Tour

Kruger Safari with Eswatini
from USD 1220

Contiki Holidays

Tour Code: AAKSMP20
Vacation Type:
Brochure:
Duration: 7 Days
Countries: South Africa, Swaziland

Ready to journey through the heart of South Africa, on a 7-day adventure that’s full of history, hippos and awesome heritage sites? On this trip you’ll bask on the beaches, check out the marine life and take unforgettable game drives through some of the best wildlife parks in the whole of Africa. Includes a visit to Eswatini so you can tick 2 countries off your list!



Kruger Safari with Eswatini Trip Map

Dining Summary

6 Breakfast (B)

Faqs

  • Cape Town: Generally, the tap water in most of the locations we visit is safe to drink (and readily available too!) We don’t provide bottled water due to our sustainability promise, but your Trip Manager will sort you out for anything you might need during the trip.
  • Cape Town: The question should be - when is it not the best time to travel to South Africa?In the summer (October to April), you’ll find perfect beach weather at our coastal destinations, and lush green landscapes everywhere. It also tends to be the birthing season (baby animals!!!). Winter (May to August) in South Africa is probably the best time for safaris since you’ll find wildlife gathering around waterholes.Luckily, the chances of spotting the Big 5 is equally good throughout the year. And if you’re here for the whales, visiting between June to November would be your best bet.
  • Cape Town: You can book your flights with departure times after 7pm on our last day. We’ll arrive at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at around 4pm.
  • Cape Town: We recommend that you book an Uber from the airport. It’s the easiest and most convenient way to get to the start locations on our trips.

Included Experience

  • Johannesburg: Harrowing and hopeful at the same time, you’ll delve deeper into the troubled history of South Africa – with the chance to visit the Nelson Mandela museum too, where you’ll learn about his life and work, as well as how apartheid was brought to an end.
  • Durban: Hop onto the coach drop off and get ready for some ultimate beach vibes. This is the perfect spot to tune out the worries of life - just like the local Durbanite's do so well!
  • Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary: Traverse through Mlilwane on your own two feet, keeping your eyes peeled for antelope, wildebeest and more as you go. With a local guide on hand to make sure everyone is going the right way.
  • Kruger National Park: We'll go on an adventure in the world famous Kruger National Park, keep your eyes peeled for animal sightings!
  • Kruger National Park: Keep your eyes peeled and those binoculars close. We're heading out to spot more magnificent wildlife (cross those fingers for rhino's!) and stunning scenery with our last game drive as we say goodbye to Kruger.

Make Travel Matter®

  • Mbabane: We’ll cross the border to Eswatini and travel to a local village where we’ll meet some locals, spend time with them and find out all about their culture and everyday life.
  • Kruger National Park: Meet some of the locals who work tirelessly to keep wildlife safe from poachers. We’ll listen to their stories, find out how they work and much more.

  • Royal Palm Hotel (or similar)
  • Forest Lodge (or similar)
  • Mlilwane Beehive Huts (or similar)
  • Contiki Safari Camp (or similar)
Day 1 Johannesburg To Durban

Welcome to the City of Gold, where our South African escapade begins. We’ll hit the road for a scenic drive through the heart of South Africa to the coastal city of Durban. Along the way, we’ll stop off for a sobering exploration of the nation’s troubled history, with a visit to the site of Nelson Mandela’s capture during the apartheid era. We’ll then take a trip to the museum – yes, you’ll confront the history, but you’ll leave feeling hopeful as you learn how apartheid was finally brought to an end. Tonight’s accom is conveniently located next to plenty of shops and restaurants… So you can go right ahead and treat yourself.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Royal Palm Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 Durban To St Lucia

You have a free morning here at one of the finest coastal spots in South Africa. Sleep in, take a walk and shop the strip or head down to the beach to simply sit back and soak up those rays like the sun junkie you are. Afterwards, we’ll make our way to St Lucia. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife by day and hippos by night here in St Lucia (we’re right by the UNESCO World Heritage listed iSimanagaliso Wetlands Park after all). On a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience this afternoon, we’ll visit a local Zulu village, learning all about the Zulu people and their traditions with a chance to meet some of the locals.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Forest Lodge (or similar)

Day 3 St Lucia

Beach or bush? Why decide when you can do both? This morning we’ll head out to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, so watch out for elephants, buffalo, rhinos, antelope… plus whales (coz we’re right on the coast, baby). We’ll stop off at Cape Vidal for some snorkelling and all-round beach vibes (weather permitting, obvs). You’ll then have some free time to explore St Lucia or kick back at the hotel. This evening, we’ll embark on a Sunset Hippo Boat cruise on Lake St Lucia (Africa’s largest estuary – home to over 800 hippos and 1200 crocodiles). Afterwards, we’ll round things off with a traditional South African braai dinner. Yup, this day’s as action-packed as it is awesome.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Forest Lodge (or similar)

Day 4 St Lucia To Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Via Hluhluwe-imfolozi Game Reserve

It's an early start today – we’re heading inland to the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve and we aim to be there by sunrise. The Big Five. A half-day game drive at the reserve instrumental for bringing the White Rhino back from the brink of extinction. Even a picnic lunch. Today’s excursion is a biggie indeed. With our wildlife bucket lists sufficiently checked, it’s time to set off for a brand new country. Passports at the ready folks – here in Eswatini, we’ll meet some of the locals and learn about their culture and language on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. You've learnt from locals. Now its time to sleep like them too. Tonight you will stay at Mlilwane's Main Lodge - unique beehive thatched huts with ensuite bathrooms (and hotel room amenities for a bit of comfort).

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Mlilwane Beehive Huts (or similar)

Day 5 Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary To Kruger National Park

Ah, to wake up in nature. We'll kick off the day with a hearty breakfast and then join the Trip Manager for a morning safari walk. Don't forget to sign up for a guided Mountain bike ride through the wilderness. There is no Big 5 here so feel free and safe to explore as you choose. Keep an eye out to spot some antelopes and warthogs! Next up, it’s the big one. The world famous one. Here in Kruger, we’ll stay at an exclusive safari campsite – located right in the middle of the park. (Struggling to picture it? Think glamping canvas tents with mattresses, linen and stretchers, a roaring bonfire burning all the while.) This is a true Once in a Lifetime experience, where you’ll fall asleep to the nocturnal calls of hyenas, jackals and lions.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Contiki Safari Camp (or similar)

Day 6 Kruger National Park

Today we're up bright and early for our first taste of the fresh morning air. We'll start with a sunrise safari – just in time to catch Africa’s elusive predators finishing off their nocturnal hunt. At midday, you’ll have the chance to relax back at the camp: you can visit the local shop, take a dip in the pool or visit the nearby restaurant where you can look out over the Sabie River and watch as the animals come to quench their thirst (yup, it's preddy special.) This afternoon, it’s back to the safari vehicles for a sunset game drive and another chance to see the Big Five and more. Tonight back at camp, we’ll tuck into a traditional South African braai or BBQ, complete with local sides and desserts.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Contiki Safari Camp (or similar)

Day 7 Kruger National Park To Johannesburg

Our final day. But is there time for one (or two) last morning game drive? You bet there is. You can choose to head out for a sunrise game drive to spot the nocturnal cats (or just choose to sleep in, like the rest of the animals). Then, we'll head out on our last game drive in Kruger as we make our way out of the park. It's our last chance to spot some spellbinding safari animals IRL. Have we saved the best for last? Let's hope so! And now, with heavy hearts (and even heavier camera rolls) we’ll make our way back to either the Kruger Mpumalanga Airport (Vic Falls anyone?) or Johannesburg International Airport. It’s been a thrill… we’ve seen wildlife, we’ve made friends for life. The only question is: where next?

Duration: 1 Day

Departs On Returns On Single OccupancyTwin Room Definite Departure  
Mon, 06 Jan 2025 Sun, 12 Jan 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Definite Departure
Request a Quote
Mon, 13 Jan 2025 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 20 Jan 2025 Sun, 26 Jan 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Definite Departure
Request a Quote
Mon, 27 Jan 2025 Sun, 02 Feb 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 03 Feb 2025 Sun, 09 Feb 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Definite Departure
Request a Quote
Mon, 10 Feb 2025 Sun, 16 Feb 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 17 Feb 2025 Sun, 23 Feb 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Request a Quote
Mon, 24 Feb 2025 Sun, 02 Mar 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 03 Mar 2025 Sun, 09 Mar 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Definite Departure
Request a Quote
Mon, 10 Mar 2025 Sun, 16 Mar 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 17 Mar 2025 Sun, 23 Mar 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Request a Quote
Mon, 24 Mar 2025 Sun, 30 Mar 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 31 Mar 2025 Sun, 06 Apr 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Definite Departure
Request a Quote
Mon, 07 Apr 2025 Sun, 13 Apr 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 14 Apr 2025 Sun, 20 Apr 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Request a Quote
Mon, 21 Apr 2025 Sun, 27 Apr 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 28 Apr 2025 Sun, 04 May 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Definite Departure
Request a Quote
Mon, 05 May 2025 Sun, 11 May 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 12 May 2025 Sun, 18 May 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Request a Quote
Mon, 19 May 2025 Sun, 25 May 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 26 May 2025 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Definite Departure
Request a Quote
Mon, 02 Jun 2025 Sun, 08 Jun 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 09 Jun 2025 Sun, 15 Jun 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Request a Quote
Mon, 16 Jun 2025 Sun, 22 Jun 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 23 Jun 2025 Sun, 29 Jun 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Definite Departure
Request a Quote
Mon, 30 Jun 2025 Sun, 06 Jul 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 07 Jul 2025 Sun, 13 Jul 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Request a Quote
Mon, 14 Jul 2025 Sun, 20 Jul 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 Sun, 27 Jul 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Definite Departure
Request a Quote
Mon, 28 Jul 2025 Sun, 03 Aug 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 04 Aug 2025 Sun, 10 Aug 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Request a Quote
Mon, 11 Aug 2025 Sun, 17 Aug 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 18 Aug 2025 Sun, 24 Aug 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Definite Departure
Request a Quote
Mon, 25 Aug 2025 Sun, 31 Aug 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 01 Sep 2025 Sun, 07 Sep 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Request a Quote
Mon, 08 Sep 2025 Sun, 14 Sep 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 15 Sep 2025 Sun, 21 Sep 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Definite Departure
Request a Quote
Mon, 22 Sep 2025 Sun, 28 Sep 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 29 Sep 2025 Sun, 05 Oct 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Request a Quote
Mon, 06 Oct 2025 Sun, 12 Oct 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 13 Oct 2025 Sun, 19 Oct 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Definite Departure
Request a Quote
Mon, 20 Oct 2025 Sun, 26 Oct 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 27 Oct 2025 Sun, 02 Nov 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Request a Quote
Mon, 03 Nov 2025 Sun, 09 Nov 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 10 Nov 2025 Sun, 16 Nov 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Definite Departure
Request a Quote
Mon, 17 Nov 2025 Sun, 23 Nov 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 24 Nov 2025 Sun, 30 Nov 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Request a Quote
Mon, 01 Dec 2025 Sun, 07 Dec 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 08 Dec 2025 Sun, 14 Dec 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Request a Quote
Mon, 15 Dec 2025 Sun, 21 Dec 2025 USD 1,640USD 1,355
Request a Quote
Mon, 22 Dec 2025 Sun, 28 Dec 2025 USD 1,476USD 1,220
Definite Departure
Request a Quote