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Eswatini (Swaziland)16 daysMax 12 travellersSolo-friendlyGuaranteed departures

Southern Africa Explorer Mountains to Coast

Traverse four countries in 15 days — from the dramatic Drakensberg escarpment and Lesotho's highest peaks to Mozambique's colonial coast and Eswatini's wildlife sanctuaries.

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The TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational GeographicThe TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational Geographic
About this journey

What to expect on this trip

Discover the extraordinary diversity of Southern Africa on this journey through South Africa, Lesotho, eSwatini and Mozambique.

Beginning in Johannesburg, we journey into the Drakensberg Mountains, where there is time to hike amongst peaks before crossing the spectacular Sani Pass into the remote mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Here, authentic encounters with Basotho communities provide a fascinating insight into one of Africa's highest and most traditional nations. Continuing east, we explore the wildlife-rich wetlands and coastline of St Lucia and the UNESCO listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park before crossing into the Kingdom of eSwatini. Alongside guided wildlife walks, we experience the country's rich cultural heritage through traditional villages, artisan workshops, local crafts and vibrant Swazi customs.

Crossing into Mozambique, we discover the colourful coastal capital of Maputo on a guided walking and food tour before venturing into the remarkable Maputo National Park, one of Southern Africa's newest conservation success stories, where diverse ecosystems support elephants, hippos, antelope and abundant birdlife.

Returning to South Africa, the adventure culminates with a full day safari in the world-renowned Kruger National Park, scenic drives along the breathtaking Panorama Route, and a guided exploration of historic Soweto. Blending spectacular scenery, memorable wildlife encounters and meaningful cultural experiences, this carefully crafted itinerary offers an authentic and rewarding introduction to the very best of Southern Africa.

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The journey

Southern Africa Explorer Mountains to Coast

What makes this trip special

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route
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The highlights

  • The Cavern Resort & Drakensberg Hiking

    Stay at The Cavern Resort & Spa, a family-run hotel of over 75 years set among dramatic Drakensberg peaks. Expert-guided hikes cross varied mountain terrain, with optional sunrise hot air balloon rides and alternative activities including horse riding and tennis. The resort supports local charities and community projects.

  • Sani Pass & Lesotho Highland Villages

    Cross into Lesotho via Sani Pass, a famously thrilling 4×4 drive reaching 2,876m elevation — home to the highest pub in Africa. Visit a traditional Basotho village where locals wear iconic blankets and conical hats and rely on Basotho ponies for daily life.

  • Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Big 5 Safari

    Afternoon guided safari through Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park seeking lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo alongside crocodiles, hyena, monkeys, and diverse birdlife. An optional morning snorkel at Cape Vidal reveals warm coastal waters, rock pools, and reefs, while an evening boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary observes hippos, crocodiles, and sundowner birdlife.

  • Maputo Special Reserve Elephant Safari

    A full-day 4×4 expedition with a specialist guide into the Maputo Special Reserve on Maputo Bay, originally created as a safe haven for coastal elephants — approximately 400 are present. The landscape encompasses lakes, wetlands, swamp forests, grasslands, mangrove forests, and coastline, with whales, genets, bushpigs, and rare birds also recorded.

Trip highlights for Southern Africa Explorer Mountains to Coast

Full itinerary · 16 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
Dates & prices

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £350 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.

Our departures are guaranteed to run. We never cancel a confirmed tour.

  • Departure
    11 Apr 2027 → 26 Apr 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £4,495 pp
    Single supp. +£545
    Book now
  • Departure
    11 Sept 2027 → 26 Sept 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £4,495 pp
    Single supp. +£545
    Book now
  • Departure
    16 Apr 2028 → 1 May 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £4,495 pp
    Single supp. +£544
    Book now
  • Departure
    9 Sept 2028 → 24 Sept 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £4,495 pp
    Single supp. +£545
    Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Eswatini (Swaziland) journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip
What's included

What your tour price covers

Included in the price

  • All accommodation as per the itinerary
  • Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
  • Meals as listed
  • Travel by private minibus or safari vehicle
  • All excursions and wildlife viewing safaris and activities as stated in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

  • International flights (contact us for expert advice and a quote)
  • Airport taxes
  • Travel Insurance
  • Drinks
  • Meals not included in the itinerary
  • Optional excursions and activities
  • Visa, if required
  • Tips – at own discretion
Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor the travel advice posted by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no FCDO warnings against travel to the parts of Eswatini that we visit on our tours. Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to know what measures are in place to keep your trip safe and trouble-free.

Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens — nationals of other countries should check current advice with their respective government travel authority.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from ninety-plus small-group adventures worldwide, written by the people who took them.

“Fantastic guide. Professional, knowledgeable, kind, organised and enthusiastic. One of the best we've ever traveled with. Excellent itinerary which gave us a good overview of the country. We packed a lot into our days and having everything included in the price didn't mean that we stinted on game drives or other experiences. ”
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Linda Tobey, USA

“Our guide was very friendly and efficient. She had a deep & extensive knowledge of Swaziland, sights, people and traditions. I felt she was more a friend then just a guide, very keen on sharing her knowledge and intent on the group having the very best experiences. I certainly felt that my Swaziland trip was very much enhanced by the guide.”
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Bindu Pather, USA

“Mark was a wonderful guide and advocate for his country. His knowledge of history and animals was second to none and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him On the whole accommodation was amazingt. It was an amazing experience for me! Mark worked tirelessly for everyone and you should definitely use him on future tours of South Africa.”
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Susan Howarth, UK

“I was highly satisfied with the standard of accommodation…the service from our guide Mark Weber to be exemplary and one of the best I’ve seen. The standard of accommodation was high - especially at Cavern Resort and Muluwa Lodge. Also, staying in the local community project’s accommodation at Kosi Bay, while more basic, was perfectly acceptable.”
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Roderic Plinston, UK

“The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.”
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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“When asked by other travellers why I book with Undiscovered Destinations, it's because of the chance to visit places few, if any, other tour operators go to. ”
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Oliver Grumitt, UK

“The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.”
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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“Given the countries involved, I thought the accommodation was better than I expected. Our guide was knowledgeable. He was kind and provided snacks and stories to while away the very long driving days. ”
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Traveller from the UK

“An excellent trip. We saw all that we expected to and more. Very good guide, helpful and considerate. Tour met and exceeded my expectations ”
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Martin Robathan, UK

“Quite the best guide and driver we have encountered in 45 years of travel.”
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John Davies, UK

Want to customise this tour?

Make Southern Africa Explorer Mountains to Coast your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

Customise this tour
Ready when you are

Start planning your Eswatini (Swaziland) adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Eswatini (Swaziland) specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

Common questions

Things travellers usually ask

  • How many travellers will be in my group?

    Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

  • Can I travel solo?

    Yes, solo travellers are welcome on every small-group tour. A private single room is offered on every trip, with the single-room supplement listed alongside the departure price. If you’d rather share, you can opt for a twin room with another solo traveller of the same gender. Around 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you’ll be in good company.

  • How fit do I need to be?

    Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

  • When are the next departures?

    The next available departures are 11 April 2027; 11 September 2027; 16 April 2028. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

  • Will my departure definitely run?

    Yes. Departures marked Guaranteed on this page run whether one traveller books or twelve. We never cancel a confirmed tour for lack of numbers, so you can book flights and time off around it with confidence.

  • What's included in the tour price?

    Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: All accommodation as per the itinerary; Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader; Meals as listed; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

  • Where exactly does this trip go?

    This tour visits Eswatini (Swaziland) and South Africa. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

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