Itinerary

Ø  Day 1 – Johannesburg to Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini

Leaving the city of Johannesburg behind, we cross the highveld towards the Drakensberg escarpment in the Mpumalanga province. Turning off the highway as we travel towards the Kingdom of Eswatini. Keep the passports nearby today as we have a Border crossing.

Our destination for today is the Ezulwini Valley just south of the capital Mbabane. Visit Ngwenya Glass Factory Shop before heading to an open-air museum and Swazi Cultural Village for an insight into the Swazi Culture and Traditions.

Arriving at the lodge in the late afternoon (17:00).

**Border Crossing today, please keep passports nearby**

Ø  Day 2: Full day Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Eswatini

Free day to explore the Mlilwane wildlife sanctuary. Filled with free roaming animals and offers the opportunity to do some walking, mountain biking or horseback safaris. Endless hours of guided or self-guided exploration within the small 4560 Ha sanctuary are possible due to the relative absence of dangerous game.

Mlilwane offers an array of activities and adventures in the picturesque Ezulwini Valley (Valley of Heaven), flanked by the dramatic backdrop of mountains and the huge Usuthu Forest stretching into the distance.

Visit to Swazi Candles Centre and Craft Market. Swazi Candles is not just a candle experience. They are happily surrounded by other talented crafters, artists and artisans as well as a bustling market and souvenir shops. Perfect opportunity to find a gift.

Ø  Day 3: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary to Hlane Royal National Park, Eswatini

Departing Mlilwane after the morning’s optional activities (10:30), arriving at Hlane around midday. Enjoy lunch at the restaurant overlooking the water hole.

Tonight, we stay at Hlane Royal National Park (please note there is no electricity), with an exciting species lists including impressive ancient hardwood habitats, big game and rich birdlife. This 22,000-ha park, still boasts the largest herds of game in the Kingdom with speciality species being lion, rhino, elephants, vultures and marabou stork.

Guided game drives and bush walks are optional activities on offer or simply relax at camp or read a book overlooking the waterhole with resident hippos and frequently visited by Rhinos, Giraffe and other game.

*Booking is essential and your guide can assist.

Ø  Day 4: Hlane Royal National Park to Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique

This morning you can join a truly unique experience the ever-popular Rhino Drive, which is a shorter 1,5-hour drive focusing on White Rhinoceros. The highlight of this drive is the potential opportunity of alighting the vehicle and quietly approaching them on foot. Not all Rhinoceros’s are approachable and guides have discretion. Due to the nature of this activity, minimum age 13 years.

After breakfast we depart for Mozambique, time for fun and adventure in the quaint little town of Ponta do Ouro for the next 3 nights. Situated in Southern Mozambique where we get our first glimpse of the Indian ocean. Activities for the next day to be booked on arrival.

Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Ponta do Ouro, you will be sure to find beautiful white sand beaches, dense dune forests and an ever-stretching azure sea. A very traditional open-air market, several "cantinas" (little shops) and eager curio sellers will quench your thirst for shopping before you make your way to one of the rustic restaurants in town.

**Border Crossing today, please keep them passports nearby**

Ø  Day 5: 1st Full day Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique

First full day in Ponta, a day for fun, adventure and optional activities! From diving courses, beginner to advance diving as well activities for the non-diver and those that do not want to try scuba diving but still would like to explore the beautiful ocean and see the beautiful sea-life you will find ocean safaris, snorkelling trips or boat rides.

Hire quad bikes, go for endless beach walks, or simply relax on the beach before trying the local fresh seafood. The day is yours to spend at your own leisure.

Ø  Day 6: 2nd Full day Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique

Second full day in Ponta for optional activities! Have you tried the fresh seafood!!!

Ø  Day 7: Ponta do Ouro to Southern Kruger National Park, South Africa

After breakfast and any last morning activities we bid farewell to the beautiful beaches of Southern Mozambique re-entering South Africa near the world-famous Kruger National Park. After the border crossing it is a short drive to Marloth Park where we stay for the next 2 nights.

Marloth Park is a wildlife sanctuary situated on the southern boundary of the Kruger National Park. Marloth has its own wildlife and boasts four of the big five with the exception of elephant, however as the crocodile river forms the boundary between Marloth Park and the Kruger National Park you are lightly to spot elephants playing in the river.

Buffalo, rhino and lion are confined to Marloth's game reserve "Lions Spruit" whereas the rest of the game such as Kudu, Zebra, Giraffe, Blue wildebeest, Nyala, Impala, Warthog and plenty more aren't restricted by fences and roam freely between the units that are built on 1500 hectares.

With the dangerous game restricted you can take a walk along the river or on the many of dirt roads and is a birder's paradise.

This afternoon you have an option to embark on an optional 3-hour afternoon/sunset safari in the Kruger Park. Boarding an open safari vehicle. *Booking is essential and your guide can assist.

Ø  Day 8: Southern Kruger National Park – Full Day Kruger Safari

Rising early this morning to enter the southern Kruger National Park by gate opening times, a full day of game viewing with a Kruger Park specialist guide on an open safari vehicle. Making use of 9-seater open air Safari vehicles which are perfectly designed to give you a real bird’s eye view of the wildlife you will encounter on your Safari. Stopping throughout the day at various animal sightings, waterholes, viewpoints and a stop at one of the rest camps for lunch.

A breakfast pack will be provided to take with. Don’t forget to pack your sun screen and safari essentials (camera, binoculars etc).

Kruger Park is South Africa’s largest game reserve and is truly the flagship of the South African National Parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals.

Returning in the late afternoon to the lodge where you can enjoy leisure time before dinner.

Ø  Day 9 – Southern Kruger National Park to Panorama Route, South Africa

A scenic drive towards the Blyde River Canyon up the Drakensberg escarpment of South Africa. A day filled with beautiful breath-taking scenic vistas at the 3rd largest Canyon in the world the Blyde River Canyon to view the spectacular Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes a natural geological formation. With breath-taking views at Gods Window overlooking the lowveld and Kruger National Park below.

Ø  Day 10: Panorama Route to Johannesburg/Pretoria, South Africa

Enjoy breakfast before exploring the adventure hub along the Panorama Route at Graskop Gorge Lift Company for optional activities. Starting with a 52m (170feet) long suspension bridge 70m (230feet) above the valley fall.

The highlight is Afromontane Forest in the valley below, accessible by taking the viewing lift 51m (167 feet) down the face of the gorge into the indigenous forest below, where wooden walkways & suspension bridges make up a 600m (1969 feet) long trail.

In South Africa, Afromontane forests cover only 0.5% of the country’s land area. They occur in pockets along mountain ranges in well-watered areas, including ravines and south-facing slopes. Under the vivid green canopy of trees lies a lush wonderland filled with an amazing variety of plants, animals, insects and birds.

For the more adventurous one, check out the zipline across the gorge or the big swing down into the gorge.

After morning activities, we make our back to Johannesburg. A scenic drive before getting onto the highway back to Johannesburg arriving in the afternoon.