Wildlife Safari In South Africa & Swaziland

Heading south-east out of Johannesburg our first destination is the Drakensberg Mountains. Drakensberg is the world’s oldest mountain range and derives their name from the Afrikaans word for “Dragon Mountains”. In the inevitable mist and the razor back ridges one can see a likeness to these mythical beasts. The hikes, the plunge pools and all round silence make the Drakensberg Mountains a must see. The Drakensberg itself comprises basalt massifs that have been cut through by crystal clear streams. The indigenous people that lived here called these mountains the “Ukhlamba”- “barrier of spears” because all of their peaks resemble upturned weapons. The old San bushman culture is reflected richly in the paintings that dot the cliff faces and overhangs, reminding all South African’s of their rich history. On arrival this afternoon we will have the opportunity top take a short walk to appreciate our surroundings in the Royal Natal National Park.

Overnight Standard Camping (C+) Included meals: Dinner

Today we have the opportunity to explore the breath-taking amphitheatre, where the Tugela River has its source. These are said to be amongst the world’s highest falls, dropping some 900 meters off the top of the Drakensberg escarpment. The first section is a relatively flat walk following the path of the Tugela River. The scenery is spectacular, and in spring and summer the valley is a carpet of indigenous flora. The path meanders in and out of lush forests with great views down the hills. In summer make sure you take a costume for a lovely swim in the rock pools. This will be a 4-5 hour walk and we will have a picnic lunch in the gorge. For those feeling less enegetic there are a number of shorter walks available to you nearby the campsite.

Overnight Standard Camping (C+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we visit the famous battlefields and witness authentic Zulu war dancing(optional). As anyone who has ever watched the film ‘Zulu Dawn’ will know, the battlefields of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana were the scenes of bloody and hugely significant events in the history of the Zulu nation. We shall visit the battle sites of Rourkes Drift and Isandlwana to gain a perspective into the people and history of South Africa.Isandlwana is undoubtedly the most haunting of all our battlefields as the many white cairns reflect upon the arrogance of a Victorian empire and the victory of the Zulu people who call themselves ‘the children of the stars’. The hill of Isandlwana stands a silent testimony to the determination and pride of the Zulu people. Isandlwana is truly haunting in the lessons it taught South Africa of colonialism and the folly of war. Rourkes Drift, a battle made famous in the film Zulu, is unique for the awarding of eleven VC’s in a single engagement. We make our way to the Zulu Capital in Ulundi where we will overnight in traditional style huts.

Overnight Traditional hut (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

We spend our first full day in the area making an extensive game drive in the famous Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve - formerly the Zulu kings’ hunting ground in days gone by. This reserve has achieved remarkable success with an ambitious rhino conservation programme which has brought the rhino back from the brink of extinction. As a result, it now supports the densest rhino population in Africa with both black and white rhino. It also supports lion, cheetah, leopard, wild dog, crocodile and hippo. Birdwatching is particularly good in the reserve with over 500 species recorded. We make our way to St Lucia in the late afternoon.

Overnight Lodge (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Today is left free for you to choose one of the many optional activities available in the area. The beaches of St Lucia and Cape Vidal are completely unspoilt and untouched, with recent legislation prohibiting vehicles from entering and blemishing these huge tracts of beaches. It is an internationally recognized site for the critically endangered leather-backed turtle. A phenomenon that is unrivalled is the annual migration of sardine fish, followed by dolphins, sharks, barracudas and marlin. Apart from enjoying the natural wonders on another game drive, you may like to take an active excursion by 4WD within the Wetland Park itself to Cape Vidal which includes dune walking, a braai (or barbeque) and snorkelling. Night drives around Lake St. Lucia to spot giant turtles coming ashore and whale watching trips are possible in the right season. Whale watching is good from June to November and turtle watching is good from November to March. There is the option of a boat trip on the St. Lucia River to spot hippos and crocodiles.

Overnight Lodge (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

We drive north and enter Swaziland – a tiny, independent kingdom inhabited by the Swazi tribe who revere their king and hold on to their culture and traditions. Our journey takes us through some spectacular scenery in the Ezulwini Valley and past numerous traditional homesteads and curio stalls. In the late afternoon we enter one of Swaziland’s best wildlife reserves, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. This secluded and beautiful sanctuary is a haven of tranquility, located as it is in a natural bowl beneath the Nyonyane Mountains. For the next two nights our accommodation is traditional dome-shaped ‘beehive huts’ set round a braai area in a wooded camp in the middle of the park. Though the camp has all the ‘mod cons’ of showers, toilets, outdoor swimming pool and restaurant/bar it is rustic in the best sense of the word; warthogs and ostrich share the camp with us and the restaurant overlooks a lake populated by water birds and a resident hippo.

Overnight Beehive Huts (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Mlilwane is Swaziland's oldest protected area, owned and managed by a non-profit making trust. Mlilwane is situated in the low foothills of the Nyonyane Mountains, the Sanctuary has been rehabilitated and is now Swaziland's most frequently visited reserve where one can enjoy the beauty of the surroundings and the abundant wildlife that grace the plains. Visitors can explore the southern portion of the Sanctuary by foot, vehicle, and on mountain bikes. This morning we begin with a walk in search of giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala, nyala and warthog. Mlilwane has a large area of open grasslands, so game viewing is relatively easy. The afternoon is left free for you to choose one of the many optional activities on offer. The great advantage of Mlilwane is that the absence of big cats allows for a very different game viewing experience. Those who simply want to relax can sit back in the camps and enjoy the tranquillity of Nature.

Overnight Beehive Huts (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

After an early start, we drive north, enter South Africa and a little further on cross the Crocodile River into the Kruger National Park. This two million hectare wilderness is amongst the world’s first proclaimed Game Reserves and is justifiably South Africa’s showpiece, with 147 mammal species that roam in the freedom that this National Park offers. It has a very good infrastructure, although 96% of the land is still as pristine and untouched as it was before the first settlers arrived. The Kruger Park is a world leader in animal and plant research. It offers scenery as diverse as riverine forest, granite outcrops, endless savannah and impenetrable Mopani woodland. We take open-vehicle game drives in our modified Toyota Landcruisers on our way to the camp where we overnight. These camps are very comfortable, offering a unique experience of the very things they have come to see and hear. It is still a supreme African wilderness.

Overnight Standard Camping (C+) Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we drive into the Kruger National Park, one of the world’s premier game reserves. Covering an area larger than Israel, the park was established in 1898 to protect big game that had almost been hunted to extinction. The park is now one of the most prolific animal habitats in South Africa, committed to animal conservation and patrolled by armed rangers to prevent illegal poaching. A large number of species are present, including elephant, lion, black and white rhino, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wild dog, hyena, wildebeest and almost all of South Africa’s species of antelope. Bird life is just as impressive with crowned cranes, bee-eaters, sunbirds and vultures. We spend a full day in the park before moving on to Graskop in the late afternoon for our overnight stop.

Overnight Lodge (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

The airy uplands of Mpumalanga (formerly Eastern Transvaal) has been inhabited since Stone Age times and with its plentiful water from mountain rivers, multiple waterfalls, beautiful craggy escarpments covered in vegetation, and colourful birdlife, it is easy to understand why. We’ll stop at several excellent viewpoints, including the aptly named ‘God’s Window’ and admire the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon and take it all in before we make our final journey back to Johannesburg.

Included meals: Breakfast