Our 12 day Johannesburg to Durban tour takes you from Johannesburg to Pilgrims Rest. You will then travel along the Panorama Route through to the Kruger National Park. Apon leaving the Kruger National Park you will travel down the East Coast to Ithala Game Reserve and then on to Durban. The venues that we stay at on the tours all offer disabled friendly accommodation. Our tours are tailor made to suite you the traveler so let us know what you want to see in the area and we will build it into the tour where possible.
The sample wheelchair friendly Johannesburg to Durban tour below is a 12 day tour visiting some of South Africa's best tourist sites and Game Reserves
Day 1: Johannesburg
Our guide will meet you at Johannesburg International Airport. From the airport we drive to a guesthouse where you will overnight and you have a chance to recover from the flight.
Overnight: Shonilanga Guest Lodge
Meals: B
Day 2: Pilgrim's Rest
After breakfast we pack up and depart, soon the hustle and bustle of the Johannesburg metropolis is left far behind as we exchange buildings and traffic for rolling grasslands and farms. This was historically part of one of the largest grassland ecosystems in the world and is still very productive for cattle and crop farming. We pass through the heart of South Africa's trout land on the highest national road in the country and soon the escarpment signals the change from the rolling grasslands to the verdant bush and wildlife of the lowveld.
Nestled in the mountains is the historic village of Pilgrim's Rest where we will overnight and which we will use as a base to explore the region. This village has a colourful and exciting history from the time when gold was first discovered in its streams. We will hear the stories of its people and see how they lived while trying to make it big
Overnight: Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest
Meals: B & D
Day 3: Panorama Route
Leaving the village, we wind our way along the escarpment stopping to catch spectacular views over the escarpment with names such as 'God's Window'. The geological splendor of the Bourke's Luck Potholes at Blyde River Canyon with its tumbling waters is also a stopping point. The route takes us down spectacular mountain passes to the town of Hazyview surrounded by banana, avocado and mango plantations. Here we will enter the world of the Shangaan people, learning more about the culture and history through colourful dance and singing.
Overnight: Rissington Inn
Meals: B & D
Days 4 & 5 Kruger National Park
At the turn of the century, the area around Hazyview towards Mozambique was riddled with malaria and tsetse flies. This didn't deter hunters from decimating the game to the point where there was very little wildlife left. Far-sighted men of influence formed a wildlife sanctuary that became the Kruger National Park where Africa's big game was free to flourish and proliferate to the point where there is now a larger number and diversity of animals than 100 years ago. The Kruger National Park is now a huge internationally known national park with large numbers of wildlife in a pristine home. Thrill to the sounds and sights that have mesmerised people for decades in this wonderful kaleidoscope of antelope, elephant, lions, buffalo and all the animals that you have come to associate with Africa.
Wildlife safaris are an adventure with a new sighting around each corner. Thrill to the sight of elusive nocturnal species in the light of a powerful spotlight as we join ranger on a night drive or just relax around the embers of a fire listening to the sounds of Africa. This is a wildlife enthusiast's paradise with all the elements of the magical bushveld!
Overnight: Kruger Park
Meals: B & D
Day 6: Stone Cutters Lodge
After a leisurely start and a full morning in the park enjoying a final game drive, we leave the park. The rest of the day is spent slowly making our way back up the escarpment via section of the Panorama Route to the highlands and onto our overnight accommodation at Stone Cutters Lodge.
Overnight: Stone Cutters Lodge - Trout House
Meals: B & D
Day 7: Ithala Game Reserve
Today, after breakfast, we set off for northern Kwa Zulu Natal's Ithala Game Reserve arriving in the afternoon. Ithala overlooks the Pongola river valley in the rugged, mountainous thornveld and offers a superb diversity of wildlife including 4 of the Big 5.
Scenic beauty aside, Ithala's most characteristic feature is perhaps its astonishing geological diversity. Some of the oldest rock formations in the world are found here, dating back to 3 000 million years. The topography varies from 400m above sea level in the north to 1 450m above sea level in the south, near Louwsberg, which gives rise to great diversity of habitats, fauna and flora.
Overnight: Ntshondwe Camp
Meals: B & D
Day 8: Ithala Game Reserve
Full day game viewing in Ithala in our own vehicle.
Overnight: Ntshondwe Camp
Meals: B & D
Day 9: Shakaland
We have a final game drive before breakfast and then depart for our next destination, Shakaland. Shakaland is an experience aimed at giving you an insight into the Zulu Empire under the rule of King Shaka when the name "Zulu" struck fear into the hearts of the 'civilized world' of the 18th Century. The original film set of the film Shaka Zulu has been adapted to accommodate guests in well appointed luxury traditional 'bee-hive' huts. Activities include traditional Zulu dancing, stick fighting, as well as a tour of the authentically recreated traditional village. There is also an opportunity to buy spectacular beadwork and other craft for those at home, or to simply relax, quenching the thirst with a few pints of African beer.
Overnight: Shakaland
Meals: B & D
Day 10: Durban
Expect a warm welcome in Durban, South Africa's premier holiday city. We will take you on a tour of the city's highlight including the "Golden Mile", uShaka Marine World - the largest marine aquarium in Africa, the Indian market, the popular Wilson's Warf and Bat Centre. If you have never ridden in a rickshaw now is your chance. We check into our accommodation in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Makaranga Lodge
Meals: B
Day 11: Durban
A full day to relax and enjoy the wonderful facilities at Makaranga, which include wheelchair accessible botanical gardens and a magnificent swimming pool complete with a ramp. Alternative, you can go back to Durban itself where there are a number of things to do, depending of your interest and the extent of your disability. Optional extra's include: Sea Kayaking, Tandem Micro-lighting, sailing. There is also the opportunity of taking a scenic drive through the Valley of a 1000 Hills to the Capital city Pietermaritzburg and then spend time exploring the highlights of the Midlands Meander arts and craft route, where, for the wild at heart, there is the option of swinging through the trees on an incredible canopy tour in the forests of Karkloof.
Overnight: Makaranga Lodge
Meals: B
Day 12:
After breakfast transfer to Durban International airport.
Meals: B
Recommended extensions: Garden Route or Cape Town
Cost Based on 4 PAX:
Pricing will be supplied based on the tailor made itinerary - enquire now
INCLUDES:
- Transfers in air-conditioned adapted vehicle
- Refreshments in the vehicle
- Accommodation
- Meals as per itinerary
- Unlimited daytime game viewing in the parks
- Local excursions with the guide
- All entrance fees and levies
EXCLUDES:
- Items of a personal nature
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel and medical insurance
- Drinks not supplied
- Flights
NOTES:
- The tariff quoted is subject to the availability of all services at current rates and is subject to availability of accommodation & services quoted on receipt of confirmation
- Adjustments to the tariff quoted may be necessary should unexpected increases in costs of accommodations and serviced occur
- Once a provisional booking has been made, a 20% deposit will be required to confirm the booking and the balance of payment will be due 45 days prior to departure.
- Payment may be made by bank transfer or credit card
- Provisional and confirmed booking are subject to Terms of Business
