South Africa’s North & East Coast

After arriving in Johannesburg and picking up your rental car, you drive to your accommodation, which is only a few kilometres from the airport. Your Kruger self-drive safari has begun.

You have the entire rest of the day to yourself. Take a tour of Johannesburg, visit the Apartheid Museum, stock up on supplies for your upcoming trip or relax by the pool.

You overnight at the Safari Club SA.

After an early breakfast, you embark on your self-drive journey and head south. Passing through the Free State Province, you drive to the Drakensberg Mountain range.

The rustic Greenfire Drakensberg Lodge, situated high up in the mountains on a private nature reserve overlooking the Royal Natal National Park, is your destination for today. Look forward to breathtaking panoramic views!

The beautiful surroundings can be explored on various hiking trails. Enjoy the serenity and take a break from the rest of the world.

You spend two nights at the Greenfire Drakensberg Lodge.

After breakfast, you leave the reserve behind and set off to further explore this stunning area.

We recommend you make a detour to the Royal Natal National Park. Venture out on a walk and enjoy the mountain scenery and fascinating rock formations.

You then continue via Bergville and Winterton to the Central Drakensberg area.

Spend the following day within the Giant’s Castle Game Reserve, boasting some of the most dramatic hiking trails and views in the Drakensberg mountains.

This area is also famous for its cultural heritage, and a multitude of Bushmen paintings and rock art wait to be discovered.

You spend two nights at the Antbear Eco Lodge.

Today you continue to Durban, a town known for its large Indian population.

Make your way to the market, which is a treat for the eyes, ears and nose, or visit the beautiful uShaka Marine World aquarium or botanical gardens.

The warm Indian Ocean also invites you to take a quick dip before heading to the Fairlight Beach House in Umdloti, about 20 km north of Durban.

For dinner, try one of the restaurants in the area (at your own cost).

After breakfast, you head out and make your way to the small town of St Lucia, situated on the Indian Ocean and bordering the spectacular iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

You can opt to join a boat trip on the St Lucia Estuary to look for hippos and crocodiles or go on game drives in the park. Alternatively, you can also just relax on the beach or go for a walk.

Ornithologists will be amazed by the hundreds of bird species that live in the area. Between November and March, turtles come to lay their eggs in nests on the beach – quite a sight to see.

You can also drive through the park to Cape Vidal, which offers excellent snorkelling and swimming opportunities.

Overnight at St Lucia Wetlands Guesthouse.

In the early morning, you drive past sugar cane plantations and forests to the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the only Big Five game reserve in Kwa-Zulu-Natal.

You have the entire day to spend on self-drive game viewing.

Black and white rhinos can be found in the park due to its breeding program, and with a little bit of luck, you might be able to see both these endangered species. Elephants, lions, leopards and buffalo are to be found in the park too.

You return to St Lucia Wetlands Guesthouse in the evening.

Today’s destination, Kosi Bay, is known for its four beautiful freshwater lakes, which are connected by canals and flow into the Indian Ocean.

Join a boat trip to get an up-close view of the water birds and learn more about the traditional fish traps built by locals. Alternatively, you can take a swim or simply relax on the sandy beaches. The river mouth is teeming with fish and offers great snorkelling opportunities.

You stay for two nights at the Utshwayelo Kosi Mouth Lodge.

Please bear in mind that a 4×4 vehicle is required for exploring the surroundings. Such excursions can be arranged by the lodge.

After breakfast, you travel to the neighbouring country of Eswatini (Swaziland).

You have a chance to visit the local market in Manzini, where you can shop for authentic Swazi handicrafts.

Activities in the area include a visit to a traditional Swazi village, game viewing in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, hiking and horse riding.

The lovely Mogi Boutique Hotel will be your home for two nights.

Today, you re-enter South Africa and travel to the Kruger National Park.

Entering the park through the Crocodile Bridge Gate, you drive to the Lower Sabie Rest Camp in the southern section, where you spend the night in a bungalow.

The following days are set aside for game viewing in the national park.

Keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant) and animals you might not have seen before.

You stay two nights at Skukuza Rest Camp. Night game drives and guided bush walks can be booked at the rest camps.

You can enjoy your meals at the rest camps’ restaurants, or you can opt to make your own meals. Basic supplies are available at the park shops.

Please note that in high season and school holidays, some camps may be fully booked and alternatives would be used.

You have the whole morning to continue your exploration of the park. No day on safari is like the other, and you will be amazed by new sightings.

Leaving the Kruger National Park behind, you continue to Hazyview.

Spend the following day exploring the magnificent Panorama Route. Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window and the Bourke’s Luck Potholes are worth a visit.

You can also make a detour to the Graskop Gorge Lift. Beautiful views from the top are guaranteed! Down in the gorge, suspension bridges and wooden walkways meander through indigenous forests.

You spend two nights at the Little Pilgrims Boutique Hotel.

After breakfast, you travel back to Johannesburg and return your rental car at the airport. From here you fly home. Your Kruger self-drive safari has come to an end.

If you would like to extend your stay in South Africa, we will gladly assist you.