9 Nights / 10 Days

This ULTIMATE African Culture, Bush and Beach package covers 3 countries in 10 days at a very relaxed pace.

This awesome, diverse tour offers fantastic value for money as well as a truly unforgettable African experience!

Pick up from the International airport in Johannesburg with a scenic 3.5 hour drive, this tour begins in the beautiful Kingdom of Swaziland. A country blessed with great beauty and friendly welcoming people, Swaziland has the rare distinction of being one nation with one tribe which has allowed Swazi's to hold onto traditions and culture with strength and unity. Pride in the culture and respect for tradition are much encouraged and very evident in the daily lives of the people.

Connect with the Swazi people and experience the amazing spirit, rich cultural heritage and history that this small little land-locked country has to offer.

Day 1

The first day brings you to Bulembu, a historical landmark of Swaziland.

Bulembu Lodge is situated in the mountain village of Bulembu, Swaziland, and presents a charming blend of history, beauty, comfort and nature. The Lodge once housed senior mine staff and now has 12 enchanting and comfortable en-suite bedrooms in the converted mine manager's homes and quaint director's cottages.

Today, Bulembu has a vision to create a totally self-sustaining community, restoring health, education, commerce and providing care for the children. Join the journey and connect with the town and its vision.

Take a step back into the past and visit some of the attractions dating back to the 1930's.

Enjoy dinner at the Lodge.

Day 2

Breakfast will be served from 07h00 onwards.

The area has an extensive network of trails. Enjoy an easy hike on paths which weave through beautiful grasslands, interspersed with rocky outcrops, flowing streams, waterfalls and small ponds. The more fit and energetic can hike Swaziland's highest mountain, Emlembe (1863m), being rewarded with undoubtedly some of the most beautiful scenes of mountain peaks that stretch as far as the eye can see (round trip approximately 3 hours).

Depart Bulembu Lodge by 12h00, with a lunch stop en route at a restaurant overlooking the impressive Maguga Dam and its even more impressive dam wall architecture. Take a short stroll to a viewpoint whilst your lunch is being prepared.

Travel via the Ngwenya Glass Factory, Swaziland's nr 1 artwork attraction, before heading for your destination, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Swaziland's pioneer conservation area. Mlilwane is a beautifully secluded sanctuary situated in Swaziland's "Valley of Heaven", the Ezulwini Valley.

Check into Reilly's Rock Hilltop Lodge, formerly the home of Mickey Reilly, one of Swaziland's earliest white settlers. The house has remained in the family and has been transformed into a unique hilltop lodge. Apart form a few necessary subtle additions and renovations, the house still stands as it was built almost a century ago. It is steeped in intriguing history. The main building was built of stone in exchange for an ox-wagon in the early 1900's.

Enjoy an open landrover scenic drive onto the striking Nyonyane Mountain with its exposed granite peak - the "Rock of Execution". Your guide will treat you with some amazing tales on the history and significance of this area.

Dinner will be served in the dining room from 19h00.

Day 3

Breakfast to be served in the dining room.

Using this landmark as a base, we will then explore the heart of Swaziland's culture and crafts, with a first stop at the entrance of the Queenmother's Residence, where the guide will give an interesting introduction to the Royal Family of Swaziland. Armed with some background information, visitors will be taken to the nearby King Sobhuza Memorial Park and the National Museum. The Memorial Park was established as a tribute to King Sobhuza II who led the Swazi nation to independence (from the British) in 1968. Two small rooms house the exhibition area. In 1986 a storage room, workshop, photography dark room and a temporary exhibition area was constructed. The area completes the ethnography section. In 1990, Government approved and funded the construction of the showroom and natural history wing. The showroom houses three royal cars used by King Sobhuza II.

Continue on to the Mantenga Nature Reserve's Cultural Village for a hands-on cultural experience. The cultural village is a living museum of all things traditional and represents a classical, rural Swazi lifestyle. The building materials are strictly traditional: poles, grass, reeds, leather strips, earth and dried cow-dung.

Upon arrival at the village, guests will be welcomed by the headman and taken on an interesting tour through the village. Lunch will be prepared for the group at the adjacent restaurant, with the sound of rushing water of the waterfall in the background.

Optional lunch at the Village Café.

Take a walk to the nearby waterfall before returning back to Reilly's Rock with approximate arrival at about 14h00, where the opportunity exists to just relax and read a book, or to go on a guided nature walk to view some small game and the abundant birdlife at Mlilwane.

Optional activities like cycling or horse-riding can be arranged on request.

Enjoy dinner in the dining room.

Day 4

Enjoy breakfast and depart towards northern KwaZulu Natal, and explore some more craft viewing and shopping en route, including the Swazi Candles Factory and Showroom, Gone Rural, Baobab Batik and roadside markets, with a final stop at the vibrant, informal Manzini market.

An optional lunch stop will be made en route.

Continue on to KwaZulu Natal via the southern Lavumisa borderpost. Arrival at Amakhosi Safari Lodge approximately 45 minutes after entering South Africa.

Amakhosi Lodge is one of those destinations that you need to visit at least once in a lifetime! Translated as a "place of kings", it is exclusive, offering a unique and personally rewarding safari experience. This small yet absolutely charming Lodge is not only about experiencing a "Big 5" safari, it also offers first-hand exposure to the royal Zulu heritage, and their culture. Early morning and late afternoon game-drives in open safari vehicles make for close and memorable encounters with the "Big 5".

Amakhosi is very small and intimate with only 6 luxury river suites, complete with lounge, bedroom, bathroom, separate shower & toilet, private deck overlooking the river, air-conditioning, etc.

The Amakhosi experience is fully inclusive, with massage therapies on your private deck being an optional extra that can be booked at an additional fee.

Enjoy delicious African Fusion cuisine in the dining room.

Day 5

Brunch will be served upon return from early morning safari drive.

Spend the day at Amakhosi. Massage therapies can be booked at an additional cost.

Dinner is served in the dining room.

Day 6

Depart after early morning gamedrive and brunch.

To add to this culture, wildlife and beach experience, there is no better place than Ponta Mamoli, rated in 2008 by the Getaway Magazine as one of the top ten beaches in southern Africa.

Ponta Mamoli has 15 sea-facing chalets, positioned on the primary dune, very close to the sea. The resort merges a grand old refurbished Portuguese architecture with tasteful modern timber structures, all linked by a myriad of walkways. Far from crowds, this is the place for relaxation, adventure, romance and fine cuisine with a special kind of hospitality - absolutely magical.

Optional activities include:

• Scuba diving
• Fishing
• Horse riding
• Whale watching
• Dolphin encounters
• Lake canoeing trips
• Birding walks
• Kite-surfing
• Turtle drives at night to watch these magnificent creatures laying their eggs (October to December).

Dinner in the dining room.

Day 7

Enjoy breakfast and a relaxing day at Ponta Mamoli, with many optional activities to choose from.

Dinner to be served in the dining room.

Day 8

Enjoy breakfast.

Depart mid-morning to Durban.

A lunch stop will be made en route.

Arrive mid-afternoon in Durban and check into Sica's Guest House, conveniently situated with easy access to beaches, shopping mall and other attractions, for which this holiday city is renowned.

The lodge offers Colonial charm, warm hospitality, comfort and convenience, is owner run and situated on three acres.

This luxury bed and breakfast house caters for international and local guests. Those looking for a personal touch will not be disappointed.

Relax and enjoy the sparkling pool, well stocked bar or lounges. Tennis lovers particularly appreciate the professional standard floodlit tennis court.

Individually decorated en-suite bedrooms are equipped with TV and every convenience for guests.

Dinner in the restaurant.

Day 9

Breakfast in the restaurant.

Spend the day at uShaka Marine World, definitely a MUST for all visiting Durban.

uShaka Marine World in Durban is a world-class entertainment destination. At the end of Durban's Golden Mile is the beginning of uShaka Marine World - spanning over 15 hectares of prime beach front, uShaka Marine World is Africa's largest Marine Theme park.

uShaka incorporates fresh and sea water, lush vegetation, natural materials and the re-creation of a wreck of a 1940's cargo ship. With the 5th largest aquarium in the world by volume of water, the park is tastefully themed with a focus on family entertainment. Enjoy fun at Sea World, have a memorable meal at any one of the many restaurants (including the amazing Shark Restaurant, situated in the themed shipwreck with a window into a shark tank), go shopping in over 11,250m² of retail space featureing clothing boutiques, outdoor gear, arts and crafts.

Located in the centre of uShaka Marine World you can experience the salt water aquarium with indoor and outdoor displays and exhibits, a dolphin stadium where you'll be entertained by the world-famous Dolphins, the seal stadium and penguin rookery. In addition, Sea World offers edutainment tours behind the scenes and special interactive activities such as snorkelling through reefs and grottos and scuba dives.

Return to your Guest Lodge in the late afternoon to relax and freshen up to go for a farewell meal in the Shark Restaurant, back at uShaka, situated within the themed shipwreck, with windows into a shark tank.

Day 10

After breakfast, shuttle to the airport with the option of a flight to either Johannesburg or Cape Town.