You depart Johannesburg and travel through scenic Mpumalanga to the South African/ Swaziland border. Entering the Kingdom of Swaziland you travel to the Malolotja Nature Reserve; an 18 000 hectare mountain wilderness. There are a number of wonderful walks in the area as well as some optional excursions accompanied by a local ranger.

Optional Activities: Hiking, Nature Walks

Traditional thatch and stone houses scatter the hillsides around the Shewula Mountain Camp. This community-run eco-tourism facility has been a great success and here you can experience aspects of the traditional Swazi lifestyle. A fantastic option is to arrange a traditional Swazi meal and join in with the preparation.

Optional Activities:Traditional Dancing, Traditional Meal, Walks in Reserve

Today you leave Swaziland behind you and cross the border into Mozambique. As you travel north along the ocean, you can enjoy the beautiful vistas of the Mozambiquen coast. In the late afternoon you arrive at your camp at Praia do Tofo where you can take your first swim in the warm Indian Ocean.

Praia do Tofo has a broad sandy beach, safe swimming, excellent surf and good scuba diving with common sightings of Manta Rays and Whalesharks. If you wish go scuba diving in the morning before your departure to Morrungulo, you have to book it today. There is a PADI accredited dive centre in town.

Optional Activities: Snorkelling, Fishing, Scuba Diving

A short drive up the coast takes you to Morrungulo, situated on an unspoilt natural bay amongst palm trees. Morrungulo Dive Centre caters for scuba diving, snorkeling trips, fishing charters and equipment hire, so there is plenty to keep you busy. Between activities there is time to relax on the beautiful beach. You spend the night at Morrungulo.

Optional Activities: Snorkelling, Scuba Diving, Fishing

Today you depart Morrungulo and drive north to Vilankulo. There is an opportunity to cross to the islands in the Bazaruto Archipelago where you relax 'island style', snorkelling or soaking up the sun. Should you decide not to go to the islands, then you can relax in Vilankulo with its beautiful beaches, lively night life and excellent restaurants.

Optional Activities: Bazaruto Excursion - If you want to do the optional Bazaruto Excursion, on the morning of the 2nd day you take a dhow to Benguerra Island. The dhow trip takes about 2 hours and if you're lucky you may see dolphins during the crossing. If you want to overnight on the island, please note that camping is not allowed. The most affordable option is Gabriel's Lodge that costs between US$ 20 and US$ 30 per person in a chalet (dorms).

The Bazaruto Archipelago is made up of 4 inhabited islands, namely Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque and Santa Carolina ('Paradise Island'). The entire archipelago was declared a National Park in 1971, and boasts over 250 species of birds, butterflies and crocodiles in the freshwater lakes to be found on Bazaruto and Benguerra Island. Dolphins, dugong, game fish and several species of turtles may be found offshore in the warm waters. The main attraction on the island is the unspoilt and non-commercialized surroundings. The dive sites are interesting and varied, and the archipelago is fast becoming one of the world's top dive destinations.

NB Park fees are payable on all of the islands. This is not included in your trip costs. Make sure you take the right amounts in USD, because park officials don't give change. Park fees cost around USD10 per person and you can pay in Meticals, as it is always cheaper. This permit is valid on all of the islands.

NB Should you want to dive on the island, make sure you book your activity from the mainland.

Driving south past beautiful coconut plantations, you pass through the old European settlement of Inhambane, haunted by the memories of the slave trade along the coast. In the afternoon you arrive at your campsite for the next 2 days which is perfectly positioned right on the beach. You have a full day to partake in the various optional activities here, including horse riding and Quad biking.

Optional Activities: Scuba Diving, Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Snorkelling, Fishing, Boat Cruise.

Inhambane - the declining global demand for elephant tusks and slaves transformed Inhambane from a thriving port city to a quiet and relaxed seaside town. The 2nd oldest municipality in Mozambique (after Ilha de Moĉambique), it figured prominently in Portuguese colonists' commercial schemes from Vasco da Gama's landing in 1498 until the 1950s, when road travel to Maputo became feasible. Vestiges of its former prominence remain in the city's wide avenues, its 18th-century church, fading colonial-era architecture (especially near the jetty), and a small slavery monument. Inhambane's political prominence has waned, although it is still the provincial capital.

From Inhambane you drive further south to Maputo, the bustling capital of Mozambique. You arrive in Maputo, formerly known as Lourenzo Marques, in the afternoon so you have some time to explore and experience this truly African city.

Today you return to South Africa, to the world-famous Kruger National Park, where you have the chance to spot Africa's Big 5. Apart from daily game drives, the park offers informative dawn game walks and night drives (accompanied by a highly skilled ranger).

The Kruger Park covers nearly 2 million hectares and is home to about 145 mammal species including elephant, black rhino, white rhino, hippo, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog and many antelope species. Large carnivores found here include lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena. Kruger is also a birders' paradise with a list of almost 500 bird species spotted.

Optional Activities: Night Drive & Dawn Game Walks

You leave Kruger behind you and travel via the Panorama Route to the cheetah breeding centre. The Panorama Route is definitely a scenic highlight with some spectacular rock formations including the Blyde River Canyon, God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes.

Blyde River Canyon This is one of the most spectacular canyons in Africa. At the '3 Rondavels viewpoint' (also called 'The 3 Sisters') you can take in the unforgettable view of 3 huge rock spirals rising out of the far wall of the canyon. Where the Blyde River ('river of joy') and the Treur River ('river of sorrow') meet, water erosion has formed one of the most remarkable geological phenomena in the country, known as 'Bourke's Luck Potholes'. Following the road and the Treur River south, there are further viewpoints namely Wonder View, God's Window and the Pinnacle.

Today the trip ends with your return to Johannesburg. You may wish to finish your memorable tour with dinner together in one of Johannesburg's many excellent restaurants.