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Track down Africa's "Big 5" in a number of different parks and reserves on this 2-week journey through South Africa and Swaziland. On this trip your experiences will range from modern cities to coastal towns and open savannah to drastic mountain ranges. This trip offers you the best of the region while experiencing some fabulous lodges and chalets along the way.

15 days — Mpumalanga, Blyde River Canyon, Bourkes Luck Potholes, Kruger National Park, Hlane Game Sanctuary, Drakensberg Mountains, Manyeleti Game Reserve, Masgobe Lodge, Graskop, Pretoria, Swaziland.

TRIP PRICE

$1,885 plus 400USD local payment. International flights are not included.

HIGHLIGHTS

Game drives through Manyeleti Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, Masgobe Game Lodge with a bush walk, Hlane Game Sanctuary, Umfolozi Game Reserve, St. Lucia Estuary boat excursion, and Royal Natal Park.

See the Kruger and Swaziland itinerary to review day-to-day activities.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Comfortable hotel (4 nights), chalet/lodge (8 nights), shangaan hut (2 nights)

MEALS

14 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 10 dinners are included. Please budget USD470 for meals not included on trip. A rough idea of what these meals will consist of is: breakfast - cereals or coffee and toast or the occasional fried breakfast; lunch - cheese, cold meats, salads on bread or rolls; dinner - braais (local barbecue), potjies (stews), stir fries etc. Eating is a big part of traveling. On any BrilliantTrip you will experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available in the world. Generally, meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, in order to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. The groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favorite restaurants during your trip.

TRANSPORT

Air-conditioned touring vehicles and walking.

GROUP SIZE

10 on Average / 18 Maximum

BrilliantTips

This BrilliantTrip includes moderate hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking and other activities that require only an average/moderate level of fitness to enjoy. Culturally, you should expect an occasional cold shower, remote or shared accommodations, and public transportation.

VISAS

Visas are required for entry into Swaziland and re-entry into South Africa. All countries require a valid passport (with minimum 6 months validity). The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from; citizens of the U.S. can visit www.travel.state.gov/visa. It is important that you check for yourself. Also see our FAQs and Travel Info. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. A valid passport and visas are required for entry into Swaziland and re-entry into South Africa.

2. This is not a physically demanding journey.However, traveling can be difficult, with long drives and poor road conditions at times. Despite this, most clients feel that the diversity of the African landscape, countries, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience. The group uses a comfortable and safe customized safari truck for the long drives.

3. A Yellow Fever certificate may be required if you are traveling to South Africa from a Yellow Fever endemic country.

TOUR LEADERSHIP

Group Leader, driver, local guides. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. Group leaders use local guides where they think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places you are visiting. It's the best of both worlds.

JOINING INSTRUCTIONS

An arrival transfer is included with all Comfort-Class tours when you arrive on Day 1, or when you arrive up to three days prior to the tour, provided that you have booked your pre-accommodation through us. Please note that Day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned, so you may arrive at any time. The last day is a departure day in which no activities are planned. Your Group Leader will contact you at the hotel on Day 1 and make sure you are settled comfortably. If you arrive late, s/he will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning. Your Group Leader will organize a short meeting soon after arrival, during which you will meet other tour participants and receive information about general and specific aspects of the trip.

To receive your complimentary transfer, proceed through the international arrivals area to the Information Desk and look for a transfer person holding a G.A.P sign with your name. Ask him/her what hotel he/she will take you to (do not volunteer this information). Then present your passport for proof of identity.

JOINING HOTEL:

Sentinel Hotel
734 Arcadia Street
Arcadia
Pretoria
South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 12 343 3440

LOCAL PAYMENT

USD400 . This trip requires a Local Payment that is paid to the Group Leader in cash on day 1 of your tour. This Local Payment is put towards local expenses, such as internal transport, entrance fees and guide fees. Local Payments also reduce the need to wire or transfer funds which can become very expensive. This lowers operational costs so the savings can be passed on to you. The local payment is in addition to, and is not included in, the base tour price.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Paid Locally. Approximate prices shown are the USD equivalents. Optional activity prices are subject to change and can fluctuate in relation to the high/low season and the number of people on a specific excursion. Not all excursions listed here may be available, due to season, or weather conditions. As generally not a lot of time is spent in start/end cities, you may want to arrange to arrive early, or stay longer after the trip in order to allow sufficient time to participate in optional activities there.

All prices are in US dollar amounts.

South Africa

MONEY EXCHANGE

U.S. Dollars that are series 1996 or earlier are not accepted and very difficult to change in Southern and Eastern Africa, as there are a lot of forgeries. As a result, these notes CANNOT be accepted as Local Payment.

EXCHANGE MONEY IN THE BIG CITIES (Banks) or at the AIRPORT when you arrive. Banks are available in each city/area, your tour leader will inform you or you can ask when you arrive to take you to exchange your money.

HEALTH & MEDICAL

It's recommended that you contact your family physician, or your local travel clinic for the most up-to-date health information at least one month before departure. Travelers should also carry a basic first-aid kit. Travelers to South Africa and Swaziland should observe similar precautions to those taken elsewhere in Africa. Medical facilities are basic throughout these countries. For your own safety, it's strongly recommended that you advise your group leader of any medical condition that may affect you while travelling with the group. Be aware that all safaris enter malaria areas. Your doctor should be able to recommend the necessary prophylactics. Please ensure you have all the inoculations recommended by your doctor.

Please note your adventure travels to high altitude. This is medically defined as anything over 8,000 feet (2,440 meters). Most people can travel to 8,000 feet with minimal effects. However, everyone reacts to altitude differently and altitude sickness can affect some people irrespective of fitness and age. For details on how to best prepare and what to do in the unlikely event you are affected on your adventure, please consult your physician.

It is recommended that guests take MALARIA tablets as they are going to KNP or Manyeleti Area & Mozambique. (Speak to your doctor regarding malaria). Guests can bring insect repellent spray/cream or buy when they arrive in South Africa for example: Peaceful Sleep / Tabard. A yellow-fever vaccination and Tetanus vaccination is essential when traveling to Mozambique. DON'T visit Mozambique without adequate medical insurance, the type that evacuates you if necessary. It is recommended that guests not drink the water in Mozambique and Swaziland - rather buy bottled water.

FINE PRINT

While the intention is to adhere to the route described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and, on occasion, it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as you never know exactly where your journey will take you. Due to the style of travel and the regions you visit, travel can be unpredictable. The itinerary is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered.