South Africa driving tours - Drakensberg hikers

Eastern Nature Trail

South Africa driving tour

This Eastern South Africa driving tour will take you from the bush to the beach  to the mountains and more. It's a great way to experience South Africa's versatility without the need for internal flights. During the trip, you'll stay in a romantic bush camp near Kruger National Park, in a traditional beehive hut in Swaziland and a scenic mountain lodge the majestic Drakensberg Mountains. If you have a little extra time to spare, try to add on one or more days to visit Hluhluwe National Park, St Lucia and surrounding areas. If you enjoy hiking, you may wish to add an extra couple of days to your stay in the Drakensberg area. Alternatively, hop on a plane from Johannesburg to Cape Town to continue your South Africa adventure. Almost anything is possible!

Duration 14 days, 13 nights
departs daily from Johannesburg

Accommodation

Double rooms with ensuite facilities. Comfort levels 2 and 3 (see accommodation).

Price

£980 per person - based on 2 people sharing

Includes

Rental car category B (with air conditioning) including all mileage, taxes and full insurance coverage, overnight stays with breakfast (only Kruger accommodation, half board and 1 bush lodge game drive / walk per day) and trail information

Transport

Rental car

Excludes

All additional car expenses on location, such as contract expenses and deposit, park entrance fees, optional excursions and international flights

Day 1: Arrival in Johannesburg and drive to Pretoria

Total distance on Day 1 is approximately 60 km.

Your flight to South Africa is likely depart in the evening and arrive the following morning. When you've landed, you'll pick up your rental car and our local representative will talk you through the itinerary either at the airport or your first hotel. Next, you'll drive for approximately 60km to your hotel in Pretoria, where you'll have time to freshen up, take a rest and visit a few of the sights in Pretoria. Stop at the buildings of Parliament and their gardens, the Voortrekkers monument (to commemorate the Boers that trekked north into the heart of the African grassland) and the Paul Kruger house. Invigorated by all of the new impressions and surroundings, you'll probably have enough energy to visit the bars, restaurants and stores in Hatfield.

Note: A few direct flights to South Africa arrive late at night. In these circumstances, we make hotel reservations for you in Johannesburg instead, not far from the airport, so that you don't have drive all the way to Pretoria.

South Africa driving tours - Johannesburg
South Africa driving tours - Panorama view

Day 2: Pretoria - Hazyview

Total distance on Day 2 is approximately 400km.

This morning on your South Africa driving tours, you'll leave Pretoria early in your rental car and take the N4 to the eastern province of Mpumalanga. Slowly but surely, the countryside will become more meadow-like and hilly and traffic will become scarce. After a while you will see the peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains and the impressive gorge of the Blyde River Canyon. Your trip ends in the village of Hazyview, beautifully situated between sugarcane and banana plantations, on the border of Kruger Park. You'll spend the night just outside of the village in a cosy guest house with a swimming pool in the midst of fields. The restaurants in Hazyview are easily accessible for dinner in the evening. 
 

Day 3: Hazyview - Blyde River Canyon - Private Game Reserve

Total distance on Day 3 is approximately 200km.

This morning, you'll continue the South Africa driving tour. You can stop at Blyde River Canyon, admire the uniquely shaped hills at the Three Rondavels, see the amazing results of wind erosion at Bourkes Luck Potholes and enjoy the view from Gods Window. When skies are clear, you can see all the way to Mozambique! You can also stop at the quaint village of Sabie and former mining town Pilgrim's Rest with its' historic houses, facades and stores. Maybe even grab lunch at one of the friendly cafés in the area.

Just short of Klaserie lies Kruger Park's Orpen Gate. Sometime late afternoon you'll arrive at your Greater Kruger Private Game Reserve lodge where you'll spend the next two nights. This cosy lodge is run by enthusiastic South Africans, who have turned their love for the bush into their livelihood. In the evening, you can relax and enjoy the campfire under an endless starry sky or have a cocktail at the bar. In other words, welcome to bush heaven!

South Africa driving tours - Bush lodge
South Africa driving tours - The big five

Day 4: Private Game Reserve

You'll stay at the bush lodge on a full board basis. This includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and two game activities. You can take part in a morning or afternoon game drive in an open safari vehicle, try a bush walk with a trained guide or take a microlight flight (additional cost) over the game reserve. On arrival at the property, the owners will let you know which activities are possible during your South Africa driving tour. Of course, you can also always opt to simply pull up a comfortable chair, grab a good book and enjoy the sounds of the many wonderful birds serenading you.

Day 5: Private Game Reserve - Kruger National Park

After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to your new friends at the bush lodge and drive down to the Kruger Orpen Gate. As you pass Satara and the Orpen dam, you'll head further and further south through Kruger National Park. The roads are in excellent condition and you'll encounter all kinds of different animals during your drive. You can stop at one of the many camps or rest stops along the way to stretch out for a bit, and grab some lunch.

During your South Africa driving tour, please keep in mind that the speed limit in this area is 40-50 km per hour. You'll spend the night in one of the Southern Kruger restcamps such as Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Pretoriuskop, Berg-en-Dal or Crocodile Bridge. Be sure to remember that the park is larger than you would imagine it to be and that at 18.00 all camp and park gates are closed. Click here for a Map of Kruger.
South Africa driving tours - Game walk
South Africa driving tours - Beehive hut interior

Day 6: Kruger National Park - Swaziland

Total distance on Day 6 is approximately 240 kms

If you would like to arrange a game walk or game drive in Kruger National Park this morning, just let us know and we'll organise it for you. The guides become booked up very quickly, so it's best to book in advance. Coming from the southern part of Kruger Park it's about a 275km drive to Mlilwane National Park. Once you leave Kruger behind you it won't be long until you reach the Swazi border. A scenic road leads through the mountain passes of Piggs Peak and along the Malotja reserve to the busy, somewhat chaotic capital city of Mbabane. After a visit to the Swazi market stands, where all types of art and other products can be purchased, you'll reach Mlilwane National Park, the largest nature reserve in the country. After you've passed the entrance, head for the camp where you'll spend the night in a small Swazi village in a traditional beehive hut. This accommodation is very basic, with two single beds, electricity, mosquito netting and basic plumbing - but it will certainly be a memorable evening. You can also choose to stay in the colonial lodge belonging to the founder of the park, which is a more exclusive option. 

Day 7: Swaziland, Mlilwane

If you fancy an early start try a hot bath in the warm springs outside your at sunrise under the watchful gaze of sleepy impala - a great way to start your day. The Swazi village nearby the camp offers an excellent opportunity to learn more about the local culture. If you book beforehand, you can take an early morning horseback ride straight through the park (also for beginners!) or a mountain bike ride to ‘Executioners Rock’? In the past, unlucky criminals were thrown to their death from this elevated rock formation. There are also several hiking trails available to you near the camp. Although you won't see any lions or other predators, there are plenty of crocodiles and hippos in the lakes, streams and banks of the river.

South Africa driving tours - Swazi women
South Africa driving tours - Zebra

Day 8: Swaziland - St Lucia

Total distance on Day 8 is approximately 350 kms or 4 hours.

This morning on the South Africa driving tour, you'll leave Mlilwane and drive further south past Manzini and Big Bend along the Mozambique border to Golela, the KwaZulu Natal border. The landscape will become flatter and more arid. Once you reach South African territory, take the highway to Hlhuhluwe and then take the exit to the village of St. Lucia. The village is very nearby the lake and reserve both known by the same name, St. Lucia. Spend the night in a small, pleasant accommodation with swimming pool near the main street, restaurants and stores. There are also several bars nearby that would be great for a drink and some music in the evening hours.

Day 9: St Lucia

You'll have two entire days to explore around Lake St. Lucia and the beautiful Hluhluwe National Park on your South Africa driving tours. A boat leaves from the village of St. Lucia several times a day for an approximately 2 hour cruise on St Lucia lake. Aside from crocodiles you'll also see hippos, flamingos, pelicans and other fish-eating birds. This trip can easily be booked on location. 

Tip: Near St. Lucia you'll find the Zulu-village of Khula. South Africa Travel Plan supports the small village's school, where many children do not even have enough money to pay tuition or for lunch. Click here for more information on our South African charity project. If you're interested in visiting the school and the village, a guide can take you there in the morning.
South Africa driving tours - Hippos in the river
South Africa driving tours - Game drive in your own car

Day 10: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park

Total distance on Day 10 is approximately 150km.

The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is about an hour drive away from your accommodation. Aside from lions, elephants and giraffes this park is also known for being the home of the endangered black rhino. You can easily use your own rental car for a game drive. The best time for seeing animals is right after sunrise or around sunset, so try to plan your game drives around these times of day. If you'd like an experienced ranger to guide you through the park, your accommodation can arrange an open land rover game drive for you through Hluhluwe park. This usually costs about £38 per person for half a day (with morning coffee and muffins included) or £55 per person (with lunch included). This evening will be spent in St. Lucia once again.

Day 11: St Lucia - Durban/Umhlanga

Total distance on Day 11 is approximately 300km.

From Hluhluwe, you'll set off on the 3 hour drive to Durban. Sometime in the afternoon you'll arrive at the beach town of Umhlanga, near Durban. You'll spend the night at a charming bed and breakfast near a broad sandy beach. Your room will have a shower, toilet, TV and a fan. You can enjoy breakfast on the pool patio, with plants and flowers all around you. The very lively city centre of Umhlanga is only about 5 minutes away. There are many bars, stores and great restaurants. Of course, you can also take a quick drive to Durban boulevard. Got the idea to spend more time at the beach? Think about booking an overnight stay at Umhlali, a beach town with a beautiful sandy shoreline about 10km north of Umhlanga. 

South Africa driving tours - Umhlanga beaches
South Africa driving tours - Champagne Castle

Day 12: Durban/Umhlanga - Champagne Valley (Drakensberg Mountains)

Get back behind the wheel of your car this morning on your driving tour and head to Champagne Valley. Rolling plains will become more hilly and eventually you'll see the Drakensberg peaks looming in the distance. Spend the night at the idyllic Champagne Farm, with mountain peaks visible in the distance and a green, lush environment surrounding you. Enjoy a lovely dinner with a glass of wine in the guest house. Sleep in one of the romantic rondavels with a shower and a toilet (breakfast is included). On arrival at the guest house, relax by the pool or take a short walk through the Central Mountain area near Monks Cowl.

Day 13: Champagne Castle - Drakensberg Mountains

Total distance on Day 14 is approximately 100 km.

The 'Central Mountain' and 'Royal Natal' are only a short drive away from your accommodation in Champagne Valley. Today you'll be able to take 1 to 6 hour breathtaking hikes through both of these areas. The Drakensberg massif has mountaintops ranging up to 1700 to 3500 metres in height and consists mainly of overgrown basalt mountains through which many mountain springs run. You'll encounter all kinds of flora and fauna. If you look closely you'll see the black eagle, the bearded vulture, badgers, different types of gnus etc. Naturally, the highlight of the Royal Natal Park is the 'Amphitheatre', seen on the picture to the right.

If hiking isn't your thing, you can also visit the Spioenkop or the Weenen Game Reserve. Weenen Game Reserve is home to black rhinos, giraffes, buffalos, zebras, ostriches, European bison and many other types of antelopes. Spend the night in Champagne Valley.

South Africa driving tours - Amphitheatre
South Africa driving tours - Golden Gate National Park

Day 14: Champagne Valley (Drakensberg) - Golden Gate - Johannesburg - End of itinerary

Total distance on Day 15 is approximately 350km.

We suggest waking up early today in order to arrive at the Golden Gate National Park before lunchtime. The Gold Gate National Park is located on the border between Lesotho and Free State and is quite mountainous. Fertile grassy hills, mountain streams, rock formations in every colour imaginable and beautiful skies are the decor for your hike through this area. Enjoy a walk through the park and then embark on your 4 hour drive to Johannesburg. This is where your South Africa driving tour will end.

Tip: If you have a little more time available and can't get enough of spotting wild animals, we recommend you extend your stay with 2 nights in Madikwe Game Reserve. You'll sleep in a luxury bush lodge with a lovely swimming pool in non-crowded private park. Click here for our malaria free safari in South Africa. You can also extend your stay with an extra night at Champagne Castle or Golden Gate National Park to fully enjoy this area.
 

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