The green valley of Drakensberg in South Africa

Group of trekkers in the Drakensberg Ranges

Chain ladders on the Amphitheatre ascent - not for the faint hearted! - South Africa Walking Adventure, South Africa

Chain ladders on the Amphitheatre ascent - not for the faint hearted! | Gesine Cheung

Spotting a mother and baby cheetah on a wildlife safari

A lioness and her cub cuddling up close during a game viewing safari

South Africa Walking Adventure

A walking adventure that blends epic landscapes, rich cultures and close up wildlife encounters.

South Africa, Eswatini

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14 reviews

14 Days from

Trip Code: SAW

View dates to Book

Essential Information

Duration

14 Days

Activities

8 day walks

Accommodation

11 nights hotel/lodge/guesthouse
2 nights permanent safari camp

Meals

10 Dinners
14 Lunches
13 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading: Introductory to Moderate
This trip involves 8 day walks of varying grades (easy to strenuous) through undulating open country and unsurfaced paths ranging from 1 - 6 hours a day at a steady pace. To undertake this level of activity you will need a good level of fitness and be surefooted. Some days involve hard walking or scrambling over rugged and steep terrain, including boulders, scree, rocky ground, and grasslands. Chain ladders may be encountered on some of the Drakensberg Mountain routes, so a good head for heights is also necessary. Some routes may also pass through snow in the winter. As a minimum, we recommend 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for three months leading up to your trek; eg. hard walking, jogging or cycling. To prepare for a walking holiday we recommend you take every opportunity to walk up and down stairs and/or hills, for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. Please remember the fitter you are the more you will enjoy your holiday.
4 / 10
Introductory to Moderate

Carbon Footprint

66kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(854kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Walk with expert guides in Kruger National Park, tracking game on foot, and spotting wildlife on a classic vehicle safari
Climb to the top of the Drakensberg Amphitheatre, one of South Africa’s most iconic hikes, with views over Tugela Falls, the world’s second highest waterfall
Discover the rich cultural heritage of Swaziland (eSwatini) with visits to vibrant craft markets and walks through mountainous nature reserves
Stay in comfortable lodges with nature on your doorstep

Overview

This vibrant journey brings together South Africa’s remarkable wildlife, rich cultures and compelling history. From the Blyde River Canyon and big game of Kruger to the battlefields of Zululand and the soaring escarpments of the Drakensberg Mountains, you’ll walk through some of the most varied and soul stirring landscapes in southern Africa.

Led by expert local guides, you'll hike forested gorges, river valleys and rolling grasslands. Track wildlife on foot and ascend to the top of the Amphitheatre to gaze over the Tugela Falls - the second highest waterfall in the world. There’s time too for cultural encounters, from the craft markets of eSwatini to bird walks along the Msinene River and a stay on a community run reserve.

Chalet and lodge accommodation throughout means you’ll end each active day with a hot shower, a hearty meal, and stunning views. Designed for those who love nature, walking and wildlife, and enjoy the company of like minded explorers, this is an unforgettable way to experience southern Africa up close.

Itinerary

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After the tour briefing at 06:30am, we depart Johannesburg and head east towards Mpumalanga. During the afternoon we visit the gold mining town of Pilgrims Rest, and the viewpoint over God’s Window. Stretch our legs on a short walk from Mac Mac Pools and then make our way to our chalets on the edge of the escarpment for overnight. Walk grade/time: Easy; 1 hr. On this tour, breakfasts and lunches will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group, with most dinners at the lodge. Dinner is at your own expense, at the lodge on nights 9 & 13.

Meals: L,D

Blyde River Canyon is our first long morning walk as we make our way from the rim down into the canyon with views over the Three Sisters and the river below. After lunch we spend the afternoon exploring the forests and waterfalls which make Mpumalanga a beautiful destination. Overnight chalet. Walk grade/time: Moderate; 3.5-4 hrs. Ascent/descent: +331m; -331m.

Meals: B,L,D

After an early breakfast, we make our way to Kruger National Park. This is Big game country, where we spend the day in search of the elusive leopard, the majestic lion and the mighty elephant. We enter the national park and spend the day on an exciting game drive through the reserve as your professional guides will impart their extensive knowledge of ecology, fauna and flora. In the late afternoon we exit the park and make our way to our private game lodge in the Greater Kruger area. A highlight of our tour is the early morning game walk with a local ranger the next day (3-4 hrs). Quietly we venture into the bush, learning the tracks and other signs of the wildlife we hope to track on foot. Overnight lodge. Walk grade/time: Easy; 3-4 hrs.

Meals: B,L,D

We enter the Kingdom of Swaziland (eSwatini) and travel through a lush fruit farming area before heading into the mountains. We spend 2 nights on the outskirts of Malalotja Nature Reserve with a full day to walk through this seldom explored mountainous reserve to a beautiful waterfall. The Swazi people have a rich cultural heritage and we will visit the craft markets on day 7 as we pass through the capital, Mbabane. Overnight mountain chalet. Walk grade/time: Strenuous; 4-6 hrs. Ascent/descent: +572m; -573m. NOTE - Driving distance/time (330 kms, 5-6 hrs) excludes 2-3 hour morning drive out of Kruger National Park, shopping stop in Malelane, Jeppes Reef border formalities & stops for meals, sightseeing etc.

Meals: B,L,D

Crossing back into South Africa we head towards our lodge on a private game reserve situated on the Msinene Nature Reserve. We take a walk with our local walking guide who will point out some of the 540+ bird species found in the area and track the shy Nyala antelope in the riverine vegetation of the Msinene River. The following morning, we visit Hluhluwe Game Reserve, a key area for rhino conservation. Enjoy the sunset and the sounds of the bush before a hearty dinner at the lodge. Overnight permanent safari camp. Walk grade/time: Easy; 2-3 hrs. NOTE - Driving distance/time (320 kms, 6 hrs) excludes border formalities & stops for meals, sightseeing etc.

Meals: B,L,D

We make our way through the scenic hills and valleys of Zululand to the small town of Dundee. Here battles were fought between the Zulus, British and the Boer troops - war cries still resound in the hills. We spend time at the informative Tulana museum before we settle into our lodge and have some free time in the afternoon. On Day 10, we explore the Islandlwana battlefield before we embark on an exciting hike tracing the steps of the two British fugitives through the undulating hills of Zululand to the Buffalo River. Later in the day we visit Rourkes Drift before returning to our accommodation. Overnight chalet. Walk grade/time: Strenuous; 4-5 hrs. Ascent/descent: +129m; -200m.

Meals: B,L

Witness the grandeur of the Drakensberg Mountains or uKhahlamba “Barrier of Spears”. We overnight at the base of the “berg” (alt. 1,600m) and spend a full day walking the mountain trails up the Tugela gorge, before taking an invigorating dip in the clear mountain streams of the Royal Natal National Park. The crisp mountain air is refreshing and our accommodation is a fantastic place to relax and enjoy the splendour of the mountain views. Overnight chalet. Walk grade/time: Moderate; 5.5 hrs. Ascent/descent: +859m; -856m.

Meals: B,L,D

We start the day with an early breakfast and make our way to Witsieshoek at the foot of the magnificent Sentinel Peak. At the end of a rough gravel road we start our trek, including two short chain ladder sections, to the top of the Drakensberg Amphitheatre and the beautiful Tugela Falls (alt. 3,000m), offering unparalleled views down into KwaZulu-Natal. After our walk we make our way to our accommodation perched high in the mountains (alt. 2,300m) overlooking the Mont-Aux-Sources mountain range. Overnight chalet. Walk grade/time: Strenuous; 5-6 hrs. Ascent/descent: +789m; -794m.

Meals: B,L

A leisurely start to the day, with the chance to spot the endangered bearded vulture soaring overhead, before we make our way back to Johannesburg. Our tour ends at approximately 18:00 in Johannesburg. Please note: we can do a free drop off at OR Tambo Johannesburg Airport at around 17:00pm so you can book your flight out for the last day of the tour.

Meals: B,L

Ready to start your adventure?

19 scheduled departures between 14 Nov 2026 and 4 Dec 2027.

Departs 14 Nov 2026 – ends 27 Nov 2026 (14 days)
Departs 5 Dec 2026 – ends 18 Dec 2026 (14 days)
Departs 2 Jan 2027 – ends 15 Jan 2027 (14 days)
Departs 30 Jan 2027 – ends 12 Feb 2027 (14 days)
Departs 6 Feb 2027 – ends 19 Feb 2027 (14 days)
Departs 20 Feb 2027 – ends 5 Mar 2027 (14 days)
… and 13 more departures.

View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

13 breakfasts, 14 lunches and 10 dinners
11 nights in comfortable hotels, lodges and guesthouses on a twinshare basis
2 nights in permanent safari camps on a twinshare basis
Game drives, day walks and excursions as listed in itinerary
English speaking local guide
National park fees and site entrance fees as listed in itinerary
Private transport in minibus / safari truck

Not included

Flights
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Visas
Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks
Items of a personal nature including optional activities
Airport arrival and departure transfers
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Tips

Reviews (14)

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This was an excellent trip very efficiently run. Two nights in every location except the last worked well. The accommodation standard was excellent and all the food was very good, including that prepared by the leaders. The trip was a very good mixture of game driving, hiking, a history day and driving days (I enjoy seeing the countryside and I listen to audio books to help pass the time). The last two and a half hiking days in the Drakensberg were a real highlight. Only one day, the hike in Eswatini, failed to impress as it was on a big track most of the time. Overall, this gives a very good introduction to the east of South Africa with not too much time spent in the truck. Oh, and the truck was very spacious and comfortable, not a minibus as I expected.

Lindsey|United Kingdom

10 Sep 2025

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Excellent value for money. Good mix of wildlife & hiking. Accommodation & food on tour far exceeded expectations. The guides, Wayne & Wilhelm were very good. All in all a great trip

David Zahra|Portsmouth, UK

5 Sep 2024

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This trip is a combination of wildlife safaris and historical sites with a few days of walking. There is a lot of driving and some of the places visited could easily have been omitted from the itinerary as they weren't that interesting. I enjoyed the trip but would have preferred more walking.

Jill Doctor|glebe, NSW Australia

3 Sep 2023

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Everything was well organised. Our Guides were excellent. Very knowledgeable and constantly supplying us with information. They are also excellent cooks!

They were very patient and understanding with our needs and requests. We had a great experience.

Thanks.

Jennifer Messer|Hermit Park, QLD Australia

17 Jun 2023

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Trip was excellent. However overload of ancient history information. Too many names to remember. Less talk about plant botany, Geology, Information overload.

Wasim Khan|Corona, California United States

14 Jun 2023

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The South Africa Walking Adventure trip was incredible! I was blown away by the diverse range of wildlife including the Big 5, lovely landscapes, interesting culture and history; with the highlight being the fabulous hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains including an ascent of the Amphitheatre. This trip has much to offer the first timer who has yet to experience the wonders of South Africa, or the seasoned traveller looking to do more activity beyond a classic safari.

Gus. C|NSW, Australia

25 Nov 2017

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Most memorable part: both the hiking and safaris.

K. Ozawa|San Jose, CA, USA

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David|NSW, Australia

29 Sep 2026

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Karine|Quebec, Canada

17 Aug 2026

Extra trip info

Will My Trip Run?Wildlife Safari Safety

Every departure date advises whether the date is confirmed, and roughly how full it is. Here is what each one means.

Is the departure confirmed?

Guaranteed to go This departure has reached its minimum number and will run.
It is the point travellers should wait for before booking any non-refundable flights.

Close to guaranteed This appears only when a date is close to reaching minimum numbers. If it shows 1 or 2 to guaranteed, book as a pair on a date needing two and it reaches its minimum. Your booking confirms the date for everybody already booked.

How full is the date I am looking at?

Space is filling or Space is filling fast This date has bookings and places are still open. Filling fast means limited spots available, so don't leave your decision too late.

Closing soon Down to its last few places, or close enough to departure that we are finalising numbers. Still bookable online.

Closed Not bookable online - either full, or inside the notice we need to arrange permits, flights and logistics. Ask us anyway, you never know!

Availability questions answered

Will this trip actually go ahead, or could it be cancelled?

If a date shows Guaranteed to go, it runs regardless of further bookings.

What does 2 to guarantee mean?

It means two travellers are enough to confirm the departure. It could be 2 more to add to the group, or the date only needs 2 people to run. Either way, if you book for two people, the date will become guaranteed to run.

What happens if my departure does not reach minimum numbers?

You will know the status before you book. Every date on this page is labelled, and dates marked “Guaranteed to go” are running regardless of further bookings. Where a date has not reached its minimum we either offer a surcharge to operate for a smaller group size so it can still run, or we cancel it. We contact you directly either way.

Will I get my money back if you cancel a departure?

If we cancel a departure due to not meeting minimum trip numbers, you receive a full refund of everything you have paid us less any non recoverable costs, where insurance may cover you. We cannot refund money committed elsewhere – additional non refundable deposits advised at the time of booking, flights, visas, vaccinations, gear - which is why it is worth waiting for “Guaranteed to go” before booking other arrangements around this trip date. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before you book.

Why can't I book some dates online?

Each trip closes online a set time before departure. Permits, internal flights and hut or campsite bookings all have to be arranged before we take payment. Call or enquire as it might still be possible to organise last minute places.

The date I want is closed. What are my options and why does it say to enquire?

Cancellations happen and places do open up on closed dates, so it is worth being on our list. We can also tell you which nearby date on the same trip has space, which is usually the faster route.

None of these dates suit me. Can you run this trip on another date?

Yes, as a private departure. We can run this trip on a date you choose, for your own group - family, friends, a club, or in many cases, just for the two of you. Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming, and we will build it around that.

Early morning game viewing walk in Hlane National Park in Swaziland

Your safety is our main priority

Africa's wildlife is wild and unfenced. On many wildlife safaris you may meet them on foot, or from a vehicle. Walking in big-game country carries some risk, and the safeguards are not the same in every country.

Rules on firearms, guide qualifications, group size and how close you may approach an animal are set country by country, park by park. Many incorrectly assume that every wildlife safari in Africa travels with an armed ranger. Several countries prohibit firearms outright. Where an armed escort is required, it is supplied by the park authority.

What is consistent is how these trips operate. You walk in a small group with a professional local guide who knows the country and the animals in it. We do not include captive or hands-on wildlife encounters in any itinerary.

Guaranteeing A Great South Africa Trip

Pioneering World Firsts

Quality equipment

Quality accommodations

Innovative itineraries

Custom built, reliable transport

Our all inclusive approach

South Africa Walking Adventure

Trip highlights

Overview

Itinerary

Ready to start your adventure?