South Africa

Self-drive / Family / Walking / Romance / General Tours
Horse Safaris / Camping Tours / Victoria Falls extension

Scenic Safari Trail

This popular and leisurely self-drive tour, using LUXURY accommodation, takes you from Johannesburg 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.

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 : Arrive Hoedspruit Airport, 3 nights, Vuyatela Game Lodge, Full Board and Game Activities
On arrival at the Kruger Park Airport, you are met and transferred to the world famous Sabi Sands 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.

Day 4 : 2 nights, Blue Mountain Lodge, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
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 before 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. Blue Mountain Lodge is set overlooking an avocado and fruit plantation.

Day 6 : 1 night, Buhala Lodge, near Kruger National Park, Bed & Breakfast
Today you travel south and perhaps meander through the southern part of the Kruger Park for your overnight stay at Buhala Lodge. Buhala Country House 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. Malelane is the alternative lodge.

Day 7 : 2 nights, Reilly's Rock Lodge, Swaziland, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Today you travel to the Kingdom of Swaziland for your two night 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. White-water rafting and hiking are on offer for the adventurous whilst others may prefer a mellow round of golf or a gentle horse ride through the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.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.

Day 9 : 2 nights, White Elephant Safari Lodge, Pongola Game Reserve, Full Board and Game drives
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 and 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. This romantic retreat is ideal for a relaxing game and nature experience or for those travelling to Swaziland.

Day 11 : 3 nights, Zimbali Lodge, Natal North Coast, Bed & Breakfast
Today you travel south to the Natal North Coast to Zimbali Lodge. The luxurious Zimbali 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.

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: May 1- Aug. 31, 2006 = 22320 rand, Sept. 1-Oct. 31= 23720 rand