TOUR CODE: SA – EST/SA01
The highlights of this safari includes visiting Soweto – the famous township to uncover the history of the struggle against apartheid, Game walks through the deep valley of Ithala Game Reserve, Tembe Elephant Park and Mkhaya Game Reserve.
Day One: Arrival in Johannesburg
On your arrival in Johannesburg, the guide from Afrikan Wildlife Safaris will welcome you and then transfer you to the hotel for Dinner and overnight. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may go for city tour of Soweto townships which played a prominent part in the fight against the former apartheid regime, notably the uprising of 1976; when mass protests erupted. We will visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial, a museum that honours the vital role that the youth of South Africa played during the struggle. He was one of the first students to be killed during the uprising when he was just 13 years. We will also visit Nelson Mandela’s former home (now a museum) which tells the story of Mandela and his family.
Day Two: Drive to Greaskop using a rout with scenery of Blyde River Canyon.
This morning after breakfast we will travel east towards Kruger National Park. The journey will take us through Mpumalanga affectionately named as the ‘Place of the rising sun’ and home to some of the country’s most awe-inspiring scenery. This region’s landscape has many rivers, waterfalls, dramatic escarpments and colourful birdlife, and along the way we will stop at several viewpoints, including beauty spot ‘God’s Window’ to look out the views over Blyde River Canyon. Graskop is perfectly positioned between the Panoramic Route and Kruger National Park for the next day safari.
Day Three: Full day in Kruger National Park
On this day, we will drive to Kruger National Park. Kruger is one of the best game viewing areas in Southern Africa and as well as attracting many wildlife lovers, the park remains committed to it’s original purpose; animal conservation. During the game drive, we expect to see buffalo, lion, cheetah, giraffe, elephant and zebra and many bird species. Have lunch at one of Kruger’s restaurants or picnic stops then later proceed with afternoon game drive.
Day Four: Eswatini and afternoon game drive in Mkhaya Nature Reserve
Today, we will drive and cross to Eswatini. The drive from Kruger to Mkhaya Game Reserve is around three hours, however with stops along the way and allowing time for the border crossing it will take the majority of our day, arriving at Mkhaya around mid-late afternoon. Mkhaya is a haven for many endangered species but best known for its large numbers of black and white rhino; which we hope to see on during the afternoon game drive. Our accommodation for the night is Stone Camp set an area of secluded bush, featuring a collection of stone cottages that are the only lodging in the reserve. The cottages have bathrooms with hot and cold running water but there is no electricity available giving the experience a real sense of adventure. Dinner tonight is a feast of local delicacies, such as nyala stew. Dinner and overnight at Stone Camp.
Day Five: Mkhaya and then drive to Ithala Game Reserve
This morning, we will go for the waking safari in Mkhaya reserve. The camp’s friendly staff will deliver tea and biscuits to your room prior to an early departure for our walking safari. You will go with the reserve’s rangers this morning on foot. The guides here have expert knowledge about the reserve and the wildlife within, and with their advice Mkhaya offers the best possibility of a close encounter with black rhino in the whole of Africa. Go back to the camp for lunch. Then later in the afternoon, we will cross back into South Africa on our way to Ithala Game Reserve. Dinner and overnight in the chalets camouflaged in the mountain’s foothills among indigenous bush and flora.
Day Six: Walking Safari in Ithala and game drive in afternoon
For this day after breakfast, we will meet a local ranger and together as we follow the rocky trails we will learn about tracks, dung and general bush craft throughout the reserve. As well as increasing our understanding of the wilderness, our primary focus is once again to see rhino. Then later in the afternoon, go for the game drive. Again our ranger will decide on our route depending on the most recent wildlife sightings.
Day Seven: Tembe Elephant Park
After breakfast, we will drive to Tembe Elephant Park. Tembe is renowned for its big tusks elephants weighing some 50kg each. But look out for also for lion, leopard, black and white rhino and buffalo during our time here. During the game drive, check out on the waterhole where sightings often occur as the animals gather totake a sip of water. Dinner and overnight at Tembe Lodge which is run by members of the surrounding community, a tribe that has protected and lived in this area for generations and during our stay we will see the park through the eyes of the Tembe people, hear their stories and learn about their way of life.
Day Eight: Tembe Elephant park
On this day, we will have a full day to explore more of the Tembe Elephant Park. We return to the lodge for lunch then perhaps take a dip in the pool, visit the game-viewing hide for a chance to observe elephants. Later this afternoon, we will return to our vehicles for another game drive along the sandy tracks in hope of spotting more wildlife before sundown.
Day Nine: St.Lucia wetland park
After breakfast, we will drive south towards St Lucia, a wetland reserve with World Heritage status. On arrival we will first check into our Zulu-style lodge located centrally in St Lucia village. One of the first buildings in the area, the lodge has a long history and cares deeply about the local community, ensuring the lodge has a positive impact on both the residents and natural environment. Alternatively, you may wish to go on a optional afternoon boat trip on the lakes for a chance to spot crocodile, hippo and a wide variety of bird life. Here in St Lucia it is common to see hippo roaming down the road by night or grazing on a resident’s front lawn. They are accustomed to humans, the sounds of cars and lights but of course they are wild animals and precautions must be taken.
Day Ten: Cape Vidal and snorkeling
We will have an early start to Isimangaliso Wetland Park where we will start with a morning game drive through open grasslands and forests to look out for antelope, hippo, rhino and leopard. The game drive will take us to Cape Vidal where we will spend the rest of the morning snorkelling in the crystal clear waters of this protected bay. Then go back for the evening game drive back through the park. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day Eleven: Durban via Mtunzini
On this day, we will drive to Durban. Along the way we will stop in the town of Mtunzini. Translating from Zulu as ‘a place in the shade’, the town is surrounded by lush milkwood and palm trees. We will have a break here for a lunch and go on a short walk to see the nearby conservancy areas, home to a range of bird life as well as the very successful projects undertaken by the local residents to preserve this natural setting, including a initiative to rid the area of any alien plant and tree species. We will then continue to the Umhlanga Rocks area of Durban where we will have dinner and spend the night.
Day Twelve: Fly out
After breakfast, the guide will transfer you to King Shaka International Airport depending on the time of your flight.
ENJOY AFRICA