8 Days Southern African Safari to Kruger and Eswatini Safari Tour

Your Southern African Safari begins with a 380km (approximately 4.5-hour) journey from Johannesburg to Hazyview, located at the gateway to Kruger National Park. The Southern African Safari adventure continues with a warm welcome at your guesthouse, followed by time to relax before your afternoon elephant encounter at Elephant Whispers. During this intimate Southern African Safari experience, you'll learn about these gentle giants while interacting with them in their natural environment, just 15 minutes from your accommodation.

The Southern African Safari excitement peaks today with a full-day game drive through the legendary Kruger National Park, departing at dawn for optimal wildlife viewing. Your Southern African Safari guide will navigate approximately 150km of game-viewing roads within the 2-million-hectare reserve, home to the Big Five and hundreds of other species. This immersive Southern African Safari Day includes breakfast in the bush and scheduled stops at picturesque rest camps like Skukuza or Lower Sabie, located roughly 50km from Hazyview.

Today's Southern African Safari experience takes you along the magnificent Panorama Route, a 200km scenic journey through some of South Africa's most dramatic landscapes. The Southern African Safari tour includes visits to the 800-meter-deep Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, and the uniquely formed Bourke's Luck Potholes, all within a 2-hour drive from Hazyview. Your Southern African Safari adventure continues with stops at stunning waterfalls including Lisbon and Berlin Falls before returning to your accommodation approximately 7-8 hours after departure.

Your Southern African Safari journey crosses international borders today with a 180km (approximately 3-hour) transfer from Hazyview to the Kingdom of Eswatini. The Southern African Safari cultural experience includes visits to the renowned Swazi Candle Factory and Ngwenya Glass near Mbabane, showcasing traditional craftsmanship. This enriching Southern African Safari Day culminates at Mantenga Cultural Village in the Ezulwini Valley, where you'll witness authentic Swazi traditions and overnight at a nearby lodge.

The Southern African Safari adventure continues with a 350km (approximately 4-hour) journey from Eswatini to the coastal town of St Lucia, gateway to iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Your Southern African Safari experience is enhanced with a 2-hour sunset boat cruise along the St Lucia Estuary, home to over 800 hippos and 1,200 crocodiles. This spectacular Southern African Safari evening activity provides unparalleled opportunities to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat while enjoying the golden light of the African sunset.

Today's Southern African Safari highlight is an exploration of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Africa's oldest proclaimed nature reserve located just 80km (approximately 1.5-hour drive) from St Lucia. Your Southern African Safari experience begins before sunrise in an open safari vehicle, maximizing opportunities to spot the Big Five, particularly the park's famous rhino population. The full-day Southern African Safari adventure includes a scenic bonnet breakfast and expert interpretation of the park's diverse ecosystems, spanning approximately 96,000 hectares of pristine wilderness.

Experience the unique "Beach and Bush" Southern African Safari at iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site encompassing 332,000 hectares of extraordinary biodiversity. Your Southern African Safari Day begins with a game drive through diverse ecosystems before reaching Cape Vidal, approximately 35km from St Lucia. This distinctive Southern African Safari adventure combines wildlife viewing with relaxation on golden beaches along the Indian Ocean, offering a rare opportunity to experience five different ecosystems in a single day.

Your memorable Southern African Safari concludes with a 240km (approximately 2.5-hour) transfer from St Lucia to King Shaka International Airport near Durban. Reflect on your incredible Southern African Safari experiences during this scenic coastal journey, passing through sugar cane plantations and the rolling hills of KwaZulu-Natal. The Southern African Safari adventure may end today, but the memories of close wildlife encounters, spectacular landscapes, and cultural discoveries will last a lifetime.