Overview
The Kruger National Park covers an area of 20,000 sq.kms, stretching 350 kms from north to south and 60 to 90 kms from east to west. Despite the abundance of big game species that excite visitors, the Kruger Park is wonderfully diverse in its geology, vegetation, fauna and flora. There are 147 mammal species, over 500 bird species, many different species of reptiles and amphibians and over 300 different tree species.
At Shishangeni Private Lodge in the Kruger National Park you will indulge in thrilling wildlife activities. Your ranger will endeavour to make your wildlife experience as special and memorable as possible, following the signs of the wild through beautiful savanna terrain in an Open Safari Vehicle. A knowledgeable and experienced guide can transform your image of the bush into a new reality and make your experience truly rewarding.
Your safari also includes the luxuries afforded by the lodge, tantalizing food, the excitement of the stories around the campfire and the sounds of the night.
Keep an eye out for the abundant bird species who help create that special bush atmosphere with their calls, beautiful plumage and constant antics.
Swaziland is a small independent mountain kingdom sharing borders with South Africa and Mozambique, situated between the Kruger National Park and the province of Kwazulu Natal in South Africa. It is a charming and popular destination for its authentic tribal culture that it is more widely practiced than the countries that surround it, its scenically diverse landscapes and relaxed atmosphere. Many visitors are attracted to Swazi craft markets and cultural experiences and there are several game and nature reserves worth visiting. Here you will stay 3 nights at Mantenga Lodge in the Ezulwini Valley (Valley of Heaven) and have 2 full day guided tours where you will learn about the Swazi cultural traditions, browse the local craft and markets, enjoy scenic landscapes and meet the smiling people of Swaziland in their homes and markets.
Then back to Johannesburg for your onward journey.
Highlights
- Exceptional gameviewing at Shishangeni in Kruger National Park
- Interactive visit to Swazi homesteads & markets
- Visit range of wonderful Swazi craft markets
- Guided tour of Swazi cultural village with traditional dancing
- Tour of all Swazi highlights
Itinerary
DAYS 1 – 4
SHISHANGENI PRIVATE LODGE, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Luxury Chalet – Full Board
After completing Customs at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg this morning, check in for your flight to KMIA Airport in Nelspruit. On arrival at KMIA Airport you will be met by a driver from EZ Shuttle who will display a Welcome Board with your name on it. You will then be transferred to Shishangeni Private Lodge in the Kruger National Park.
You will enjoy the huge diversity of game, plant and birdlife on game drives in an Open Safari Vehicle and look out for the endangered African wild dog, cheetah, lion, leopard, hippo, elephant, rhino and hyena to name just a few. Enjoy an unforgettable wildlife experience in a magical environment. Thrilling game activities include early morning and late afternoon into evening game drives.
Your accommodation is in a Luxury Chalet with ensuite bathroom, outside shower, air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities and a balcony with spacious deck perfect for gameviewing.
Lodge facilities include a private gameviewing deck, splash pool, lounge area, gym, spa and both indoor and outdoor dining areas. Activities include 2 game drives per day in an Open Safari Vehicle.
At Shishangeni you will indulge in a most thrilling wildlife safari. Your ranger will follow the signs of the wild in an Open Safari Vehicle and endeavour to make your experience one you won’t forget. The combination of thrilling wildlife encounters, luxury lodge, tantalizing food, the excitement of stories around the campfire and the sounds of the bush will make your safari a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And don’t forget the special birdlife that create a unique bush atmosphere with their calls, beautiful plumage and constant antics.
Included : Accommodation, all meals, two game drives per day, Park fees, airport transfer and main gate transfers
DAYS 4 – 7
MANTENGA LODGE, EZULWINI VALLEY, SWAZILAND
Standard Room – Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
This morning you will be collected by a driver from Buzz Around Tours who will transfer you by road to Mantenga Lodge in Swaziland (4 hours).
Mantenga Lodge is located in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley (Valley of Heaven) at the foot of Sheba’s Breasts Mountains (immortalized by Rider Haggards’ “King Solomon’s Mines”) and overlooking the legendary Execution Rock.
You are booked in a Standard Room with en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, satellite television, telephone and tea/ coffee making facilities. Free WiFi is available throughout the Lodge.
Included : Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, transfer from Shishangeni, transfer to Johannesburg
DAY 5 – ACTIVITY
TASTE OF ESWATINI FULL DAY TOUR
This morning you will be collected by your Swazi Trails guide at 09:00 for your Taste of Eswatini Full Day Tour. Your tour is flexible and may include any of the following : Buy fruit, muffin or mealie-bead snacks at a local market, taste Swazi food, taste Swazi beer or Maganu (Marula wine in season), visit Swazi homesteads, see how food is prepared in homesteads and lend a hand to mill the staple maizemeal, collect water from the river, herd cattle or goats with Swazi herd boys, till fields with a span of oxen, weed maize fields, watch a local soccer match, visit a Swazi school, watch the daily tasks of washing clothing in the river… and experience Swaziland as it happens every day.
Not everything mentioned above is possible to do in one day but the idea is to make use of as many ad hoc opportunities for cultural interaction as possible. Experiences will differ from tour to tour as many different homesteads are visited on a random basis. Experiences will also vary with the day of the week and the season of year. In spring, fields are being ploughed, summer is planting and then weeding season and after harvesting in autumn there is little activity in the fields until the following spring. The guide will use his or her discretion on where to go and at what time in the day. On overcast or cold days, he may choose options that are more suitable, whilst on hot summer days he will keep walking to a minimum.
This tour may run to the south first and thereafter to the north or vice versa. This decision is left to the guide depending on pick-up and drop-off points as well as prevailing local conditions.
Please Note : Lunch is not included on this tour. Discuss the type of lunch you are keen on experiencing with your guide and he will source a suitable venue for you.
DAY 6 – ACTIVITY
HIGHLIGHTS OF ESWATINI FULL DAY TOUR
This morning you will be collected by your Swazi Trails guide at 08:00 for your Highlights of Eswatini Full Day Tour. Kicking off from the Ezulwini “Valley of Heaven” this tour heads southwards following the Mdzimba Mountains. You will pass sites such as the Somhlolo National Stadium, Houses of Parliament, King Sobhuza II Memorial Park and National Museum with descriptions from the guide.
Next is the Malkerns Valley area with its extensive agricultural lands including pineapple and sugar cane. Dotted around in this scenic area are many craft attractions such as House on Fire, Gone Rural, Baobab Batik and many other local handcrafts. Swazi Candles is the highlight of this region and one of the Kingdom’s most enduring exports. See talented local craftsmen creating candles of every conceivable design right before your eyes.
Lobamba, the political heart of traditional Swaziland, is the next backdrop to a description of the historical roots of the Swazi Nation. Today the Swazi Kingdom is one of very few remaining ruling monarchies in the world. Ludzidzini, home to the Queen Mother and site of the annual Incwala, Umhlanga and Lutsango ceremonies can be viewed from a distance.
Mantenga Nature Reserve is your next destination, located in a scenic valley framed by the imposing Rock of Execution to the south and the shapely Sheba’s Breasts pinnacles to the north. The lively Swazi Cultural Village lies within this secluded valley at the foot of the 30-metre high Mantenga Waterfall. This 19th century re-constructed replica of a typical Swazi homestead is a photographic highlight, both on the guided tour of the village and during the 45 min traditional dancing display.
Your tour then takes you to Mantenga Craft & Lifestyle Centre which has a growing reputation for its talented artists including jewellers, painters and wood carvers.
Ascending to the capital of Mbabane, a narrative of the city’s history provides some understanding of the Kingdom’s current administration. To the north, Malolotja Nature Reserve is the venue for a visit to the old Ngwenya Iron Ore Mine. Here there is a small museum and a 30 minute guided walk to the Lion Cavern. This relatively modest pit is reputed to be the oldest human excavation in the world (circa. 3,000BC). Although today it is totally dwarfed by the iron ore excavation, it remains an interesting site from which to ponder the actions of our stone-age ancestors.
Then its back to shopping at Swaziland’s top international artwork attraction, Ngwenya Glass. This showroom and factory combination allows visitors to watch as local craftsman create works of art from molten glass. The fact that all glass used here is recycled just makes the product that much better.
Continuing north along the boundary of Malolotja Nature Reserve, the tour heads towards the scenic Komati River Valley. A route passes the Dragon’s Teeth, a view of the original sedimentary crust of the earth. Numerous art and craft stalls dot the road, with the famous ‘leaf-dancing kids’ at the Komati River Bridge being a popular stop.
The 110 metre high Maguga Dam wall, off-the-beaten-track district roads and Sibebe Rock, Swaziland’s famous geological feature, are the final highlights in this jam-packed day.
Please Note : Lunch is included on this tour.
DAY 7
END OF SAFARI
This morning you will be collected by Buzz Around Tours and transferred to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg for your outbound flight.
We wish you a safe and thrilling journey that will leave lasting memories and a desire to return.
Rates
- Jul – Dec 2022 – ZAR 34,100 per person sharing
- Jan – Dec 2023 – ZAR 35,250 per person sharing
Rates based on 2 people sharing
Single supplements may apply
Accommodation subject to availability
Inclusions
- SHISHANGENI PRIVATE LODGE – Accommodation, all meals, two game drives per day, Park fees, airport transfer and main gate transfers
- MANTENGA LODGE – Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, transfer from Shishangeni & transfer to Johannesburg
- TASTE OF ESWATINI FULL DAY TOUR
- HIGHLIGHTS OF ESWATINI FULL DAY TOUR
