13-Day Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal Highlights Safari: - Johannesburg-to-Johannesburg

We conduct exclusive tours to the game reserves and scenic destinations in South Africa. We like our clients to be able to make the most of their experience, hence the dedicated private tours where the agenda of others does not impair on your holiday. One of the best ways to make the most of visiting our wildlife and scenic venues would be the following suggested itinerary. We would collect you from the airport on your arrival or from your overnight accommodation after breakfast and set off on the tour.

 

ENQUIRIES AND RESERVATIONS

Day One – Johannesburg –Drakensberg Escarpment. (Lunch & Dinner)
We collect you from your overnight accommodation or from the airport and travel through Highveld industrial, mining and agricultural areas. Our guide will make this section interesting, adding value with his interpretation of the local history and sights. The scenery is pretty flat but this changes as we approach the Drakensberg Escarpment where we drop down to the Lowveld through scenic passes.

This Drakensberg Escarpment area is really beautiful and has scenic vistas over the Lowveld of the Kruger National Park. Our meals will be at wayside cafes en route to and from the Park. The remainder of the day will be spent in visiting the Drakensberg Escarpment, also known as the Panorama Route, where we will visit the areas of the Blyde River Canyon, “God’s Window”, “Bourke’s Luck Potholes”, “Three Rondawels” and a waterfall or two in the area, time permitting. Overnight at Forever Resorts, Blydepoort. Commanding excellent views of the Blyde River Canyon and the ‘Three Rondawels’, this Mpumulanga Resort is situated on the escarpment, 160km north of Nelspruit and a mere 50km north of Graskop. It is the ideal base for hiking trails and scenic trips by car to well-known Mpumulanga locations, including Pilgrim’s Rest. Accommodation comprises a luxury guest house (with 3 en-suite double rooms) overlooking the gorge, 98 2-5 sleeper rustic stone chalets, a 30 stand caravan park, all with power points, serviced by two ablution facilities.

Day Two, Three, Four - Kruger National Park. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
After breakfast we depart for the Kruger Park which is an excellent venue with good sightings of lion, elephant, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, baboon, monkey, hippo and impala regularly seen. The more elusive animals like leopard are an exciting find. We include a night drive in an open safari vehicle on one of the evenings, this to enhance the possibility of seeing the nocturnal species such as leopard (always difficult to find), lion, hyena, genet, bush babies and then the other nocturnal animals such as the smaller cats, owls and nightjars. You also get to see most of the diurnal animals, with their eyes lighting up like a little town in the reflection of the spotlights when you chance on a herd of Impala.

In the game reserve we will have breakfast and dinners in the restaurants. Lunches are usually a snack type at one of the camps or at picnic stop cafes. Here the choice is limited to toasted sandwiches, burgers, fries and the like. We enjoy a full game-viewing programme for the balance of the days. Depending on which camps we will be staying at so the mid-day siesta period could be spent at the swimming pool - Kruger Park is pretty hot and humid in summer - or to visit one of the camp interpretation centres, which are always interesting.
We encourage an early start to make the most of the best time of day to view the animals. So first one out at dawn - this to see if we are able to sight some of the nocturnal predators returning to their daytime resting place and then to have breakfast, possibly at a different locality. We recommend staying at different camps to make the most on what the Kruger Park has to offer and to get the best game viewing.

Day Five- Swaziland. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
After our morning game viewing we leave Kruger Park and travel to Swaziland. We will then visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory before making our way to Reilly’s Rock (or similar). Situated in the Mliliwane Game Reserve. Reilly’s Rock’s unique Hilltop Lodge has been tastefully decorated in keeping with its colonial roots by Swaziland's leading conservation team, Ted and Liz Reilly. Notwithstanding the necessary subtle additions and renovations, the house still stands as it was built almost a century ago.  Mliliwane Game Reserve is Swaziland's pioneer conservation area and is situated in a beautiful, secluded sanctuary in Swaziland's Valley of Heaven, the Ezulwini Valley, an area between Mbabane and Manzini.

Day Six, Seven - Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Park. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
We leave Reilly’s Rock after breakfast and travel through rural Swaziland and Zululand and proceed to the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Park where we would spend two nights at the world renowned Hilltop Camp. The accommodation here is brick under thatch chalets, each with their own private bathroom. The meals would be at the excellent Mapunyane Restaurant.

This is the game reserve famous for "Operation Rhino" where the then Natal Park's Board (now known as Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife), brought the white rhino back from the brink of extinction. One can see just how successful they have been. Sightings of rhino, giraffe, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey and antelope such as impala, nyala and kudu are frequently seen and with the possibility of seeing lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, black rhino, hippo, crocodile, monitor lizards, hyena and antelope such as red duiker, steenbuck, waterbuck, eland, reedbuck, bushbuck and then the rare Samango monkey and wild dog, much less frequently.

This evening we will go on another night drive in an open game-viewing vehicle with rangers from KZN Wildlife to search for the nocturnal species. The rest of the time will be spent on extended game drives to various areas of the Park, with an early start to make the most of the day and to possibly chance upon one of the predators returning to their day-time lair.

Day Eight – St. Lucia (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
More game viewing follows as we leave the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Park to the village of St. Lucia, arriving in time for lunch. Overnight Elephant Lake Hotel (or similar). The Elephant Lake Hotel is situated on the Elephant Coast in the heart of the exquisite St. Lucia World Heritage Site between Lake St. Lucia and the Indian Ocean in South Africa. The hotel is sited on the banks of the St. Lucia Estuary and overlooks the lake. All the rooms offer an en suite bathroom, telephone, air conditioning, satellite TV and a tea/coffee maker. This afternoon after lunch we visit the eastern shores Lake St. Lucia and head to Cape Vidal, game viewing all the while. After a visit to the beach we would continue on the circular route for another game drive before returning to the village to overnight.

Day Nine –Durban (Breakfast & Lunch)
After breakfast we will board the launch for a two-hour tour of this lake, the first to be declared a World Heritage Site in South Africa, here to see hippos (guaranteed!), crocodiles and water birds.   After this we would continue on to Durban. We will overnight at the Oyster Box Hotel (or similar) in the suburb of Umhlanga Rocks. For an intimate service, superb cuisine, gracious comfort and absolute beachfront, the Oyster Box Private Hotel - situated in Umhlanga, is just 15 km north of Durban.

Day Ten – Sani Pass (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

We depart Durban on an early start to make the most of the days’ sight-seeing, traveling on the edge of the "Valley of 1000 Hills" and then past the capital city of Pietermaritzburg. We travel inland, to the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains on the scenic route through the frontier towns of Bulwer, Underberg and Himeville.  Here we transfer to our 4X4 vehicles for the ascent up the Sani Pass and into Lesotho. Breathtaking scenery and alpine conditions dominate this truly magnificent corner of this province. Once we have entered Lesotho we will stop off at a Basutho village where one can learn more about the life of these very friendly people, in this, one of the world’s poorest countries. Lunch will be at the “highest pub in Africa”, the Sani Top Chalet. We will also have some time here to walk along the edge of the escarpment for stunning views into KwaZulu Natal, before descending the pass to our overnight-preferred accommodation in the area. *NB. Warm clothing is a must, no matter the season of the year! You will also need valid passports for the crossing into Lesotho. The ascent of the pass is subject to the prevailing weather conditions.

We overnight at Moorcroft Manor in Himeville which is situated amidst rolling green hills and breath-taking sunsets on the outskirts of the country village of Himeville, 8kms from Underberg in the Southern Drakensberg. Moorcroft Manor is family-owned and operated and prides itself in offering the highest standard of service excellence, hospitality and comfort. Being graded 5 stars by the South African Grading Council for three years has been an accomplishment and being voted "Best Guesthouse KZN – 2005“ by The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa – East Coast has been a highlight in the years they have been operating.

Day Eleven – Giants Castle (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
From Moorcroft Manor we travel via the Midlands Meander route to our next overnight at Giants Castle in the central Berg, arriving late afternoon. The Midlands Meander is what weavers, potters, woodcrafters, leather workers, artists, metalworkers, box makers, herb growers, cheese makers, beer brewers and pianos have in common. You will find them all, and a great deal more on the Midlands Meander map - South Africa's first, largest and most popular art and crafts route. 

From a very small beginning, the Midlands Meander has grown to well over a hundred stops on four routes. Originating with the arrival of the first settlers in the early 1800’s the area boasts many wonderful homes and barns, an attraction to lovers of architecture. As you tour the Midlands Meander you will also notice that this area is home to a number of the country’s most famous schools. The Midlands Meander has also grown to offer much more than Arts and Crafts, and also now boasts a vast number of top-class hospitality establishments. Converted from classic old farmhouses or outbuildings, they cater for the full spectrum of guests’ needs, ranging from luxury to rustic.
Do not be fooled by the tranquil serenity, as a range of other activities is also available to those who prefer some action to a slow drive through the country. Trout fishing, hiking and mountain biking are the perfect way to shake off the city while others enjoy the shopping.

Day Twelve - Montusi (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
This morning we would take a walk to “Main Caves” to view the San (or Bushman) rock art, which is many hundreds of years old, legacies left here by the Stone Age people. Here there is a Diorama depicting the San Peoples in the shelter that has been carefully set amongst the original cave sandstone rock art. Interpretation of the artwork is by a local custodian. From here we depart Giant's Castle and travel along
scenic roads and via small towns to overnight at Montusi Mountain Lodge (or similar) in the Royal Natal National Park area overlooking The Amphitheatre. En route, there will be shopping opportunities at local art and craft venues.  We will overnight at Montusi Mountain Lodge, which offers genuine hospitality in the tranquillity of one of the most beautiful settings in Southern Africa. Space, comfort and peace are what you will find when you treat yourself to the natural splendour and peaceful, romantic ambiance of this Drakensberg haven.
Situated in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, halfway between Johannesburg and Durban, Montusi is the only upmarket destination in the area with a full and uninterrupted view of the Drakensberg's most famous part, the Amphitheatre Escarpment. Our guests enjoy this spectacular scenery in the comfort of their private individual garden suites.

Activities here include hiking and swimming. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing or exploring this incredibly beautiful area.

Day Thirteen – Johannesburg
Today we depart Montusi for our drop off at your overnight accommodation in Johannesburg, or at the Johannesburg Airport.

Package Includes:
All airport/hotel transfers.
Accommodation.
Meals as indicated.
Sundowner drives and boat cruise where indicated.
 Transport in luxury air-conditioned vehicles.
 Service of qualified Driver/Guide.
All entrance fees and levies.

 

Package Excludes:
 Items of a personal nature e.g. beverages, phone calls, laundry etc.
 Travel insurance.
All Airfare, unless indicated.
Optional excursions where indicated.
Meals where indicated.

 

*Please note - to avoid disappointment
If, on this "once in a lifetime Safari”, having close-up sightings of the large cats, i.e. Lion, Cheetah and Leopard, along with Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino (also known as “The Big 5”) is a priority for you and your party, we suggest that you visit our recommended luxury private game reserves. Here the rangers track these elusive animals, off road if necessary, in a mostly successful attempt to secure a sighting. We are not allowed off the public roads in the Provincial and National Parks on our guided Safaris. On this tour you can substitute the 2-3 star Kruger National Park for our preferred luxury lodge in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve and the 3 star Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Park for one of either the luxury Phinda or the Amazulu Private Game Reserve.

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