SA 05: 5 Nights/6 Days Discovery of South Africa Wildlife
Day 1: Johannesburg – Mpumalanga
Depart from Johannesburg and travel to the ‘Province of the Rising Sun’, Mpumalanga, via the historic towns of Witbank, Dullstroom and Lydenburg. Travel over the famous Long Tom Pass on to the small town of Sabie. Visit the Lone Creek Waterfalls before arriving at your elegant hideaway. Enjoy a delectable dinner that can only be described as a ‘culinary masterpiece’.
Lone Creek River Lodge (Timber Cottages) or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis
Day 2: Makalali Private Game Reserve
After breakfast, visit the Mac Waterfalls. Along the Bonnet Pass, pay a short visit to the historic town of Pilgrim’s Rest, where the richest alluvial gold deposits in South Africa were discovered in 1873. Continue exploring the Panorama Route featuring: the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window and various waterfalls. Continue to your private game lodge near the Kruger National Park arriving in time for afternoon tea, followed by your evening game drive in an open safari vehicle. Return to the lodge for a diverse selection of eclectic cuisine. Makalali Private Game Reserve or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 2 game viewing activities.
Day 3: Kruger National Park
Early morning game drive followed by breakfast. Enter the world famous Kruger National Park established in 1898 at Orpen Gate. This national park spanning over two million hectares is unrivalled in the diversity of its flora and fauna. Spend the day looking for the ‘Big Five’, general game and prolific bird life. After a late afternoon arrival at your hotel, relax and enjoy a well deserved dinner in the elegant dining room. Casa Do Sol Hotel or similar – dinner bed and breakfast basis.
Day 4: Swaziland
After breakfast travel via Nelspruit and to the Kingdom of Swaziland. Drive through North-Eastern Swaziland along the Lebombo Mountains. Leave Swaziland and continue via the town of Pongola to your lodge in the Ubizane Game Reserve, arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner is served in the boma under the African sky (weather permitting). Ubizane Game Reserve or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 1 game viewing activity.
Day 5: Hluhluwe Game Reserve
After an early safari in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve and breakfast, visit St Lucia, a World Heritage Site, and enjoy a river cruise on the estuary. Here you may see pelicans, fish eagles, hippo and crocodiles. After driving through sugar cane plantations along the Indian Ocean seaboard, arrive in the bustling city of Durban for drop off at your hotel or Durban International Airport.
Recommended Additional Night
Instead of traveling straight to Durban, enjoy a night’s stay at Shakaland- a traditional Zulu ‘Umuzi’, or homestead, divided into the home of the Zulus and luxury ‘beehive hut’ accommodation. A unique resort built on the set of the movies, Shaka Zulu and John Ross. Feel the pulsating rhythm of mysterious and magical Africa as you re-live the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus, in this authentic re-creation of the Great Kraal overlooking the Phobane Lake.
Day 6: Durban
After Breakfast enjoy an enriching experience affording a better of the Zulu nation, its people and their intriguing customs. Highlights include: the sight of assegaai-wielding warriors, sharing the fascinating secrets of the Sangomas and witnessing traditional customs such as tribal dancing, spear making and the beer-drinking ceremonies. Mid-morning departure to Durban for drop off at your hotel or Durban International. Airport.