14-Day Eswatini, Kruger Guided Self-Drive Budget Camping

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Pretoria and Drive to Malolotja Nature Reserve

You'll enter Eswatini via the Waverley/Lundzi Border Post following your guide. Entering Eswatini via one of the smaller border posts gives you a more personalized and relaxed experience. The convoy follows small gravel roads winding through some of the rural villages in Eswatini. This is your first exposure to the Swazi rural lifestyle.

Malolotja is one of the very best highland reserves in southern Africa, its 18,000ha wilderness of high rolling hills and deep forested river gorges offer a genuine wilderness. The rocks beneath Malolotja are among the oldest in the world having been laid down as ocean sediment over 3.5 billion years ago, before metamorphosing under heat and pressure into the shales and quartzites we see today.

A 4x4 vehicle is best suited for the road and trail conditions of this tour.

Please note: Refer to our company profile for a summary of the benefits of driving your own vehicle. A quotation for the rental of your vehicle will be provided separately.

Main Destination:

Malolotja Nature Reserve (Eswatini)

Best Time To Go May to September (Dry season)

High Season Dec to Jan (It never gets very busy)

Best Weather

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Malolotja NR (Eswatini)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Explore Malolotja Nature Reserve and the Surrounding Area

You'll drive to the gap where the Nkomati River disappears underground and reappears a few meters away. This makes it look like a gap in the river. There are some amazing carved potholes between the gap and the bridge.

The Maguga Dam, an impressive expanse of blue water, can be viewed along the way to the Nsangwini Rock Art Site. The dam is Swaziland’s largest reservoir and its wall, which stands 115m high, is the fourth largest in Southern Africa. You will have views of the dam at various points.

The Nsangwini Rock Art Site, an atmospheric site, preserves Swaziland’s best bushman paintings. The paintings, which lie beneath a rock overhang down a rocky trail, are the work of the hunter-gatherer San people and could be up to 4,000 years old.

Late afternoon, you'll join a sunset game drive with a professional field guide in an open game viewing vehicle. As the evening approaches, all the nocturnal animals become active, and you can experience a truly amazing African sunset.

Main Destination:

Malolotja Nature Reserve (Eswatini)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Malolotja NR (Eswatini)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Drive to the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Mlilwane offers an array of activities and adventures in the picturesque Ezulwini Valley (Valley of Heaven), flanked by the dramatic backdrop of mountains.

You'll visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory where you will see how a small group of Swazi craftsmen and women breathe life into enchanting interpretations of the animals and birds of Africa. You will witness first-hand the magical art of glassblowing from an overhead balcony.

You'll stop at the Mantenga Cultural Village. This is a replica of the mid-19th Century Swazi village, and a guided tour will reveal much more, from how the huts are built and what each is used for, to the role played by the sangoma, or traditional healer.

An expedition to Swazi Candles is not just a candle experience. You will happily be surrounded by talented crafters, artists, and artisans with souvenir shops.

Tonight you have the choice of preparing your own food or spoiling yourself by visiting the on-site restaurant.

Main Destination:

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (Eswatini)

Best Time To Visit May to September (Dry season)

High Season Dec to Jan and Jul to Aug (It never gets very busy)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Mlilwane WS

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

HippoCommon

LeopardVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Show more

ElephantNone

GiraffeNone

LionNone

CheetahNone

BuffaloNone

HyenaNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Mlilwane WS (Eswatini)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Drive to Hlane Royal National Park via the Top of World View and the World's Biggest Granite Rock

After breakfast, you'll follow the tarred road from Mlilwane until you reach the largest granite pluton in the world (about 800m tall and it covers an area of about 16,500ha). From there, you will drive on small gravel roads winding up and down the mountains. You will stop at the Top of the World View lookout point and make some coffee/tea. You will continue further on the winding gravel roads.

Hlane Royal National Park was proclaimed as a National Park in 1967, following Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (1961), under the instruction of King Sobhuza ll. "Hlane" is the siSwati name for "wilderness". Hlane is home to Eswatini’s largest herds of game, conserves vast natural resources, and holds deep royal and cultural significance. Exciting species lists include impressive ancient hardwood habitats, big game, and rich birdlife.

Tonight, you have the choice of preparing your own food or spoiling yourself by visiting the on-site restaurant.

Main Destination:

Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini)

Best Time To Visit May to September (Dry season)

High Season Dec to Jan and Jul to Aug (It never gets very busy)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Hlane Royal NP

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

White RhinoCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

HippoCommon

Show more

LionOccasional

LeopardVery Rare

HyenaRare

Black RhinoNone

CheetahNone

BuffaloNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Hlane Royal NP (Eswatini)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Sunrise Drive and then Explore Hlane on Your Own

You'll start the day with a sunrise drive, including a visit to the lion camp. The lion camp is large enough to allow the lions to hunt naturally. You'll drive to a picnic spot and bird hide overlooking a dam. Who knows what animals and birds will visit while we are there?

Afterwards, you can relax and watch the animals drinking water at the waterhole near the restaurant or explore Hlane on your own.

This is a relaxing day to maybe do some washing of clothes if necessary.

Tonight, you have the choice of preparing your own food or spoiling yourself by visiting the on-site restaurant.

Main Destination:

Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Hlane Royal NP (Eswatini)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Drive to the Bulembu Country Lodge

Located in the malaria-free, northern Hhohho region, Bulembu Country Lodge stands at the foot of Mount Emlembe, Swaziland’s highest mountain. The town of Bulembu is surrounded by the natural beauty of lush green hills and eucalyptus forests. Bulembu Country Lodge presents a charming blend of history, nature, beauty, and comfort.

Bulembu was once a thriving asbestos mining community of about 10,000 people. Due to the health risks associated with asbestos, the mine was closed. In later years, the old infrastructure was upgraded and today it is home to about 1,000 orphans, a country lodge, and honey farming to name a few.

Tonight, you have the choice of preparing your own food or spoiling yourself by visiting the on-site restaurant.

Main Destination:

Bulembu (Town, Eswatini)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Explore the Area around Bulembu

You'll visit the Bulembu Mining Museum. It is an amazing visual experience, to see the history Bulembu holds.

You'll join an Enterprise Tour; to add to their vision of sustainability, they have several successful enterprises to help fund their Childcare programs and job creation for their adults and future generations. Their enterprises include making honey, a water plant, a bakery, a Creativity Centre featuring the skilled artisans of the local community, as well as a dairy.

The more energetic can go on a guided walk to the summit of Mount Emlembe. It is a four-hour return hike with about 800m difficult section (excluded from the tour tariff).

You can also take a walk to a nearby waterfall.

Tonight, you have the choice of preparing your own food or spoiling yourself by visiting the on-site restaurant.

Main Destination:

Bulembu (Town, Eswatini)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Drive to the Berg en Dal Rest Camp via the Josefsdal/Bulembu Border Post

The pass between the Josefsdal/Bulembu border post and Barberton is the highlight of the day. The incredibly scenic mountain pass is regarded as arguably one of the most spectacularly scenic drives in Southern Africa. People describe it as "jaw-droppingly beautiful".

Berg-en-Dal is situated on the bank of the Matjulu Spruit with a view of softly undulating hills to the east. On the northern and southern sides dry riverbeds and a dam border the camp. There are large trees along the streams and dry riverbeds. Special care has been taken to preserve the natural vegetation in the camp. Berg en Dal is also the only camp set in a rugged mountain environment.

Tonight, you have the choice of preparing your own food or spoiling yourself by visiting the on-site restaurant.

Main Destination:

Southern Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Best Time To Visit May to September (Dry season)

High Season December to January and July to August

Best Weather Apr-May and Sep-Oct (Mild and little rain)

Wildlife in Kruger NP

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestCommon

HippoCommon

Show more

HyenaCommon

White RhinoOccasional

LionOccasional

Black RhinoVery Rare

LeopardRare

CheetahRare

Wild DogVery Rare

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Southern Kruger NP (South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Explore the Area around Berg en Dal

You'll join a guided morning walk. Experienced (and armed) guides share their knowledge of the fauna and flora to explain natural wonders. The walks are relaxed and don’t take longer than a few hours, so no over-exhaustion will take place.

Two armed field guides accompany you on the walk to ensure your safety, they will focus on the things that you will usually not be able to see from a vehicle. By being out on foot you cover an area more intensely and you can experience nature using all of your senses.

Late afternoon, you'll join a sunset game drive with a professional field guide in an open game viewing vehicle. It is a perfect time for game viewing. As the evening approaches all the nocturnal animals become active, and you can experience a truly amazing African sunset.

Tonight, you have the choice of preparing your own food or spoiling yourself by visiting the on-site restaurant.

Main Destination:

Southern Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Southern Kruger NP (South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Drive to Satara Rest Camp

Today is a bit of a long drive to the Satara Rest Camp following various game-viewing roads. Satara is a busy camp, and not without reason. It is situated in an excellent game-viewing area, with the bush relatively open and the animals plentiful and diverse. The bungalow you will stay in is fully equipped.

The camp itself has a rustic charm, with the bulk of the accommodation set out in a series of circles. Satara is well-wooded and the birdlife is prolific. At night, the clink of fruit bats is fused with the chirping of cicadas and crickets. The calls of owls and nightjars add to the symphony that is punctuated intermittently by the whoop of hyenas, the screech of jackals, and the roars of lions.

Tonight, you have the choice of preparing your own food or spoiling yourself by visiting the on-site restaurant.

Main Destination:

Central Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Central Kruger NP (South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Explore the Area Around Satara

You'll join a guided morning walk. Experienced (and armed) guides share their knowledge of the fauna and flora to explain natural wonders. The walks are relaxed and don’t take longer than a few hours, so no over-exhaustion will take place.

Two armed field guides accompany you on the walk. They will focus on the things that you will usually not be able to see from a vehicle. By being out on foot you cover an area more intensely and you can experience nature using all of your senses.

Afterward, you are welcome to explore the area around Satara on your own. This is a relaxing day to maybe do some washing of clothes if necessary.

Join a night game drive with a professional field guide in an open game viewing vehicle. It is a perfect time for viewing the nocturnal animals and birds. This is your last night in the Big 5 area and hopefully, it will be a memorable one.

Tonight, you have the choice of preparing your own food or spoiling yourself in the on-site restaurant.

Main Destination:

Central Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Central Kruger NP (South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Drive to Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve

You'll exit Kruger National Park at the Phalaborwa gate. Lekgalameetse means "Place of Water" and some important Limpopo rivers have their source in these scenic mountains. There is water all year round here, with many rivers, streams, waterfalls, and rock pools. Lekgalameetse has thick indigenous forests, grassy mountain slopes, towering peaks, and krantzes. In the forests, you'll see Outeniqua Trees, Lemonwoods, Yellowwoods, Cape Beech and Wild Peach.

You'll stop in Phalaborwa to buy provisions for your stay in Lekgalameetse as there are no shops in or near Lekgalameetse.

Along the way, you'll visit the smallest city in South Africa and learn about its history. It is amazing how nature has taken over this city. You'll visit the 2,000+-year-old baobab tree near Gravelotte.

Your log cabin for the next two nights is far into the bush at the foot of the Drakensberg. The Makutsi River flows past the cabins. It is a self-catering cabin and well-equipped with linen, and cutlery.

Main Destination:

Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve (South Africa)

Accommodation:

Makutsi Bush Camp

• Budget cottage located inside Lekgalameetse NR (South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Explore Lekgalameetse

After breakfast which you prepared for yourself, you'll explore the Northern section of Lekgalameetse. The main entrance gate is also the start of the Orrie Baragwanath Pass up the eastern side of the Drakensberg. It will take us to the top of Drakensberg Mountain and as you drive, you will climb 600 m over a distance of 12 km. It will take you to breathtaking views and you will visit sites of historical significance (e.g. the Pioneer Graves) and learn about the history of the area.

You will be amazed to learn that the names of a famous soccer team and a hospital have their origins in these mountains. The trails are not difficult and sometimes engaging low range will not be necessary. You will visit the highest point accessible by vehicle. This point is 1,520 m above sea level.

Main Destination:

Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve (South Africa)

Accommodation:

Makutsi Bush Camp

• Budget cottage located inside Lekgalameetse NR (South Africa)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Drive to Pretoria and Continue With Your Journey

You will drive up the mountain to the start of the challenging 4x4 section of the Orrie Baragwanath Pass on the Western side of the mountain. You'll follow this scenic but challenging 4x4 trail down the Drakensberg. The trail hugs the mountain and you will drop 500 m over a distance of 7 km (330 m in the last 4 km).

You'll drive mostly on tarred roads from the end of the pass to Pretoria.

As our time together draws to a close, we say goodbye to our new friends and head back home. You will continue your journey to your next destination on your own, whenever you feel ready to leave. We hope that you will cherish the unforgettable memories you have made during your time with us and that you will have plenty of beautiful photos to share with your loved ones and friends.

Main Destination:

Pretoria (City, South Africa)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.