Kruger to Swaziland & Durban South Africa Camping Safari

July 16, 2019July 16, 2019admin

Summary of this Budget Safari Package

This small group tour of South Africa begins with a safari in the world-famous Kruger National Park, home to the Big 5 of Africa, as well as many other wildlife species and prolific birdlife. We go wildlife viewing here in an open safari vehicle, which offers ideal viewing and is great for photo opportunities.

Moving on to the Kingdom of Swaziland, we explore the surrounds of Mbabane, the capital of the country and learn more about the Swazi culture and traditions on visits to the market and traditional villages.

Back in South Africa, we travel to the coast and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean at St Lucia, part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, where we enjoy some of the many optional activities on offer here. This diverse area offers deep-sea fishing tours, horse-riding, cruises on the St Lucia estuary and much more or you may want to just chill on the beach at Cape Vidal.

From here we travel along the coast to Durban where our Kruger to Swaziland & Durban South Africa Camping Safari ends.

Itinerary for this Tour

Highlights:

Wildlife viewing in Kruger National Park
Visit Swaziland, steeped in tradition and culture.
Marvel at St Lucia Lake, part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Enjoy some adventure activities in St Lucia.
Travel through the scenic South Eastern section of South Africa and scenic Swaziland

Day 1: Johannesburg to Kruger National Park, South Africa

Leaving Johannesburg behind we travel, in our comfortable microbus, through the scenic Lowveld en-route to Kruger National Park. We pause on our journey so guests may enjoy brunch (own account) before continuing to our campsite near Kruger National Park.

The early afternoon is spent settling in at our camp, enjoying some relaxation around the pool before embarking on a sunset wildlife viewing drive in the African bush, going in search of the abundant wildlife inhabiting this expansive park.

Our open vehicle is ideal for spotting the wildlife, which in the late afternoon is taking refreshment at the waterholes before settling for the night. We break our search to enjoy sundowners as we watch, what will undoubtedly be, a spectacular African sunset.

Heading back to our lodge for a welcome dinner we keep an eye out for the nocturnal animals, particularly the elusive leopard, as they emerge from their daily rest to go in search of their dinner.

Our evening is spent around the campfire, in safari style, chatting with our fellow travellers.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Dinner
Travel: 340 km

Day 2: Kruger National Park, South Africa

We have a full day of wildlife viewing today in an open safari vehicle with a local, knowledgable guide travelling mostly around the Skukuza area of Kruger National Park.

Your experienced guide is extremely knowledgeable and will interpret the bush and explain the animal’s behaviour, enhancing your wildlife experience.

Although not guaranteed, there is every chance of sighting the Big 5 and much more including exceptional birdlife.

Lunch is taken at one of the rest camps in the park for the guests’ own account.

Back at our camp, there is time to freshen up and relax before enjoying dinner and an evening around the campfire under unpolluted, starry skies.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3: Kruger National Park to Swaziland

Today we leave Kruger National Park and journey south to the border of Swaziland (recently re-named Eswatini) and Jeppes Reef where we enter the country.

This tiny landlocked country, one of the smallest in Africa, has diverse landscapes ranging from the mountains along the Mozambican border to savannas in the east and rain forest in the northwest.

We camp at a site overlooking Maguga Dam, constructed as a joint venture between South Africa and Komati Basin Water Authority.

This is an ideal pit stop between Kruger Park and Mbabane and we spend tonight camping on a site overlooking the dam. We have a free afternoon so a boat trip on the dam is an option or just relax at camp.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Travel: 220 km

Day 4: Swaziland

Swaziland has a rich cultural heritage reflected in their annual ceremonies, which include music, food, architecture, religion and kinship.

The most important cultural event is the incwala ceremony held in December. As well as celebrating the harvest it celebrates the King too.

If there is no king, there is no incwala ceremony and it’s high treason to hold a celebration when there is no king.

We spend the day exploring, visiting the famous Ngwenya Glass Factory, where beautiful glassware and animals are created from recycled glass in the age-old tradition of glassblowing. We spend time visiting the traditional villages and the market near the capital city of Mbabane, where many colourful mementoes of your tour are available to purchase.

Lunch is for guests’ own account at the local market.

After an interesting, informative and colourful day, we return to Maguga Dam campsite for a second night.

Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5: Swaziland to St Lucia, South Africa

On Day 5 we travel from Maguga Dam, through Mbabane and to the border where we cross back into South Africa. Continuing south through Pongola Game Reserve and the Hluhluwe Park to St Lucia, situated in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Lake St Lucia, the heart of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, is the focal point of this UNESCO World Heritage Listing. At 80 km long and 23 km at its widest point, Lake St Lucia is home to more than 50% of all birdlife in KZN, which feed, roost and nest in this estuary.

More than 2180 species of flowering plants have been documented here and it is home to many species of antelope such as waterbuck, reedbuck, kudu, nyala, impala and duiker.

Truly another of South Africa’s treasures, St Lucia earns its keep over and over providing livestock grazing on the floodplain, a harvest of raw materials and creating jobs and income from the annual 510 000 tourists who visit this area each year.

We spend the night in a lodge and prepare for a day full of exploration and activities tomorrow.

Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Travel: 400 km

Day 6: St Lucia, South Africa

Today guests have the whole day free to enjoy some of the optional exciting activities (own expense) available in St Lucia.

It’s a smorgasbord from whale watching, deep sea fishing, a full day of wildlife viewing in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, a boat cruise or a full day trip to Cape Vidal – a coastal nature reserve and an ideal location for swimming, snorkelling and other water activities. Try horse riding, a turtle tour, kayaking, scuba diving – there is surely something for everyone.

Lunch (own expense) is at one of the local restaurants.

This evening our guide prepares a traditional South African meal for us at the lodge.