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Kruger & Swaziland Experience

Outstanding wildlife reserves combined with the colour of Swaziland makes for an unforgettable experience

Kruger National Park and the adjoining private reserves of Greater Kruger National Park form one of Africa’s finest wildlife areas, offering superb viewing opportunities all year round. In one of the first national parks to be established in Africa, the custodians of Kruger faced tragedy, triumph and hardship, as they have strived to protect a pristine wilderness region that is sanctuary to over 700 species of mammals, reptiles and birds. We spend three nights in a private game lodge in Timbavati Game Reserve, part of Greater Kruger National Park, which boasts a similar range of animals to those found in the park proper. These include the 'Big Five', but the private reserves offer more opportunities for varied and close-up encounters. With open 4WD vehicles and a maximum of nine people in each, there is ample space to observe the many different species as they interact with each other and their environment. Keen photographers also have the chance to take those special shots of unexpected and sometimes dramatic wildlife interactions, as well as of peaceful bushveld scenes. The tour spends one night in Hazyview, a base from where we explore the impressive Blyde River Canyon and visit Bourke's Luck Potholes, as well as enjoy views of the Three Rondavels and the vista from God's Window. We also visit a local Shangaan village, where we gain an insight into their unique way of life.

From the wonders of the Panorama Region and Kruger we cross into Swaziland and experience the distinctive Mkhaya Game Reserve, a local success story in the protection of endangered species through successful breeding programs. This reserve offers a highly protected environment, where both the endangered black and white rhinos both flourish. Two days are spent here, allowing for an abundance of game viewing opportunities. We also soak up the colour of the Kingdom of Swaziland and stop to shop for local handicrafts at a vibrant nearby market, before travelling back to Johannesburg.



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Tour Highlights

  • Wildlife safari in Greater Kruger National Park
  • Blyde River Canyon - the largest green canyon in the world
  • Swaziland’s craft markets

Inclusions

  • An experienced English-speaking local leader, specialist local guides, arrival transfer, transport, accommodation, meals, game activities and entrance fees.

  • On foot
  • Open 4WD vehicles
  • Private vehicle

  • The trip includes 3 days in Timbavati Game Reserve (part of Greater Kruger National Park), 1 day in Mlilwane Natural Sanctuary and 1 day in Mkhaya Game Reserve.

  • 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners

Kruger & Swaziland Experience

Day 1
Johannesburg
Meals Privided:
On arrival in Johannesburg you will be met at the Arrivals Information Desk and transferred to your hotel, where the rest of the day is spent at your leisure. Please note this is just an arrival day, but your accommodation tonight is covered and has already been booked for you.
Day 2
Timbavati Game Reserve (Greater Kruger National Park)
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
(Driving time: approx 6 hours) We are met by our guide between 7.00am and 7.30am and are soon off on our journey. Upon reaching Timbavati Game Reserve, which is part of Greater Kruger National Park, we are served a late lunch at the delightful bush camp. After settling into our accommodation we depart on a late afternoon/early evening game drive for our first chance to glimpse the resident wildlife. Upon our return to camp, a pre-dinner drink is served around a blazing fire under the stars, in an open-air boma. Following this, a sumptuous South African dinner awaits us in the intimate dining area of the camp. This is a private camp and our overnight accommodation is in comfortable chalets, complete with ensuite facilities.
Day 3-4
Timbavati Game Reserve (Greater Kruger National Park)
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
(Driving times: two safaris per day - times variable) Two full days in the reserve allows for morning and afternoon wildlife activities, with time for relaxing back at camp during the middle hours of the day. In addition to game drives, walking safaris are offeres. Accompanied by a highly experienced, armed guide; this is a fascinating and very different way of experiencing the African bush. We depart with our local resident guides on morning and afternoon drives in open 4WD vehicles, searching for zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and a variety of antelope. We may also see elephant, buffalo and, hopefully, some of the predators. There is a good chance of seeing all of the 'Big Five', including the endangered rhinoceros. On the afternoon game drive, a sundowner drink is usually served before our return to camp. On the drive back to camp we use spotlights, which may enable sightings of some of the many nocturnal animals of the bush that are seldom sighted during the day. A very special feature of this camp is the tree house, which is set approximately two kilometres away from the main camp and overlooks a dam. The camp staff can set up bedding for you in the tree house so that you can spend a night sleeping there (please note there are no bathroom facilities). You are dropped off at the tree house after dinner and collected in the morning, before the game drive. A two-way radio is provided so that you may contact the camp staff at any time should you wish to return to the main camp. A spotlight is also provided to allow you to watch for any animals coming to drink at the waterhole during the night. This tree house experience is offered at no extra cost, but needs to be booked in advance. It is also dependent on weather and is therefore not guaranteed.
Day 5
Blyde River Canyon - Hazyview
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Dinner
(Driving time: approx 8 hours including sightseeing excursions) This morning we leave Timbavati behind and travel to the nearby Blyde River Canyon area. This canyon is the largest green canyon in the world and our drive around this region offers us spectacular views of this breathtaking gorge from different angles. We stop at the Three Rondavels viewpoint, explore Bourke's Luck Potholes and peer out through God's Window, before checking into our cosy private guesthouse near Hazyview where we relax and enjoy dinner that evening while watching the sunset.
Day 6-7
Hlane Royal National Park
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
(Driving time: approx 6 hours including border crossing; game drive times variable) After breakfast, we depart for the mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland, our base for the next two nights. The scenery here is a delight, varying from mountainous highveld to rolling grasslands of in the middleveld and bushlands in the lowveld. We spend our nights in Hlane Royal National Park. Covering an area of 30,000 hectares, this park is the largest in Swaziland and is set up near the former royal hunting grounds. The name 'Hlane' means 'wilderness' and was given by King Sobhuza II. It is home to many species including lion, elephant, white rhino and abundant bird life, including the highest density of nesting white-backed vultures in Africa. We enjoy a morning guided walking safari, with the aim of getting reasonably up-close to some of the rhinos! In the afternoon we visit the colourful, local handicraft markets and the renowned Ngwenya Glass Factory, where we see the talented local glass blowers at work. Some of their creations include a range of images of enchanting African animals. Another amazing aspect is that their work is created from 100% recycled glass that has been collected by the local as part of a nationwide recycling initiative.
Day 8
Johannesburg
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
(Driving time: approx 6½ hours including border crossing) After breakfast we make our way back to the city of Johannesburg. You can be dropped off at Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport or at our joining hotel in the suburb of Sandton. If you are departing from Johannesburg today, please do not book a flight to depart before 8pm.

IN A NUTSHELL

8 days
from $3,525
10

TOUR INFORMATION

Start End Price
23/06/201330/06/2013 $3,525
06/01/201313/01/2013 $3,525
23/12/201230/12/2012 $3,525
09/12/201216/12/2012 $3,525
25/11/201202/12/2012 $3,525
11/11/201218/11/2012 $3,525
28/10/201204/11/2012 $3,525
14/10/201221/10/2012 $3,525
30/09/201207/10/2012 $3,525
16/09/201223/09/2012 $3,525
20/01/201327/01/2013 $3,525
03/02/201310/02/2013 $3,525
09/06/201316/06/2013 $3,525
26/05/201302/06/2013 $3,525
12/05/201319/05/2013 $3,525
28/04/201305/05/2013 $3,525
14/04/201321/04/2013 $3,525
31/03/201307/04/2013 $3,525
17/03/201324/03/2013 $3,525
03/03/201310/03/2013 $3,525
17/02/201324/02/2013 $3,525
02/09/201209/09/2012 $3,525
19/08/201226/08/2012 $3,525
05/08/201212/08/2012 $3,525
19/02/201226/02/2012 $3,525
05/02/201212/02/2012 $3,525
22/01/201229/01/2012 $3,525
08/01/201215/01/2012 $3,525
25/12/201101/01/2012 $3,525
11/12/201118/12/2011 $3,525
27/11/201104/12/2011 $3,595
13/11/201120/11/2011 $3,595
30/10/201106/11/2011 $3,595
04/03/201211/03/2012 $3,525
18/03/201225/03/2012 $3,525
22/07/201229/07/2012 $3,525
08/07/201215/07/2012 $3,525
24/06/201201/07/2012 $3,525
10/06/201217/06/2012 $3,525
27/05/201203/06/2012 $3,525
13/05/201220/05/2012 $3,525
29/04/201206/05/2012 $3,525
15/04/201222/04/2012 $3,525
01/04/201208/04/2012 $3,525
16/10/201123/10/2011 $3,595
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