This wildlife and scenery tour explores some of South Africa’s best wildlife areas! The itinerary also includes lake St Lucia with an abundance of birdlife, hippo and croc in their natural habitat – all within the iSimangaliso world heritage site, also eSwatini (formerly Swaziland), Kruger National Park and, in addition, the scenic Panoramic Route.

DAY 1 St Lucia – Wildlife (Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park) – Private Reserve (wildlife and scenery)

Today starts our encounter with the wildlife and scenery of South Africa! Drive north towards the subtropical coast and bushveld of Zululand – home of the mighty Zulu nation.   Your first stop is the village of St Lucia.  Embark on a boat cruise on the famous lake St Lucia (proclaimed a World Heritage Site in December 1999). Crocodiles, hippos and birds such as the fish eagle, herons and egrets are in abundance. Then travel to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park where the rhino was saved from extinction and home to the shy nyala, as well as the Big Five. We exit the park early evening and drive to our private lodge for dinner and overnight. Overnight Zulu Nyala Game Lodge

DAY 2   eSwatini (Swaziland)

An early morning wake up call for an exciting open vehicle wildlife safari. After an early breakfast, we do a last open vehicle wildlife safari.  Then we head northwards and continue to eSwatini for some scenery. From Onverwacht border post follow a scenic route via Nhlangano to Manzini, where crossing every mountain leads to a new vista. We stop at the well-known local craft market in the Malkerns Valley. Here we visit  Swazi Candles where the artists hand-mould wax into interesting figures. There is also a batik factory outlet and other interesting shops. Our overnight stop is situated in the mountains just outside Mhlambanyatsi. Overnight Forester’s Arms.

DAY 3  Kruger National Park

Today travel through Mbabane, the capital of eSwatini, and visit the Ngwenya Glass factory where all the items are hand made from recycled glass. After that experience,  continue through magnificent mountain scenery via Pigg’s Peak and leave eSwatini entering the Kruger National Park in the south.  We devote the afternoon to game viewing on a true African wildlife safari.

DAY 4  Kruger National Park – Panoramic Route (wildlife and scenery)

Today spend most of the day in the reserve searching for the game until mid-afternoon when you leave this paradise of the wild.  Drive to Hazyview and follow a scenic route to Sabie for overnight at the Ligna Lodge.

DAY 5 Panoramic Route – Final destination Johannesburg

After an early breakfast, we visit Pilgrim’s Rest (an old gold mining town declared a National Monument), the Pinnacle, God’s Window, Lisbon Falls, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels view site at the Blyde River Canyon. The final leg of our trip takes us through the mountains, Ohrigstad and Lydenburg to Johannesburg where we arrive late afternoon.