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Map of Kruger & Coast including South Africa and Swaziland

Safaris, epic coastline and local interactions on a southern Africa adventure

Experience the diversity of southern Africa on a nine-day adventure that takes you to wildlife-rich game parks, idyllic beaches, wetlands and small villages, exploring with a local leader along the way. Search for lions in Kruger National Park, enjoy a homestay in Zululand, relax on the sands of Cape Vidal and more. A mixture of included activities and free time make this tour perfect for travellers who want the benefit of on-the-ground local knowledge with some of the freedom of independent travel.

Start
Johannesburg, South Africa
Finish
Durban, South Africa
Destinations
South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland)
Style
Basix
Theme
Overland, Wildlife
Code
UBOE
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 22

Why you'll love this trip

  • Go on an epic safari in search of lions, hyenas and more through Kruger National Park – one of the largest National Parks in southern Africa.

  • Go overland in a purpose-built truck and stop to take in geological wonders like Bourke’s Luck Potholes along the Panorama Route.

  • Experience St Lucia from a whole new perspective on a guided Boat Safari down this UNESCO-listed landmark.

  • Take a day trip to Cape Vidal - within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site, on the exquisite Zululand coast – and enjoy free time to soak up the sun

  • Visit the heartlands of the Zulu people and spend the night in a homestay, where you’ll be treated to traditional food and song, plus a meeting with the local healer.

  • Swap four wheels for two legs on a guided walking safari through the Hlane Royal National Park with an expert Swazi guide, keeping an eye out for antelopes and zebras passing by.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent (unless you’re on an Original or Comfort style trip), occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the Big Five. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/africa/overland

  • While a homestay in Zululand is a unique and rewarding experience, the conditions are basic – foam mattresses on the floor, with up to six people (of the same gender) per room. Clean linen and pillows are provided. Hot water is not available on this night.

  • There will be many early starts either to make better use of the safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

  • You may also want to check out our Kruger, Coast & Cape trip if you have longer time to explore in southern Africa.

Elephants, Kruger National Park
Get the perfect shot on a game drive through Kruger NP
The Three Rondavels overlooking Kruger National Park
South Africa camping
Drone shot of couple walking along Cape Vidal Beach, South Africa
Travel group in Kruger National Park
Southern Rhino, Kruger National Park
Wild hippo spotting on Wildlife boat cruise, St. Lucia, South Africa

Itinerary
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Sawubona! Welcome Johannesburg, the sprawling South African capital. In Joburg (unlike a lot of city nicknames, this is one people actually use) mansions stand alongside humble tin abodes and there are as many green parks on the outskirts of the city as there is concrete jungle in the centre. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you can’t wait to begin exploring and arrive with time to spare, why not make your way to the Apartheid Museum and start your journey with some crucial history before you meet up with your group.
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Rise and shine for a long day’s drive to Kruger National Park. Leave Johannesburg and travel through the Mpumalanga Province and along the famous Panorama Route through some of the most stunning scenery South Africa has to offer, such as Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Kruger National Park is one of the largest National Parks in Southern Africa. It boasts over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog. Drive through some of Kruger’s prime game viewing areas on your way to camp and try to spot some of these amazing creatures straight away! Set up camp and get settled for the evening.
Included Activities
  • Panorama Route - Three Rondavels Viewpoint
  • Panorama Route - Blyde River Canyon Viewpoint
Optional Activities
  • Kruger National Park - Night Game Drive - ZAR290
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 11–12 hours.

Your campground has shared facilities with hot and cold water. Upgrades are possible but subject to availability. Please speak to your leader to help facilitate this subject to availability.

On occasion, especially during the peak periods during May – September & December, we are unable to secure campsites within Kruger National Park. In this instance we will camp outside the park and will miss the short game drive on the way to the usual campsite.

Rise early and enjoy a light breakfast of coffee and rusk (twice-baked bread) before heading out on a morning game drive. Most of your day will be spent spotting game from your overland vehicle, birdwatching and stopping at various waterholes and viewpoints to rest along the way. In the evening, choose to relax at camp or perhaps head out on an optional night drive with the park guide. The optional night drives are a chance to spot nocturnal animals and perhaps even a night-time predator or two – maybe catch a lion or hyena out hunting, or perhaps impala out in search of a late-night feed.
Included Activities
  • Kruger National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive
Optional Activities
  • Kruger National Park - Night Game Drive - ZAR290
  • Kruger National Park - Sunset Game Drive (from) - ZAR380
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Start the day with a slow game drive through Kruger, covering between 20 and 70 kilometres (depending on what animals you see along the way) in the park then exiting by mid-morning. Hit the road towards Hlane Royal National Park. Travel south-east and cross the border into the kingdom of Eswatini, a country nestled between Mozambique, Northern Zululand and Mpumalanga. Arrive at Hlane Royal National Park, a vast expanse of bushveld with ancient hardwood trees, and begin exploring immediately on a guided game walk. The walking safari, led by a local guide, will give you the best understanding of how large and complex the ecosystem in this park is. With a professional ranger by your side, you’ll look out for animals like rhino, giraffe, and elephant while also searching for tiny creatures like the snakes, spiders, and small mammals (don’t worry, there’s no lions in the section of the park where you’ll be walking). You’ll spend tonight at a camp within the national park.
Included Activities
  • Hlane Royal National Park - Guided Walking Safari
  • Kruger National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 6–7 hours.

The border crossing between South Africa and Eswatini is generally very smooth, but occasionally there are delays. Come prepared with good book just in case.

Please note that upgrades to your accommodation tonight are possible but subject to availability. Please speak to an Intrepid booking agent for more information on upgrades.

Today you’ll have the opportunity to further explore Hlane Royal National Park at your leisure. You might like to book an optional 4x4 game drive within the park, where you can expect to see all kinds of animals like antelopes, elephants, zebras, rhinos, and lions. Guided by a local Swazi guide, these drives typically take 2-2.5hrs either in the early morning or late afternoon.

Another optional activity for today is to visit the Hlane Umphakatsi (Chief Village) - a tour of the authentic living homestead and opportunity to discover the Swazi way of life. You'll learn more about the traditional culture here, get to know the locals and even get a chance to try your hand at day-to-day activities. You’ll discover how Umphakatsi is a special village since it is one of the few with a female Chief: Inkhosikati.
Optional Activities
  • Hlane National Park - Guided 4x4 Game Drive - ZAR455
  • Hlane National Park - Umphakatsi Village Visit - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Depart Hlane this morning and cross the border to Lake St Lucia, part of the St Lucia Estuary, stopping at a shop for supplies along the way. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1999, St Lucia Estuary is home to thousands of varieties of birds, mammals and reptiles, including hundreds of hippos and crocodiles.
On arrival, jump onboard for a Hippo Boat Safari which offers a different perspective to traditional Game viewing with the chance to spot creatures cruising down the estuary, or basking on the banks.

Included Activities
  • St Lucia Estuary - Safari Boat Cruise
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 4-5 hours.

We'll take a day trip to Cape Vidal today for some time by the sand, in the sun today. Cape Vidal lies within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site and sits on the exquisite Zululand coast – home to a rich array of marine life. This area is visited seasonally by humpback whales during their migrations, as well as loggerhead and leatherback sea-turtles that come to the beaches north of Cape Vidal from November to February to nest. You can spend the day relaxing on the beach or speak to your leader about booking some of the optional activities in the area. You’ll head back to your camp at Lake St Lucia this afternoon.
Included Activities
  • Cape Vidal - Beach Day Trip
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Rise early and head to the Valley of a Thousand Hills, the heartland of the Zulu nation, for a unique homestay experience. Gain insight into the daily life of the rural Zulu people with a night in a local’s house, where you'll be treated to some traditional food, song and dance. Explore the village on foot and make the most of this rare opportunity to see a remote culture from the inside. Interact with your hosts and perhaps share some of your own culture and language in turn.
Included Activities
  • Activity
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information


Continue to Durban after breakfast today. With no activities or accommodation planned, your adventure comes to an end on arrival today. Durban is South Africa's second most populous city, boasting sandy beaches and a glitzy nightlife – a great place to extend your stay and enjoy some leisure time. Perhaps take the opportunity for a final dinner with your fellow travellers this evening.
Optional Activities
  • Durban - Art Gallery - Free
  • Durban - Bay Cruise - ZAR240
  • Durban - Juma Masjid Mosque - Free
  • Durban - Bike Hire (per hour) - ZAR30
  • Durban - Surf Board Hire (per hour) - ZAR100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 2–3 hours.

There is no accommodation arranged for tonight, but this can be booked when you first book this trip. If you wish to take an onward connection today, it's best not to book any outgoing flights until after 7 pm this evening to allow for any delays on the journey back to Durban.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle

Accommodation

Camping with facilities (4 nights), Camping with basic facilities (2 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (1 night)

Included activities

  • Panorama Route - Three Rondavels Viewpoint
  • Panorama Route - Blyde River Canyon Viewpoint
  • Kruger National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive
  • Hlane Royal National Park - Guided Walking Safari
  • St Lucia Estuary - Safari Boat Cruise
  • Cape Vidal - Beach Day Trip
  • Activity

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Kruger & Coast trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Essential trip information

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