South Africa Three Kingdoms Multi-Adventure Tour
From Dramatic Mountains to the Kruger Wilderness
- Available: June, September
- Activity: Level 3
- Accommodations: Luxury Hotels
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Group Size:
6-12 Guests
Min Age: 13
Highlights
- Spot the Big Five and more on Kruger National Park and Mkuze Game Reserve safaris
- Enrich cultural understanding through interactions with local artists, rural Zulu, and indigenous Basotho people
- Release yourself into African hospitality at luxurious resorts, comfortable hotels, and remote mountain lodges
Itinerary
Arrive in Johannesburg
Day 1
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.
Accommodation: Peech Hotel
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Take a Nature Hike en Route to Northern Drakensberg
Day 2
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.
Accommodation: Cavern Resort & Spa
Accommodation: Montusi Mountain LodgeTransportation: 4-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike to the Amphitheatre in Royal Natal National Park
Day 3
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.
Accommodation: Cavern Resort & Spa
Accommodation: Montusi Mountain LodgeActivity: 6-8 hours/9 miles hiking, 1,800 ' elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head to Southern Drakensberg
Day 4
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.
Accommodation: Premier Resort Sani Pass
Transportation: 4-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tour the Kingdom of Lesotho
Day 5
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.
Accommodation: Premier Resort Sani Pass
Activity: Full day cultural touring
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Discover Durban
Day 6
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.
Accommodation: Benjamin Hotel
Activity: 1 hour/2 miles cycling
Transportation: 3-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enter the Kingdom of the Zulu
Day 7
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.
Accommodation: Ghost Mountain Inn
Activity: 1 hour walk, possible 3-4 hours/3-5 miles hiking
Transportation: 3.5-hours private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spot Wildlife in Mkuze Game Reserve & on Lake Jozini
Day 8
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.
Accommodation: Ghost Mountain Inn
Activity: 2 hours walking
Transportation: 3-hour cruise, game drive in 4x4 vehicle
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the Kingdom of Eswatini
Day 9
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.
Accommodation: Summerfield Botanical Garden & Exclusive Resort
Activity: Ziplining canopy tour or adventure caving
Transportation: 3-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Go on Safari in Kruger National Park
Day 10
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.
Accommodation: Lukimbi Safari Lodge
Activity: Game drive
Transportation: 4-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spot the Big Five in Lukimbi
Day 11
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!
Accommodation: Lukimbi Safari Lodge
Activity: Two game drives
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy One More Safari Before Departing for Home
Day 12
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.
Activity: Game drive
Transportation: 5.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Dates & Prices
- 2023
- Go Private
- Go Custom
- Inclusions
2023
Scheduled Dates
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
- $8,195 price per person dbl occ+$1,100 single supplementCheck for Availability
- $8,195 price per person dbl occ+$1,100 single supplementAvailable
Go Private
Go Private
Gather your favorite travel companions to share an MT Sobek adventure on an easy-to-book Private departure.
Call or email us to get the ball rolling.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Private Trip Pricing:
2023 Pricing
4 to 5 guests from $8,795 per person double occupancy
6 to 7 guests from $8,395 per person double occupancy
8 to 9 guests from $8,295 per person double occupancy
10 guests from $8,195 per person double occupancy
Additional Costs:
Private pricing excludes potential additional costs such as internal airfare, single supplement, or any park fees that may be required for the trip.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Make Your Own Dates in These Months
-
June, September
Go Custom
Create Your Very Own Adventure
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
Start PlanningInclusions
Price Includes
- Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
- All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
- Snacks and water between meals
- Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
- Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
- Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
- Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
- Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
- Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
- Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
- Travel Protection Program
- Personal expenses
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
Your Guides
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.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 3. 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.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 3
6-8 hours/9 miles hiking, 1,800 ' elevation gain
Day 5
Full day cultural touring
Day 6
1 hour/2 miles cycling
Day 7
1 hour walk, possible 3-4 hours/3-5 miles hiking
Day 8
2 hours walking
Day 9
Ziplining canopy tour or adventure caving
Day 10
Game drive
Day 11
Two game drives
Day 12
Game drive
Accommodations
Historical hotels to country-side inns this trip includes some of the best accommodations in the Three Kingdoms.
Weather
Expect temperatures in the various regions between 70-80°F during the day and 50-60°F in the evenings.
FAQs
When is the best time to travel to South Africa?
Every season in South Africa has something special to offer and makes South Africa one of the few year round destinations in the world.
How safe is South Africa?
The majority of South Africa is safe, provided that you take the safety precautions you would in all major countries and big cities.
How did the "Big Five" get their name?
The "Big Five" are leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo. The term is a reference from colonial trophy hunting. Hunters ranked African animals as to how dangerous they were to hunt.
Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?
We recommend you speak to your doctor about vaccinations and malaria tablets well in advance of your safari. At present, certain areas of South Africa are affected by malaria.
Do you require a visa for South Africa?
If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not need a visa to enter South Africa.
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Guest Reviews
"Great experience every time with some of the most knowledgeable guides in their fields. We always come home with wonderful memories of the people we meet and things we see."
Bob J.
MT Sobek Guest
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MT Sobek Guest