14 Day Drakensberg, Swaziland and Kruger Overland

Day 1

Port Elizabeth – Addo Elephant Park

After meeting your guides, we make our way to the Addo Elephant National Park and this afternoon we will enjoy a game drive through the park in our Nomad truck.

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Addo Night Drive

Day 2

Addo Elephant Park – 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. On arrival, this afternoon we will enjoy a Historical Walking Tour of the town dubbed “the gem of the Karoo”, our local guide will introduce to the rich history of South Africa’s fourth oldest town. Towering above the town below, the Valley of Desolation is a spectacular backdrop for the setting sun, this evening you will have the opportunity to join an optional Sundowner visit to close out the day.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Graaff Reinet – Malealea, Lesotho

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

Malealea, Lesotho

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: Pitseng hike, Pony Trekking

Day 5

Malealea, Lesotho – Drakensberg

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 hikers paradise and worthy of exploration.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Drakensberg

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

Drakensberg – Durban

It’s all downhill as we leave the mountain scenery en route to the Kwazulu 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 and well-known surfing destination. We stay in the city centre this evening and may sample some Indian cuisine and enjoy this coastal city’s vibrant nightlife.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activity: Dinner

Day 8

Durban – St Lucia

With a morning at leisure to enjoy the beautiful beaches and warm Indian Ocean, for those who prefer a little more excitement the many attractions of Ushaka Marine World can be visited instead. This afternoon we leave the city behind as we wind our way along the coast to our stop in Zululand. Tonight, we enjoy a Zulu cultural experience where we will sample the local beer, made from the local Ilala Palm, unique to the Zululand area and will be taught the basic Zulu language, how to greet, count and learn about the family traditions.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Visit to Ushaka Marine World

Day 9

St Lucia

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. The reserve has played a critical role in the preservation of these endangered animals, both Black and White Rhinoceros occur in the park and many populations owe their ongoing existence to animals that have been raised here. 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, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

St Lucia – Swaziland

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: Hiking, Swazi Cultural Experience, Game Drives, Mountain Biking

Day 11

Swaziland – Kruger National Park

We start the morning with a nature walk before setting off back to South Africa and the Kruger National Park. No visit to Swaziland would be complete without a visit to view the many crafts on offer, we will visit a craft market before crossing the border this afternoon. Tonight, we setup camp on the doorstep of the Kruger National Park and the next two days will be spent game viewing in South Africa’s most famous National Park.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12

Kruger National Park

Entering the park early this morning we spend a full day on safari in the park, with luck we may even catch sight of the Africa’s famous Big-5. 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. The Nomad truck gives us an elevated view and increases our chance to spot the animals.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13

Kruger National Park

Our activity package offers you an opportunity to participate in a full day 4×4, open safari vehicle game drive through the park. If you do not participate in the 4×4 game drive, your guide will take you on a game drive through the park in the Nomad truck. This afternoon presents the opportunity to extend the day with an optional Sundowner Drive.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Sunset Drive

Day 14

Kruger National Park – Johannesburg

Our return journey to Johannesburg takes us via the scenic Panorama Route where we will visit God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels. We arrive at our final destination in the late afternoon and all travellers are invited to join us for a traditional Braai tonight, this can be booked with your guide on the day before arrival. Many great tales are shared around the braai fires and tonight presents an opportunity to join fellow travellers in celebrating the many wonders of African travel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activity: Farewell dinner

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.

• Graaff Reinet historical tour
• St Lucia boat cruise
• Hluhluwe game drive
• 4×4 Game drive in Kruger National Park