| The highlights of northern South Africa, with a visit to a beautiful reserve in the Kingdom of Swaziland. This classic circuit offers a variety of experiences. The lodges are beautiful, comfortable & make for a great adventure safari. The lodge on a "Big 5" private reserve adjoining Kruger National Park is an absolute highlight and the location of the chalets in the Drakensberg is one of the most beautiful walking areas in South Africa.
Departs: Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday at 6:30am.
Ends: Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday at +/-6:00pm.
Group size: Guaranteed from 4 guests; 12 guests maximum.
Summary
• The highlights of northern South Africa, with a visit to a beautiful reserve in the Kingdom of Swaziland. This classic circuit offers a variety of experiences.
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The lodges are beautiful, comfortable & make for a great adventure safari.
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The lodge on a big 5 private reserve adjoining Kruger National Park is an absolute highlight.
• The location of the chalets in the Drakensberg is one of the most beautiful walking areas in South Africa.
Highlights
• Mpumalanga - Panorama Route sight seeing
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Private Game Reserve – game drives
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Swaziland – mountain walks, cultural adventure
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KwaZulu Natal – walk, game drive and museums
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Drakensberg Mountains – mountain walk
Overnights
• The accommodation throughout this classic journey is of 3 to 4 star style and are chosen not only for their service and comfort level but also for their wonderful locations and experiences available.
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All rooms have private en suite facilities.
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The lodge in Swaziland has individual chalets with open sides (insect nets provided).
Meals
• 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 11 dinners are included. All of which are provided by the lodges at which we are staying.
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Due to travel arrangements or game viewing activities, some of the included lunches will be picnic lunches.
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Where meals are not included there will be an opportunity to buy a meal en route or at the restaurant in the evening.
SAFARI
COST: $2,760 per person sharing.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1,185
If you are a single traveler, you will be assigned to room with another same gender single traveler and there is no
supplemental payment required. If you request to room alone, then the price supplement will be charged. |
CLICK TO SEE DEPARTURE DATES
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DAYS 1 - 2;
(2 Nights)
KRUGER PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, South Africa [tented lodge Bx1, Lx2, Dx2] |
 Our safari gets underway early in the morning as we head northeast towards the Greater Kruger National Park and our tented lodge on a private game reserve. Our camp is on the banks of the Greater Letaba River.
Our days are spent either on foot where we get to explore the reserve on game walks or on open 4wd game drives that get us closer to the wildlife. Excellent opportunities for spotting elephant, buffalo and giraffe. An afternoon watching the animals come down to drink at the river will leave you with lasting memories and excellent photos.
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Includes: 2x game drives and 2 x game walks. Day 1: Breakfast is not included. Day 1: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 1: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge. Day 2: Breakfast provided by the lodge. Day 2: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 2: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge.
Overnight: Mtomeni Lodge - twin bed chalet en suite. There is no electricity, the camp operates on solar power WiFi not available.
Distance / Time: 530kms, ± 7 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing, breakfast & lunch.
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DAY 3;
(1 Night)
MPUMALANGA, South Africa [lodge BLD] |
 The panorama route runs south along the escarpment, an area of beautiful indigenous forests, plantations, waterfalls and canyons which offer spectacular views. We visit the potholes created by the confluence of two rivers of Bourke’s Luck potholes and enjoy the views from Gods Window and over the second largest canyon in Africa the Blyde River Canyon as well as short walks to explore some of the forests and waterfalls.
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Includes: Entrance fees to Blyde River Canyon, Bourkes Luck Potholes, Mac Mac Falls & Gods Window. Day 3: Breakfast provide by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 3: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 3: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge.
Overnight: Gecko Lodge – Twin en-suite rooms. Restaurant & pool. WiFi not available.
Distance / Time: 280kms, ± 4 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing, breakfast & lunch and any game drives. |
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DAYS 4 - 5;
(2 Nights)
SWAZILAND [lodge Bx2 Lx1 Dx2] |
 The kingdom of Swaziland is nestled in the lowveld, surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique. Protected by mountains in the east and northern parts it also has lush subtropical landscapes. Its cultural heritage is still evident in its ceremonies and traditional markets.
Cross the border in the northern part and head south to our private game reserve where we will spend the next two days. Exciting open vehicles game drives in search of rhino, buffalo and elephant, and excellent opportunities for game walks and bird watching. Our luxurious open fronted stone cottages comfort us as we fall asleep to the sounds of the African bush.
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Includes: 2x game walks and game drives. Day 4: Breakfast provided by the lodge. Day 4: Lunch will be an own expense meal. Day 4: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge. Day 5: Breakfast provided by the lodge. Day 5: Lunch will be a set meal provided by the lodge. Day 5: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge.
Overnight: Stone Camp Mkaya Game Reserve - mountain chalets en-suite facilities. WiFi not available, no electricity.
Distance / Time: 400kms, ± 6½ hours, excluding border formalities & stops for sightseeing etc.
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DAYS 6 - 8; (3 Nights)
ZULULAND, South Africa [tented lodge B x3, L x1, D x3] |
 Our journey continues south as we leave Swaziland behind and enter South Africa. We head into the heart of Zululand to our lodge situated near Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Our days in Zululand will be filled with a full day game drive in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve in search of the big 5 an interesting cultural visit to a local Zulu village where we learn some of the history and culture of these proud people. A game walk gets us closer to the small game and our local guides knowledge of tracks and signs will keep us enthralled.
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Includes: Entrance fees to Isimangaliso Lake St Lucia & Hluhluwe Game Reserve, cultural village visit. Day 6: Breakfast provided by the lodge. Day 6: Lunch will be an own expense meal. Day 6: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge. Day 7: Breakfast provided by the lodge. Day 7: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 7: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge. Day 8: Breakfast provided by the lodge. Day 8: Lunch will be an own expense meal. Day 8: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge.
Overnight: Falaza Lodge - twin tented room en suite. Swimming pool, bar & restaurant. Free WiFi in office & pool area.
Distance / Time: 250kms, ± 4 hours, excluding border formalities, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch and game drives in Hluhluwe Game Reserve.
Optional Activities: Boat cruise, kayaking. |
DAY 9;
(1 Night)
ZULULAND BATTLEFIELDS, South Africa [lodge B - D] |
 We head east through the rolling hills of Zululand, towards the small town of Dundee and our next historical stop, the battlefields where the British, Zulus and the Boer commandos clashed. We visit the Talana museum, and and the battlefields of Islandlwana and Roukes drift before we settle into our lodge. Our guides will entertain us with fascinating stories of war and survival at our dinner tonight.
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Includes: Visit to Roukes Drift, and Islandwana battlefields, entrance to Tulana Museum. Day 9: Breakfast provided by the lodge. Day 9: Lunch will be an own expense meal. Day 9: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge.
Overnight: Rorke’s Drift Lodge - twin share chalet with en-suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. Free WiFi in reception.
Distance / Time: 350kms, ± 4.5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch. |
DAYS 10 -
11; (2 Nights)
DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS, South Africa [lodge B - -] |
 The world heritage site of the Drakensberg or “dragon mountains” rises up 3000m above the coastal plains forming the escarpment. A beautiful barrier of deep valleys, mountain streams and craggy peaks. We head towards the Cathedral Peak area where we spend two days on walks through the foothills, admiring the fauna and flora found in this area.
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Include: Entrance fees to Sentinel Peak Mountain walk. Day 10: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge. Day 10: Lunch provided by the tour leaders. Day 10: Dinner will be own expense. Day 11: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge. Day 11: Lunch will be a packed lunch provided by the lodge. Day 11: Dinner will be own expense Drinks will be own expense.
Overnight: KZN Wildlife Didima – twin en-suite chalet. Restaurant & bar. WiFi not available.
Distance / Time: 290 kms, ± 4 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch. |
DAY 12; (Tour Ends)
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa [- B - -] |
We take a short walk in the morning enjoying the fresh mountain air before we make our way back to Johannesburg. Relaxed and ready to rejoin life. |
Includes: Day 12: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge. Day 12: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 12: Dinner not included.
Overnight: N/A.
Distance / Time: 360kms, ± 5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch. |
Note: The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions and photo stops!
Note: That the accommodation specified above and in the itinerary, is a guide only and is subject to availability. Alternatives will be of a similar standard, and accommodation changes will be made without notice.
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CLICK TO SEE DEPARTURE DATES
Transport
For the majority of this safari you travel in a custom safari truck with 12 seats; or (on 30% of tours) Mercedes Sprinter bus with 12 forward facing seats and air conditioning. The game drives in Hluhluwe will be in the tour vehicle, with large sliding windows and for the game drives in the Kruger private reserve and Swaziland we use open sided 4WD vehicles with local guides.
Local Payment
There is no local payment required on this safari.
Participation
This is an adventure tour, and as such please expect to get involved. Where there are porters, they’ll help you, otherwise you’ll need to carry your own bag. Included meals are all lodge provided. If you have a particular interest, please let your safari leader know, and he/she will endeavour to make your journey more rewarding. Your holiday time is exclusively yours to enjoy your safari and get the most from your travel experience.
Shopping
Craft shopping for carvings, candles, batiks, wirework, paintings and clothing, in Swaziland and Zululand is some of the best in Southern Africa.
Food
The majority of meals on this safari are provided by the lodges.
Difficulty
• Anyone who is generally active and in good health should enjoy this trip.
• Full itinerary with a couple of long driving days. The road conditions through the wilderness areas a very poor and our progress can at times be slow and dusty. Remember to hold on at all times and enjoy the ride!
Things you should know
• Includes park entrances.
• You will need a valid passport and visas for entry into Swaziland and re-entering South Africa. Swazi visa is free of charge and obtained at the border.
• Luggage, please pack to a limit of 12kgs in a soft sports tog bag. Bring a daypack for walks.
• We recommend that you bring South African Rand for personal expenses on this trip. Travellers cheques can be changed in most large towns. Major credit cards can also be used for optional activities and restaurant bills.
Common questions about this trip
• What do I need to bring? Comfortable clothes for warm days and cool evenings, walking shoes, a raincoat, hat and sunglasses, swimsuit, and a water bottle. A small pair of binoculars also comes in very handy and most importantly - a sense of adventure!
• Is it safe? South Africa, like any many countries, has it’s problems but your guide knows the country intimately and will endeavour to show you the best parts while looking after you. Be aware, but not paranoid, and you will have a great trip!
• Do I need malaria tablets? Mpumalanga, Swaziland and Zululand is a limited risk malaria area but prophylactics are recommended.
• Solo Traveler? Going it alone won’t make your holiday more expensive; our reservations staff will match you up with another same-gender traveler to keep your holiday affordable. If however you request a single room or tent these are available, with a price supplement.
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Please contact us for dates.
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