Day 1 – Mpumalanga Province - Kruger National Park Border
An early departure from Johannesburg as we travel east towards the Mpumalanga Province and visit the many attractions along the “Panorama Route”, including God’s Window, the Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the viewpoint over the Blyde River Canyon at the Three Rondavels. In the afternoon we descend the eastern escarpment and travel through the warm “lowveld” to a beautiful country lodge, located just a short distance from the nearest entrance gate to the Kruger National Park.
Accommodation: Country Lodge
Dinner, bed & breakfast basis

Day 2 – Mpumalanga/Limpopo Province - Kruger National Park
We depart before dawn and travel the short distance to the entrance gate to the Kruger National Park. Once inside the Park, excitement will mount as we start seeing some of the numerous animals that inhabit this magnificent wildlife sanctuary. Breakfast packs will be provided, which we will enjoy at a picnic spot inside the Kruger Park. We spend virtually the entire day travelling inside the Kruger Park, arriving at our “restcamp” in the late afternoon. Accommodation tonight is in comfortable en-suite bungalows or cottages, and dinner is enjoyed in the camp restaurant.
Accommodation: Satara, Olifants, Letaba or Skukuza Restcamp
Dinner, bed & breakfast basis

What is a restcamp? The word "restcamp" is a bit deceiving as it has nothing to do with "camping". The accommodation used in the Kruger National Park are brick or stone cottages or bungalows, usually with a thatched roof.  These bungalows or cottages all have private en-suite facilities (WC, shower and wash basin) and air-conditioning.

Day 3 – Mpumalanga/Limpopo Province – Private Game Reserve
After breakfast we depart from our restcamp, and spend most of the morning inside the Kruger Park, game-viewing as we go. Around mid-day we exit the Park, and travel to an exclusive lodge in a nearby private game reserve, where later this afternoon your first exhilarating game drive in specially adapted open 4X4 vehicles is undertaken. At dusk sundowners are enjoyed deep in the bush, after which the drive continues, making use of spotlights to search for nocturnal animals. A final highlight today is a specially prepared dinner at the lodge.
Accommodation: Private Game Lodge
Fully inclusive of all meals & game-viewing activities

We make use of a number of smaller and more intimate game lodges in one of the private game reserves that lie directly west of the Kruger National Park. The specific game lodge used will depend on availability, but should be one of the following: Serondella Game Lodge, Monwana Game Lodge, Waterbuck Game Lodge, Jackalberry Game Lodge, Chapungu Luxury Tented Lodge, Kapama River Lodge, Kapama Buffalo Camp or Gomo Gomo Game Lodge

Day 4 – Mpumalanga/Limpopo Province - Private Game Reserve
An early wake up call signals the start of yet another exciting day in Big Five territory. You depart on an early morning safari in open 4x4 vehicles after which you return to the lodge for a late breakfast.
After breakfast you can embark on a guided bush walk with an armed ranger, who will identify spoor and droppings and share with you some of the fascinating secrets of the bush. If you are lucky you may come across big game on foot - a truly exhilarating experience. This evening another safari in open 4x4 vehicles is undertaken, followed by a scrumptious South African dinner.
Accommodation: Private Game Lodge
Fully inclusive of all meals & game-viewing activities

Day 5 - Swaziland
After a final open vehicle game drive and a late breakfast we travel around the southern part of the Kruger National Park to enter one of the worlds last remaining (and also one of the worlds smallest) constitutional monarchies, the Kingdom of Swaziland - ruled over by the young King, his Royal Highness King Mswati III. Here, in this country of friendly Swazi people, it is almost as if time has stood still. Despite modern cities and an extensive infrastructure of roads electricity and communications, the Swazi culture has over centuries been jealously protected. The night is spent at a charming country hotel, ideally situated for exploring all the attractions Swaziland.
Accommodation: Forester’s Arms Country Hotel
Dinner, bed & breakfast basis

Day 6 - Kwazulu Natal Province – Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve
Our first stop today is a visit to a traditional arts and crafts market, and the route then continues to the fascinating Swazi Candles factory in the Malkerns Valley. Here each candle is hand-moulded and hand-finished by Swazi craftspeople, so each candle is unique in shape and character. We then travel south via the Lebombo Mountain range and the Golela border post into KwaZulu Natal, from where the route continues to the Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve. Set in the heart of Zululand, this is the oldest game reserve in Africa, where Zulu kings such as Dingiswayo and Shaka hunted and put in place the first conservation laws. Today the "big five" of African legend stalk the verdant savannah, and as the home of “Operation Rhino” in the 1950s and 60s, the park became world renowned for it’s White Rhino conservation. Accommodation tonight is at the beautifully located Hilltop Camp, and dinner is enjoyed in the camp restaurant.
Accommodation: Hilltop Camp
Dinner, bed & breakfast basis

Day 7 - Kwazulu Natal Province - St. Lucia
We spend virtually the entire day exploring the Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve. In the late afternoon we exit the reserve at the southern gate and travel the short distance to the town of St Lucia, located inside the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park.
Accommodation: St. Lucia Wetlands Guest House
Bed & breakfast basis

Day 8 - Kwazulu Natal Province - St. Lucia
Our first destination today is Cape Vidal, a magnificent coastal resort set in a sheltered bay overlooking the warm Indian Ocean. The Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park is one of the jewels of the South African coastline, the first park in South Africa to be declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). St Lucia's wide variety of ecosystems and natural habitats provides for an astounding diversity of species in the area. With its lakes, lagoons, freshwater swamps and grasslands, St Lucia supports a wide variety of species - from the country’s largest population of hippos and crocodiles to giant leatherback turtles, black rhino, leopards, and a vast array of bird and marine life. Later this afternoon we travel back to St. Lucia to go on board the St. Lucia ferry for a fascinating guided cruise on St Lucia estuary. On this cruise you will hear about the origins of this unique wetland and be able to observe its hippo and crocodile inhabitants at close quarters. The large number and variety of birds, which are an important feature of St. Lucia, will add to the interest and excitement of this cruise.
Accommodation: St. Lucia Wetlands Guest House
Bed & breakfast basis

Day 9 - Kwazulu Natal Province - Shakaland
After a leisurely breakfast and some time to explore the coastal town of St Lucia, another highlight awaits us today as we visit an authentically re-created Zulu village at Shakaland. Feel the pulsating rhythm of mysterious and magical Africa as you re-live the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus. Shakaland is more than just a tourist attraction - it is an enriching experience affording a better understanding of the Zulu nation, its people and their intriguing customs. Shortly after our arrival you join the “Shaka Experience”, a guided tour of the village culminating in a pulsating traditional dance show and dinner. Accommodation tonight is in typical beehive huts, where one can experience real Zulu culture without having to sacrifice comfortable modern conveniences.
Accommodation: Shakaland
Dinner, bed & breakfast basis

Day 10 – Kwazulu Natal Province – Drakensberg Mountains
The route continues down the Indian Ocean coastline to Durban, and from there inland to the magnificent Drakensberg Mountain Range. Our destination is a beautiful mountain resort in the Cathedral Peak area of the northern Drakensberg. Winding up the narrow road approaching the resort, the Drakensberg mountain splendour beckons, with sweeping panoramas of jagged mountain peaks rising from massive sandstone cliffs, and dramatic cloudscapes against an impossibly blue sky. The luxurious Didima Camp has been themed around the art of the San (Bushman) people.
Accommodation: Didima Mountain Camp
Dinner, bed & breakfast basis

Day 11 – Kwazulu Natal Province – Drakensberg Mountains
A full day to relax and to enjoy this fascinating landscape of mountains, cliffs and ravines. Didima boasts a recently opened San Rock-Art Interpretive Centre providing fascinating insights into the art and culture of the San, and includes static displays and audio-visual presentations within a reconstructed rock shelter.
Optional activities on offer at Didima:

• Walking and hiking trails into the surrounding mountains
• Guided trails up Mike’s Pass
• Guided walking trails to Rainbow Gorge, Baboon Rock and a variety of other scenic destinations
• Mountain streams & rock pools within walking distance of the Camp

Accommodation: Didima Mountain Camp
Dinner, bed & breakfast basis

Day 12 - End of tour
After breakfast we depart from Didima and make our way back to Johannesburg for a late afternoon drop-off at the location of your choice.