South Africa Three Kingdoms Multi-Adventure Tour

Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Carl Nel

Carl guides extensively throughout South Africa, working in game reserves and leading wildlife experiences for guests from around the world. He also runs volunteer-based programs focused on rural development and elevation of previously disadvantaged communities around South Africa. Carl is a passionate South African and feels blessed to spend time leading experiences focused on the country's natural beauty and wonderfully diverse culture.

Graham Bell

Graham grew up living in England, India and Mozambique, and spent much of his childhood traveling the world with his family. After completing his military service, he joined South African Airways as a way to nurture his love of traveling. He spent 16 years flying to exotic and remote places before turning in his wings and returning to his feet to become a guide. His lifelong passion for tourism shines through with his 32 years of experience and reflects in his knowledge of South African history and culture.

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                    [Headline] => Arrive in Johannesburg
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Welcome to Africa! Upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. Depending on your flight\'s arrival time, you may get an afternoon tour of Soweto. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with the group.
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                    [Latitude] => 26.08 S
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                    [Headline] => Take a Nature Hike en Route to Northern Drakensberg
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After breakfast, transfer to Northern Drakensberg, in KwaZulu-Natal province. En route, stop for lunch at a historical property dating back to the years preceding the First Boer War. After lunch, take an informative guided hike and learn about the rich history of the area, as well as the indigenous cultures of the Zulu and Sotho communities. This is a great bird-watching and game-viewing opportunity, as there are loads of interesting fauna and flora on certain routes. Then continue to the majestic Northern Drakensberg region, your home for two nights.
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                    [Headline] => Hike to the Amphitheatre in Royal Natal National Park
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A scenic morning drive takes you to the start of today\'s hike in stunning Royal Natal National Park. The initial leg is the most strenuous (but doable for all fitness levels), then levels out onto an easy contour path. Two ladders span the last 100 feet of the cliff; alternatively, you can ascend via the gully. The reward: standing atop the famous Amphitheatre - on the roof of Africa! After exploring the summit, ascend Beacon Buttress for the return trip via the gully or ladders and the easy path downhill.
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                    [Latitude] => 28.41 S
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                    [Headline] => Head to Southern Drakensberg
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Depart after breakfast for another scenic drive, this time to Underberg, in the Southern Drakensberg. On the way, stop for lunch and visit the internationally renowned Ardmore Ceramic Studio, founded in 1985 by Zimbabwean-born ceramic artist Fée Halsted. Originally established in the Drakensberg foothills, today the bustling studio and gallery sits in the picturesque Caversham Valley in South Africa\'s Natal Midlands. Here you meet the local artists, some of whom have work commissioned by the likes of Hermès and Queen Elizabeth II.
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                    [Latitude] => 29.23 S
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                    [Headline] => Tour the Kingdom of Lesotho
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Relish a full-day tour of Lesotho, a high-altitude, landlocked kingdom crisscrossed by a network of rivers and mountain ranges, making for breathtaking scenery. Begin today with a 4x4 drive up the Sani Pass (9,436\'), atop which you enjoy lunch at the highest pub in Africa - the Sani Mountain Lodge - with incredible views over KwaZulu-Natal. After lunch, continue to Skeering, a living village of Basotho, a Bantu ethnic group that has inhabited this region since the fifth century, where your experienced mountain guide discusses Lesotho and its people.
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                    [Latitude] => 29.5844 S
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                    [Headline] => Discover Durban
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Drive through the scenic Natal Midlands this morning bound for Durban. Upon arrival, stroll up historical Florida Road and stop for lunch of a local specialty, "bunny chow" - street food that harks back to the Indian indentured laborers from the 19th century. Along the Durban promenade, bordering the warm Indian Ocean, take a leisurely cycle along the beachfront to iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium, which you ascend by funicular for incredible views. Stop at the Kwa Muhle Museum for insight into Durban\'s history of apartheid before enjoying dinner on your own.
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                    [Latitude] => 29.53 S
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                    [Headline] => Enter the Kingdom of the Zulu
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En route to northern KwaZulu-Natal, the Kingdom of the Zulu, visit the Luthuli Museum, the former residence of Chief Albert Luthuli. Luthuli was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1960 for his fight against apartheid. Arrive at the foot of legendary Ghost Mountain for lunch. Then immerse yourself in a Lebombo Mountains community and enjoy a cultural walk with remarkable views. Learn about rural Zulu customs and modern-day living, interact with local people, and gain insight into life in Zululand. Time permitting, also hike to the top of Ghost Mountain.
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                    [Latitude] => 29.389 S
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                    [Headline] => Spot Wildlife in Mkuze Game Reserve & on Lake Jozini
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Today is a full day of getting up close to South Africa\'s resident animals! Start with a game drive at Mkuze Game Reserve, where you see elephant, giraffe, white rhino, and other grazing animals, as well as beautiful birdlife. After lunch, stay in the reserve for a ranger-led Fig Forest walk, a special-permission walk arranged exclusively for our group. Come late afternoon, return to the inn for a sunset boat cruise on Lake Jozini, one of South Africa\'s largest dams, for a chance to spot elephant, rhino, hippo, and crocodile.
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                    [Latitude] => 27.421 S
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                    [Headline] => Explore the Kingdom of Eswatini
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The landlocked Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland) is rife with beautiful mountain scenery, game reserves, lush valleys, misty mountains, ancient rock formations, and plunging waterfalls. In the lower reaches of the country are unexpected expanses of sugar-cane farms and typical African bush. Discover it all today and enjoy an exhilarating (optional) afternoon activity: either an adventure caving experience or a breathtaking zipline canopy tour at Malolotja Nature Reserve. Dinner is at the hotel.
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                    [Latitude] => 26.30 S
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                    [Headline] => Go on Safari in Kruger National Park
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Gear up for an authentic safari experience today! Drive to a private concession within the southern part of Kruger National Park, an enormous wilderness area comprising nearly two million hectares. The topography, vegetation, and game vary dramatically from south to north in the park. The park\'s southern part sees the most rainfall and denser animal numbers. Moving north, rainfall becomes scarcer and animals center around the river courses and waterholes. Upon arrival at the lodge, have lunch and then set out for an afternoon game drive. Lukimbi introduces you to the impressive Big Five - leopard, lion, rhino, elephant, and buffalo - plus antelope and other exciting game, and an incredible 420 species of bird.
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                    [Latitude] => 24.041 S
                    [Longitude] => 31.297 E
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                    [Headline] => Spot the Big Five in Lukimbi
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Another full-day safari in Lukimbi. Expert guides and trackers share their knowledge of these animals with you on today\'s safari adventure, which comprises morning and afternoon game drives. Hear the whooping of hyenas, the reverberating roar of a lion, the loud grunting of hippos, the majestic trumpeting of elephants, or the peaceful call of the fish eagle...this is African wildlife at its finest!
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                    [Latitude] => 25.364 S
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                    [Headline] => Enjoy One More Safari Before Departing for Home
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After a final morning game drive and breakfast, say farewell to Lukimbi and drive to Johannesburg\'s OR Tambo International Airport for your departure flight home.
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    [ActivityHighlight] => This trip includes 4X4 safaris, a 3 hour scenic cycling tour, and guided nature walks of varied length. The 6-8 hour hike to the top of Amphitheatre includes 1,800 feet of elevation gain. Activities are optional, and no previous experience is required.
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Accommodations

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Historical hotels to country-side inns this trip includes some of the best accommodations in the Three Kingdoms.

Benjamin Hotel

A warm welcome awaits leisure and business travelers alike at the Benjamin, just a five-minute drive from Durban beaches and in the heart of the vibrant Florida Road entertainment strip. The historical hotel features lovely gardens, an outdoor pool, and a shaded terrace. Breakfast is served in their glass, conservatory-style restaurant and offers a fresh continental buffet and plated hot breakfasts.

Cavern Resort & Spa

Named after the infamous Cannibal Cavern, this family-run resort is nestled in the foothills of the Northern Drakensberg, a place of captivating beauty, and surrounded by lush indigenous forests and clear streams. Once a humble rustic homestead, today the Cavern is a lovely resort with rooms set amidst manicured gardens and a spa offering myriad soothing treatments.

Ghost Mountain Inn

At the foot of legendary Ghost Mountain lies this country-style inn. This welcoming, four-star family hotel and spa is central to many Zululand and coastal reserves. Shrouded in mystery and folklore, the historical mountain stands sentry over the hotel's open-plan central areas. Light, airy guest spaces maximize the scenic environs, and rooms have furnished patios from which to experience the rhythm of Africa.

Lukimbi Safari Lodge

At Lukimbi, you feel part of nature from the moment you arrive. Situated along the Lwakahle River in a private concession in southern Kruger, the slightly elevated lodge makes the most of the panoramas. Rich colors and textures evoke the local culture and energy, and its 16 well-appointed suites - reached via walkways - have private decks with river outlooks.

Montusi Mountain Lodge

Get the full Northern Drakensberg experience at Montusi Mountain Lodge, dedicated to the conservation of the area and its wildlife. Montusi boasts the privilege of space, with 16 suites set in open gardens, each with spectacular views of the famous Amphitheatre escarpment and surrounding mountains. Local, award-winning cuisine is served in the intimate restaurant.

Peech Hotel

An eco-boutique hotel situated in Johannesburg's upmarket suburb of Melrose, the Peech is surrounded by tall trees and a lush manicured garden. The spacious, airy rooms offer lovely views and expected amenities, some with patios opening onto the garden. The property is ideally located close to the shopping and entertainment districts of Melrose Arch and Sandton and near the Apartheid Museum.

Premier Resort Sani Pass

This stunning resort in the Southern Drakensberg, nestled at the foot of Sani Pass, offers guests incredibly scenic accommodation. Contemporary, spacious rooms provide breathtaking mountain views, as does the restaurant, which serves a breakfast buffet, a midday "terrace menu," and themed dinners. Family-friendly activities including hiking, biking, 4x4 excursions, and pony rides for kids.

Summerfield Botanical Garden & Exclusive Resort

Nestled within the idyllic garden enclave of the Summerfield Botanical Garden, the eponymous resort is a luxurious boutique hotel with an environment that captures the proud traditions and gentle charm of the Kingdom of Swaziland. Creatively designed and artistically decorated accommodations boast garden or mountain vistas, the restaurant offers elegant fine dining and informal alfresco meals, and the hospitality is world-class.

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