Three Countries
South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland - sun and safari, bush and beach
Day 1 Depart Johannesburg and travel via the Highveld region to the edge of the Drakensberg Escarpment, taking in some of the spectacular sights of the “Panorama Route” such as the MacMac and Lisbon Falls, God’s Window and The Pinnacle rock formation. Then head down Kowyn’s Pass into the sub-tropical Lowveld. Overnight at the Gecko Lodge (www.camps.co.za/aa/gecko.htm) outside the town of Hazyview, on the banks of the Sabi River.
Day 2 We travel north through prime game country, via the towns of Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa, and enter the Kruger National Park (www.parks-sa.co.za) at the Phalaborwa Gate. A slow drive, game-viewing en route, to the Letaba Rest Camp, overlooking the Letaba River. Accommodation in comfortable, air-conditioned, en suite bungalows. Time to relax before heading out again on a late afternoon / evening game drive in search of Africa's "Big Five". Return to camp for a traditional South African “braaivleis” (barbecue) dinner under the stars.
Day 3 Kruger National Park. An early morning game drive, returning to camp for breakfast. Then we head south through the park, spotting game as we go, to the Satara Rest Camp. Bungalow accommodation. Relax before another afternoon / evening game drive. Dinner tonight at the camp restaurant.
Day 4 Kruger National Park – Satara. Early morning game drive followed by brunch. Rest of day at leisure – relax, sit at the waterhole watching the animals come to drink, read, meditate etc. Tonight it’s an evening / night game drive, on an open vehicle with spotlights, a perfect opportunity to see the nocturnal animals – and the best chance of spotting the most elusive of the Big Five, the leopard. Return to camp for a braai dinner.
Day 5 Kruger National Park. We travel further south through the park to the Lower Sabie Rest Camp, on the banks of the Sabi River. Accommodation tonight in a luxury safari tent, en suite, with a view over the river. Game drives as per previous days. Dinner another braaivleis!
Day 6 Time for another country - Mozambique!! We exit Kruger at the Crocodile Bridge Gate in the extreme south-east, and cross the border into Mozambique at the Komatipoort / Ressano Garcia border post. On down to the fascinating coastal capital city, Maputo, a remarkable city with a strong Latin / African vibe. Check in to the Cardoso Hotel, a comfortable hotel with great views over Maputo Bay. Dinner tonight – it ought to be prawns or crayfish, or chicken piri-piri! – at one of the many fine restaurants. (www.hotelcardoso.co.mz)
Day 7 Maputo. City tour – per vehicle and on foot – including the Nossa Senhora de Conceicao Cathedral, the Jardim Tunduru botanical gardens (and the statue of Samora Machel, first post-independence Mozambique president), the CFM Railway Station and Casa de Ferro (designed by Gustav Eiffel), the magnificently colonial Polana Hotel and the Costa do Sol beachfront. Dinner at one of the Costa do Sol seafood restaurants.
Day 8 Today we travel north across the vast coastal plain that makes up most of the country, with its palm trees and old Portuguese villages and towns such as Marracuene, Manhica and Xai Xai. Today's destination is Barra Lodge (www.barralodge.co.za), under coconut palms on the beach near the town of Inhambane. Time for a swim in the warm Indian Ocean, followed by a drink or two at the beach bar.
Day 9 Via Maxixe and Massinga to Vilanculos where we transfer by plane to Mozambique's jewel, Bazaruto Island, and the stunning Indigo Bay Resort and Spa (www.indigobayonline.com). After checking in, time to float around in the tropical waters, walk on snow white beaches or have a little cocktail or two at the bar!
Day 10 Indigo Bay. Full day in ABSOLUTE paradise! The range of optional activities is huge - diving, snorkeling around the coral reefs, water skiing, dune boarding, horse riding, guided island 4 X 4 drives to view the huge sand dunes, and lakes with their resident crocodiles etc!
Day 11 Indigo Bay. Damn, ANOTHER day in paradise!
Day 12 Air transfer back to the African mainland. South again, crossing the Limpopo River at the town of Xai Xai, and then down to the lagoon coast at Praia do Bilene. Overnight at the Praia do Sol Lodge (www.pdsol.co.za), on the edge of the Sao Martinho lagoon.
Day 13 Today we travel via Maputo and the village of Boane to the Namaacha border post with Swaziland (that’s country number 3!), one of the smallest countries in Africa, and one of only three monarchies on the continent. Via the lowveld sugar estates and the Hlane Royal National Park to the Mkhaya Game Reserve (www.biggame.co.sz), home to 4 of the Big Five, and Swaziland’s Refuge for Endangered Species. Luxury tented accommodation. Late afternoon open-vehicle game drive or guided game walk.
Day 14 Early morning game drive and breakfast, then we climb up the Escarpment to the famed Ezulwini Valley (“Valley of Heaven”) for craft and curio shopping – stopping at road-side craft markets as well as at the Swazi Candle Factory and at Ngwenya Glass. On via the capital, Mbabane, to the Foresters Arms Hotel (www.forestersarms.co.za), set amid vast timber plantations in the Mhlambanyatsi highlands. Afternoon hike, or simply relax at the pool overlooking the surrounding valleys and hills.
Day 15 Our last day sees us exit the kingdom of Swaziland and travel north west through the Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces to Johannesburg, arriving mid-day. END OF TOUR – till next time!
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