Swaziland | Zululand | Battlefields | Drakensburg and The Highest Pub in Africa

Day 1 - The Sausage Tree Lodge

Set in the Balule Nature Reserve, Sausage Tree Lodge promises rich game viewing and spectacular views, as our boundary with Kruger National Park is open and the Northern Drakensberg Mountains form a majestic back drop. This family-owned and operated lodge pride themselves on the warm atmosphere, delicious food, beautiful views and African style safari tented accommodation. Our unassuming lodge promisea an intimate nature experience in a relaxing environment where you can unwind, kick your shoes off and be yourself.

Enjoy lantern lit dinners in our boma or on our open deck under the star studded African sky. Breakfast and lunch is served on the open deck with views of the bush and waterholes frequented by a variety of resident animals. Sunrise and sunset safaris in open 4 x 4 vehicles are the highlights of the day. With our professional field guides, visitors can go in search of some of Africa’s famous variety of mammal and bird life, such as Giraffe, Zebra, African Fish Eagles, Vultures and the notorious Big 5 – Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard and Buffalo.

At Sausage Tree Lodge we strive towards being exclusive and well priced at the same time, thus ensuring a very personal experience at an affordable price.

Cross border through to Swaziland

Day 2: Foresters Arms Country Hotel

The Foresters Arms is a short, scenic tarred drive from the capital, Mbabane, and is ideally situated for exploring all the attractions of this majestic Kingdom. The Foresters Arms dates from colonial times and is a place of great character and charm. It is gloriously situated on its own estate in the mountains, a short scenic tarred drive from the capital, Mbabane, in the heart of this majestic Kingdom - ideal for exploring all attractions.

Spacious grounds and colourful gardens create a tranquil atmosphere and the invigorating climate is ideal for walking, horse riding and biking. The Foresters Arms combines charm and excellent service so you can step out of the fast lane - relax and rejuvenate.

Cross border through to South Africa

Day 3 and 4 - Mpila Camp - Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Park

Centrally situated in the Imfolozi section of the Park, Mpila Camp commands magnificent views of the Wilderness area.

Game viewing is the main attraction in the Imfolozi Game Reserve. Larger mammals to be seen include buffalo, blue wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, elephant, and large numbers of impala, waterbuck, common and mountain reedbuck, nyala, kudu, bushbuck, steenbuck, duiker, warthog, black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyaena and jackal. In excess of 300 species of birds have been recorded.

There are a number of picnic sites situated throughout the reserve as well as view sites, which make it possible to spend a day game watching. The camp is not fenced.

Imfolozi is in a malaria area and special precautions are necessary.

Day 5  - Windemere Holiday Apartments

Windemere Holiday Apartments, situated in the heart of Durban's Golden Mile, opposite the famous Joe Kools restaurant and bar as well as the Milky Lane, consists of 36 self catering flats. The only self catering apartments on North Beach that have balconies which you can view the astonishing sea views while you stretch out and relax.

Day 6, 7 and 8 - Sani Pass - Sani Top Chalets

The tight zig-zagging curves of Sani Pass, one of the most magnificent mountain passes in South Africa, ascend through the sheer cliffs of the Drakensberg, linking KwaZulu Natal to the independent country of Lesotho. The route is also known as the ‘roof of Africa’ and for good reason - the views from the peaks, some 3200 metres above sea level, are spectacular and usually reserved only for those willing to hike for a couple of days. A pub, renowned as the highest in the world, lies at the top of Sani - 2874 metres above sea level.

Sani Top Chalet is perched on the border between South Africa and Lesotho at 2874m above sea level. It has been described as one of the best-situated hotels on earth.

It is the only accommodation you will find along the Drakensberg escarpment, and it is also home to the highest pub in Africa. The only way to the chalet from South Africa is via the Sani Pass. The pass has a reputation for being a treacherous yet exquisitely beautiful accent into Lesotho and can only be done in a 4x4.

Day 9 - Three Trees at Spioenkop

Against the magnificent backdrop of the Drakensberg mountains, overlooking the secluded Mfazimnyama Valley of the Spioenkop Game Reserve and in the lee of the famous hill, Spioenkop, lies the Eco-friendly (Green Leaf Environmental Award) Three Tree Hill lodge (aka Three Trees at Spionkop).

Spectacular scenery, locally grown  farm-style country food, exquisite linen and superb hosts make our lodge the ideal environment in which to escape and unwind. This intimate luxury 16 bedded lodge is owner-managed by Simon & Cheryl Blackburn whose passion for Africa fills every corner. You are welcomed into our home, and invited to experience the warm hospitality in our family run lodge.

Anglo Boer War Battlefield Tours, horse trails, hiking, nature walks, (NEW!) Expertly guided bush walks (tracking white rhino), Drakensberg mountain hiking, birding & mountain biking are some of the activities on offer.

Day 10 and 11 - Thendele Lodges

Thendele hutted camp is situated in the Royal Natal National Park in one of the most picturesque settings in the country with a view of the world famous amphitheatre from every chalet. The camp nestles below the brooding sandstone cliffs of Dooley among yellowwood forests and protea savannah where visitors can often hear the rumble of boulders in the Thukela river below after a fierce summer thunderstorm. This beautiful camp has the distinction of being the closest of the KZN Wildlife Berg camps to the main Drakensberg escarpment.

Dominated by the amphitheatre which changes mood with weather and season, often covered in snow in winter or with up to eighteen waterfalls cascading down the vertical cliffs after a storm. Home to the Bearded Vulture (Lammergeyer) and Black Eagle who often disport themselves for visitors in the thermals that rise above the Mont aux Sources plateau, the surounding valleys and ridges offer superb walks through an ever changing landscape with many upland birds and flowers.

Day 12 - Dusk to Dawn Bed and Breakfast (Piet Retief)

Dusk to Dawn Bed and Breakfast is a spacious country house in the most southern tip of Mpumalanga, the place of the rising sun. Johann and Gudrun Engelbrecht have turned their family home into a friendly and welcoming half-way stop for tourists and visitors en route on the N2 from the Kruger National Park or Gauteng to the Kwa-Zulu Natal North Coast or vice versa. The Engelbrechts are fifth generation descendants of German Missionaries who settled in this area in 1870 and German is still spoken at home.

Dusk to Dawn has been a Finalist in the AA Accommodation Awards for several years and was the Winner in the Farm Accommodation Category for the year 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009 and therewith entering the Hall of Fame in 2010. Dusk to Dawn also features the AA Superior Grading Endorsement. Furthermore Dusk to Dawn is a regular feature in the Portfolio Bed and Breakfast Collection. We have been awarded the Tourism Grading Council 4 star award.

Day 13 - Back to civilisation

NOTES:

More or less days can be added to this safari.
Safari starts and ends Hoedspruit.
Road charters and flights to and from Johannesburg can be included if requested.