SILVER CLASS WILDLIFE DISCOVERY – 5 Days Johannesburg to Durban
Tour Information:
- Days: 5 Days and 4 Nights
- Min/Max Participants: Two / Seven
- Departure: Monday – Sandton hotels at 07h30
- Accommodation: Upper 3 Star hotels and private lodges
- Flights: No flights required between Johannesburg and Durban.
- Vehicle: Luxury Touring Sedan / Luxury Microbus
- Driver/Guide: Services of THETA registered driver/guide throughout tour. Game drives with experienced rangers.
- Languages Available: English – German. Other language guides available on request, booked on a private basis.
- Visa/Passport: Multiple entry visas for South Africa where applicable. For Swaziland entry, passport and visa conditions apply.
Highlights at a Glance
Sabie • Panorama Route • Pilgrim’s Rest • God’s Window • Blyde River Canyon • Bourkes Luck Potholes • Kruger National Park • Swaziland • KwaZulu-Natal • Hluhluwe Game Reserve • St Lucia • Durban
ITINERARY
Day 1: Johannesburg – Mpumalanga – Dullstroom – Sabie
Depart Johannesburg and travel to Mpumalanga, (‘Place where the Sun rises’). Today’s route takes us via the historic towns of Witbank, Dullstroom and Lydenburg. Continue along the Long Tom Pass to the quaint town of Sabie. Visit the Lone Creek Waterfalls before arriving at your elegant hideaway.
Lone Creek River Lodge (Timber Cottages) or similar – bed and breakfast basis
Day 2: Kruger National Park
After an early morning breakfast, enter the world famous Kruger National Park, unrivalled for its diversity of flora, fauna and bird life, seeking the Big Five. Leave the park and continue to your private game lodge. Arrive in time for afternoon tea, followed by your evening game drive in an open safari vehicle. Return to the lodge for dinner under the stars (weather permitting).
Makalali Private Game Lodge or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis + 2 game viewing activities
Day 3: Panorama Route
After an early morning bush walk or game drive and breakfast leave the lodge and travel via the Panorama Route, featuring the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window and Mac Mac Waterfalls. Arrive at your overnight destination in the late afternoon.
Protea Hotel Kruger Gate or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis
Day 4: Nelspruit – Swaziland – Kwazulu-Natal
After breakfast enter the Kruger National Park. Exit the park and travel to the Kingdom of Swaziland. The scenic drive winds through the Lebombo mountains, Mbabane, Manzini and the sugar cane areas of Big Bend. Re-enter South Africa near the town of Mkuze and commence to your hotel in the town of Hluhluwe.
Protea Hotel Hluhluwe and Safaris or similar – dinner, bed and breakfast basis
Day 5: Safari – St Lucia – Durban
Early morning breakfast followed by a game drive in a closed vehicle in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Visit iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site (previously known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park). Enjoy a river cruise on the estuary. Highlights include prolific wetlands bird life, Fish eagles, hippo and crocodiles. Continue south along the Indian Ocean coastline, arriving in the bustling city of Durban during the late afternoon.
Drop off at your hotel, Protea Hotel Shakaland for add night or Durban International Airport.
Recommended Add-Night: TISD 01 Add Night – Spend an additional night at Shakaland – a traditional Zulu ‘Umuzi’ or homestead, the home of the Zulus and luxury ‘beehive hut’ accommodation. A unique resort built on the set of the motion picture Shaka Zulu and John Ross. Feel the pulsating rhythm of mysterious and magical Africa as you re-live the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus, in this authentic re-creation of the Great Kraal overlooking the Phobane Lake.
Protea Hotel Shakaland (subject to accommodation availability) – dinner, bed and breakfast basis
Day 6: Durban
After breakfast enjoy an enriching experience affording a better understanding of the Zulu nation, its people and their intriguing customs. Highlights include: the sight of assegaai-wielding warriors, sharing the fascinating secrets of the Sangomas and witnessing traditional customs such as tribal dancing, spear-making and the beer-drinking ceremonies.
Mid-morning departure to Durban for drop off at your hotel or Durban International Airport.