Experience thrilling game drives through well-known game reserves on this Africa Safari tour. Try to spot the Big Five and meet Zulu tribesmen to learn about how they live in today's ever changing society. Enjoy the northern coast on this week long South Africa tour while settling in each night at Perry's Bridge Hollow, Royal Swazi Spa Valley Ghost Mountain Inn and the Benjamin Hotel. South Africa has been drawing adventurous travelers for decades with its temperate climate, incredible game, and rich cultural past. Travelers will find a good mix of nature, culture, and comfort on this exciting African adventure.
Highlights
Search for Africa's Big 5 in Kruger National Park
Experience African traditions in Swaziland
Visit a local & authentic Zulu homestead in the Ubombo Mountains
Boat through iSimangaliso Wetland Park to view crocodiles & hippos
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Depart Johannesburg and travel along the Panorama Route, stopping at Blyde River Valley, God's Window, and the Mac Mac Falls on your way to Mpumalanga, the ‘Land of the Rising Sun.' Arrive at Perry's Bridge Hollow in time to freshen up before dinner at the lodge.
Venture out into Kruger National Park in a traditional open air safari vehicle in search of Africa's Big 5! Spend the day exploring Kruger's nearly 2 million hectares of reserve land, watching out for the huge number of local flora and fauna, including elephant, lion, cheetah, cape buffalo, giraffe, and hippo. Return to the lodge and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.
Optional evening safari available for additional cost.
The tiny mountain kingdom of eSwatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is filled with bygone African traditions and offers breathtaking scenery and attractions such as game reserves and art & craft outlets. Enjoy a showcase of the traditional Swazi culture followed by lunch at the Matsamo Cultural Village. Continue to the Ngwenya Glass Works to see master craftsmen create beautiful sculptures and artwork from molten glass. After spending some time at the craft markets, arrive at the Royal Swazi Spa Valley located in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley.
Spend time at the Swazi Candle Factory, peruse the handmade candles and admire the array of patterns, shapes, and ‘millefiore’ technique used to produce each unique creation. Continue via Big Bend into KwaZulu Natal. This afternoon take a scenic drive up the Ubombo Mountains and stop for a visit at a local and authentic Zulu Homestead. At the summit of the mountain enjoy a cocktail, called a sundowner in Africa, as the sun sets over Lake Jonzini and return to your hotel for dinner on the terrace.
This morning is yours to relax or participate at one of the optional activities offered from Ghost Mountain Inn. Transfer to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve for an afternoon game drive and try your hand at spotting the Big 5 as well as various other species. The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve covers a combined area of 90,000 ha and it was here that the white rhino was saved from extinction.
Journey down the Elephant Coast of KwaZulu Natal to St Lucia, located at the southern edge of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A boat trip provides the opportunity to see crocodiles, hippo, and several different species of birds, including the elusive African Kingfisher Eagle. This afternoon arrive to Durban’s Golden Mile, a distinctive beachfront, where the Benjamin Hotel is located. This evening, explore the area independently, it’s a perfect place to find interesting curio shops and bistros.
Day 7: Durban City and Departure
1 Breakfast
Discover the cultural and historical contrasts of the city on a guided city tour this morning. Arrive at the harbor and hear about Durban’s origins before taking a slow drive through the city. See the historic Farewell Square, City Hall, Central Post Office, the Play House and Local History Museum. Visit the vibrant Victoria Market and the Botanical Gardens before being dropped off at the Durban International Airport, or the hotel of your choice if you are continuing on in Africa.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Notes
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Rates based on current exchange rate ZAR/US dollars. Please contact us for exact quote in US dollars.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.