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. Officially known as the ‘Kingdom of eSwatini’ and still referred to as Swaziland, this tiny landlocked nation boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage and is Africa's last remaining absolute monarchy. Swaziland encompasses a diverse array of ecosystems featuring towering mountains and low-lying savannah, tangled rainforests and lush river valleys
Day 1: Foresters Arms, eSwatini (18 April)
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.
Overnight: Foresters Arms
Set in stunning mountain countryside, Foresters Arms is a short, scenic drive from the capital, Mbabane, the perfect base for exploring all the attractions of this majestic Kingdom. The accommodation consists of comfortable guest rooms equipped with modern conveniences such as Wi-Fi, TVs and telephones. During their stay, guests can enjoy delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners at the on-site restaurant. The picturesque gardens attract many bird species, including sunbirds, paradise flycatchers and the elusive Narina trogan.
Day 2: Foresters Arms, eSwatini (19 April)
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: Hlane Royal National Park Ndlovu Camp, (20 April)
Hlane Royal National Park
Situated in Eswatini’s Lubombo Region, Hlane Royal National Park is the country’s largest protected area covering 30 000 hectares of Swazi bushveld. The landscape is characterised by ancient hardwood vegetation, shallow pans, and lowveld grasslands. The park is home to lion, elephant, white rhino, and leopard with an array of diverse bird life, including the highest density of nesting white-backed vultures in Africa.
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
Overnight: Hlane Royal National Park Ndlovu Camp
Ndlovu Camp is the active heart of Hlane with the Reception, curio shop, restaurant, activity centre, informal camping grounds and group accommodation. 5 self-catering cottages accommodate doubles or families, while Wisteria Village offers 14 Twin-bed Rondavel huts slightly separate from the main camp area, perfect for groups.
All accommodation is en-suite. No electricity at Ndlovu Camp, everything runs on gas / paraffin. Highlight is the busy waterhole frequented by elephant, rhino, hippo and other wildlife.
Day 4: Hlane Royal National Park Ndlovu Camp, (21 April)
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: Ghost Mountain Inn, Mkhuze (22 April)
After a relaxing breakfast overlooking the forest, it is time to depart from this lovely camp. We will follow a very scenic route today through the eastern and southern parts of Eswatini, towards the Lavumisa Border post. 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.
Overnight: Ghost Mountain Inn
At the foot of the legendary Ghost Mountain in the charming little town of Mkuze in the Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, lies the privately owned, award-winning Ghost Mountain Inn.
Day 6: Ghost Mountain Inn, Mkhuze (23 April)
We depart on a short drive to St Lucia, where we embark on a boat trip on the estuary with the biggest amount of Hippo and crocodiles in our area in Natal. This boat cruise travels on the estuary also to view game coming down to the waters edge. 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 2 hours. After this exciting trip and lunch in St Lucia, 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: Ghost Mountain Inn, Mkhuze (24 April)
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: End of Itinerary (25 April)
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
