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YOU ARE HERE: Home > Tours > Spectacular Safari Self Drive (JIA-DIAD)
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Spectacular Safari Self Drive (JIA-DIAD)
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Lion Park at The Ranch
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Catalogue Booking Code: 41027
Tour Duration: 20 days
Start: Johannesburg International Airport
End: Durban International Airport
A spectacular trip that takes you from Johannesburg to Durban while travelling through magnificent scenery. Enjoy scenic drives, play golf, go on safari and relax on some of the most beautiful beaches.
Tour Type: African Safari, Golf Tours, Self drive
Regions covered:
Gauteng, Kwazulu Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo Province, Kruger Park - MP, Dolphin Coast (KZN), South Africa
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Rates
Enquire here for rates and reservations.
Tour Details
Day 1:
On arrival at Johannesburg International (O.R. Tambo Int.) Airport, guests will be met and assisted with the collection of their rental car and furnished with detailed maps and directions. From Johannesburg, journey along the N1 highway to Pretoria for your first night's accommodation, a distance of just under 70 km.
The Zebra Country Lodge is situated on the shores of a lake and provides accommodation in beautiful suites with ethnic themes. Activities include open-vehicle game safaris, walking safaris, birding and a visit to the Ndebele Cultural Village where you can experience the culture and colorful crafts of the Ndebele People.
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Day 2:
Travel towards Modimolle (Nylstroom) whereby you enter the beautiful Limpopo Province. This province offers magnificent scenery, a fascinating cultural heritage and a wealth of wildlife.
Nestled against the backdrop of the Waterberg and overlooking the lush Nyl-Valley is tonight's luxury accommodation, the Protea Hotel Shangri-La, where you will stay in charming rooms overlooking the beautiful gardens. Relax around the sparkling pool or enjoy the many facilities available nearby the hotel. Visit the world renowned Nylsvlei Wetlands which is one of the prime birding sites in Southern Africa or Mokopa Reptile Park, a well known snake park in the area.
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Day 3:
Via de N1, you will travel further north towards Polokwana (Pietersburg), where you will find Protea Hotel The Ranch in absolute beautiful surroundings. The hotel is a 'home away from home' where guests will enjoy warm hospitality. All rooms are set in beautiful lush tropical gardens.
The hotel boasts a sparkling swimming pool for sun-seekers while the outdoor enthusiast can go horse riding, walking and birdwatching. A special feature of this hotel is the on-site Lion Park & Wildlife Park. View the lions and other game from an open unimog vehicle.
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Days 4 to 5:
Today, your travels will take you to Phalaborwa, known as the town of two summers. Phalaborwa experiences very hot summers and mild winters when the average day temperature is 23 degrees Celsius.
The next two nights you will stay at the Hans Merensky Lodge, set in the splendor of the bushveld offering a unique Africa experience.
The famous Kruger National Park stretches along the entire length of the Estate's eastern boundary. Enjoy a game of golf on the 18 Hole, Par 72 Championship golf course, where crocodile and hippo add spice to the normal 'hazards'. A variety of game including elephant, lion and giraffe are often seen on the golf course & in the surrounds.
Various sporting facilities such as swimming, tennis, squash and a gymnasium are also available. For the more adventurous, the large Cleveland Game Park, open exclusively to guests staying at the hotel, offers the chance to see lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard as well as wide variety of other African game.
Accommodation is in beautiful, air-conditioned chalets around the golf course as well as in luxury, air-conditioned hotel rooms overlooking the swimming pool.
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Days 6 to 7:
The Kruger National Park is the flagship of South Africa's game reserves. It is best known for the 'Big Five' (Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Rhino) but is also home to a huge variety of other game and birds. Due to the variety of ecosystems in the Kruger National Park, it boasts a great diversity of vegetation. The Kruger National Park has a network of well-maintained roads, which enables you to go on safari in your own car.
Accommodation for the next two nights is in the Letaba restcamp situated along the Letaba River. The sandy riverbed is an excellent location for game viewing, particularly elephant, which thrive in the area. Enjoy an abundant birdlife at the nearby 3 dams. The camp has various facilities such as a restaurant, fuel station and first aid post. At the offices in the camp, you can book a night game drive, which commences during the twilight hours of the day and lasts for approx. 3 hours.
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Days 8 to 9:
Continue your safari in the Kruger National Park while you drive southwards to Satara, the Park's third largest camp, with a reputation for being the best camp for lion, leopard and cheetah viewing. Sitting on the veranda of your hut at night listening to the roar of lions is an unforgettable experience. Dams and waterholes in the vicinity of the camp offer excellent game viewing as well as excellent bird watching opportunities from the Sweni Bird Hide. Book a guided night game drive at the camp's office to experience the nocturnal activities of various species or go on a guided bush walk with trained field guides.
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Days 10 to 11:
A final game drive will take you out of the Kruger National Park into the awe-inspiring beauty of the Mpumalanga Province where you will travel to the picturesque Sabie Valley for your next stay.
The Woodsman in Sabie is perfectly situated nearby various scenic attractions and is also an ideal place from where you can venture out on beautiful hiking trails as well as mountain bike trails.
A beautiful route to explore is the Panorama Route that takes you past magnificent waterfalls, God's Window from which you can enjoy fantastic views, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon. A visit to the restored gold miners village Pilgrims Rest is not to be missed. This entire town that was born during the exciting days of the gold rush is now a national monument.
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Days 12 to 13:
Your journey takes you to the Kingdom of Swaziland, the last traditional kingdom in Africa. The countryside is beautiful and diverse, ranging from magnificent mountains and waterfalls to lush valleys and bushveld.
Your hotel, Foresters Arms, is situated in the beautiful Swaziland Highlands, a short scenic drive from the capital Mbabane. From here you can explore the many attractions of this majestic Kingdom. Enjoy scenic drives, visit the Swazi markets and craft shops or visit the Mantenga Cultural Village. Activities at the hotel include a well-equipped gymnasium, swimming, fishing or enjoy a delicious picnic at a nearby waterfall. Accommodation is in tastefully decorated room overlooking the colorful gardens and surrounding countryside.
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Days 14 to 15:
A scenic drive will take you further southwards to the Kingdom of the Zulus, KwaZulu Natal. KwaZulu Natal is one of the smallest provinces in South Africa and is known for its untamed wilderness, beautiful beaches and lush subtropical vegetation.
Your destination today is the prestigious Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve in Zululand. This beautiful park is the oldest sanctuary in South Africa, home to the Big 5 and famous for its wide variety of bird and animal life, especially the black and white rhino. The accommodation in Hluhluwe is situated high on a forested slope and offers breathtaking views of the hills and valleys of Zululand.
Relax at the swimming pool or venture out on several well-marked self-guided hiking trails (within the fenced of boundary) or on the two self-guided auto trails. Enjoy guided safaris in open safari vehicles or a guided walk in the early morning or late afternoon, which always proves to be very rewarding. An excellent range of birds can been seen while enjoying a boat cruise on the Hluhluwe Dam. These trips are conducted by an experienced community guide who will also introduce you to the Zulu culture.
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Day 16:
Leaving the magnificent Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park behind you, today will be a new adventure when you enter the world of the Zulus. Experience the sight of the Zulu-warriors, listen to the fascinating secrets of the Shangomas and enjoy traditional tribal dancing. Accommodation at Shakaland will be in traditional beehive huts fitted with private bathrooms and modern conveniences.
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Days 17 to 19:
Travel towards the spectacular Dolphin Coast, a sub-tropical paradise with rolling hills of sugar cane, unspoiled lagoons and beautiful beaches.
For the last three nights, you will stay at Holland Farm Guesthouse, nestled in the rolling hills where you can enjoy absolute tranquility. Relax at the swimming pool in the indigenous garden and enjoy the abundant birdlife or explore the area on a mountain bike. The guesthouse is near several championship golf courses, beaches, nature reserves and only 45 minutes away from Durban.
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Day 20:
Today, this wonderful trip comes to an end. Return your rental car to the rental agency at Durban International Airport where you board your homebound plane or from where you will continue your onward travels.
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