ELEPHANT HERD

8-Day 7-Night Kruger Park- Swaziland – St Lucia Package

*The package tours are strictly subject to availability

Embark on an unforgettable bush to beach experience with Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris, whilst we explore the iconic Kruger National Park in our open safari vehicles offering you the ultimate safari feel. We then head West to the Drakensberg mountains escarpment to explore the splendour and wonders of the Panorama Route and the Blyde River Canyon. We visit the diverse monarchy of Swaziland for a cultural tour before heading to the iSimangaliso Wetlands of St Lucia.

Route

South Africa 

Start Johannesburg

Day 1 – Southern Kruger
Day 2 – Kruger NP
Day 3 – Panorama Route
Day 4 – Swaziland
Day 5 – St Lucia
Day 6 – Hluhluwe Mfolozi
Day 7 – Leisure Day
Day 8 – End Durban 

Kruger park private safaris

Tour Features

  • Mid-range tour   This mid-range tour uses lodges and 4-star guesthouses.

  • Shared tour   On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers.

  • Can start any day   If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.

  • Can be customized   You can request changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.

  • Minimum age of 6 years   The minimum age for this tour is 6 years.

Activities & Transportation

  • Activities: game drives

  • Game drives: open-sided 4×4 vehicle

  • Getting around: SUV / minivan

  • Return transfers included

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation prior to the tour start date can be arranged at an additional cost.

Day Accommodation Meals
1 – 3 Dreamfields Guest House
Mid-range guest house just outside Kruger NP
(South Africa)		 Breakfast Included
4  Mantenga Lodge
Mid-range lodge in or near Ezulwini Valley
(Swaziland)		 Breakfast Included
5-7  St Lucia Eco Lodge
Mid-range lodge just outside iSimangaliso WP
(South Africa)		 Breakfast Included
8 End of tour
(No Accommodation)		 Breakfast & Lunch Included

Arrival

(See Getting There for more details)

Departure from O R Tambo International Airport bus terminal.
Accommodation prior to the tour start date can be arranged at an additional cost.

Day 1

Road transfer Johannesburg to Hazyview followed by a Kruger Park Sunset Safari

The shuttle service minibus departs from O R Tambo Airport at 06h45. On arrival in Hazyview at approximately 12h00, you will be collected by an Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris guide and transported to your accommodation. After a welcome drink in the beautiful and bird-rich gardens of the guesthouse, you will have 2 to 3 hours to unpack and relax before we collect you for your sunset safari with your dedicated guide, who will spend the next 8 days with you on this tour. On this relaxed sunset safari, hosted by Sanparks, will get a sneak preview of what you can expect for your other safaris with a focus on the plains game such as zebra, giraffe and various antelope, although the park is always full of surprises and there may be one of the Big 5 waiting for you just around the corner.
After the sunset safari, you will be transferred to a local restaurant of your choice for dinner.

Accommodation:

  • Dreamfields Guest House
    4-star guesthouse located 10km from Kruger National Park(subject to availability, alternative accommodation will be of similar standards)

Meals & Beverages:

  • Breakfasts included (Lunch & dinner not included)

  • Drinking water (Other beverages not included)

Day 2

Full Day Kruger National Park Safari

Your safari to the Kruger park starts before sunrise in one of our open safari vehicles, allowing you the opportunity to view animals from a higher vantage point. Your guide will use his expert knowledge to help you search for and find the iconic animals in the park as well as interpreting the natural environment.
You will stop at various waterholes and rivers to increase your chances of seeing as many of the wildlife species as possible as well as the abundance of fauna & flora that the park has to offer.
Breakfast packs will be provided for you to enjoy when we stop for a rest break / breakfast stop at a rest camp or a picnic spot along the planned route for that day. Your guide will also stop for a lunch stop should you wish to purchase a lunch snack from the restaurants or stretch your legs. You will return just in time for a sundowner drink or a dip in the pool at your own leisure.
Your dinner transfer will be ready at the time you arrange with your guide

Accommodation:

  • Dreamfields Guest House
    4-star guesthouse located just outside Kruger National Park(subject to availability, alternative accommodation will be of similar standards)

Meals & Beverages:

  • Breakfasts included (Lunch & dinner not included)

  • Drinking water (Other beverages not included)

Day 3

Blyde River Canyon Panorama Tour

After a leisurely breakfast at your guesthouse, we head out to explore the beauty and splendour of the majestic northern point of the Drakensberg Mountain ranges escarpment, unveiling the endless views of the Lowveld from Gods Window, become absorbed by the sheer cutting power of the water as it carves away at Bourkes Luck Potholes before we head off to see the wonders of the Blyde River Canyon – the largest green canyon in the world.
Time permitting, after lunch in the quiet town of Graskop we will stop off at a few of the waterfalls such as Lone Creek, Lisbon & Berlin Falls on route whilst making your way back to the guesthouse for a welcome swim and a cold beverage.

Accommodation:

  • Dreamfields Guest House
    4-star guesthouse located in Hazyview, 10km from Kruger National Park(subject to availability, alternative accommodation will be of similar standards)

Meals & Beverages:

  • Breakfasts included (Lunch & dinner not included)

  • Drinking water (Other beverages not included)

Day 4

Swaziland via KNP

For your last Kruger Park morning safari, you will be collected in a closed air-conditioned luxury vehicle. You will stop at a rest camp or a picnic spot along the planned route so that you are able to enjoy your breakfast packs before leaving the park to travel to your next destination, being Swaziland.
After entering through the Jeppes Reef borders, it is a scenic drive towards Matenga Cultural Village, only having a quick light lunch break at your own cost on the way. On arrival at Matenga Cultural Village, you will get a chance to experience the cultural show and end the day off relaxing at the lodge.
A transfer will be provided to any local restaurant where dinner can be enjoyed.

Accommodation:

  • Mantenga Lodge
    Mid-range lodge located in or near Ezulwini Valley(subject to availability, alternative accommodation will be of similar standards)

Meals & Beverages:

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  • Breakfasts included (Lunch & dinner not included)

  • Drinking water (Other beverages not included)

Day 5

Swaziland to St Lucia for a Sunset Boat Cruise

This day starts off with a hearty breakfast before your departure to the highlighted attractions of Swaziland, one of which is the Ngwenya Glass factory where you watch the craftsmen blow moulding and hand crafting all sorts of interesting glass crafts, as well as a visit to Swazi Candles factory, with time to walk about and purchase curios and arts and crafts.
At roughly 10h00 you will depart from Swazi Candles and make your way to St Lucia where you will check in to your accommodation. A St Lucia sunset boat cruise will be ready at 16h00 to take you on a 2-hour trip between the reeds, sandbanks, birds, crocodiles and hippos.
Dinner will be at own cost at one of the local St Lucia restaurants.

Accommodation:

  • St Lucia Eco Lodge
    Mid-range lodge located just outside iSimangaliso WP(subject to availability, alternative accommodation will be of similar standards)

Meals & Beverages:

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  • Breakfasts included (Lunch & dinner not included)

  • Drinking water (Other beverages not included)

Day 6

Safari in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve

Just as the sun rises around about 05h00 the open safari vehicle will collect you for your Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park half day safari in the oldest proclaimed park in Africa (1895). From here you will be transported to the park and once inside the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park your highly qualified guide will set you off on a journey to look for the big 5. After a scrumptious breakfast at a picnic site or even a special lookout point, you head out on your safari again to see what other animals you can still tick off your list.
At about 12h00 you will return to your accommodation for some lunch at your own account and for some leisure time. From 15h00 you get picked up for the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park excursion which starts at 16h00 until 21h00 and includes refreshments and light snacks.

Accommodation:

  • St Lucia Eco Lodge Mid-range lodge located just outside Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR(subject to availability, alternative accommodation will be of similar standards)

Meals & Beverages:

  • Breakfasts included (Lunch & dinner not included)

  • Drinking water (Other beverages not included)

Day 7

Birding and a Day of own Leisure

After a delightful breakfast, be sure to put on your walking shoes and its best to keep your binoculars handy as you will be transferred to just outside St Lucia town. From there you will start your walk along the Estuary Boardwalk towards the St Lucia Boat Club during an approximate 3-hour birding adventure.
Thereafter you will have the day at your own leisure and dinner will be at own account.

Accommodation:

  • St Lucia Eco Lodge Mid-range lodge located just outside iSimangaliso WP(subject to availability, alternative accommodation will be of similar standards)

Meals & Beverages:

  • Breakfasts included (Lunch & dinner not included)

  • Drinking water (Other beverages not included)

Day 8

Shakaland Zulu Tour Before Drop Off at King Shaka International Airport

On the last morning in St Lucia, you will enjoy an early breakfast and then set off to Eshowe where you will have a Nandi experience at Shakaland. This tour starts at approximately 11h00 for a 3-hour duration. Shakaland is an open-air museum, or “cultural village” providing a first-class introduction to Zulu culture. The arts and crafts on display are nothing short of impressive in their diversity and colourful loveliness.
After lunch, you will be transferred and dropped off at King Shaka International Airport for your onward flight.
Any extensions on this trip are at additional costs.

Accommodation:

    • No accommodation (End of tour)

    Meals & Beverages:

    • Breakfasts included (Lunch & dinner not included)

    • Drinking water (Other beverages not included)

    End of tour

    Important to Know

    • Single supplement rates apply.

    • This group tour requires a minimum of 2 people to run.

    • Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.

    • Child rates will apply from 6 – 11 years of age.

    Rates Per Person

    Single
    1 room    		 2 people
    1 room    		 3 people
    2 rooms    		 4 people
    2 rooms    		 5 people
    3 rooms    		 6 people
    3 rooms    		 7+ people
    Price on Request Price on Request Price on Request Price on Request Price on Request Price on Request Get a Quote 
    Price on Request Price on Request Price on Request Price on Request Price on Request Price on Request Get a Quote 

    *n/a = not available. This tour is unavailable for single travelers.

    Included

    • Kruger National Park fees

    • All activities (Unless labelled as optional)

    • All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)

    • A professional qualified driver/guide

    • All transportation (Unless labelled as optional)

    • All Taxes/VAT

    • Roundtrip airport transfer

    • Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

    •  Limited complimentary bottled water (As specified in the day-by-day section)

    Excluded

    • All Air Fares

    • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour, if required

    • Gratuities (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)

    • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)

    • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or Kruger National Park fees

    • Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

    • Beverages

    • This tour starts and ends at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg

    • Fly to/from OR Tambo Airport (JNB – Check price) in Johannesburg (own cost)

    • A return transfer to the airport is included

    • Additional accommodation prior to, and after the tour, can be arranged at an additional cost