Kruger Park, Swaziland & Lesotho Safari - South

Travel along the scenic Panorama Route of South Africa, seeing Blyde River Canyon, God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes. Enter the Kruger National Park to see the "Big 5" of Africa on game drives. In Swaziland visit the Mlilwane Nature Reserve and explore this wild area on foot. Enjoy Swazi traditional dancing.

Cross back into South Africa to visit the diverse Isimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park and prestigious Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve. Enter the coastal city of Durban and travel inland to the Royal Natal National Park, part of the Drakensberg escarpment.

Cross the Lesotho border for pony trekking in Malalealea. Visit the village school or craft market. Drive south to the relaxed seaside village of Cintsa. Visit the Addo Elephant National Park before driving to Port Elizabeth where this excellent Kruger Park, Swaziland & Lesotho Safari comes to an end.

Day 1: Panorama Route – South Africa

Welcome to South Africa! We depart from Johannesburg on day one of this Southern African Accommodated Overland Safari taking a drive in one of the most scenic areas of South Africa, along the Panorama Route.

We will have a short briefing before we embark on our scenic drive through Mpumalanga and the Lowveld. Stops will include Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the breathtaking God's Window. We overnight at Timbavati Lodge, on a basis of two people per room, with an en suite bathroom per room. This evening we will enjoy a traditional Shangaan Dinner and a dancing performance.

Meals include lunch and dinner.

Day 2 - 3: Kruger National Park – South Africa

In the early morning we drive to Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where animals are prepared for release into the wild. This is an excellent opportunity to view some very special species up close, as well as learn about the inspiring achievements of the Wildlife Centre. After this educational wildlife excursion you can prepare yourself for the ultimate safari experience in the world famous Kruger National Park.

Entering the vast Kruger Park we immediately embark an afternoon game drive. The next day we spend a full day game viewing in Kruger Park from the elevated vantage of our safaril truck.  

The southern area of the park guarantees excellent wildlife sightings and you might even spot all of Africa's Big Five. Accommodation is based on two people sharing a room at Skukuza or one of the other SANP sites in Kruger.

Optional Activities (subject to availability): Take an optional night game drive to explore the area in the dark. Seek out the Kruger Park's nocturnal animals - they are sure to amaze you. The South African National Park (SANP) rangers accompanying you are highly trained to make your experience all the more memorable. Take an optional game walk to get a closer look at the African bush and its amazing wildlife. Full day open vehicle game drive in Kruger National Park.

Meals include breakfast and dinner.

Day 4 - 5: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary – Swaziland

We cross the Swaziland border shortly after our departure from Kruger National Park on day four of this affordable wildlife safari.

Your next two nights will be spent in Mlilwane Nature Reserve in Swaziland. We explore the wonderful sights and scenery in the area on foot, spotting wildlife in the safety of this reserve without predators.

Afterwards we engage in the unique cultural experience of watching traditional Swazi dancers perform. Our overnight stay is in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, where we stay two people per Beehive Hut.

Optional Activities: Mountain Biking, Hiking, Guided Birding Walks, Horse Riding and Sunset Game Drive.

Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 6: iSimangaliso (St. Lucia) Wetland Park – South Africa

We cross back into South Africa heading to our next safari destination, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, formerly known as Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Area.

In the afternoon we explore the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and take a sunset cruise on Lake St Lucia's lagoon - a world heritage site.

The lake is connected to the warm Indian Ocean and hippo's as well as crocodiles can often be seen here. The St. Lucia wilderness area incorporates highly varied habitats, including wetlands, lakes, coral reefs, beaches, woodlands, grasslands and coastal forests that support an impressive diversity of wild animals, birds and marine species. 

Optional Activities: Traditional Zulu Village Visit.

Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 7: Hluhluwe - Imfolozi Game Reserve & Durban – South Africa

Today we depart for the coastal city of Durban. En-route we visit the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve for a guided game drive. The prestigious game park is the only place in KwaZulu Natal where you can find Africa's Big Five and is home to the world's largest population of white rhino. 

Durban is a popular surfing destination with beautiful beaches. The city has a distinct culture, with strong eastern influences owing to the large Indian population living there. We arrive in the port city of Durban in the late afternoon where you will have a choice between some exciting optional activities and in the evening you can enjoy some authentic Indian cuisine

Optional Activities: Dinner and night out on the town in Durban.

Meals include breakfast and lunch.

Day 8 - 9: Drakensberg Mountains – South Africa

In the morning we drive inland towards the Royal Natal National Park. The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg or Royal Natal National Park lies in the beautiful Drakensberg Escarpment area, where the highest peak's in South Africa are found. There are optional activities for all moods and interests.

Your guide will take you on a lovely nature hike if you choose. Hiking is the most popular activity in this beautiful mountainous region and comes highly recommended. Horse riding is another very satisfying way of exploring this scenic part of South Africa. 

Our overnight accommodation is at the Drakensville Berg Resort, with two people sharing per room.

Optional Activities: Abseiling, Horse Riding, Hiking.

Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 10 - 11:  Malalealea – Lesotho

On day ten of this accommodated safari we make our way to our next Southern African safari destination, Lesotho. The drive is long but the breathtaking scenery makes time fly by.

Pony trekking in Lesotho is highly recommended in these parts but it requires an early morning of all participants. Before we head off into the Lesotho hills on horseback we visit the local village and primary school.

Lesotho villagers take you on a guided trail through remote areas. The scenery is spectacular and you will definitely want to take photographs of your pony trekking excursion. There are more relaxing activities available at the lodge such as a visit to the local craft market or the village school, as well as hiking. We stay at Malealea Lodge, two per room, for the night in Lesotho.

Optional Activities: Pony Trekking Excursion, Hiking.

Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 12 - 13: Cintsa – South Africa

Leaving the rural ‘Kingdom in the Skies’ behind we travel back into South Africa making our way south to the coastal village of Cintsa. 

In this laid-back seaside village you can choose to relax, or participate in one of the many optional activities available!

Optional Activities: boat rental, quad bike, abseiling
Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Addo Elephant National Park – South Africa

Addo Park is home to more than 450 elephants, one of the highest concentrations of African Elephants in the world.

At the end of 2003 lion and leopard were also introduced and today Addo is a Big Five game park. This unique game park is also inhabited by black rhino, antelope and Cape Buffalo. The elephants are a fantastic highlight and you can be sure of superb photographic opportunities in this Eastern Cape park. We will stay two per en suite room in Addo Elephant Park, where facilities include a shop and restaurant.

Meals included are breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 15: Port Elizabeth – South Africa

We spend the last morning of the Kruger Park, Swaziland & Lesotho Safari on an early morning game drive in Addo, before we head to Port Elizabeth.

In Port Elizabeth you will be dropped off at the Port Elizabeth Airport or at a selected lodge, bringing our memorable trip through southern Africa to an end.

Meals include breakfast.

Please Note:

This southbound Kruger Park, Swaziland & Lesotho Safari is also available in the reverse order, starting in Port Elizabeth and ending in Johannesburg as the Budget Lesotho, Swaziland & Kruger Park Safari travelling north.

These Accommodated Lesotho, Swaziland & Kruger Safaris are also available as Camping Safaris - for more details please contact African Budget Safaris.