A trip for nature and wildlife lovers

Day 1: Johannesburg -

You will arrive in Johannesburg today. You will be picked up at the airport and brought to your overnight address. You stay in the Outlook Lodge, in a standard room based on bed and breakfast (or similar accommodation).

Day 2: Johannesburg - Tzaneen -

Your rental car (category C) will be delivered to your lodge today. You can leave around 10 a.m. After having passed the hustle and bustle of Pretoria, you can already start enjoying the beautiful nature. Today you drive in about 4 hours to Tzaneen, where you will stay one night, based on bed and breakfast, at Kings Walden Garden Manor. If you left Johannesburg on time, you may still have time in the afternoon for a trip or an excursion in the area (optional).

Day 3-4: Tzaneen - Timbavati ('Out of Africa') -

Today you drive via the R71 to your destination for the next two nights: the Timbavati Nature Reserve. This beautiful reserve is part of the Greater Kruger National Park. There are no gates between Kruger and Timbavati, so the animals can roam freely. You stay in a safari tent at the Shindzela Tented Safari Lodge and enjoy two game activities per day. For example, in the morning, under the guidance of an experienced ranger, you can take an exciting bush walk and in the afternoon search for wildlife from a 4×4 safari vehicle during a game drive.

You stay here based on bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Coffee, tea and water (from a machine) are also included. Click here for the full description: 3 day safari out of africa.

Day 5-6 Timbavati - Hazyview -

After the first exciting days among the wild, it is now time to see more of the natural beauty in this area. Spectacular views, waterfalls, nice villages; a very different South Africa than what you have seen in the bush the previous days! The Panorama route is definitely one of the highlights of your trip. The route leads through the beautiful rugged mountain ranges of the Northern Drakensberg. This dramatic landscape with its great heights and deep valleys offers spectacular views and ensures fantastic ‘panorama’ photos. You may already be able to imagine a small representation of the views that you have here, but reality will surpass everything!

The spectacular Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world and has a totally different appearance than the Fish River Canyon in Namibia and the Grand Canyon in the USA. This is because the canyon is filled with lush vegetation and there are also plenty of wild animals. North of Graskop you will find God’s Window and at the start of the canyon is Bourke’s Luck Potholes and at the end the Three Rondavels. Along the way you will come across many viewpoints.

You stay two nights in the pleasant town of Hazyview. So you have enough time to discover the Panorama route and of course to relax at your accommodation: Rissington Inn. You stay here based on bed and breakfast.

Day 7: Hazyview - Marloth Park -

The journey continues in a southerly direction. You will stay one night, based on bed, breakfast and dinner, at the Needles Lodge. This lodge is located in the bush of the Marloth Park that borders the Kruger Park. The garden of the lodge is regularly visited by animals such as giraffes, warthogs, zebras, monkeys, baboons and wildebeests. The animals are now used to the guests of Needles Lodge and it is therefore a great opportunity for you to face one or more of the above animals!

Day 8-9: Marloth Park - Eswatini -

Today you are crossing the border to another country, so keep your passport handy. In the coming days you will stay in the small kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). Although it is a short visit to Eswatini, you will get a good impression of this colorful country with a rich culture.

You stay in the Mlilwane Game Reserve, a park where you can also take a safari on horseback. You will stay in a very special room: in a traditional beehive. These rooms are based on traditional Swati huts and therefore have a small door and no windows! If you do not like this, you can book another room type at an additional cost. You stay here based on bed and breakfast.

Day 10-11: Eswatini - St. Lucia -

You leave Eswatini on the south side and today you travel to the next high point: the iSimangaliso Wetlands, this area belongs to the World Heritage sites! You stay two nights in the village of St. Lucia, located on the warm Indian Ocean in Umlilo Lodge in a standard room, based on bed and breakfast (or similar accommodation).

It is very nice to spend the coming days, e.g. take a boat cruise on Lake St. Lucia. From the water you of course get a very different view of nature and you may spot hippos and crocodiles that occur frequently here. Or maybe you would like to view the underwater world during a snorkel safari? If you want to make excursions, book these at the same time as your trip to avoid disappointment. Click here for the possibilities: excursions Kwazulu Natal.

Day 12-13: St. Lucia - Zululand ('Safari in Zululand') -

It is time for a safari experience again! In the coming days you will stay at Rhino River lodge based on bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner and including two game drives per day. Click here for the full program: 3 day safari in Zululand
A day in Rhino starts with a morning game drive. This takes around 2.5 hours. After your return, you will be served a brunch, after which you can relax by the swimming pool or stroll around the grounds. A light lunch will be served around 2 p.m. and the afternoon game drive will depart between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. depending on weather and season.

During the afternoon game drive a spot is found for a drink, where you can watch the sun go down. When you return to the camp you can freshen up before you can start enjoying a three-course dinner. These evenings – if possible around the campfire – are part of a magical experience. The scents of the campfire together with the sounds of the African night and the beauty of a clear starry sky.

Day 14-15: Zululand - Drakensberg -

You leave Zululand and travel to another beautiful nature area: the Drakensberg. The Montusi Mountain Lodge is your accommodation for the next two nights.

Montusi Mountain Lodge is approximately 18 km from the Royal Natal National Park. The most famous highlight of this park is the Amphitheater, an impressive rock face of no less than 500 m high and 5 km long. You can also take beautiful walks here, including an easy one to Fairy Glen to a challenging walk to the Crack and the Mudslide. But also directly from the lodge you can take a guided walk in the morning, go horse riding and explore the various mountain bike routes.

Day 16: Drakensberg - Himeville -

Today you will drive to the southern part of the Drakensberg and end the day in Himeville. From here you will meet Lesotho, another small kingdom surrounded by South Africa, in the coming days.

The next night you will stay at Sani Valley Nature Lodge on a bed / breakfast and dinner basis.

Day 17-18: Lesotho ('The best of Lesotho') -

You will find yourself in times gone by when you get to know the simple lifestyle of the people of Lesotho in the coming days. The majestic mountains and villages scattered throughout this country do not make it easy for humans and animals to survive here, but staying there for a few days is definitely something very special. You will learn a lot about how people live (over) here.

Click here for a detailed description of your trip to Lesotho: 3 day excursion: The best of Lesotho
Please note: you will spend the night during this trip in simple accommodations. Meals are included. You travel under the guidance of a guide with a 4×4 car.

Day 19: Himeville -

You stay one more night in Himeville at the Sani Valley Nature Lodge, based on bed, breakfast and dinner.

Day 20-21: Himeville - Clarens -

Your beautiful tour is nearing its end. But today you first drive through the Golden Gate National Park, a park with mountain ranges that form the natural border between South Africa and Lesotho, to the artists’ village of Clarens. Clarens is not far from this beautiful park and you can enjoy all that this park has to offer in the coming days. For example, you can go on hiking tours with a guide, but a visit to the Basotho village is also worthwhile.

You stay two nights at the Mont d’Or in Clarens (or similar accommodation), based on bed and breakfast.

Day 22: Clarens - Johannesburg -

On this last day a long drive back to Johannesburg is scheduled. If you fly with KLM, you have all the time. This flight does not leave until late in the evening. If you are flying with a different airline, consult us about what fits best. The journey can be tailor-made according to your wishes. Prefer a different car? That is of course also possible.

After you return your car at the airport, you fly back to Amsterdam.

Trip number	7389
Price per person	From€ 3031/ per person
Travel duration	22days
Countries	Eswatini (Swaziland), Lesotho, South Africa
Starting point	Johannesburg
endpoint	Johannesburg
Included	21 overnight stays in 3 to 4 * accommodations according to description, or similar Rental car Category C Transfer from the airport to Outlook Lodge Meals according to program Route description and global map All prices are based on accommodation in a double room and car rental for two people, unless stated otherwise. Are you going with more or fewer people or are you taking children? Then ask about the discount or surcharge.
Not included	Flights and possibly visa Travel and cancellation insurance GPS rental Optional activities Local car rental costs Personal expenses and fees Meals and drinks , unless stated otherwise Entrance fees to wild parks, unless stated otherwise Conservation Fees
Type of transport	own car, minibus with driver
Meals included	bed and breakfast, dinner bed and breakfast, full board including activities
Type of accommodation	Lodge, Guesthouse
Luxury level	Comfort
Malaria	Yes
Child friendly	On request
Accommodations	Montusi Mountain Lodge, Needles Lodge, Mont d'Or Clarens, Rhino River Lodge, Umlilo Lodge, The Willow Inn Johannesburg, Rissington Inn, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Shindzela Tented Safari Camp, Kings Walden Garden Manor, Sani Valley Nature Lodges

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