12 Day Best Of South Africa Explorer Tour:
North & North Eastern regions Johannesburg – Mpumalanga (Kruger Park) – Swaziland – Zululand Tour (14 days) – JMSZ14 Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Swaziland, KwaZula Natal – Provinces South Africa.
Day 1: Arrival – Johannesburg
Upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport an English speaking Explore Africa Tours representative will meet and escort you to your awaiting transfer vehicle. Transfer to your hotel embarking on a Soweto tour en route. Soweto, its name created from the acronym South Western Townships, has made its mark on the psyche of the New South Africa. It played a crucial historical role on the early days of resistance when the ANC (African National Congress) took a more vocal and visible stand against apartheid. Soweto rose to meet the challenge, embracing a more political, dynamic and also violent attitude when you witness the uprisings on 16 June 1976 against apartheid and many more unfairness onto non-Europeans in the old South Africa. Today it is a muddled mix of poor and wealthy – a sprawl of shanties, mass produced shoebox houses and more solid, middleclass homes.
Accommodation in hotel near OR Tambo International airport. B/B
Buffet dinner for your own account.
Day 2: Johannesburg (Gauteng) – Mpumalanga
After breakfast check out and travel together with your English speaking guide to the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’, Mpumalanga Province (approximately a 5-6 hour drive). En route to your overnight hotel, explore part of the famous and scenic Panorama Route. This great escarpment is the kind of place where brochures and guide books run out of original adjectives to describe the fresh mountain scenery and magnificent panoramic views. See the spectacular Blyde River Canyon with its three sisters guarding over you. See where the Blyde River (‘river of joy’) and the Treur River (‘river of sorrow’) meet, water erosion has formed one of the most remarkable geological phenomena in the country, known as ‘Bourke’s Luck Potholes’. Over thousands of years, surreal cylindrical rock sculptures created by whirling water have formed a series of dark pools which contrast artfully with the streaked white and yellow lichen covered rocks. Following the road and the Treur River south, there are further viewpoints: Berlin Falls and God’s Window. Upon later the afternoon, arrive at your overnight hotel at Graskop, formerly a famous timber town and today a famous stopover with its interesting little souvenir shops catering for tourist. Check in and freshen up for dinner in a local restaurant. Dinner for clients own cost.
Accommodation in Graskop hotel. B/B
A la carte dinner in hotel or restaurant in tow for your own account.
Day 3: Mpumalanga – Kruger National Park (+- 120 km)
After a hearty breakfast we depart to the famous Kruger National Park. Entering at Phabeni Gate on the western border of the park we do “game watching”, a South African term for; in search of the famous BIG FIVE, namely, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and African buffalo. Upon arrival at the lodge, spend time at leisure around the swimming pool with an island bar for refreshments. Accommodation in luxury air-conditioned tents. B/B
Dinner in the lodge restaurant or open air Boma for clients own account.
Day 4: Mpumalanga – Kruger National Park
Early morning, after early breakfast, a full day safari in Kruger National Park is arranged for you. An English speaking game ranger will guide you through the bush in an open safari vehicle in search of the ‘Big 5’, as well as other African animals nowhere else to be seen, in its natural habitat, in the world. A lunch stop is included at one of the various rest camps inside the park (for your own account). Upon late afternoon arrival back at the lodge, spend time at leisure until dinner in the lodge restaurant or open air Boma. Accommodation in luxury air-conditioned tents.B/B Dinner for clients own account.\
Day 5: (Travel to Hazyview +- 30 km, and from Hazyview to White River +- 50 km)
Early morning 3 hour game drive with Nkambeni in open safari vehicle. After arriving back at camp we depart to Hazyview and visit a Shangane Village where you will experience the lifestyle and traditional meal of this African culture.
Overnight in White River hotel. B/B
(Buffet dinner for own account)
Day 6: (travel +- 300 km for day)
Depart to Swaziland (Eswatini). Visit an interesting Candle making factory and curio shops at a small Swazi town. Lunch at the shopping site. Depart to Kwa-Zulu Natal. Overnight at Zulu Nyala Heritage hotel Hluhluwe. B/B
(Buffet dinner for own account)
Day 7: (travel +- 30 km to Hluhluwe Game reserve)
Early morning after breakfast do a 3 hour gamedrive in a 4×4 safari vehicle in Hluhluwe Game reserve. Rest of day at own leisure. Overnight at Zulu Nyala Heritage hotel Hluhluwe. B/B
(Buffet dinner for own account)
Day 8: ( +- 90 km travel to St Lucia)
Travel to St Lucia and take a drive to Cape Vidal. Cape Vidal reserve contains the Big 5 and the beach is excellent for swimming and a South African suntan.
Accommodation in St Lucia in a hotel. B/B
(Dinner at restaurants of your choice)
Day 9: (Local boat trip 2 hrs)
Take a boat trip on St Lucia Lake (Isimangoliso) in morning or afternoon with a very knowledgeable guide on board. A lot of hippopotamus, crocodiles and birdlife to be seen during the lake tour. After boat trip you are at own leisure, visit the beach or just hang around the hotel swimming pool. Little town of St Lucia is famous for shopping and good restaurants.
Accommodate in St Lucia in a hotel. B/B
(Dinner at restaurants of your choice)
Day 10: (Travel time to Drakensberg +- 4 hours with lunch stop on way)
Depart to the majestic mountain range of Drakensberg. If time allows, we will visit the capture site of the famous Mandela at a town called Howick. At the end of the day we reach and accommodate in the Northern Drakensberg area near the beautiful Royal Natal Park.
Accommodation will be in a hotel. B/B
(Buffet or a la carte dinner for your own account)
Day 11: (visit Royal Natal Park in Drakensberg +- 20 km)
This morning you can make a choice of a walking trail in the park. There are multiple hiking trails with different distances and walking times. The trail depends on your choice (with a guide or by yourself). This is the most spectacular and beautiful area of the Drakensberg. This is also where the second highest waterfall in the world is to be found, namely the Tugela Falls and forms the Tugela river below where the famous international Duzi Cano marathon takes place annually.
You also have a choice of horse-riding if required for one or two hours at your own cost.
Day 12: (return to Johannesburg for your late afternoon return flight. Travel time +- 4 hours)
Arrival time in Johannesburg OR Tambo International airport 03pm.
END OF TOUR.
All accommodation and breakfasts included for clients. Dinners and drinks for clients own account.
All mentioned excursions included in tour cost.
Travel luggage as little as can be.
What to take with on tour:
Camera with enough spools and batteries. Sweater for open safari game drives. Hat or head protection for day game drives and morning walk. Sun protection for face and arms during day game drives. Comfortable shoes Swim suits as most places have a pool.