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South Africa Walking Adventure

South Africa

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$2,499/person

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Book this tour through our partner: World Expeditions

Explore the best of South Africa on foot from the Drakensberg Mountains to Zululand and the kingdom of Swaziland (eSwatini), with a search for big game in Kruger National Park

Itinerary

Join Johannesburg, early morning drive to Mpumalanga (420 kms; 6-7 hrs)

After the tour briefing at 06:30am, we depart Johannesburg and head east towards Mpumalanga. During the afternoon we visit the gold mining town of Pilgrims Rest, and the viewpoint over God’s Window. Stretch our legs on a short walk from Mac Mac Pools and then make our way to our chalets on the edge of the escarpment for overnight. Walk grade/time: Easy; 1 hr.NB: Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be provided by the lodge.

Blyde River Canyon

Blyde River Canyon is our first long morning walk as we make our way from the rim down into the canyon with views over the Three Sisters and the river below. After lunch we spend the afternoon exploring the forests and waterfalls which make Mpumalanga a beautiful destination. Overnight chalet. Walk grade/time: Moderate; 3.5-4 hrs. NB: Breakfast and Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be provided by the lodge.

Kruger National Park (250 kms; 3-4 hrs)

After an early breakfast, we make our way to Kruger National Park. This is Big game country, where we spend the day in search of the elusive leopard, the majestic lion and the mighty elephant. We enter the national park and spend the day on an exciting game drive through the reserve as your professional guides will impart their extensive knowledge of ecology, fauna and flora. In the late afternoon we exit the park and make our way to our private game lodge in the Greater Kruger area. A highlight of our tour is the early morning game walk with a local ranger the next day (3-4 hrs). Quietly we venture into the bush, learning the tracks and other signs of the wildlife we hope to track on foot. Overnight lodge. Walk grade/time: Easy; 3-4 hrs.Day 3: Breakfast and Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be provided by the lodge.Day 4: Breakfast and Dinner will be provided by the lodge; Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Kingdom of Swaziland / eSwatini (200 kms; 3 hrs)

We enter the Kingdom of Swaziland (eSwatini) and travel through a lush fruit farming area before heading into the mountains. We spend 2 nights on the outskirts of Malalotja Nature Reserve with a full day to walk through this seldom explored mountainous reserve to a beautiful waterfall. The Swazi people have a rich cultural heritage and we will visit the craft markets on day 7 as we pass through the capital, Mbabane. Overnight mountain chalet. Walk grade/time: Strenuous; 4-6 hrs.NOTE - Driving distance/time (200 kms, 3 hrs) excludes 2-3 hour morning drive out of Kruger National Park, shopping stop in Malelane, Jeppes Reef border formalities & stops for meals, sightseeing etc.Day 5: Breakfast & Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge.Day 6: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge.

Hluhluwe Game Reserve and Msinene River (400 kms; 6 hrs)

We cross back into South Africa and head towards our lodge on a private game reserve situated in the Msinene Nature Reserve (previously called Ukuwela Conservancy). We take a walk with our local guide who will point out some of the 540+ bird species found in the area, and track the shy Nyala antelope in the riverine vegetation of the Msinene River. On Day 8, we will visit the Hluhluwe Game Reserve where rhino conservation has been a priority, and visit a Zulu village to learn more about their culture. Overnight permanent safari camp. Walk grade/time: Easy; 2-3 hrs.NOTE - Driving distance/time (400 kms, 6 hrs) excludes border formalities & stops for meals, sightseeing etc.NB: Breakfast & Dinner will be provided by the lodge; Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Zululand (350 kms; 5.5 hrs)

We make our way through the scenic hills and valleys of Zululand to the small town of Dundee. Here battles were fought between the Zulus, British and the Boer troops - war cries still resound in the hills. We spend time at the informative Tulana museum before we settle into our lodge and have some free time in the afternoon. On Day 10, we explore the Islandlwana battlefield before we embark on an exciting hike tracing the steps of the two British fugitives through the undulating hills of Zululand to the Buffalo River. Later in the day we visit Rourkes Drift before returning to our accommodation. Overnight chalet. Walk grade/time: Strenuous; 4-5 hrs.NB: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal in lodge restaurant).

Drakensberg Mountains (180 kms; 2.5 hrs)

Witness the grandeur of the Drakensberg Mountains or uKhahlamba “Barrier of Spears”. We overnight at the base of the “berg” (alt. 1,600m) and spend a full day walking the mountain trails up the Tugela gorge, before taking an invigorating dip in the clear mountain streams of the Royal Natal National Park. The crisp mountain air is refreshing and our accommodation is a fantastic place to relax and enjoy the splendour of the mountain views. Overnight chalet. Walk grade/time: Moderate; 5.5 hrs.Day 11: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.Day 12: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Ascend the Amphitheatre, Drakensberg Mountains (120 kms; 2 hrs)

We start the day with an early breakfast and make our way to Witsieshoek at the foot of the magnificent Sentinel Peak. At the end of a rough gravel road we start our trek, including two short chain ladder sections, to the top of the Drakensberg Amphitheatre and the beautiful Tugela Falls (alt. 3,000m), offering unparalleled views down into KwaZulu-Natal. After our walk we make our way to our accommodation perched high in the mountains (alt. 2,300m) overlooking the Mont-Aux-Sources mountain range. Overnight chalet. Walk grade/time: Strenuous; 5-6 hrs.NB: Breakfast & Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal in lodge restaurant).

Drive to Johannesburg (360 kms; 5 hrs)

A leisurely start to the day, with the chance to spot the endangered bearded vulture soaring overhead, before we make our way back to Johannesburg. Our tour ends at approximately 18:00 in Johannesburg. Please note: we can do a free drop off at OR Tambo Johannesburg Airport at around 17:00pm so you can book your flight out for the last day of the tour. NB: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Additional Information

This spectacular journey offers the perfect mix of walking, game viewing and history amongst the stunning diverse landscapes of the northern region of South Africa. During a series of selected day walks of varying grades, we explore the Drakensberg Mountains which is the highest range in South Africa, including a strenuous ascent of the Amphitheatre. We undertake mountain walks and cultural sightseeing along the Mpumalanga Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon and Zululand, and visit the fascinating kingdom of Swaziland (eSwatini). Our South Africa adventure is complete with a game walk and game drives in search of the 'Big Five' in the renowned Kruger National Park.

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Starting From

$2,499/person

Book Now

Details

Duration

14 Days

Starts

South Africa

Group Size

4-12

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