8 Day Eswatini & South Africa Safari (Small Group 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. We head east out of town in our minibus tour vehicle 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 three nights of our 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 custom 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: 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, 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 tour 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
• Optional Activity: Morning Walking Safari
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Kruger Park to Ezulwini Valley – Eswatini

On Day 4 of our Eswatini & South Africa Safari, 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.

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 tour vehicle)
• Meals: Breakfast, 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 tour 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 tour guide
• Optional Activity: Game Drives, Mountain Biking, and Self-Guided Hiking
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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

On Day 6 of our Eswatini & South Africa Safari, 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 small group 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, 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, 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 small group lodge 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 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.

Safari Tour Vehicle

This small-group South Africa Safari is conducted in a 12-seater mini-van or bus.

For more details contact African Budget Safaris.