South Africa

South Africa: Kruger, Blyde River and Eswatini

Ten days built around safaris, from Kruger Park to the reserves of the kingdom of Eswatini

South Africa

South Africa: Kruger, Blyde River and Eswatini

The shortest way to see South Africa's wildlife: two days in the Kruger area, looking for the Big Five, with a night in a tented camp and a boma dinner under the stars. The trip also takes in the Blyde River Canyon, enters the small kingdom of Eswatini for a rhino safari in Hlane and a walk in Mlilwane, and ends in Soweto and at the Apartheid Museum. The tour can be extended to Victoria Falls (13 days, from €3,639 per person) and then to Chobe Park in Botswana (14 days, from €4,479).

When

May to Oct

Price

From 1 849€ excl. flights

(based on 2 people sharing)

How long

7 nights

Ideal length

Johannesburg and the Blyde River

Days 1-3

A first look at Johannesburg, then the Panorama Route and one of the largest green canyons in the world.

Day 1

Flight to Johannesburg

Flight with stopover(s) to Johannesburg. Dinner and night on board.

Day 2

Johannesburg

Welcome by your French-speaking guide and a panoramic tour of Johannesburg, the country's economic and cultural heart, between business districts and landmark sites. Dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 3

The Blyde River Canyon

A day on the Panorama Route along the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest green canyons in the world: the Bourke's Luck potholes, carved by water in the ochre rock, then the viewpoints over the cliffs and the valley.

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Kruger Park

Days 4-5

The richest reserve on the continent: 137 mammal species, nearly 500 bird species, and the Big Five.

Day 4

Safari in Kruger Park

Leave at sunrise for a safari by coach in Kruger National Park, as large as Wales, looking for elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion and rhino, as well as cheetahs, giraffes and hippos. Night in a tented camp.

Day 5

4x4 safari and boma dinner

A sunrise 4x4 safari in Kruger Park, back to camp in the late morning and a free afternoon by the pool. A sundowner, then a boma dinner around a large fire, under the stars if the weather allows.

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The kingdom of Eswatini

Days 6-7

A small independent kingdom, green and hilly, nicknamed the Switzerland of Africa, and its reserves.

Day 6

Eswatini: a rhino safari in Hlane

Drive to the kingdom of Eswatini and cross the border. In Hlane Royal Reserve, known for its high concentration of rhinos and its lion reintroduction programme, a 4x4 safari in search of rhinos.

Day 7

A walk in Mlilwane and an Eswati market

A morning walking safari of about an hour in Mlilwane reserve, between mountains and grassland. Visit the craft centres and an Eswati market, for wood carvings, weaving and basketry. Return to South Africa towards Waterval Boven.

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Soweto and Johannesburg

Days 8-10

The trip ends with the country's recent history: the township of Soweto and the Apartheid Museum.

Day 8

Soweto

Drive to Johannesburg and Soweto. Lunch in a shebeen, a former illegal bar, then a tour of the township with a guide who lives there: Nobel Street and Nelson Mandela's house (from outside). Dinner of bush meats.

Day 9

The Apartheid Museum – flight home

Visit the Apartheid Museum, which traces the period through films, photographs and objects. Depending on your flight time, transfer to Johannesburg airport. Dinner and night on board.