Hiking in South Africa, Swaziland & more

Hiking time approx. 1 hour (easy hike)

After the briefing you leave Johannesburg at around 06:30 heading east to Mpumalanga. In the afternoon you reach the former gold-rush town of Pilgrim’s Rest. The town owes its name to the gold prospector Alec Patterson, who exclaimed after his gold find here: “The pilgrim can rest!” Numerous gold seekers followed his call. In 1972 Pilgrim’s Rest was taken over by the government and declared a national monument. Today visitors can view some of the houses. Via Graskop you finally reach the God’s Window viewpoint. Here your hiking adventure in South Africa begins with a short hike of about one hour to the natural Mac Mac Pools. A wonderful place to cool off with a dreamlike view. Tonight you will stay in log cabins at Graskop Mogodi Lodge.

After breakfast you set off on a three- to four-hour hike in Blyde River Canyon. You hike from the edge of the escarpment down into the canyon with a view of the Three Sisters and the river, before hiking back up the escarpment. The 26-kilometre-long red sandstone canyon is considered one of the natural wonders of Africa. After lunch you explore the forests and waterfalls of Mpumalanga and have the opportunity to take the Graskop Gorge Lift 60 metres down to the valley floor and discover the Afromontane forest (optional). You spend another night at Graskop Mogodi Lodge.

Hiking time day 4: approx. 3–4 hours (easy hike)

Today the journey continues to the well-known Kruger National Park. Here, on a game drive in an open safari vehicle, you have great chances of encountering leopards, lions and elephants. During the midday heat you refresh yourself at a picnic lunch break and then continue your game drive. In the late afternoon you finally make your way to your accommodation in the Greater Kruger area.

The next day you set off for Kruger National Park before dawn, in the hope of making use of the early daylight for wildlife viewing. In the afternoon the group returns to the lodge and goes on a short bush walk, during which you learn about the tracks and other signs of wildlife. Two nights at Makuwa Safari Lodge.

Hiking time day 6: approx. 4–6 hours (challenging hike)

Past lush fruit plantations you drive to Eswatini, the Kingdom of Swaziland. Your destination is Malolotja Nature Reserve. The highland reserve extends over 18,000 hectares and offers a wide variety of habitats to rich flora and fauna. Green areas, flowing streams, thick scrub, bushveld and also humid African montane forest characterise the landscape. During your stay you will explore the hill country of Malolotja Nature Reserve extensively on foot. You will stay in the log cabins of Hawane Resort.

Hiking time day 7: approx. 2–3 hours (easy hike)

You drive back to South Africa to the heart of KwaZulu-Natal province. Your home for the next two nights is Zululand Lodge in the private Msinene Nature Reserve north of Hluhluwe. In the afternoon, a two- to three-hour hike along the Msinene River gives you the chance to marvel at the diverse birdlife and, with a bit of luck, track down nyala, which are among the rarer and shyer antelope species. You spend the next morning on a game drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. This reserve is dedicated mainly to rhino conservation. But giraffes, cheetahs, African wild dogs and the rest of the Big Five are also represented here. Back at your lodge you can enjoy a dreamlike sunset from the viewing deck. A delicious, hearty dinner rounds off the eventful day.

Hiking time day 10: approx. 4–5 hours (challenging hike)

Straight through Zululand and its picturesque, hilly landscape, your journey takes you to the town of Dundee and to the Battlefields, the historic battlefields that are among the most important sites in South African history. You visit the Tulana Museum. The Zulu word Tulana (“the shelf on which valuable objects are stored”) is a very fitting name for this large and informative museum. The afternoon is at your leisure. The next morning you visit the former battlefield of Isandlwana and immerse yourself in South Africa’s history. You then set off on a four- to five-hour hike through the hilly Zululand to the Buffalo River. You also visit Rorke’s Drift before returning to your accommodation. You spend two nights at Bellas Rest Guesthouse.

Hiking time day 12: approx. 6 hours (moderate hike)

Today your hiking tour takes you on to the Drakensberg. Here you can enjoy the healthy mountain air for two days and refresh yourself in the clear mountain streams. You go on a roughly five- to six-hour hike through the Tugela Gorge and can admire the size and grandeur of the Drakensberg. You spend the night in the log cabins of Thendele Camp in Royal Natal National Park.

Hiking time approx. 5–6 hours (challenging hike)

Early in the morning you set off for Witsieshoek at the foot of the impressive Sentinel Peak. Your hike today begins at the end of a bumpy gravel track. Through beautiful, unspoilt landscape you climb ever higher, with fantastic views guaranteed. Via a short scramble you finally reach, at around 3,000 metres, the roof of the Drakensberg, the Amphitheatre and the picturesque Tugela Falls. The views from up here are unforgettable! Pause and enjoy the moment. At the end of the day you can relax at Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge, your accommodation for today at 2,300 metres.

In the morning you have one last opportunity for a walk in the mountains. The rare and fascinating bearded vultures are at home here, so keep an eye out for them. You then drive back to Johannesburg, where you will arrive in the late afternoon. Your hiking adventure in South Africa comes to an end.

Breakfast | Lunch

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