South African Walking Safari

Day 1
Depart London.

Day 2
We first pick up the land only clients from the start hotel and then proceed to the airport for the arrival of the group flight. We then transfer to the town of Graskop perched on the edge of the Drakensberg 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 also travel through South Africa’s highest town, Belfast (1970m), and the scenic Long Tom Pass. We also take the opportunity to stock up on supplies such as drinks and snacks.

Day 3
After a leisurely breakfast we walk from the town of Graskop along the Graskop trail through pine plantations and indigenous forests to the forest falls and enjoy the spectacular scenery. We have the opportunity to take a swim in the falls before having a picnic lunch. We then drive the short distance to the old gold rush town of Pilgrim’s Rest where we spend some time exploring this unique frontier town by foot. We return to Graskop late afternoon. 4 – 6 hours walking.

Day 4
We drive through some spectacular 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 the most breathtaking views over Blyde River Canyon, the 3rd largest canyon in the southern hemisphere. We arrive at our cabin mid-afternoon and may take a short optional hike in the surrounding woods before a relaxing evening around the campfire. 2 hours walking at the different few points, 2 hour optional walk.

Day 5
A full day’s walking In the Magoebaskloof Mountains. We take the section of the route known as the Dokolewa Waterfalls Trail. This area has the largest stand of indigenous forest left in South Africa and there will be the chance to see the elusive Samango Monkey! Some great walking through various forest types, including Blue gum eucalyptus. There will be chances to swim in natural waterfall-fed pools while walking and at our overnight stop where our cabin sits alongside the river. 6 -7 hours walking.

Day 6
Today we transfer through beautiful scenery to a private reserve in the Lowveld area near Kruger N.P, arriving early to mid-afternoon. Two days of bush camping on the private reserve means we get very close to the wildlife around us. In the evening we take a sunset game drive and enjoy a few ‘sundowners’. 1 hour walk in the morning

Day 7
Up before dawn for a morning game walk (3hrs) on the reserve led by a local guide and tracker, following water drainage lines in search of animals. The focus will be on plants, spoor and birds as well as the big game and is a truly memorable learning experience. We walk back to camp for a big breakfast, then while the animals rest in the hottest part of the day, we have the opportunity to relax and swim at the Lodge adjacent to our camp. We have the chance to go on an additional extra optional sunset drive to see those animals we missed. 3-4 hours walking depending on the temperature.

Day 8
Heading towards Kruger, time permitting we stop at a snake park where you will be given demonstrations on reptile conservation. Then on to Kruger N.P., justifiably one of the most famous wildlife parks in the world. It is also one of the oldest, established by the ZAR 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, as well as cheetah, giraffe, hippo and many species of antelope 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 this spectacular animal and bird-life. We arrive at our campsite in the Kruger, where there will be chance for a swim and hot showers.

Day 9
Up before sunrise this morning for a game drive (in our vehicle) at arguably the best time of day for game-spotting. We stop for breakfast in Kruger before heading back to camp to pack up and move onto a new country: Swaziland. We drive to the hilly Malolotja Nature Reserve (3 hours). A relaxing evening in the cabins here before a long walk the next day/

Day 10
There is superb flora here and we take a day-walk on one of the picturesque walking trails. Over 280 species of birds 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. Nearby Ngwenya has one of the world’s oldest mines, dating from 41,000 BC. 8 hours walking.

Day 11
Today we head out of Swaziland back into South Africa. We visit Ezulwini valley Craft Market before heading south through rural Swaziland. Upon leaving Swaziland we move on to Mkuzi Game Reserve in Zululand. Mkuzi/Itla is one of the last safe havens for the endangered black rhino and a very popular birding destination with over 420-recorded species. We set up camp before an active day tomorrow.

Day 12
We will take a morning game walk with a ranger, to see if we can get up close and personal with these rare rhinos, plus various other species. After a big brunch by one of the lakes, under the watchful eye of the hippos, we will have the chance to visit a hide at one of the waterholes on an afternoon game drive. Sit in the quiet and see all sorts of species come up and drink, from the playful baboons to the nervous zebra. There may be a chance for an optional sunset drive with the camp rangers as well. 2 – 3 hours walking depending on the temperature.

Day 13
A full day’s drive to the Royal Natal N.P. Along the route we will stop for lunch at one of the various historic sites. This could be a Zulu battlefield or museum (entry fee at your own expense), as we drive through the heart of Zululand. We aim to arrive late afternoon into the camp at the foot of the Drakensberg, so we can do a short 1-hour walk.

Day 14 - 15
Two full days to explore these breathtaking mountains. 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’). This is a more accurate description of the sheer, forbidding, jagged escarpment. The walking takes us to both the highland and lowland areas for magnificent views. The low route will have us walking into the natural Amphitheatre, past Protea trees, the national flower of South Africa as well as the name of their cricket team. The high route takes us to the highest point of this region where you will look back over where you walked the day before and into Lesotho. We drive to the trek start point then trek the edge of the mountains, possibly with mountain baboon chaperones, up to the ladders, which take us to the top (3,020m). There is an alternate scrambling route for those that don’t wish to take the ladders, but this will take longer. We will stop for an evening meal on the way back to camp. 6 – 8 hours walking.

Day 16
There will be an optional short final morning walk in these wonderful mountains, with a local guide, before driving back to Johannesburg. 3 hour optional walk.

Day 17
Arrive London.