| D1: Johannesburg OR Tambo - St. Lucia |
| Meet and greet • St Lucia Walk(n) • Boat Trip St Lucia Estuary(o) |
| | - | Meet and greet at the OR Tambo Airport. Our guide will be waiting for you in the arrival hall carrying a banded sign board. You will then be escorted to a restaurant or coffee shop where while enjoying a complimentary juice or hot beverage our guide will explain in detail your itinerary and arrangements, he will give you all the advise you might need for your trip and will answer all questions you might have . He will hand over your travel documentation, maps , vouchers and a SIM card, and escort you to your onward transportation.
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| | - | Flight Arr 12:09 Johannesburg - Durban (Economy Class) (Optional rates: D1:Flight Johannesburg-Durban) |
| | - | Pick up your vehicle Europcar SA Classic Plus Cover Category M(7-13days) at Durban airport - Drop Off Johannesburg OR Tambo (Day 9) - 9 days  |
| | - | Travel to St. Lucia |
| | - | Take a walk through St.Lucia. A small, picturesque town which is an enclave within the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park. It is the only village located within a nature reserve and is your gateway to this natural wonder. There are many quaint restaurants, shops and pubs along St. Lucia's main street. With street names such as Hornbill Street, Pelican Street, Dolphin Avenue and Tuna Avenue, you are left in no doubt as to where the loyalties of this quaint little town lies. Conservation is a high priority in St. Lucia with tourism being the main source of income for many of the local people. (n) (n) |
| | - | Boat cruise on the Lake Saint Lucia Estuary. Situated within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the Lake Saint Lucia Estuary is a designated World Heritage Site that offers some of the most extraordinary waterscapes in the world. The network of coastal lakes, dunes, subtropical forests, swamps and wetland systems provides a haven for indigenous flora and fauna and the area is particularly popular with bird lovers. The Saint Lucia Estuary is one of the largest in Africa and this amazing mass of water is home to approximately 800 hippos and over 1 000 Nile crocodiles. Wildlife such as antelope and zebra graze its shores and birdlife is prolific with over 500 resident species including large flocks of pelicans, flamingos and ducks. (Optional rates: D1: St Lucia boat cruise) |
| | - | Overnight: Avalone Guesthouse (Standard Room - Bed and Breakfast(with patio)) |
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| D2: St. Lucia - Hluhluwe |
| Cape Vidal (n) • Falaza Game Drive(o) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Drive in your vehicle through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's first World Heritage Site, to reach the remote bay of Cape Vidal. With access to the eastern shores of Lake St Lucia where a variety of game can be found, and long stretches of sheltered beaches along the Indian Ocean, Cape Vidal offers the best of beach and bush. Along the drive you could encounter buffalo, reedbuck and other antelope, while the lake is teeming with hippos and crocodiles. Stroll along the shoreline where you could spot humpback whales if you're visiting between May and November, and explore the dense coastal forests with your guide to observe hundreds of different types of birds. Remember to pack good walking shoes. (n) |
| | - | Get ready for an authentic bush experience in a lush indigenous setting. Bordering the world-renowned World Heritage Site of St Lucia and close to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is Falaza, a picturesque safari destination surrounded by coastal dunes and riverine bushland where once a mighty sand forest flourished over 150 000 years ago. What remains today is a selection of extremely rare and beautiful trees found only in this habitat, and includes specimens such as the Zulu pod berry, forest fig and Lebombo wattle. Birdlife is unique and extraordinary, and the reserve is also home to a wide selection of antelope and other animals such as giraffe, warthog, zebra and rhino. Your guided game drive will last approximately two hours and takes place in an open game viewing vehicle.
(Optional rates: D2: Falaza 4x4 Game Drive) |
| | - | Overnight: Falaza Game Park and Spa (Tent - Bed and Breakfast ) |
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| D3: Hluhluwe - Swaziland |
| 4x4 Game Drive (Hluhluwe)(o) • Lavumisa Discover(n) • Swazi Candles(n) • Guided Walk (2.5 hours)(o) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Three-hour 4x4 game drive in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. This 96 000 hectare reserve is the oldest proclaimed game reserve in Africa and boasts a wealth of wildlife, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog. Your safari will explore the northern side of the park, a scenic, hilly area with patches of dense bush. The reserve is well known for its black and white rhino conservation efforts and there are currently approximately 1 500 white rhino and 360 black rhino in Hluhluwe. The area is also well stocked with a variety of antelope species, including kudu, impala, waterbuck, bushbuck and nyala. This picturesque reserve has a number of excellent viewing hides that overlook the watering holes, allowing visitors the opportunity of close up wildlife viewing. (Optional rates: D3:Hluhluwe 4x4 Game Drive) |
| | - | Travel to Swaziland |
| | - | Admire the contrasting landscape of Lavumisa while traversing Swaziland. This tiny, independent country is locked between the provinces of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, and Mozambique. The plains in the south-western part of Swaziland contrast sharply with the mountainous landscapes of the north and here you will discover lush sugarcane fields alternating with bush savannah dotted with Swazi kraals. Near the southern border post of Lavumisa, the Lubombo Mountains loom majestically in the near distance. This sweeping mountain range covers practically the entire eastern side of the country and forms the natural border between Swaziland and Mozambique. (n) (n) |
| | - | Wax lyrical about the Swazi candlemakers at Malkerns. From its humble beginnings in an old cowshed the Swazi Candle Factory today exports beautiful candles throughout the world and holds the esteemed reputation of producing an amazing assortment of handcrafted wax wares. On any given weekday you will be able to view the approximately 200 craftspeople as they go about the process of moulding the pigmented wax into fascinating shapes and sizes, ranging from traditional shaped candles to African animal forms. Each candle is hand-finished, meaning that no two candles will ever look exactly the same. Swazi Candles is one of the most famous handicraft outlets in southern Africa and a favourite stop for visitors looking for gifts and souvenirs to take home. (n) (n) |
| | - | Embrace eco-tourism on a guided nature and wildlife walk at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. At just under 6 000 hectares, the reserve may be small, but is considered a pioneer conservation area where diverse habitats support a surprisingly extensive species list. Due to the relative absence of dangerous game, the sanctuary is ideal for walking safaris, where visitors can pass by herds of grazing antelope and soak up the distant views of Nyonyane Mountain (Execution Rock) with its striking granite peaks. Mlilwane’s wildlife is widely regarded as unusually tolerant of human presence, allowing for unparalleled experiences and photographic moments that are not easily captured anywhere else. Your Swazi guide will focus on your specific interest, be it birding or wildlife, as you explore the area’s diverse habitats of woodland, grassland, forest and river. Your walk includes bottled water. (Optional rates: D3: Mlilwane guided walk) |
| | - | Overnight: Mogi Boutique Hotel (Standard room - Bed and Breakfast ) |
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| D4: Swaziland - Kruger |
| Swazi Village with Lunch (guided)(o) • Ngwenya Glass Factory(n) • Piggs Peak Discover(n) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Travel to Kruger |
| | - | Pick up from your hotel for a tour of Swaziland with our local guide. It is estimated that only approximately one million people inhabit the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland; however, it is a charming country filled with warm smiles, friendly faces, fascinating culture, fabulous wildlife and stunning mountain scenery. It is the smallest county in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the few remaining executive monarchies in Africa where culture and heritage are deeply ingrained in all aspects of life. Those on the hunt for unique African mementos are in for a treat as the country overflows with arty markets and beautiful handmade goods. Your tour will include a visit to a traditional homestead, and a colourful market. Lunch and return transfer are included. (Optional rates: D4:Discover Swaziland with Mandla) |
| | - | Admire glass-masters at work at the Ngwenya Glass Factory. This glass blowing factory forms the central hub of an arts and craft village in Swaziland where visitors can watch craftsmen at work as they shape and mould molten glass into a variety of gorgeous pieces. The factory makes use of approximately 500 kg of recycled glass a day that is crushed down and then melted in a furnace before the upcycle process begins and the hot glass lava is transformed into new and beautiful shapes. As part of Ngwenya’s social upliftment programme, community members ranging from school children to adults are encouraged to collect discarded glass objects and bring them to the factory in return for payment. The village is also home to numerous other arts and crafts outlets, restaurants, cafes and a children’s playground area, making for an ideal family outing. (n) (n) |
| | - | Traverse the mountains towards Piggs Peak. Tucked away in the north western corner of Swaziland, Piggs Peak is a region once made famous for its spectacular gold mining and now an important supplier of timber. The beautiful mountainous landscape has led to the area often being referred to as the ‘Switzerland of Africa’, filled with sparkling waterfalls, three of the highest peaks in the Kingdom of Swaziland, Bushmen paintings, nature reserves and picturesque indigenous bushland. The town itself is filled with colourful African art and craft shops while slightly further afield you will find the historic Bulembu village, Emlembe, the highest mountain in Swaziland and the Maguga Dam. (n) (n) |
| | - | Overnight at the Guest House: Nut Grove Manor (Luxury Suite(Hazel/ Almond/ Magnolia) - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D5: Kruger |
| 4x4 Game Drive Full Day (Scheduled)(o) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Full day 4x4 game drive in the Kruger Park. Your scheduled departure will leave from your hotel at dawn as you set out in an open 4x4 safari vehicle for a short drive to one of the park's gates and into the Kruger National Park. It is one of the largest game reserves in Africa, stretching across a vast 18 989 square kilometres in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. With over 12 000 elephants, 27 000 African buffalo and 1 000 leopards, the Big Five is well represented. White rhino sightings are frequent, while spotting a black rhino may require some patience and a bit of luck. Lions are plentiful with over 2 000 stalking the plains. Overall, the Kruger supports 147 free roaming mammal species. Of the 517 species of birds here, 253 are resident and the reserve supports six diverse eco-systems. Your morning safari concludes at one of the rest camps inside the reserve giving you the opportunity to stretch and refresh. The 4x4 vehicle will allow you to get very close to the surrounding vegetation while your experienced ranger follows fresh animal spoor. Your safari concludes in the late afternoon before returning to the hotel. (Optional rates: D5: Kruger 4X4 Game Drive) |
| | - | Overnight at the Guest House: Nut Grove Manor (Luxury Suite(Hazel/ Almond/ Magnolia) - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D6: Kruger - Makalali |
| Moholoholo Rehab Centre(n) • 4X4 Afternoon Game Drive |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Visit to the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. This world-famous centre is situated in the Moholoholo Private Game Reserve close to the Kruger National Park and has become a haven for the rehabilitation and care of abandoned, injured and poisoned wildlife. Animals are brought to the centre from all over South Africa and once healthy enough, are re-introduced back into their natural environments. Those creatures that cannot be returned to the wild due to the nature and extent of their injuries are used for educational purposes. Moholoholo has also successfully bred and released the endangered crowned eagle, serval and many others. Your visit will include a fully guided tour of all the wildlife that Moholoholo is currently rehabilitating, breeding or housing, offering the unique experience of seeing animals up close and personal. These animals may include lion, leopard, lynx, honey badger, vultures, wild dog and any baby animals present at the time of your visit. (n) (n) |
| | - | Travel to Kruger |
| | - | Arrival in Makalali Conservancy. Ready to indulge your every wild whim, the Makalali Conservancy encourages guests to make the most of their time close to wildlife. Located west of the Kruger National Park, the 22 000-hectare reserve presents undulating hills and incredible viewpoints with panoramic scenes across the Lowveld acacia bush, and savannah grassland flecked with marula, knobthorn and jackalberry trees. With a name meaning ‘place of rest’, Makalali is indeed a location to take a breather where guests can get closer to nature through wilderness walks, sleep-outs and outdoor bush baths. Wildlife in the reserve includes lion, leopard, elephant, cheetah and rhino, while activities concentrate on morning, afternoon and evening game drives, walking safaris and star gazing are optional. The conservancy incorporates a collection of camps and numerous other leisure activities. (Activities included in your package as per program below.) |
| | - | Lunch: Makalali Main Lodge |
| | - | Afternoon 4x4 game drive. |
| | - | Dinner: Makalali Main Lodge |
| | - | Overnight: Makalali Main Lodge (Superior Room - Fully Inclusive(FIT)) |
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| D7: Makalali - Ohrigstad |
| Morning 4x4 Game Drive • Blyde River Canyon and Potholes(n) |
| | - | Morning 4x4 game drive. |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Make your way towards the Blyde River Canyon and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. This seemingly endless river canyon is filled with some of the most beautifully scenic vistas in South Africa. The Bourke's Luck Potholes mark the beginning of the canyon and comprise intriguing geological formations at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur rivers. The canyon itself is 3rd largest in the world, covered in lush sub-tropical vegetation with an average depth of 750 metres and 25 kilometres in length. It consists mostly of red sandstone and has some of the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon on the planet. (n) (n) |
| | - | Overnight at the Lodge: Hannah Game Lodge (Standard Room - Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D8: Ohrigstad - Johannesburg |
| Dullstroom(n) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Travel to Johannesburg |
| | - | Hit the highlands in Dullstroom. This picturesque village in Mpumalanga is best known for its fly fishing dams, quaint shops and country restaurants. It forms part of the Highlands Meander where fly fishing rules and old timers exchange news in the local pub and are rumoured to still make their own moonshine. Brisk outdoor adventure waits as the area offers many adventure trails, rock climbing opportunities and hiking paths as well as being home to three varieties of crane species and a stunning array of blooming wild flowers. Dullstroom is also the site of South Africa’s only known breeding community of black leopards, although these unique cats are notoriously difficult to find. The brave can try some witbiltz, a South African version of moonshine. (n) (n) |
| | - | Overnight: Hyde Park Guest House (Standard room/BB) |
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| D9: Johannesburg |
| Day Tour: Jo`burg, Soweto and Apartheid Museum FD(o) |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Orientate yourself with greater Johannesburg on a full-day tour of Johannesburg, Soweto and the Apartheid Museum. Your explorations begin in the heart of bustling Johannesburg, the third largest city in Africa, as you seek out landmark buildings such as the Hillbrow Tower, one of the tallest towers in Africa, the sky-scraping Ponte City, Sentech and Carlton Centre Tower and the multi-million rand Nelson Mandela Bridge. South of city you will find the Apartheid Museum (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays) that showcases the notorious system of racial discrimination that became synonymous with South Africa from 1948 until 1994 when the country’s first fully democratic elections were held. The museum has two entrances labelled ‘white’ and ‘non-white’ giving visitors a tiny taste of some of apartheid’s prejudiced rules. More serious overtones to this system of racial classification can be observed inside the museum with harrowing personal testimonials and historical facts. Your tour rounds off with highlights of Soweto such as the match box houses, FNB “Soccer city” Stadium, Hector Pieterson Memorial, Vilakazi Street and Mandela House.
(Optional rates: D8:Joburg,Soweto and Apartheid Museum Day Tour FD) |
