Wildlife Safari & Beach Holiday – South Africa, Swaziland & Mozambique – I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy." Ernest Hemingway

Wildlife Safari & Beach Holiday – South Africa, Swaziland & Mozambique

July 16, 2019July 16, 2019admin

Summary of this Budget Safari Package

This nine-day, three country tour takes us on a wildlife safari in Kruger National Park, on a quick foray into the Kingdom of Swaziland and some relaxation on Ponta do Ouro beach in Mozambique. From there we return to South Africa and the pristine iSimangaliso Wetland Park, before ending our tour in Durban.

This tour offers adventure activities from wildlife viewing drives, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, swimming with dolphins, as well as some relaxation on Mozambique’s white, sandy beaches.

Our visit to Swaziland is an opportunity to learn more about the culture and traditions of this African nation.

Travel in comfort through southeastern Africa, camping in two-man dome tents in safari style on this Southern Africa holiday.

Itinerary for this Tour

Highlights

Go wildlife viewing in world-famous Kruger National Park
Travel through scenic Swaziland
Learn more of the traditions and culture of the Swazi nation
Relax on Mozambique’s tropical beaches
Marvel at beautiful St Lucia – a World Heritage Site

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 take a break in our journey so guests may enjoy brunch (own account) before continuing to our campsite near Kruger National Park.

The early afternoon is spent settling into the 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 campsite 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 will interpret the bush and explain the animal’s behaviour.

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 our Kruger safari comes to an end as we journey south to the border of Swaziland.

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 cross the border and head to the Maguga Dam, constructed as a joint venture between South Africa and Komati Basin Water Authority and completed in 2001.

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

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

Day 4: Swaziland

Swaziland (re-named to Eswatini in 2018) 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 Ngwenya Glass Factory, famous for maintaining the age-old art of glassblowing, the traditional villages and the market near the capital city of Mbabane.

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

We return to Maguga Dam for a second night.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5: Swaziland to Mozambique

On Day Five we travel further east into Mozambique and to the coastal resort of Ponta do Ouro crossing the border at Goba.

We arrive in the early afternoon so there is time after setting up camp to explore the resort and plan tomorrow’s beach activities.

This quaint, small town with its white beaches, azure waters, dune forests and open-air market offers a variety of adventures to keep visitors happy. Choose from snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming with dolphins, deep-sea fishing and, in season, turtle watching.

The market, ‘cantinas’ (small shops) and enthusiastic curio sellers will satisfy your shopping requirements.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Travel: 340 km

Day 6: Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique

The whole of today is free to enjoy the delights of Ponta do Ouro.

You may choose to participate in any of the activities on offer (own expense) or just spend the day relaxing on the white sandy beaches.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7: Ponta do Ouro to St Lucia, South Africa

We have a free morning to work on our tan before we leave Ponta do Ouro and head back to the border with South Africa at Kosi Bay, just a short 10 km drive. Once back in South Africa we take a break to admire Kosi Bay which is located in the northern sector of iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

An estuary of lakes linked by channels, this rich tapestry has been described as the last haven of untouched African paradise. It is a wonderland of blue sea and dazzling white beaches, wetlands and lakes and reed channels, raffia palm forests and mangrove swamps.

From here we turn inland and continue our journey to St Lucia, our destination for the next two days.

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.

The afternoon is yours free to explore this wonderland and find out more about the activities on offer, in preparation for our free day tomorrow.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Travel: 260 km

Day 8: St Lucia, South Africa

Today after breakfast we head out for a day of activities (own expense).

There are many activities to choose from, which include:

Wildlife viewing drives
A tour to Cape Vidal, great for beach and sea activities, including turtle watching in season.
There are boat cruises available, particularly for hippo and croc viewing
Enjoy a Zulu cultural evening

End a busy day with dinner in one of the town’s restaurants (own expense).