Awesome trip remote South Africa. Experience the Big 5 in Kruger, the culture of Swaziland, and tropical coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal and the majestic Drakensburg with stops in Durban and Hluhluwe Reserve
Price:
ZAR (S.A. Rand) R28,995 /person
Supplement:
Plus ZAR (S.A. Rand) R6,995 for a single person booking
This 13 day adventure will take you to some the greatest destinations South Africa has to offer. You will experience the thrill of searching for the Big 5 in the world renowned Kruger National Park & Hluhluwe Game Reserve, learn about the Swazi Culture and way of life in Swaziland, explore the warm Indian Ocean and its beaches by foot or boat, wander the streets of vibrant Durban and traverse the majestic Drakensberg Mountains.
Rates (31/08/2009 31/10/2010): Adults Sharing: R 28,995 (ZAR) Children u/12 Sharing: R 19,995 (ZAR) Single Supplement: R 6,995 (ZAR) ________________________________________________________________________________________
The Safari at a glance:
Duration: 12 Nights and 13 Days Tour starts in Phalaborwa, Limpopo (South Africa) and ends in Johannesburg, Gauteng (South Africa) 3 nights in the Kruger National Park (South Africa) accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis 1 nights at Mlilwane Sanctuary (Enzulwini Valley, Swaziland) on dinner, bed and breakfast basis 3 nights KZN Wildlife accommodation at Cape Vidal (iSimangaliso Wetland Reserve, South Africa) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis 2 nights KZN Wildlife accommodation at Hluhluwe Game Reserve (South Africa) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis 1 nights 4 star accommodation at The Saffron House (Salt Rock, South Africa) on bed and breakfast basis. 2 nights KZN Wildlife accommodation at uKhahlamba Drakensberg Mountains (South Africa) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis All ground transport and return airport transfers in an air-conditioned vehicles The services of a fully qualified safari guide while on Safari
Optional Activities: Open-vehicle game drives, Big 5 game walks, Animal Rehabilitation Centre, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Horse Riding, Kayaking, Hiking, Cultural Tours, and San Rock Art Museum
Day 1: Phalaborwa and into Kruger (Kruger National Park, South Africa)
You will be met in Phalaborwa by your Safari Guide. After brief introductions and a quick stop for last minute suppliers, we enter the world famous Kruger National Park, where Game viewing opportunities should present themselves almost immediately in this vast 2-million hectare game sanctuary. Hopefully we will see several species of antelope, zebra, wildebeest and maybe even giraffe before we reach camp.
The Kruger Park offers a choice of several camps, each situated in a different section of the park with its own unique flora and fauna. Our favorites being: Skukuza, Letaba, Olifants, Lower Sabie, Pretoriuskop, Satara and Berg-en-Dal. Accommodation is in simple but comfortable thatched game park bungalows, with each camp having a restaurant
Days 2 & 3: Kruger National Park (South Africa)
Your days will be spent exploring the vast Kruger Plains, which offer magnificent game viewing opportunities. Renowned for its diversity and home to approximately 145 mammal and over 500 bird species, this amazing sanctuary is bound to provide you with some awesome game viewing.
Y our knowledgeable guide will provide you with insight into the different species and ecological phenomena you come across. Your daily routine will include early morning and late afternoon game drives with your guide, the hotter mid-day periods will be spent relaxing at camp reading, bird watching, swimming or just taking a cat-nap in the shade of a tree.
There are also optional game viewing activities including 3 hour morning and afternoon open vehicle game drives and 4 hour morning game walks escorted by Kruger rangers. These activities come highly suggested, and we would be happy to book them in advance for you.
In the evening, enjoy the balmy weather and pristine stars of the Southern Sky and Milky Way, as you have never seen them before – including the spectacular Southern Cross.
Days 4: Kruger National Park (South Africa) to Enzulwini Valley (Swaziland)
After a scrumptious breakfast, we begin our journey south, through the border and into Swaziland. This beautiful mountainous country is one of the last African Monarchies, and is a land proud of its culture. We will travel through the Enzulwini Valley and into the Mlilwane Sanctuary where we will overnight.
Our journey will take us through many interesting locations, time will be provided to will stop along the way to view the beautiful vistas, explore rural villages and do some curio shopping.
Days 5: Enzulwini Valley (Swaziland) to Cape Vidal, iSimangaliso Wetlands Reserve (South Africa)
Today, we travel south and towards to the coast, leaving Swaziland behind and back into South Africa. Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal is one of the most beautiful parts of the country, it is home to the Zulu, fruit farming, a beautiful coastline and wonderful wildlife areas.
Our first stop is on the coast at Cape Vidal. This sea-side Camps puts us less than 20m from the lovely Indian Ocean. Fishermen, scuba divers and snorkellers will find these warm water destinations a paradise. Clear waters allow scuba divers and snorkellers a glimpse of the rich diversity of life on the rock and coral reefs along this shoreline. The Reserve is also home to a myriad of animals including Black and White Rhino, the rare Samango Monkey, Leopard and several species pf plains game.
Day 6 & 7: Cape Vidal, iSimangaliso (South Africa)
You will spend the next two days as you wish. There are several activities in the area, some are seasonal, but obviously you guide will be able to make suggestions to help with you decision. The list is long but includes: Horse riding, Deep Sea Fishing, Whale Watching (seasonal), Eco-Cruises, 4x4 Day Tours and Zulu Cultural Tours.
We highly suggest you take part in a Sunset Cruise on St Lucia Estuary, where you will be able view Hippos and crocodile up close as well as a wide variety of birds.
Day 8 : Cape Vidal, iSimangaliso to Hluhluwe Game Reserve (South Africa)
After a slow start, we leave the coast behind and take a short drive to Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Set in the heart of Zululand, it is the oldest game reserve in Africa where Zulu kings such as Dingiswayo and Shaka hunted and put in place the first conservation laws. Established in 1895, this Big 5 Reserve offers prime game viewing with close encounters a common experience.
We will overnight at the award winning Hilltop Camp, set on the summit of a forested hill offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Our afternoon will spent searching for some of the many animals which roam the area, and in the evening will gather round an open fire and enjoy the peace and quite of our beautiful surroundings.
Day 9: Hluhluwe Game Reserve (South Africa)
Our primary activity today will be spent searching for animals, However the Camp does offer a few additional activities including Game Walks, Open Viewer Game Drives and Forrest Walks. Your guide will be on hand to guide you through the reserve. However it is you choice on when you want to go out and for how long. We always suggest early morning and late afternoon drives, as the game viewing is much more productive while the mid day period can be spent in Camp enjoying a good book or siesta.
Day 10: Hluhluwe Game Reserve to Salt Rock, Durban (South Africa)
Today, we head back to the coast and onto the Salt Rock, just north of Durban. The quiet sea-side town is a perfect introduction to the area. The long white beaches a perfect for afternoon walk, before heading to one of many restaurants overlooking the sea.
Day 11: Salt Rock, Durban (South Africa)
After a lovely breakfast at our overnight accommodation, we head into Durban. There is so much to do and see in this vibrant City.
Our trip now turns inland as we travel to the Drakensberg Mountain Range. This awesome area is named after the similarity between its undulating peaks and that of a Dragons back (Draken is Dragon in Afrikaans, while Berg is Mountain) providing us with some of the most beautiful vistas in South Africa.
In the afternoon you will get the opportunity to explore the area on foot with you choice of several hiking trails. In the evenings you will be treated to scrumptious dinner while enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the ‘berg’.
Day 12: uKhahlamba Drakensberg Mountains (South Africa)
After breakfast, it is once again your choice on how you would like to explore the area. We highly recommend you do so on foot, maybe even taking part in a guided walk to San Bushmen Rock Art, where a local guide will explain the intricacy of bushmen art and their lifestyle.
Day 13: Johannesburg – Tour Ends
Unfortunately, today is our final day. After breakfast we will head to Johannesburg and if time permits we can include a short tour of the historical and vibrant township of Soweto. Here you will have the opportunity to mingle with locals, see important historical sites and visit an African Shebeen (Pub).
Your guide will then drop you off at OR Tambo International where you will say your “good-byes” before catching your onward flight. (Tour Ends 17:00).
________________________________________
What Is Not Included: Long haul International Flights; Lunches, Drinks & refreshments; Tips for porters and restaurants; Telephone calls, laundry & other incidental personal expenditure; Visa fees, in countries where these apply; Airport departure taxes, in countries where these apply.
Please Note: This tour is offered in accordance with our Booking Terms and Conditions.
