South Africa’s North & East Coast

Upon arriving in Johannesburg to begin your Drakensberg and Big Five self-drive tour, you collect your rental car and drive to your pre-booked accommodation near Germiston, approximately 20–30 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport.

The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from your journey. Unwind in the beautiful garden, take a refreshing dip in the pool, enjoy some birdwatching at the waterhole or see if you can spot Sticky, the resident steenbok.

You spend your first night in South Africa at the comfortable Ikamu‘s Lodge, set in spacious, natural gardens.

After 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.

Today you continue to Durban, a vibrant coastal city known for its strong Indian influence and cultural diversity. Visit the colourful Victoria Street Market, where the aromas of spices and incense mingle with the sounds of busy market stalls, or explore the impressive aquarium at uShaka Marine World. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean may also tempt you to take a refreshing dip before continuing north to Umdloti.

You spend the night at Fairlight Beach House, enjoying its seaside setting and views of the Indian Ocean. In the evening, you can choose from several restaurants in the area for dinner (at own cost).

After breakfast, you head north to the small coastal town of St Lucia, situated on the Indian Ocean and bordering the spectacular iSimangaliso Wetland Park. During your stay, you can join a boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary in search of hippos and crocodiles or explore the park on a game drive. Alternatively, spend some time relaxing on the beach or enjoy a walk in the area.

Birdwatchers can look forward to an impressive variety of species, while between November and March, loggerhead and leatherback turtles come ashore along the coast to lay their eggs – a very special sight if you are visiting at the right time. You can also drive through the park to Cape Vidal, where you can relax on the beach and enjoy swimming or snorkelling in the warm Indian Ocean.

You spend three nights at St Lucia Wetlands Guesthouse.

In the early morning you drive past sugar cane plantations and forests to reach 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 buffaloes are to be found in the park too.

You return to St Lucia Wetlands Guesthouse in the evening.

Today’s destination is Pongola Game Reserve, one of South Africa’s oldest game reserves. In the afternoon, you can join a boat cruise on Lake Jozini, explore the reserve on a guided game drive in an open safari vehicle or head out on a guided bush walk. All activities are optional and at an additional cost.

Back at camp, enjoy a cold drink while watching the sunset and taking in the magnificent views over the surrounding bushland, Lake Jozini and the Lebombo Mountains in the distance.

For dinner, you can prepare your own meal in the fully equipped kitchen, enjoy a typical South African braai (BBQ) or dine at a nearby lodge.

You overnight in one of the spacious glamping tents at AfriCamps at White Elephant Safaris.

After breakfast, you cross the border into the neighbouring Kingdom of Eswatini. Stop at the local market in Manzini, where you can browse stalls selling traditional Swazi handicrafts, before continuing to your accommodation.

During your stay, you can learn more about Swazi culture at Mantenga Cultural Village, explore Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary in search of wildlife or discover the beautiful surroundings on foot or horseback.

Also worth a visit is the nearby Swazi Candles Centre, where the colourful, handcrafted Swazi Candles are made and sold.

You spend two nights at the lovely Mogi Boutique Hotel.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before re-entering South Africa and continuing to the Mpumalanga Lowveld, where your accommodation is situated just a short drive from White River.

Spend the afternoon exploring the lodge surroundings on one of the hiking trails or join an optional scenic nature drive on the Likweti Bushveld Estate. Alternatively, relax by the pool or book a relaxing spa treatment.

You spend the night in one of the Luxury Safari Tents at Ndhula Luxury Tented Lodge.

An exciting safari experience awaits you over the next two days as you make your way to the 60,000-hectare Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, part of the famous Greater Kruger area and bordering Kruger National Park. With no fences separating the reserves, wildlife can roam freely across this vast wilderness, offering excellent opportunities for wildlife sightings away from the crowds.

In the mornings and afternoons, you join an experienced ranger from the lodge on game drives in an open safari vehicle. Keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five – lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant – as well as the many other animals that call the reserve home. Alternatively, you can join a guided bush walk, where the focus shifts from big game to the smaller details of the bush, including plants, animal tracks, birds and other smaller creatures.

Between safari activities, enjoy the meals served at the lodge, relax by the swimming pool or watch for wildlife from the viewing deck overlooking the Klaserie River.

You spend two nights in one of the rondavels at Ivory Wilderness River Rock Lodge.

Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. No two days on safari are the same, so perhaps you’ll spot animals you haven’t encountered before.

In the late morning, it’s time to leave the bush behind and continue to Hazyview, your base for exploring the magnificent Panorama Route the following day.

Highlights such as the Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes are well worth a visit. You can also stop at the Graskop Gorge Lift, where beautiful views await from the top. Take the lift down into the gorge, where suspension bridges and wooden walkways lead through the indigenous forest.

You spend two nights at the Little Pilgrims Boutique Hotel.

After breakfast, your Drakensberg and Big Five self-drive tour slowly comes to an end. You travel back to Johannesburg, where you return your rental car at the airport before checking in for your flight home. With many memorable experiences and impressions from the past two weeks, it’s time to say goodbye to South Africa.

If you’re not quite ready to leave and would like to extend your stay, we will gladly assist you with further arrangements.