Kruger & Swaziland South Africa Tour - 8 Days 7 Nights

Discover the hidden gems of Kruger and Swaziland and visit Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Umfolozi Game Reserve and Kruger National Park!

Johannesburg, South Africa

Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights

Max Group Size
20

Minimum Age
12 years

Languages
English and German

Meals
Included

Start & End Location
Johannesburg to Durban

What's Included

2 Crew
Transport
Meals: 7 Breakfast, 3 Lunch, 7 Dinner
Accommodation (camping or two person room)
WHERE WE VISIT
Kruger National Park
Mpumalanga
Panorama Route
Swaziland
Ezulwini Valley
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
St Lucia
Hluhluwe
Umfolozi Game Reserve
Kwa Zulu Natal Coast
Durban
iSimangaliso Wetland Park

What's excluded

Items of a personal nature (snacks, alcohol, bottled water, soft drinks, tips)
Entrance fees (associated with optional activities)
Souvenirs
Activity packages and optional activities
Sleeping bag

What to Expect

If you’re looking for “safari”, this tour has it all! Departing from Johannesburg, you'll head east through the coalfield of Mpumalanga towards Kruger National Park. The Kruger is home to the famed members of Africa’s Big-5, so keep your eyes peeled! You'll also stop in at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary in Swaziland and see the highlights of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels and God’s Window along the Panorama route. Along the way, stop at Hluhluwe National Park in KwaZulu-Natal and Isimangaliso Wetland Park!

Day 1: Greater Kruger National Park (dinner)
Accommodated: Two per Permanent tent with En-suite Bathroom - Nkambeni Reserve

Camping: campsite with shared washrooms - Nkambeni Reserve

Leaving the city of Johannesburg behind us we make our way east through the coalfields of Mpumalanga. Our journey today follows in the footsteps of the old trade routes to the Lowveld and the Kruger National Park. This afternoon there will be an opportunity to join an optional Sundowner Drive, booking is essential and your guide can assist on departure this morning.

*Please note that it is possible that your crew and truck will change today. Please report to the hotel reception to meet your crew for your 07:00 departure.

Day 2: Kruger National Park (breakfast, dinner)
Accommodated: Two per Permanent tent with En-suite Bathroom - Nkambeni Reserve

Camping: campsite with shared washrooms - Nkambeni Reserve

Rising early this morning we enter the Kruger National Park to enjoy a full day of game viewing. The abundance of wildlife presents us with opportunities for excellent sightings and the Kruger is also home to the famed members of Africa’s Big-5. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Our activity package offers the added excitement of experiencing the park from an open-sided 4×4 vehicle. This evening there is a second opportunity for the optional Sundowner Drive.

Day 3: Kruger National Park (breakfast, lunch)
Accommodated: Two per Permanent tent with En-suite Bathroom - Nkambeni Reserve

Camping: campsite with shared washrooms - Nkambeni Reserve

While those who elect to do the optional morning walk will have an earlier start, we set out a little later today and travel the short distance to the Panorama Route. Strung along the escarpment that divides the central plateau and low-lying bushveld of the Kruger, the sights of the Panorama route offer us a day of scenic delights. We will visit the highlights of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels, and God’s Window before returning to camp in the late afternoon.

Day 4: Kruger to Swaziland (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Accommodated: Two per room with En-suite Bathroom - Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary or Hlane Royal National Park

Camping: campsite with shared washrooms - Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary or Hlane Royal National Park

We start the day early with some traditional coffee and rusks before setting off through Kruger on our way to Swaziland. Our truck offers an excellent platform for game viewing as we make our way south.

Exit the southern end of the park and travel the short distance to Swaziland border, our route this afternoon winds through the mountains and forests of this landlocked kingdom.

Our destination for today is the Ezulwini Valley just south of the capital Mbabane.

Day 5: Swaziland - Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Accommodated: Two per room with En-suite Bathroom - Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary or Hlane Royal National Park

Camping: campsite with shared washrooms - Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary or Hlane Royal National Park

This morning our guide will lead us out on a nature walk to explore the “Nature Trail" which provides interpretation of historical and environmental information of the area. There's also the chance for endless hours of self-guided exploration, due to the relative absence of dangerous game here.

Later this morning, we embark on a 2-hour guided walk through the Esijeni community, allowing us a glimpse of life on a day-to-day basis. This interactive experience could involve grinding maize, carrying water, building a wall or washing clothes in the stream.

Day 6: Swaziland - St Lucia (breakfast, dinner)

Accommodated: Two per room with En-suite Bathroom - Shonalanga

Camping: Two per room with En-suite Bathroom - Shonalanga

We bid farewell to Swaziland and re-enter South Africa, continuing south into the reaches of Zululand, once the realm of the mighty King Shaka
who united the Zulu clans.

This evening we are treated to a cultural experience where we will learn more of the Zulu traditions and language.

Day 7: Hluhluwe - Umfolozi Game Reserve - iSimangaliso Wetland Park (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Accommodated: Two per room with En-suite Bathroom - Shonalanga

Camping: Two per room with En-suite Bathroom - Shonalanga

We set out early this morning for a game drive in the nearby Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, one of the last strongholds of the endangered rhinoceros. While rhinoceros are the most famous of the park's inhabitants, the park also provides a home to many other species, including the Big-5 that we all hope to see.

Returning to our lodging for a siesta, we freshen up for an afternoon boat cruise on St Lucia estuary.

Day 8 - Kwa Zulu Natal Coast – Durban (breakfast)
Own accommodation.

Upon arrival in the bustling city of Durban, your tour will come to an end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please be sure to arrive 1 day before your tour is due to depart. This will avoid any unforeseen problems.

Meals listed on the itinerary are included. Vegetarians can be catered for and we do our best to offer a varied menu. Our guides can produce miracles on a camp-stove but please remember that they are cooking for the whole group on two gas burners. Special dietary requirements can be catered for, but only by special request. In East Africa it is more difficult to cater to certain requirements.

On our camping tours you will be staying in two-man dome tents. We supply a mattress and you supply your own sleeping bag.
The accommodated tours stay in traditional huts, permanent tented camps and hotel rooms, the majority of these are ensuite.

Please ensure you have the relevant vaccinations. Proof of inoculation is required on certain tours.

Policies

Terms & Conditions:

Nomad will accept a maximum of two children between the ages of 13 to 15 years on any tour without requesting permission from agents or clients. If more children want to join a tour once the maximum has been reached, this will be allowed on a request basis.
Children between the ages of 8 – 12 years will be accepted to travel with Nomad on a request basis only.
No children under 8 years of age may travel on Nomad’s scheduled tours.
Passengers can bring one bag (backpack or soft bag, and not a suitcase) that weighs not more than 20 kilograms, and a daypack.

Cancellation Policy:

Should a client cancel a booking 60 days or less prior to the date of departure of the tour for any reason (except due to death or hospitalization), the client shall be liable to pay a cancellation penalty. The cancellation penalty is calculated by having regard to the nature of the booking, length of notice of cancellation and reasonable potential to find alternative customers.
More than 60 Days: No fee applies
30 - 60 Days: 50% of the tour price
10 - 29 Days: 75% of the tour price
0 - 09 Days: 90% of the tour price