Others

All accommodation, activities and meals that are shown in the itinerary are included in the total cost of your trip You will also receive a complimentary transfer to and from the airport if you arrive on day 1 of the trip and depart on the last day and have provided your international flight information.

Accommodation

2 nights simple bungalow (Pretoriuskop Rest Camp (or similar)) 7 nights standard lodge (Mogodi Lodge (or similar), 2 nights Tshukudu Bush Camp (or similar), 2 nights St Lucia Safari Lodge (or similar), 2 nights Utshewayelo Lodge (or similar)) 2 nights standard rondavels (Beehive/Rondavels (or similar)) Most of the hotels have a swimming pool and we have the opportunity to take a dip in the sea at Kosi Bay and St. Lucia

Transport

4WD, Boat, Minibus

Guide

Tour Leaders are quite simply the glue that holds our tours together. They are chosen for their travel experience and people skills and are thoroughly trained by Explore, widely acknowledged as some of the best training in the industry. A Tour Leader’s ultimate aim is to ensure everyone is well looked after and have a fantastic trip. They are there to ensure that the tour logistics run smoothly, that health and safety is adhered to and provide comprehensive briefings at the beginning and throughout the tour.

Meals

A key facet of our responsible approach to tourism is that we encourage our groups to eat in local restaurants that prepare locally grown food. We give customers choice as to their meals and do not use rather bland and impersonal hotel restaurants or all- inclusive options 12 Breakfasts 3 Lunches 4 Dinners

Not included:

Others

Any visa costs, spending money and tips are not included in the trip price. You can also book extra nights’ accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip and the cost of this accommodation along with any transfers would be quoted separately.

Insurance

Travel insurance is not included.

Flights

International flights not included in the tour cost.

Optional

Optional activities The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for direct with the supplier and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract. A selection of optional activities are listed below to help you budget for your Family adventure. Whilst the basic tour price you pay before you travel includes a great selection of highlights, we have also built in free time to allow you the flexibility to choose from a carefully selected range of additional excursions and activities or take time to relax, the choice is yours. At certain destinations along the way there may be several options to choose from and it may not be possible to fit all the activities in; your Explore Leader will be able to give advice on which are the most suitable for your family. Mlilwane (Swaziland): Day 7: Bike hire SAR 85 per hour, school visit SAR 150 per group (suggested donation). Kosi Bay: Day 8 or 9: Spend an afternoon fishing. Our fishing guide can show you the hotspots and help with your technique. SAR 2500 per group (maximum 8 applies). Day 8 or 9: Canoeing SAR 300 per person (minimum group size 3 people) Day 8 or 9: Guided hike from the hotel SAR 300 per group of 6, SAR 50 for each person over 6. Day 8 or 9: Three lake boat cruise lasting four hours SAR 1200 per group of 4, SAR 300 for each person over 4. Day 8: Evening turtle tour to view the nesting sites. The nesting season is between November and February. Departs at 1630 and lasts between 5 and 6 hours. SAR 2000 per group of 4. SAR 500 for each person over 4. Day 9: Elephant safaris in Tembe Elephant Reserve. SAR450 per person St Lucia: Day 10: Two hour night cruise in St Lucia Wetland Reserve to spot crocodile and hippo, the area is particularly known for its prolific hippo population and excellent variety of birdlife. SAR 300 per person. (There is a night game drive alternative in St Lucia Wetland Reserve lasting 2.5 hours costing SAR 575 per person) Day 11: Snorkelling. Departing at 8am, returning between 3pm and 4pm. You’ll be picked up from the hotel and head out directly to the coast to explore the Indian Ocean coastline around stunning Cape Vidal. All equipment provided. Price SAR 775 per person. Day 11: St. Lucia night drive to spot turtles (Nov-Mar) SAR 950 per person Day 11: Whale watching cruise (June-Nov) SAR 1190 per person

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Day 1 Day 1: Join Trip In Johannesburg. Afternoon Optional Visit To Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Join Trip In Johannesburg. Afternoon Optional Visit To Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton

Our tour starts today in Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city, once home to both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. A city of stark contrasts and infamous history, Johannesburg is going through rapid change and urban regeneration right before our eyes. For those arriving in time today, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 12pm for a welcome meeting. Should you miss the welcome meeting, they’ll inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. Our hotel for tonight has a swimming pool and lovely gardens that you can feel free to relax in after your flight. Later in the afternoon, we can also provide transport to the nearby Nelson Mandela Square, an open-air piazza in Sandton which has lots of shops and dining options. If you’d like an airport transfer today, you’ll need to arrive into O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Please note, the majority of flights land in Johannesburg in the early morning and we can’t facilitate an early check-in at our hotel. Luggage storage is available if you’d like to drop your bags before exploring.
Day 2 Day 2: Drive To Graskop Via South Africa’S Panoramic Route
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Drive To Graskop Via South Africa’S Panoramic Route

Leaving our hotel after breakfast, we’ll head out of Johannesburg through the Lowveld which stretches before us into the distant horizons. ’Lowveld’ translates from Afrikaans into English as ’the low bush’ and the area has been inhabited since Stone Age times thanks to its plentiful water supply from mountain rivers and waterfalls. Our destination is Graskop, a small town in the province of Mpumalanga, a peaceful location surrounded by forestry plantations and dramatic rock outcrops. Please note, due to accommodation availability, we might switch the running of Day 2 and Day 6. If this happens, you’ll still experience every aspect of the itinerary and the travel time will remain the same, just with an adjusted running order.
Day 3 Day 3: Scenic Drive To Tshukudu Game Reserve, Stop At Blyde River Canyon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Scenic Drive To Tshukudu Game Reserve, Stop At Blyde River Canyon

This morning, we’ll set off towards the Tshukudu Game Reserve. Along the way, we’ll make several stops at viewpoints, including at the aptly named God’s Window and the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon. We’ll also stop at the surreal Bourke’s Luck Potholes, a collection of pebble-eroded formations at the confluence of the Treur and Blyde Rivers. We aim to arrive at the Tshukudu Game Reserve around 2pm. Tshukudu is the Sotho word for ’Rhino’, but the reserve is home to more beasts than just that - today we’ll have our first chance of spotting the Big 5. The park is known to boast the most spectacular of South Africa’s wildlife, including lion, elephant, rhino, hippo and even the elusive leopard and cheetah. It’s also renowned for its lion breeding and rehabilitation programmes, nursing sick, orphaned or injured animals of all shapes and sizes back to health for re-introduction to the wild. This afternoon we’ll go on our first game drive.
Day 4 Day 4: Full Day In Tshukudu Game Reserve, Game Drive And Walking Safari
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Full Day In Tshukudu Game Reserve, Game Drive And Walking Safari

Today, we’ll head out to spot more of South Africa’s wildlife, both from our vehicles and on a walking safari in the reserve. The walk will be led by experienced rangers who are acknowledged experts in the bush and are more than happy to pass on their knowledge. Ask as many questions as you can! Afterwards, we’ll head back to our lodge where you’re free to relax in the pool and soak up the later afternoon sun.
Day 5 Day 5: Drive To Kruger National Park, Afternoon Game Drive
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Drive To Kruger National Park, Afternoon Game Drive

After a hearty breakfast this morning, we’ll bid farewell to Tshukudu and drive to the southern gate of Kruger National Park (a two-hour journey). We’ll stop for lunch and a swim at one of the national park camps before continuing further into the park. As one of the world’s premier game reserves, Kruger National Park is a bucket-list experience. The park is home to the Big 5 and more, so what we missed in Tshukudu, we might well spot here. Kruger is the largest game reserve in South Africa, covering an area about the same size as Wales. It was established in 1898 to protect big game that had almost been hunted to extinction. The park is now one of the most prolific animal habitats in South Africa, committed to animal conservation and patrolled by armed rangers to prevent illegal poaching. A large number of species call this park home, including elephant, lion, black and white rhino, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wild dog, hyena, wildebeest and almost all of South Africa’s species of antelope. The bird life is just as impressive with crowned cranes, bee-eaters, sunbirds and vultures. This evening, we’ll drift off to sleep to the sounds of the African bush at our campground.
Day 6 Day 6: Full-Day Game Viewing In Kruger National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Full-Day Game Viewing In Kruger National Park

We’ll have an early start this morning, but it’ll be worth it for the chance of spotting Kruger’s creatures. Leaving our camp shortly after sunrise, we’ll head out for our morning game drive. We’ll stop at various watering holes where we might see buffalo or antelope taking an early morning drink and hopefully a pride of lions nearby. Our morning drive will be capped with a lunch break before we head out on an afternoon drive.
Day 7 Day 7: Drive To Mlilwane In Eswatini, Optional Activities Including A Walking Safari Or On A Mountain Bike
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Drive To Mlilwane In Eswatini, Optional Activities Including A Walking Safari Or On A Mountain Bike

We’ll have another game drive this morning before we head south to Eswatini, passing through the rural townships and mountain scenery of the Blyde River Canyon escarpment. The small kingdom of Eswatini is a tiny and independent land, inhabited by the Swazi people who revere their king and retain an age-old culture and traditions. Our journey takes us through some spectacular scenery in the Ezulwini Valley, past traditional homesteads, curio stalls and the old mining settlement of Piggs Peak before we eventually enter one of Eswatini’s best wildlife reserves, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, later this afternoon. For the next two nights, we’ll stay at a camp within the sanctuary. Located beneath the Nyonyane Mountains, it’s a haven of tranquillity. Our accommodation will be divided between dome-shaped bee huts, rondavels and traditional huts and we’ll have all of the mod cons, including showers, toilets, an outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant/bar - it’s rustic in the very best sense of the word. We’ll share the camp with warthogs and ostrich, too, in fact, the restaurant overlooks a lake where you can spot the resident hippo and waterbirds. Please note, due to the high demand in Mlilwane, our accommodation is subject to change without notice and might differ from the description above. We’ll always endeavour to stay within the park, however, some departures might stay at a hotel up to a 15-minute drive away from the sanctuary.
Day 8 Day 8: Morning Game Walk In Mlilwane, Free Afternoon For Optional Activities
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Morning Game Walk In Mlilwane, Free Afternoon For Optional Activities

We’ll head out on a walk this morning, in search of zebra, wildebeest, impala, nyala and warthog. Mlilwane has a large area of open grasslands, so game viewing is relatively easy. This afternoon, you’re free to relax or take part in one of our optional activities. The great advantage of Mlilwane is that there are no big cats, so you can get a different game-viewing experience, heading out on foot. You might like to try one of the self-guided mountain walking trails, following the historic aqueduct around the Nyonyane Mountains; or one of the riverside trails in search of birdlife and hippo.
Day 9 Day 9: Drive To Kosi Bay, Stay Close To The Shores Of The Indian Ocean
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Drive To Kosi Bay, Stay Close To The Shores Of The Indian Ocean

Crossing through Eswatini, we’ll head for the southern border point at Golela, passing back into South Africa and continuing through KwaZulu Natal to the northern settlement of Kosi Bay, close to the Mozambique border. For the next two nights, we’ll stay close to the shores of the Indian Ocean. Our accommodation is a lodge set amidst a wetland area of lakes and forest, home to a rich diversity of birds and animals including hippos and crocs. On arrival, we’ll have some free time to explore and enjoy the protected area, which was declared a nature reserve back in 1950. It’s considered one of the most pristine lake systems along the South African coast.
Day 10 Day 10: Full Day In Kosi Bay, Walk Along The Beaches
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Full Day In Kosi Bay, Walk Along The Beaches

Today we’ll make the most of the coastal setting, with a walk along the beaches and forests of this area. We’ll be hoping to spot small antelope and the astounding variety of birds that live here. If you’d like to get out in the water, you can snorkel near the estuary and over the coral reef (weather dependent) with equipment available from the lodge.
Day 11 Day 11: Drive To St Lucia, Visit A Traditional Zulu Village
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Drive To St Lucia, Visit A Traditional Zulu Village

Travelling down the coast this morning, we’ll head towards the greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, situated on the coast of the Indian Ocean. This wonderful wetland reserve was recently granted World Heritage status as the largest estuarine lake system in Africa. Whilst in St Lucia, you can choose to take part in one of several optional activities. There is the option of a night drive to spot giant turtles coming ashore and between June and November, there’ll be the option of whale watching, too.
Day 12 Day 12: Full Day In St Lucia, Optional Whale Watching
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Full Day In St Lucia, Optional Whale Watching

We’ll get the chance to relax today with another day on the coast. Again, there’ll be optional activities on offer, including whale watching (June to November) and turtle watching (November to March). There’s also the option to join a boat trip on the St. Lucia River to spot hippos and crocodiles or take a snorkelling trip to Cape Vidal (weather dependent).
Day 13 Day 13: Drive To Durban Airport Where The Trip Ends
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Drive To Durban Airport Where The Trip Ends

Departing St Lucia this morning, we’ll drive south along the coast to Durban’s International Airport (DUR), aiming to arrive at around 2pm, where our trip ends. The earliest your flight can depart is 4pm. If you re taking an evening flight from Durban, it’s possible to make a stop at Umhlanga Beach en route to the airport. The beach is just ten minutes from Durban city centre and boasts expansive golden sands stretching northwards of 200 kilometres/124 miles. There are plenty of restaurants and bars, as well as a shopping centre to pick up last-minute souvenirs.

+10

13 days tour

Family South Africa Safari And Beach Adventure

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Family South Africa Safari And Beach Adventure

Day 1: Join Trip In Johannesburg. Afternoon Optional Visit To Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton

Day 2: Drive To Graskop Via South Africa’S Panoramic Route

Day 3: Scenic Drive To Tshukudu Game Reserve, Stop At Blyde River Canyon

Day 4: Full Day In Tshukudu Game Reserve, Game Drive And Walking Safari

Day 5: Drive To Kruger National Park, Afternoon Game Drive

Day 6: Full-Day Game Viewing In Kruger National Park

Day 7: Drive To Mlilwane In Eswatini, Optional Activities Including A Walking Safari Or On A Mountain Bike

Day 8: Morning Game Walk In Mlilwane, Free Afternoon For Optional Activities

Day 9: Drive To Kosi Bay, Stay Close To The Shores Of The Indian Ocean

Day 10: Full Day In Kosi Bay, Walk Along The Beaches

Day 11: Drive To St Lucia, Visit A Traditional Zulu Village

Day 12: Full Day In St Lucia, Optional Whale Watching

Day 13: Drive To Durban Airport Where The Trip Ends

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