GREAT WILDLIFE EXPEDITION – CODE: SCMJ
There is nothing quite like being on safari in South Africa! You feel the crisp, fresh morning air in your face – alert, excited – taking in the smells! You hear the birds – some closer, others in the distance – otherwise silence! Surrounded by the African bush, the early morning sun streaking through branches, you watch a majestic elephant bull standing just metres away looking straight at the safari vehicle with ears moving slightly – inspecting…
Sounds like something you are yearning to do? Then why not book your African adventure today, pay a deposit and hold the price for travelling from now until the end of October next year! We can also arrange your entire trip to our region. Contact us now to assist with your plans, or click here to book this tour!
It departs from Durban (click here for a departure from Johannesburg) and includes some of the most scenic areas in the country including the famous Kruger National Park. Still, the main focus is on the almost 5 days of safari, both in two private reserves and the Kruger National Park. It also includes a boat safari on Lake St Lucia, situated in the iSimangaliso world heritage site! The scenic areas include the Panorama Route, Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) mountains and the Zululand forests and lakes. The tour ends in Johannesburg in the afternoon of the sixth day.
DAY 1. St Lucia – Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park – Private Reserve (Great Wildlife Expedition incorporating safari’s and scenery)
Our first morning on safari in South Africa takes us northwards towards the subtropical coast and bushveld of Zululand – home of the mighty Zulu nation and visit the village of St Lucia for a boat cruise on the estuary of the famous lake St Lucia (proclaimed a World Heritage Site in December 1999). Crocodiles, hippos, birds like the fish eagle and wildlife are in abundance. After lunch (optional) we travel further to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi where the rhino was saved from extinction and home to the shy nyala and the Big Five. We exit the park early evening and drive to our private lodge for dinner and overnight at Zulu Nyala Game Lodge.
DAY 2. Eswatini (Swaziland)
We join an early morning open vehicle safari to search for the African wildlife awakening. Afterwards, we have breakfast and head northwards and continue to Eswatini. We enter the Onverwacht border post and follow a scenic route further into Eswatini via Nhlangano to Manzini, where crossing every hill leads to a new vista and in the Malkerns Valley, we find excellent shopping opportunities. We visit Swazi Candles, where the locals hand-mould wax into a wide variety of colourful candles. The hand-craft market, a batik factory outlet, and other interesting shops are a delight for all our tourists. Forester’s Arms.
DAY 3. Kruger National Park
We visit the capital, Mbabane, in Swazi and the Ngwenya Glass factory. All the products are hand made from recycled glass. We continue further through magnificent mountain scenery via Piggs Peak and leave Swaziland entering the Kruger National Park in the south. Afterwards, we complete the day with adventurous game viewing and overnight in chalets in a rest camp within the Kruger.
DAY 4. Explore Kruger National Park – Private Reserve
We spend most of the morning in the Kruger and afterwards travel to a nearby private game reserve, still in the Greater Kruger National Park, for check-in. We embark on an open vehicle game viewing drive for the rest of the afternoon. At night we find nocturnal animals with high-powered spotlights for optimum viewing later. A sumptuous dinner under the stars in a “Boma” enclosure around a campfire (weather permitting) rounds the evening off. Overnight Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge.
DAY 5. Panoramic Route
After an early morning open vehicle safari in the Greater Kruger National Park and breakfast, we depart from this paradise. We enter the escarpment of Mpumalanga via Abel Erasmus Pass. At the Three Rondavels view site of the Blyde River Canyon, we walk along the cliffs to enjoy a better view of the magnificent scenery. Afterwards, travel the short distance to Bourke’s Luck Potholes. A hike down the hill to view this unique trick of nature is worth the effort. Visits to Lisbon Falls, God’s Window and the Pinnacle are rewarding experiences. Continue to Graskop where we overnight at Angels View Hotel.
DAY 6. Panoramic Route – Johannesburg
Today our first visit is Mac Mac Falls and then take you to the spot where the rush for alluvial gold started in 1873. Our “gold rush” culminates with a visit to Pilgrim’s Rest, a fine example of a gold mining town initially built in the 19th Century. Stroll through the town and experience this little town which is now a national monument. We continue further via Robber’s Pass, Lydenburg and the well known Dullstroom and arrive late afternoon in Johannesburg ending our wildlife expedition.
OTHER TOURS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN:
6-Day Great Wildlife Explorer – safari in South Africa (Code: SCMD) – Johannesburg to Durban
5-Day Wildlife Explorer (Code: SCDG) – Durban to Johannesburg – OR – The tour departing from Johannesburg ending in Durban (SCJD)
4-Day Kruger National Park Explorer – Johannesburg – Johannesburg (SCJL)
3-Day Wildlife Experience – Code: SCDW
