South Africa and Swaziland Safari

A wonderful journey through the Rainbow Nation. Camping, trekking, game viewing, historical and cultural visits through South Africa!   Your safari starts in Johannesburg and ends in 'the Mother City' - Cape Town. You'll spend 17 day exploring the diversity of South Africa. Highlights: Mpumalanga Panorama Route, Kruger National Park, Swaziland, Zululand, Drakensberg mountains, Garden Route & Karoo, Cape Town Group Size: Maximum 10 people Type of Safari: Semi-participation camping safari Accommodation: Mid range 2*+ hotels/cabins and value for money fully equipped camping Price from £850.00pp from $1695.00pp from €1395.00pp   A local payment of ZAR 1600 (approximately £160/$310/€260) Includes: 7 nights in hotels/cabins, 9 nights camping, entrance fees, use of camping equipment, transfer, meals as per itinerary and professional guide. Excludes: Meals not mentioned in the itinerary, all personal expenses, insurance for luggage, tips, drinks, laundry. Tailor-Made Travel: This safari runs on scheduled dates throughout the year. We can tailor- make a private safari to meet your departure date, time period, group size and budget. Contact the office for further information. Departure Dates & Availability: Please click here regularly as availability is updated every 2 weeks     or call 0800 043 7942   Day 1 Departing from Johannesburg at 06h30 we head east towards Mpumalanga. A landscape characterized by mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests. We will camp the night in the old gold rush town of Pilgrims Rest, a living museum dating back to 1873. We explore the quaint town visit Mac Mac falls and God?s window viewpoint. [LD] Day 2-3 Big game country - exciting game drives provide us with excellent game viewing. Spot lion, elephant, rhino and other animals in one of the last African wildernesses. Early morning & afternoon game drives get us close to the wildlife. [BLD BLD] Day 4 The mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland, lead by King Mswati III, is one of 3 monarchies in Africa. Swazi's are proud of their traditional lifestyle & cultures. Malalotja borders on the Drakensberg escarpment and we explore the reserve on foot to enjoy the mountain scenery, rare bird life, and the 95 m high Malalotja waterfall. Overnight in log cabins with fantastic panoramic views. [BLD] Day 5-6 After visiting craft markets near Mbabane, we re-enter South Africa. Mkuzi Game Reserve is a safe haven for the endangered black rhino. We have a full day to game drive and stop at waterhole hides and watch game come down to drink. In the afternoon we visit a local Zulu village to learn about their culture, traditions and lifestyle. [BLD] Day 7-8 Moving further south to the base of the Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains). We have two nights here in chalets allowing time for walking along beautiful mountain stream paths, looking for Bushman rock paintings or just enjoying spectacular views. [BLD BLD] Day 9-10 Passing rolling hills topped with Xhosa villages; we make our way to the Wild Coast. We stay overnight on the Wild Coast within walking distance of the beach. Dolphins are often seen surfing in the waves. The next day is free to explore the area on foot, meet local villagers and learn about the Xhosa culture or relax on the beach. [BLD BLD] Day 11 A conservation success, Addo Elephant N.P. offers a unique wildlife area, famous for the Addo elephants. We head out on game drives in search of elephant, black rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard. Evening viewing at the floodlit waterhole allows us to watch the nocturnal animals. [BLD] Day 12-13 Indigenous Tsitsikamma forests surround the campsite at Storms River mouth, and there are walks up the Storms River Gorge and along the rocky coastline. There is an option of world's highest bungi jump (own expense). Whale watching in season (July to November). [BLD BLD] Day 14 After visiting 'The Heads' in Knysna, a town nestled on a tranquil lagoon we travel over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo. In Oudtshoorn we tour an ostrich farm where the more adventurous can ride one of these huge birds. We camp outside Oudtshoorn and enjoy our final night under Africa's starry skies. Optional tour of Cango Caves (own expense). [BLD] Day 15-16 Visit Stellenbosch, for wine tasting and a cellar tour. Explore Cape Town and the 'Mother City's' many attractions; visit Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope, Chapman's Peak drive, the harbour at Hout Bay, enjoy the famous beaches and the V&A Waterfront. Optional visit to Robben Island (own expense). Meals at a variety of local restaurants (own expense). [B B] Day 17 We climb Table Mountain in the morning admiring the views over Table Bay and Cape Town. Spend the afternoon catching up on last minute curio shopping or just lazing on the beach absorbing the Cape's sunshine. [B]