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14 DAY SWAZILAND, MOZAMBIQUE & KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

14 DAY SWAZILAND, MOZAMBIQUE & KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

The Rhythm of the Road
The dust of Johannesburg was quickly left behind as the overland vehicle climbed into the cool, jagged folds of the Lebombo Mountains. By the time the engine cut out on the first evening, the air smelled of dry earth and acacia. In the acacia trees of Hlane, white-backed vultures settled into their nests like dark silhouettes against a bruised purple sky. Somewhere in the dark, a lion roared—a deep, vibrating rumble that made the windowpane of the chalet hum.
The next morning brought the heartbeat of Eswatini. At the Umphakatsi cultural homestead, feet stomped against the red dirt to the rhythm of ancestral songs. The village elders shared stories passed down through speech alone, their voices carrying the weight of centuries.
By Day Three, the landscape shifted. Crossing into Mozambique, the dry bush gave way to a blur of roadside fruit stalls and vibrant markets, ending in the calm waters of Bilene. The next morning, a ferry cut through the glassy inland lake. Walking along the ocean viewpoint, everyone stood in silence as the smooth, dark shells of hawksbill and green turtles broke the turquoise surface of the sea.
Moving north, the air grew thick and sweet with the scent of roasting cashews and coconut palms. Tofu Beach was a paradise of continuous motion—surfers riding the breaks, and divers swapping stories of giant manta rays. A few days later at Barra Beach, the Ocean Safari boat launched straight through the surf. Out in the deep blue, the massive, dotted shadow of a whale shark glided effortlessly just beneath the hull. After a quiet, final beach night at Macaneta, the journey turned back toward the African bush.
Re-entering South Africa, the landscape transformed into the vast savanna of Kruger National Park. The evening game drive was a game of shadows, until the spotlight caught the amber eyes of a leopard lounging on a low branch. The following full day in the open safari vehicle delivered the ultimate prize: a herd of elephants bathing in a river, and a pride of lions resting in the afternoon shade.
On the final leg, the flat plains broke apart into the dramatic cliffs of the Panoramic Route. Standing at God’s Window, the view stretched out infinitely into the lowveld mist. At Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the water swirled violently through deep cylindrical rock formations, a testament to the raw power of nature.
As the vehicle finally rolled back into the bustling streets of Johannesburg on the fourteenth day, the coastal salt had dried on the luggage, and the red dust of the savanna still clung to the tyres.
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Description

14 DAY SWAZILAND, MOZAMBIQUE & KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Full Itinerary

HIGHLIGHTS: Swaziland, Hlane National Park, Umphakatsi Cultural Village, Barra Beach, Ocean Safari, Turtles in Bilene, Kruger National Park, Panoramic Route, God’s Window, Blyde River Canyon and Bourke’s Luck Potholes.

COUNTRIES VISITING:  Swaziland, Mozambique & South Africa

DAY 1: SOUTH AFRICA-SWAZILAND
Departing early from Johannesburg, we head towards the incredible Lebombo mountains, to overnight either in Hlane Royal National Park, or Mlawula Nature Reserve. Encompassing an area of 22,000 hectares, Hlane Royal National Park is home to lion, elephant, white rhino, giraffe and many other species; including the most concentrated population of nesting white backed vultures in Africa. The word Hlane means “wilderness” in the local language siSwati, and the rugged natural surrounds are beautiful and unique. Mlawula Nature Reserve covers an area of 16,500 hectares. With the beautiful Lebombo mountain range running along its boundary, the reserve is a sight to behold. Because of its combination of low-lying ranges and mountain escarpment, Mlawula contains a great diversity of flora and fauna – including 350 of the 500 species of birds found in the entire nation of Swaziland.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodated Tour: Twin / double en-suite rooms

DAY 2: SWAZILAND
The Umphakatsi, or Chief Village, is an authentic homestead that models the traditional way of life. The residents will share their culture and traditions, demonstrating age old practices. This rich and colorful culture is transmitted verbally from one generation to the next. You may be given the opportunity to participate in a dance that forms part of marriage and other significant ceremonies; such as the Umhlanga (Reed Dance) and Lusekwane (cutting of sickle bush for the King’s Royal Kraal). In the evening you have the option of a guided sunset game drive in an open safari vehicle in Hlane Royal National Park.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodated Tour: Twin / double en-suite rooms

DAY 3: SWAZILAND-MOZAMBIQUE
Departing early from Swaziland we make our way to the border between Swaziland and Mozambique. Once through the border we make our way past the Capital Maputo and then north to the small town of Bilene. Arriving late afternoon. Bilene is situated 85km north of Maputo and offer a wide range of things to do. You may even have time for a swim in the tropical waters of the inland lakes the town is situated on. Your guide will also inform you about the half day tour for the next day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodated Tour: Twin / double en-suite rooms

DAY 4: BILENE MOZAMBIQUE
Today is a day for leisure and relaxing. After breakfast you will meet your local Mozambique guide and then board a ferry boat to take you across the inland lake to the beach, from here it’s a walk along the beach and then to a viewpoint where you have the opportunity to see the Harks bill and green turtles that live in the area. Once done observing the turtles and the views over the ocean its back to the boat along the beach. You will have ample time for swimming and if you a keep diver there are seahorses in parts of the estuary.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodated Tour: Lodge

DAY 5: TOFO BEACH – MOZAMBIQUE
Leaving early morning we make our way north once more through the coconut and Cashew nut plantations. Your guide will stop along the way in the town of Inhambane for you to do some shopping and then once in Tofu you have the rest of the day to explore the town and the beaches of this busy coastal town. For divers. You guide will introduce you to the dive centre. Here you can check out what they have on offer.(Own Cost) For non-divers, this is probably the best place to start a scuba dive course and enjoy some surfing lessons.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodated Tour: Lodge

DAY 6, 7 & 8: TOFO- MOZAMBIQUE
These are day for you to enjoy the beaches and the activities they offer in Tofu. There are also activities besides scuba diving and surfing. Village walks, horse riding and quad bike tours are also on offer in Tofu. For divers there are awesome dives to go on while in Tofo and the dive centre has year of experience in the area and can inform you on where they will be diving for the next few days For the enthusiast that would like to do the full open water dive course or try scuba diving they have that all on offer for you

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodated Tour: Lodge

DAY 8, 9:  BARRA BEACH
After a late morning we make our way over to Barra beach for the next 2 days. Barra has beautiful beaches and overs you tours out into the estuary that divides the two town Inhambane and Maxice. Island tours and sunset cruises can also be booked through your guide if you wish to enjoy the local knowledge and experience this amazing part of Mozambique Your guide will also book you on an Ocean Safari for the next day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodated Tour: Lodge

DAY 10: MACANETA-MOZAMBIQUE
Leaving Barra behind us we make our way south through the country too our next peace of Paradise, Macaneta Beach. With the Nkomati River and the Indian Ocean as its borders, Macaneta is the jewel in the crown of the Maputo province, and for centuries has fulfilled the role of weekend getaway and holiday destination for locals and even former colonialists.  Macaneta offers pristine beaches, whale watching, game fishing and it is also home to the delicate breeding grounds of the giant leatherback turtle.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodated Tour: Beach Chalet

DAY 11: MOZAMBIQUE-KRUGER NATIONAL PARK KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Leaving Macaneta Beach  we make our way to the border of Mozambique bypassing the capital Maputo. Once across the border it’s a short drive to the entrance of the Kruger National Park. From the gate we do a short game drive before arriving at the camp within the Kruger National Park. The Kruger National Park is home to 147 mammal (including the Big 5), 114 reptile and over 502 bird species.

Once inside the Kruger we will be on the lookout for wildlife en route to our camp. After setting up camp you will have a chance to relax for a couple of hours before heading out on an evening sunset drive with your experienced Kruger National Park guide. This drive lasts between 3 and 3.5 hours, which gives you the opportunity to see plenty of wildlife.

On your return your guide will have dinner ready for you.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodated Tour: Chalets

DAY 12: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Starting the day early your guide will have a packed breakfast ready for you before you head out on a full day’s open vehicle game drive with an experienced Kruger park guide. Your game drive will take you through the southern parts of the park and remember to take your camera along. Wildlife is on the top of our list today and you may come across the Big 5 Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Leopard and Lion. Your game drive guide will drop you back in your camp around 15H30. Should you wish to do more game drives there is the opportunity to do a late night game drive.

Meals: Packed Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodated tour: Chalets

DAY 13: BLYDE RIVER-SOUTH AFRICA
This morning there is the opportunity for you to do a walking safari(Own Cost) Please ask you guide about it and he will help you book it. Leaving after breakfast we make our way up through the park. Once we exit the park the road take you up to God’s window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Blyde river canyon. It’s a short drive to your overnight stop Blyde River Resort.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodated Tour: Chalet

DAY 14: JOHANNESBURG
After a late start to the day you enjoy a restaurant breakfast before departing for Johannesburg. The drive takes you through the high veld. Your guide will stop along the way for you to have lunch. You arrive back in Johannesburg late afternoon, and you guide will drop you of at your hotel or the airport on your request

Meals: Breakfast

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Transport Services of a driver/guide
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Accommodation as per itinerary

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Flights, visas (if required)
Personal travel insurance (compulsory when travelling with Blue Chilli Travel)
Meals & Drinks not specified in the itinerary
Items of a personal nature
Gratuities

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