Nestled in the heart of Southern Africa, Swaziland, officially known as the Kingdom of Eswatini, and Natal, also known as KwaZulu-Natal, offer visitors a captivating blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. Swaziland, bordered by Mozambique and South Africa, boasts stunning landscapes ranging from lush lowlands to the rugged Drakensberg mountains
Day 1
We depart from your home towards the Swaziland border post of Oshoek. We will travel along the main N4 route via Middleburg, Belfast, and Carolina before we get to the border post. After border formalities, it is short drive before we reach the famous Ngwenya Glass factory. Here we do a tour of the factory to see how the glass is blown. Then it is another 20 minute drive towards Mbabane, from where we drive another 40 minutes into the scenic mountain areas, and check into the Foresters Arms Country Hotel for a 2 night stay. Relax and enjoy the lovely gardens and views, before enjoying the first of the special dinners at the hotel.
Day 2
Today is set out to visit all the wonderful sights of the Mbabane and Ezulweni Valley Region. We will do a slow easy drive down the scenic valley to visit some arts and craft centre, the Swazi Candle Shop. We will also have lunch on route, before then travelling to the Mbabane CBD for a drive through tour of the capital city. We then return to the hotel in the afternoon for some rest and relaxing before dinner.
Day 3
After a relaxing breakfast overlooking the forest, it is time to depart from this lovely country hotel. We will follow a very scenic route to Hlane Royal National Park via Manzini.
Sunset game drive (2.5 hrs) We still stay over at Ndlovu camp for the next 2 night.After the sunset game drive dinner will be enjoyed at the restaurant
Day 4
After breakfast we enjoy a Midday game drive.
After the midday game drive we will relax and watch the waterhole that is frequented by elephant, rhino, giraffe and other species providing photographic opportunities throughout the day.
Dinner at the restaurant
Day 5
After a relaxing breakfast overlooking the forest, it is time to depart from this lovely country hotel. We will follow a very scenic route today through the eastern and southern parts of Eswatini, towards the Lavumisa Border post. We travel via the towns of Big Bend and Nsoko. On route, you will see a variety of agricultural farms and traditional Swazi homesteads. The trip to the border post is about 2 hours.
Once again, border crossing formalities have to be done before we are back in South Africa. We then travel through the Pongola district of KwaZulu Natal, towards Mkuze.
It is here that we check into the well known Ghost Mountain Inn for another 3 night stay.
On arrival we will enjoy a lovely lunch on the terrace, and thereafter you will have time to relax and enjoy the pool and lovely gardens.
Day 6
We depart on a short drive to the Jozini dam, where we embark on a boat trip on the dam. This boat cruise travels alongside the side of the dam, to view game on the adjoining game farms. It is a very different from other game viewing activities, and a wonderful experience. The boat is big, with all the necessary ablution facilities on board. The boat cruise is approximately 3 hours. After this exciting trip we return to Ghost Mountain Inn for lunch and have the rest of the afternoon to relax, swim, take a walk or sit next to the lake and relax until dinner time.
Day 7
Today we will visit the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. It is a 50 km drive to the entrance of the park. On arrival at the Game reserve, we will do a trip into the park on an open vehicle. This reserve is a classical big 5 reserve, but is mostly known for its conservation efforts to save the black and white rhinos. We will enjoy a 4 hour open vehicle safari with lunch at the Hilltop Camp. In the mid afternoon we will return to the hotel, for the last afternoon of relaxation.
Day 8
After breakfast we depart via the N4 back to Johannesburg. We will travel via Pongola, Piet Retief, Ermelo and arrive back in Johannesburg late afternoon
