WIld Kingdom

On arrival in Johannesburg at OR Tambo International Airport, you’ll be met by your representative and transferred to your hotel. Johannesburg is the largest and most populous city in South Africa. It is also the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade, due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is at leisure and unescorted. Why not enjoy a sightseeing tour or simply relax at your hotel?

Late night arrival at Protea Hotel Wanderers is a stylish hotel in the heart of Johannesburg’s popular suburb of Illovo. Ideally located, it offers easy access to a number of excellent shopping and dining alternatives. It consists of 229 modern, air-conditioned rooms with sound-proofed windows, satellite TV, free Wi-Fi and en-suite bathrooms. Warm earthy tones, elegant decor and harmonious designs compliment the exceptional and intuitive service of this elegant city hotel.

Meet in the lobby at 17h00 for a briefing with your tour guide to hear about the adventures ahead. 

Depart Johannesburg after breakfast and head for Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city, for a short orientation tour, before continuing to the Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country”. Dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld, we travel via the historic towns of Dullstroom and Lydenburg. After traversing the famous Long Tom Pass, we travel via Sabie and arrive late afternoon in Hazyview, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park. [Breakfast]

Located in Hazyview, a ten-minute drive away from the Kruger National Park, Perry’s Bridge Hollow is situated around the Perry’s Bridge Trading Post with its restaurants, bar, adventure centre and working brewery. This upmarket hotel is perfectly placed for exploration of this exciting cultural and Big 5 game region. The rooms, with their colonial décor but thoroughly modern amenities, are spacious and comfortable. Guests do not have to go far for exceptionally good food as the on-site Kuka Restaurant & Cocktail Bar is specialised in sumptuous Afro-chic meals. Guests will be spoilt for choice when it comes to activities, ranging from game drives into the nearby Kruger National Park, exploring the region on horseback, to helicopter trips, golfing, hiking, birding or getting into the local spirit with a night of song and dance at the Shangaan River Club. Facilities at the hotel include a swimming pool and wireless Internet access.

After an early morning breakfast, we’ll drive along the spectacular “Panorama Route”, offering views of amazing scenery including the 26 kilometre-long Blyde River Canyon (home to the Three Rondavels), Bourke’s Luck Potholes and historic God’s Window, a breathtaking view (weather permitting) of the edge of the escarpment taking in the Kruger National Park. We arrive back in Hazyview in the early afternoon, where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or join an afternoon game experience (optional & for own account). 

The day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a thrilling open-vehicle safari (with English speaking game ranger) through Kruger National Park with pre-packed breakfast. Kruger is one of the world’s greatest national parks, home to a stunning array of wildlife. Search for the Big 5 (rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant) as well as prolific birdlife and numerous other game. The afternoon is at leisure at your hotel. Late afternoon open-vehicle game drives are available (optional & for own account). 

This morning we travel to Swaziland, an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience introduces us to the charming people of Swaziland and their traditions. We travel via the capital city, Mbabane, and on to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for a true African shopping experience at the Ezulwini Craft Market which is packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings. Overnight in Swaziland. 

After breakfast we will continue south through Swaziland, before re-entering South Africa. Travel into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. There is an option to enjoy an afternoon open vehicle safari (optional & for own account with an English speaking game ranger) in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhino. Overnight in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi region. 

Following breakfast this morning join a cruise on Lake St Lucia (weather permitting) before departing for Durban.  The journey travels past traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields.  

Arrive in the early afternoon to Durban.  Airport departures or extend your stay 

Optional Extension: Garden Route Uncovered.  

And/or continue to Cape Town for a 3 night Cape Town Sampler