Escorted Tours 2024 - 2025

< Kruger Johannesburg Drakensberg Dundee Hluhluwe Swaziland      < Coach Air Nights 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 Hoedspruit 1 Zululand What’s included ✔ Return flights Heathrow to South Africa with Virgin Atlantic. See p132-133 for regional flights ✔ Where you’ll stay Johannesburg, 4 H Indaba Hotel Kruger, 4 H Shiduli Private Game Lodge 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: Challenging 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 Hoedspruit B/L/D Set off for the Kruger region, visiting Dullstroom, a village in Mpumalanga before heading to your 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. Day 4: Hoedspruit 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, take a packed breakfast and 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 After breakfast, begin your journey to Swaziland. Before crossing the border, visit the Matsamo Cultural Park and discover the traditions of the Swazi people. Once in Swaziland, traverse the mountains toward Ngwenya, passing through the town of Piggs Peak. Upon arrival, visit Ngwenya Glass Factory. 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 Take a packed breakfast and 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 Today, return to Johannesburg and visit the Apartheid Museum to discover what life was like under the nations policy of racial segregation. Continue onto the Soweto township and the Mandela Family Museum. Day 13: Johannesburg to the UK B/L After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Pretoria including the Union Building and Voortrekker Monument, 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 ⚫ Explore the 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. Includes direct flights Extend your tour Mauritius beach stay*, 4 H Half Board, 5 nights from £729 or 8 nights from £919 Blue Train experience, 2 nights from £1,599 Cape Town city stay, 4 nights, 4 H B&B from £649 Victoria Falls experience*, 4 nights, B&B from £1,399 *Please note one night spent in Johannesburg Departures & from prices Mar 24 £3,199 May 25 £2,999 Jun 24 £2,799 Jun 25 £2,899 Sep 24 £3,099 Jul 25 £3,599 Oct & Dec 24 £3,199 Sep 25 £3,199 Jan & Feb 25 £3,299 Oct 25 £3,299 Mar 25 £3,299 Dec 25 £3,399 • Lead-in price based on 5 Jun 24 • A single supplement starts from just £479 • Tipping paid locally £96 pp per tour Save £100 on selected departures with code TOUR100 Africa 102 Hundreds of escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk