• 15 Days South Africa and Mozambique Self Drive

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to South Africa!  After collecting your rental car, start on your self-drive holiday by leaving the bustling city behind as you head east towards the province of Mpumalanga.  Home to the southern part of the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga (which means “the place where the sun rises” in Zulu language) borders Mozambique in the east and Swaziland in the south.  Your first overnight stop is in the little town of White River at Stille Woning Guesthouse.

The guesthouse is a welcoming overnight stop en route to the game reserves in the north of the province.  Enjoy dinner in their open-air boma or visit the nearby Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre where a selection of restaurants are on offer.

Enjoy 1 night at Stille Woning Guest House on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Day 2 & 3

After a hearty breakfast at Stille Woning depart for the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve where you will enjoy two nights at the intimate Umlani Bushcamp

Umlani Bushcamp shares an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park which ensures thrilling wildlife encounters in the company of knowledgeable guides.  The beautifully designed eco-lodge is not only off the grid but also off the tourist track, giving guests the opportunity to reconnect with nature.  The property is ethically operated and Fair Trade certified which means your stay is so much more meaningful than just the safari experience.

Accommodation is offered in traditional reed and thatch huts which blend in naturally with the environment.  All rooms offer simplistic luxury with en suite facilities, open-air bush showers, mosquito netting and discreet solar and oil lantern lighting.

Enjoy 2 nights at Umlani Bushcamp on a Full Board basis including two game activities per day.

Day 4

Bid your hosts at Umlani Bushcamp farewell as you make your way to the renowned Kruger National Park.

Letaba Rest Camp is situated on a bend of the Letaba River, midway between the southern and northern boundaries of the Kruger National Park. The name means “river of sand”, and the sandy riverbed is an excellent location for game viewing – particularly elephant which flourish in the area. Letaba remains a firm favorite with visitors. Places of interest in the area include the Masorini Ruins, Matambeni Bird Hide and the Letaba Elephant Hall at the rest camp.

Enjoy 1 night at Letaba Rest Camp on a self-catering basis.

Day 5

Today you will cross into Mozambique, at the Giriyondo border post, before making your way to Machampane Wilderness Camp.

Machampane Wilderness Camp is an unfenced, intimate bush camp in the 1,1 million hectare Mozambique sector of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, adjacent to Kruger National Park.  Nestled on the side of a secluded river bank of the Machampane River, the camp offers five tents – each located on its own wooden platform – with views over the river.  The primary activity at Machampane Wilderness Camp is guided wilderness walks which allows guests the opportunity to explore the pristine wilderness area on foot.

Enjoy 1 night at Machampane Wilderness Camp on a full board basis & two game activities per day.

Day 6

Depart for the Mozambique coastline and your next overnight stop at Naara Eco Lodge.

Surrounded by indigenous bush on the banks of the Nhambavale Lake, Naara Eco Lodge & Spa is a luxury tented camp in a tranquil setting.  The expansive lake forms a picturesque backdrop to the Lodge.  It is also the source of entertainment for guests offering swimming, fresh water fishing, kayaking and kite surfing on its tranquil waters.  The lodge has a strong environmental ethos with 80% of its energy requirements derived from the sun.  It also focusses on responsible tourism through close working relationships with the local Inhandine community.  Naara Eco Lodge & Spa is a Fair Trade certified property.

Enjoy 1 night at Naara Eco Lodge on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Day 7 & 8

Today you will head north to Inhambane and stay at Travessia Beach Lodge.

Travessia Beach Lodge is an eco-property situated amongst the coconut palms north of Inhambane, en route to Vilanculos.  The castaway chic atmosphere perfectly blends in with the endless beach, remote location and laid-back welcoming neighboring communities.  Travessia has a strong Responsible Tourism ethos and continuously fosters strong community relations.  The Lodge was built with locally sourced building materials and craftsmen. Currently, the staff complement is made up mainly of local individuals from the neighboring communities.  They take great pride in hosting guests on bush walks and casual visits to the villages for a natural, uncontrived cultural experience.

Enjoy 2 nights at Travessia Lodge on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis.

Day 9 & 10

Continue your exploration of the coastline as you travel on to the coastal town of Vilanculos, the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Bahia Mar Boutique Hotel offers personalized and luxurious accommodation in Vilanculos.  Walk through the private gardens to the beach front where local fishermen anchor their fishing dhows and land their catch of the day.  Vilanculos is a busy little coastal village with a variety of activities on offer to keep visitors entertained.  One of the more popular activities is a day trip by traditional dhow out to the islands for swimming, snorkelling and a beach picnic.  Or go horse riding on the red dunes of Vilanculos.  The team at Bahia Mar will be happy to assist you with recommendations and activity bookings.  Bahia Mar is a Fair Trade certified property.

Enjoy 2 nights at Bahia Mar Boutique Hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Day 11 & 12

It is time for your journey to turn back to your starting point.  Travel south along the coastline to your next destination, Dunes de Dovela.

Nestled amongst the dune forests on the second crest of dunes overlooking the Indian Ocean, Dunes de Dovela is a serene Eco Lodge in the Zavora area.  Enjoy the sea, dunes and coastal virgin forest views from the restaurant, bar and accommodations.  The Lodge was built with the close cooperation and involvement of the local Chope community.  Staying at Dunes de Dovela Eco Lodge allows guests the opportunity to explore the pristine dune forest and learn more of the local area and people in the village of Dovela.  The lodge’s location makes it an ideal stop over when traveling between Maputo and Vilanculos, but its warm service and serenity makes it perfect for stays of two nights or more.  Dunes de Dovela is a Fair Trade certified property.

Enjoy 2 nights at Dunes de Dovela on a full board basis.

Day 13

Today you will travel towards Maputo for your stay at Blue Anchor Inn.

Blue Anchor Inn is a family run lodge situated on the main road about 50km north of Maputo.  It caters for travellers who are looking for a secure, comfortable stop-over that bypasses the often frantic city traffic in Maputo.  The ‘Blue Anchor Inn’ has a fully licensed bar as well as a restaurant that prides itself with good quality food. Their motto is “Old Fashioned Hospitality”, which they pride themselves on constantly delivering. The accommodation is simple yet clean and comfortable.

Stay 1 night at Blue Anchor Inn on a room only basis.

Day 14

Say farewell to Mozambique as you cross the border back into South Africa.  Your next overnight stop is at Komati River Chalets which allows you that one last opportunity to do some game viewing in the Kruger National Park before you head home.

Komati River Chalets is nestled on the confluence of the Komati and Crocodile Rivers in the Southern Kruger Park region of Mpumalanga’s wild frontier. Set above the flood plain of the Komati River, the restaurant, bar and pool facilities, and the individual chalets are no more than fifty meters from the water’s edge where pods of hippos and an array of spectacular bird life will entertain for hours on end.

Enjoy 1 night at Komati River Chalets on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Book Today!

  • What is Included

    • One night’s accommodation at Stille Woning Guest House on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
    • Two nights’ accommodation at Umlani Bush Camp on a Full Board Basis and two game activities per day.
    • One night’s accommodation at Letaba Rest Camp on a self-catering basis.
    • One night’s accommodation at Machampane Wilderness Camp on a Full Board basis including Game Activities.
    • One night’s accommodation at Naara Eco Lodge on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
    • Two nights’ accommodation at Travessia Beach Lodge on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis.
    • Two nights’ accommodation at Bahia Mar Boutiques Hotel on a Bed & Breakfast Basis.
    • Two nights’ accommodation at Dunes de Dovela on a Full Board basis.
    • One night’s accommodation at Blu Anchor Inn on a room-only basis.
    • One night’s accommodation at Komati River Chalets on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

  • What is excluded

    • All meals, beverages, entrance fees, activities, flights and transfers not listed under Includes section.ype)
    • Car rental and all related costs – a 4×4 is recommended.  Car rental can be quoted on separately subject to clients vehicle preferences.
    • Regional and domestic flight fares and taxes are excluded but can be quoted on request.
    • All items of a personal nature such as curio shop purchases, telephone calls and gratuities.
    • Travel insurance and visa / passport related costs
    • All national park entrance and conservation fees as and when applicable.

  • What we love

    • Scenic Mpumalanga routes
    • Wonderful combination of great wildlife experiences & tranquil beach time
    • Selection of superb Fair Trade certified properties ensuring your holiday has far reaching value for deserving communities
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