TOUR CODE: SA – EST/LES/SA03

Eswatini, Lesotho and South Africa

The highlights of this adventure will include Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe and iMfolozi Game Reserve, Kingdom of Eswatini to explore the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and visit the Umphakatsi Chief’s homestead, Cape Town, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Drakensberg Mountains, Lesotho  and experience the culture of the Basotho people, Addo Elephant National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna.

Day One: Arrival in  Johannesburg

Upon your arrival at the airport, the guide from Afrikan Wildlife Safaris will transfer you to the Safari Club Lodge which is close to the airport. Afternoon at leisure.

Day Two: Graskop

After breakfast, we will depart Johannesburg and head east towards Mpumalanga. A landscape characterized by mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests. We spend the night in the town of Graskop, a small forestry town situated on the Drakensberg Escarpment at the start of the panorama route and the gateway to Kruger National Park.

 Day Three: Kruger National Park

This morning after breakfast, we start with a scenic drive along the Panorama Route. The most spectacular stretch is the Blyde River Canyon, which is the 3rd largest canyon in the world. We make a stop at Bourke’s Luck Potholes to view these incredible eroded rock formations. Then in the afternoon we head into Kruger National Park where we will be doing morning and afternoon game drives. Look out for the lion, elephant, rhino and many birds species.

Day Five and Six: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Today, we will move f rom Kruger National Park to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. We spend two nights in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Eswatini’s pioneer conservation area situated in the ‘Valley of Heaven’. Apart from abundant bird life, there are a number of animal species to be seen including hippo, giraffe, crocodile, zebra and antelope. We will also visit the Umphakatsi Chief’s homestead where we can try our hand at grinding maize, plaiting mountain grass and singing with the children.

Day Seven and Eight: Hluhluwe Umfolozi National Park

From Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, we will head to the Zululand. After visiting a craft market en-route, we cross back to South Africa via Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. The next day, go out and explore Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is the oldest game reserve in Africa and is a safe haven to both the endangered black and white rhino. Later in the afternoon, go for the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which was listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site. Have a boat cruise on the St Lucia estuary, getting up close to the hippos and crocodiles that inhabit the lake.

Day Nine and Ten: Drakensberg Mountains

For this day, we will depart Hluhuwe Game reserve and head to Drakensburg Mountains. We spend the next two nights in Northern Drakensberg which is an area known for its magnificent scenery of towering mountains, indigenous forests, and cool berg streams. At 3,482 metres in height, The Drakensberg, known in Zulu as uKhahlamba or the “Barrier of Spears”, is South Africa’s highest mountain range, stretching its rugged form roughly 1,000 km from south-west to north-east. Time will be spent exploring this picturesque World Heritage Site on guided walks.

Day Eleven and Twelve: Malealea

This morning, we will leave Drakensburg and drive to Lesotho. We cross the border into the Kingdom of Lesotho, the southernmost landlocked country in the world, rich in natural beauty, flora, fauna and cultural heritage. Here we have a chance to experience traditional Basotho life, a tribe with solid traditions, beliefs and customs. Go for the pony trek the next day and take a ride on the transport of choice for most Basotho, as these sturdy animals handle the narrow trails.

Day Thirteen: Cradock

After breakfast, we will leave Lesotho and head to Cradock. We will cross the border back into South Africa and drive to the historical Karoo town of Cradock, founded in 1814 as a frontier stronghold. Best known for its natural sulphur spring, Cradock is a place of literary legends and the original part of the town is graced with some of the finest buildings.

Day Fourteen: Addo Elephant Park

For this morning, we will depart Cradock and head to Addo Elephant National Park. Addo Elephant National Park offers a unique wildlife habitat, famous for the Addo elephants and the remaining population of the flightless dung beetle. We spend the afternoon on a game drive in search of elephant, black rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard. An evening spent at the floodlit waterhole allows us to watch the nocturnal animals and listen to their calls.

Day Fifteen and Sixteen: Tsitsikamma National Park

We will leave Addo Elephant National Park and drive to Tsitsikamma, the drive which takes us to the Garden Route. We spend two nights in the Storms River Village, in the heart of the Tsitsikamma Forest. We will take a leisurely hike along one of the short trails, which allow you to explore the coastal bush and rocky shoreline. There is also an option to plunge off the world’s highest bungee jump at the Bloukrans River.

Day Seventeen: Oudtshoorn

Depart Tsitsikamma and drive to Oudtshoorn. After visiting ‘The Heads’ in Knysna, a town nestled on a tranquil lagoon we travel over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo and enjoy an interactive and educational oyster tasting experience. In Oudtshoorn we visit the famous Cango Caves with their impressive ancient stalagmites and stalactites.

Day Eighteen and Nineteen: Robertson and Cape Town

On this day, we will leave Oudtshoorn and proceed to Cape Town. En-route to Cape Town, we will visit the town of Robertson, where you can partake in the blending of your own wine at Excelsior Manor Guesthouse. Guests can experience the tradition of blending red varietals, bottle, cork and label their own wine and take some home. Afternoon at leisure in Cape Town. The next day, you will visit Robben Island and any other attractions the ‘Mother City’ has to offer on our Cape Peninsula tour.

Day Twenty: Cape Town

After breakfast, you can go for the optional cable car up Table Mountain and enjoy one last view of the Cape of Good Hope before your transfer to the airport.

Trip Includes

Accommodation as per the itinerary

All meals as stated in the itinerary

Airport arrival and departure transfers

Ground transportation

Services of an experienced local guide/driver

Games drives – Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve, Addo Elephant National Park

Lesotho – pony trekking and St Lucia Estuary boat cruise

Oudtshoorn – Cango Caves excursion

Robertson – Wine blending experience

Cape Peninsula tour

ENJOY AFRICA