South Africa and Mozambique: The best of the south

Highlights
Water activities, safari, traditional cuisine, urban culture, hiking, tropical beaches
Location
South Africa & Mozambique
Budget
from € 2,250, - p.p. excl. flight ticket
Enjoy from Durban to Sodwana Bay
We start in Durban, and from there continue directly to the beautiful southern Drakensberg Mountains! Brave the Sani Pass on the way to Lesotho and explore the area on horseback or on a scenic hike! Then it's time for the first safari, in the authentic Hluhluwe-Imflolozi park, start spotting the Big Five! From the bush, we continue to the coast of South Africa and a bit of Mozambique: diving, snorkelling, boat trips, kayaking and cultural experiences: it's all there! We conclude the trip with another beautiful safari in a private game reserve, before flying back home from Durban.

16 days in South Africa and Mozambique

Durban
Your long-awaited Africa adventure is finally underway. Today you fly, probably with a healthy dose of jitters in your stomach, towards the African continent. Prepare for lots of wildlife, pristine nature, beautiful beaches and special encounters to remember! The journey starts in tropical Durban where you will pack your car and drive on in about 3 hours to your final destination for the day. Welcome to the Soutern Drakensberg

Southern Drakensberg
Explore the breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains on horseback, an experience you won't soon forget! Start your adventure at Khotso, where more than a hundred horses roam freely. Gallop across grassy plains, climb over rocks and admire the beautiful scenery! The legendary Sani Pass is the only route that reaches the top of the Drakensberg Mountains and connects KwaZulu-Natal to Lesotho. Once a donkey trail, it is now passable for 4x4s, but still challenging. At 2873 metres, you will discover the land of the ‘people of the blanket’, where time seems to stand still. Enjoy breathtaking views from Africa's highest pub!

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
Head to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, one of South Africa's oldest parks, known for its vast terrain and dedication to rhino conservation. Here you will find an abundance of wildlife, including rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, black rhinos, giraffes and zebras, as well as an impressive number of birds. Go exploring! Drive your own 4x4 through the beautiful hills of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, or book a Game Drive with a ranger on site. Along the routes, you will find several refuges, where you can enjoy sheltered observation of wildlife coming to drink and play by the rivers. Enjoy the beautiful wildlife of this park today!

Kosi Bay
Kosi Bay, an enchanting area where six lakes converge, forms one of the best-preserved estuaries along the Indian coastline. This natural paradise offers an abundance of flora and fauna. Explore by canoe, fishing boat or swimming the diversity of wildlife, including hippos, flamingos and various bird species. A fantastic tour is on the programme! Explore the estuary by kayak and sail through a surreal mangrove channel with five different species of mangrove trees. After snorkelling in ‘the aquarium’, learn about Thonga fish kraals and local fishing techniques. Try catching your own lunch Thonga-style! Finish with a delicious local lunch on wild banana leaves. An unforgettable experience!

Ponta d'Ouro
Explore Ponta d'Ouro, a lively village in southern Mozambique, located on the Mozambique Channel and just north of the South African border. Enjoy cosy bars, shops and surf shops, and discover fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities. Admire the abundance of dolphins, which you can spot from the beach or swim with from a boat, an unforgettable experience! The name Ponta d'Ouro means ‘golden tip’ in Dutch, and you will soon discover why, with beautiful beaches, lush dune forests and an azure sea. Enjoy delicious Mozambican/Portuguese cuisine and various water activities, including a unique experience: swimming with wild dolphins in their natural habitat.

Sodwana Bay
Explore Sodwana Bay, an idyllic coastal village in South Africa's oldest UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wonderful diving opportunities, pristine nature and enchanting beaches await here. Spot whales between June and October and turtles from October to March. Explore the breathtaking coral reefs of Sodwana Bay, a top global destination for divers. Discover Zulu culture during a cultural experience with the Nomasonto family. Also explore Lake Sibaya, South Africa's largest freshwater lake, for an enchanting sunset and a traditional ‘farmer's roll’ at the lake. An unforgettable day of adventure and culture awaits you!

Manyoni Private Game Reserve
Manyoni Private Game Reserve, located in the heart of Zululand, is world-renowned for its spectacular safaris and rich cultural traditions. Originally part of WWF's black rhino project, Manyoni is now a top conservation destination in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Explore 23,000 hectares of beautiful Zululand landscape! Head out early with your guide to spot wildlife in the vibrant bush. After a delicious breakfast, relax by the pool or with a book, ready for another safari in the late afternoon. Enjoy every moment of this adventure!

Departure
Everything comes to an end, including this wonderful adventure through South Africa and Mozambique. With a nice healthy colour on your cheeks, you board the plane and with your eyes closed and your seat reclined, you dream away about the cool adventures you've experienced. Unspoilt nature, lush wildlife, inspiring people & vibrant cities. You now have plenty of stories to recount to your family and friends later by the fireplace. Welcome home! An adventure over, but another set of experiences richer.

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What a fantastic honeymoon we had with Charlie’s Travels! In just 19 days, we visited three countries: South Africa, Swaziland, and Mozambique. We spent a few nights sleeping under the stars in our personal camper and a few nights in luxury accommodations. Everything was wonderfully organized!
We definitely recommend Charlie’s Travels! They organised a great self-drive for us through South Africa, Mozambique and Eswatini. Communication before, during and after the trip was smooth: everything was very clear and they responded very quickly. We had a fantastic trip!
Together with Charlie’s Travels and my fellow board members, I discovered South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique in 2.5 weeks. Sleeping in tents on the beach or in the wilderness, hiking through Swaziland, Ocean Safari, Game drives, this trip had it all. I recommend everyone to let Charlie’s Travels help you find the perfect trip!
Travelling around South Africa with a group of girls has never been easier. Thanks to Charlie’s Travels, our trip consisted of the perfect balance of relaxation, adventure and good food to suit our needs and, also important for students, our budget.
Charlie’s Travels is an excellent tour operator for a trip to South Africa. What also appealed to us was their policy of mostly doing business with local entrepreneurs. We highly recommend Charlie’s Travels to anyone looking for a unique travel experience.
For our honeymoon, we wanted something special. We came across Charlie’s Travels’ website, and were immediately sold. The promises were great, and during our trip, expectations were exceeded. We can highly recommend Charlie’s to anyone wanting a spectacular, amazing experience!!!
We went with the family to South Africa and that was fantastic! With our input and wishes. Anna only needs half a word and knows the regions and accommodations well. We would arrange our next trip to Africa with Charlie’s again!

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