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| Duration: | 13 Day(s) - 12 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Adventure Tours |
Day 1: Durban – St Lucia (3 hours’ drive time) - Breakfast Only
Depending on the arrival flight, overnight at Riverside Hotel if needed, and proceed the next day.
After breakfast, depart northwards, running parallel to the Indian Ocean with beautiful coastal views. Head 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 natural beauty with abundant wildlife.
Enjoy a 2-hour boat cruise in the St Lucia Estuary, viewing hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birdlife. Parts of this area have been protected as a game reserve since as early as 1895.
Overnight: Villa – 5★
Day 2: Boat Ride - Breakfast Only
After breakfast, enjoy a 2-hour boat ride (10 am – 12 pm) on the St Lucia Estuary, spotting crocodiles, hippos, and birdlife.
The St Lucia Estuary was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized in South Africa in 2000.
Lunch in St Lucia, followed by an afternoon at leisure. In the evening, embark on a night tour along the beach to view nesting turtles (6–8 hours).
South Africa’s primary turtle season runs from November to April, when loggerhead and leatherback turtles nest along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, particularly in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Tours operate from November to March/April. Later in the season (Feb–July), hatchlings make their way into the ocean.
Detailed turtle information is retained as in the original text.
Overnight: Villa – 5★
Day 3: Breakfast Only
Drive Time: 45 minutes
After breakfast, transfer to Hluhluwe town and check in at the hotel. Lunch followed by an afternoon game drive in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park.
This is one of South Africa’s oldest and largest Big Five reserves, established in 1895. The park is world-renowned for white rhino conservation. It also offers sightings of elephants, lions, buffalo, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and nyala.
Overnight: Hotel in Hluhluwe town
Option for Day 4: Breakfast Only
Early morning game drive in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park with an extra night in Hluhluwe
OR
Proceed to Eswatini (Swaziland).
Overnight: Anew Hotel, Hluhluwe town
Enter Eswatini (Swaziland)
Swaziland (Eswatini) has a fascinating history with artifacts dating back 200,000 years and ancient rock paintings from around 25,000 BC. Originally home to Khoisan hunter-gatherers, it was later settled by Bantu tribes during the 15th–16th centuries.
In modern history, King Mswati II died in 1982, and his son was crowned in 1986 at age 18, becoming King Mswati III. The King and his mother, the Ndlovukati (“Great She-Elephant”), rule jointly.
Day 5: Lobamba – Swaziland - Breakfast Only
After breakfast, depart for Eswatini. Arrive around 1 pm at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, followed by lunch and an afternoon game and birding walk (3 hours).
Travel through the Ezulwini Valley, passing homesteads and markets, before entering Mlilwane Sanctuary beneath the Nyonyane Mountains.
Day 6: River Rafting - Breakfast
Optional activities (not included):
White Water Rafting (6 hours, includes lunch)
Hike to Sheba’s Rock (3 hours)
For the adventurous:
Malolotja Nature Reserve offers canopy zipline tours, climbing, abseiling, and caving.
Overnight: House Boutique
Enter Mozambique – Malaria Tablets Essential
Day 7: Maputo
After breakfast, depart for Mozambique (2 hours’ drive). Arrive in Maputo around 1 pm.
Option: Catch the LAM flight from Maputo to Vilanculos.
If not flying, overnight at Afrin Boutique Hotel – Maputo, and depart the next morning.
Day 8: Magaruque Island (Lunch & Dinner Included)
Board a dhow to Magaruque Island. Explore the island, snorkel the house reef, swim, and enjoy lunch.
Overnight: Magaruque Island
Day 9: Bazaruto Island (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included)
After breakfast, sail to Bazaruto Island. Hike the dunes, snorkel at 2 Mile Reef, and enjoy lunch before sailing to Zenguelemo Lodge.
Overnight: Zenguelemo Lodge, Bazaruto Island
Day 10: Relax on the Beaches (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included)
Relax and explore the beaches, snorkel, or enjoy the pool. Optional guided walks available.
Overnight: Zenguelemo Lodge
Day 11: Santa Carolina (Paradise Island)
Sail to Santa Carolina (Paradise Island). Explore the ruins of the old hotel and snorkel. Packed lunch provided. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included)
Overnight: Santa Carolina – Paradise Island
Day 12: Benguerra Island (Benguerra Island)
After breakfast, sail to Benguerra Island. Take a 3-hour bush walk and climb the red dunes for panoramic views. Enjoy a light lunch and optional snorkelling before returning to Vilanculos.
Cost: Fully inclusive of accommodation, 3 meals/day, and 5 days of dhow cruising.
Park entry fees: 1150 meticais per person/day.
Overnight: Hotel, Vilanculos
Day 13: Departure (Breakfast Included)
After breakfast, transfer to Vilanculos Airport for a direct flight to Johannesburg.
End of Tour
Inclusions:
Accommodation (B&B basis)
Driver/Guide
2 × 500ml bottles of water per day
Transport in 4×4 vehicles
2 airport transfers
4 nights/5 days dhow cruise (fully inclusive)
Exclusions:
All drinks (soft & alcoholic)
Personal expenses & insurance
Entry fees & optional activities
Lunches & dinners not listed
All flights
General Information
Expect rustic, simple, and eco-friendly accommodations.
Packed lunches and picnics are common.
Limited toilet facilities en route.
Routes may change due to weather, roads, or unforeseen conditions.
Some lodges use generators for electricity (off by 22:00) and gas geysers for hot water.
This is true, unspoiled Africa – at its best!
