South Africa

Self-drive / Family / Walking / Romance / General Tours / Specials
Camping Tours / Wildlife Training Courses / Victoria Falls

Scenic Safari Trail

This leisurely self drive tour takes you from the Kruger National Park through Swaziland and KwaZulu Natal to Durban, staying in a delightful mix of lodges with individual character. There is time to explore the Drakensberg and Swaziland scenery as well as two complementary safari experiences. You finish with relaxation at one of the finest coastal resorts in South Africa. Luxury accommodation.

Meals Varied, Full Board & Game drives on 5 nights, Dinner Bed Breakfast on 4 nights, Bed & Breakfast on 4 nights
Accommodation Luxury - top private game lodges and luxury hotels
Departure Dates On request
Transport Group B rental car with unlimited kilometres. Upgrades to larger vehicles easily arranged.
Price Includes Meals and accommodation as shown in text, Group B car rental
Price Excludes International flights, visas, items of a personal nature, meals not specified
Minimum Number 2
Climate Sub-tropical climate - hot & humid summers, warm dry and sunny winters
Best time to go Suitable all year round, especially April to October/November
Health Requirements Anti-Malarial precautions essential. Sunblock essential.

Day 1 - 3 nights Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve
On arrival at the Hoedspruit Airport, you are met and transferred to the world famous Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve for your three night safari at Vuyatela Lodge. This delightful contemporary African-styled lodge has 9 air-conditioned suites or "kayas". We like it because of its excellent cuisine, great wine cellar and flexible approach to guest's wishes, with bush breakfasts and informative bush walks on offer. Game-viewing is excellent and includes spotting of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, rhino, general game and bird life.
Full Board & Game Activities. Accommodation: Vuyatela Game Lodge, Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Day 4 - 2 nights Blyde River area
After a final early morning game drive, you are transferred back to Hoedspruit to collect your rental car and drive to the Blue Mountain Lodge for a two night stay. The Drakensberg escarpment provides welcome relaxation after the excitement of a safari. The panoramic drive alongside the Blyde River Canyon is magnificent. Many clients also enjoy the Cheetah Research and Breeding Centre and the Shangaan cultural village.

Cybele was originally an old hunting lodge, surrounded by plantations of wood and coffee. The lodge itself is a charming old farmhouse with a wide veranda overlooking the rolling lawns. The interior is warm and mellow, furnished with antiques, art and books - an ideal place for drinks before sampling Cybele's exquisite cuisine. Accommodation ranges from attractive garden cottages, to contemporary luxury rooms to various suites. Each is individually decorated with private gardens and all have minibar, fireplace, satellite television, DVD/video, tea/coffee facilities, and air-conditioning. Activities include walking trails in the 300 acre property, horse-riding, heated swimming pool, well equipped gym and the popular Spa. (1½ hours, 110km).
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. Accommodation: Cybele Forest Lodge & Spa

Day 6 - 2 nights near the southern part of Kruger National Park
Today you travel south and perhaps meander through the southern part of the Kruger Park for your overnight stay at Buhala Game Lodge.

Buhala Game Lodge is set on a tropical fruit and avocado farm and looks out over the Crocodile River to the Kruger Park. Parties of elephants come down to the water to drink, and hippos have even been known to walk up to the lawn! Buhala is the perfect country house retreat, offering seven bedrooms furnished with antiques and cooled by fans. (3½ to 4 hours, 120km).
Bed & Breakfast. Accommodation: Buhala Game Lodge

Day 8 - 1 night Swaziland
Today you travel to the Kingdom of Swaziland for your overnight stay at Reilly's Rock Lodge. Swaziland provides a fascinating cultural experience. Travel through undulating country dotted with Swazi villages and enjoy game viewing in the Mlilwane reserve.

Reilly's Rock Lodge is the utterly captivating former homestead of conservationist Ted Reilly. The colonial homestead has a colourful pioneer history and has been sympathetically restored with great attention to period detail. (3½ hours, 180km).
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. Accommodation: Reilly's Rock Hilltop Lodge

Day 9 - 2 nights Pongola Game Reserve
After breakfast you travel to the Pongola Game Reserve overlooking the beautiful Lake Jozini for your two night stay at White Elephant Safari Lodge. Here you encounter a variety of antelope, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, hyena and elephant plus loads of activities - open top game drives, sunset boat cruises, nature walks, Tiger fishing and unique excursions to track rhino or elephant. White Elephant Lodge is an elegant, colonial lodge in the beautiful Pongola reserve. (3 hours, 195km).
Full Board & Game Drives. Accommodation: White Elephant Safari Lodge

Day 11 - 3 nights KwaZulu Natal north coast
Today you travel south to the Natal North Coast and Zimbali Lodge. The luxurious lodge has spectacular views through the lush sub-tropical forests to the warm Indian Ocean. Only 20 minutes north of Durban, Zimbali is a haven of peace and quiet, an elegant and sophisticated retreat. Every room opens onto a private, furnished balcony offering sweeping views down the valley to the sea, and is luxuriously decorated. Sink into the inviting easy chairs in the elegant drawing room or treat yourself to a traditional afternoon tea. Zimbali boasts a superb 18 hole golf-course, tennis, walking trails, a breath-taking pool and deck, a private beach with beach club and a welcoming health and beauty spa. (3½ hours, 300km). Bed & Breakfast

Day 14 - Return car to Durban
Today you drive to Durban Airport to drop off your rental car in time for your onward flight.

Price per person sharing: 01 Jan 2009 - 30 Apr 2009 = US$3848, 01 May 2009 - 31 Aug 2009 = $US$3645, = 01 Sep 2009 - 30 Sep 2009 = US$3776.00