DAY 1 - MANYELETI

From Gauteng the route leads east wards to Manyeleti Game Reserve through Mpumalanga. En route to Big Five country lies the Drakensberg Escarpment, with its sheer rock walls, pockets of indigenous forest, grass covered mountain slopes and vast plantations. It abounds with streams, waterfalls, crystal-clear pools and potholes and embraces the world's third largest canyon - the Blyde River Canyon.

From the top of the escarpment, the route descends nearly a thousand metres to the low-lying, 23 000-ha Manyeleti Game Reserve which shares an unfenced boundary with the adjacent Kruger Park. The main attractions are the guided walking trails and game drives from Ndzhaka tented safari camp or Buffelshoek trails camp in Big Five territory.

DAY 2 - MANYELETI

An early morning start means a walk can be enjoyed before breakfast. Activities of the day could include a visit to Moholoholo rehabilitation centre or Kapama cheetah breeding project or a day drive into Kruger via Orpen gate, or stay in Manyeleti and enjoy nature at its best or you may prefer an early transfer to the trails camp. Upon your return to the camp the night drive awaits you on an open vehicle where you'll explore the nocturnal activities of the bush as interpreted and explained by the guides.

DAY 3 - DRAKENSBERG EXPERIENCE

Westward through the scenic Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve after the morning breakfast the journey leads on the Drakensberg escarpment en route to Mafefe. The scenic beauty of the area and the friendly faces of the local children compensate for the extremely bumpy and dusty 4x4 track up the mountain to the Mafefe camp built in the Pedi style in honour of the legendary 19th century king Sekhukhune who refused to bow to Boer rulership.

DAY 4 - HOMEWARD

Real 4x4 enthusiasts have the option of a scenic, though rough, track from the camp towards the abandoned Penge mine from where a good tarred road leads the way home via Burgersfort.

DAY 1 - LEGENDARY RAIN QUEEN

From Gauteng the route leads northwards to Bela-Bela along the Great North Route (N1) and then eastwards down the Kudu Valley to Duiwelskloof ('Devil's Kloof'), the domain of the legendary Rain Queen Modjadji of the Lobedu people. A walk through the cycad reserve provides insight into the cultural importance of the Lobedu, the three-century-old dynasty of the Rain Queen and the botanical oddity that thrives here. Modjadji Camp built in the traditional style of the Lobedu is situated inside the reserve.

DAY 2 - LETABA RANCH G. RESERVE

An early morning start means a pre-breakfast walk in the cycads can be enjoyed before proceeding to Mtomeni camp in Letaba Ranch Game Reserve. Your safari style tented camp is built on the banks of the Great Letaba River. For those interested, there's time for a quick visit to Hans Merensky golf course for a round with the wild animals watching. After lunch proceed to Mtomeni camp for an afternoon game drive

DAY 3 - BALENI HOT SPRING

The next overnight stop is a camp built on tribal land in Shangaan style near the Baleni hotspring on the bank of the Klein ('little') Letaba River. Myths and legends surrounding the spring also known as Sautini, 'the place of salt' abound. The mineral rich waters from the spring is the source for an ancient salt making process, which is still practised, with all the customary rituals, on a regular basis. The hospitality and friendliness of the surrounding communities are characteristic of the warmth of the people who lead simple, subsistence lives and have a deep abiding love for their land and those that share their passion.

DAY 4 - HOMEWARD

After breakfast the journey leads to Giyani and after refilling with fuel and refreshments, the road takes you to Gauteng via the scenic Magoebaskloof, Haenertsburg and Polokwane

DAY 1 - NTUBU CAMP (Masebe nature reserve)

From Gauteng the route leads northwards to Bela-Bela along the Great North Route (N1) and the northwards via the scenic Waterberg to Ntubu safari camp. The area offers a fascinating excursion into local archaeology, history and excellent birding opportunities.The dramatic scenery of the Waterberg escarpment is not known to many.

DAY 2 - ROCK ART AT BAHANANWA

Day two's highlights include beautiful sandveld and surrealistic sandstone formations of the Makgabeng such as the new Jerusalem pinacle rock of some 200 meters high. A rare sight. The region features many archaeological sites with rock art of international importance at Bahananwa massive. Overnight in the scenic Blouberg camp.

DAY 3 - BLOUBERG TRAILS CAMP

TodayЙs excursions could include a visit to the Leipzig missionary station and a guided visit to various cultural attractions in Blouberg. Bosehla River provides various pools for swimming. After lunch a guided trail leads to the top of the mountain. Overnight in the trails camp built on top of the Blouberg.

DAY 4 - TRAILS

Once the early morning mist has dissipated, the trail leads westward to the chiefЙs kraal, on a circular route with dramatic scenery and opportunity for a unique cultural experience, including a visit to a traditional healer. The area is also home to one of the largest colonies of Cape vultures in South Africa as well as giant indigenous yellow wood trees. Overnight in the trailscamp once more.

DAY 4 - HOMEWARD

Descend the mountain to base camp. Leaving the beauty and tranquillity of Blouberg, the route leads to Gauteng via the Tropic of Capricorn and the provincial capital Polokwane (Pietersburg).

DAY 1 - LAND OF LEGENDS

From Gauteng the route leads northwards on the Great North Route (N1) to Venda via Polokwane. The route leads to Lake Fundudzi and the Thathe Vondo Forest, held sacred by the Venda. It then climbs through plantations into the high mountains where, in a clearing surrounded by tropical rain forest, a traditional Venda camp provides panoramic views of the mist belt forest and the Mukumbane coffee plantations below. Scenic forest walks, picnics, swimming in deep pools at the foot of sparkling waterfalls and listening to trained guides' interpretation of the local Venda culture, myths and legends makes for an interesting stay in Fundudzi camp. Cultural camp evening is available on request.

DAY 2 - MUTALE FALLS

A leisurely drive leads through the remote rural regions of Venda to Makuya Park bordered by the Levubu River (which also forms the boundary of the Kruger National Park) incorporating a visit to The Big Tree, a baobab believed to be more than 3 000 years old. Travelling along the Levubu Gorge, the route traverses pristine mixed mopane sandveld overlooking a vast alluvial plain studded with hundreds of baobab before reaching the Mutale River and descending to the Mutale Falls safari camp, perched high on a kranz overlooking the river.

DAY 3 - CROOK'S CORNER

From the Mutale camp, the trail leads to Kruger's northernmost entrance, the Pafuri Gate. Outings include a visit to Thulamela archaeological site; Crook's Corner, the origin of the African Ivory Route, and Pafuri River drive. Return to the Mutale Falls camp for a bush dinner under the stars.

DAY 4 - HOMEWARD

The last day starts with the usual early wake-up and coffee followed by a short walk to the potholes in the Mutale river. After breakfast the homeward journey leads past the well known Tshipise resort, and crosses the Soutpansberg at Louis Trichardt.