Southern Africa Safari: Kruger & Coast

11 Days Starting in Dolphin Coast and ending in Johannesburg

Visiting: Dolphin Coast, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Ponta Do Ouro, Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon, Johannesburg

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

WZJ

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 15

Physical rating:

Easy & Moderate

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Vegans

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Safari Tours

From: $4200

NB: Prices correct on 25-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Combine two great wildlife-watching destinations on an adventure that goes beyond your average safari vacation. In South Africa, we scour Kruger and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi for lions, elephants, rhinos and more on multiple game drives and walks, while also cruising the hippo and croc-filled waters of Lake St Lucia. In Mozambique, we head into the Indian Ocean for a classic bucket-list moment: swimming with dolphins. Our animal-watching excursions will be illuminated by expert guides, who have a deep knowledge of the local wildlife and a keen eye for picking out those harder-to-spot creatures. 

Highlights

  • Cross South Africa and Mozambique on an unforgettable wildlife adventure

  • Spot iconic safari animals in Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

  • Swim with playful dolphins off Mozambique – with two boat trips included

  • Cruise Lake St Lucia where hippos and crocodiles populate the waters

  • Enjoy time at the beach from the Dolphin Coast to Ponta do Ouro

  • Gaze across Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest in the world

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start Dolphin Coast

Location: Dolphin Coast

Accommodation Name: Dolphin Coast Lodge (or similar)

Welcome to South Africa, our tour begins on the Dolphin Coast. Depending on your arrival time there is the option of spending the day at the beach or relaxing at our accommodation. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening to discuss the adventures to come.



Accommodation: Dolphin Coast Lodge (or similar)

Day 2 : Isimangaliso Wetland Park And Cape Vidal Beach

Location: iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Accommodation Name: St Lucia Luxury Tented Village (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, we head to Lake St Lucia, a Unesco World Heritage site, in iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The uniqueness of the park lies in a remarkable combination of estuarine lakes, subtropical coastline, forests and wildlife. On arrival, we drive into the park and picnic at Mission Rocks, where there is an excellent chance of seeing turtles. We then explore the park, looking for buffalos and rhinos on our way to Cape Vidal Beach. We drive to St Lucia in the late afternoon.



Accommodation: St Lucia Luxury Tented Village (or similar)

Day 3 : Lake St Lucia Boat Cruise; Drive To Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park

Location: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Accommodation Name: Mpila Camp (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Starting early, we have a two-hour boat cruise on Lake St Lucia, known for its large hippo population. We may also spot crocodiles and fish eagles. After breakfast at our accommodation, we have a short drive inland to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa. We drive through the park in our tour vehicle (our first chance to spot the incredible animals here) until we reach camp. We have some time to relax in the afternoon and then in the evening we head out in safari vehicles with a park ranger where have a good chance of seeing white and black rhinos along with plenty of key species: lions, elephants, buffalos and leopards. Back at camp, we enjoy our first braai (South African barbecue) of the holiday.



Accommodation: Mpila Camp (or similar)

Day 4 : Game Walk And Game Drive In Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park

Location: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Accommodation Name: Mpila Camp (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin with an early morning game walk with a park ranger. The walk is limited to eight people so for larger groups we split into two, with one group walking today and the other group tomorrow. The group not joining will go on a game drive in one of the camp's safari vehicles. We return to camp for breakfast and then have most of the day to relax or go on an additional game drive in the tour vehicle. In the late afternoon, we head out in the camp safari vehicles again in search of the park wildlife, including lions, rhinos (both black and white), giraffes and leopards.



Accommodation: Mpila Camp (or similar)

Day 5 : Morning Game Drive; Transfer To Ponta Do Ouro, Mozambique

Location: Ponta Do Ouro

Accommodation Name: Planet Scuba Lodge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Any group members who didn't join the game walk yesterday will do it today. After breakfast, we drive out of the park in our tour vehicle enjoying more animal watching as we go. The journey will take approximately two hours and we exit from the Memorial Gate.



Our next destination is Ponta Do Ouro, Mozambique, where golden sands meet the Indian Ocean. The natural beauty combined with excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities has made this small town a favourite with in-the-know travellers.



After border formalities, we have a drive of approximately 20 minutes to our accommodation for the next two nights. We typically arrive in the late afternoon with time to unwind before dinner.



Accommodation: Planet Scuba Lodge (or similar)

Day 6 : Swim With Dolphins From Ponta Do Ouro

Location: Ponta Do Ouro

Accommodation Name: Planet Scuba Lodge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we enjoy an experience you'll be talking about for years to come: swimming with dolphins. To increase our chances of swimming with these playful, curious mammals, we'll aim for one boat launch in the morning and one in the afternoon.



From July to November, it is also possible to see migrating humpback whales visiting the Mozambique coast. From December to May, whale sharks and occasionally manta rays can be seen in these waters.



Accommodation: Planet Scuba Lodge (or similar)

Day 7 : Drive To Kruger National Park, South Africa

Location: Kruger National Park

Accommodation Name: Kruger Park Chalets (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Our destination today is Kruger National Park, justifiably one of the most famous safari destinations in the world. The drive to South Africa is approximately three hours and takes us through Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Once we cross the border at Ressano Garcia, we have a short drive to the Crocodile Bridge entrance into Kruger. The national park is bigger than many countries and home to all the iconic safari species, so look for lions, leopards, elephants, rhino, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, zebras and plenty of antelope. We hope for several wildlife encounters on the drive to our camp on the Sabie River, which we should reach by late afternoon.



Accommodation: Kruger Park Chalets (or similar)

Day 8 : Full-Day Game Drive In Kruger National Park

Location: Kruger National Park

Accommodation Name: Kruger Park Chalets (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is the first of two full days in Kruger National Park and will concentrate on the south section of the park. Game drives are in safari vehicles with local guides. The best time for viewing animals is sunrise and sunset, which means an early start as we head out to witness the wildlife at their most active. We return to camp for breakfast and spend the rest of the day exploring the park on the way to our camp in central Kruger.



Accommodation: Kruger Park Chalets (or similar)

Day 9 : Full-Day Game Drive In Kruger National Park

Location: Kruger National Park

Accommodation Name: Kruger Park Chalets (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our second day focuses on the central area of Kruger and we prioritise looking for species that we have not yet seen or have seen less of over the rest of the trip.



Accommodation: Kruger Park Chalets (or similar)

Day 10 : Drive To Graskop Gorge Via Blyde River Canyon

Location: Blyde River Canyon

Accommodation Name: Mogodi Lodge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

There is a final game drive this morning in the safari vehicles to Orpen Gate. When we exit the park, we change vehicles and then proceed to our lunch stop before moving onto a great viewpoint for Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world. This afternoon, we explore a geological formation known as Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the God’s Window viewpoint on our way to our accommodation on the edge of Graskop Gorge.



Accommodation: Mogodi Lodge (or similar)

Day 11 : Graskop Gorge Lift; Drive To Johannesburg; End Johannesburg

Location: Johannesburg

Meals Included: Breakfast

For our final morning, we ride the glass Graskop Gorge Lift for a sky-high view over the mighty gorge and enjoy a walk through indigenous Afromontane forest. From here, we have a four to five-hour drive to Johannesburg International Airport where our trip ends. Please note, if you are organising your own flights, you should speak to your sales representative to confirm transfer timings before booking your flights.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, seven lunches and five dinners

  • All accommodation (see below)

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Tour leader throughout

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation

  • Visas or vaccinations

Food

All breakfasts, seven lunches and five dinners are included.



In the itinerary, we state which meals are included on which day. The list below provides an indication of what these will consist of:



Breakfast: Cereals, coffee, tea and toast, the occasional cooked breakfast

Lunch: Cheese, cold meats, salads, bread or rolls

Dinner: Potjies (stew), braais (barbecue), stir fries, pasta



Where meals are not included, the leader will recommend a restaurant for a group meal. Dinners can cost on average £12-18 ($20-30) per person and lunches from £5 to £8 ($8 to $13).



The tour leaders do all the shopping, meal planning and cooking for each group. They will purchase fresh produce wherever possible. Each tour has two cool boxes for meats and fresh produce and one cool box for cold drinks. We will supply the following drinks: fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages will be at your own expense. Please note, on days when the group are on morning game walks or drives, we have an early morning cup of tea or coffee and rusks followed by the walk. Once we return to camp, we have a large brunch at around 11am. In the early afternoon, we have a snack-style lunch and dinner will be served after completion of the optional game drives.



Please be aware, we need at least two weeks’ notice to deal with special dietary requirements (eg vegetarian or allergies).



The water provided on this trip is safe and clean drinking water, normally from boreholes. It is not bottled water, however. If you would rather have bottled water then this will be at your expense, though we would encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps diminish plastic consumption.

Accommodation

Throughout this trip, we stay in mostly three-star lodges and chalets. On three nights, the lodges are permanent tented camps. These are comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, but they are in part made out of canvas and are a quintessential African safari experience. While the lodges are not luxury properties, they are comfortable and in great locations. Most properties have a pool and wifi, although this is not always very reliable.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?

    Throughout the trip, you will stay in mostly three-star lodges and chalets. On three nights, the lodges are permanent tented camps, which offer comfortable rooms with private bathrooms. These accommodations provide a quintessential African safari experience, with most properties having a pool and wifi, although the wifi may not always be reliable.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    Yes, all breakfasts, seven lunches, and five dinners are included in the tour package. The meals typically consist of cereals, coffee, tea, toast, and occasionally a cooked breakfast for breakfast; cheese, cold meats, salads, bread or rolls for lunch; and potjies (stew), braais (barbecue), stir fries, or pasta for dinner.

  • What wildlife can I expect to see during the safari?

    During the safari, you can expect to see a variety of iconic safari animals including lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, and plenty of antelope. The tour includes game drives in Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, where you have a good chance of seeing these animals.

  • Will there be opportunities to swim with dolphins?

    Yes, there will be opportunities to swim with dolphins off the coast of Mozambique. The tour includes two boat trips to increase the chances of swimming with these playful and curious mammals.

  • What should I know about the water provided during the trip?

    The water provided on this trip is safe and clean drinking water, usually sourced from boreholes. It is not bottled water, but it is safe to drink. If you prefer bottled water, it will be at your own expense, though using the provided water helps reduce plastic consumption.

  • What is the policy on special dietary requirements?

    The tour can accommodate special dietary requirements such as vegetarian diets or allergies, but at least two weeks' notice is required to make the necessary arrangements.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Safari that exceeded all my expectations

Something of a bucket list holiday for me.The combination of different locations was testament to the local knowledge of the tour organisers.Yes the trip is full on, be prepared for the early starts and different activities, but they are worth it.All very well organised, taking into account differing physical capabilities, and designed to get the best out of the specific area.

Southern Africa Safari: Kruger & Coast

Excellent trip / service as per usual

An excellent Wildlife experience

A wide range of wildlife spotted. We were extremely lucky to see Wild Dogs twice, a good number of White Rhino in Umfolozi and significant herds of elephant, Zebra and giraffe amongst many other animals.Also had a good sighting of lions on our last day in Kruger.Andrew, very well assisted by Trymore, was an excellent guide full of enthusiasm and a great host. Food prepared at the sites was very good as was the choice of restaurants on the occasions that we ate in towns.There was a good close up experience with dolphins in Mozambique and it was the dolphins that approached the guests rather than the other way around.The border crossing from Mozambique involved a lengthy delay as it was a Sunday and many workers travelling across to South Africa.The lodges used were comfortable and well located. Overall, a highly recommended trip for those who love wildlife although as always sightings can never be guaranteed.

Superb trip

Full on, non stop with excellent wildlife viewing, guides and facilities.

A good and varied tour

A fast paced and busy trip with sensory overload

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    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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