Beehive huts and St. Lucia wetlands

Coming from the southern part of Kruger Park you'll travel to Swaziland, and it's about 275 km to Mlilwane National Park. A scenic road will lead you through the Piggs Peak mountain pass and along the Malotja reserve to the busy, somewhat chaotic capital city of Mbabane. After a visit to a Swazi market, where all types of art and other products can be found, you'll arrive at Mlilwane National Park, the oldest and most visited natural park in the country.
 
After you've passed the park entrance, head for the Swaziland tours camp where you'll spend the night in a traditional beehive hut. Accommodation when travelling Swaziland is very basic: 2 single beds, electricity, mosquito netting and basic plumbing. But then again, what else do you really need? In the past few years, tourists have discovered this location and more beehive huts have been built in the area, so it will not feel completely remote.

Alternatively, you can opt for a guest house just outside of the park, located in the nearby mountains. If you stay here, you can go on hikes and tours through the area and get to know Swaziland in a pleasant, peaceful manner. If you prefer more luxury, you can also stay in one of the nearby wooden chalets with private bathrooms.The colonial lodge, where the founder of the park once lived, is our most exclusive option. At the end of the day you can relax 'hippo-style' by the hippo pool in the park. This is where hippos come to cool off and you can enjoy the view while sipping on a cool drink.

Today, you'll have all the time you need to unwind after yesterday's road trip. Why not make reservations the prior evening and go on an early morning horseback ride straight through the park (for beginners and intermediates)? Or, if you prefer, you can also take a mountain bike trip out to ‘Executioners Rock’. In the past, unlucky criminals were thrown to their death from this elevated rock formation.

There are also several hiking trails near our Swaziland tours camp. Walking through nature, leaving all means of motorized transportation far behind, will have an incredibly calming effect on you. Although you won't see any lions or other land predators, there are plenty of crocodiles and hippos in the lakes, streams and rivers. Just be sure not to get too close! If you like, you can also arrange to travel to a nearby Swazi village, accompanied by a guide. Visiting these villages is a great way to learn more about the Swazi culture, not to mention a fun chance to dance and sing with children living in these villages. 

At the end of the day enjoy a cool, relaxing dive into the large swimming pool within walking distance from your Swaziland beehive hut. Then, after dinner, let go of your inhibitions and shake off the days Swaziland tour with an evening of traditional reed dancing.

Today, you'll leave your Swaziland tours behind and drive further south past Manzini and Big Bend along the Mozambique border to Golela, on the edge of KwaZulu Natal. You'll find that the landscape becomes flatter and more arid as you go on. Next, you'll cross back into South Africa and take the highway to Hlhuhluwe and then exit at the village of St. Lucia. The village is near a lake and reserve both known by the same name, St. Lucia. You'll spend the night in a small, pleasant guesthouse with a swimming pool near to 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.

You'll now have two entire days to explore Lake St. Lucia and the equally stunning Hluhluwe National Park. There's plenty to do and see in this area. For instance, you could choose to explore the St. Lucia Wetlands, which should take about 45 minutes to reach by car. Here, you'll find several different types of eco-systems surrounding the 40km long St.Lucia Lake. There are swamplands, wetlands, bush lands and grassy plains. Indigenous animals in this areas include crocodiles, flamingos, pelicans and other fish-eating birds.

You could also choose to take our unique day trip combining the St. Lucia Wetlands and Cape Vidal. In a small group, you'll travel by 4X4 past a unique trail of cut down trees - you may even see a white rhino on your way to the beach. There are few locations in South Africa where the beaches are as beautiful and as peaceful as this one bordering the Indian Ocean. The windblown sand dunes make the scenery even more spectacular. This day trip also offers an opportunity to participate in outdoor activities; if weather permits, you'll receive snorkelling equipment from your guide. Indian Ocean underwater conditions are excellent in the month of December. For more information have a look at the Cape Vidal day trip.

Another option would be to take a two-hour river boat cruise. The boat leaves from St. Lucia twice a day. You can easily book the boat ride on location. There are also many other ways to spend your time here. If you can, you may want to spend an extra night here. 

After breakfast, this Swaziland tours module ends and you can continue with their trip. If you really enjoyed your Swaziland tour experience one brilliant option is to drive from St. Lucia along the Indian Ocean coastline to the beach town of Umhlanga and then on to the majestic Drakensberg (the Dragon Mountains) with our module Sandy Beaches and Drakensberg Mountains. 

Drive further south from Umhlanga for an exciting look at the other side of South Africa. The module Transkei Wild Coast Drive will take you through the land of the Xhosa with its flowing hills, herds of animals and smiling people. If you prefer you could also take a domestic flight to Port Elizabeth and enjoy the Garden Route Adventure Trail module.