Three Kingdomsof South Africa

Adventure

12 Days

Three Kingdoms of SouthAfrica Adventure

Immerse yourself in the majesty of three magical African kingdoms: South Africa's

KwaZulu-Natal and its Zulu people, the mountainous Kingdom of Lesotho, and

the hikers paradise Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland). Relish unparalleled wildlife

experiences on safari walks, game drives, and sunset cruises. Hike up to the

Amphitheatre in the UNESCO-protected Drakensberg region. Learn about apartheid

in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal, and enjoy exhilarating treetop or cave adventures in

Eswatini. From the thrills of spotting elephants in the wild to spectacular views from the

highest pub in Africa, this once-in-a-lifetime active adventure guarantees unforgettable

experiences!

Arrive: Johannesburg, South Africa

Depart: Johannesburg, South Africa

Duration: 12 Days

Group Size: 4-12 Guests

Minimum Age: 13 Years Old

Activity Level:

.

Details Testimonials

“Great experience every time with some of the mostknowledgeable guides in their fields. We alwayscome home with wonderful memories of the peoplewe meet and things we see.”

Bob J.

“We have traveled throughout the world, but neverexperienced a level of service and attention to detailas we did with MT Sobek.“

Dennis G.

REASON #01

This unique MT Sobek adventure

gives you access to South

Africa's KwaZulu-Natal, the

Kingdom of Lesotho, and the

Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland).

REASON #02

You'll enjoy unforgettable wildlife

encounters, deep cultural immersion,

plus excellent hiking in the

spectacular Drakensburg range.

REASON #03

Our local team provides

insightful context and helps

foster authentic interactions

in each of the three kingdoms.

ACTIVITIES

Great mix of game drives, hiking,

cultural touring, and optional zip

lining and caving adventures.

LODGING

Historical hotels to country-

side inns this trip includes some

of the best accommodations

in the Three Kingdoms.

CLIMATE

Expect temperatures in the

various regions between

70-80°F during the day and

50-60°F in the evenings.

Carl has guided extensively throughout South Africa, working

in game reserves leading wildlife experiences for guests from

around the world. He also has a decade of experience running

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.

Carl Nel

                                                                ItineraryARRIVE IN JOHANNESBURG

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.

DAY 1

Meals: L, D

TAKE A NATURE HIKE EN ROUTE TO NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG

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.

DAY 2

Meals: B, L, D

HIKE TO THE AMPHITHEATRE IN ROYAL NATAL NATIONAL PARK

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.

DAY 3

Activity: 6-8 hours/9 miles hiking, 1,800 ' elevation gain

Meals: B, L, D

HEAD TO SOUTHERN DRAKENSBERG

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.

DAY 4

Meals: B, L, D

TOUR THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO

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.

DAY 5

Activity: Full day cultural touring

Meals: B, L, D

DISCOVER DURBAN

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.

DAY 6

Activity: 1 hour/2 miles cycling

Meals: B, L

ENTER THE KINGDOM OF THE ZULU

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.

DAY 7

Activity: 1 hour walk, possible 3-4 hours/3-5 miles hiking

Meals: B, L, D

SPOT WILDLIFE IN MKUZE GAME RESERVE & ON LAKE JOZINI

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.

DAY 8

Activity: 2 hours walking

Meals: B, L, D

EXPLORE THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI

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.

DAY 9

Activity: Ziplining canopy tour or adventure caving

Meals: B, L, D

GO ON SAFARI IN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

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.

DAY 10

Activity: Game drive

Meals: B, L, D

SPOT THE BIG FIVE IN LUKIMBIDAY 11Another 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!

Activity: Two game drives

Meals: B, L, D

ENJOY ONE MORE SAFARI BEFORE DEPARTING FOR HOME

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.

DAY 12

Activity: Game drive

Meals: B, L

May 5 - 16, 2020

Sep 15 - 26, 2020

2020

$ 5,995  per person

Additional Cost

$ 1,000 Single Supplement

PRICE INCLUDESExpert leadership from experienced adventureguides

Accommodations as noted in the itinerary

Meals as noted in the daily itinerary

Potable water and snacks throughout

1 glass of wine or beer at dinner

All tips and gratuities for support staff with theexception of your lead adventure guide(s)All group entrance fees, activities, and groundtransportation

Arrival and departure day airport transfers

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDEInternational airfare, any airport taxes, or excessbaggage charges

Dinner on Day 6

Optional tips to your lead adventure guides

Personal expenses such as medical immunizations,phone calls, laundry, or souvenirsAirport transfers if arriving outside of Day 1 ordeparting outside of Day 12

Optional travel protection