Northern South Africa: North & East Coast in Depth

After your arrival at Johannesburg airport, you pick up the reserved rental car directly at the airport and drive to your booked hotel not far from the airport. You can spend the rest of the day recovering from the overnight flight at your accommodation, or take a half-day excursion to Johannesburg. A city tour is optionally possible or, alternatively, a visit to the Apartheid Museum. You spend the night at The Safari Club. Welcome to your round trip through northern and eastern South Africa.

After an early breakfast, you drive south on a well-built highway to the picturesque Drakensberg region. Your destination is the rustic Greenfire Drakensberg Lodge, which sits on a hilltop in a private nature reserve. Besides a fantastic view, there are various varied hiking routes where you can actively explore this mystical landscape with its high terraces and interesting rock paintings.

Refreshed, you leave the reserve in your own vehicle (SUV) or by transfer and set off to explore this charming, agricultural landscape further. A detour to Royal Natal Park is recommended. There, on a hike, you can admire the magnificent mountain backdrop and fascinating rock formations. Later you drive via Bergville and Winterton to the central Drakensberg near Giant’s Castle National Park. You spend two nights outside the park at the original Antbear Guesthouse near Estcourt. The next day you have the opportunity to hike on various trails within Giant’s Castle National Park or in the surrounding areas. From the car park of Giant’s Castle National Park, a short walk takes you in the footsteps of a people who once walked the same paths as you do today: the Bushmen. You visit the impressive rock paintings of the San and the small museum attached, and can then hike along various paths beside the picturesque river (depending on your own physical fitness) through the truly unique landscape.

Next you visit Durban, the commercial metropolis on the Indian Ocean with its large Indian population, which is also noticeable in the streetscape. Visit the Indian Market, immerse yourself in the smell of spices and incense and buy various curry blends or other spice creations. The botanical garden, the aquarium and the rickshaw drivers on the beachfront promenade are also worth a visit. For the night you drive to Umdloti, about 19 km north of Durban and just moments from the sandy beach of the Indian Ocean. There you stay at the Fairlight Beach House.

You continue to St Lucia. This little town offers a range of activities. You can take a boat trip on the estuary and watch hippos and crocodiles in and by the river. With a bit of luck you will also see elephants or other animals coming to the riverbank to drink. Relax on the beach and take long beach walks. The surroundings are also a paradise for bird lovers. From November to March, turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs and can be observed doing so. From St Lucia, visit Cape Vidal, where, besides more great beaches, there is also the opportunity to snorkel. You spend the night at St. Lucia Wetlands Guesthouse. In St Lucia there are several restaurants within walking distance.

After an early breakfast you drive past forests and sugar cane plantations and arrive at the largest protected area for white rhinos: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Thanks to a large-scale breeding project, those responsible here have succeeded in providing a home for the largest number of the rare black rhinos. For this reason, your chances of seeing this endangered species are far better in this park than in others. But the nature reserve is also one of the most beautiful parks in southern Africa in other respects, not least because of its hilly landscape. In addition to the rhinos mentioned, lions, elephants, leopards and buffalo – the other members of the Big Five – also live in the park. For the night you drive back to St Lucia to St. Lucia Wetlands Guesthouse.

Kosi Bay is still a very untouristy place in South Africa and hopefully will remain so for many years to come. The main attraction here is the system of four freshwater lakes connected by channels. The river that flows through all these lakes ultimately empties into the Indian Ocean. You take a boat trip across the lakes and see fish eagles, cormorants and the artfully made fish traps built by the local inhabitants, which can only be admired here. A snorkelling excursion and a beach day on the long sandy beach are a must. It is truly impressive how the warm water of the river meets the colder water of the Indian Ocean, and the mix of freshwater and saltwater fish is also worth seeing. You stay both nights at Utshwayelo Lodge. None of the activities can be done on your own, as a 4x4 vehicle is required for driving in the area.

You leave South Africa and cross the border into Eswatini (Swaziland). In Manzini you have the opportunity to visit one of the colourful markets and souvenir shops with handmade artworks. Eswatini is far more rural than South Africa, and the area around Mbabane is ideal for hikes and excursions into the mountain regions. You spend the night at the Mogi Boutique Hotel, near which there is a candle factory where you can not only buy the famous Swazi Candles but also watch how they are made.

You leave Eswatini again and drive through the Crocodile Bridge Gate into Kruger National Park. As soon as you enter the park, the “hunt” for the park’s inhabitants with camera and binoculars begins. You stay in the southern part of Kruger National Park and reach Lower Sabie Camp, where you will spend the night in one of the bungalows.

Breakfast

Please note | During peak season some camps may be fully booked. After consultation, we will then rebook you into other camps.

On these days, too, the hunt for photo opportunities in the world-famous Kruger National Park is the focus. You drive towards Skukuza Camp and, with a bit of luck, you will see the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino). You spend two nights at Skukuza Camp. In all camps you have the option of booking guided night drives (the best way to observe nocturnal animals) and guided bush walks. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be taken at the camp restaurant, or you can bring your own food if you are self-catering.

Driving distance day 17: depending on chosen route in the park

Use the morning for more wildlife viewing and drive north within the park. With a bit of luck you will track down more animals that you did not spot the day before. You leave Kruger National Park through Orpen Gate. Later you reach your accommodation in Hazyview, the starting point for the sights along the Panorama Route such as Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes or God’s Window. Drive to Graskop for a snack at Harrie’s Pancake House and visit the “Graskop Gorge Lift”. On a walk along a purpose-built walkway you enjoy a magnificent view over the fascinating gorge. A stop in the former gold-rush town of Pilgrim’s Rest, with historic remnants from times gone by, is also worthwhile. You spend the night at the Little Pilgrims Boutique Hotel.

Drive back through Mpumalanga to the starting point of your trip in Johannesburg. There you return your rental car and begin your flight home with many new impressions in your luggage.