Kruger & Coast

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

4.6 out of 5 based on 36 reviews submitted.
Overland
Wildlife
From
EUR 781 €
View dates and book

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.

Trip overview

Map of Kruger & Coast including South Africa and Swaziland
Start
Johannesburg, South Africa
Finish
Durban, South Africa
Theme
Overland, Wildlife
Destinations
South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland)
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 22
Trip code
UBOE
This trip generates 27.7 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

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.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 March 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Kruger & Coast including South Africa and Swaziland

Inclusions

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)

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
  • Zululand - Community Centre Visit
Add on activities
  • Kruger National Park - Night Game Drive - ZAR290
  • Kruger National Park - Sunset Game Drive (from) - ZAR380
  • Hlane National Park - Guided 4x4 Game Drive - ZAR455
  • Hlane National Park - Umphakatsi Village Visit - ZAR153
  • 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

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

2. This trip finishes on arrival in Durban on Day 9. Please do not book any flights before 7 pm this evening.

3.On occasion, especially during the peak months of May, June and July we are unable to secure campsites within the Kruger National Park. In this instance we will camp in a bordering private game park.

4.The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document, to delegate their authority.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 based on 36 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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CHRISTOPHER · Traveled November 2023
Superb trip. Great staff. Safe throughout. Brilliant value.
Review submitted 22 Nov 2023

Lia · Traveled October 2023
Review submitted 05 Nov 2023

Andrew · Traveled October 2023
This trip is excellent for anyone wanting to explore Africa and see it's wildlife. Experiencing unforgettable moments such as the Rhino walk in Hlane Royal National Park and the homestay in Zululand were personal highlights and of course seeing the Big 5 during the stay at Kruger.
Review submitted 15 Oct 2023

Jane · Traveled September 2023
This is a fantastic trip to see the incredible animals of South Africa & Swaziland (Eswatini). The campsites are lovely with surprising good facilities. There is undoubtedly a lot of time spent in the truck, not just for the long distances travelling from place to place, but during the many game drives too. You do have to expect some itinerary tweaks for reasons beyond anyone's control. It was a shame we couldn't camp in Kruger itself, as that meant we missed out on the game drive into the park and the optional activities which couldn't run as we were camped outside the park. Early starts and long days were all worth it for the reward of seeing beautiful animals up close. The upgrades at Hlane were lovely and broke up the camping days (and saved us from tent pitching on our only wet days). There is little WiFi to be had outside the hotels at the start & finish, but I actually really liked that. Our team of Tshepo (tour leader), Christian (driver) & Lizzy (cook) were amaaazing, and kept us happy, entertained, safe & extremely well fed. I highly recommend this trip.
Review submitted 05 Oct 2023

Mary Ann · Traveled September 2023
My first Intrepid experience was enlightening and powerful. It was rugged but do-able, simple but well planned. The exposure to culture was up close and personal. Highly recommend Intrepid's South Africa trip to Johannesburg, Swaziland, St. Lucia, the Zulu area in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, ending in Durban. Mary Ann 61 years
Review submitted 06 Oct 2023
Kruger & Coast
From
EUR 781 €