Itinerary
Day 1: Johannesburg to Blyde River Canyon, South Africa
This Adventure starts with being collected at your hotel in Pretoria or Johannesburg area. We travel across the Highveld, passing the farmlands and the coal fields. After a couple hours we turn of the main highway and head through the highland meanders. They might not have quite the impact of the Panorama Route, lying between the higher reaches of the escarpment and is renowned as the place to go for trout fly fishing, surrounded by imposing mountains and rivers. We travel towards the panorama route to visit the beautiful scenery the area has to offer. Stopping at the Blyde River Canyon, the 3rd largest Canyon in the world we visit the Bourke’s Luck Potholes and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Three Rondavels where we lodge to night.
Highlights Included: Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes & the Three Rondavels
Accommodation: Forever Resort Blyde River Canyon
- Budget option, you camp tonight
- Comfort option, tonight is in a private en-suite chalet
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2: Blyde River Canyon to Kruger National Park, South Africa
Our day starts early this morning with coffee and rusks as we watch the sunrise over the canyon. Returning for a well-deserved hearty breakfast. Various hikes are available ranging from a leisurely 30 min hike down the canyon to a Tufa waterfall. To a more adventurous 2 to 4 hour hikes. A great way to start the day off while the air is still crisp before the heat sets in. Great opportunities are available for breathtaking views and photos over the Blyde river canyon and providing a different view of the Three Rondavels. After morning activities we leave the Canyon area and drive through the tourist village of Graskop, travelling down the escarpment and into the picturesque Lowveld home to the world famous Kruger National Park. Where we arrive in Hazyview, this is where we lodge for the next 2 nights for a Kruger Park experience that you will never forget. This afternoon you will embark on your first exhilarating sunset drive in the Kruger Park. This is where the real excitement starts as you set off with a Kruger specialised park ranger on your first safari for the trip. This afternoon safari lasts roughly 3 hours. Returning back at the lodge for dinner, drinks and to recollect the days happenings before heading to bed for an early rise.
Highlights Included: Sunset Game Drive with Kruger Park Ranger
Accommodation: Lodge in Hazyview area
- Budget option, you camp tonight
- Comfort option, tonight is in a private en-suite chalet
Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activities: Morning Hike in Blyde River Canyon, Graskop Gorge Lift (entrance and activities for own account)
Day 3: Full Day Kruger National Park, South Africa
Rising early this morning to enter the Kruger National Park to enjoy a full-day of game viewing with a Kruger Park specialist guide on an open 4x4 safari vehicle. A breakfast pack will be provided to take with. Don’t forget to pack the sun screen and safari essentials (camera, binoculars etc). Kruger Park is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Mountains, bush plains and tropical forests are all part of the landscape. Late afternoon you will return to lodge where you can enjoy leisure time before dinner around the camp fire.
Highlights Included: Full Day in Kruger National Park in an open 4 x 4 safari vehicle
Accommodation: Lodge in the Hazyview area
- Budget option, you camp tonight
- Comfort option, tonight is in a private en-suite chalet
Meals included: Packed Breakfast
Day 4: Kruger National Park to Mlilwane, Eswatini
This morning if you would like to do an extra safari there is an option to do so on an open vehicle or if you feeling more adventurous try a bush walk which is a great way to end this leg of your African experience before we depart to the Eswatini (Swaziland). Keep the passports handy today as we have a Border Control Point laying ahead at the Eswatini's Border where a warm smile awaits us. Upon arriving in Eswatini, we visit Ngwenya Glass Shop. After we head to Mantenga Cultural Village for a great insight into the Swazi Culture and Traditions. Check in to Mlilwane in the late afternoon.
Highlights Included: Ngwenya Glass Factory Shop, Mantenga Cultural Village
Accommodation: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary or Similar
- Budget option, tonight is in shared accommodation
- Comfort option, tonight is in a private en-suite hut
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5: Full Day at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Eswatini
This morning you will have time to explore the beautiful Mlilwane wildlife sanctuary. Filled with free roaming animals and offers guests the opportunity to do some mountain biking, horseback safaris or simply just go for an amazing hike. In the after we will head to Swazi Candles and a Swazi Craft Market.
Highlights Included: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary & Swazi Candles and Craft Market
Accommodation: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary or Similar
- Budget option, tonight is in shared accommodation
- Comfort option, tonight is in a private en-suite hut
Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activities: Horse Back Safari, Hikes, Mountain Bikes
Day 6: Eswatini to St Lucia, South Africa
This morning after breakfast we leave this amazing country of Eswatini behind us and cross the border re-entering South Africa into KwaZulu-Natal province as we head south to the small coastal town of St Lucia. Late afternoon we board a boat to view the crocodiles, hippos and the amazing bird life of this World Heritage site. Tonight, you have a free night to explore the village on foot with a wide selection for restaurants to choose from for dinner.
Highlights Included: St Lucia Isimangaliso Croc and Hippo boat cruise
Accommodation: Lodge in St. Lucia
- Budget option, tonight is in shared accommodation
- Comfort option, tonight is in private en-suite lodge
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7: St Lucia to Southern Drakensberg, South Africa
Today involves a driving day towards the majestic Drakensberg. We leave St. Lucia after optional morning activities, hugging the lush KwaZulu-Natal coastline making our way towards Underberg in the Southern Drakensberg. Watching the sugar cane fields do their own version of the Mexican wave in the wind. We then carry on for the town of Underberg to the world-renowned Southern Drakensberg home of the Sani Pass, we will overnight at the foot of the Southern Drakensberg.
Highlights Included: Spectacular views of the Southern Drakensberg
Accommodation: Lodge in Underberg area
- Budget option, tonight is in shared accommodation
- Comfort option, tonight is in private en-suite room
Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activities: Whale watching (Seasonal and Weather permitting), Game Drives in Hluhluwe
Day 8: Full Day in Southern Drakensberg, South Africa
This morning after breakfast you will have the opportunity to do some of the many Optional Activities that the Southern Drakensberg has to offer. • 4 x 4 excursion up Sani Pass The Tour departs at 09h00 and takes approx. 2.5 hours to reach the summit, stopping at breath taking view sites along the Sani Pass and the two border posts i.e. The South African Border Control and Lesotho Border Control. Once at the Top of the Sani Pass, we visit a local community and have Lunch at the highest Pub in Africa - The Sani Mountain Lodge. After lunch the Tour continues into a living Basotho village, where our experienced mountain guide will interest you on Lesotho and its people - the hardy mountainous Basotho folk. Traditional beer and homemade bread offered on request. We wind down the Sani Pass after this cultural experience and arrive back in Underberg between 16h00- 16h30 depending on the wildlife spotted along the way
- Horse riding
- Hiking in the Southern Drakensberg
Highlights Included: Southern Drakensberg
Accommodation: Lodge in Underberg area
- Budget option, tonight is in shared accommodation
- Comfort option, tonight is in private en-suite room
Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activities: 4 x 4 Excursion up Sani Pass - Lesotho Daytrip with a visit to the local community, Horse Back riding, Self-guided hiking
Day 9: Southern Drakensberg to Northern Drakensberg, South Africa
After breakfast and optional morning activities we depart for the Northern Drakensberg. Our route rewards us with spectacular scenery as we make our way towards the Golden Gate National Park. The park derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the park's sandstone cliffs. We arrive at the Golden Gate National Park in time for a spectacular sun set over the Sandstone cliffs where a breathtaking tapestry of red, yellow and purple hues as its warm shades merge with the cool mountain shadows towards evening.
Highlights Included: Spectacular Mountain Scenery
Accommodation: Lodge in Northern Drakensberg area
- Budget option, tonight is in shared accommodation
- Comfort option, tonight is in private en-suite lodge
Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activities: Horseback riding, Self-guided hiking trails
Day 10: Northern Drakensberg to Johannesburg, South Africa
This morning you can partake in optional activities before heading back to Johannesburg, arriving in the late afternoon.
Highlights Included: Spectacular Mountain Scenery
Accommodation: Own arrangements
Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activities: Self-guided hiking trails
