Escorted Tours 2024 - 2025

Day 1: UK to Johannesburg Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Johannesburg. Day 2: Johannesburg D On arrival, join your guided tour of Soweto, made famous for its role in the nation’s struggle against apartheid. Highlights of South Africa’s political history to be found in Soweto include the Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial; Walter Sisulu Square; Vilakazi Street – the former home of two Nobel Peace Prize winners; and the brightly coloured Soweto Towers. After enjoying a traditional dinner relaxing to the sounds of the marimba, you’ll spend the night in the hotel. Day 3: Johannesburg to Kruger B/D After breakfast you’ll be transferred to the Kruger National Park. On the journey you’ll be making a stop at the red sandstone Blyde River Canyon and Bourke’s Luck Potholes, nestled within a seemingly endless river canyon which is covered in lush sub- tropical vegetation. You’ll arrive at your hotel in time for dinner and a refreshing night’s sleep, ready to begin your safari early in the morning. Day 4: Kruger B/D After meeting your local safari guide you’ll be taken to your state-of-the-art 4x4 to begin a full day’s game-drive across one of the largest wildlife reserves in Africa. Kruger National Park is home to over 12,000 Elephants, 27,000 African Buffalo and 1,000 Leopards. There are also frequent sightings of Lion prides across the Park. At the end of the day you’ll head back to your hotel for dinner and rest. Day 5: Kruger to Makalali B/L/D This morning you’ll visit the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. This world-famous centre has become a haven for the care of abandoned, injured and poisoned wildlife. Animals are brought to the centre from all over South Africa and once healthy enough, are re-introduced back into their natural environments. These animals include lion, leopard, lynx, and honey badgers – among others. Later you’ll arrive at the Makalali Conservancy, a private 22,000-hectare reserve with incredible panoramas across the Lowveld acacia bush, and savannah grasslands. In the afternoon you’ll go on your first game drive in this special location. Whilst here, you’ll spend the evenings in the stunning Makalali game lodge. NEW South Africa: Kruger & Private Reserve Experience the ultimate wildlife expedition through South Africa’s wildest safari reserves; beginning at the Blyde River Canyon you’ll enter the world of ‘big game’ and explore their territories across the awesome Kruger National Park, and private Makalali Conservancy Reserve. Elephants, Kruger National Park What you’ll see ⚫ Before you begin your exceptional safari experience, visit the culturally significant township of Soweto ⚫ See the astonishingly beautiful Blyde River Canyon, considered one of the most stunning vistas that can be found in South Africa ⚫ Explore the exceptional Kruger National Park ⚫ Seek out the Big 5 during your game drives within the Makalali Conservancy – a private reserve which encourages you to go deep into the wild ⚫ Meet the residents of the world- famous Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre ⚫ Learn about the rise and fall of apartheid at the Apartheid Museum < < Kruger National Park Makalali Game Reserve Johannesburg    2 2 3 Coach Air Nights 2 Includes seven safaris Africa 100 Hundreds of escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk