Kruger & Zululand

Today you rise early and, after a briefing with your Group Leader at 06.30 in the hotel reception, you load the vehicle and make your way down from the temperate, rolling plateau of the high veld, over the escarpment to the sub-tropical Mpumalanga. You have a picnic lunch and the afternoon to enjoy the stunning scenery, many beautiful waterfalls and unique flora of this area. There will be time to stretch your legs with short walks to Bourke’s Luck potholes and God’s Window, which offers magnificent views over the Blyde River Canyon (Driving time without stops approx. 6 ½ hours).

Tonight you stay in Graskop, not far from the fascinating old goldrush town of Pilgrim’s Rest where it is easy to imagine the lives of the miners and their families who worked the small alluvial claims at the end of the last century. Your accommodation is located on the edge of the escarpment, offering you spectacular views. Chalets (1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms) - 2 nights (LD)

Today you spend around 4 hours walking the trail around the reserve. The superb mountain scenery, which you’ll explore on foot, qualifies Malalotja as one of the leading nature reserves in Southern Africa; the Malolotja Falls are the highest in Swaziland and cascade over 90 metres into the thick Afro-montane forest. The well watered lowlands offer a variety of habitats with swamps and lush plains that are thick with tall grasses, orchids and lilies, while ancient cycads grow in shaded spots. Many wild flowers can be seen most of the year round and the upper reaches of the river have crystal clear streams and pools that are good for swimming.

The wildlife is another bonus! While you hike amongst its green hills, you can spot blesbok, mountain reed buck and endangered bird species, such as the blue swallow and bald ibis. (BLD)

This area is spectacular and you have the whole day to explore. The many foot and bridle paths lead to magnificent viewpoints; there are proteas and other wild flowers, crystal clear mountain streams in which to swim and a wealth of birds including the bearded vulture or lammergeier, cape vulture and black eagle. 

One of the most popular walks is the Tugela Gorge Walk. The entire round trip is approx. 22 km, although most people only do about 17km of this, so it is a full day's
hiking. The first section it is reasonably easy walking; the path is good, the terrain is not too steep and you wind along running parallel to the river. Look out for the Policeman's Helmet on the high ground overlooking Vemvaan Valley and Crocodile across the river from the path.
 
The last 1600m through the gorge involves three river crossings and a boulder bed (although if the river is high then this may not be possible), and at the end is the most picturesque scenery at Royal Natal. Afterwards, the trail does become more challenging and involves either having to climb a chain ladder or boulder hopping through the ‘tunnel’ to get to the Amphitheatre itself, followed by further boulder hopping up the Tugela, during which the scenery changes every few metres. Most people do not go further than the end of the tunnel, which is really just an open topped very narrow gorge, because the route becomes much more difficult.
 
There is then quite a steep path up to the Tunnel Cave, from which there is a wonderful view of the Amphitheatre wall, with the Sentinel on your right. Getting to tunnel cave (overhang) does not require climbing the ladder of walking through the tunnel. 
 
This hike does require a reasonable level of fitness, and the last section may not be advisable if you have a fear of heights, but the views and scenery even as far as the ‘tunnel’ are well worth it!

There are also opportunities to see some of the 600 San Bushman rock art sites dotted throughout the park – a lasting legacy from the area’s original inhabitants. (BLD)

Please note - if there is a thunderstorm it may delay your return back to your accommodation.