18-Day Safari and Exploration of Eswatini and Lesotho from Clarens

1

Day 01

Arrival in Johannesburg and Transfer to Clarens

• Arrive at Johannesburg airport and pick up your rental car.
• Depart for the Drakensberg area, known as the "Dragon Mountains."
• The Drakensberg is a chain of mountains located almost in the centre of South Africa and listed as a World Heritage Site.
• Culminating at up to 3500 meters above sea level, these mountains are a paradise for hikers.
• Check in at your guesthouse upon arrival.
• Explore the charming town of Clarens for the remainder of the day.
• Spend the night in Clarens.

2

Day 02

Cathedral Peak and Mnweni Pass Trek

• Check in and start the 3-day hike covering approximately 43 km over 3 days and 2 nights.
• The hike is fully guided by one of the area experts and includes food, tents, and camping gear.
• Head to the top of the Drakensberg escarpment via Mnweni Pass on the first day.
• The first day's hiking covers 14 km to the foot of the Col, with no major ascent profile but a long day on the trail.
• Spend the first night in tents.
• Ascend Mnweni Pass on the second day with an elevation gain of around 1200 m, with most of the gain in the last 3 km.
• Spend the second night in the cave known as Ledgars, located on the ledge of the escarpment and offering majestic views to the north.
• The third day involves travelling 17 miles and descending via Rockeries Pass, known for its challenging terrain dotted with small rocks.
• Arrive at the hotel in the afternoon and rest after the strenuous hike.

3

Day 03

Underberg and Lesotho Highlands Experience

• After breakfast, leave for the Underberg region, located near the Drakensberg mountains and the border with Lesotho.
• Underberg serves as an obligatory crossing point to access the Pass of Sani, leading to Lesotho.
• Despite being a transit city, Underberg offers activities such as hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or canoeing.
• Cross the border to Lesotho in the early morning with your guide and spend 2 nights in Lesotho.
• The first day includes the ascent of Black Mountain (3240 m), the second-highest road pass in Lesotho, with stunning views.
• Take a short walk to see Thabana Ntlenyana, the highest point in Southern Africa at 3482 m.
• The next day, pass through various beautiful landscapes, including the legendary Orange River, known as "Senqu River" in the local Sesotho language, the main river draining the highlands of Lesotho and the longest river in South Africa.
• The third day includes a half-day hike before crossing the border.

4

Day 04

Saint Lucia Estuary Sunset Cruise

• Depart for Saint Lucia after breakfast.
• Check in at the guesthouse upon arrival.
• Embark on a sunset cruise on the St Lucia estuary.
• Encounter crocodiles, hippos, and other surprises during the cruise.

5

Day 05

Hluhluwe Safari and Free Time in Saint Lucia

• Begin your day at sunrise with a 4x4 safari in the Hluhluwe Reserve, the oldest national park in South Africa.
• Hluhluwe Reserve is less touristy than Kruger National Park and is the meeting point of two reserves: Hluhluwe and Umfolozi, named after the two rivers that cross it.
• Return to Saint Lucia in the afternoon.
• Rest at the guesthouse, explore the city, or visit the Isimangaliso reserve accessible from Saint Lucia.

6

Day 06

Maputaland and Sodwana Bay

• Depart for Maputaland after breakfast.
• Maputaland is located in the northern part of the KwaZulu-Natal province, between Swaziland and the coast.
• The region is known for its bird roads and coral reefs, which are major tourist attractions.
• Your accommodation provides access to a white sandy beach and various activities such as diving, kayaking, and turtle tours, depending on the season.

7

Day 07

Arrival in Eswatini

• Depart for Eswatini, formerly known as the Kingdom of Swaziland, after breakfast.
• Meet your local guide upon arrival in Eswatini.
• Eswatini is a state located in southern Africa and landlocked between South Africa and Mozambique.
• The country offers kilometres of parks and large natural spaces suitable for hiking or safaris.
• Eswatini boasts unique and spectacular landscapes and is home to many animal species, making it ideal for lovers of African wildlife.

8

Day 08

Into Kruger National Park

• Cross the northern border of Eswatini after leaving your host.
• Head to Kruger Park, reaching it in the early afternoon.
• Kruger Park is one of the largest national parks in the world, equivalent in size to Wales or Israel.
• The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinoceroses.
• Visitors can admire these majestic animals in their natural environment.
• Speed limits in the park are restricted to 50 km/h on paved roads and 40 km/h on tracks to avoid endangering the animals.

9

Day 09

Timbavati Game Reserve Safari Stay

• After spending the morning in Kruger Park, continue north to reach Timbavati.
• The Timbavati Reserve was established in 1956 by the landowners of the time.
• Today, Timbavati, along with the adjacent Kruger National Park, is one of the largest private game reserves in the world.
• Timbavati is characterized by its low density of lodges, all focused on preserving the ecosystem and the fauna.
• All meals and two guided 4x4 game drives per day are included in your stay.

10

Day 10

Blyde River Canyon and Graskop

• Leave Timbavati after a morning game drive and breakfast for the Blyde River Canyon area.
• Main attractions include God's Window and the Blyde Canyon.
• The Blyde Canyon is 600 to 800 meters deep and stretches over 26 km, making it the 3rd largest canyon in the world.
• Several viewpoints are worth a stop, including the "3 Rondavels" site in the north.

11

Day 11

Scenic Stops and Return to Johannesburg

• Leave for Johannesburg after breakfast.
• Visit Lisbon and Berlin Falls, as well as the gold miners' village of Pilgrims Rest in Graskop before departure.
• Reach Johannesburg in the afternoon.
• Return the vehicle at Johannesburg airport.
• Board your international flight and bid farewell to South Africa.