South Africa and Eswatini

10 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Visit the great game reserves of South Africa and Eswatini. Search for the Big Five, learn about the history of the Zulu battlefields, explore the wetlands of St Lucia and discover the last absolute monarchy in Africa. Kruger - The most iconic National Park in South Africa, home to the Big Five Hluhluwe iMfolozi - Home to the biggest rhino populati...
$2,386
From$2,210
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Search for the Big Five in South Africa's spectacular Kruger National Park
    • Get up close and personal with a thrilling foot safari in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
    • Visit the battlefield of Rorke's Drift -home of the famous battles of the Anglo-Zulu War

What's this trip about?

    Visit the great game reserves of South Africa and Eswatini. Search for the Big Five, learn about the history of the Zulu battlefields, explore the wetlands of St Lucia and discover the last absolute monarchy in Africa. Kruger - The most iconic National Park in South Africa, home to the Big Five Hluhluwe iMfolozi - Home to the biggest rhino population in Africa Mlilwane - A walking safari in this secluded wildlife sanctuary beneath the Nyonyane Mountains.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityJohannesburg
End CityJohannesburg Airport (JNB)

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Trekking & Expeditions

Destinations

Attractions

  • Johannesburg
  • Kruger National Park

Activities

  • Adventure & Adrenaline
  • Bird Watching
  • Cooking
  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • Game Drive
  • Hiking
  • Historic Sightseeing
  • History
  • Mountaineering
  • Nature
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Safari
  • Short Cruise
  • Snorkeling
  • Swimming
  • Trekking
  • Wildlife Viewing

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip Johannesburg Airport; drive to the Drakensberg Mountains

Our tour starts today in Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city, once home to both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Your tour leader will meet you at 11:00 at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and we aim to depart no later than 11.30am. From the airport, we...

Day 2 Walk in Drakensberg World Heritage Site

This morning, after a hearty breakfast, we'll have the opportunity to join a guided walk and experience the beauty of the mountain range first-hand. The full walk takes around four to five hours and we\ ve graded it as moderate-to-challenging. There are several turnin...

Day 3 Visit battlefields; drive on to St Lucia

We'll set off early this morning and head to the famous battlefield of Rorke's Drift, arriving around mid-morning. Portrayed in the film Zulu Dawn, the battle at Rorke's Drift was a bloody and hugely significant battle in the history of the Zulu nation. Although time ...

Day 4 Game Drives in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve

We'll have another early start this morning to take advantage of the \ golden hour\ on a Big 5 safari in one of Africa's oldest game reserves. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park boasts the densest population of both white and black rhinos in the whole of Africa. We'll have lunch...

Day 5 At St Lucia Wetland Reserve

Today you\ re free to choose from one of several optional activities. There is the opportunity to continue our game-viewing experience by taking a leisurely open game drive in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which was the first World Heritage Site in South Africa and h...

Day 6 Drive to Eswatini

This morning, we'll make our way to Eswatini, from June to November we may have the opportunity to participate in the optional activity of whale watching, the St. Lucia coastline is the optimal location to view Humpback whales as they make their way up the coastline t...

Day 7 Game viewing and optional activities in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Mlilwane is Eswatini's oldest protected area, owned and managed by a non-profit making trust, it is situated in the low foothills of the Nyonyane Mountains. The park has been rehabilitated to become Eswatini's most frequented reserve where you can enjoy the beauty of ...

Day 8 Drive to Kruger National Park

After an early start, we'll drive north re-entering South Africa and crossing the Crocodile River into the Kruger National Park. This two-million-hectare wilderness is amongst the world's first proclaimed National Park and is justifiably South Africa's showpiece, boas...

Day 9 Game viewing in Kruger National Park; drive to Graskop

The Kruger National Park was established in 1898 to protect big game that had been hunted to near extinction, it's now one of the most prolific animal habitats in South Africa, committed to animal conservation. We'll depart camp for our morning game drive, stopping at...

Day 10 Drive to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) where our trip ends

Departing at 9am this morning, we'll drive back to Johannesburg (a journey time of seven hours). Along the way, we'll drive through the airy uplands of Mpumalanga, an area that has been inhabited since the Stone Age and boasts rivers, multiple waterfalls, craggy escar...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,210
Price per day$221
Last Updated: 4/13/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
08 May 2025
17 May 2025
$2,280
$230
26 Jun 2025
05 Jul 2025
$2,210
$230
17 Jul 2025
26 Jul 2025
$2,900
$230
31 Jul 2025
09 Aug 2025
$2,210
$230
28 Aug 2025
06 Sep 2025
$2,620
$230
04 Sep 2025
13 Sep 2025
$3,040
$230
25 Sep 2025
04 Oct 2025
$3,180
$230
02 Oct 2025
11 Oct 2025
$2,760
$230
09 Oct 2025
18 Oct 2025
$2,620
$230
23 Oct 2025
01 Nov 2025
$2,620
$230

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,290
Great
3,299
Average
517
Disappointing
158
Terrible
82
T

Trusted Customer

Apr 2025

Written on

South Africa and Eswatini

Excellent busy trip with lots of variations. Some lon...

M

Marion

Mar 2025

Written on

South Africa and Eswatini

A great and affordable trip with excellent opportunities for spotting a range of animals and birds. Some quite long drives but with a good range of visits - glass m...

A

Alison

Mar 2025

Written on

South Africa and Eswatini

Good itinerary for seeing the big five, there is a lot of time spent in buses or trucks however. Overall the highlight was probably Eswatini. Usual Explore group hol...

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Other Explore! Reviews

H

Hilary

Apr 2025

Written on

Helpful and knowledgeable

Very efficient and re assuring as a single traveller

S

Susan

Apr 2025

Written on

Very helpful and knowledgeable staff.

Friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful.

S

Sophia

Apr 2025

Written on

Customer service team was really helpful.

I can't remember who specifically helped me but they were all good.

Write a Review

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Minibus,

Transportation & flights

Minibus
Guides
Explore Tour Leader
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
South Africa: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, US and Canadian citizens. New Zealand ordinary passport holders do not require a visa, all other passport holders please consult your local consulate for full information. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office. Please ensure you have the correct multiple entry visa, especially if you are visiting another country on your itinerary and will need to re-enter South Africa - this includes visiting Swaziland. All visitors should ensure their passport is machine readable, has a minimum of 6 months validity from your arrival date into the country and has two blank pages when entering and leaving South Africa. The South African Immigration officials will not allow child/ infant pages to be used for this purpose and visitors without the stipulated blank pages will be denied entry. There are special requirements for travelling to South Africa with children under 18 who hold South African nationality, and for unaccompanied children entering South Africa. The South African Department of Home Affairs has more information. All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related questions with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. Swaziland: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian citizens. You will require one blank visa page in your passport with a minimum validity of 6 months. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
Health & Safety
Please note that you will be required to supply a yellow fever certificate that has been issued at least 10 days prior to arrival in South Africa if you have travelled from or via a country where yellow fever is endemic. We recommend protection against hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, polio and diphtheria. According to various travel health sources, the Western Cape is not regarded as a malaria risk area. If you are travelling to other areas in South Africa please check with your doctor about malaria requirements. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 9
  • Dinner : 2
  • Lunch : 1
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-ZK

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