Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Welcome to Rainbow Kingdom – the Gateway to Africa - a country on the southernmost tip of the African continent, marked by several distinct ecosystems. Inland safari destination Kruger National Park is populated by big game. The Western Cape offers beaches, lush winelands around Stellenbosch & Paarl, craggy cliffs at the Cape of Good Hope, forest & lagoons along the Garden Route, and the city of Cape Town, beneath flat-topped Table Mountain. Traveling in Africa can be challenging, but the smiles of the people & the sounds of the animals make it worthwhile.

Arrive in Jo’burg or ‘Jozi’ as it’s more commonly known.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Johannesburg Oliver Tambo International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs & you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel. He / she will provide assistance during Check-in & also discuss the program for the next few days.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel unless advised.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

The city of the gold - the biggest metropolis in South Africa., is without a doubt the great big beating heart of South Africa, and has long played a Jekyll-and-Hyde role in the global consciousness. Often the stage on which the epic of this extraordinary nation has been played out, the colossus of Jo’burg - with all its thrills and foibles - is today a fascinating, multitudinous city, where all the ups and downs of 21^st  century South Africa can be witnessed in  multicolour dimensions. With its 3.2 million citizens the city on the Witwatersrand is the predominant commercial centre and the economic motor of the Republic of South Africa.

In the past, the city’s darker personality proved the most enduring. The Jo’burg of the newsflash was a city where fear & loathing reigned supreme; a city where spiralling gun crime & poverty had manifested itself in a society where one half of the population stagnated, while the other looked on impassively through coils of razor wire.

As ever, there is an element of truth to the stereotypes. Jo’burg does bear scars of the country’s turbulent 20^th century, and may take time to heal. Stark inequalities persist, but armed with a new self-confidence - ironically most pronounced in the infamous township of Soweto - Africa’s giant hub is beginning to introduce itself to a healthier diet of urban renewal and social regeneration. 

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.   

Morning, you will be picked up at 09:00 am to embark for a 6 hour tour to experience Johannesburg.

We first take a look around the northern suburbs, then continue to the hustle & bustle of Hillbrow & Braamfontein, home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa.

Drive through the downtown area to the Carlton Centre, to view a "mini-Manhattan" from the viewing deck on the 50^th floor.

The sightseeing drive includes all the major points of interest, such as Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Baragwanath taxi rank, Freedom Square, Hector Peterson Memorial & Nelson Mandela’s former home.

Onward to Soweto (South Western Township), largest black residential area in South Africa, where you will see a fascinating contrast to Rosebank & Sandton in the north and get a taste of the vibrant street life this township is famous for. This sprawling “city within a city” is home to approximately 2-million people, many of whom work in various parts of the greater metropolitan area of the Witwatersrand.

More of a city than a township, Soweto has its roots in the gold mines that drew workers to Johannesburg in the beginning. However, after the National Party was voted into power in 1948, Soweto grew rapidly as apartheid tightened its grip on the country & forced black people out of “white areas”.

The township significant for its role in the struggle against apartheid, has transformed from a legacy of the apartheid era to a vibrant, energetic hub that will ignite your senses & immerse you in true South African culture.

After a lunch stop (direct payment), continue on to visit the Apartheid Museum.

The Apartheid Museum illustrates the rise & fall of South Africa’s era of segregation & oppression, and is an absolute must-see.

The 6,000 square metres Museum on a 7-hectare site which consists of natural recreated veld & indigenous bush habitat containing a lake & paths, alongside its stark but stunning building is located next to the Gold Reef City Casino, 5 km south of the city centre.

It uses a broad variety of media to provide a chilling insight into the architecture and implementation of the apartheid system, as well as inspiring stories of the struggle towards democracy. It is invaluable in understanding the inequalities & tensions that still exist today and his extraordinarily powerful Museum has already become the city's leading tourist attraction, an obligatory stop for visitors & residents alike.

The sheer volume of information can make it an overwhelming experience; particularly distressing is a small chamber in which hang 131 nooses, representative of the 131 government opponents who were executed under anti-terrorism laws. The Museum, with its large blown-up photographs, metal cages & numerous monitors recording continuous replays of apartheid scenes set in a double volume ceiling, concrete & red brick walls and grey concrete floor,

After spending an hour inside, return to the hotel.

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.   B

Early morning, depart for Hazyview, in Mpumalanga Province, known as "Paradise Country", driving on the spectacular "Panorama Route."

Stop to admire the views of amazing scenery along the 16 mile long Blyde River Canyon, cut deep into red sandstone, and God's Window (weather & fog permitting), a breathtaking, Edenic vista at the edge of the escarpment overlooking Kruger National Park. Visit Bourke's Luck Potholes - a series of waterfalls and distinctive rock formations created by countless millennia of water erosion.

Arrive by late afternoon in Hazyview - a small farming town renowned for its Banana industry.

Check-in at the hotel.

Close to Kruger National Park, the town's name is derived from the shimmering haze that occurs during the heat of summer. Most of Mpumalanga's private Game Reserves are found just east of Hazyview & it’s location just a mere 5 km from Phabeni Gate into the Kruger National Park makes it very easy to access the Park from. With 3 Golf Courses within a 5 km range of the Town Centre, it is also a perfect place to just relax & feel the good vibes of one of the friendliest towns in South Africa.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration.

Overnight.   B 

The Park offers some of the best game & wildlife viewing opportunities in the world, and early morning is an optimal time of day.

Depart at dawn for Kruger National Park to join a thrilling open-vehicle 5 hour game drive for amazing sightings of predators & prey animals as they enter the new day. The experienced Rangers & Shangaan Tracker are great at interpreting all the animal behaviours you see & whose endeavour will be to spoil you with sightings of the “Big 5”, general game & prolific bird life. 

Spend a couple of hours observing the animals before returning back to the lodge for a hearty breakfast.

Kruger is one of the world's greatest wildlife-watching destinations. Try to imagine a National Park the size of Israel with huge tracts of acacia, sycamore figs and bush willow interrupted by open savannah, rushing rivers and the occasional rocky bluff. Now fill it with lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffaloes & black rhinos (the Big 5), plus cheetahs, giraffes, hippos & many species of smaller animals, and you will start to have some notion of what it is like to visit Kruger National Park.

The Park was established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, and is nearly 2 million hectares. It is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds & 147 mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park.

It has an extensive network of sealed roads & comfortable camps, but if you prefer to keep it rough, there are also 4WD tracks, and mountain bike & hiking trails. Even when you stick to the tarmac, the sounds & scents of the bush are never more than a few metres away. Southern Kruger is the most popular section of the Park, with the highest animal concentrations & the easiest access. Kruger is at its best in the far north. Here, although animal concentrations are somewhat lower, the bush setting & wilderness atmosphere are all-enveloping.

Afternoon, return to the hotel or you can stay back for another Optional (extra payment) game drive. Sunrise & sunset are when the animals are most active.

Balance of the day at leisure.

Overnight.   B

The day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a thrilling open vehicle game drive through Kruger National Park with pre-packed breakfast. The park offers some of the best game viewing and wildlife opportunities in the world – and the visitor will soon appreciate the challenges of managing this unique reserve.

Return to the hotel.

Afternoon is at leisure or you can join us on our Community visit to the Sizabantwana Children Care Centre for a tour and a brief look into the lives of the children that attend the centre. This visit offers you the opportunity to understand more about the rural communities and their lifestyles and to interact with them in a secure and optimistic environment.  

Balance of the day is at leisure. You can opt for another game drive (optional - additional payment) if you want.

Morning, depart for Swaziland, an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts & colourful indigenous culture.

En-route visit the Ngwenya glass factory, where visitors can watch talented glass blowers create a range of enchanting African animals, birds and fish, as well as tableware, made from 100 % recycled glass that is collected by the children of Swaziland.

Check-in on arrival.

In short, big things come in small packages. Despite being the smallest country in the Southern hemisphere, t he intriguing Kingdom of Swaziland   (recent name change to eSwatini) more than makes up for its lack of size with a hugely diverse range of attractions & activities.

Rewarding wildlife watching, adrenaline-boosting activities such as rafting & mountain biking, lively & colourful local culture, with celebrations & ceremonies still common practice.

Add to that a stunning landscapes of stunning mountain & valleys with flatland scenery, forests & plains with superb walking trails plus wildlife reserves across the country that are home to the Big 5 & you have all that is best about Africa in one small but perfectly formed & welcoming country.

As one of the few remaining Executive Monarchies in Africa, a rich culture & heritage is deeply engrained in all aspects of Swazi life, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all who visit.

The Umhlanga (reed) festival here in late August or early September is one of Africa's biggest cultural events. It draws the nation together and reminding the people of their relationship to the king. It is something like a weeklong debutante ball for marriageable young Swazi women, who journey from all over the kingdom to help repair the queen mother’s home at Lobamba.

Unlike South Africa, eSwatini has managed to hold on to that slow-down-this-is-Africa feeling & that is why it is gaining in popularity. Varied accommodation options, excellent, high-quality handicrafts & the  overwhelming friendliness of the people makes all visitors feel truly welcome & very safe and the atmosphere is remarkably relaxed.

Balance of the day is at leisure or optional activities (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

In the afternoon the opportunity exists for a complimentary (optional) excursion to a Swazi candle factory, where visitors can watch Swazi wax artists make beautiful candles.

Overnight.  B 

After breakfast, you will continue south through Swaziland, before re-entering South Africa.

Travel to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora. Home to Africa's "Big Five," you may have a chance to see elephant, Cape buffalo, lion & leopard, in addition to the black & white rhino during your afternoon game drive through the Reserve. The Park also boasts warthog, crocodile, and antelope.

The region encompassing the spectacular Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park has many traditional Zulu villages where you can learn about Zulu history & the legendary King Shaka.

Following the Safari, continue on to Zululand.

Check-in on arrival.

The sheer majesty of Zululand will take your breath away.

Zulu (which means Heaven) aptly describes the rolling expanses that dominate the landscape here. Evoking images of wild landscapes & tribal rhythms, this beautiful swath of KwaZulu-Natal offers a different face of South Africa, where fine coastline, mist-clad hills & traditional settlements are in contrast to the ordered suburban developments around Durban. Under the hot African sun, the cobalt blue Indian Ocean, mangrove swamps & limpid lagoons give way to rolling green hills & indigenous forests which shimmer in the distance before they reach the Drakensberg Mountains.

Dominated by the Zulu tribal group, the region offers fascinating historical & contemporary insights into one of the country’s most enigmatic cultures. Enjoy the welcoming wide smiles extended to you by the local people.

Zululand teems with private & provincial game reserves which offer game-watching facilities as well as hiking & nature trails.

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.  B

After breakfast, travel to a traditional Zulu village to experience the local culture.

The Zulu experience will linger in your mind long after you have left Zululand. Take an ox wagon to Zulu villages of bee-hive huts and experience traditional Zulu hospitality, or a rural wedding ceremony, and if you wish visit a sangoma (traditional healer).

You cannot leave without a visit to Ulundi, the site of the final battle fought in the Anglo-Zulu war. Nearby Zulu kings lie buried in the Emakhosini Valley. In total contrast, are the township tours showcasing modern Zulu life including taverns, shebeens and traditional medicine shops.

Enjoy a delicious ethnic lunch before continuing on the journey to Durban, passing traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. 

This journey ends with the arrival in Durban.

Durban is a sophisticated cosmopolitan city of over three million people - a city where east meets west - a city beneath which beats the pulse of Africa - city known as the home of Africa's busiest port. Sometime passed over for her ‘cooler’ Capetonian cousin. But there is a lot more to fun-loving Durbs (as it is affectionately known) than meets the eye.

Durban, the Playground of the Zulu Kingdom, is an exciting city in which to play, shop & experience the nightlife & to relax. Leisure facilities abound in Durban. The city had a major makeover leading up to the 2010 World Cup, with a sleek new stadium & a revamped waterfront.  

Home to the largest concentration of people of Indian descent outside of India, Durban also boasts an unmistakeably Asian feel, with the marketplaces & streets of the Indian area replete with the sights, sounds & scents of the subcontinent.

Depending on the available time, you can visit (on your own) uShaka Marine World, Wilson's Wharf on the Victoria Embankment and the nearby BAT centre. Enjoy fine traditional dining, entertainment & shopping in scenic surroundings.

Shop till you drop in modern shopping malls. Grey Street & the Warwick Triangle boast vibrant local's shops & markets. Beachfront stalls sell traditional arts & crafts. Enjoy the excellent entertainment on offer at the city's theatres & clubs or go for a township tour, time permitting.

An astonishingly diverse region fused by its prolific wildlife, breathtaking landscapes & remnants of ancient culture, Africa’s natural history alone would make a dozen visits worthwhile - where else on earth can you fall asleep to the sound of lions roaring, or watch a million flamingos take off from the waters of a remote soda lake? Parts of Africa boast scenery so spectacular they will damn near blow your mind, but the essence of this incredible continent isn’t in any desert, mountain or lake. Southern Africa is Africa at its most memorable. Black-maned lions framed against Kalahari dunes; powdery beaches lapped by two oceans; star-studded desert skies; jagged, lush mountains - this truly is a region of astounding diversity.

Alas, the experience comes to an end & it is time to say good-bye to Africa’s warm hospitality & go home. It is the spirit of the people - pushing, shoving, sweating, dancing, singing & laughing - that infects so many visitors with a travel bug so powerful they will never stop coming back, sometimes against all sense or reason. And we are sure South Africa or Africa will tempt you to come again.   

“When you leave Africa, as the plane lifts, you feel that more than leaving a continent you are leaving a state of mind. Whatever awaits you at the other end of your journey will be of a different order of existence.”  – Francesca Marciano

You will be dropped at the Hotel if you are staying longer or at Terminal? - Durban International Airport for your onward journey.   B L 

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