Tour description
We’ll meet up in Pretoria (these days it's also known as Tshwane). This 'city of jacarandas' is an excellent base to visit places like the township of Soweto. Known mainly for its bloody past, Soweto is a place where acute poverty and extreme wealth rub shoulders. So it’s a peculiar experience! The next day we’ll travel to Sabie, where we’ll pay a visit to the unique and bizarre Blyde River Canyon.
Kruger National Park
Day 3 will take us to Kruger National Park, where we’ll spend two days stalking the wild animals that live in this beautiful reserve. We’ll be able to take safaris in both the mornings and the evenings, with the rest of the day free to enjoy the pool or appreciate the magnificent bird-life.
Swaziland
On day 5 we’ll travel to Swaziland. Be warned that this will be a culture shock! The land is incredibly poor and the people are still, in many ways, stuck in traditional and sub-optimal lifestyles. You should not be surprised to see a warrior with a spear in the capital, Mbabane. The market there is very colourful and absolutely worth a visit, not least because you’ll probably find some great and very-affordable ethnic souvenirs there! We’ll then spend the night at the nearby Mlilwane Game Reserve, after which we’ll take a full day to stroll around what is a wonderful area rich in game but without lions (perhaps just as well if you’re on foot!). In the evening you’ll be able to feast on a delicious 'braai', a South African barbeque that mainly consists of game meat. Human intervention is the only way to control the game population around here, so you needn’t feel guilty when you tuck in!
Beaches of St. Lucia
After being overwhelmed by South African’s fauna and flora, it will then be time to chill out on the beautiful beaches of St. Lucia. A terrific thrill for any diver will be Sodwana Bay, but devotees to wild game can go to see Hluhluwe National Park. Or you could, instead, take a marvellous cruise through St. Lucia where you’ll see crocodiles, hippos and the African Fish Eagle.
Golden Mile
We’ll be able to experience Durban’s unique culture on day 11, where there is something for everybody. The city is renowned for the nightlife along its Golden Mile and for its massive surf (if you haven’t yet mastered surfing, then you must try using a body-board because they’re enormous fun too – as long as you swim well). We also highly recommend visits to the Indian market and at least one of the colourful Hindu temples.
Royal Natal National Park
On day 12 we’ll visit the Royal Natal National Park, its amphitheatre and Cathedral Peak. There’ll be plenty of time to walk through this fascinating area and the trek to Tugela Gorge is one of the most beautiful imaginable.
On day 14 we’ll travel to Johannesburg and a chance to see whatever we fancy before saying our farewells.
Please note that the price increases on this tour is due to a hefty price increase of diesel. Shoestring apologises for this unavoidable difference in cost.