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Hluhluwe rhino by Vaiz Ha

8 Day Eswatini & South Africa Safari (Lodge Overland…

Tour Length8 days
Priced from pps $1873 R35500 £1471 1722 A$2856 C$2535 NZ$3079 Full pricing info
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Summary of this Lodge Africa Overland Tour

  • Max. Group Size 20 Travellers
  • Departs from Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Ends at Durban, South Africa
  • Accommodation Lodge / Safari Lodge / Bungalow or Chalet / Luxury Camping
  • Transport Large Overland Vehicle / Open 4x4 Game Viewing Vehicle
  • Wildlife Big 5, Elephant, Leopards, Lions, Whales & Sea Life, Rhino & More
  •  See Departure Dates

Quick Itinerary Overview

This affordable Eswatini & South Africa Safari travels overland from Johannesburg to Durban staying at comfortable lodges along the way.

First, embark on a thrilling Big 5 Safari in Kruger National Park, one of Africa's best game reserves. Then visit the scenic Panorama Route of South Africa, before crossing into the mountainous Kingdom of Eswatini to explore Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and the beautiful Ezulwini Valley. Next, travel overland to KwaZulu-Natal and visit St Lucia. From here, go game viewing in the renowned Hluhluwe Game Reserve and take a boat cruise in the diverse iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

A budget-friendly lodge safari packed with cultural, scenic, and wildlife adventures in Eswatini and South Africa!

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Itinerary for this Tour

Day 1: Johannesburg to Kruger National Park - South Africa

Welcome to South Africa, the World in One Country! Early this morning our tour starts in the economic heart of South Africa, the bustling city of Johannesburg.

After getting acquainted with our fellow travelers, we head east in our overland tour vehicle. We are following the route into the Mpumalanga Province taken by the transport riders and gold prospectors of old. This is the true African bush with stunning landscapes ranging from vast grasslands to dense forests and rugged mountains, dotted with archaeological sites and historical landmarks.

We are headed to a tented camp located in a private concession covering 11,500 hectares that lies alongside the world-famous Kruger National Park. We will stay here for the first 3 nights of our overland tour, in permanent safari tents with en-suite bathrooms.

Later this afternoon it’s time for your first game-viewing adventure when we head out on a sunset game drive in the concession area of Kruger Park. You will need a sharp eye to spot the animals, large and small, that cross the path of our vehicle. In true safari tradition, we will stop to enjoy a spectacular African sunset before making our way back to camp.

After a hearty meal, as you relax around the campfire your guide will give you a briefing on the Eswatini & South Africa Safari adventures ahead.

  • Included Activity: Sunset Game Drive
  • Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Kruger National Park - South Africa

Day 2 is reserved for exploring the world-renowned Kruger National Park in an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle. Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa and is a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts. It is home to an impressive diversity of species, from the Safari Big 5: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos, to herds of zebra, giraffe, many species of antelope and a host of other curious creatures. It is also popular with bird lovers, with over 500 bird species recorded. Our open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle provides excellent opportunities for spotting and photographing as many of the wild animals in Kruger Park as possible. Your experienced guide tracks down wildlife and birds, sharing insights along the way.

After an action-packed day on safari in Kruger, we return to the lodge. Sit under the stars around the campfire and relive the wildlife highlights of your first full day on safari in South Africa. Fall asleep to the sounds of nature in your permanent tented room with an en-suite bathroom.

  • Included Activity: Kruger National Park Game Drive
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Greater Kruger National Park & Panorama Route - South Africa

Day 3 of our budget Eswatini & South Africa Lodge Safari will have a late start. For the energetic, there is an optional early morning bush walk from camp. This guided walk provides you a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the bushveld and appreciate the subtleties of the indigenous plants and smaller creatures that contribute to the area's biodiversity

Later morning, we climb onto our overland vehicle to spend the day travelling the nearby Panorama Route, a scenic road trip that offers breathtaking views of dramatic cliffs, rolling mountains, cascading waterfalls, and verdant forests. We travel to the heights above Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world. We stop at God's Window, a viewpoint that offers panoramic views of the Lowveld stretching out below. Our next stop takes us to Bourke’s Luck Potholes, peculiar rock features created by water erosion in the canyon floor. From there we take in a spectacular view of the canyon and the famous Three Rondavels hills of the distant canyon wall.

After taking in the spectacular sights of the Panorama Route, we return to our safari lodge inside the Greater Kruger Park.

  • Included Activities: Panorama Route Tour - Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes & Three Rondawels
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Kruger Park to Ezulwini Valley – Eswatini

On Day 4 of our Africa Overland Tour, we will head to the second country of our journey. Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is a small, landlocked kingdom that has lush rolling landscapes, a rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality.

We make an early start because en-route to Eswatini we have a final opportunity to enjoy the life and landscapes of the Kruger National Park. Our journey will take us on a drive through the park as we enter at a westerly park gate and drive through the length of the Kruger to a southern gate. Our overland vehicle offers the perfect elevated position for great game viewing experiences.

From Kruger, we drive to the nearby border with Eswatini. After border formalities are completed, we wind our way through the mountains and forests of this small kingdom towards the verdant Ezulwini Valley, just south of Eswatini's capital Mbabane. We will overnight in Ezulwini Valley for the next two nights, in comfortable en-suite bedrooms.

  • Included Activity: Game Drive in Kruger National Park (in the overland tour vehicle)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary – Eswatini

Day 5 of our Eswatini & South Africa Safari will be spent in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary in Eswatini, a haven for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Its position on the slopes of Ezulwini Valley also has spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and grasslands. The sanctuary has played a crucial role in saving several species from extinction in its pioneering wildlife conservation programs. Mlilwane is home to hippos, crocodiles, zebras, and many species of antelopes, offering fantastic game viewing opportunities. The absence of dangerous predators allows visitors to easily explore the reserve on foot, bicycle, or horseback, for an up-close and intimate experience with nature. This morning your overland guide leads you on a nature walk along the Sanctuary Nature Trail.

The remainder of the day is free for you to explore and relax in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley. The meaning of name Ezulwini is the 'place of heaven'. Optional activities include self-guided hikes and walks in the 4,560-hectare Sanctuary. If you prefer wheels, you can hire a mountain bike and go cycling, or join an optional game drive in Hlane Royal National Park or Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.

  • Included Activity: Nature Walk in Mlilwane with overland tour guide
  • Optional Activity: Game Drives, Mountain Biking, and Self-Guided Hiking
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Eswatini to Zululand & St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal - South Africa

On Day 6 of our Africa Overland Tour, we say goodbye to the Valley of Heaven and Eswatini. We cross back into South Africa and drive south into the Zululand region of KwaZulu-Natal. This is the land of the legendary King Shaka, who formed the great Zulu Kingdom by uniting local tribes during his reign from 1816 to 1828. It is an area steeped in history and rich in cultural heritage, and is home to several game reserves, including Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our drive takes us through the rolling hills of Zululand to the sub-tropical East Coast of South Africa. The next stop on our budget Eswatini & South Africa Safari is the village of St Lucia, at the entrance of UNESCO World Heritage Site, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and on the warm shores of the Indian Ocean.

We stay at an upmarket St Lucia lodge for the next two nights with a swimming pool and lush subtropical gardens. Keep an eye out for the hippos, often seen grazing in the village at night.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Hluhluwe – Umfolozi Game Reserve & iSimangaliso Wetland Park - South Africa

Today we head to the nearby Hluhluwe Game Reserve for a morning game drive. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park incorporates the oldest proclaimed game reserve in Africa that has many conservation success stories to boast about in its long history. The park is home to the Safari Big 5- lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo, along with a host of other animals. We explore the rolling hills, open savannahs, and dense woodlands on our game viewing adventure.

Back at the safari lodge in St Lucia, there is free time to take a swim, freshen up and rest in the garden. Later in the afternoon we will take a sunset boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary for some excellent bird and hippo watching. The lagoon is in Isimangaliso Wetland Park, which hosts extremely varied habitats including lakes, beaches, coral reefs, wetlands, woodlands, coastal forests, and grasslands. This rich ecosystem supports an astounding diversity of animal, bird, and marine life.

  • Included Activity: Game Drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, St Lucia Boat Cruise
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: St Lucia to Durban - South Africa

After breakfast on Day 8, we conclude our Eswatini & South Africa Safari adventure driving south along the beautiful east coast of South Africa to the seaside city of Durban where this affordable lodge overland tour ends.

  • Meals: Breakfast

Safari Travel Note:

We recommend booking your incoming and onward flights at least one day before and after this Eswatini & South Africa Safari is scheduled. It is advisable to arrive the day before departure from Johannesburg and fly out the day after the overland tour ends in Durban to allow for delays and changes.

Simply ask your friendly travel advisor to add pre-tour and post-tour accommodation to your safari booking.

More South Africa Safari Options:

This Eswatini & South Africa Lodge Safari is also available as a cheaper Camping Overland Tour - for more details please contact African Budget Safaris.

Optional Extras and Excursions

For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.

South Africa Safari Activities:

  • Sunset Game Drive in Kruger National Park

Eswatini Safari Activities:

  • Game Drives in Hlane Royal National Park or Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Mountain Biking in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Self-Guided Hiking in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Child Policy

This tour does take children.

There is a minimum age limit of 8 years of age, for travellers on scheduled departures, however, children aged 8 and 9 years of age are accepted on a request basis only.
A maximum of 4 children, aged between 10 - 15 years will be allowed per scheduled tour departure date.
Should there already be 4 children confirmed on a tour, any further children requests will be dealt with on a request basis only.

Age restrictions may apply to certain items listed in the respective tour activities and it is important that you are aware of these restrictions prior to confirming children on tour.

Please contact African Budget Safaris for further information.

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+Optional Activities & Day Trips
For confirmed pricing on these optional items, please drop us an enquiry

South Africa Safari Activities:

  • Sunset Game Drive in Kruger National Park

Eswatini Safari Activities:

  • Game Drives in Hlane Royal National Park or Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Mountain Biking in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Self-Guided Hiking in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
+Included in the Tour Price
  • Transport in Overland Truck
  • Safari Lodge Accommodation
  • Registered Tour Guide
  • All Meals (as per the itinerary)
  • Safari Activities (as per the itinerary)
  • Park Entry Fees
  • Filtered Drinking Water
+Not Included in the Tour Price
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Items & Tips
  • Optional Activities
  • Drinks & Snacks
+Departure Dates

This tour is also conducted in German. Please contact African Budget Safaris for departure dates.

Scheduled Tour Departures
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If you do not see departures listed for your dates, please do contact us for further info.

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