Kruger and the Kingdoms
Overview
When you combine the Kruger National Park, an icon of the wildlife world and the Kingdoms of eSwatini and Zululand, you have a mighty experience designed to take your travel desires to new heights. It all begins in Johannesburg, where you will begin the first leg, a trip into Mpumalanga to marvel at the scenery along the Panorama Route. It’s then on to the Kruger National Park, where the Big Five roam, wild and free. Sightings are of an extraordinary caliber and an open vehicle game drive with a passionate guide is going to both thrill and excite. You will then travel to eSwatini, an independent kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its colourful and vibrant culture. The people of eSwatini are the main attraction, where you will learn all about their traditions and customs. In Zululand, a cruise on Lake St Lucia awaits, where hippo and crocodiles abound. The journey ends in Durban. MINIMUM 2 | MAXIMUM 10 GUESTS Departure Day - Sunday, selected departure dates. ROUTING: JOHANNESBURG – DURBAN (UMHLANGA)Escorted Experience
- 24-Hour Local Assistance
- Guaranteed Departures
- Fixed Dates
- Professional Guide Throughout
- Modern Airconditioned Vehicle
- Small Group Tour
- First Class Hotels
Itinerary
On arrival in Johannesburg at OR Tambo International Airport, you’ll be met by your representative and transferred to your hotel. Johannesburg is the largest and most populous city in South Africa. It is also the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. The remainder of the day is at leisure and unescorted. Why not enjoy an optional (own account) sightseeing tour of Soweto & Apartheid Museum, learning more about the struggle for freedom in South Africa, or simply relax at your hotel? At 19h00, we will meet at the reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet fellow travellers. Distance travelled today: 35 kms.
Meal Plan: No Meal
Depart Johannesburg after breakfast, on a long drive today, heading to the Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country”. Dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld, we travel past the small town of Waterval Boven, nestled in the Drakensberg Mountains. Continue through spectacular scenery to the historic logging town of Sabie, once a gold mining town. Visit the beautiful and unspoilt Mac-Mac Falls, a 65-meter waterfall on the Mac-Mac River. Arrive late afternoon in Hazy view, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park. Distance travelled today: 440 kms.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner
After an early morning breakfast, we’ll drive along the spectacular ‘Panorama Route’, offering views of amazing scenery including the 26-kilometre-long Blyde River Canyon (home to the Three Rondavels), Bourke’s Luck Potholes and historic God’s Window, a breathtaking view (weather permitting) of the edge of the escarpment taking in the Kruger National Park. We arrive back in Hazy View in the late afternoon, where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax. Distance travelled today: 320 kms.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
The day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a thrilling open vehicle game safari (with an English-speaking game ranger) through the Kruger National Park with a pre-packed breakfast. Kruger is one of the world’s greatest national parks, home to a stunning array of wildlife. Search for the ‘Big Five’ (rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant) as well as prolific birdlife and numerous other game species. The game safari includes a presentation of the Anti-Poaching Dog Unit (Project Watchdog), which was established because of the increase in rhino poaching worldwide. Learn about the dogs that are trained to track poachers in the field, detect firearms, ammunition and wildlife products that enter and exit through the Kruger National Park gates. A portion of the trip price of this TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE Activity goes towards ensuring that these dogs receive the best possible care in support of the vital work they do. The afternoon is at leisure at your hotel. An afternoon open vehicle game drive is available as an extension to the morning game drive (optional and for own account). Distance travelled today: 120 kms.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
This morning, we travel to eSwatini (Swaziland), an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience, inclusive of lunch, introduces us to the charming people of eSwatini (Swaziland) and their traditions. Visit the Ngwenya glass factory, where visitors can watch talented glass blowers create a range of exquisite wares made from recycled glass. We travel further to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for an overnight in eSwatini (Swaziland) and a sumptuous dinner at your hotel. Distance travelled today: 310 kms.
Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, visit the Swazi candle factory, where visitors can watch wax artists make beautiful candles. Continue south through eSwatini (Swaziland), before re-entering South Africa. Embark on a long drive into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. There is an option to enjoy an afternoon open vehicle game safari (optional and for own account) in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhino. Overnight in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi region. Distance travelled today: 360 kms.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
The day begins with an early breakfast before departing for Durban, travelling past traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. We arrive in Umhlanga in the early afternoon, where the tour ends on arrival. Distance travelled today: 275 kms.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Inclusions
• 9 Meals: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners, including gratuities (excludes all beverages)
• 6 Nights’ accommodation including porterage
• Transportation, including toll fees in air-conditioned vehicles
• Services of a professional English-speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
• Bottled water in eco-friendly packaging
Exclusions
•Check visa requirements for Eswatini (Swaziland).
•International / Domestic airfares.
•Optional activities.
•Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program.
•Travel insurance.
•Voluntary tips for guides or drivers.
•Travel and medical insurance.
•Any items not mentioned as included.
Notes
Accommodation included:
4* Protea Hotel Balalaika or similar x 1 night
3* Hippo Hollow Country Estate or similar x 3 nights
4* The Royal Villas or similar x 1 night
3* Anew Hotel Hluhluwe or similar x 1 night
Transportation:
Transportation is in air-conditioned touring vehicles appropriate to the requirements of the tour
• 2 guests will travel in a sedan vehicle
• 3-10 guests will travel in a 13-seater vehicle
VISA REQUIREMENTS
This tour travels through eSwatini (Swaziland). Please check visa requirements, as certain nationalities may require visas to travel through eSwatini (Swaziland).
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Visit the beautiful and unspoilt Mac-Mac Falls
• Visit the spectacularly scenic Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window
• Experience an open vehicle game safari in the Kruger National Park, including a presentation on the KNP anti-poaching Dog Unit
• Meet the friendly people of eSwatini (Swaziland) and experience their culture through singing and dancing
• Enjoy a variety of carefully chosen optional experiences that positively impact our travellers and the communities we visit.
Minimum 2 guests / Maximum 10 guests
LANGUAGE: English commentary on all departures.
Prices are subject to alteration without prior notice. Prices are also subject to adjustment in the event of changes in government-imposed taxes, fuel prices, airfares, hotel charges, tourism levies and the introduction of national, regional or local taxes or levies of whatever nature.
Departure from Cape Town on Sunday.
