Kwazulu Natal, Mozambique and Kruger Park Safari

A Beach and Bush exploration Safari. This tour encompasses game viewing, sun, sea and sand. Leaving Johannesburg the tour takes you through Piet Retief and the Big 5 plains of the Umfolozi/Hluhluwe National Park in the South African province of Kwazulu Natal.

Arriving on the coast at the St Lucia Wetland Park embark on a game viewing boat cruise on the lake. Crossing into neighbouring Mozambique visit the quaint beach town of Ponta D’Ouro before heading to the colourful capital city of Maputo. Retreat to the quiet coastal village of Xai Xai and then on to Inhambane where you can embark on sunset cruises and learn more about this beautiful country!

Leaving the white sandy beaches of Mozambique we return to game viewing in the Limpopo Transfrontier Park and Kruger Park. The diverse Kwazulu Natal, Mozambique and Kruger Park Safari ends back in the vibrant city of Johannesburg!

DAY 1: Johannesburg to Piet Retief – South Africa

The Kwazulu Natal, Mozambique and Kruger Park Safari starts in Johannesburg, the bustling economic capital of South Africa.

We then head south-east for the Kwa-Zulu Natal battlefields to the small, historical town of Piet Retief. Situated in South Eastern corner of Mpumalanga, Piet Retief is surrounded by beautiful plantations of Blue gum and Wattle trees.

• Distance: 320 km
• Accommodation: Overnight in a Manor or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
• Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

DAY 2 & 3: Umfolozi/ Hluhluwe – South Africa

An early morning departure, we head through the Battlefields of Kwa-Zulu Natal to the game reserve of Hluhluwe/Umfolozi. As the home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s and 60s, the Park became world renowned for its white rhino conservation.

Other areas of focus for which Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is famed include wilderness trails which originated in Imfolozi in the 1950s and its renowned Game Capture unit, recently upgraded into the Centenary Capture Centre, a benchmark for animal capture and sustainable utilization throughout Africa.

The Park covers some 96 000 ha and contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora. We spend the next 2 days enjoying game drives in the park, in the hope of spotting the “Big 5”.

• Distance: 300 km
• Accommodation: Camping (tents with wash rooms with hot and cold water)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Distance: 100 km
• Accommodation: Camping (tents with wash rooms with hot and cold water) 
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 4: St. Lucia – South Africa

After breakfast, we leave the camp and take a short drive to St. Lucia, a world heritage sight. The Isimangaliso Wetland Park (The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park) was listed as the first World Heritage Site in South Africa in December 1999.  The name iSimangaliso means miracle and wonder, which aptly describes this unique place.  

We embark on a relaxing boat cruise on the lake, enjoying close encounters with hippos and crocodiles as well as a wide variety of birdlife. Spectacular views of the ocean and lake- system are complemented by likely sightings of leopard, antelope and bush pig. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and explore this magnificent wilderness area at your leisure.

• Distance: 100 km
• Accommodation: Overnight in Guest House at St. Lucia (rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 5 & 6: Ponta D’Ouro – Mozambique

Our journey takes us over the border and into Mozambique. The quaint little town of Ponta D’Ouro is where we will spend the next two nights. Meaning Point of Gold, you will understand where the name comes from as you watch the sun rise over the sea. It is a scuba diver and fisherman’s paradise, with beautiful white sandy beaches and crystal clear warm water.

There is plenty of time to explore the village which has numerous restaurants, bars and an open air market. There is also the opportunity to swim with the dolphins, while at the same time learning more about the need to protect these remarkable creatures.

Day 5

• Distance: 270 km
• Accommodation: Cabanas or similar (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6

• Accommodation: Cabanas or similar (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 7: Maputo – Mozambique

We continue our trip through Mozambique and reach the capital city, Maputo just after lunch where we conduct a short tour of this vibrant city. Previously Lourenzo Marques the sprawling capital is a port on the Indian Ocean and a melting pot of several cultures. The cuisine is just as varied with Portuguese flavours and seafood dominating most menus.

• Distance: 150 km
• Accommodation: Guest House (rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 8: Xai Xai – Mozambique

Moving further North we leave the bustling city of Maputo behind and head to the coastal town of Xai Xai situated on the banks of the Limpopo River. This is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the peaceful nature of Mozambique. There is a reef running parallel to the beach, making for excellent snorkelling.

• Distance: 250 km
• Accommodation: Camping (tents with communal bathrooms)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 9 & 10: Inhambane – Mozambique

Today we travel to Inhambane, an ancient trading port. After a long day of driving spend the afternoon exploring the rock pools and the beach or simply relax and soak up the last bit of Mozambique sunshine.

The following day we visit the Mercardo (market) famous for vegetables and fish, catch a dhow and take a lazy cruise across the bay for lunch and a ‘cerveja’ (beer) in the town of Maxixe or visit the old Catholic church in Inhambane.

Day 9

• Distance: 260 km
• Accommodation: Camping (tents, with communal bathrooms)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 10

• Distance: 50 km
• Accommodation: Camping (tents, with communal bathrooms)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 11: Limpopo Transfrontier Park – Mozambique

Travelling west, we head inland through the Mozambiquan Province of Gaza towards the Limpopo National Park.

The park is part of a joint initiative between South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe known as the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which aims to bring together some of the best wildlife areas in Southern Africa, including the Kruger National Park, and will allow visitors to drive across international borders with minimum fuss. Our camp for the night is situated inside this pristine wildlife area, close to the Massingir gate and Massingir dam wall.

• Distance: 580 km
• Accommodation: Camping (tents with communal bathrooms, swimming pool, restaurant and bar)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 12 & 13: Kruger National Park – South Africa

An early morning start takes us back into South Africa through the Giriyondo gate into the world-renowned Kruger National Park - South Africa's most famous and biggest game reserve. Kruger National Park has nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms that fuses with historical and archaeological sights - this is real Africa.

The famous Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Truly the flagship of the South African National Parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals.

We spend the first day in Kruger Park looking for game, and the evening around the camp under the African stars, listening to the sounds of the bush. The following day we depart from our Kruger camp at sunrise for a full day of game viewing in the vast park with the chance of spotting the ‘Big 5’ again, whilst making our way to one of the southern camps for our last night in Kruger.

Day 12

• Distance: 150 km
• Accommodation: Letaba or similar (tents, with communal bathrooms)

Day 13

• Distance: 150 km
• Accommodation: Skukuza or similar (tents, with communal bathrooms)

DAY 14: Johannesburg – South Africa

After breakfast at camp we travel from Kruger Park to Johannesburg, where this relaxing and rewarding Kwazulu Natal, Mozambique and Kruger Park Safari comes to an end.

• Distance: 420 km
• Meal Plan: Breakfast

Upgrade Option: This Tour can be upgraded to a fully accommodated tour version. Please see full pricing for details or contact African Budget Safaris.