Zululand & Mozambique

Early in the morning at around 6:30 am you start your round trip from Johannesburg. Through South Africa's highlands, your drive takes you into the heart of KwaZulu-Natal province, known for its rich culture and fantastic wildlife. On the way you stop for a picnic lunch. During the afternoon you reach Zululand Lodge, which lies in a private nature reserve. Settle into your safari tent at your leisure and make yourself comfortable with a cool drink on the viewing deck. The wide view over the bushveld is breathtakingly beautiful!

You begin the day with a bush walk. Discover the little wonders of nature and look out for animals and the diverse birdlife. In the afternoon you visit Mkhuze Game Reserve, one of the important sanctuaries for the endangered rhino, and set out on the trail of the Big Five and other wildlife. During your game drive you stop at one of the hides to watch animals drinking at the waterhole. The next day you explore neighbouring Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park on game drives. Look forward to another day full of exciting wildlife viewing! You spend two more nights at Zululand Lodge.

Kosi Bay Nature Reserve in the far north-east of KwaZulu-Natal encloses a unique lake system with four freshwater lakes that flow into the Indian Ocean, dune forests and mangroves. In the afternoon you walk to the lakeshore and explore this fascinating ecosystem on a boat trip. The next morning you travel by four-wheel-drive vehicle to Kosi Bay Mouth, the estuary basin. Take the opportunity to go snorkelling (optional) and watch the incredible variety of fish in all colours and sizes through your mask. If snorkelling is too strenuous, you can make yourself comfortable on the lonely, kilometre-long beach or take a beach walk. Kosi Bay is also known for the traditional, artfully made fish traps of the local fishermen. You spend the night at Kosi Bay Lodge.

After your morning excursion to Kosi Bay Mouth, your round trip takes you to Mozambique. Your destination is Ponta do Ouro, a popular seaside resort in the south of Mozambique. Decades of research have shown that around 400 dolphins pass through the area around Ponta do Ouro and about 150 of them are resident here. You will have the unique opportunity to accompany a local dolphin research team on ocean safaris. You head out to sea in boats. Along the shallow reef you can snorkel wonderfully, and with a little luck you can see dolphins and perhaps even whales from the boat. You spend two nights at Planet Scuba Guest House.

Today you continue to Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Formerly known as Lourenço Marques, the city lies on a large natural bay and is the economic hub of Mozambique. The mix of African and Portuguese culture is reflected in the colourful city life and Mozambican cuisine. Impressive buildings such as the railway station are last remnants of Portuguese colonial architecture. In the evening you go for dinner with your travel group (at your own expense). Try delicious seafood or piri-piri dishes, which are typical of Mozambican cuisine. Your accommodation today is City Lodge Hotel Maputo.

On your drive north you pass large cashew and mango plantations. Finally you reach the town of Inhambane, where the Arab influences of the past can still be clearly seen today. You explore this historic town with its 200-year-old cathedral and visit the market before driving on to Praia da Barra. Here you have plenty of time to sit back and relax on the dreamy beach. For the active among you, activities such as boat trips, snorkelling excursions and dives on the colourful, fish-rich coral reef are on offer (optional). You spend the night at Bayview Lodge.

Along the coast you drive back south through Mozambique to your next accommodation on the beach north of Xai-Xai. Set on the coastal dunes, it offers fantastic views over the green bush landscape and the warm Indian Ocean. Here you have another chance to swim and snorkel (optional). In the evening a delicious fish barbecue awaits you in the lodge's restaurant. You spend the night at East Africa Safaris Casitas.

Today you leave Mozambique, and your round trip takes you back to South Africa and Kruger National Park, one of the most important National Parks in Southern Africa. You spend your time in the National Park on exciting game drives, and with a little luck you will see lions, buffalo, elephants, rhinos, leopards, giraffes and many other wild animals. In the hot midday hours you can relax and rest at camp. On day 12 there is the option to join a night drive in an open safari vehicle (optional). You spend the night in bungalows at one of the rest camps in Kruger National Park.

You set off early in the morning and explore Kruger National Park on further game drives. Look out for animals you have not yet seen over the last few days. Finally you leave the park and drive to your next accommodation in the Greater Kruger area. Makuwa Safari Lodge has a relaxed bush atmosphere. Let the last evening of your round trip through Mozambique and South Africa wind down together around the campfire and listen to the sounds of the African wilderness. Overnight stay at Makuwa Safari Lodge.

Together with a local ranger you explore the private game reserve on foot in the morning. You learn to interpret the tracks and signs of the African bush. You then drive back to Johannesburg, where you will arrive in the evening with many beautiful impressions.

Breakfast

Note: Solo travellers are welcome to share a room with other solo travellers of the same sex at no extra charge.