Kruger and the Kingdoms - 6 nights / 7 days escorted tour
Johannesburg
JOHANNESBURG | MPUMALANGA | ESWATINI | ZULULAND
When you combine the Kruger National Park, an icon of the wildlife world and the Kingdoms of Eswatini and Zululand, you have a mighty experience designed to take your travel desires to new heights.
It all begins in Johannesburg, where you will begin the first leg, a trip into Mpumalanga to marvel at the scenery along the Panorama Route. It’s then on to the Kruger National Park, where the Big Five roam, wild and free. Sightings are of an extraordinary caliber and an open vehicle game drive with a passionate guide is going to both thrill and excite.
You will then travel to Eswatini, an independent kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its colourful and vibrant culture. The people of Eswatini are the main attraction, where you will learn all about their traditions and customs. In Zululand, a cruise on Lake St Lucia awaits, where hippos and crocodiles abound. The journey ends in Durban.
Highlights
- Explore Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa.
- Optional Soweto tour (own account).
- Enjoy the scenic drive through Mpumalanga and cross the famous Long Tom Pass.
- Drive along the Panorama Route and admire the view from - God’s Window - one of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve’s most spectacular viewpoints.
- Spot the Big 5 in Kruger National Park on a game drive.
- Learn about the colourful crafts and indigenous people of Swaziland.
- Optional White and Black Rhino spotting in Zululand - extra charge.
- Enjoy a cruise on Lake St.Lucia (weather permitting).
- Day 1 - Johannesburg
- Day 2 - Johannesburg - Mpumalanga
- Day 3 - Mpumalanga - Panorama Route - Mpumalanga
- Day 4 - Kruger National Park
- Day 5 - Mpumalanga to Swaziland
- Day 6 - Swaziland to Zululand
- Day 7 - Zululand to Durban/Umhlanga
- Additional Information
On arrival in Johannesburg at OR Tambo International Airport, you’ll be met by your representative and transferred to your hotel. Johannesburg is the largest and most populous city in South Africa. It is also the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. The remainder of the day is at leisure and unescorted. Why not enjoy an optional (own account) sightseeing tour of Soweto, learning more about the struggle for freedom in South Africa, or simply relax at your hotel? At 19h00 we will meet at reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet fellow travellers. Overnight at Protea Hotel Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton or similar.
Distance travelled today: 35 kms
Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton
Situated amid the renowned Sandton and escaping the conventional modern high rises this country-style hotel offers a heritage experience. Escape to the gardens with sparkling swimming pools. The Conservatory Restaurant tastefully blends with the overlooking garden and terrace. The Bull Run Restaurant welcomes you to an Old School New York Style Steak House, serving quality prime South African Beef Cuts aged in-house. Showcasing a 10-seater Private Dining and the Romantic Cellar Experience. Lords Bar showcases key historical facts that went down in the first bar in Sandton. Coffee on Twenty creates a landscape for coffee or deli treats on the go. Destination Lounge offers a space for VIPs to enjoy a Tapas Menu. Bedrooms offer a modern setup with a vintage touch to celebrate the timelessness and calm of a bygone era. Enjoy the new gym to maintain your daily exercise regime. The 8 conference and meeting rooms can accommodation up to 300 guests. Close proximity to all major attractions with complimentary shuttles.
Depart Johannesburg after breakfast and head for Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city, for a short orientation tour, before continuing to the Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country”. Dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld, we travel via the historic towns of Dullstroom and Lydenburg. After traversing the famous Long Tom Pass, we travel via Sabie and arrive late afternoon into Hazyview, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park.
Overnight at Hazview Sun (or similar)
Distance travelled today: 425 kms
Perry's Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel
Looking for Hazyview hotels? Embracing the ever-green Lowveld flora is Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel. Set among indigenous gardens the Hotel is designed to bring a sense of being outdoors while settling into the comforts of modern day luxury. Located at the Perry’s Bridge Trading Post, guests have access to a unique shopping experience, offering something for young and old with everything from spa treatments to children’s activities at their fingertips.
After an early morning breakfast, we’ll drive along the spectacular ‘Panorama Route’, offering views of amazing scenery including the 26-kilometre long Blyde River Canyon (home to the Three Rondavels), Bourke’s Luck Potholes and historic God’s Window, a breath-taking view (weather permitting) of the edge of the escarpment taking in the Kruger National Park. We arrive back in Hazyview in the late afternoon where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax.
Overnight at Hazyview Sun (or similar)
Distance travelled today: 320 kms
Perry's Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel
Looking for Hazyview hotels? Embracing the ever-green Lowveld flora is Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel. Set among indigenous gardens the Hotel is designed to bring a sense of being outdoors while settling into the comforts of modern day luxury. Located at the Perry’s Bridge Trading Post, guests have access to a unique shopping experience, offering something for young and old with everything from spa treatments to children’s activities at their fingertips.
The day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a thrilling open vehicle game safari (with English speaking game ranger) through the Kruger National Park with pre-packed breakfast. Kruger is one of the world’s greatest national parks, home to a stunning array of wildlife. Search for the ‘Big Five’ (rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant) as well as prolific birdlife and numerous other game species. The game safari includes an introduction to the Anti-Poaching Dog Unit (Project Watchdog), that was established because of the increase in rhino poaching worldwide. Learn about the dogs that are trained to track poachers in the field, detect firearms, ammunition and wildlife products that enter and exit through the Kruger National Park gates. A portion of the trip price of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience goes towards ensuring that these dogs receive the best possible care in support of the vital work they do. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land. The afternoon is at leisure at your hotel. An afternoon open vehicle game drive is available as an extension to the morning game drive (optional and for own account).
Overnight at Hazyview Sun (or similar)
Distance travelled today: 120 kms
Perry's Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel
Looking for Hazyview hotels? Embracing the ever-green Lowveld flora is Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel. Set among indigenous gardens the Hotel is designed to bring a sense of being outdoors while settling into the comforts of modern day luxury. Located at the Perry’s Bridge Trading Post, guests have access to a unique shopping experience, offering something for young and old with everything from spa treatments to children’s activities at their fingertips.
This morning we travel to eSwatini (Swaziland), an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience inclusive of lunch, introduces us to the charming people of eSwatini (Swaziland) and their traditions. We travel via the capital city, Mbabane, to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for overnight in eSwatini (Swaziland) and a sumptuous dinner at your hotel.
Overnight at The Royal Villas Swaziland (or similar)
Distance travelled today: 310 kms
The Royal Villas Swaziland
The Royal Villas Swaziland offers award winning accommodation, conference facilities and fine cuisine all year round.Set in a beautiful secure estate with stunning views of the Royal Mdzimba Mountains, the gold and browns of the African Savannah are echoed throughout the Villas with each room designed to make the most of the African sunlight and views.
After breakfast we will continue south through eSwatini (Swaziland), before re-entering South Africa. Travel into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. There is an option to enjoy an afternoon open vehicle safari (optional and for own account with an English-speaking game ranger) in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhino.
Overnight in Anew Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris or similar
Distance travelled today: 360 kms
Anew Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris
ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe offers a wide variety of affordable holiday accommodation including a 5-star self-catering safari lodge for a true bush experience. The hotel also offers packages for corporate and government guests with a wide range of intimate conferencing venues in the Zululand area.The Idyllic African Centerpiece is nestled between the Hluhluwe Game Reserve – home to the Big Five, and the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, a world heritage site. Here you will experience the wild nature of Africa, rejoice in the luxury and revel in the friendly warmth of one of Africa’s most welcoming hotels.
This morning we will join a cruise on Lake St Lucia (depending on favourable weather conditions) before departing for Durban. Our journey takes us past traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. We arrive in Durban in the early afternoon where the tour ends on arrival.
Meals Included: Bed and Breakfast
Minimum 2 guests / maximum 18 guests.
Duration - 7 nights / 6 nights.
Departs on selected Sundays.
Departure Dates in 2024:
Jan 14
Feb 11, 18, 25
Mar 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Apr 7, 14, 21, 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26
Jun 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Jul 7, 14, 21, 28
Aug 11, 18, 25
Sep 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Oct 6, 13, 20, 27
Nov 3, 10, 17, 24
Dec 1, 8
At a Glance (inclusions):
11 Meals: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners including gratuities
6 Nights’ accommodation including porterage
Transportation including toll fees in air-conditioned vehicles
Services of a professional English-speaking tour guide
Entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
Bottled water in eco-friendly packaging
Please note - this tour travels through Eswatini (Swaziland). Please check visa requirements, as certain nationalities may require visas to travel through Eswatini (Swaziland).
Only one suitcase and one overnight bag per person is allowed.
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS (extra charge):-Enhance your journey with optional excursions, available for pre-booking, subject to a minimum of 2 adults travelling:
Rack Rates valid 01/01/24 – 31/12/24:
DAY 1 – SUNDAY – JOHANNESBURG – AFTERNOON SOWETO TOUR – from ZAR 1270 per person
Soweto is unlike any suburb you’ve ever seen or been to, yet the history of struggle encapsulated here is a cornerstone of the South African story.
DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – AFTERNOON OPEN VEHICLE GAME SAFARI – from ZAR 1165 per person
For the wildlife enthusiasts a second open vehicle safari, as an extension to the morning safari, in one of the world’s most renowned game reserves.
DAY 6 – FRIDAY – HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI PARK – AFTERNOON OPEN VEHICLE GAME SAFARI – from ZAR 1255per person
Enjoy an afternoon, 3-hour open vehicle game safari into the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Africa’s oldest game reserve and world renowned for its highly successful white rhino conservation programme.
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