DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Arrival at Johannesburg International where you are met and transferred to your hotel situated in the up-market suburb of Sandton.
Johannesburg was born out of the discovery of gold. This once dusty mining town has emerged to become a modern city thriving with commercial, financial, industrial and trading opportunities. It is the headquarters of numerous international corporations and government institutions. It is a city filled with excitement and contrasts through the unique cultural and social history of the people. Overnight: In Johannesburg
Bed DAY 2 - JOHANNESBURG TO MPUMALANGA
Depart Johannesburg – across the Highveld passing gold and coal mining towns into the Mpumalanga Province. Mpumalanga, which means "land of the rising sun" in the local SiSwati language, has it all -- from exhilarating wildlife, to secluded mountain retreats, ancient ruined cities, wild water sports, and some of South Africa's most diverse and vibrant African cultures. The province's year-round sunny weather, soaring peaks, steamy jungles and expansive waterways have also made it home to a bewildering array of adventure sport, from expeditions down the world's oldest caves, to taking flight at the continent's largest paragliding Festival. We arrive at our lodge situated just south of the town of White River in the afternoon.
Rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the comforts of the lodge. Dinner included in the evening. Overnight: White River/Mpumalanga
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast DAY 3 – WHITE RIVER TO THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
We depart White River and drive via Sabie to Pilgrim’s Rest (scene of a frantic gold rush in the late 1800`s). We continue along the Small Drakensberg escarpment to the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Gods Window. This route is known as the Panorama Route and is said to be one of the most scenic routes in the country. Leaving the mountains behind we head towards the Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s greatest animal Kingdoms. The park was established in 1889, is more than 2 million hectares in size and is bigger than the countries Wales or Israel. More than 146 mammal species, 507 bird species and 400 different tree types call this spectacular “Bushveld”, home. We enter the Sabi Sands Game Reserve where we spend 2 nights at a Private Game Reserve. Evening safari in open vehicle included. No guarantees can be given that you will encounter the “Big Five” (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard) but you are certain to see an abundance of antelope, birds, mammals and sometimes reptiles at very close quarters.
Dinner included at the lodge. Overnight: Private Game Reserve
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast DAY 4 – FULL DAY IN THE KRUGER
You are awoken at the crack of dawn for your early morning game drive. After stimulating the senses with a hot cup of coffee or tea and nibbling on biscuits board your Land Rover and head into the bushveld again. Return to your camp where a hearty breakfast awaits you in the main dining room. Should you be interested in a game walk, speak to your game ranger who will gladly oblige. Alternatively, relax around the pool, browse through the safari boutique or perhaps take a siesta to make up for that early morning wake-up call. Once again lunch and dinner are served at the lodge and the option of joining the night drive to catch a last glimpse of those elusive nocturnal predators. Overnight: Private Game Reserve
Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast DAY 5 - KRUGER TO SWAZILAND
After checking out early we travel through the southern part of the Kruger which takes us to the Swaziland Border Post of Jeppe`s Reef. After having our passports stamped we enter the Kingdom of Swaziland, which gained independence in 1968 and is ruled by King Mswati III. We travel through Pigg’s Peak and the rural area of the Nkomati Valley littered with traditional homesteads with their patches of corn and cattle roaming free. Pass Mbabane, the capital city before visiting Ngwenya Glass – a family run business where Swazi glass blowers fashion individual pieces into delicate animal shapes, table glass ware, ornaments and souvenirs. We reach our hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner included at lodge. Overnight: Swaziland
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast DAY 6 – SWAZILAND TO PHINDA
Our day in Swaziland starts with a 08h30 departure from our Lodge. We drive to a large market where many good quality souvenirs amongst other Swazi handicraft are on sale, then onto the Swazi Candle Factory where we join a brief tour of this famous operation. After stopping for lunch (own account) we head south, passing large fields of sugarcane, the Usutu River at Big Bend and finally we re-enter South Africa at the Golela Border Post.
We have now entered our third kingdom, the Kingdom of the Zulu in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Join an evening game drive on the reserve before returning for dinner. Overnight: Zululand
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast DAY 7 – AT PHINDA
Join an early morning safari in open vehicle before returning for breakfast. Phinda Private Game Reserve is sandwiched between Mkuze Game Reserve and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (a World Heritage Site), it comprises 14 000 hectares (34 000 acres) of prime conservation land. Seven distinct habitats shelter an abundance of wildlife including Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) and over 380 bird species, while the marine diversity off the nearby coast of Sodwana is said to rival the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Evening safari included followed by spectacular dinner in the boma. Overnight: Zululand
Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast DAY 8 – PHINDA TO DURBAN
Depart Phinda as we continue to Shakaland, an authentic Zulu Village. Here you have the opportunity to learn more about the Zulu customs and their Warrior King, Shaka. Lunch could be Western fare but the more adventurous may want to sample authentic Zulu cooking. The final drive for the day is through South Africa’s sugar cane belt to Durban. The tour terminates in the late afternoon. Overnight: Durban
Lunch, Bed & Breakfast DAY 9 – DEPART DURBAN
Transfer from your lodge to Durban International for your outbound flight. We suggest a 3N stay inC ape Town as a add on Selection of Hotels: Johannesburg:
Gold: Southern Sun Grayston
Platinum: The Westcliff Hotel Mpumalanga:
Gold: Walkersons Country House
Platinum: Jatinga Country House Kruger:
Gold: Djuma Private Game Reserve
Platinum: Tinga Private Game Reserve Zululand:
Gold: White Elephant Lodge
Platinum: Thanda Private Game Reserve Durban:
Gold: Quarters Hotel
Platinum: Hotel iZulu | 
