Kruger & Beyond

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Johannesburg

The tour starts at the Johannesburg hotel. Please meet your tour leader in the hotel reception at 12.00. Johannesburg lies at the centre of the range of rocky hills named the Witwatersrand, literally meaning ‘ridge of white waters’. It was on this ridge that the world’s richest gold fields were discovered little more than 100 years ago, leading to the settelemnt of this area. Jo’burg or E’Goli ‘the City of Gold’ is the heart of the emergent nation of South Africa. This afternoon you head out on a township tour of Soweto - an exciting opportunity to get an insight into contemporary life in South Africa, and to learn about the history of one of South Africa's best known townships.

Riviona Road Lodge (AAA) – 1 night

Please make sure that if you explore Johannesburg on your own that you take advice of where it is safe to walk, especially in the evening. There have been isolated attempts of robbery in recent times and although unpredictable the risk of these can be minimised by taking local advice.

Mkuzi Game Reserve

You depart Johannesburg at 06:30am today and travel to the heart of KwaZulu Natal. Your first camp of the trip is in the Mkuzi Game Reserve itself, a last safe haven for the endangered black rhino (approx. 7 hours drive). Explore the reserve on game drives and visit a hide overlooking one of the waterholes to watch the game come down to drink. The reserve is dominated by the Lebombo Mountain escarpment and the landscape is mainly thick bush or thornveld and open savannah.

Camping (CS) - 2 nights (Bx1 Lx2 Dx2)

550kms, +/- 7.5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch.

Kosi Bay

First you’ll visit an authentic Zulu village with a local community guide to learn more about the proud Zulu culture. Travelling northeast to the coast brings you to the remote and beautiful Kosi Bay Nature Reserve. The benefit of the location means that the wildlife experience is on two very diverse fronts. Kosi Bay contains picturesque jungle with wild fig trees, monkey orange and grazing areas for hippo as well as a mangrove and coral reef teeming with aquatic life. Kayaking in the mangrove and snorkelling over the coral reef are included.

Camping (CC) - 2 nights (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2)

180kms +/- 2 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing.

Swaziland; Hlane NP

Driving north (350 km) you reach the small landlocked kingdom of Swaziland today and Hlane National Park. The name Hlane means ‘wilderness’ and here you’ll go on a game drive with a local guide in classic bushveld country, on the lookout for elephant, white rhino, giraffe, kudu, zebra and more.

Amangwane Tented camp (CC) - 2 nights (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2)

350kms +/- 6 hours, excluding border formalities and stops for sightseeing.

Kruger NP

Crossing back into South Africa, your journey takes you to Kruger National Park (120 km) and some of the finest game viewing in Africa. On arrival, head out for an afternoon game drive in search of the ‘big five’ – lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant. You'll also embark on 2 epic game drives the following day (game drives last approx. 2 hours each).

Camping (CS) - 2 nights - Swimming Pool (Bx2, Dx2).

170kms +/-2.5 hours, excluding border formalities and lunch stop + 3 x 2 hour game drives.

Graskop

Today walk the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons on earth, en route to Graskop. One of South Africa’s most spectacular attractions, the canyon is a great place for a walking tour. The sheer sided walls of the canyon rise over 2,000 metres and the vegetation varies widely from dry, rocky sections to rainforest depending on the altitude. The following day is free for exhilarating white water rafting on the Sabi River. This is however, an optional activity at extra cost. Alternatively, you can choose to embark on a tree top canopy tour (additional charge) or enjoy the countryside on some self guided hiking trails.

Mogodi Lodge (AAA) - 2 bedroom flats - 2 nights - Swimming Pool (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2)

150kms +/-2 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing.

White water rafting - Sabi River

The Sabie River provides 20 rapids (grade 2-3) with areas of scenic vegetation and outstanding wildlife viewing. This 8km route is yielding to the novice, yet accommodating to he thrill seeker within all of us. Swimming, bum sliding and wave surfing with a boogie board at "Lions Rock". Minimum age 12.

Please note tours are dependent on the water level.

Tour ends

You spend the morning at leisure. Then travel with the main group back to O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg where the trip ends. (B) 350km +/-5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing.

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Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner