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.
Activity Areas
Big Cats
Safaris
Wildlife Holidays
Region & Country & City
Africa: Kruger National Park, Mozambique, South Africa
Included in the Price
— All breakfasts, seven lunches and five dinners
— All accommodation
— All transport and listed activities
— Tour leader throughout
— Group arrival and departure transfers available
Not Included In The Price
— Travel insurance
— Single accommodation (available on request)
— Visas or vaccinations
Accommodation Information
— Accommodation: 10 Classic nights (7 lodge/chalet, 3 permanent tented camp)
— Travel by private minibus, 4×4 safari vehicle and boat
— Group normally 4 to 15, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Map
Itinerary
Day 1 Adventure starts on the Dolphin Coast
Begin your adventure on the Dolphin Coast in KwaZulu Natal.
Around 6pm, say howzit to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.
Your tour leader then ensures a big South African welcome by arranging dinner at a local restaurant (which will be included for all in 2026).
Want to explore further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.
Accommodation: Dolphin Coast Lodge (or similar)
Day 2 iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Cape Vidal Beach
This morning, we head to Lake St Lucia, a 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
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
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
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
Today we enjoy an experience you’ll be talking about for years to come: swimming with dolphins. We include one boat launch in the morning, and there is a second boat launch available to join as an optional extra if you want to increase your chances of swimming with these playful, curious mammals.
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
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
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
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
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. Adventure ends Johannesburg
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 speak to your sales representative to confirm transfer timings before booking any flights, or to discuss options for extending your stay.
