Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Johannesburg - 4WD Pick Up - Blydepoort CampingAfter arrival at Johannesburg airport, pick up your luggage and our South African representative will meet up with you right after customs. Our representative will take you to the 4WD rental office, not far from the airport. While at the rental office be sure to check your 4WD and camping equipment to make sure it's all working properly. After all of the required formalities are finished, you're all set for your 'great adventure'! Be sure to stock up on supplies along the way; the first leg of your trip will take approximately 5 hours. The scenery will become more hilly and traffic will become sparse. Then in the distance you'll start to see Drakensberg peaks and the impressive Blyde River Canyon. Blyde River Canyon is one of the largest canyons in the world and it features spectacular views of the Three Rondavels and God's Window. You'll set up camp on a campsite at Blydepoort. There is a restaurant, bar and small supermarket located on the premises.

Total distance on Day 1 is approximately 395 km.

Day 2

Blydepoort - Kruger National Park
After breakfast, you'll drive on to the Orpen gate at Kruger Park, which will take you approximately an hour. You'll have most of the day to go on game drives in your own rental car. The roads are excellent for driving and you'll see many different types of animals along the way. You can stop the car at various camps in Kruger Park or at the parking spots along the way and take pictures. During your game drive you'll most likely encounter many giraffes, zebras, impalas and wildebeests. If you look very closely, you may even see a lion or another Big 5 animal. Drive over paved and unpaved roads to one of the rest camps in the middle of Kruger Park. Once you've reached the camp you'll set up your tent and fall asleep to the sounds of the wild.

Total distance on Day 2 is approximately 155 km.

Day 3

Kruger National Park This entire day is dedicated to exploring Kruger Park. Go ahead and plan a fun route through the park ahead of time so that you'll be all set to go when you arrive at the park. Naturally you could also decide to book a game drive or a game walk when you arrive at the park. Who knows.... you may even end up eye to eye with a pack of lions or a grazing giraffe. We're sure that this day in Kruger will leave you with some incredible memories to share with those back home. Keep your camera close!

It's best to have all of your shopping done early in the day so that you can enjoy a delicious braai in the evening. You'll spend the night at a campsite in one of the southern rest camps.

Total distance on day 4 is approximately 72 km.

Day 4

Kruger National Park - Swaziland, Mlilwane Today you'll travel south and leave Kruger Park at the Malelane gate. You'll follow the road towards the Jeppe's Reef border crossing and on into Swaziland (after acquiring another lovely stamp in your passport). You'll drive through Piggs Peak and the capital of Swaziland, Mbabane, onto Mlilwane National Park. Spend the evening at a campsite in this national park. There is a bar, restaurant and swimming pool at the campsite and there's always a campfire roaring in the evening if you're looking to share travel stories or if you want to gaze up at the stars with a nice glass of wine in hand. You may also want to have a look at the beehive huts, the traditional Swazi huts or perhaps you'd like to visit one of the neighbouring Zulu villages before dark. If you're looking for a more active way to spend the day, you could always hike one of the many trails in the area and truly get to know the park.

At the end of an exciting day you may want to relax 'hippo-style' at the hippo pool in the park. This is where the hippos come to cool down and have fun. Imagine being able to witness all of this while sitting back with a cool drink in your hand..... it's unreal!

Total distance on Day 4 is approximately 220km.

Day 5

Swaziland, Mlilwane - Ponto d'Ouro There's quite an impressive drive to Mozambique planned for today; you'll really be able to put your 4WD to the test! First you'll drive out of Swaziland through the Lavumisa crossing and from Jozini you'll drive on to the Kosi Bay border crossing into Mozambique. Keep in mind that the border crossing formalities could take some time to complete, so be sure to arrive early. Once you've passed the border paved roads will turn into unpaved roads and you'll really appreciate having a 4WD to drive in. You'll set up your roof tent at a campsite at Pont d'Ouro. Today you'll see your first sunset in Mozambique!

Total distance on Day 5 is approximately 375km.

Day 6

Ponto d'OuroToday you'll spend the day in Ponta d'Ouro, which means 'Golden Point'. Be sure to wake up early and enjoy the amazing sunrise here. In Ponta d Ouro there are many diving schools and diving conditions are perfect here. The town is also home to the organisation called 'Dolphin Encounters'; they offer trips to see wild dolphins- or to even swim with them. Swimming with dolphins is a very unique experience and worthwhile trying if you're able to.

If you feel like relaxing and unwinding today, naturally there are plenty of ways slow down and rest out a bit. The campsite is near the beach in case you fancy a day at the beach.

Day 7

Ponto d'Ouro - Mkuze Game Reserve After taking down your roof tent you'll cross back into South Africa, back to a somewhat more inhabited world. Then you'll travel on to the small town of Mkuze and the Mkuze Game Reserve, which lies at the border of St. Lucia Park. There are an incredible amount of unique birds in this area, as well as crocodiles, hippos, elephants and rhinos. Once you've reached the park, sometime in the afternoon, drive down one of the fun 4WD routes through the southern part of the park. You'll spend the night at the park campsite.

Total distance on Day 7 is approximately 265km.

Day 8

Mkuze Game Reserve Today is all about rest and relaxation. You can either decide to relax at the campsite or you could try hiking one of the trails you missed yesterday. You'll have plenty of opportunities to spot rhinos in Mkuze and you'll enjoy looking for them. They may even be spying at you from behind a tree before you 'spot' one of these mighty animals yourself!

If you'd like to learn more about the cultures of those living in this area, a local guide can take you to a nearby Zulu village. You'll truly enjoy learning about the Zulu culture and not to mention dancing and singing with the many children in the village.

Day 9

Mkuze Game Reserve - Cape Vidal, St. Lucia Today you'll be able to explore the park by 4WD once again, in search of large or small wild animals. Later in the day you'll leave the park and continue on towards Cape Vidal, the coastline behind St. Lucia Park. The coastline is made up of (enormous) sand dunes that border on the Indian Ocean. It's a great location for swimming, snorkelling and climbing sand dunes (see picture).

In some cases you can drive a 4WD over the dunes, however this is only possible with a special permit (which isn't easy to acquire). It's best to venture over the dunes by foot. You'll spend the night and morning at the Cape Vidal campsite. Before you take off for Cape Vidal, be sure to stock up on supplies at a supermarket in St Lucia. The supermarket has a broad selection of products and long opening hours.

Total distance on Day 9 is approximately 160 km.

Day 10

Cape Vidal, St Lucia - Durban - End of itinerary Today you'll drive further south over quiet, well paved highways towards Durban, where your itinerary ends. You'll reach the Indian Ocean coast effortlessly and before you know it you'll be passing by beach towns and country cottages owned by people in the cities. Eventually, you'll arrive at beach town Umhlanga and nearby Durban. Durban is a large, hectic and exotic harbour city. Durban is the largest harbour in southern Africa and it has an interesting city centre with beautiful buildings.

When you get to Durban, you'll head for the airport to return your 4WD and hop on the place home, probably via Johannesburg or Cape Town.

However, if you have a little time, you may wish to spend a couple of days relaxing in the beach towns of Umhlanga or Balito, located slightly to the north of Durban. The entire coastline area has a wonderfully subtropical and relaxed feel to it. It would be a great place to chill out for a couple of days before beginning your journey home. Just ask our travel specialist for more details.

Total distance on Day 10 is approximately 285km.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

A single or double cab 4WD with camping gear for 10 days, unlimited kilometres, camp site pitches, accommodation and meals as mentioned, road maps, trail information and border documents

Exclusions -

Park entrance fees, additional entry fees, fuel, toll fees, border expenses, Mozambique visas and additional game activities, one-way fee Johannesburg - Durban (R1500), purchase of safety deposit if necessary, international flights, complete safety deposit can also be purchased prior to departure, ask us for our all in rates.

Extras -

£505 per person is based on 2 people

£350 per person - based on 4 people