Transport

Durban: Hop onto the coach drop off and get ready for some ultimate beach vibes. This is the perfect spot to tune out the worries of life - just like the local Durbanite’s do so well!

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Contiki through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. For guests travelling with Contiki from 1 January 2023, Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are highly recommended, but no longer required. Please note that regardless of time of travel guests will need to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destination visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than above. It is guests’ responsibility to ensure that they comply at all times with these requirements. No refunds will be given if guests are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to their failure to comply with these requirements.

Others

Cape Town: Is tap water in South Africa safe to drink? Will water be provided? Generally, the tap water in most of the locations we visit is safe to drink (and readily available too!) We don’t provide bottled water due to our sustainability promise, but your Trip Manager will sort you out for anything you might need during the trip. Cape Town: When is the best time to travel to South Africa? The question should be - when is it not the best time to travel to South Africa?In the summer (October to April), you’ll find perfect beach weather at our coastal destinations, and lush green landscapes everywhere. It also tends to be the birthing season (baby animals!!!). Winter (May to August) in South Africa is probably the best time for safaris since you’ll find wildlife gathering around waterholes.Luckily, the chances of spotting the Big 5 is equally good throughout the year. And if you’re here for the whales, visiting between June to November would be your best bet. Cape Town: What time can I book my return flight home? You can book your flights with departure times after 7pm on our last day. We’ll arrive at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at around 4pm. Cape Town: How do I get from the airport to the trip start location? We recommend that you book an Uber from the airport. It’s the easiest and most convenient way to get to the start locations on our trips. Johannesburg: Harrowing and hopeful at the same time, you’ll delve deeper into the troubled history of South Africa – with the chance to visit the Nelson Mandela museum too, where you’ll learn about his life and work, as well as how apartheid was brought to an end. Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary: Traverse through Mlilwane on your own two feet, keeping your eyes peeled for antelope, wildebeest and more as you go. With a local guide on hand to make sure everyone is going the right way. Kruger National Park: We’ll go on an adventure in the world famous Kruger National Park, keep your eyes peeled for animal sightings! Kruger National Park: Keep your eyes peeled and those binoculars close. We’re heading out to spot more magnificent wildlife (cross those fingers for rhino’s!) and stunning scenery with our last game drive as we say goodbye to Kruger. Mbabane: We’ll cross the border to Eswatini and travel to a local village where we’ll meet some locals, spend time with them and find out all about their culture and everyday life. Kruger National Park: Meet some of the locals who work tirelessly to keep wildlife safe from poachers. We’ll listen to their stories, find out how they work and much more.

Accommodation

4 nights in Hotels, 2 nights in Special Stay

Meals

6 Breakfast (B)

Guide

Expert Trip Manager + Trip Driver + Local Guides

Not included:

Flights

International flights are not included

Optional

Have Dinner in Durban Visit a Local Zulu Village (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience) iSimangaliso Game Drive Search For Hippos on Lake St Lucia Hluhluwe Game Drive & Lunch Take a Mountain Bike Safari Take a Morning Game Drive Take an Evening Game Drive Feast On One Last Bush Dinner Embark On One More Morning Game Drive

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Johannesburg To Durban
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Johannesburg To Durban

Welcome to the City of Gold, where our South African escapade begins. We’ll hit the road for a scenic drive through the heart of South Africa to the coastal city of Durban. Along the way, we’ll stop off for a sobering exploration of the nation’s troubled history, with a visit to the site of Nelson Mandela’s capture during the apartheid era. We’ll then take a trip to the museum – yes, you’ll confront the history, but you’ll leave feeling hopeful as you learn how apartheid was finally brought to an end. Tonight’s accom is conveniently located next to plenty of shops and restaurants… So you can go right ahead and treat yourself.
Day 2 Day 2: Durban To St Lucia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Durban To St Lucia

You have a free morning here at one of the finest coastal spots in South Africa. Sleep in, take a walk and shop the strip or head down to the beach to simply sit back and soak up those rays like the sun junkie you are. Afterwards, we’ll make our way to St Lucia. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife by day and hippos by night here in St Lucia (we’re right by the UNESCO World Heritage listed iSimanagaliso Wetlands Park after all). On a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience this afternoon, we’ll visit a local Zulu village, learning all about the Zulu people and their traditions with a chance to meet some of the locals.
Day 3 Day 3: St Lucia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: St Lucia

Beach or bush? Why decide when you can do both? This morning we’ll head out to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, so watch out for elephants, buffalo, rhinos, antelope… plus whales (coz we’re right on the coast, baby). We’ll stop off at Cape Vidal for some snorkelling and all-round beach vibes (weather permitting, obvs). You’ll then have some free time to explore St Lucia or kick back at the hotel. This evening, we’ll embark on a Sunset Hippo Boat cruise on Lake St Lucia (Africa’s largest estuary – home to over 800 hippos and 1200 crocodiles). Afterwards, we’ll round things off with a traditional South African braai dinner. Yup, this day’s as action-packed as it is awesome.
Day 4 Day 4: St Lucia To Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Via Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: St Lucia To Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Via Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve

It’s an early start today – we’re heading inland to the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve and we aim to be there by sunrise. The Big Five. A half-day game drive at the reserve instrumental for bringing the White Rhino back from the brink of extinction. Even a picnic lunch. Today’s excursion is a biggie indeed. With our wildlife bucket lists sufficiently checked, it’s time to set off for a brand new country. Passports at the ready folks – here in Eswatini, we’ll meet some of the locals and learn about their culture and language on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. You’ve learnt from locals. Now its time to sleep like them too. Tonight you will stay at Mlilwane’s Main Lodge - unique beehive thatched huts with ensuite bathrooms (and hotel room amenities for a bit of comfort).
Day 5 Day 5: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary To Kruger National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary To Kruger National Park

Ah, to wake up in nature. We’ll kick off the day with a hearty breakfast and then join the Trip Manager for a morning safari walk. Don’t forget to sign up for a guided Mountain bike ride through the wilderness. There is no Big 5 here so feel free and safe to explore as you choose. Keep an eye out to spot some antelopes and warthogs! Next up, it’s the big one. The world famous one. Here in Kruger, we’ll stay at an exclusive safari campsite – located right in the middle of the park. (Struggling to picture it? Think glamping canvas tents with mattresses, linen and stretchers, a roaring bonfire burning all the while.) This is a true Once in a Lifetime experience, where you’ll fall asleep to the nocturnal calls of hyenas, jackals and lions.
Day 6 Day 6: Kruger National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Kruger National Park

Today we’re up bright and early for our first taste of the fresh morning air. We’ll start with a sunrise safari – just in time to catch Africa’s elusive predators finishing off their nocturnal hunt. At midday, you’ll have the chance to relax back at the camp: you can visit the local shop, take a dip in the pool or visit the nearby restaurant where you can look out over the Sabie River and watch as the animals come to quench their thirst (yup, it’s preddy special.) This afternoon, it’s back to the safari vehicles for a sunset game drive and another chance to see the Big Five and more. Tonight back at camp, we’ll tuck into a traditional South African braai or BBQ, complete with local sides and desserts.
Day 7 Day 7: Kruger National Park To Johannesburg
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Kruger National Park To Johannesburg

Our final day. But is there time for one (or two) last morning game drive? You bet there is. You can choose to head out for a sunrise game drive to spot the nocturnal cats (or just choose to sleep in, like the rest of the animals). Then, we’ll head out on our last game drive in Kruger as we make our way out of the park. It’s our last chance to spot some spellbinding safari animals IRL. Have we saved the best for last? Let’s hope so! And now, with heavy hearts (and even heavier camera rolls) we’ll make our way back to either the Kruger Mpumalanga Airport or Johannesburg International Airport. (Don’t feel like leaving yet? Lucky for you, our Victoria Falls Explorer & Cape Town Explorer trips are starting from Kruger this evening!). Oh, it’s been a thrill… we’ve seen wildlife, we’ve made friends for life. The only question is: where next?

7 days tour

Kruger Safari With Eswatini (7 Days)

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Kruger Safari With Eswatini (7 Days)

Day 1: Johannesburg To Durban

Day 2: Durban To St Lucia

Day 3: St Lucia

Day 4: St Lucia To Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Via Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve

Day 5: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary To Kruger National Park

Day 6: Kruger National Park

Day 7: Kruger National Park To Johannesburg

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania