Jo’burg to Durban Self Drive Tour via Kruger & Swaziland

July 16, 2019July 16, 2019admin

Summary of this Self Drive Tour

Experience the natural splendour of Swaziland and South Africa’s Kruger National Park and KwaZulu-Natal Province. Travel independently, exploring at your own pace on this nine-day self drive tour. Follow our suggested schedule, get us to tailor-make your tour or create your own program. We will provide all accommodation and rental car bookings – and offer our expert recommendations for the best attractions along the way – but of course, you are entirely free to plan each day of your self drive holiday, as you prefer.

Highlights include a drive through the spectacular Blyde River Canyon, big game viewing in the iconic Kruger National Park, experiencing the colourful culture and traditions of the Kingdom of Swaziland, and a boat cruise across the stunning waterscape of St Lucia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Itinerary for this Tour

Please Note: This self drive tour package is merely a sample itinerary that can be tailored for your Swaziland and South Africa holiday.

Self Drive Tour Highlights

Panorama Route: Drive from Johannesburg to the Kruger National Park traversing the spectacular South African highveld, encompassing the spectacular Blyde River Canyon on the Panorama Route.
Kruger National Park: Experience the wonder of South Africa’s most famous and iconic game park, where you can view almost every African animal imaginable, including lion, elephant, cheetah and rhino.
Swaziland: Cross the South African border into the mountain kingdom of Swaziland and experience incredible landscapes and seven separate African cultures.
St Lucia: Take a boat cruise across the blue waters of iSimangaliso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its natural significance and incredible beauty.

Day 1: Johannesburg to Graskop – South Africa

Once you have arrived at OR Tambo International Airport, pick up your rental vehicle at the Avis Car Hire Depot, then head out of Johannesburg to the South African province of Mpumalanga, through a landscape of panoramic mountain passes, picturesque mountains, lush valleys, waterfalls and bushveld. Stay for the night in Graskop, a small town and hub of local forestry on the edge of South Africa’s escarpment that is the unofficial gateway to the Kruger National Park. Spend the remainder of the first day of your self drive holiday relaxing and enjoying the stillness of the deep African bush.

Accommodation: Graskop Hotel (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and a restaurant), or similar.

Day 2 & 3: Hazyview, Panorama Route & Kruger Park – South Africa

Begin the day with a drive through the aptly named Panorama Route in Mpumalanga province, widely regarded as one of the most stunning places to visit across the whole of South Africa. Savour the incredible vistas of the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest in the world, teeming with wildlife and lush vegetation, and offering the opportunity to visit God’s Window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Take your time and stop to admire the views in peace – one of the perks of doing a self-drive trip.

Prepare for the following day, when you will visit the iconic Kruger National Park. South Africa’s most famous and popular game park, a wildlife safari in Kruger promises to be one of the most unforgettable experiences on your self-drive tour! Embarking on a self-guided safari also has its perks, like choosing your own routes, setting your own pace and enjoying the tranquillity of the African bush.

Accommodation: Cassa Do Sol (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant), or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Mhlambanyatsi – Swaziland

Visit the Kruger National Park first or go straight across the border into mountainous, landlocked Swaziland, ruled by King Mswati III, one of only three remaining monarchs in Africa. Explore the traditions and culture of the Swazi nation, which includes seven different cultural groups. In Swaziland, you’ll encounter a more traditional African way of life, presenting interesting cultural experiences. Take the opportunity to visit the Ngwena Glass Factory, producers of many different and wonderful glass creations including miniature animals and themed wine glasses.

Accommodation: Foresters Arms (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant), or similar.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 & 6: Mkhuze – South Africa

Return to South Africa, crossing the border into the northern reaches of the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, where you will continue on to Ghost Mountain Inn, situated at the foot of the eponymous Ghost Mountain. With this as your base, you’re welcome to participate in several optional game-viewing excursions, including an open vehicle game drive through Mkhuze Game Reserve, guided walks, excursions to cultural attractions and a boat cruise. Enjoy the freedom of creating your own program of activities and setting your own pace.

Accommodation: Ghost Mountain Inn (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant), or similar.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: St Lucia & iSimangaliso Wetland Park – South Africa

Next, your self drive tour takes you southwest through the emerald Kwa-Zulu hinterland to iSimangaliso Wetland Park, just outside the picturesque coastal resort of St Lucia. iSimangaliso, South Africa’s first-ever World Heritage Site, offers you the chance to embark on a boat cruise across the St Lucia estuary, where you will get up close and personal with the crocodiles and hippos that call the lake their home (optional).

Accommodation: Lidiko Lodge (rooms with en-suite bathrooms and swimming pool), or similar.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Ballito – South Africa

From St Lucia, take an incredibly scenic drive through the rolling hills and sugar cane plantations of the North Coast to Durban, where you’ll be entertained by a plethora of attractions or may choose to simply relax on the golden sands of the city’s many wonderful beaches.

Accommodation: Riverside Hotel (rooms, en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant), or similar.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Durban – South Africa

Following breakfast at your hotel in Durban, you will depart for King Shaka International Airport. Here you hand over your rental vehicle in time to catch your onward flight, bringing this scenic self drive tour of South Africa and Swaziland to a close.

Meals: Breakfast

Pre-Departure Tour Information

Please take note of the following travel information and requirements:

Tour Transport

This South Africa self drive trip encompasses vehicle rental of a VW Polo Vivo or similar (Avis Car Hire Group B). This includes Premium Insurance, which covers theft and collision damage waiver, personal accident insurance, unlimited mileage, location surcharge, third party liability insurance, general public liability insurance, tourism levy, VAT and claim admin fee, tyre, rim and hubcap damage, windscreen damage/repair, sandblasting damage, water and undercarriage damage.

This insurance does not include fuel, refundable rental deposit, rental contract fee, one-way drop off charges and equipment charges, delivery and collection fees, traffic fine administration fee, additional driver, child safety seats, GPS navigation, additional spare tyre rental or deposit.

Tour Accommodation

We utilise mid-market or standard African lodge accommodation on this self drive package. These will be a variety of lodge types, which will come with en-suite bathrooms. Some also feature restaurants, bars and entertainment areas and swimming pools.

Tour Meals

Breakfast will be available in the restaurants or dining areas of the accommodation establishments. If you have any special dietary requirements, please notify us ahead of time.

Tourist Visas

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have applied for and received in good order any visas you may require to legally enter South African and Swaziland before your tour departure date.

Travel Insurance

Kindly note that travel and cancellation insurance is a mandatory requirement for all of our guests and obtaining this insurance is your sole responsibility. You must ensure that you arrange insurance with protection for the entirety of your trip covering personal injury, damage and loss of personal items, such as but not limited to cameras and other electronic items and accessories, loss or theft of luggage, medical costs, repatriation costs, etcetera. For more information see our Travel Insurance guide or talk to one of our travel experts for assistance with obtaining suitable travel insurance.