Escorted Tours 2023 - 2025

< Kruger Johannesburg Drakensberg Dundee Hluhluwe Swaziland      < Coach Air Nights 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 Karongwe 1 Zululand What’s included ✔ Return flights Heathrow to South Africa with Virgin Atlantic. See page 136-37 for regional flights ✔ Where you’ll stay Johannesburg, 4 H Indaba Hotel Kruger, 4 H Chisomo Safari Camp Kruger, 4 H Hippo Hollow Country Estate Swaziland, 4 H Hilton Garden inn Mbabane Hluhluwe, 3 H Anew Hotel Hluhluwe Dundee, 3 H Battlefields Lodge Drakensberg, 3 H Little Switzerland Resort Johannesburg, 4 H Protea Hotel by Marriott Balalaika Sandton ✔ 23 meals ✔ 13 excursions ✔ Expert local tour guide Tour pace: Intermediate Day 1: UK to Johannesburg Depart the UK on your scheduled overnight flight. Day 2: Johannesburg D Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and relax before your welcome dinner. Day 3: Johannesburg to Karongwe B/L/D Set off for the Kruger region, visiting Dullstroom, a village in Mpumalanga before heading to Karongwe Private Game Reserve. This afternoon, enjoy a game drive through the region’s lush countryside. You’ll have the chance to spot some of South Africa’s most well-known animals before finishing the day with dinner at your safari camp. Day 4: Karongwe to Kruger B/D This morning, enjoy a game drive in the reserve before making your way towards Blyde River Canyon and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Later, proceed on to your hotel on the edge of the Kruger National Park. Day 5: Kruger B/D At dawn, embark on a full-day game drive in Kruger National Park. Home to over 12,000 elephants, 27,000 African buffalo and 1,000 leopards, the park is one of the best places to see Africa’s iconic ‘Big Five’. Day 6: Kruger to Swaziland B Traverse mountain roads into Eswatini, formally known as Swaziland and visit Piggs Peak, a town famous for its gold mining. This afternoon visit the Matsamo Cultural Park and discover the culture and traditions of the Swazi people before continuing to the King Sobhuza II Memorial Park in Lobamba. Day 7: Swaziland to Hluhluwe B/D Enjoy a guided nature and wildlife walk at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. Ideal for walking safaris, due to the absence of dangerous game, visitors can pass by herds of grazing antelope and soak up the striking views of the region. Continue on to the DumaZulu Cultural Village to discover the Tribe’s culture in the village described as a living museum. Day 8: Hluhluwe B/D Following breakfast, enjoy a three-hour game drive in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, boasting a wealth of wildlife. Continue onto St. Lucia, a small, picturesque town in the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park where you’ll embark on a boat cruise on the Lake Saint Lucia Estuary. Day 9: Hluhluwe to Dundee B/D Travel to Dundee for a journey through South Africa’s history at the Talana Museum. From war and mining to agriculture, industry and domestic life, visitors can uncover the various stages of the country’s history. Day 10: Dundee B/D Today, discover the history of the Zulu wars with tours of two significant 19th century battlefields, first Isandlwana in the heart of Zululand, followed by the Blood River battlefields. Day 11: Dundee to Drakensberg B/D Following breakfast, travel to Drakensberg and the Royal Natal National Park. Day 12: Drakensberg to Johannesburg B/D Return to Johannesburg for an orientation tour of Pretoria including the Union Building and Voortrekker Monument. Day 13: Johannesburg to the UK B/L Today, visit the Apartheid Museum and discover what life was like under the nations policy of racial segregation. Continue onto the Soweto township and the Mandela Family Museum, before transferring to the airport for your return overnight flight, or continue on to your chosen extension. South Africa and Swaziland What you’ll see ⚫ Embark on game drives through Karongwe and Kruger ⚫ Enjoy a nature walk through Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary ⚫ Uncover the history of the Zulu wars with tour of two battlefields ⚫ Take in the dramatic scenery of Royal Natal National Park Search for the Big Five in the great game reserves of South Africa, discover the battlefields of the Zulu War and the culture of Zululand, and visit tiny Swaziland, a kingdom of mountains, waterfalls and sweeping plains. Extend your tour Mauritius beach stay, 4 H Half Board, 4 nights from £549 or 7 nights from £739 Cape Town city stay, 4 nights, 4 H B&B from £649 Departures & from prices Oct 2023 £2,999 Aug 2024 £3,499 Nov 2023 £2,799 Sep 2024 £3,099 Dec 2023 £3,099 Oct 2024 £3,199 Mar 2024 £3,199 Dec 2024 £3,199 Apr 2024 £2,999 Jan 2025 £3,299 May 2024 £2,899 Feb 2025 £3,299 Jun 2024 £2,799 Mar 2025 £3,299 Jul 2024 £3,499 Apr 2025 £3,099 • Lead-in price based on 1 Nov 23 & 5 Jun 24 • A single supplement starts from just £469 • Tipping paid locally £96 pp per tour Africa 120 Hundreds of escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk