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South Arica’s Kruger & Coast

South Arica’s Kruger & Coast

From $ 4,590 AUD

Description

Discover the wild side of South Africa and Eswatini on a 10-day adventure through landscapes you won’t soon forget. Search for wildlife on safari in Kruger National Park, explore Eswatini’s Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary on foot and cruise the St Lucia Estuary in search of hippos and crocodiles. Follow the coast to Cape Vidal to spend time on the beach and have dinner with a local family, then embark on a hike in Drakensberg for views of the forest, waterfalls and mountains. And, do it all with a knowledgeable local leader and expert rangers to help you spot as many elephants, lions, giraffes and rhinos as you can along the way.

Trip Name
South Arica's Kruger & Coast
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
10
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Spend a full day exploring Kruger National Park on a 4WD safari, searching for elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo and more. Then, end the day with a bush braai under the African sky.
  • Cross the border into Eswatini and explore Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary on foot with a local guide. Look out for giraffes, wildebeest and impala, and search for smaller critters living within the diverse ecosystem of the Ezulwini Valley.
  • Discover the wetlands and coast around St Lucia. Cruise the estuary in search of hippos and crocodiles, take a 4WD safari through iSimangaliso Wetland Park and stop for a swim at Cape Vidal.
  • Take in sweeping views in Drakensberg, where you’ll hike through indigenous forest to Gudu Falls, following the Mahai River through the valley.
  • Visit some of South Africa’s most memorable sites – see the dramatic Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes along the Panorama Route and learn about a pivotal moment in the country’s history at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , ROAD CONDITIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN AFRICA: Roads in Africa are often in very poor condition, which makes it hard on our vehicles. Our vehicles are serviced regularly and are generally in good condition, but breakdowns can and do happen. Sometimes the going on this trip is quite tough, the distances covered fairly large and some of the roads and tracks are not exactly smooth or free from dust, but the rewards are exceptional. The travelling times indicated in our Essential Trip Information is just a rough guide and is dependent on various factors that may be outside our control, such as road conditions, weather and time spent at borders. DRIVE TIMES: The travel times listed in the day to day itinerary are a guide only. Please be aware that delays may occur and please be patient - it's all part of the experience afterall! Additionally, the travel times do not include time spent on game drives as these can vary with each departure., OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk., SOUTHERN AFRICA IN PEAK SEASON Southern Africa is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. Despite the influx of travellers, bed numbers are not being increased to match the demand. This intentional move is aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of tourism and keeping the destinations exclusive. It is, therefore, becoming more and more difficult for us to confirm our allocation with our usual suppliers, particularly in peak season. We may use alternative accommodation which could affect driving times and distances listed in the Essential Trip Information. However, we will always use properties of the same standard and ensure that the included activities are not affected.

Day 1 - Johannesburg
Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your adventure begins in Johannesburg with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe visit the eye-opening Apartheid Museum to start your journey with some crucial history before meeting up with your group. After your meeting, why not head out for an optional group dinner and get to know your fellow travellers. Your leader can point you in the right direction with the best bar and restaurant recommendations.
Day 2 - Kruger National Park
Leave Johannesburg early this morning and drive to Bourke’s Luck Potholes. These unusual, cylindrical rock formations have been carved by water erosion over centuries. Then, take in the views over Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world, and the Three Rondavels – a trio of peaks named for their resemblance to the traditional beehive-shaped dwellings found throughout Africa. Continue to Kruger National Park, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way. There’s the option to go on a 4WD safari at sunset to see more of the local wildlife – sprawling over two million hectares, this is one of the best wildlife destinations in all of Africa.
Day 3 - Kruger National Park
Head out early this morning to embark on a full-day 4WD safari in Kruger National Park. With an expert local guide, you’ll search for elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalo, elands and a variety of other iconic African wildlife across the park’s diverse landscapes, dotted with baobabs, wild date palms and fever trees with their distinctive yellow-green bark. Don’t forget to keep your eyes on the sky – you might see African hawk-eagles, lappet-faced vultures and martial eagles. This evening, get an introduction to an important part of South African cuisine when you head into the bush for a traditional braai (barbecue) dinner.
Day 4 - Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
After breakfast, travel south, crossing the border into Eswatini. Continue to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, where you’ll settle into your accommodation, set among the sanctuary’s ancient hardwood trees in the lush Ezulwini Valley. This afternoon, you can opt to visit a Chief Village to learn more about traditional Swazi culture and gain insight into the way of life in rural Eswatini. Try your hand at braiding lutindzi grass or grinding maize and learn a few phrases in siSwati.
Day 5 - Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
This morning is free for you to explore Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary at your own pace. You might like to join an optional 4WD safari to see even more wildlife. This afternoon, join an expert ranger to explore the sanctuary on foot. Venture through the grasslands, forest and mountainside in search of rhinos, giraffes, elephants, wildebeest, impala and smaller critters like snakes, spiders, aardvarks and porcupines.
Day 6 - Saint Lucia
Leave Mlilwane early this morning and cross the border back into South Africa, headed to the St Lucia Estuary. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia is home to a vast diversity of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, leopards, monkeys and baboons. More than 500 bird species have been recorded here, including giant kingfishers, whiskered terns and African fish eagles. When you arrive, hop on a boat cruise along the estuary and look out for wildlife in the water and along the banks.
Day 7 - Saint Lucia
Embark on a 4WD safari through the eastern shores of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, keeping watch for rhinos, elephants, buffalo, antelopes and others. Next, continue to Cape Vidal, where forested dunes meet the Indian Ocean. You’ll have some time to relax on the sand or maybe go for a refreshing swim. This evening, you’ll have dinner with a local family. Get to know each other and learn about daily life in the area as you tuck into a home-cooked meal.
Day 8 - Drakensberg
Say goodbye to St Lucia and make the scenic drive towards Drakensberg, passing rolling green hills, sugarcane fields and traditional Zulu homesteads. Along the way, you’ll make a stop at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site to learn about his arrest here in 1962 – a pivotal moment in South Africa’s history. Continue the drive, watching the landscape shift from lush valleys and farmland to wide-open grasslands and dramatic rocky peaks. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon. You’ll have some time to relax or stretch your legs on one of the short walking trails nearby.
Day 9 - Drakensberg
Set off on a full-day hike through the unforgettable landscapes of Drakensberg. Follow the Mahai Forest Loop through indigenous forest and sweeping mountain scenery, then stop at Gudu Falls. Descending into the Mahai Valley, pass through a cool forested area where the Mahai River flows. There will be plenty more spots where you can pause to take in the views of the surrounding peaks and valleys as you hike. Return to your lodge later this afternoon.
Day 10 - Johannesburg
After breakfast, make the drive to Johannesburg, where your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
02-04-202711-04-2027AUD $ 4,590-
16-04-202725-04-2027AUD $ 4,590-
14-05-202723-05-2027AUD $ 4,590-
25-06-202704-07-2027AUD $ 4,590-
30-07-202708-08-2027AUD $ 4,590-
27-08-202705-09-2027AUD $ 4,590-
17-09-202726-09-2027AUD $ 4,590-
24-09-202703-10-2027AUD $ 4,590-
15-10-202724-10-2027AUD $ 4,590-
26-11-202705-12-2027AUD $ 4,590-
24-12-202702-01-2028AUD $ 4,590-

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights), Chalets (2 nights), Lodge (4 nights)

Transport

Private Vehicle, Boat, 4WD Safari Vehicle

Map