South Africa & Mozambique Explorer - Overland Trip

Accommodation

We provide large 4 man dome-style tents for 2 persons with a foam mattress and pillow.

Kitty Notes

Local Payment - US$380 - Local Payment covers all food (3 meals a day - provided by our now legendary Kenyan Cook) and camping fees/accomodation for the whole tour. This is payable to the tourleader at the start of the tour in US dollars only.

Itineraries

ITINERARY

Day 1
Starting in Johannesburg we head straight for Mpumalanga, meaning \'the place of the rising sun\', region of South Africa. Here we take in a number of spectacular viewpoints and waterfalls before spending our first night at the old gold mining town of Pilgrims Rest. Camping

Day 2-3
Leaving Pilgrims Rest we take another scenic drive on our way to the Kruger National Park, calling in at Bourke’s Luck Potholes before entering the park. We continue on game driving as we head to our rest camp for the night. We spend the next two days game driving through the park heading for a different campsite each night. Camping

Day 4-8
Up early the next morning we game drive out of the park; crossing the border into Mozambique from the southern end of the Kruger Park. We head North for the warm and sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean. We spend the next 5 nights on the idyllic sandy beaches of Praia do Xai Xai and Praia do Tofo (Inhambane). A number of optional watersports are on offer at each beach, including diving, snorkelling, fishing or quad-biking.

Day 9
Leaving the coast we head south to the vibrant city of Maputo with its magical mix of the old and the new, European and African influences. We overnight in Maputo giving you the chance to sample the lively nightlife and great restaurants. Camping or Lodge.

Day 10-11
Up early the next morning we cross the border and enter the smallest country in the southern hemisphere - the Kingdom of Swaziland. Here we visit the capital Mbabane where, in the colourful markets, you can purchase some of the best quality carvings and crafts in Africa. We travel down through the Ezulweni valley to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, a hugely successful conservation project that has reintroduced many species of wildlife that became extinct in this area decades ago, back into Swaziland. Here we camp for two nights and you can enjoy pony trekking, mountain biking or follow self-guided walks. Camping.

Day 12-13
Crossing back into South Africa we next head for the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve covering an area of sweeping beaches, great fertile estuaries, mangrove forests and lakes. You can visit the Kosi Bay River mouth and snorkel in its crystal clear waters or watch the local fishermen gather their nets in the estuary. Between the months of November and February, it may be possible to glimpse giant leatherback turtles that come to these beaches to lay their eggs. Camping

Day 14-15
Up early the next morning we head off to the Umfolozi/Hluhluwe National Park and spend the remainder of the day game driving through the park in search of Lion, White and Black Rhino and other game species. Camping

Day 16-17
Continuing into KwaZulu Natal we enter the Drakensberg Mountains, which are known by the Zulu as the “barrier of spears”, and are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of their outstanding natural beauty. We head for the Sani Pass region of the mountain range. Spending two nights here affords you the chance to explore the area the next day. Explore the walking trails of the Sani Pass area, including waterfalls and rockpaintings or join an organised tour that will take you up the Sani Pass to the border of Lesotho giving you magnificent views. Camping/Lodge

Day 18-19
Next morning we make our way to the Addo Game Reserve, famous for its elephant herds. Here we stay two nights camping in the reserve. Up early next morning we have the time to spend the day game driving in the reserve, allowing us time to sit and watch these wonderful animals interacting. Camping

Day 20-21
Leaving Addo we pass through Port Elizabeth and continue on into the Garden Route of South Africa. After a short stop to see the Storms River Viewpoint we spend the next two nights in the Tsitsikama National Park, camping right on the beautiful grassy but rocky shoreline. The next day you have the option of doing various activities including the highest bungi jump in Africa, walking or forest aerial cableway. Camping

Day 22
Continuing on towards Cape Town we pass through Knysna and our next stop is Hermanus, overnighting in the town.

Day 23
Next morning you have time to explorer the town center or take a short walk along the coastal path before we leave and take the short drive into Cape Town arriving in the late afternoon.

Not Included:
Optional Night drive in Kruger National Park.
Various watersports on Mozambique coast
Various activities in Swaziland
Various activities at Kosi Bay
Bungi Jumping, Forest aerial cableway on the Garden Route.
Tour of Sani Pass.
Visas, travel insurance, vaccinations, flights, airport taxes, sleeping bag, pillowcase, towel, items of a personal nature, curios and alcohol.