Southern Africa Explorer
Mountains to Coast

Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to Northern Drakensberg (driving time approximately 4 hours)

Meet your tour guide and driver at Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport from where our group will be transferred to the Northern Drakensberg, the first stop on our Southern African adventure. Our lodge is surrounded by some impressive peaks of the Drakensberg mountain range all around, which are lush and verdant in the summer rainy season and can be covered in snow in winter. Birdwatching from one of the many communal outdoor areas yields rich rewards, the most commonly spotted species being bush blackcap, fairyfly catcher, Drakensberg prinia, Gurney’s sugarbird and half-collared kingfish. Enjoy the meals, activities and warm rural hospitality provided by the Cavern - a family-run hotel that has been an institution in the local area for over 75 years. The Cavern also supports many local charities and community projects, including the local school, and most employees hail from the neighbouring village just across the mountain. Overnight The Cavern Resort & Spa or similar. (D) 

Day 2: Northern Drakensberg

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge, followed by the most popular activity in the Drakensberg - hiking. Our expert hiking guide will take us on the hike of the day or, alternatively, there are many other hikes of varying lengths and difficulties available that can be done with the group’s tour guide or self-guided. If you are not much of a hiker, there are many facilities at the lodge that you can enjoy amidst the dramatic natural surroundings including tennis, lawn bowls and a large swimming pool. Fishing and horse riding can also be arranged (not included and payable locally). And for anyone who is keen, we highly recommend a hot air balloon ride this morning, over the farmlands and mountains - a truly incredible experience that is done at sunrise (weather-dependent and payable locally). Overnight The Cavern Resort & Spa or similar. (BLD) 

Day 3: Southern Drakensberg (driving time approximately 4 hours)

After breakfast we leave the lodge and head to the southern part of the Drakensberg. The route we will be taking today is part of what is known as the 'Midlands Meander', known for its small, independent shops. We will stop at a few places, including the Piggly Wiggly - a collection of shops and cafes representing many small, local producers of food, crafts, and clothes. We will also stop at Howick Falls to marvel at the impressive 95m-high waterfall and hear the legend of the Howick Falls Monster. We will also pay a visit to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site to walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela. It is now a sculpture and visitor centre commemorating the spot where Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1952 for his anti-apartheid activism. We continue to our comfortable accommodation in Underberg / Himeville, in the Southern Drakensberg, and our home for the next two nights. Overnight Himeville Arms Hotel or similar. (B) 

Day 4: Excursion to Lesotho via the Sani Pass

Today, we will cross the border from South Africa into Lesotho, the second country of our four country tour. The journey into Lesotho is through the Sani Pass, a famously thrilling drive that can only be completed by 4x4 vehicles, with dramatic mountain scenery and an altitude of 2,876m. After border post formalities, we will experience a drink and lunch at the highest pub in Africa and a visit to a traditional Basotho village. We will have plenty of opportunities to interact with the friendly, local Basotho people, are often dressed in their iconic blanket and conical straw hat outfits. The Basotho pony is an integral part of life for the local population; and we will likely see many of them trekking through the mountains. At the end of the day, we will head back down the steep Sani Pass to our accommodation across the border in the Southern Drakensberg. Overnight Himeville Arms Hotel or similar. (BL) 

Day 5: Southern Drakensberg to Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park (driving time approximately 6 hours)

Today we depart early for our journey north-east. We will likely stop at Ballito on the east coast of South Africa for lunch, before heading to Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park for a guided afternoon game drive by safari vehicle. We will try and spot all of the ‘Big 5’ animals in their natural habitat plus many more - including buck, crocodiles, hyena, monkeys, and a wide variety of birds. Later we will continue to our accommodation in St Lucia for the night. Overnight Forest Lodge or similar. (B) 

Day 6: Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park

After breakfast, we will go out for an optional snorkelling trip to Cape Vidal - a beach with a long, sandy coastline, warm water, rock pools and reefs, and usually clear and calm waters that is ideal for easy, safe snorkelling. Spot many diverse kinds of fish and maybe even whales and dolphins too. Then in the evening, we will take a boat cruise along the St Lucia Estuary, a hotspot for hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of birdlife, while enjoying sundowner drinks. Overnight Forest Lodge or similar. (B) 

Day 7: Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park to Kosi Bay (driving time approximately 4 hours)

After breakfast, we will head the 3hrs or so up the coast to our next destination close to the Mozambican border - Kosi Bay. Relax and enjoy the natural surroundings by the lodge's pool, take a nap, or head the short distance to Kosi Mouth and beach. Later, at around 4.30pm (subject to availability), we will head out on a turtle viewing tour at Bangha Nek Beach. These tours are usually on offer between November and March, and we might have the chance to either see turtles coming out of the sea to lay their eggs on the beach or turtle babies hatching on the beach. An incredible event to witness, this tour usually only ends around midnight. In the event that the turtle viewing is not available, this can be substituted with snorkelling, birding, hiking, cruising thee lakes, fishing, or a canoe safari. Overnight Utshwayelo Kosi Mouth Camp or similar. (B) 

Day 8: Kosi Bay to Maputo, Mozambique (driving time approximately 2 to 3 hours)

There may be some time to enjoy an optional morning activity like hiking, fishing, a canoe safari, etc. for any early risers (not included and payable locally) before we head to the Kosi Bay border and continue to our third country so far - Mozambique. Once the border crossing formalities are finished, we might be able to stop at the beautiful beach of Ponto de Ouro (road quality and time-permitting), before heading into the city of Maputo for the evening. Our guide may provide a brief orientation tour of Maputo, time-permitting, and take us to a local restaurant for dinner (not included and payable locally). Maputo is a vibrant city, and the Portuguese colonial influences can be seen in some of its popular foods and architecture. Overnight City Lodge Hotel Maputo or similar. (B) 

Day 9: Maputo Special Reserve

Today, we will travel by 4x4 vehicle, with a specialist guide for a day trip to the Maputo National Park (which includes the Maputo Special Reserve), located on Maputo Bay and originally created as a safe haven for a group of coastal elephants. The reserve combines lakes, wetlands, swamp forests, grasslands, and mangrove forests with a coastline. According to the latest data, the number of elephants in the reserve is about 400, plus it is well known for its whale-spotting from the coast. There are also plenty of other animals including some more interesting and unusual ones like genets, bushpigs, civets and rare birds. Enjoy a picnic lunch by a lake or lagoon in the reserve and see how many different animals we can spot. After a full day in this wild, protected nature reserve, we will head back to Maputo for the night. Overnight City Lodge Hotel Maputo or similar. (BL) 

Day 10: Maputo to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Eswatini (driving time approximately 4 hours)

This morning, we enjoy a guided city tour of Maputo, which can also be tailored to focus more on food or art and culture, according to the preferences of the group. Or experience a guided walking tour that specifically focuses on the Maputo's downtown area, Baixa de Maputo, which was the epicentre of colonial Maputo, where we can enjoy some traditional Portuguese delicacies including Pastel de Natas. Alternatively, there is also the option to explore another historic neighbourhood inside the city, Mafalala, on foot. Learn more about Mozambique’s history and get acquainted with the delicious food and community life, the Mafalala literature, marrabenta (local rhythm), traditional dancing and sports. This tour is run by a local NGO, and they focus on creating economic opportunities for the community's women and youth. After this, we will depart Maputo and make our way towards the border, into Eswatini (formally known as Swaziland) and onwards to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary where we will be staying for two nights. Our accommodation is in comfortable, but traditional Eswatini beehive huts with en-suite bathrooms. Overnight Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Rest Camp or similar. (B) 

Day 11: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

After breakfast there will be a 2.5hr walking safari inside the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. Mlilwane is ideal for walking safaris, as it does not have any really dangerous animals but does allow for many opportunities to get up close for animal sightings. Other activities that we can participate in, or in addition to the walking safari, include mountain bike hire for self-guided or guided cycles, horse riding, and a guided walk through the neighbouring village of Esitjeni to see how local people live on a day-to-day basis, including many agricultural activities that you can assist with, e.g. grinding maize, carrying water, washing clothes in the stream, etc. Overnight Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Rest Camp or similar. (B) 

Day 12: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary to White River, South Africa (driving time approximately 3 to 4 hours)

Today we will head out and, subject to opening times and availability, stop at a few local craft businesses and producers. At Swazi Candles, we can see how the candles are made and at the Ngwenga Glass Factory we can get a fascinating glimpse into glass blowing techniques. The Mantenga Craft Market offers a selection of arts and crafts products made by local artisans available for purchase. We will then head back into South Africa and towards White River close to the Kruger National Park, where we will stay for the next three nights. Overnight Muluwa Lodge or similar. (BD) 

Day 13: Kruger National Park

Today, we head to the Kruger National Park, one of the world's biggest conservation areas that is larger than some countries, such as Wales. One of the most famous areas for wild animal viewing, and known for the ‘Big 5’, there truly is nothing like the wilderness and expansiveness of the Kruger. We meet our guide and safari vehicle at the gate and enjoy a full, thrilling day of animal spotting. Overnight Muluwa Lodge or similar. (BD) 

Day 14: Blyde River Canyon and Graskop Gorge

After breakfast we leave for a day trip to view the spectacular sights of the Panorama Route. This includes some opportunities for walks, including at the Blyde River Canyon and Graskop Gorge. Entry fees for the main sights are included, but some may be optional extras available on the day (time-permitting). At the end of the day, we head back to Muluwa Lodge for dinner and our final overnight stay. Overnight Muluwa Lodge or similar. (BD) 

Day 15: White River to Johannesburg (driving time approximately 4 hours)

Today, we will depart White River and head back to Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport for our onward departure. (B)

Depart at around 8am for the journey back to South Africa for your onward journey or perhaps you may wish to extend your trip with some tailored arrangements in South Africa. (B)