We'll wake up this morning at the beautiful Cradle Moon Lodge near Johannesburg, where zebras, monkeys, giraffes and antelopes walk freely around the guest huts.

You'll have an option to spend the day relaxing at the lodge, hiking, biking, swimming in the pool, going in a game drive, or just resting in this beautiful spot.

If you prefer, you can join us in a visit to our favorite human-tolerant elephants, Three, Marty and Hannah. (If you have traveled with us to South Africa, you have already met our beloved pachyderms at Glen Afric Lodge!)

While we walk with these elephants, you'll have a chance to touch and interact with the matriarch, Three.

we'll have a mini-safari where you will encounter different antelopes, giraffes, warthogs, and many other animals. We also visit the Glen Afric predator enclosures where you get to see lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas.

We'll return to Cradle Moon Lodge for dinner, and turn in early in anticipation of our great adventure that begins early tomorrow morning.

Overnight: Cradle Moon Lodge

We'll leave Cradle Moon Lodge bright and early, and start out on the Panoramic Route toward Blyde River Canyon.    

This scenic byway through South Africa's Mpumalanga Province features some of the most beautiful scenery in South Africa. It is known for its many natural attractions and its historical significance.

We'll go through Long Tom Pass, a high-altitude road through the Drakensberg Mountains and the highest tarred road in the country.

We'll enjoy a stop at the quaint little town of Dullstroom on top of the escarpment, and enjoy breakfast at the world-famous Harrie's Pancakes. 

Then we'll head for the charming Blyde River Wilderness Lodge, where we'll stay for the next 3 nights. 

Overnight: Blyde River Wilderness Lodge

After breakfast, we'll head to the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Center, situated in the shadow of the majestic Drakensberg mountains.

This unique facility is home to many of South Africa’s abandoned, injured, and poisoned wild animals who cannot be re-wilded. Its permanent residents serve as ambassadors for their respective species in the center's public education programs. Through them, people can come to understand the threats and problems our wildlife is facing.

Moholoholo has a long-standing and successful serval breeding project, and more than 160 of these cats have successfully been reintroduced to areas where they had become extinct. Center staff is also  actively involved in research on the movement and behavior of leopards, and monitors several species of vultures daily at a “vulture restaurant."

After lunch, we'll glide through the canyon on a Blyde River boat cruise. From the water level, we'll admire the breathtaking views of the canyon, and look up at the famous Three Rondavels from the base of these towering mountains.

Overnight: Blyde River Wilderness Lodge 

After breakfast this morning, we'll get an early start on the famous Panorama route and enjoy its highlights. We'll make stops at:

Blyde River Canyon Viewpoint:: Stand on the precipice of the third largest canyon in the world - the view will take your breath away!

Bourkes Lucky Potholes: These spectacular natural potholes were carved  into the underlying riverbed over millions of years by the swirling of water, sand and pebbles at the confluence of the Treur and Blyde rivers. They were named after prospector Tom Bourke who discovered alluvial gold in the area in the late 1880s. 

God's Window:  So-called because the view from here is so breathtaking that it could only have been created by a higher power. The landscapes, cliffs, and expansive vistas contribute to its reputation as one of South Africa's most picturesque vantage points,

Graskop Goerge Lift: The viewing lift, a first-of-its-kind experience in Africa, invites you to descend 153 feet into the heart of the ancient Afromontane Forest in a glass-fronted elevator. You'll enjoy stunning vistas of the Drakensberg Escarpment as you gently glide down the cliff face, and embrace fresh air and lush greenery as you enter the vibrant forest below.

Overnight: Blyde River Wilderness Lodge 

This morning after breakfast, we'll start out for our ultimate destination: Kruger National Park. We'll make two stops along the way,

Mac Mac Falls: Step out over the ridge onto a viewing platform to admire the two double streams of water tumbling 210 feet, throwing off white spray and rainbows, and tumbling into a deep, dramatic pool. It was named in the  1870s after the Scottish immigrants who came here to pan for gold. The falls are just as beautiful and unspoilt today as they were back then. 

Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Eden Sanctuary:

Chimp Eden was established in 2006, and is the first and only chimpanzee sanctuary in South Africa. The sanctuary rescues chimps that have survived the bush meat trade, been orphaned, traded in the illegal pet market, or rescued from being traumatized for human entertainment. The chimpanzees spend their days in in groups in semi-wild enclosures, and show normal social interaction and behavioral patterns. They are the lucky ones, living out their lives in a risk-free environment and being provided with the care and love they need to recover from their trauma. Chimp Eden is proud to be part of the Jane Goodall Institute, which is a global leader in the effort to conserve and preserve endangered species and habitats, chimps in particular. It continues Dr. Goodall's pioneering research on chimpanzee behaviour, which transformed scientific perceptions of the relationship between humans and animals.  

After visiting the chimps, we'll continue to Kruger National Park. We'll check into the luxurious Buckler's Africa Lodge Kruger Park, where we will spend the next six nights. 

We've made it to our ultimate destination: Kruger National Park!

Today we will enjoy two game drives in this iconic park:

A morning sunrise game drive, from 5-11 a.m.; and 

An afternoon game drive, 3-6 p.m.

Overnight: Buckler’s Africa Lodge Kruger Park

Second verse, same as the first!

Today we will enjoy two game drives:

A morning sunrise game drive, from 5-11 a.m.; and 

An afternoon game drive, 3-6 p.m.

Overnight: Buckler’s Africa Lodge Kruger Park

Grab your passports!

We're headed for a full day tour of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), one of the smallest countries in Africa. 

This tour will include different activities: 

Maguga Dam: This amazing dam was built in the most preserved volcanic area in the world.

Ngwenya Glass Factory: Founded in in 1979, this glassblowing factory was set up as a Swedish Aid Project.  The Swedes imported all the machinery and equipment, built the original factory, and employed and trained Swazi’s in the age-old art of glassblowing. The products, which include a range of tableware, drinking glasses, vases, jugs and ornamental African animals, are all handmade from 100% recycled glass, mostly soft drink bottles, gathered from all over the country. In 1989 Ngwenya Glass launched the Kingdom of Swaziland’s/Eswatini’s most successful wildlife conservation fund by donating a  percentage of profits from its worldwide sales to the Ngwenya Rhino & Elephant Fund and Mkhaya Game Reserve, a refuge for endangered species in the Swaziland/Eswatini lowveld.  

Swazi Candles in Malkerns: This unique store is full of talented crafters, artists and artisans, as well as a bustling market and souvenir shops. 

The Sambane Tea Garden: We'll have lunch here, enjoying excellent meals, cakes and daily specials in a beautiful shady garden setting.

Matsamo Cultural Village: We'll see the traditional Swazi way of living here at the cultural village. We'll enjoy rhythmic dancing performances (including the famous Rain Dance) to age-old folk songs, with music played on authentic African instruments.

Overnight: Buckler's Africa Lodge Kruger Park

Today we will enjoy two game drives:

A morning sunrise game drive, from 5-11 a.m.; and 

An afternoon game drive, 3-6 p.m.

Overnight: Buckler’s Africa Lodge Kruger Park

After a breakfast fit for a king, we set off in the morning for a unique visit with Tswale, a very special bull elephant.

In one of the early chapters of his life, Tswale was rescued from being killed in a culling operation in Limpopo. While being rescued, he met his human – Amos, who worked as a volunteer. Tswale now lives with Amos, and is as free and happy as an elephant can be. He is no longer required to perform tricks or endure being ridden, and gets to  enjoy being an elephant in the wild. He can never be released into the wild with other elephants because of his history with humans, and now Tswale CHOOSES to interact with people. Having spent most of his life around humans, we are irrevocably part of his tribe, and the honor is entirely ours! This magnificent animal delights in these human encounters, and serve es as an important resource to teach us about this remarkable species.

After this incredible experience, we head back to the lodge where you will have time to rest or enjoy a spa treatment. 

This evening, we'll enjoy a festive farewell dinner at our favorite local restaurant, Jabula, where the food is amazing and the bush babies visit diners in the open-air rooftop dining room .

Overnight: Buckler's Africa Lodge Kruger Park

After a hearty breakfast we will depart back to Johannesburg where you will be dropped off at the airport for your flight back home.

You have truly experienced Africa and Mother Nature and her creatures, and it will touch your soul for eternity.