South Africa: Walking & Wildlife

Depart London.
**

Day 2

We first pick up the land only clients from the start hotel before proceeding
to the airport for the arrival of the group flight. We then transfer to the
town of Graskop perched on the edge of the Mpumalanga escarpment. It is a
long drive but we stop at regular intervals to take in the spectacular
scenery and to visit the well-known Mac Mac Falls. En route we travel through
South Africa's highest town, Belfast (1970m), and the scenic Long Tom Pass.
We also take the opportunity to stock up on supplies such as drinks and
snacks.
* Mogodi Lodge or similar*

Day 3

We drive through some stunning countryside this morning, starting with the
stunning views at God's Window. If we are lucky, God's Blanket may be down, a
majestic cloud inversion that gives you the feeling of being on top of the
world. We visit the fascinating rock formations at Bourke's Luck Potholes,
before stopping for the most breathtaking views over Blyde River Canyon, the
3rd largest canyon in the southern hemisphere. In the afternoon we enjoy our
first walk of the itinerary, a loop walk that includes the Leopard,
Guineafowl and Kadishi-Tufa trails. Along the way we will have further views
on Blyde River Canyon, walk through forest and stop at Tufa Waterfall.

*Blyde Canyon Forever Resort or similar*

Day 4

After breakfast we drive to Letaba Ranch Reserve, our base for the next two
days. We will have some to time to relax and enjoy the views from camp before
heading out for an afternoon game drive.

*Mtomeni Safari Camp or similar*

Day 5

The Letaba Ranch Game Reserve is part of the Greater Kruger area and is
particularly known for elephants and buffalos. This morning we head out on a
game walk in search of some Africa’s iconic wildlife. The walk is about
2-4hrs (depending on temperatures) and is led by a local guide and tracker.
The afternoon is free to relax or go an optional game drive.
* Mtomeni Safari Camp or similar*

Day 6

We head on to Kruger National Park, justifiably one of the most famous
wildlife parks in the world. It is also one of the oldest, established by the
South African president Paul Kruger in 1898. It has arguably the greatest
variety of animals of any park in Africa, with lion, leopard, elephant,
buffalo, black and white rhino, as well as cheetah, giraffe, hippo and many
species of antelope and smaller plains game. We game drive (in our vehicle)
through the park where we have an excellent chance of seeing a wide variety
of wildlife. We arrive at our campsite in the Kruger in the late afternoon
just before the camp gates close to maximise our game-viewing chances.
* Skukuza or Pretoriuskop camp or similar*

Day 7

Up before sunrise this morning for a game drive (in our vehicle) at,
arguably, the best time of day for game-spotting. We return to camp for
breakfast and to pack up before moving onto a new country: Eswatini
(Swaziland). We leave the Kruger park at around lunch time and have a short
stop to resupply before crossing the border into Eswatini (Swaziland). We
drive to the hilly Malolotja Nature Reserve (3 hours), where we spend a
relaxing evening in the cabins ready for a long walk the next day.
* Malolotja Cabins or similar*

Day 8

There is superb flora here and we take a day-walk on one of the picturesque
walking trails. Over 280 species of birds have been spotted in this reserve,
as have many antelope species. You will have great views and the chance to
spot various eagles or even the very rare Bald Ibis. The Nkomati River cuts a
gorge through the park and flows east in a series of falls and rapids before
it meets the lowveld. Our walk will take us to the Malolotja falls viewpoint
and then on to the upper Majolomba falls and a great lunch spot. 8 hours
walking.
* Malolotja Cabins or similar*

Day 9

Today we head out of Eswatini (Swaziland) and back into South Africa. On the
way we visit Ezulwini Valley Craft Market before heading south through rural
Eswatini (Swaziland). Upon leaving Eswatini (Swaziland) we move on to St
Lucia. The small town of St. Lucia is both by the Indian Ocean and by lake
St. Lucia and is known for its crocodile and hippo populations (hippos are
sometimes seen wandering in town). The lake itself is Africa’s largest
Estuary and a haven for birds. As well as land animals, the proximity to the
ocean means it is possible to go swimming and even whale watching (June –
November).
* Shonalanga apartments or similar*

Day 10

Getting up early we will head down to the dock and board a boat on the nearby
lake. We spend 2 hours exploring the lake by boat with an excellent chance of
seeing some of the many resident Hippo's, crocodiles and Fish Eagles. We
return to our apartments for breakfast and then pack a picnic lunch for the
short drive to Cape Vidal, a long stretch of beach along the Indian Ocean.
Along the way we stop at bird-hides and there’s a small chance of spotting
rhinos. We spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach or walking to mission
rocks.
* Shonalanga apartments or similar*

Day 11

Leaving the coast behind, we head 300kms towards the battlefields where the
British and Zulus fought in 1879. After lunch we go on a 4hr hike along the
fugitive trail. The trail follows the route taken by the British survivors
from the battle of Isandlwana. The British and colonial force was armed with
rifles, mountain guns and rocket battery were facing 20,000 Zulu warriors
armed with spears. By the end of the battle there were only 65 British and
Colonial survivors.
After our hike we transfer 50kms to our lodge for the night.
* Battlefields County Lodge or similar*

Day 12

We continue our journey to the beautiful Royal Natal National Park,
particularly known the distinctive natural Amphitheatre. The Drakensberg is a
basalt escarpment forming the border between Kwa-Zulu Natal and Lesotho and
continuing into the Free State. It means 'Dragon Mountains', but the Zulu
named it Quuathlamba ('the Barrier of Spears') - a more accurate description
of the sheer, forbidding, jagged escarpment. This afternoon we go for walks
in the local area from our lodge where we will be staying. There are a number
of walks we can chose from such as to policeman’s helmet or to some bushmen
paintings.
* Thendele Chalets or similar*

Day 13

Today we follow the Thukela river, past Protea trees (the national flower of
South Africa as well as the name of their cricket team), indigenous yellow
wood forest and mountainous grasslands to the natural Amphitheatre and
Thukela Waterfall viewpoint. The walk takes us into the heart of the Royal
Natal National park and offers stunning views of the dramatic northern
Drakensberg Mountains. 6 - 8 hours walking.
* Thendele Chalets or similar*

Day 14

As the bus takes our luggage to our next lodge, we head along trails by foot.
The start of our trail follows a contour line and takes us via Tiger Falls
and Gudu Falls. We then head up as we walk through the Mahai Valley crossing
the river and walking via the crack past the Mahai Falls, eventually reaching
the Basuto Gate and our destination. The hike should take about 6hrs
including stopping for lunch.
*Witsieshowk Lodge or similar*

Day 15

In the morning we drive the short distance (15km) to the trek start point at
the Sentinel gate. From here we trek along the edge of the mountains,
possibly chaperoned by mountain baboon or if we are lucky by the resident
Bearded Vultures, up to the ladders, which take us to the top (2,900m). We
then follow the Thukela River to the edge of the waterfall and enjoy the
stunning views across the amphitheatre and our previous day’s route. We
then walk back to the vehicle and transfer the short distance (15km) to our
lodge. The hike should take about 6hrs including stopping for lunch.
*Witsieshowk Lodge or similar*

Day 16

There will be an optional short final morning walk in these wonderful
mountains, with a local guide, before driving back to Johannesburg in time
for our flight this evening. The land portion of the trip ends upon arrival
in Johannesburg. 3 hour optional walk. Please note that if you are organising
your own flights these should not be earler than the group flights due to the
distance we need to travel back to the airport.
**

Day 17

Arrive London.
**