Route: Johannesburg to Nkambeni Reserve (Greater Kruger) – 400km
Leaving the city of Johannesburg behind you will make your way east through the coalfields of Mpumalanga. Your journey today follows in the footsteps of the old trade routes to the Lowveld and the Kruger National Park. This afternoon there will be an opportunity to join an optional sundowner drive (at own expense), booking is essential and your guide can assist on departure this morning. (LD)

Optional Activity: Sundowner drive (subject to availability).

Rising early this morning you will enter the Kruger National Park to enjoy a full day of game viewing. The abundance of wildlife presents you with opportunities for excellent sightings and Kruger is also home to the famed members of Africa’s ‘Big Five’. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Your Game drive through the park is in an open-sided 4X4 vehicle. (BLD)

Included Highlight: Kruger National Park 4X4 game drive.

While those who elect to do the optional morning walk will have an earlier start, you will set out a little later today and travel the short distance to the Panorama Route. Strung along the escarpment that divides the central plateau and low-lying bushveld of the Kruger, the sights of the Panorama route offer you a day of scenic delights. You will visit the highlights of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels and God’s Window before returning to camp in the late afternoon. (BLD)

Included Highlight: Panorama Route – Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window.
Optional Activity: Morning bush walk (subject to availability).

Route: Nkambeni to Mlilwane – 270km
You will start the day early with some traditional coffee and rusks before setting off through Kruger on your way to Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). The truck offers an excellent platform for game viewing as you make your way south. Exit the southern end of the park and travel the short distance to Eswatini (Swaziland) border, your route this afternoon winds through the mountains and forests of this landlocked kingdom. Your destination for today is the Ezulwini Valley just south of the capital Mbabane. (BLD)

Included Activity: Game drive as you exit Kruger National Park (in your Nomad vehicle).

Endless hours of self-guided exploration within the small 4560ha Mlilwane Sanctuary are possible due to the relative absence of dangerous game. This morning your guide will lead you out on a nature walk to explore the “Nature Trail“ which provides interpretation of historical and environmental information of the area. Later this morning, you embark on a 2-hour guided walk through the Esijeni community, allowing you a glimpse of life on a day-to-day basis. This interactive experience could involve grinding maize, carrying water, building a wall or washing clothes in the stream. (BLD)

Included Activity: Nature walk with Nomad guide.
Optional Activity: Games drives, Cultural Experience, Mountain Biking and Hiking and Esijeni cultural tour.

Route: Mlilwane to St Lucia – 340km
You bid farewell to Eswatini (Swaziland) and return to South Africa, making your way to the town of St Lucia and continue south into the reaches of Zululand, once the realm of the mighty King Shaka who united the Zulu clans. (BLD)

You set out early this morning for a game drive in the nearby Hluhulwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, one of the last strongholds of the endangered rhinoceros. While rhinoceros are the most famous of the parks inhabitants, the park also provides a home to many other species, including the ‘Big Five’ that everyone hopes to see. Returning to your lodging for a siesta, you freshen up for an afternoon boat cruise on St Lucia estuary. (BLD)

Included Highlights: Game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park and St. Lucia boat cruise.

Route: St Lucia to Drakensberg – 460km
Running the length of the Kwazulu-Natal province, the Ukuhlamba Drakensberg Park is a UNESCO recognised world heritage site. Whether you go by the Zulu name uKhahlamba, meaning ‘barrier of spears’, or the Afrikaans name Drakensberg, meaning ‘dragon mountains’, these towering mountains will be your backdrop for the next two nights. On your way you make a short stop in Durban to stretch your legs before continuing to view the scenic Howick Falls and a visit to the nearby site that marked the capture of South Africa’s most famous man, Nelson Mandela. (BLD)

Included Highlight: Visit to the Mandela Capture Site and a visit to Howick Falls.

 You will set out this morning for a day of hiking to explore the mountains of the Drakensberg, along your way you will have the opportunity to view examples of San rock art with a local guide. While you’re encouraged to make the most of the day in mountains, there may be separate options offered depending on the activity level of the group. With a number of trails available every need is catered for, the most important aim is to ensure everyone enjoys this mountain paradise at their own pace. (BLD)

Included Highlight: Hike with your guide in Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park.

 Route: Drakensburg to Malealea – 450km
Your journey today begins with a mountain pass and an opportunity to visit a Vulture restaurant where you can hope to view these fascinating birds. Your route winds its way through the magnificent cliffs off the Golden Gate National Park before you enter Lesotho in the afternoon, you will pass the capital city of Maseru as continue the climb to your base high amongst the mountain peaks. (BLD)

Included Highlight: Drive through Golden Gate.

The clean air of the mountains accompanies you this morning as you explore the mountains on foot, your hike concludes with a village visit and the opportunity to gain insight into the community that calls these mountains home. The Basotho are famous for their traditional hats, blankets and their sturdy ponies. Basotho ponies are renowned for their surefootedness in the mountains and you have the opportunity of an optional pony trek (at own expense) this afternoon to experience this first-hand. (BLD)

Included Highlight: Morning hike and Lesotho Village visit.
Optional Activity: Pony Trekking.

 Route: Malealea to Graaff Reinet – 510km
Returning to South Africa, you will descend the mountains and take aim across the Great Karoo. The semi-arid Karoo represents the heartland of rural South Africa and presents a stark contrast to the mountains you will leave behind. Your overnight stop is set in the historic town of Graaff-Reinet, the fourth oldest town in the country. You will cross the mighty Orange (Gariep) River today as you journey through the vast countryside of the Karoo. This afternoon, as part of your activity package you have the opportunity to join a sundowner excursion to the Valley of Desolation, this unique valley offers a panoramic view over the town and the wide open plains stretching out below. (BLD)

Included Highlight: Valley of Desolation sundowner tour (during winter months this is a sunrise excursion the following day).

Route: Graaff Reinet to Addo Elephant National Park – 270km
Setting course for the coast once again, you pass through the open plains of the Karoo and the wildlife charms of the Addo National Park. On arrival in the greater Addo region, you set up camp and head to the National Park to enjoy an afternoon game drive in your Nomad truck, in search of the famous elephants that call Addo home. (BLD)

Included Highlight: Afternoon game drive in Addo National Park (Nomad truck).

 Route – Greater Addo Area to Gqeberha (previously Port Elizabeth) – 55km
This morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to Gqeberha previously Port Elizabeth) where your tour comes to an end (B)