14 Day Drakensberg, Swaziland and Kruger Overland

Day 1 – Greater Addo Elephant National Park area

This morning you will meet your crew in Port Elizabeth and will be transferred to the accommodation. In the afternoon we visit Addo, famed for the elephants after which the park was named. Recent expansion has seen Addo grow to become the third largest of South Africa’s National Parks. The unique vegetation of Addo supports a wide variety of wildlife and we will spend the afternoon in search of the animals that call Addo home.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 – Graaff Reinet

The historic town of Graaff-Reinet nestles in the heartland of the Great Karoo and offers a unique insight into the history of this arid region. It is also the fourth oldest town in the country. This evening you will have the opportunity to join a sundowner excursion to the Valley of Desolation, this unique valley offers a panoramic view over the town and the wide open plains stretching out below. Kindly note that during the winter months, this activity will become a Sunrise excursion to the valley of Desolation the following morning.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Activity Package: Valley of Desolation Sundowner Tour (Kindly note that during the winter months, this activity will become a Sunrise excursion to the valley of Desolation the following morning)

Day 3 – Lesotho – Malealea

This morning we cut across the vast expanse of the Great Karoo, our destination is nestled in the heights of Lesotho. This autonomous mountain kingdom boasts the highest peaks in Southern Africa and is one of the highest countries in the world, the entire kingdom lies over 1000m above sea level. Having crossed the mighty Orange River, we enter the border of Lesotho and make the climb to our camp set high in the mountains.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 – Lesotho – Malealea

The clean air of the mountains accompanies us this morning as we explore the mountains on foot, our hike concludes with a village visit and the opportunity to gain insight into the community that calls these mountains home. The Basotho are famous for their traditional hats, blankets and their sturdy ponies. Basotho ponies are renowned for their surefootedness in the mountains and you have the opportunity of an optional pony trek this afternoon to experience this first-hand.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Pony Trekking, Pitseng hike

Day 5 – South Africa – uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park

We exit Lesotho and travel through the sandstone cliffs of Golden Gate. Our destination is the mountains of the Drakensberg. Running the length of the Kwazulu-Natal province, the Ukuhlamba Drakensberg Park is a UNESCO recognised world heritage site. Whether you go by the Zulu name uKhahlamba, meaning ‘barrier of spears’, or the Afrikaans name Drakensberge, meaning ‘dragon mountains’, these towering mountains are a hiker’s paradise and worthy of exploration.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 – UKhahlamba Drakensberg Park

We set out this morning for a lengthy hike. Along our way we will have the opportunity to view examples of San rock art with a local guide. While we encourage everyone to make the most of the day in mountains, we may offer separate options depending on the activity level of the group. With a number of trails available we can ensure that we cater to every need, the most important aim is to ensure everyone enjoys this mountain paradise at their own pace.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 – Kwa Zulu Natal Coast – St Lucia

It’s all downhill as we leave the mountain scenery en-route to the Kwa-Zulu Natal Coast. On the 5th August 1962, police waved down a car on a lonely country road in KwaZulu-Natal. At the wheel was Nelson Mandela. He was arrested and spent 27 years in prison. Today you will have the opportunity

to visit this historic capture site, marked by an impressive sculpture in honour of “Madiba”. We will also stop at the Howick Falls to listen to the power of the falls and take some photos at the view point. Then it’s onto the bustling city of Durban is South Africa’s largest port where you will have time to stretch your legs with a stroll along the promenade before heading for our final destination, St Lucia. This evening we enjoy a Zulu cultural experience, sampling the local beer and will be taught the basic Zulu language.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 – Hluhluwe – Umfolozi Game Reserve / iSimangaliso Wetland Park

We set out early this morning for a game drive in the nearby Hluhulwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, one of the last strongholds of the endangered rhinoceros. While rhinoceros are the most famous of the parks inhabitants, the park also provides a home to many other species, including the Big-5 that we all hope to see. Returning to our lodging for a siesta, we freshen up for an afternoon boat cruise on St Lucia estuary.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Activity Package: Game Drive in Hluhluwe/Imfolozi National Park St. Lucia Boat Cruise

Day 9 – Swaziland – Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

An early start and we are off to the Kingdom of Swaziland, this afternoon we have the opportunity to join many of the optional activities that are offered here. Take your choice from game drives, mountain biking or a visit to the Chief’s village.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Game Drives, Swazi Cultural Experience, Mountain Biking and Hiking

Day 10 – Swaziland – Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Endless hours of self-guided exploration within the small 4560ha Mlilwane sanctuary are possible due to the relative absence of dangerous game. This morning our guide will lead us out on a nature walk to explore the “ Nature Trail “ which provides interpretation of historical and environmental information of the area. Later this morning, we embark on a 2-hour guided walk through the Esijeni community, allowing us a glimpse of life on a day-to-day basis.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activity Package: Esijeni Cultural Tour
Optional Activity: Game Drives, Swazi Cultural Experience, Mountain Biking and Hiking

Day 11 – South Africa – Kruger National Park

Setting off back to South Africa, we make aim for the Kruger National Park and begin with our first game drive as we enter the gates of the park. The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s flagship national park and sightings of the “ big five “ has become something of a quest for many guests. The Kruger NP has more that it’s fair share of animals and we will spend our time in search of both big and small.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Morning Bush Walk (Subject to Availability)

Day 12 – Kruger Park – Panorama Route

While those who elect to do the optional morning walk will have an earlier start, we set out a little later today and travel the short distance to the Panorama Route. Strung along the escarpment that divides the central plateau and low-lying bushveld of the Kruger, the sights of the Panorama route offer us a day of scenic delights. We will visit the highlights of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels and God’s Window before returning to camp in the late afternoon.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activity: Morning Bush Walk (Subject to Availability)

Day 13 – Kruger National Park

Rising early this morning we enter the Kruger National Park to enjoy a full-day of game viewing. Our activity package offers the added excitement of experiencing the park from an open-sided 4×4 vehicle. For those who have not chosen the 4×4 game drive through the park, your guide will take you on a game drive in the Nomad truck (full day). This evening there is an opportunity for an optional Sundowner Drive.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Activity Package: Kruger National Park 4×4 game drive
Optional Activity: Sunset Drive

Day 14 – Kruger National Park to Johannesburg

Our return journey sees us spending the morning in the Kruger National Park as we exit the park, heading directly towards Johannesburg. We arrive at Belvedere Estate in the late afternoon and all travellers are invited to join us for a traditional meal tonight. This can be booked with your guide on the day before arrival. Many great tales are shared and tonight is for celebrating the many wonders of African travel.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Optional Activity: Traditional meal at Belvedere Estate

Activity Package

Listed below are activities and highlights that form part of an “Optional Activity Package”. You will need to purchase this package if you would like to partake in what we consider to be “essential activities” on our tours. The Activity Package has been written into the itinerary of the tour so please keep this in mind as if you don’t book the package, the activities won’t be included. We suggest that you prebook and prepay for your Activity Package to ensure availability.

• Valley of Desolastion tour
• St Lucia boat cruise
• Hluhluwe game drive
• 4×4 Game drive in Kruger National Park
• Esijeni Cultural tour