Start From
| Duration: | 16 Day(s) - 15 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Nature Trails |
Day 1: Durban – St. Lucia (3 hours’ drive time, Breakfast Only)
Depending on the arrival flight, otherwise, overnight at Riverside Hotel and proceed the next day.
After breakfast, depart heading north with glimpses of the Indian Ocean along the way. Travel to St. Lucia, which is surrounded by an estuary at the southernmost entrance to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in the Elephant Coast region of KwaZulu-Natal.
St. Lucia is home to diverse ecosystems, including swamps, lake systems, coral reefs, beaches, wetlands, woodlands, and coastal forests. The town lies in the heart of unspoiled beauty with abundant wildlife. A two-hour boat cruise in St. Lucia Estuary offers views of hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife. Part of this area has been a game reserve since as early as 1895.
Overnight: Villa – 5 STAR
Day 2: Boat Ride (Breakfast Only)
After breakfast, enjoy a 10:00 am – 12:00 pm boat ride on the St. Lucia Estuary, viewing crocodiles, hippos, and various bird species. St. Lucia Estuary was the first World Heritage Site recognised in South Africa by UNESCO in 2000.
Lunch in St. Lucia, followed by leisure time. In the evening, embark on a 6–8-hour turtle night tour along the beach.
South Africa’s turtle season runs from November to April, when loggerhead and leatherback turtles nest along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, especially in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Nesting occurs at night, and tours operate from November to March/April.
Detailed background on turtles is included here (loggerheads, leatherbacks, threats, and conservation successes).
Overnight: Villa – 5 STAR
Day 3: Umfolozi/Hluhluwe National Park (Breakfast Only, Drive Time: 45 minutes)
Depart after breakfast and check into the hotel. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive in Umfolozi/Hluhluwe National Park, one of South Africa’s oldest and largest Big Five reserves.
Prime game viewing takes place at hides overlooking pans and waterholes, offering close-range wildlife encounters. Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park is world-renowned for its white rhino conservation.
Overnight: Hotel in Hluhluwe town (outside park).
Option for Day 4: Stay an additional night for early morning game viewing or proceed into Swaziland.
Day 4: Breakfast Only
Option: Continue exploring Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park or enter Eswatini (Swaziland).
Swaziland has a fascinating history dating back 200,000 years, with evidence of ancient Khoisan hunter-gatherers and later Bantu migrations. In modern times, King Mswati III was crowned in 1986 at age 18. The king and his mother, the Ndlovukati (“Great She-Elephant”), rule jointly.
Day 5: Lobamba, Swaziland (Breakfast Included)
Depart after breakfast. Around 1:00 pm, arrive at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, and enjoy a Game & Birding Walk after lunch.
Journey through the Ezulwini Valley, past traditional homesteads and curio stalls. Mlilwane is a beautiful, secluded reserve beneath the Nyonyane Mountains.
Afternoon: 3-hour Game Walk & Birding.
Day 6: Optional Activities (Breakfast Included)
Optional activities (not included):
White Water Rafting (WWR): 6 hours
Sheba’s Rock Hike: 3 hours
For the adventurous, Malolotja Nature Reserve offers canopy zip-lines, climbing, abseiling, and adventure caving in granite caves.
Overnight: House Boutique
Day 7: Mozambique (Breakfast Included)
Enter Mozambique. (Malaria tablets essential.)
Travel by 4x4 to Ponta Membene Lodge in Maputo Nature Reserve (4-hour drive). Stay 2 nights in beachfront chalets or dune chalets overlooking the sea.
Overnight: Ponta Membene Lodge – Maputo Nature Reserve
Day 8: Pristine Landscapes (Breakfast Included)
Enjoy pristine landscapes: elephants, giraffes, buffalo, wildebeest, wetlands, forests, and over 400 bird species.
Activities include:
Dune forest trails
Visits to local communities
Fat bike rides on the beach
Swimming with wild dolphins
Snorkelling coral reefs
Whale shark and turtle encounters (seasonal)
Overnight: Ponta Membene Lodge
Day 9: Optional Day (Breakfast Included)
Depart at 8:00 am by 4x4.
Option 1: Mafalala Cultural Tour & Dance – guided storytelling, local history, and dance.
Option 2: Maputo City Tour – markets, architecture, and lunch at a local restaurant.
Transfer to Maputo airport for departure.
Day 10: Maputo (Breakfast Included)
Drive 2 hours through rural Mozambique to Maputo (arrival 1:00 pm).
Fly Maputo → Vilanculos or overnight at Afrin Boutique Hotel – Maputo and fly the next day.
Day 11: Magaruque Island (LD Included)
Board the dhow for Magaruque Island. Snorkelling, swimming, and an island stroll. Lunch included.
Overnight: Magaruque Island
Day 12: Bazaruto Island (BLD Included)
Breakfast, then sail to Bazaruto Island. Activities include hiking dunes and snorkelling at 2 Mile Reef.
Overnight: Zenguelemo Lodge, Bazaruto Island
Day 13: Relaxing Day (BLD Included)
Relax day – beaches, snorkelling, pool, or walking tour.
Overnight: Zenguelemo Lodge
Day 14: Santa Carolina (Paradise Island) - BLD Included
Dhow excursion to Santa Carolina (Paradise Island). Explore the old hotel, snorkel, and enjoy a packed lunch.
Overnight: Santa Carolina (Paradise Island)
Day 15: Benguerra Island - BLD Included
Dhow trip to Benguerra Island. Hike to the red dunes for panoramic views, snorkel, swim, and return to the mainland.
Overnight: Hotel in Vilanculos
Day 16: Breakfast Included
After breakfast, transfer to Vilanculos Airport and fly Vilanculos → Johannesburg (direct).
