBERG, South Africa  [Tented Lodge or Chalets - breakfast, lunch & dinner]

Witness the grandeur of the Drakensberg or Ukhahlamba “Barrier of Spears” Mountains. We overnight at the base of the “berg” and spend a day walking the trails or taking a dip in the clear streams. The crisp mountain air is refreshing and invigorating and our lodge is a fantastic place to relax at the end of our tour.

Includes: Entrance fees to Royal Natal National Park.
Overnight: Tented lodge / chalets - twin chalets share bathroom facilities.
Distance / Time: 200kms ± 2½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch.
Optional Activities: N/A

DAY 13
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa  [breakfast & lunch]

Morning free to take a last walk in the mountains before we make our way back to Johannesburg. Tour ends at 6:00pm.

Distance / Time: 350kms, ± 5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch.

Note: This safari has a walking focus. We include 5 day treks to explore different scenic areas of beautiful South Africa.
Note: Accommodation specified in the itinerary is subject to availability. Alternatives will be nearby and of a similar standard.

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