Safari & holiday to South Africa
| country: | South Africa |
| location: | Kruger National Park, Swaziland |
| departures: | 2009: 11 Dec 2010: 8 Jan, 29 Jan, 19 Feb, 26 Mar, 16 Apr, 7 May, 28 May, 18 Jun, 9 Jul, 30 Jul, 20 Aug, 10 Sep, 1 Oct, 22 Oct, 12 Nov, 3 Dec, 24 Dec |
| price: | From £1699 - £2339 (16 days) including flights from the UK. From £899 - £1099 excluding flights. Local payment 1200 ZAR. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Prolific wildlife, history and diverse scenery at a relaxed, comfortable pace on this walking trip
Mpumalanga & Kruger
Your adventure starts with stunning scenery and culture as you explore Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, Blyde River Canyon and the preserved Victorian gold mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest. Next up is the famous Kruger National Park where you’ll head out on game drives hoping to spot the big five of elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo – not to mention zebra, giraffe, antelope and numerous species of colourful birds.
Wetlands, Battlefields & Mountains
After stretching your legs in the Swaziland hills, the wetlands of St Lucia offer a completely different habitat to explore. The game viewing in Hluhluwe with its high concentration of rhino is fantastic. Heading back inland you’ll visit the Zulu War battlefields of Islandwana and Rorke’s Drift before ending up in the Drakensberg Mountains. These dramatic peaks and sweeping amphitheatres of rock offer great walking possibilities and you’ll have two full days to make the most of it.
Total South Africa
For a complete accommodated and relaxed tour of South Africa why not combine this trip with our Garden Route adventure (ref. GR) to give you the full mix of wildlife, mountains, coast, culture and cities.
Mpumalanga & Kruger
Your adventure starts with stunning scenery and culture as you explore Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, Blyde River Canyon and the preserved Victorian gold mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest. Next up is the famous Kruger National Park where you’ll head out on game drives hoping to spot the big five of elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo – not to mention zebra, giraffe, antelope and numerous species of colourful birds.
Wetlands, Battlefields & Mountains
After stretching your legs in the Swaziland hills, the wetlands of St Lucia offer a completely different habitat to explore. The game viewing in Hluhluwe with its high concentration of rhino is fantastic. Heading back inland you’ll visit the Zulu War battlefields of Islandwana and Rorke’s Drift before ending up in the Drakensberg Mountains. These dramatic peaks and sweeping amphitheatres of rock offer great walking possibilities and you’ll have two full days to make the most of it.
Total South Africa
For a complete accommodated and relaxed tour of South Africa why not combine this trip with our Garden Route adventure (ref. GR) to give you the full mix of wildlife, mountains, coast, culture and cities.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart London Depart on overnight flight to Johannesburg. |
| Day 2: | Johannesburg; free day After your flight, you transfer (approx. 30 minutes) to your first night’s accommodation and check in. Johannesburg lies at the centre of the Witwatersrand, literally meaning ‘ridge of white waters’. It was on this ridge that the world’s richest gold reef was discovered little more than 100 years ago. Jo’burg or E’Goli ‘the City of Gold’ is the heart of the nation of South Africa. There is also the option to go on a tour of the famous township of Soweto (own expense). Hotel - 1 night Please make sure that if you explore Johannesburg on your own that you take advice of where it is safe to walk, especially in the evening. There have been isolated attempts of robbery in recent times and although unpredictable the risk of these can be minimised by taking local advice. |
| Day 3: | Mpumalanga; Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes Today you rise early and, after a briefing with your Group Leader, you load the vehicle and make your way down from the temperate, rolling plateau of the high veld, over the escarpment to the sub-tropical Mpumalanga. You have a picnic lunch and the afternoon to enjoy the stunning scenery, many beautiful waterfalls and unique flora of this area. There will be time to stretch your legs with short walks to Bourke’s Luck potholes and God’s Window, which offers magnificent views over the Blyde River Canyon (Driving time without stops approx. 6 ½ hours). Tonight you stay in Graskop, not far from the fascinating old goldrush town of Pilgrim’s Rest where it is easy to imagine the lives of the miners and their families who worked the small alluvial claims at the end of the last century. Your accommodation is located on the edge of the escarpment, offering you spectacular views. Chalets (1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms) - 2 nights (LD) |
| Day 4: | Mpumalanga; Blyde River Canyon Today you spend the whole day exploring the canyon on foot. From the well-worn potholes that have formed over the centuries within the course of the river to the sheer granite cliffs, the sights are stunning. There is even the chance of seeing the endangered bald ibis. There are mammals here as well but they might prove more elusive than the raptors that rise on the thermals emanating from the canyon as the day gets warmer. After walking you return to your chalet. (BLD) |
| Day 5-6: | Kruger National Park; game drives This morning, after breakfast, your route continues through forestry plantations down the escaprment into the warm lowveld to Kruger National Park (2 hours journey time to Kruger, plus game drive), one of the great natural sanctuaries of the world and a beautiful area of savannah bushveld broken by rocky outcrops and riverine forest. Cameras and binoculars at the ready, you make your way to your base for the next two days. You stay in the Southern, game rich, region of the park, so during your stay you’ll hopefully see much of the ‘big game’ of the park: elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard, and many more of the 147 species of mammal the park boasts. Bird lovers will delight in over 500 species including the beautiful lilac-breasted roller and African fish eagle, whose evocative cry is probably the best known of any African bird. After settling into your accommodation and enjoying lunch, there’s time to relax, take in your surroundings and enjoy the peace of the African bush. Mid-afternoon you take a game drive, perhaps to a water hole, and observe the animals coming down to drink after the heat of the day. You return to your base before dusk and enjoy your first ‘braai’ (barbecue) in the bush. Sitting around the fire you may hear the low roar of lion and the unearthly chatter of hyena. The following day you rise just before dawn to take an early morning game drive, when the animals are most active. You stop en route at a picnic spot to cook an eagerly awaited breakfast, no doubt under the watchful eye of the ubiquitous Cape glossy starling. Back at your base there’s time to laze in the midday heat and as the day cools, you take another short game drive before dinner when you’ll have a chance to relive the excitement of the wildlife spotted today. For those not wishing to miss out on the excitement of catching glimpses of the numerous nocturnal species that exist in the park, there is the option of a night game drive before dinner. National park chalets with shared ablution blocks - 2 nights (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2) |
| Day 7: | Swaziland; Malolotja Reserve Saying goodbye to Kruger, you pass plantations of sugar cane, mango and paw-paw and cross the border into the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland (total journey time approx. 9 hours, including game drives, a border stop and lunch. Time is dependent on which location we stay at in Kruger). The Swazi nation is one of the most handsome and colourfully dressed in Africa and its people are intensely proud of their country. After a pause for lunch, the drive to the western highlands soon leads you to the impressive Malolotja Nature Reserve. The area has been inhabited for hundreds of years; it is claimed that the park contains the oldest mine in the world - a red and black pigment mine which is 41,000 years old! Cabin (1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms) - 2 nights (BLD) |
| Day 8: | Swaziland; Malolotja Reserve walks Today is spent doing walks around the reserve. The superb mountain scenery, which you’ll explore on foot, qualifies Malalotja as one of the leading nature reserves in Southern Africa; the wildlife is a bonus! While you hike amongst its green hills, you can spot blesbok, mountain reed buck and endangered bird species, such as the blue swallow and bald ibis. (BLD) |
| Day 9: | St. Lucia Today’s journey to St. Lucia begins with a morning stop to explore Mbabane’s craft stalls where traditional Swazi grass mats, baskets, prints, cloths, wooden masks and ornaments tempt you to buy! Your journey (approx. 7 hours including your border crossing and stops) then continues eastward crossing the border back into South Africa heading through KwaZulu-Natal to the Zululand Coast stopping for lunch en route. St. Lucia Nature Reserve, which extends from the shores of Lake St. Lucia, through the forest and right down to the beach, is one of the largest wetlands in southern Africa. The offshore area is a Marine Reserve with a coral reef that positively teems with iridescent tropical fish; however the presence of the occasional shark means it’s unwise to bathe on unmarked beaches. Hippo and crocodile abound, despite which there are safe walking trails within the park. It may also be possible to take a boat trip (optional) to spot whales and dolphins. Holiday apartments - 3 nights (BLD) |
| Day 10: | St Lucia; Hluhluwe wildlife, Zulu village visit Today you head inland to the Hluhluwe National Park. This is one of the oldest game parks in the whole of Africa and here you have a good chance of seeing some big game. The reserve has a variety of habitats; hills and woodland to the north and thorn-veld to the south. The diversity of ecosystem is reflected in the diversity of wildlife. This is a stronghold of the southern white rhino and also of the nyala, a beautiful antelope. It is possible to see the ‘Big Five’ here but the predators are, as always, elusive. There are over 300 species of bird that have been spotted here, including the bateleur eagle. Whilst in the area you will visit a Zulu village where a walk through the foothills surrounding the park will highlight the lifestyle of the Zulu people, enabling you to learn about their traditions and culture.You return to St Lucia in the afternoon. (BLD) |
| Day 11: | St. Lucia; free day for optional activities Today is a free day for you to relax or enjoy some optional activities. There are some great beaches in this area, where you can swim, surf or rent kayaks. If you are feeling less energetic you can do more mundane things like some washing and catching up on your diary!! (BLD) |
| Day 12: | Dundee; Zulu Battlefields Today you head north east into the Battlefield region of KwaZulu-Natal (journey time approx. 4 hours). KwaZulu-Natal has a bloody history – for over 70 years first the Boers, and then the British struggled to defeat the Zulu nation, before they eventually turned on each other in the Boer War at the end of the 19th century. At Islandlwana, British troops suffered one of the greatest defeats in colonial history at the hands of rampaging Zulu warriors armed only with spears and shields. Across the Buffalo River at Rorke’s Drift, the British made a stand and succeeded in holding their field hospital against the attacking Zulu forces. The battle was made famous by the 1960 film starring Michael Caine. A guide can be hired locally (optional) to help bring alive the sights and sounds of the battle. Other nearby sites with evocative names, like Blood River or Spionkop, date from this same era. You will arrive around late afternoon to your lodge situated near the town of Dundee. Lodge – 1 night (BL) |
| Day 13: | Drakensberg Mountains; walks Today you drive (approx. 4 hours) through villages and rolling hills towards the great mountain escarpment the Zulus referred to as the ‘Barrier of Spears’ – the Drakensberg Mountains. Carved by many fast-flowing rivers, this area of waterfalls and silent, fern-filled forests is a paradise for hikers. Shared accommodation in chalet or tented lodge (1 bathroom shared between 2/3 rooms) - 2 nights (BLD) |
| Day 14: | Drakensberg Mountains; walks This area is spectacular and you have the whole day to explore. The many foot and bridle paths lead to magnificent viewpoints; there are proteas and other wild flowers, crystal clear mountain streams in which to swim and a wealth of birds including the bearded vulture or lammergeier, cape vulture and black eagle. One of the most popular walks is the Tugela Gorge Walk. The entire round trip is approx. 22 km, so it is a full day's hiking, but the scenery is worth it, as you make your way up the mountain to the "amphitheatre". There are also opportunities to see some of the 600 San Bushman rock art sites dotted throughout the park – a lasting legacy from the area’s original inhabitants. (BLD) |
| Day 15: | Drive to Johannesburg; Fly to London Your final morning in South Africa starts with a leisurely breakfast. You then pack the vehicle and head back to Johannesburg (approx. 5-6 hours). The trip ends here for Land Only clients, while those on the group flight to London catch an early evening you transfer to the airport. (BL) |
| Day 16: | Arrive in London |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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We support a project in this area to take disadvantaged local children to game parks so that they can experience a safari for themselves and learn about the conservation issues of their country. Our local agent works on this project in conjunction with the SOS children’s home in Ennerdale Johannesburg. The children spend a weekend in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve giving them a chance to see some of the wildlife indigenous to South Africa. It also introduces the children to conservation issues and hopefully will encourage some of them to go on and study conservation and the natural world in the future. Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel.
We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full.  We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you call. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |