19 Oct 2026
Twin share
£3,029pp
Single from £3,649
Escorted tour
Southern Africa Safari: Kruger, Zululand & Mozambique Coast – 11 Days
iSimangaliso, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, dolphins in Mozambique, two days in Kruger and the Blyde River Canyon, in a small group of up to 15.
11 days
From £3,029
Tour overview
This 11-day small-group safari combines the wildlife of South Africa's game reserves with the beaches of the Mozambique coast. Groups have between 4 and 15 travellers aged 16 and over, with an expert tour leader throughout. You travel by private minibus, 4×4 safari vehicle and boat, and stay in comfortable three-star lodges and chalets, with three nights in permanent tented camps with private bathrooms. Breakfast is included every day, with 7 lunches and 6 dinners, and group transfers are available at the start and end. The trip is land-only, starting on the Dolphin Coast north of Durban and ending in Johannesburg.
From the Dolphin Coast you head to iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site of estuaries, swamps and coastal forest, with time on the beach at Cape Vidal, and stay in a tented village at St Lucia. An early boat cruise on Lake St Lucia brings you close to hippos and crocodiles before you move into Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the oldest game reserve in Africa and famous for its rhinos. Here you join a park ranger on foot for a game walk, limited to eight people, as well as a game drive.
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Crossing into Mozambique, you spend two nights at Ponta do Ouro, where a morning boat launch takes you out to swim with wild dolphins, with time to relax on the beach afterwards. The route then turns inland to Kruger National Park for two full days of game drives with local guides in safari vehicles, covering the southern and central parts of the park in search of the Big Five.
A final morning game drive takes you out of Kruger to the Panorama Route and the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world. On the last morning you ride the glass Graskop Gorge Lift for views over the gorge and walk through indigenous forest before the drive to Johannesburg.
The physical rating is low, with early starts for game viewing. This trip suits travellers who want a varied, good-value safari with beach time, in a small group and without camping.
Trip highlights
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iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Cape Vidal beach (Day 2)
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A hippo cruise on Lake St Lucia (Day 3)
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A ranger-led game walk in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi (Day 4)
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Swimming with dolphins at Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique (Day 6)
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Two full days of game drives in Kruger (Days 8–9)
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The Blyde River Canyon and Graskop Gorge (Days 10–11)
Your route
11 stops from Dolphin Coast to Johannesburg
- Dolphin Coast Day 1
- St Lucia Day 2
- Cape Vidal Day 2
- Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Days 3–4
- Ponta do Ouro Days 5–6
- Maputo Day 7
- Kruger National Park Days 7–9
- Blyde River Canyon Day 10
- God's Window Day 10
- Graskop Day 10
- Johannesburg Day 11
Why choose this tour
Combines three very different wildlife areas with a beach stay in Mozambique, all without camping. A walking safari with a ranger and a dolphin swim add experiences most safaris miss.
Best suited to
- First-time safari travellers
- Wildlife lovers who also want beach time
- Travellers who prefer small groups
- Anyone keen to see rhinos up close
Day-by-day itinerary
11 days from Dolphin Coast, South Africa to Johannesburg, South Africa
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Day 1 · Dolphin Coast Dolphin Coast
Begin on the Dolphin Coast north of Durban, meeting your leader and group around 6pm for dinner.
- Hotel
- Lodge
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2 · iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Cape Vidal, St Lucia iSimangaliso and Cape Vidal
Explore iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site of lakes, swamps and coastal forest, with time on the beach at Cape Vidal.
- Hotel
- Tented village
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 3 · Lake St Lucia, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Lake St Lucia to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
An early two-hour boat cruise on Lake St Lucia, home to many hippos and crocodiles, then drive to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Africa's oldest game reserve.
- Hotel
- Mpila Camp or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 4 · Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Game walk and game drive
Join a park ranger for an early game walk, limited to eight people, followed by a game drive in search of white and black rhinos, elephants and lions.
- Hotel
- Mpila Camp or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 5 · Ponta do Ouro To Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique
Those who did not walk yesterday do so today. Then drive out of the park and across the border to Ponta do Ouro on Mozambique's coast.
- Hotel
- Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 6 · Ponta do Ouro Swim with dolphins
Head out on a morning boat launch to swim with wild dolphins, with a second launch available as an option, then relax on the beach.
- Hotel
- Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Kruger National Park To Kruger National Park
Drive back into South Africa and on to Kruger National Park, one of the most famous safari destinations in the world.
- Hotel
- Kruger Park Chalets or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 8 · Kruger National Park Southern Kruger
A full day of game drives in the southern part of the park with local guides in safari vehicles, looking for the Big Five.
- Hotel
- Kruger Park Chalets or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 9 · Kruger National Park Central Kruger
A second full day in Kruger, focusing on the central area and on species you have not yet seen.
- Hotel
- Kruger Park Chalets or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 10 · Orpen Gate, Blyde River Canyon, Graskop Blyde River Canyon
A final game drive to Orpen Gate, then continue to the viewpoints of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world, and on to Graskop.
- Hotel
- Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 11 · Graskop Gorge, Johannesburg Graskop Gorge to Johannesburg
Ride the glass Graskop Gorge Lift and walk through indigenous forest, then drive four to five hours to Johannesburg, where the trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Dolphin Coast (1 night) Lodge
- St Lucia (1 night) Tented village
- Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (2 nights) Mpila Camp or similar
- Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique (2 nights) Lodge
- Kruger National Park (3 nights) Kruger Park Chalets or similar
- Graskop (1 night) Lodge
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 10 nights in lodges, chalets and permanent tented camps
- Meals 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
- Transport private minibus, 4x4 safari vehicles and boats
- Activities iSimangaliso, a Lake St Lucia boat cruise, a Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game walk and drive, a dolphin swim, two days of Kruger game drives, the Blyde River Canyon and the Graskop Gorge Lift
- Expert tour leader throughout
Not included
- International flights to Durban and from Johannesburg
- Visas, where required
- Meals not listed and optional activities
- Single supplement
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want flights included — they are not
- You want luxury lodges — accommodation is comfortable three-star
- You dislike early starts — game viewing begins early
- You are under 16 — the minimum age is 16
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £3,029 per person, twin share, tour only. 10 upcoming departures.
09 Nov 2026
Twin share
£3,029pp
Single from £3,649
22 Feb 2027
Twin share
£3,129pp
Single from £3,779
22 Mar 2027
Twin share
£3,129pp
Single from £3,779
26 Apr 2027
Twin share
£3,129pp
Single from £3,779
17 May 2027
Twin share
£3,129pp
Single from £3,779
16 Aug 2027
Twin share
£3,129pp
Single from £3,779
20 Sep 2027
Twin share
£3,129pp
Single from £3,779
11 Oct 2027
Twin share
£3,129pp
Single from £3,779
01 Nov 2027
Twin share
£3,129pp
Single from £3,779
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
What are the tented camps like?
Permanent tents with beds and private bathrooms, giving a classic safari feel without camping. Most lodges have pools.
Is the dolphin swim guaranteed?
Dolphins are wild, so sightings cannot be guaranteed, but encounters at Ponta do Ouro are frequent. One boat launch is included.
How do the game walks work?
A park ranger leads groups of up to eight on foot in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, so larger groups walk over two mornings.
How many game drives are there?
A drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, two full days in Kruger and a final morning drive, plus the boat cruise on Lake St Lucia.
What meals are included?
10 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners, covering most meals in the parks.
Where does the trip start?
On the Dolphin Coast north of Durban, the nearest airport being King Shaka International. Group arrival transfers are available.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary