DAY TO DAY PROGRAM: 14 days/13 nights.

1st day: Johannesburg
After your arrival at Johannesburg Int. Airport, you will be met by a representative who will hand you your travel documents and assist with the formalities of your car hire, before you set off to your first accommodation. Alternatively you can choose to be transferred to your accommodation and have your car delivered at your accommodation the next morning. After you acclimatised, you can explore Johannesburg;

Optional you can go on a guided city tour, visiting historical landmarks in Johannesburg.

2nd day: After breakfast, you will be collected for the start of your guided tour to the Cradle of Humankind – a World Heritage Site. The Cradle of Humankind comprises a strip of a dozen dolomitic  limestone caves containing the fossilised remains of ancient forms of animals, plants and most importantly, hominids.
Our  tour takes us to the Sterkfontein caves ,the world’s richest hominid site, renowned for studies on fossilized fauna, wood and stone used in the past .Maropeng – the origins , a visitor centre in the cradle gives an insight into the history of the area and panoramic views of the cradle can be experienced. Still in the cradle, we visit either the Wonder Caves ,a natural wonder 2 200million years old or the old Kromdraai  Gold mine, one of the oldest Gold mines in the reef dating back to 1881.

Optional: you can choose to go on a guided tour into Soweto, a former Township, and now a thriving City. For today, you will live the “township” life. You can listen to Kwaito; South Africa's answer to American Hip Hop and visit a local shebeen (illicit liquor bar). Visit Soccer City – Home to the 2010 World Cup final,  the Hector Peterson Memorial, the homes of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, both Nobel peace prizewinners and other famous sites.

3rd day: Johannesburg – Hoedspruit area/ Krugerpark (ca. 490 km)
Departing Johannesburg, you will drive toward Hoedspruit. A scenic drive through the Limpopo province will find you at the Orpen Gate near Kruger National Park, where you overnight 2 nights in unique and thatched Tree house Lodges.

Optional: As a luxurious alternative, you can spend the night inside the Timbavati Game Reserve set in the Greater Kruger National Park. The Greater Kruger borders the Kruger National Park and is home to several private game reserves and lodges. Overnight in traditional African reed and thatch huts, in the authentic FTTSA accredited Umlani Bush Camp.Included are all meals and per day 1 guided game activity

4th day: Today you can have a wildlife experience in Big Five territory; spot the Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard and the Buffalo. Where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights – this is real Africa. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa.  Should you choose to drive yourselves, please note that the Kruger Gates open at 05h30 and close at sunset. For those who prefer a guided game drive in open Land Rovers, or participate in guided bush walks with rangers and trackers; these excursions can be booked via your accommodation.

5th day: Hoedspruit Area – Numbi Gate/Kruger Park via Panorama route (ca. 290 km)
Via the Panorama route with highlights as Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window you drive to Numbi gate at the boarder of Kruger National Park. You overnight 2 nights in luxurious chalets in Phumulani Lodge. Phumulani Lodge is for 100% owned by Mduli Trust; an initiative of Chief MZ Mduli’s. Experience Phumulani; an extension of tribal culture to uplift standards of living of local community trough job creation.

6th day: Today you can relax or go into the Kruger Park again. Guided safaris, as well as night safari, can be booked via your accommodation. Things To Seek:
1. The Big Five – Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and Rhino
2. The Little Five – Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, Ant Lion and Rhino Beetle
3. Birding Big Six– Ground Hornbill, Kori Bustard, Lappet- faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Pel’s Fishing Owl and Saddle-bill Stork
4. Five Trees – Baobab, Fever Tree, Knob Thorn, Marula, Mopane

Spend your last night listening to the rumble of the African Jungle

7th-day: Numbi Gate/Kruger Park – Swaziland Border (ca. 300 km)
Departing the Kruger National Park after breakfast, you continue your journey in southerly direction towards the beautiful Kingdom of Swaziland, where you overnight 1 night. You can choose to drive past Nelspruit or go through the Kruger National Park. Continue to Matsamo Cultural village. You can choose to overnight in Matsamo where in the evening traditional Swazi dancers from nearby villages perform for guests at the lodge.
overnight in Matsamo

Day 8: Swaziland Border - Mliliwane
Today you continue your journey in southerly direction and travel through the Capital of the beautiful kingdom of Swaziland, where you overnight 1 night. After customs you continue to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary where you will spend the night. Your accommodation will be in traditional grass-dome shaped beehives . Here you can book optional excursions to discover Swaziland: guided chiefs walk, guided game-drive, mountain bike or horse ride via your accommodation.

9th day: Mlilwane - Pongola River Valley (app. 295km)
Today you will drive to Ithala in the Pongola River Valley; en route you can visit the Swazi market and a local school where you can meet the children and teachers. You will drive through sugarcane fields and exit Swaziland at the Pongola border post into KwaZulu Natal. Ithala’s big game species include white- and black rhino , elephant , buffalo and, notably giraffe. Enjoy guided game walks and game drives in the reserve.
Overnight in the Pongola River Valley – Ithala Game Reserve

10th day:  Pongola River Valley – Hluhluwe/ Umfolozi (app 275km)
Departing Pongola, you will drive through the sugarcane fields to Zululand, where you overnight for 2 nights. Once ruled by the famous King Shaka, Zululand was the Zulu-dominated area of what is now northern KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Zululand stretches from the Tugela River in the South to Pongola River in the north.  Overnight in a lodge near Hluluwe, which is well known for its eco-friendliness. A small part of the accommodation costs go towards local projects which the lodge supports.

11th day: Today you have a whole day to discover the magnificent Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National park and the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park - a World Heritage Site. Walk along the long empty beaches in the Elephant coast area or hike and look for Rhino's. Via your accommodation you can book optional excursions:  guided boat tour, canoe trail, surfing, snorkeling, guided open vehicle game drive and walking trails.

12th day:  Hluhluwe – Central Drakensberg (app 465km)
Departing Hluhluwe, you set off towards the mighty Drakensberg Mountains where you will spend 2 nights.
Historic Giant's Castle Game Reserve, home of the eland and the majestic bearded vulture, lies in the Central Berg region of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site. Superb rock art is high among its special attractions. Visit the Main Caves Museum for an insight into the past life of the San People. The Ukhahlamba/Drakensberg Park has exceptional natural beauty  in it’s soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, and   golden sandstone ramparts. Rolling high altitude grasslands, the   prestine steep sided river valleys and rocky gorges also contribute   to the beauty of the  site.
Visit the impressive Didima interpretative centre that highlights the rich cultural value of San Rock Art that is abundantly found throughout the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Range. Overnight Central Drakensberg

13th day: Central Drakensberg: Today you have time to relax and hike in this impressive mountain range. Enjoy  Walking & Hiking Trails, Guided cultural tours to local amaHlubi community, Cultural Zulu dance and song events.
It is optional to book selected hiking trails via your accommodation

The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg mountain range runs along the entire length of the border between the province of KwaZulu-Natal and the Kingdom of Lesotho. The 243 000 hectare Conservation Area was declared a World Heritage Site in December 2000 due to the area's unique richness of biological diversity as well as its endemic and endangered species and remarkable 'art galleries in the rock' that protect tens of thousands of San rock paintings.

Drive up the impressive Sani Pass  - the only road that crosses the mountains between the Province and Lesotho. The views are spectacular, and an added bonus is a visit to the highest pub in Africa. A visit to a Basotho village is also a rewarding experience.

Giants Castle - after a 30 minute walk it is possible to get to a cave in which San Rock Art can be viewed in its original state. Other walking trails ranging from a couple of hours to a number of days can be embarked upon.
Hiking - A number of excellent trails run over the entire area. A Trek up to the escarpment going up one of many steep passes is a physically challenging but very rewarding pursuit.
Drakensberg Boys Choir - the home of this world-renowned boys choir. The school regularly offers mid-week concerts that add an unforgettable highlight to a tour through the area.

14th day: Central Drakensberg – Johannesburg (app 470km)
Today you can drive via through the impressive Golden Gate area. After visiting this rock formation, you can drive via Bethlehem back to Johannesburg International Airport to connect with your onward travels.