16-Day Eswatini, Kruger Guided Self-Drive Budget Camping

You get dropped off at OR Tambo International Airport. Our shuttle service will meet you and transfer you to a hotel in Centurion (Pretoria). As soon as you have settled, your guide will come and help you pick up your car rental.

Take it easy after your journey, your actual adventure begins the day after.

Main Destination:

Pretoria (City, South Africa)

Accommodation:

InnJoy Boutique Hotel

• Mid-range hotelin Pretoria (City, South Africa)

The meals & drinks:

• Meals had to be paid personally by the participants.
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

Before the start of the tour, you will be told the place and time to meet your guide.
You'll enter Eswatini via the Waverley/Lundzi Border Post following your guide. Smaller border posts in Eswatini offer a friendlier and quieter way to come into the country. The tour crosses many gravel roads into several rural regions of Eswatini. You are now having your first encounter with life in the rural Swazi areas.

Mlilwane offers an array of activities and adventures in the picturesque Ezulwini Valley (Valley of Heaven), flanked by the dramatic backdrop of mountains.

He or she will talk to you about future activities during dinner in the restaurant.

The tour’s rough roads and trails are best dealt with by a 4x4 vehicle.

Please check our company profile for a list of the benefits of driving your own car.

Main Destination:

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (Eswatini)

Best Time To VisitMay to September (Dry season)

High SeasonDec to Jan and Jul to Aug (It never gets very busy)

Best WeatherJune to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Animals and plants in Mlilwane WS

The animals in this area are Zebra, Wildebeest, Hippo, Leopard, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Cheetah, Buffalo, Hyena and Wild Dog.

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Mlilwane WS (Eswatini)

The meals & drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

After breakfast, we will drive to the top of the mountain for incredible views (weather permitting). We might see many animal species during the journey up the mountain.

You'll visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory where you will see how a small group of Swazi craftsmen and women breathe life into enchanting interpretations of the animals and birds of Africa. You will watch live as glass is blown to create art from the balcony above.

You'll stop at the Mantenga Cultural Village. During a guided tour you can find out interesting stuff about Swazi village life such as the kinds of huts found there and why, as well as the sangoma’s role in the community.

Main Destination:

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (Eswatini)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Mlilwane WS (Eswatini)

The meals & drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

After breakfast, you'll follow the tarred road from Mlilwane until you reach the largest granite pluton in the world (about 800m tall and it covers an area of about 16,500ha). At this point, you will go on small gravel roads that take you up and down the mountains. You should see the Top of the World View lookout point and take some time to make yourself coffee/tea. You will next take the twisty road made of gravel.

Hlane Royal National Park was proclaimed as a National Park in 1967, following Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (1961), under the instruction of King Sobhuza ll. "Hlane" is the siSwati name for "wilderness". Eswatini’s largest herds of game are found in Hlane, it safeguards a large amount of natural resources and it is significant for its royal and cultural background. Many exciting species lists have old hardwood woods, large wildlife and various beautiful birds as their features.

Main Destination:

Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini)

Best Time To VisitMay to September (Dry season)

High SeasonDec to Jan and Jul to Aug (It never gets very busy)

Best WeatherJune to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

The animals living in Hlane Royal NP

The Elephant, Giraffe, White Rhino, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Hyena, Black Rhino, Cheetah, Buffalo and Wild Dog all live here.

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Hlane Royal NP (Eswatini)

The meals & drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

This morning you join a guided morning walk of 4 hours (included). When you go on the guided walk, your aim is to enjoy being outside and see wild animals where they live. It is most likely to see wildlife in the early morning or late evening. Different types of animals may appear for observation. While observing the animals, your guide will tell you interesting animal facts to learn more about the animal's behaviour.

Then, we get in the car and drive to a bird hide to discover which animals or birds are there. You could just observe the animals getting a drink at the waterhole situated near the restaurant or go on a self-guided tour through Hlane.

Main Destination:

Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Hlane Royal NP (Eswatini)

The meals & drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

Start the day with a sunrise drive (included in the tariff) that will include a visit to the lion camp. The lion camp has enough room for the lions to hunt in their natural way. When you are done, take some time to watch the animals sipping water at the watering hole next to the restaurant or go off and explore more of the reserve on your own.

Visit a chief’s village to be part of the Umphakatsi Experience. Pay attention to the birds in the camp.

Main Destination:

Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Hlane Royal NP (Eswatini)

The meals & drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

The lodge is found in the malaria-free, northern Hhohho region at the foot of Mount Emlembe, Swaziland’s tallest mountain. Around Bulembu lie lush green hills and eucalyptus forests. Bulembu Country Lodge is known for its mix of the past, nature, loveliness and comfort.

At one time, Bulembu was a town of about 10,000 people focused on asbestos mining. Because asbestos is dangerous for health, the company had to stop mining as a result. In more recent times, the buildings were modernized and the area now serves approximately 1,000 orphans, provides a country lodge and does honey farming.

You'll visit the Bulembu Mining Museum. It feels amazing to take in the history in Bulembu’s attractions.

Main Destination:

Bulembu (Town, Eswatini)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

The meals & drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

The pass between the Josefsdal Border Post and Barberton is the drive's highlight. Many people consider the beautiful mountain pass to be one of the most beautiful drives you can take in southern Africa. People describe it as "jaw-droppingly beautiful".

The area of Berg-en-Dal is right next to the Matjulu Spruit and looks out over calmly rolling hills to the east. The camp is bordered to the north and south by dry riverbeds and a dam. Most of the streams and former rivers are lined with tall trees. Special efforts have been put in to protect the indigenous plants on the premises. The camp at Berg en Dal is the only one placed among rugged mountains.

Main Destination:

Southern Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Best Time To VisitMay to September (Dry season)

High Season is during December to January and July to August

Best WeatherApr-May and Sep-Oct (Mild and little rain)

Mammals, birds and reptiles are some of the wildlife you can see in Kruger NP.

You might see an Elephant, a Giraffe, a Buffalo, a Zebra, a Wildebeest, a Hippo, a Hyena, a White Rhino, a Lion, a Black Rhino, a Leopard, a Cheetah and a Wild Dog.

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Southern Kruger NP (South Africa)

The meals & drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

Sign up for an organized early morning walking activity. Experienced (and armed) guides share their knowledge of the fauna and flora to explain natural wonders. The strolls are planned to last just a few hours which helps you avoid tiring yourself out too much.

You are accompanied by two experienced guides carrying firearms, who look for hidden wildlife on the walk. When you walk, you can get a deeper understanding of where you are and notice nature through your hearing, sight and touch. In many cases, you may encounter giant game animals which makes watching them up close from the ground extra exciting.

In the late hours of the afternoon, you go on a sunset drive led by a field guide using an open vehicle. This is a wonderful period for game viewing. After the sun sets, the nocturnal animals come to life and the African sunset is absolutely wonderful to see.

Main Destination:

Southern Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Southern Kruger NP (South Africa)

The meals & drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

We drive a long way today from camp to camp along different wilderness roads. Satara Camp is very lively and it has a good reason. The area is perfect for spotting animals, as most areas within the game reserve have a lot of open ground and many species of animals live here.

The camp gives a wild feeling, as most of its facilities are configured in multiple rings. There are many trees in Satara and the birds are very visible. Nighttime harmonizes the sound of fruit bats with the songs of cicadas and crickets. Owls and nightjars join the sound and this tune is occasionally disrupted by the howling of hyenas, the shrill of jackals and the roars that come from lions.

Main Destination:

Central Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Central Kruger NP (South Africa)

The meals & drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

You'll join a guided morning walk. Experienced (and armed) guides share their knowledge of the fauna and flora to explain natural wonders. The strolls are planned to last just a few hours which helps you avoid tiring yourself out too much.

One person leads with a rifle and another with a shotgun on your walk. They will spot things that are usually hidden from the view of a passing vehicle. When you walk, you can get a deeper understanding of where you are and notice nature through your hearing, sight and touch.

You are then free to venture around Satara if you would like. A day like this calls for washing clothes if it is needed.

Go on a night safari in an open Jeep guided by an expert ranger. It is the right moment to observe the animals and birds that come out at night. Spend this last night in the Big 5 area and it should be one you will never forget.

Main Destination:

Central Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Central Kruger NP (South Africa)

The meals & drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

On a curving part of the Letaba River inside the Kruger National Park, the Letaba Rest Camp is centered half-way between the park’s two main gates.

Take part in an afternoon walk at Letaba. These interesting spots make for exciting time-fillers, as experienced (and armed) guides share their knowledge of the fauna and flora to explain natural wonders. The strolls are planned to last just a few hours which helps you avoid tiring yourself out too much.

Two guides who are armed carry you on the journey to look for what you can’t often notice from a car. Foot travel lets you explore the area more closely and gives you a chance to explore nature by sight, sound and touch. In many cases, you may encounter giant game animals which makes watching them up close from the ground extra exciting.

Main Destination:

Central Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Central Kruger NP (South Africa)

The meals & drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

We come out of Kruger via the Phalaborwa gate. Lekgalameetse means "Place of Water" and some important Limpopo rivers have their source in these scenic mountains. Every season has water because there are rivers, streams, waterfalls and rock pools here. This area of Botswana includes thick indigenous forests, grass covered slopes, high mountains and krantzes. In the forests, you'll see Outeniqua Trees, Lemonwoods, Yellowwoods, Cape Beech and Wild Peach.

We need to purchase food, firewood and supplies as well at Phalaborwa, since there are no shops nearby Lekgalameetse.

During our journey, we stop at the city which has the smallest population in South Africa and learn about it. Nature has managed to claim back much of what this city used to be. We see the Baobab tree which is over 2,000 years old, near Gravelotte.

Your comfortable log cabin stands quietly in the bush below the Drakensberg mountains. The Makutsi River passes the cabins. Amenities inside include sheets, towels and fully-equipped cooking tools.

Main Destination:

Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve (South Africa)

Accommodation:

The main Makutsi Camp

• Mid-range lodge located inside Makutsi Safari Springs (South Africa)

The meals & drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

After breakfast which you prepared for yourself, you'll explore the Northern section of Lekgalameetse. The main entrance gate also leads the way up the eastern Drakensberg through Orrie Baragwanath Pass. Driving through this pass will bring us to the top of Drakensberg Mountain; over 12 km we will gain almost 600 meters in height. It will take you to breathtaking views and you will visit sites of historical significance (e.g. the Pioneer Graves) and learn about the history of the area.

It’s interesting to find out that the name of a famous soccer team and a hospital comes from these mountains. Many trails can be handled smoothly by a normal car and the rugged low range may not always be used. You will go to the highest spot you can get to by car. From sea level, the point is located 1,520 m higher.

Main Destination:

Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve (South Africa)

Accommodation:

The main Makutsi Camp

• Mid-range lodge located inside Makutsi Safari Springs (South Africa)

The meals & drinks:

• Meals had to be paid personally by the participants.
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

Up the mountain we venture to the base of the Orrie Baragwanath Pass’s tough 4x4 section. The scenic but difficult 4x4 trail descends the Drakensberg. The trail hugs the mountain and you will descend 500m in a distance of 7km (330m in the last 4km).

The drive from the end of the pass to Pretoria is mainly on asphalted roads.

Main Destination:

Pretoria (City, South Africa)

Accommodation:

InnJoy Boutique Hotel

• Mid-range hotelin Pretoria (City, South Africa)

The meals & drinks:

• Meals had to be paid personally by the participants.
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

You bring the car you rented back to the car rental company. The shuttle service will collect you and take you to OR Tambo International Airport for your next journey.

With the end of our trip, we leave our new friends and set back home. You will go to your next location by yourself. We hope that you will remember the lovely moments you have had with us and that you share all those beautiful photos with your loved ones and friends.

Main Destination:

Or Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (After tour)

The meals & drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• The cost of drinks is not part of the menu.

After tour

• Further accommodation can also be organized by request for an added price.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.