Sun, Sea and Safari: A Road Trip Through South Africa and Mozambique

Touchdown this morning in Johannesburg after (hopefully) a good night’s rest. Our team will meet you at the airport to whizz you through customs formalities before transferring you to your guesthouse in the charming Orchards area. You’ll be staying in the former home of Mahatma Gandhi, who lived here between 1908 and 1911. Both the guesthouse and on-site museum breathe Gandhi’s philosophy and principles of non-violent resistance throughout. Once you’ve settled in and freshened up, you’ll meet up with one of our knowledgeable local guides to explore the city. Head to Soweto, a pulsating neighbourhood that acted as the city’s linchpin in the anti-apartheid struggle. Today, the neighbourhood is reflective of its past but oozes a contagiously positive energy. Visit the Apartheid Museum to learn all about South Africa’s troubling history of segregation and the progress that has been made in the last 30-odd years. For a change of scenery, head to the neighbourhood of Maboneng, a cradle of all things hip, trendy and modern.

Wake up bright and early as today you’re swapping the city for the savannah. After a hearty breakfast at your guesthouse, pick up your rental car and drive five-and-a-half hours to Hoedspruit. Your home for the next two nights is an elegant lodge surrounded by the wilderness of the South African bush. Once you’ve settled in, you’ll be met by an expert local guide who’ll be taking you on a cycle ride through the area. Your immediate surroundings aren’t home to Africa’s big predators, but you can spot some other beautiful species, including antelopes, zebras and warthogs.

Today is yours to spend freely discovering the surroundings of Hoedspruit. Located in the northern part of the Drakensberg is a marvel of natural beauty: the Blyde River Canyon. There are plenty of viewpoints that you can drive to to marvel at this peaceful azure river winding through soaring red sandstone cliffs. The God’s Window viewpoint offers breathtaking vistas across the enormous 2,300ft fault and the colossal landforms shaped by millions of years of erosion. Three Rondavels is another famous viewpoint and the ancient Kadishi Tuff Waterfall is known to be one of the first of its kind in the world. The river is also teeming with exceptional wildlife. Aquatic creatures include crocodiles, hippos and countless species of fish and amphibians. On land you can keep an eye out for antelopes and baboons, while up in the skies you can spot the griffon vulture, malachite sunbird and bald ibis.

After fuelling up on a delicious breakfast in your lodge, hop back into your rental car and drive one hour to the Klaserie nature reserve. Settle in for two nights in a peaceful thatched cottage in the heart of the protected area. The rest of today is yours to spend at leisure. We recommend taking the afternoon to kick back and relax in your lodge, as you have a big day ahead tomorrow.

Today you’ll be heading out with a knowledgeable ranger for two game drives when the animals are most active: one first thing in the morning and one in the late afternoon. This reserve is home to the notorious Big Five – lions, elephants, leopards, buffalos and rhinos – as well as a host of other creatures. These include giraffes, wildebeests, hippos, cheetahs, antelopes and warthogs. Don’t forget to glance up above from time to time to see what flurry of exotic birds are roaming the skies.

After one last lazy morning in your lodge, head back on the road to embark on a four-hour drive through beautiful South African countryside to the small town of Malelane, the southern gateway to Kruger National Park. Your home for the next two nights is a traditional bungalow with a simple but elegant design.

Today, armed with a day pass from Kruger National Park, you’ll be heading into the heart of the bush on a self-drive safari. You can pop into one of the ranger offices for some advice as to where the best wildlife is and how to get there; the wetlands are often one of the best places to spot animals. Spend the day driving the well-marked roads, admiring the wilderness and keeping an eye out for wildlife. Self-drive safaris are perfectly safe – just make sure to follow the rangers’ instructions: drive slowly and don’t get too close to animals.

Today you’ll be swapping the bush for the beach, journeying from South Africa to Mozambique. After a delicious breakfast in your lodge, head to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport to drop off your rental car and hop on a flight to Vilankulo via Johannesburg. Settle in for four nights in a beautiful beachside hotel on the Bazaruto archipelago. Spend the rest of today settling into your new home, before tucking into a delicious meal at the hotel’s restaurant.

Enjoy a leisurely morning in your hotel after yesterday’s day of travel before heading out to explore your new environment. Your hotel is well situated to enjoy lots of oceanside relaxation punctuated by dips in the crystal-clear waters. If you want to spread your wings and sample the Mozambique way of life, then there is plenty to keep you busy. You can board a traditional sailing boat to enjoy a dhow crossing on the Bazaruto archipelago and there is also the municipal market, a vibrant space filled with vendors selling everything from local produce and fruits and veg to carefully-mixed spiced and a range of Chinese-manufactured goods. We can also arrange for you to take part in a cookery class to learn the tips and tricks of the local cuisine.

The Bazaruto archipelago, just off the coast of Vilankulo, is one of East Africa’s best kept secrets. Nature is in the spotlight: games on the beach, horseback riding in the dunes, boat trips and snorkelling are just some of the hallmark experiences to be enjoyed here. Wildlife lovers can easily loose track of time admiring the large colonies of pelicans and flamingos occupying the coastal lakes, as well as the further 180 bird species that have been recorded here. Spend today at leisure under the golden southern African sun.

It’s your last full day in Mozambique and there’s not a moment to waste. After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, head into the breathtaking Bazaruto Archipelago with qualified instructors for a spot of snorkelling. The sea bed is bursting with exotic marine life: reef fish, turtles and manta-rays are just a few of the beautiful creatures that call this slice of Mozambique home. The reef is shallow and calm, making it easy for even beginner snorkelers to feel relaxed and confident in the water.