Home > Tours > Africa Tours > South Africa: Walking & Wildlife

South Africa: Walking & Wildlife

No Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Our Price From 6,027 Per Person
Exclusive Savings 129 Per Person
 Trip Length
15 Days
 Trip Starts
Johannesburg
 Trip Finishes
Johannesburg
15 Day South Africa: Walking & Wildlife Itinerary (Exodus)
Countries Explored: South Africa
Trip Style
Walking & Trekking
Departures
Budget
Affordable
Max. Group Size
12
Pace
Leisurely
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
TZS

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Exodus 15 Day South Africa: Walking & Wildlife. Rising high above the veld, the Drakensberg, which translates as Dragon Mountain, forms an imposing, dramatic and quintessentially South African scene, perfect for exploring on foot. Along with the fantastic walking opportunities, we take time to discover the amazing wildlife of the country, hoping to see elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, giraffes, cheetahs and much more. Complementing our journey are more walks and visits to Eswatini (Swaziland), St Lucia and the Battlefields.

Itinerary

We meet at the start hotel before collecting the rest of the group from the airport. We then transfer to the town of Graskop, which perched on the edge of the Mpumalanga escarpment. It is a long drive but we stop at regular intervals to take in the spectacular scenery and to visit the well-known Mac Mac Falls. En route we travel through the highest town in South Africa, Belfast (6,465ft/1,970m), and the scenic Long Tom Pass. We also take the opportunity to stock up on supplies such as drinks and snacks. Stay: Mogodi Lodge (or similar).

We drive through some beautiful countryside this morning, starting with the stunning views at God's Window. If we are lucky, God's Blanket may be down, a majestic cloud inversion that gives you the feeling of being on top of the world. We visit the fascinating rock formations at Bourke's Luck Potholes, before stopping for breathtaking views over Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon in the southern hemisphere.

In the afternoon, we enjoy our first walk of the itinerary, a loop walk that includes the Leopard, Guineafowl and Kadishi-Tufa trails. Along the way, we have further views on Blyde River Canyon, walk through forest and stop at Tufa Waterfall. Stay: Blyde Canyon Forever Resort (or similar) (B).

After breakfast, we drive to a private game reserve in the Greater Kruger area, our base for the next two days. We have time to relax and enjoy the views from camp before heading out for an afternoon game drive in search of the resident buffalo, zebra, elephant and the elusive leopard. Stay: Makuwa Safari Lodge (or similar) (B/L/D).

This morning, we head out on a game walk in search of iconic African wildlife. The walk is about two to four hours (depending on temperatures) and is led by a local guide and tracker. The afternoon is free to relax or go an optional game drive. Stay: Makuwa Safari Lodge (or similar) (B/L/D).

We head to Kruger National Park, justifiably one of the most famous wildlife parks in the world. It is also one of the oldest, established by the South African president Paul Kruger in 1898. It has arguably the greatest variety of animals of any park in Africa, with lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, black and white rhino, plus cheetah, giraffes, hippos and many species of antelopes and smaller plains game.

We game drive (in our vehicle) through the park where we have an excellent chance of seeing a wide variety of wildlife. We arrive at our Kruger campsite in the late afternoon just before the camp gates close to maximise our game-viewing chances. Stay: Skukuza or Pretoriuskop camp (or similar) (B/L/D).

We get up before sunrise for a game drive at, arguably, the best time of day for game-spotting. We return to camp for breakfast and to pack up before moving onto a new country: Eswatini (Swaziland). We leave the park at around lunch time and have a short stop to resupply before crossing the border into Eswatini (Swaziland). We drive (three hours) to the hilly Malolotja Nature Reserve, where we spend a relaxing evening in the cabins ready for a long walk tomorrow. Stay: Malolotja Cabins (or similar) (B/D).

There is superb flora here and we take a daywalk on one of the picturesque walking trails. More than 280 bird species have been spotted in this reserve, as have many antelope species. You will have great views and the chance to spot various eagles or even the very rare bald ibis. The Nkomati River cuts a gorge through the park and flows east in a series of falls and rapids before it meets the lowveld. Our walk takes us to the Malolotja falls viewpoint and then to the upper Majolomba falls and a great lunch spot. Stay: Malolotja Cabins (or similar) (B/L/D).

Today we head out of Eswatini (Swaziland) and back into South Africa. On the way, we visit Ezulwini Valley Craft Market before heading south through rural Eswatini (Swaziland). Upon leaving Eswatini (Swaziland), we move on to St Lucia. The small town of St Lucia is both by the Indian Ocean and by lake St Lucia and is known for its crocodile and hippo populations (hippos are sometimes seen wandering in town).

The lake itself is the largest estuary in Africa and a haven for birds. The proximity to the ocean means it is possible to go swimming and even whale watching (June to November). Stay: Shonalanga apartments (or similar) (B/L).

Getting up early, we head down to the dock and board a boat on the nearby lake. We spend two hours exploring by boat with an excellent chance of seeing some of the many resident hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles. We return to our apartments for breakfast and then pack a picnic lunch for the short drive to Cape Vidal, a long stretch of beach along the Indian Ocean. Along the way we stop at bird hides and there's a small chance of spotting rhinos. We spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach or walking to Mission Rocks. Stay: Shonalanga apartments (or similar) (B/L).

Leaving the coast behind, we head 185mi (300km) towards the battlefields where the British and Zulus fought in 1879. After lunch, we go on a four-hour hike along the fugitive trail, which follows the route taken by the British survivors from the battle of Isandlwana. The British and colonial force was armed with rifles, mountain guns and rocket battery and were facing 20,000 Zulu warriors armed with spears. By the end of the battle, there were only 65 British and Colonial survivors. After our hike, we transfer 31mi (50km) to our lodge for the night. Stay: Amabutho Warrior Lodge (or similar) (B/L).

We continue our journey to the beautiful Royal Natal National Park, known from being home to the distinctive natural Amphitheatre. The Drakensberg is a basalt escarpment forming the border between Kwa-Zulu Natal and Lesotho and continuing into the Free State. It means Dragon Mountains, but the Zulu named it Quuathlamba (the Barrier of Spears) - a more accurate description of the sheer, forbidding, jagged escarpment.

This afternoon, we go for walks in the local area from our lodge where we are staying. There are several walks we can chose from such as to Policeman's Helmet or to some bushmen paintings. Stay: Thendele Chalets (or similar) (B/L/D).

Today, we follow the Thukela River, past protea trees (the national flower of South Africa as well as the name of their cricket team), indigenous yellow wood forest and mountainous grasslands to the natural Amphitheatre and Thukela Waterfall viewpoint. The walk takes us into the heart of the Royal Natal National Park and offers stunning views of the dramatic northern Drakensberg Mountains. Stay: Thendele Chalets (or similar) (B/L/D).

As the bus takes our luggage to our next lodge, we head along trails by foot. The start of our trail follows a contour line and takes us via Tiger Falls and Gudu Falls. We then head up as we walk through the Mahai Valley crossing the river and walking via the crack past the Mahai Falls, eventually reaching the Basuto Gate and our destination. The hike should take about six hours including stopping for lunch. Stay: Witsieshowk Lodge (or similar) (B/L).

In the morning, we drive 9mi (15km) to the trek start point at the Sentinel Gate. From here, we trek along the edge of the mountains, possibly chaperoned by mountain baboons or, if we are lucky, by the resident bearded vultures, up to the ladders, which take us to the top (9,515ft/2,900m). We then follow the Thukela River to the edge of the waterfall and enjoy views across the amphitheatre and our previous day's route. We then walk back to the vehicle and transfer 9mi (15km) to our lodge. The hike should take about six hours including stopping for lunch. Stay: Witsieshowk Lodge (or similar) (B/L).

There is an optional three-hour final morning walk in these wonderful mountains, with a local guide, before driving back to Johannesburg in time for our flight this evening. The trip ends upon arrival in Johannesburg. Please note: If you are organising your own flights, these should not be earlier than the group flights due to the distance we need to travel back to the airport (B).

Trip Inclusions

  • Embark on several days hiking in the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains
  • Explore Royal Natal National Park and the amazing rock formation, the Amphitheatre
  • Walk through the mountainous terrain of Eswatini (Swaziland)
  • Take morning and afternoon game drives in Kruger National Park
  • Enjoy a game walk and drive in a private game reserve

  • Nine days of walking
  • Mixture of spotting wildlife and walking
  • 11 nights in log cabins and chalets and three nights in permanent tented camp
  • All breakfasts, 11 lunches, seven dinners
  • All transport and listed activities
  • Tour leader throughout

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
  • Altitude max: 9,515ft (2,900m); average: 4,100ft (1,250m)
About Exodus Travels
About Exodus Travels

Hit the trails with Exodus - from challenging peaks to leisurely coastal and countryside walks. Read more

Exodus Trip Leaders
Exodus Trip Leaders

Exodus chooses their Leaders carefully. Professional, dedicated and are passionate about sharing their home countries. Read more

Accommodation with Personality
Accommodation with Personality

Wherever possible, Exodus chooses properties that are locally owned and that reflect the area you are visiting. Read more

Availability

Exclusive Savings
Saturday 27 Apr 2024
Saturday 11 May 2024
Status
From: $6,355 $6,228
Save $127 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 17 Aug 2024
Saturday 31 Aug 2024
Status
From: $6,150 $6,027
Save $123 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 21 Sep 2024
Saturday 05 Oct 2024
Status
From: $6,150 $6,027
Save $123 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 12 Oct 2024
Saturday 26 Oct 2024
Status
From: $6,150 $6,027
Save $123 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 16 Nov 2024
Saturday 30 Nov 2024
Status
From: $6,150 $6,027
Save $123 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 11 Jan 2025
Saturday 25 Jan 2025
Status
From: $6,460 $6,331
Save $129 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 22 Feb 2025
Saturday 08 Mar 2025
Status
From: $6,460 $6,331
Save $129 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 15 Mar 2025
Saturday 29 Mar 2025
Status
From: $6,460 $6,331
Save $129 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 26 Apr 2025
Saturday 10 May 2025
Status
From: $6,460 $6,331
Save $129 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 28 Jun 2025
Saturday 12 Jul 2025
Status
From: $6,460 $6,331
Save $129 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 26 Jul 2025
Saturday 09 Aug 2025
Status
From: $6,460 $6,331
Save $129 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 16 Aug 2025
Saturday 30 Aug 2025
Status
From: $6,460 $6,331
Save $129 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 20 Sep 2025
Saturday 04 Oct 2025
Status
From: $6,460 $6,331
Save $129 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 18 Oct 2025
Saturday 01 Nov 2025
Status
From: $6,460 $6,331
Save $129 Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 15 Nov 2025
Saturday 29 Nov 2025
Status
From: $6,460 $6,331
Save $129 Enquire
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Exodus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Exodus. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

Similar Tours

16 Day Madagascan Discoverer (Exodus)

16 Days Antananarivo Antananarivo

Operated By: Exodus

From 7,031
Save 160
15 Day Gorillas & Masai Mara - Camping Reverse (Exodus)

15 Days Kigali Nairobi

Operated By: Exodus

From 9,133
Save 704
15 Day Gorillas & Masai Mara - Camping (Exodus)

15 Days Nairobi Kigali

Operated By: Exodus

From 9,643
Save 205
15 Day Trekking in Madagascar (Exodus)

15 Days Antananarivo Antananarivo

Operated By: Exodus

From 5,074
Save 870