DAY 1 St Lucia – Wildlife (Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park) – Private Reserve
Today starts our encounter with the wildlife of Africa! We drive north towards the subtropical coast and bushveld of Zululand – home of the mighty Zulu nation. Our 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 Swaziland
An early morning wake up call for an exciting open vehicle wildlife safari. After an early breakfast we do a last drive in search of game through this magnificent reserve. Then we head northwards and continue to Swaziland. 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 we travel through Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland, and visit the Ngwenya Glass factory where all the items are hand made from recycled glass. We continue through magnificent mountain scenery via Pigg’s Peak and leave Swaziland entering the Kruger National Park in the south. We devote the day to game viewing on a true African safari experience.
DAY 4 Panoramic Route
Today we spend most of the day in the reserve searching for game until mid afternoon when we leave this paradise of the wild. We drive to Hazyview and follow a scenic route to Sabie, where we overnight at the Ligna Lodge.
DAY 5 Panoramic Route – 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.
