Eswatini
On this tour, you visit Eswatini and in South Africa the Kruger National Park and the Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve.
Despite being the smallest landlocked country in the Southern hemisphere, and the second smallest country in continental Africa, Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, more than makes up for its lack of size with a hugely diverse range of attractions and activities. Witness the will of a nation to turn the almost extinction of wildlife into the protection of wildlife and nature in various parks and reserves.The world-famous Kruger National Park offers one of the best wildlife experiences in Africa. Lekgalameetse on the northernmost tip of the Drakensberg means “place of water” and some of the Limpopo's major rivers originate in these picturesque mountains.
Our tours allow you access to national parks and reserves that are not frequently visited. The surrounding wilderness, the remoteness and the seclusion of travelling through rarely seen areas are the main attraction of our tours. Although we travel mainly on tarred roads, the wilderness experience is not compromised.
A qualified 4x4 and overlanding adventure guide will lead the trail and will also assist with off-road aspects when necessary. The tour is aimed at true nature lovers and ones who enjoy the wilderness and is not designed as an obstacle course or endurance test.
You will drive your own vehicle and you must make provision for your own provisions, camping equipment, sufficient supply of water, firewood and food.
You will visit the following national parks and nature reserves.
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary - It is Eswatini's (formerly Swaziland) pioneer conservation area, a shining example of what is possible if passion, vision and action fuse. Once a highly profitable multi-purpose farm, and being labelled an “impossible dream”, Mlilwane was proclaimed in 1961 and is now the kingdom's most popular eco-destination for locals and internationals alike.
The name 'Mlilwane' (“Little Fire“ in siSwati) was derived from the numerous fires started by lightning strikes on the Mlilwane Hill but now holds significance as the little fire that ignited the conservation movement in Swaziland.
Hlane Royal National Park - It was proclaimed as a National Park in 1967, following Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (1961), under instruction of King Sobhuza ll. "Hlane" is the siSwati name for “wilderness”.
Hlane is a typical lowveld destination with exciting species lists including impressive ancient hardwood habitats, big game and rich birdlife. This 22,000 ha park, once the region's rich hunting grounds, still boasts the largest herds of game in the Kingdom with speciality species being lion, elephant, vultures and marabou stork.
Bulembu - It was once a thriving asbestos mining community of about 10,000 people. Due to the health risks associated with asbestos, the mine was closed and basically everything in the town came to a standstill. In later years the old infrastructure was upgraded and today it is home to about 1,000 orphans, an internationally recognized school for these youngsters, a country lodge and honey farming to name a few.
Bulembu Country Lodge lies at the foot of Mount Emlembe, the highest mountain in Swaziland. The town is surrounded by lush green hills and eucalyptus forests, perfectly complementing the natural beauty of this region.
Kruger National Park - Where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled wildlife mix with historical and archaeological sites - this is real Africa. The world-famous Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa.
Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, the park is unrivalled in the diversity of its wildlife and is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals.
Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve - Lekgalameetse is a vast 18 718 ha mountain wilderness area with protected escarpments, scenic landscapes, mountain vegetation and wildlife. A place of water, it is the source of many of the Lowveld's prominent rivers. Situated in the Wolkberg Mountains, which form part of the world-famous Drakensberg mountain range, the reserve offers a diversity of plant and insect species. It is also world famous for its rare butterfly species.
It forms part of the Drakensberg in the Limpopo Province and offers a beautiful matrix of Afromontane grasslands and woodlands in a dramatic setting of steep gorges and spectacular vistas. This reserve is situated on the escarpment of the Drakensberg and has spectacular forest and rolling grasslands.
The Orrie Bragwanath Pass is a true off-road pass, covering almost 30 km of rough gravel roads and 4x4 tracks as it crosses the Drakensberg through the Lekgamaleetse Nature Reserve. The pass has a steep tarmac climb from the east up the slopes of the far northern Drakensberg to a height of 1370m above sea level. From the west there is an equally steep but 4x4 ascent with a fairly flat gravel section of about 10km along the summit between the two approaches.
The balance is payable 60 days before the tour date. SEE MORE INFO
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We use the following TRAIL GRADING.
Maintained dirt roads: these roads are graded and maintained year round. Typical non-paved country roads.
Easy 2WD/4WD: feature trails with obstacles that are easy to navigate. In optimum weather conditions, these trails may not require the continual use of 4WD.
Standard 4WD trails: demanding trails on which 4WD is required. You will encounter a variety of more difficult challenges (loose rocks, large potholes, steep inclines/declines and large rocks) on these trails. Possible with stock 4WD vehicle; however, traction device, off-road tyres and low air pressure are recommended. Higher than stock ground clearance is advisable. Low range often used. Moderate experience and driving skills advised. Paint damage and/or possible rocker panel damage is likely.
Difficult trails: these trails traverse very rugged terrain and low range 4WD is required. Higher than stock ground clearance is required. Aggressive tread and low air pressure are required. Traction devices, as well as lift and larger tyres are highly recommended. These trails require above average off-road driving skills. Hi-lift jacks and winches would also be helpful. Paint damage and possible vehicle body and/or mechanical damage are likely.
Impassable trails: these trails are for the extreme four-wheeler only. These trails require highly modified vehicles, including lift, excellent articulation, traction devices front and rear, large tyres with aggressive tread, winches and hi-lift jacks. A high level of off-road driving skills is required. Paint damage is virtually guaranteed, while body and/or mechanical damage is very likely. Roll-overs will be more common on these trails and a winch will be used on at least one obstacle.
A deposit of 30% is required to secure your place on the tour, with the balance due 60 days before the start of the tour. Full payment if booking less than 60 days before the tour start date. An invoice or request for payment will be sent. Payments must be made within 7 days of the invoice or payment request date.
Terms and conditions will apply.
The link will redirect you to the Calendar and Bookings page. Navigate to the specific date and make the booking.
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Tariff for 1 vehicle can be quoted