Scheduled Kruger Park & Coast Tour - Mpumalanga & KwaZulu Natal

Scheduled Tour with small personal groups and expert guiding. Intimate accommodation of a very high standard. Dinner or lunch daily. Highlights of Soweto, Kruger and Zululand

From R10,100-00 ^{per person sharing}

Mpumalanga, meaning ‘place of the rising sun’, descends from Highveld grasslands and the greater Drakensberg escarpment to the tropical Lowveld. Most visitors to Mpumalanga spend a day or more in the Kruger National Park (KNP), one of the world’s biggest and finest game sanctuaries in the world. It contains 3 distinct habitats, and a large variety of mammal species, including the Big 5; bird -; reptile-; fish-; and bird species including the largest concentration of birds of prey in the world. KwaZulu Natal is a province of vivid contrasts and a magnetic appeal to holidaymakers. Besides the two World Heritage sites – the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park – is a melting-pot of Zulu, European and Indian cultures.

Reference Number : KC7

Includes

• High Standard Accommodation
• Dinner or lunch daily. All touring included as well as open vehicle safari and boat cruise

Itinerary

Day 1 - JOHANNESBURG (SUNDAY )
On arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation in one of this city’s green suburbs. The economic heart of South Africa, Johannesburg has a wonderful energy, and is also one of the greenest – more trees have been planted here than anywhere else in the world. This evening, your group will all meet up with your guide for a welcome dinner.
Overnight: Melrose Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 - MPUMALANGA (MONDAY)
This morning after breakfast we head south for Soweto, heart of the struggle against apartheid. There is much history here, including the houses where Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu lived, as well as the monument to the Soweto uprisings of 1976. But there is also a very warm and friendly people, whom we will meet during a lunch stop at one of the local shebeens (pubs). From here, we head east, travelling via Nelspruit, before stopping for overnight in one of the towns near the escarpment, which will be revealed to us tomorrow.
Overnight: Victoria Farm Guest House (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 - KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (TUESDAY)
We set off this morning to discover the scenic splendour of this region. First stop is the little gold mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest, discovered at the turn of the century during a short lived gold rush, and perfectly preserved, before we join the Panorama Route, taking in the strange rock formations at Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the impressive Lisbon Falls, and the highlight – Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world.
Overnight: Needles Lodge (or similar) - On the edge of the Kruger National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (WEDNESDAY)
Day 4 starts early as you join your ranger in an open vehicle for your safari into the Kruger National Park. A full day here will allow you the opportunity to spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) as well as a host of other animals in this huge wilderness. Return to your lodge for dinner and a chance to discuss today’s sightings!
Overnight: Needles Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 - SWAZILAND – ZULULAND (THURSDAY)
Depart after an early breakfast and enter the independent kingdom of Swaziland. With its green hills and indigenous forests, it is known as the Switzerland of Africa – and it is equally well known for its excellent markets where craft and curio sellers from all over Africa bring their goods for sale. You will have the opportunity to stop at one of these markets en route, before entering northern Zululand. Here we will check into our lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: White Elephant Bush Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 - ZULULAND (FRIDAY)
The morning of day 6 you will embark on a boat cruise on one of Zululand’s most scenic lakes, giving you the opportunity to spot hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles. Return to your lodge early this afternoon, with an optional activity available to you – either a game drive in open vehicle, or a walking safari, both accompanied by your expert ranger. This area is rich in elephant and rhinoceros as well as being one of the most pristine areas in South Africa. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: White Elephant Bush Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 - DURBAN (SATURDAY)
We follow the sugar cane fields of KwaZulu Natal south after breakfast, stopping en route to experience traditional Zulu dancing and culture, accompanied by lunch. Taking the coastal road, with its views of the Indian Ocean, we arrive at our accommodation in Durban. Afternoon at leisure, with an opportunity to either visit the Durban waterfront, or have a swim in the Indian Ocean.
Overnight: Goble Palms Guest House (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 - DURBAN (SUNDAY)
On the morning of Day 8 you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight arrangements, or extend your stay in Durban.
Meals Included: Breakfast