Highlights

• • Zululand - game drives and cultural walks
• • Kosi Bay - lake excursion & walks
• • Swaziland - bush walk
• • Maputo - seafood meals
• • Inhambane - beaches, snorkelling, scuba diving
• • Kruger National Park - game drives

ITINERARY

Johannesburg to Zululand

Departing from Johannesburg at 06:30am we travel into the heart of KwaZulu Natal where we will stay in the Mkuzi Game Reserve, a last safe haven for the endangered Black Rhino. We explore the reserve on game drives and visit a hide overlooking one of the waterholes to watch the game come down to drink

Includes: Entrance fees to Mkuzi Game Reserve, morning & afternoon game drives
Overnight: Chalets - 2/3/4 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 or 2 bathrooms shared. Swimming pool, restaurant & shop

Kosi Bay

Kosi Bay Nature Reserve covers a region of fertile estuary, mangroves, dune forest and lakes, which we explore on foot and by kayak. Leatherback turtles lay eggs on the beaches in season (November - January). We'll visit the Kosi Bay river mouth to snorkel and watch the local fisherman in the estuary. A local guide will lead us on a walk in the neighbouring village where we meet local Zulu people and are introduced to their culture and customs.

Includes: Kayak excursion, snorkelling at Kosi Bay River Mouth (mask & snorkel can be hired from the lodge at nominal fee), Zulu village visit
Overnight: Chalets - twin chalets with shared ablutions, swimming pool, restaurant & bar

Swaziland

Our camp in Hlane Game Reserve, Swaziland, is surrounded by beautiful African bushveld. We'll take a game walk with a local ranger looking for rhino, elephant and fantastic bird life.

Includes: Entrance fees to Hlane Game Reserve, game walk with local field ranger
Overnight: Chalets - 3/4 twin bedrooms, with 2 bathroom shared between rooms

Maputo

We enter Mocambique at the Namaacha border post and travel to Maputo. Formerly known as Lourenco Marques - Portuguese and African cultures meet in an exquisite blend of seafood and vibrant life. Sample the excellent seafood in a local restaurant (own expense).

Overnight: Hotel / guest house - 2 twin bedrooms, with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms

Inhabane

Arab influences are strong in Inhambane dating back to when slaves, ivory, gold and spices were traded. Explore Inhambane and its 200 year old cathedral, before moving to Praia de Barra to our casitas under the palms next to the beach. Dhow rides and scuba diving on coral reefs are available (own expense)

Overnight: Casitas - 2 twin bedrooms with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms
Optional Activities: Scuba diving, ocean safari, quad biking & horse riding

Bilene

We turn south along the coast to the town of Bilene situated on the shores of the Uembje lagoon. The lagoon is 8km wide and 27km long with clear water and white, sandy beaches. We spend the afternoon exploring the lagoon with options of kayaking and snorkeling (own expense), and swimming in the shallow, calm waters.

Overnight: Casitas - 2 twin bedrooms with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms
Optional Activities: Scuba diving, sailing and windsurfing

Kruger National Park

We enter Kruger National Park, South Africa, and visit big game country! Exciting game drives to spot lions, giraffe and the mighty elephant. Relaxing in the tranquil bush we experience a land forgotten by time, a true African wilderness.

Includes: Entrance fees to Kruger National Park, morning and afternoon game drives
Overnight: Chalets - twin chalets (or lodge tent) en-suite / shared facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar
Optional Activities: Night game drive in National Parks open game viewing vehicle

Johannesburg

After an early morning game drive we return to Johannesburg in the evening, sun-tanned, laid-back and ready to rejoin life. Tour ends.

Special Interest:

The traditional fish traps of Kosi Bay mouth are cleared each day, by the local community. Only larger fish are caught as they cannot leave the estuary with the outgoing tide.

Sustainable Tourism:

We spend 3 nights in the Kosi Bay area. This KwaZulu Natal park is an example of how conservation and the needs of the local communities can work hand in hand. The local community is permitted to harvest fish within the reserve using environmentally sustainable, traditional reed fishing nets. KZN Wildlife are pioneers in the development of sustainable tourism

Accommodation

• Mkhuzi Game Reserve, permanent tents - for 2 nights in Mkhuzi we stay in the park permanent tents. Each has twin beds and en suite bathroom. Swimming pool, telephone.
• Kosi Bay Lodge, Amangwane Lodge permanent tents - for 3 nights in Kosi Bay we stay in permanent tents. Each has twin beds and en suite bathroom.
• Hlane Game Reserve, chalets - for 1 night in Hlane we stay in the park chalets. Each chalet has 2 or 4 twin bedrooms and there are 1 or 2 bath rooms in each chalet shared between the bedrooms.
• Maputo, Catembe Guest House - 1 night in Maputo we stay in a guest house. Twin rooms with a shared bathroom between 2 bedrooms. Bar, restaurant, telephone.
• Casitas, Casa Barry - for 3 nights in Inhambane (Barra peninsula) we stay in reed and thatch casitas. These are basic twin rooms with bed and mattress and shared ablutions. Bar, restaurant, telephone.
• Casitas, Bilene - for 1 night in Bilene casitas / chalets. These are basic twin or quad rooms with bed and mattress and shared ablutions. Bar, restaurant, telephone.
• Chalets, Kruger National Park - for 2 nights in Kruger we stay in national parks board chalets with en-suite / shared ablutions. Swimming pool, restaurant, and telephone.

Please Note: The accommodation specified in the itinerary is a guide only and is subject to availability. Alternatives will be nearby and of a similar standard.

Transport

• On foot - easy to moderate walks throughout the tour.
• Kayak - in Kosi Bay we take a 2 man paddle kayak around the lakes to visit Bunga Neck.
• Vehicle - for longer distance travel, place to place, we use custom built Safari trucks with 12 forward facing seats. Comfortable touring and good for game viewing. Large, sliding windows and viewing hatches give everyone a good view; or Toyota Hiace minibuses with 10 forward facing seats (roof rack and trailer for equipment and baggage). There are a couple of long days of travelling but the vehicles have a comfortable cruising speed. The emphasis of the trip is "getting out and doing things".

Local Payment

A local payment is required on this safari and this will be collected by the tour leader on departure. This covers a portion of the local operational costs including entrance and park fees. This ensures that a major portion of your tour price goes directly into the country you are visiting, benefiting local communities and contributing to the conservation of the area.

Participation

An essential part of your OzBus African Safari is participation - from putting up your tent (while camping) or packing away in the morning to helping with meal preparation and cleaning up - it's all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation but we do ask the clients to help with the washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun!

What's Included

• 13 nights guest house / cabin / chalet
• Entrance fees
• Transport in minibus or safari truck
• Meals as per itinerary
• Professional guide
• Kosi Bay boat excursion

What's Not Included

• International flights
• Sleeping bag and mat on camping trips
• Personal travel insurance
• Visas
• Items of a personal nature
• Optional excursions which are detailed on the trip page
• Restaurant meals and drinks