11 Day South Africa Self Drive Tour
This truly varied and exciting self drive tour of the north & east parts of South Africa is not to be missed. It starts and ends in Johannesburg and includes the Kruger National Park, hot air ballooning, walking safaris, a visit to Swaziland and exposure to some authentic Zulu culture. This tour can be extended to include the Garden Route, Cape Town or Victoria Falls if required.
Day 01 Self Drive: Johannesburg via the Panorama Route to Hazyview
On arrival in Johannesburg you make your way to the Avis desk and collect your rented car for the start of an exciting 11 day self drive tour in South Africa. You depart Johannesburg heading east passing the Mpumalanga Highlands and onto the breathtaking view points over the Blyde River Canyon & Bourkes Luck Potholes. A lunch stop at the escarpment village of Graskop is a great idea before descending the escarpment to the Lowveld town of Hazyview. Here you check in at the Rissington Inn for (1) night on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Day 02 Hot Air Balloon Flight and Self Drive into the Kruger National Park
This morning early you self drive to the nearby launch site of the Balloons Over Africa hot air balloon flights. You board the hot air balloon for an unforgettable flight over the forests, valleys, farms and mountains that characterize the scenery of this area. Upon landing you are transferred back to the base for a celebratory breakfast. From here you self drive into the Kruger National Park using the Paul Kruger Gate as your entry point. You drive to the Rhino Post Safari Lodge where you check in for (1) night on a fully inclusive basis.
Day 03 Safari: Rhino Post Safari Lodge to Plains Camp
This morning after you guided game drive safari you willbe transferred to the Plains Camp for (2) nights of classical tented luxury. Here you will spend the next two days focusing on guided walking safaris in a vast private concession.
Plains Camp has only luxury safari tents, each with its own ensuite facilities and of course soft comfortable beds and a central area that includes a fire place and library. All of this embedded deep in the African wilderness of kruger National Park.
Day 04 Self Drive: Rhino Post to Lower Sabie Rest Camp
This morning after you morning walking safari and breakfast you are transferred back to the Rhino Post Safari Lodge where you collect your car and self drive through the Kruger Park to the Lower Sabie Rest Camp. During your own self drive game drive you can put your recently acquired bush knowledge gleaned over the last 3 days to good use. Here you check into a self catering chalet for (1) night on a room only basis. The camp has a restaurant and shop, so self catering is not imperative - just an option.
Day 05 Self Drive: Lower Sabie to Mkhaya Game Reserve, Swaziland.
This morning you take a leisurely self drive game drive south through the park and exit at Crocodile Bridge Gate. You continue south and enter Swaziland and make your way to the Mkhaya Game Reserve. Here you will be met and transferred to the Stonecamp where you over night on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Day 06 Self Drive: Mkhaya Game Reserve to Bonamanzi
Today you depart Mkhaya Game Reserve and continue south re entering South Africa in the province of Kwa Zulu Natal. You drive to the Lake St Lucia area and check in at the Bonmanzi Game Park where you spend the next (2) nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Day 07 Day at Bonamanzi for activities
Today you have the full day at Bonamanzi to either relax, or take part in one of their optional activities. These include guided birding walks, boat trip up the Hluhluwe River, a bush braai (barbeque) or even a self drive into the nearby Hluhluwe Game Reserve.
Day 08 Self Drive: Bonamanzi to Eshowe
Today you drive down to the small Zululand towwn of Eshowe and check in at the Chennels Guest House for (2) nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Chennels Guest House is part of a century old Victorian Home with sweeping views of the Zululand hills. Its carries a spreading garden and swimming pool that guests are free to enjoy.
Day 09 An authentic visit to a Zulu Village
Today you will be taken on what can be described as a completely unpretentious visit to a real Zulu Village. You meet real people going about their real day to day activities. You will see the rolling green hills of Zululand, you will meet down to earth real Zulu people, you will see the current day schools, the ladies that work in vegetable gardens and if its a Thursday a visit to a local Zionist Church is well worth it, to appreciate the beuatiful singing of the Zulu people.
Day 10 Self Drive: Eshowe to Johannesburg
This morning you check out of Chennels Guest House and take a leisurely drive back to the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
Tour Cost for 2012 (quoted in ZAR)
ZAR 15640 per person sharing (Nov 2011 - April 2012)
ZAR 14465 per person sharing (May - Aug 2012)
ZAR 16000 per person sharing (May - Aug 2012)
Tour Includes
06 nights accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis
01 nights accommodation on a room only (or self catering) basis
03 nights accommodation on a fully inclusive basis (Rhino Post & Plains Camp):
All meals
Teas & coffees
Local beverages at Plains Camp
Twice daily guided game viewing activities
The services of a professional ranger and camp staff
Tourism levy of 1 %
Full day guided tour to a working Zulu Village
An early morning hot air balloon flight, with post flight breakfast
11 x days use of a group B car (VW Polo Hatch or similar) equipped with manual gears, radio tape, power steering and air conditioning.
Unlimited Kilometres
Value Added Tax @ 14% (VAT)
Claim Administration Fee in the event of damage and/or theft
General Public Liability Insurance
Location Surcharge
Maximum Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
Maximum Theft Loss Waiver (TLW)
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)
Sandblasting Damage
Third Party Liability Insurance
Tourism Levy
Tyre, Rim and Hubcap Damage
Water and Under-carriage Damage to vehicles
Windscreen Damage / Repair
Tour Excludes
Visas if required
National Park fees for Kruger park (payable at the gate)
Personal items and gratuities
Bar accounts not specified
Meals not specified
Car Hire excludes:
Refundable Rental Deposit (R 1500.00)
Rental Contract Fee (R 50.00)
Fuel & fuel deposit
Additional Driver fee if required (R 210.00 per rental)
Accident Claim Administration Fee (if applicable)
Traffic Fine Administration Fee (if applicable)
Child Safety Seats (if applicable)
Non Cancellation Fee of 1 Rental Day
Valet Fee (if applicable)
GPS rental (if required)
Delivery & Collection fees (if applicable)
One way fees (if applicable)
Cross border one way fees (if applicable)
Water and Undercarriage damage
Tyre Rim and Hubcap Damage
Windscreen Damage Waiver
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