EXPLORE THE BEST BERG TO BUSH SELF-DRIVE TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA​

The Berg

to the Bush

Self-drive

Warm Welcome to South Africa’s Business District

A warm welcome on arrival at Johannesburg (OR Tambo) International Airport, where an English-speaking driver will escort you to the hotel.

Johannesburg, located in Gauteng (South Africa’s richest province) is also known as the City of Gold, or Egoli because of its beginnings as a gold-mining town. It is known fondly to locals by the shortened ‘Joburg’, or now more popularly as ‘Jozi’. An emotionally challenging, but continually uplifting and inspiring city, make time for Johannesburg and you will be greatly rewarded.

Enjoy dinner this evening at leisure.

From the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg to the Magnificent Drakensberg

After breakfast, your rental vehicle will be delivered to the hotel.

Depart on your self-drive journey to the Drakensberg, which will take approximately 5 hours.

After checking in enjoy lunch and spend the afternoon at one of the Vulture Hides in Giants Castle.

The renowned Giants Castle Vulture Hide or Lammergeyer Vulture Hide is situated in the Giants Castle Nature Reserve, Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park. The vulture hide is open to watch and photograph the endangered species of bearded vultures and other endangered bird species.

Head back to the hotel and enjoy dinner at leisure.

Historical Art Adventures

After a leisurely breakfast, head out to meet up with an English-speaking guide for a tour of the magnificent Rock Art in the Drakensberg.

Explore the hundreds of painted rock overhangs or shelters, with literally thousands of individual paintings in them. This amazing treasure trove of art was left behind by the Bushmen who inhabited the Drakensberg for at least 10 000 years.

After lunch at a local restaurant, head out for Wine tasting in the Drakensberg mountains.

Enjoy tasting exceptional wines created from grapes steeped in summer thunderstorms by day and cool mountain air by night.  Tasting wine in the Drakensberg with views of the Mountains is a magnificent experience to enjoy.

Head back to the hotel and enjoy dinner at leisure.

From the Magnificent Mountains to the Indian Ocean

After breakfast, continue on your self-drive journey to Durban. The self-drive journey is approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

On arrival at the hotel, check in, relax and enjoy the surroundings before heading off this evening for a Dining with Sharks Experience at Ushaka Marine World.

The Cargo Hold is a fine dining restaurant located in the heart of the Phantom ship at Ushaka Marine World in South Beach. The restaurant aims to make patrons feel like they are immersed in the aquarium’s fish tank. Enjoy a world-class menu that boasts seafood like freshly shucked oysters, seared Norwegian salmon, and grilled crayfish.

From the Indian Ocean to the Hippo Crowded Estuaries

After breakfast, continue on your self-drive journey to St Lucia. The self-drive journey is approximately 3 hours.

On arrival at the hotel, check in, relax, and freshen up before the Veyane Village Tour.

Experience Contemporary Zulu Village life. The tour of Veyane Village takes you into the heart of a real working Zulu community where old-age traditions meet contemporary society. See Zulu bead workers and weavers at work and try your hand at these traditional arts and crafts. Be spellbound by the magic of Zulu storytelling as well as be entertained by talented traditional dancers and musicians.

Head back to the hotel and enjoy dinner at leisure.

The delights of the Oceans and the Bushveld in a day

After breakfast, you will be met in the hotel reception by an English-speaking guide for a day of swimming with dolphins and photographing rhinos.

There are very few places in world or in South Africa where you can swim with dolphins in the morning and photograph rhinos in the afternoon. One such amazing spot is the spectacular iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which conserves the most naturally diverse area in the country.

Head back to the hotel and enjoy dinner at leisure.

From the Hippo Crowded Estuaries to the Land of Swazi

After breakfast, continue to Swaziland. The self-drive journey will take you across the border and it is approximately 4 hours.

This remote mountain kingdom boasts many opportunities for an intrepid traveller – wildlife safaris, adrenaline-boosting activities, a lively and colourful local culture, with celebrations and ceremonies still common practice, as well as superb walking trails, and stunning mountain scenery.

Check in at the hotel and freshen up for this afternoon’s traditional basket weaving class.

Join in on a basket weaving class. Swaziland is renowned for taking basket weaving into an art form, and there are many projects promoting local crafts.  

Head back to the hotel and enjoy dinner at leisure.

From the Land of the Swazi to the Magical Panorama Route

After breakfast, continue on the self-drive journey to Hazyview. The journey takes you across the border and it is approximately 4 hours.

The Panorama Route is a scenic road in South Africa connecting several cultural and natural points of interest. The route, steeped in the history of South Africa, is in Mpumalanga province, centred around the Blyde River Canyon, the world’s third largest canyon.

Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel with lunch and dinner at leisure.

Explore the Magical Panorama Route

After breakfast, you will be met in the hotel reception by an English-speaking guide for a full day Panorama Route Tour.

A qualified tour guide will take you to magnificent sites with breathtaking views, including the Three Rondavels, Gods Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the greater Sabie area.

The Blyde River Canyon is the most spectacular stretch of the Panorama Route and is the third largest canyon in the world (after the Grand Canyon in the U.S. and Namibia’s Fish Eagle Canyon). The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve runs along the Canyon’s winding path, which at every turn offers more and more impressive views over sheer edges dropping up to 2,600 feet (800metres) into the riverbed.

Along the route you will find God’s Window which is a small part of a 250km long fortification of sheer cliffs and offers awesome views of the Lowveld. With its magnificent views, rock formations, canyons and waterfalls, God’s Window is truly an area of breathtaking scenic grandeur and is so named for its beauty and the fact that it appears as if one can see ‘forever’!

Bourke’s Luck Potholes are impressive rock formations that were shaped millions of years ago by erosion. They are one of South Africa’s most unusual geological phenomena. Over thousands of years, surreal cylindrical rock sculptures created by whirling water have formed a series of dark pools which contrast artfully with the streaked white and yellow lichen covered rocks. The Potholes are named after a miner, Tom Bourke, who struck it lucky at a mine he opened nearby.

Pilgrims Rest is the romantic gold-rush town along the Panorama Route. It is frozen in time and the entire village is an historical monument that has been preserved in the architectural style of the South African Gold Rush years between 1880 and1915. You can try your hand at gold panning at the national museum!

The ‘Three Rondavels (also called the ‘Three Sisters’), are three huge spirals of dolomite rock rising out of the far wall of the Blyde River Canyon and have been likened to rockets about to take off. From the ‘Three Rondavels you can see the widespread Swadini Dam in the far distance, which marks the end of the Blyde River Reserve.

Why not add an Authentic Touch?

Graskop Lift

The viewing lift takes you 51-metres down the face of the gorge into the forest below, where wooden walkways & suspension bridges meander along a 600-metre trail through the indigenous forest with interactive exhibits.

Graskop Big Swing and Zipline

The Big Swing is the world’s highest cable gorge swing. The experience is very different to a bungee-jump because you are strapped in an upright position in a full safety harness. Being upright enables you to enjoy the magnificent views.

Graskop Suspension Bridge

The spectacular 52-metre long Suspension Bridge spans the northern and southern sides of the gorge. Enjoy spectacular views while standing 70m above the ground. The Bridge sways slightly when other people are on it but offers a relatively sedate experience, allowing you to enjoy the magnificent views of the mountains, rugged cliff faces, forests, and the Motitsi Waterfall.

Head back to the hotel and enjoy dinner at leisure.

From the Magical Panorama Route to the African Bushveld

After breakfast, embark on a thrilling Kruger National Park safari as you continue your journey. The self-drive expedition to this iconic destination takes approximately 2 hours, allowing you to immerse yourself in the natural wonders and abundant wildlife of the park.

On arrival enjoy lunch on the deck before relaxing and enjoying the surroundings.

Enjoy High-Tea on the deck as you watch the animals come down to the waterhole for a drink.

Depart with a ranger and tracker on the afternoon game drive through the reserve. A variety of completely different wildlife species (such as reptiles, game, amphibians, and birds) can be seen on the night drive back to the lodge.

Feel the heartbeat and rhythm of Africa as you become part of a Big 5 on a South African Safari Adventure. Experience authentic, wild Africa, guided by an experienced ranger on an open game viewer, enjoy breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable wildlife sightings, including.

Return to the lodge for dinner under the African sky.

A Day in the African Bushveld

Early morning wake up call, before heading out on an exciting and informative safari.

You will enjoy bird watching of approximately 350 species. Halfway through the drive you will stop for freshly brewed coffee and pastries.

Spend the day at leisure enjoying the surrounds, experience the wildlife that roams in and out of the lodge.

Before heading out on the afternoon safari, pack a small overnight bag for a night under the stars.

The evening game drive will end with a transfer to your own private luxury Treehouse.

Sleeping in a treehouse offers big views of remote Africa, globed by even bigger star-lit skies. Below, the stillness is punctuated by animals’ whistles, huffs, growls… carried on the breeze.

Tonight, enjoy a private dinner out on the deck under the stars in your very own Treehouse.

Time to take your memories Home

Early morning wake up call, before heading out on an exciting and informative safari.

On return to the lodge enjoy a leisurely breakfast before continuing the self-drive journey to Johannesburg for your flight home. The journey is approximately 6 hours.

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

like what you see?

f you’re captivated by the idea of a South African safari, specifically the thrilling Kruger National Park , then “The Berg To The Bush” is the perfect adventure for you.

Experience the best of Wildlife Safaris during this remarkable trip to South Africa. Don’t hesitate to share your information with us by filling out the provided form, and we’ll work tirelessly to turn your dreams into an unforgettable reality.

Rest assured, our dedicated team members will be in touch with you within 24 hours to provide all the information and assistance you need for this extraordinary South African Safari and Berg experience.

Get ready to embark on an awe-inspiring journey from the Berg to the Bush, where breathtaking landscapes and captivating wildlife encounters await you at every turn.

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