5 day Wildlife Discovery

Enjoy breakfast (at your own expense) at the hotel and board your touring vehicle for the drive to the Makalali Private Game Reserve. We will stop en route in Dullstroom, a quaint country town known for its trout fishing and tranquillity. The main street of the tiny town is packed with quirky shops and restaurants. From Dullstroom, we wind through the grasslands and hills of the Limpopo Province to the private game reserve. Your open safari vehicle and expert guide will be waiting to take you into the 25,000 hectares of reserve. Have your binoculars and cameras ready - this is 'Big 5' territory and we'll be looking for lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. There is plenty of other wildlife, including hyena and the elusive cheetah. As you adjust to the rhythm of the bush, you will see animals of all sizes. The reserve is an important conservation area for the enormous, endangered Southern Ground Hornbill, which can be found hunting snakes or frogs. A delicious dinner will be served at the lodge as the star-studded southern sky makes its appearance. It's another beautiful evening in Africa. Overnight at aha Makalali Main Lodge or similar - Dinner, breakfast and 2 game viewing excursions

Early morning in the bush is extraordinary. The clear air is filled with birdsong; animals make their way to drinking holes. Be part of the wilderness on a guided walk through the bush, or head out on an open vehicle game drive. After a lodge breakfast, we drive the Panorama Route where the road enters a scenic wonderland. Blyde River Canyon, the world's largest green canyon, filled with waterfalls and ancient geological formations, will take your breath away. Spot the Three Rondawels - three conical peaks resembling African huts. Stand on the bridges over the Bourke's Luck Potholes, where millennia of swirling water have carved giant holes into the sandstone. Be ready for the vistas from God's Window, the highest point of the day. We stop in an old mining town for a late lunch (at your own expense). Established in the 1880s, at the height of the gold rush, these towns are now mostly part of the timber industry. Savour a pancake bar and browse for curios. The scenic drive to Hazyview winds through rolling hills and forests. Soak in the outstanding natural beauty of the Mpumalanga Province as we head for your hotel. Overnight at ANEW Resort Hazyview or similar - Dinner and breakfast

After an early breakfast, we enter the Kruger National Park, the world's premier wildlife destination, through the Phabeni Gate, for a game viewing journey to Malelane Gate in your touring vehicle, immersing you in the world of the 'Big 5'. Sprawling over 20,000km2, The Kruger National Park is slightly smaller than Belgium and supports a staggering variety of fauna and flora - including rare bird species. The slow driving pace is in contrast to the anticipation of spotting an elusive cheetah or the highly endangered rhino. There's a lot to look for, with 336 tree, 49 fish, 34 amphibian, 116 reptile, 507 bird, and 147 mammal species. Graceful giraffe graze amongst the thorn trees, while raptors glide in vast African skies. We stop for lunch at a bush picnic spot (at your own expense). Listen for the laughing call of a hyena or the unforgettable, full-throated roar of a lion. At a water hole, look for crocodiles or a hippo suddenly surfacing for air. We exit the Park via the Malelane Gate. After the excitement of the morning, we make our way to the misty mountains of Eswatini, entering through Jeppes Reef Border Post in the late afternoon, leaving time to relax and enjoy dinner at the lodge. Overnight at Mantenga Lodge or similar - Dinner and breakfast NOTE: When entering the Kingdom of Eswatini, guests must ensure they have a valid passport and for nationals of applicable countries, multi-entry visa regulations apply (own expense)

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before visiting the Swazi Candle Factory. The candles, handmade in a music-filled workshop, are not ordinary. A special wax is used to create distinctive and colourful designs. The candle has a hard veneer from the ancient technique of "millifiore". This candle factory started as a simple initiative in a cowshed in 1982, now has a global reach and supports over 200 local people. Eswatini's vibrant craft market is overflowing with carvings, beadwork and colourful materials. Visit the Yebo Art Gallery to view the work of talented local artists. Sample local specialties, such as Buganu, a marula fruit drink or enjoy tea and cake at the Sambane Tea Garden. For something fiery, try the Black Mamba chilli sauce, a local delicacy. After a fascinating morning, we re-enter South Africa through the Lavumisa Border Post. We will enjoy lunch on the way to St Lucia. The landscape changes dramatically as we approach the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We travel through lush wetlands and dense forests in this paradise on the pristine shores of the Indian Ocean on the way to your lodge and a delicious dinner (at your own expense). Overnight at Forest Lodge or similar - Breakfast and 1 game viewing excursions.

Start your morning on an open safari vehicle, driving through wetlands teeming with wildlife and enjoy coffee with rusks on the beach. iSimangaliso is home to both white and black rhino; it's not often you are presented with the possibility of seeing both in one day. Keep your cameras ready for buffalo, elephant, and the elusive leopard. Buck are plentiful, from ever-present impala to the curved horned kudu, waterbuck with its distinctive markings, and rietbuck. After breakfast, take a boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary. The Estuary, with its island-like setting, is one of the largest estuaries in Africa and a recognised natural wonder. This rich wetland is home to a mind-boggling 2,180 plant species, over 1, 000 Nile crocodiles, more than 800 hippopotami and many prehistoric-looking monitor lizards. With over 400 species of birds, it is a watery paradise. Gliding over the water will be a very different experience from the morning safari. Enjoy lunch (at your own expense) on the banks of the lake listening to the sweet song of an Oriole or the chatter of the vibrantly plumed St Lucia Parrot. We depart for a late afternoon arrival at your Umhlanga and Durban hotel.

ENTRANCE FEES INCLUDED Blyde River Canyon Bourke’s Luck Potholes God’s Window Conservation fee into Kruger National Park, a private game reserve and iSimangaliso Wetlands Park EXCURSIONS INCLUDED 2 open private game reserve safari vehicle game drives Morning open safari vehicle game drive in iSimangaliso Wetland Park St Lucia Estuary boat cruise

4-star hotels, 5-star private game lodge

4 breakfasts and 3 dinners included. Other meals are own expense.