Self Drive Getaways: Johannesburg-Durban Via Swaziland - 8D/7N

African Safari large elephant photo courtesy of Thompsons ToursDrive into Mpamalanga, home to The Kruger National Park (big five country), exquisite panoramic views, mountains, rivers, caves and the rich heritage of the local Ndebele and Swazi cultures. Kruger Park boasts the most developed infrastructure of all Africa’s game parks, plus the world’s largest concentration of species. Then through landlocked Swaziland, old, peaceful, incredibly varied and unique, the last traditional kingdom in Africa, to Zululand and Hluhluwe, the oldest game reserve in Africa, and one of the largest in South Africa, ending your trip in Durban.

Highlights:

Explore Dullstroom with its scenic hikes, horse riding trails and picnic spots beside breathtaking waterfalls. Visit the breathtaking Panorama Route – Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Discover the world famous Kruger National Park, one of the oldest and largest reserves in Africa, boasting a tremendous variety of game and birdlife. Bargain in a traditional African craft market in the Kingdom of Swaziland. See white and black rhino and a host of other animals in the Hluhluwe-ImfoloziPark. Experience Zulu culture at a traditional village.

Accommodation:
Standard: Day 1: Critchley Hackle (B, D) - Day 2, 3 & 4: Perry’s Bridge Hollow B - Day 5: Ezulwini Sun B - Day 6 & 7: Gazebo Game Lodge (B, L, D) & scheduled activities.
Deluxe: Day 1: Walkersons Country Lodge (B, D) - Day 2, 3 & 4: Protea Hotel Kruger Gate (B, D) - Day 5: Royal Swazi Sun (B) - Day 6 & 7: Hluhluwe River Lodge (B, L, D) & scheduled activities.

Self-Driving in South Africa - photo courtesy of Thompsons ToursVehicles - The cars considered on this program are the following: Manual Cat C VW Polo Classic or Similar - Automatic VW Jetta 5 or Similar (upgrades are possible - just request it) - Our programs only use Avis cars, so you can rely on the fact that vehicles are the best on the road. You can also rely on an affiliated network of offices and staff throughout the region, offering 24 hour support to all our passengers. Therefore, should you experience anything untoward, we are only a phone-call away!

Included: Meet and Greet at OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) - 1 Night in Dullstroom – dinner, bed and breakfast - 3 Nights near the Kruger National Park – 1 Night in Swaziland – Meals as mentioned - 2 Nights in Hluhluwe - 7 days car hire Avis as listed above - Car Rates Include: Value Added Tax at 14%, Unlimited Mileage, Maximum Theft Loss Waiver & Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Personal Accident Insurance, Airport surcharge, & tourism levy.

Not Included: All domestic and international airfare and airport taxes, Entrance fees, Tips and expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc., Travel insurance, Car Rates Exclude: Fuel, Additional Driver Charge, Water & Under-carriage damage to vehicle. Traffic Fine Handling Fees.

Departures: On a Daily basis subject to hotel availability.

Johannesburg to Durban Self Drive Map - photo courtesy of Thompsons ToursDay by day Itinerary

  • Day 1 Arrive Johannesburg / Dullstroom - On arrival at OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg), a Thompsons Representative will meet and assist you to your hired car. Depart on your Mpumalanga exploration, making your way to the village of Dullstroom, a charming little hamlet situated in the heart of the Highlands Meander, a beautiful part of Mpumalanga, noted for its clear streams, lakes and breathtaking scenery.
  • Day 2 Dullstroom / via Panorama Route / Hazyview - Explore the Panorama Route today - one of the most beautiful areas in South Africa, winding through the rugged mountain range of the northern Drakensberg. Highlights of this area include the Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels.
  • Day 3 & 4 Kruger National Park - National Park and spend the day game viewing in this unexplored 20 000km2 park. You have the opportunity to spot Africa’s ‘Big Five’. The world renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa and the world. For an up close and personal encounter, we highly recommend a safari in our open safari vehicles.
  • Day 5 Kruger National Park / Swaziland - Depart the Kruger National Park area and travel to the Kingdom of Swaziland, a scenically beautiful and friendly kingdom, steeped in tradition and African culture. Bargain for ethnic curios and African arts and crafts, which are available along the roadside, and at the many craft markets.
  • Day 6 Swaziland / Hluhluwe - Depart Swaziland travelling via Manzini
    and Big Bend before crossing the border into South Africa and onto Zululand, home to the most famous tribe in Africa, the Zulu. The Zululand region abounds with wildlife in extensive reserves; the largest of these is the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, where the white rhino was rescued from extinction.
  • Day 7 Hluhluwe - Explore the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park today. The Park covers some 96000ha and contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora. The wide range of plant life in the park gives rise to a diversity of mammals, birdlife, reptiles and amphibians. The ‘Big Five’ - lion, black and white rhino, elephant, buffalo and leopard are all to be seen in the park, as well as cheetah, wild dog and giraffe.
  • Day 8 Hluhluwe / Durban - Travel to Durban with a recommended stop at Thanda, a local Zulu village, where you can learn about the Zulu culture (own account). Arrive at Durban International Airport and check in for your flight.

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Also tagged with: Adventure Expeditions, Independent Journeys, Africa, Self Drive, South Africa, Safari, Swaziland, Educational, Cultural, Nature / Ecology, Module, Photography


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