Walking South Africa
| Duration: |
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13 days |
| Starts: |
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Johannesburg |
| Ends: |
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Johannesburg |
| Rates from: |
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| Dates: |
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Click here for Tour Dates
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| Countries Visited: |
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South Africa, Swaziland
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| Transport: |
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Superior Truck
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| Safari cook: |
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Not Included
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13-day small group walking safari through Swaziland and parts of South Africa, including the Kruger National Park and the Drakensberg.
Explore some of the natural and historical wonders of South Africa and Swaziland in this small group walking tour. Begin by leaving Johannesburg for some of the exciting local attractions of the Mpumalanga province, including exploring the Blyde River Canyon on foot.
Spend two days in the famed Kruger National Park and experience a big game safari at its best. Enter the country of Swaziland, where you will interact with the local people and their craft and medicine markets.
The battlefields of Zululand and the St. Lucia estuary follow, each with their own interesting cultural heritage. End your tour by walking through the regal Drakensberg mountains, before making your way back to Johannesburg.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Days 1-2: Begin in Mpumalanga
Meals: FB
Your adventure begins by leaving Johannesburg early on Sunday morning and heading east towards Mpumalanga. You will visit the gold mining town of Pilgrims Rest and explore the fascinating Bourkes Luck Potholes. Then discover the inspiring multifaceted views of God's Window, a renowned viewpoint on the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment, overlooking canyons, rock faces and waterfalls in one of the ravines of the Lowveld.
At the end of the day you will head down to the Graskop Mogodi Lodge chalets where you will spend 2 nights. The next day you will explore the Blyde River canyon on foot, and experience some of the most dramatic scenery in the region.
Graskop Mogodi Lodge has 2 twin share bedrooms in each chalet. The lodge is equipped with a swimming pool, bar and an a la carte restaurant featuring an extensive wine list. Curios are also available.
Days 3-4: Explore the Kruger National Park
Meals: FB
Enter the famed Kruger National Park, where you will spend the next two days on game drives in search of the Big 5. The professional guides will provide you with an extensive knowledge of fauna and flora, as well as the ecology of the park, while tracking the elusive big game.
During the heat of the day relax under the trees or in the swimming pool of the camp before heading out for your late afternoon drive. Night drives with spotlights can be privately arranged at your own expense.
Stay in one of the Kruger National Park camps in a twin share chalet or lodge tent with en suite facilities. A relaxing swimming pool, bar and restaurant are all available.
Days 5-6: Visit the Kingdom of Swaziland
Meals: FB
The Kingdom of Swaziland is your next destination, a country with a rich cultural heritage and national pride. You will travel through a lush fruit farming area before heading into the mountains, where you will spend 2 nights in the Malolotja Nature Reserve. You will have a full day to walk this seldom explored mountainous reserve, and feel truly rejuvenated after the experience.
Finally, you will visit the craft and medicine markets and have the opportunity to buy carvings, candles, batiks, wirework, paintings and clothing as you pass through the capital city of Mbabane.
Malolotja Nature Reserve accommodation comprises of fully equipped 2 bedroomed mountain cabins. There is a basic shop at the entrance to the reserve for your convenience.
Days 7-9: Spend Time at St Lucia
Meals: FB
You will now cross back into South Africa and head into the heart of Zululand. Here you will learn more about the proud Zulu culture and defining history when you interact with the local people at one of the traditional villages. The shores of Lake St. Lucia - a Unesco world heritage site - are where you will be based during your time in Zululand.
The unique nature of St Lucia lies in its remarkable combination of estuarine lakes and subtropical coastline, forests and wildlife. You will spend a day in the Hluhluwe game reserve which still remains the best place to have close encounters with black and white rhino, and which also prioritises rhino conservation. Your final day will be spent exploring the beaches and estuary of St. Lucia.
The Flamingo Resort in St Lucia offers chalets with two twin bedrooms. There is also a swimming pool, bar and restaurant available for your enjoyment.
Day 10: Experience the Battlefields
Meals: FB
Leave the coastline of St. Lucia and make your way through the scenic hills and valleys of Zululand to the small town of Dundee. Historical battles were fought here between the Zulus, British and the Boer troops, and the hillside is dotted with stone memorials. It feels as though the war cries still resound over this historical frontier landscape.
You will also spend time at the Rorkes Drift and Islandwana battlefields and enjoy an informative visit to the Tulana museum, before retiring to the Battlefields Country Lodge.
The lodge offers either a twin share chalet or a lodge tent with en suite facilities. There is a swimming pool, bar and a restaurant available for your enjoyment.
Days 11-12: Discover the Drakensberg
Meals: FB
Witness the grandeur of the Drakensberg, a 200km mountainous wonderland and world heritage site. The Dutch Voortrekkers named it 'The Dragon Mountain', and today is also known by the Zulu name, the Ukhahlama 'Barrier of Spears' Mountains.
You will stay overnight at the Sungubala or Tendele chalets, and spend the next day walking the nearby trails and taking a dip in the clear streams. The crisp mountain air is refreshing and invigorating, and the atmosphere provides a perfect way to end the tour.
The Sungubala and Tendele chalets are twin share with shared ablutions. The smaller chalets may also be used subject to availability, which are twin share en suite.
Day 13: End Your Adventure in Johannesburg
Meals: HB
Your morning is free to take one last stroll in the Drakensberg mountains before heading back to Johannesburg. Spend the remainder of the day shopping or sightseeing before the tour ends at 6:00pm on Friday evening.
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