Your adventure begins as you are greeted by at King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) by your guide and escorted to your coach. The journey up the eastern seaboard, also known as the Sugar Coast, has been shaped by early colonial settlers, indigenous Zulus and Indians who arrived as indentured laborers in the nineteenth century. On arrival in St Lucia Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site - you will be transferred to your hotel in the village of St Lucia. The birdlife is prolific whilst the white and black mangroves provide a host of life forms in these salinated waters. A water paradise! Unique in its diversity, St. Lucia is situated within a nature reserve and surrounded by the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park (isiMangalizo). The area consists of pristine and distinct eco-systems, coral reefs to savannah and thorn bush. The result of these distinct and varied eco-systems is an incredible diversity of fauna and flora. Winter months see whales visiting the warm Indian Ocean waters to breed whilst many species of fish use the area to spawn. The Estuary acts as a nursery where juvenile fish spend the early years of their lives. You will enjoy a fascinating two-hour cruise in search of hippo and crocodile tomorrow morning.
Overnight: (B&B).
After breakfast, we check out and prepare for our cruise on St Lucia Estuary. This breathtakingly beautiful 260,000-hectare park is home to the greatest concentration of hippo and Nile crocodile in South Africa. We will undertake a two-hour boat trip to view these amazing creatures on this unique narrow saline estuary. Thereafter, our coach transfers us to the beautiful Kingdom of Swaziland! A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF SWAZILAND Sawubona! The tiny Kingdom of Swaziland has a big heart and warm, friendly people: a kingdom which embraces and upholds its unique and ancient traditions, guarding and proudly celebrating these traditions. The Swazi people comprise a single ethnic group of several clans (like the Scots) and who are united under one monarch. Swaziland has always been a land of kings whose line has been established during the 15th and 16th centuries. Africans of Nguni descent migrated southward from Central Africa under the leadership of Dlamini III. Under Ngwane III, in the mid-18th century, some of them settled in the area which today is the Shiselweni region in southern Swaziland. These people, the Nkosi Dlamini, became known as Swazis. On arrival in Swaziland and after lunch, we will visit the cultural activities and arrive at Foresters Inn. There is also a large swimming pool for those wanting a refreshing swim. The restaurant overlooks the lake with active heronry, visiting hippo and crocodile.
Overnight: Bed & Breakfast
After breakfast, we check out and visit Mangena Cultural Village where visitors are introduced to day-to-day life in a traditional Swazi homestead and enjoy vibrant traditional dancing. Lunch at the Mantenga Cultural Village – own account. After lunch we head up to north-western Swaziland where we visit our human roots…. This region has a deep pre-history embedded in its soil and it is here that we discover Ngwenya Mine. Its iron ore deposits constitute one of the oldest geological formations in the world and it into this world that we step to view the site of the world’s earliest mining activity. African Beginnings…. It all began in Africa with the early stirrings of mankind and the subsequent fanning out across the planet by humans. Homo erectus, the very first anatomically upright hominid, was our common ancient African ancestor. He was opportunistic, intelligent and curious and he finally wended his way ever northwards across land bridges into the sunless, frigid northern hemisphere some 1, 5 million years ago. He and all hominids together with Homo Sapien were to evolve and develop on the open grasslands of Africa, surrounded by large and ferocious animals. It is on this south-eastern African continent that a treasure trove of amongst the finest early human sites awaits……. Here, a mountain of iron ore provides the first evidence of prehistoric activity, recorded in 1947. Ex Africa Semper a liquid Novum! Following on the Early, Middle and Late Stone Ages came new African Beginnings, and these tall, black Iron Age people were heading southwards! Ngwenya Mountain is the site of the world’s oldest mine, which dated back 43,000 years, and the vast crater created by iron ore mining during the last century. More than 27 000 years have passed since ancient man was busily chipping away at the side of the Ngwenya Mountain in the north – west section of the area that would eventually become known as Swaziland. Ngwenya is Swati for crocodile and the mountain is so named because of its resemblance to a huge basking crocodile. These bushmen mined pieces of iron-ore(hematite), from which they extracted red ochre to smear on objects or people to signify fertility, purity and sanctity. Specularite, a glistening black oxide or iron, was also among the diggings and was used to ward off evil or as a cosmetic – thus making this the first beauty parlor in the world – over 40 000 years old. Long before Cleopatra and Helen of Troy, in the heart of Africa, cosmetics were being mined to beautify men and women – who even then recognized that Nature needs a little help! Thousands of artefacts have been excavated from the site (known today as Lion’s Cavern) over recent years and radio-carbon dating of charcoal nodules has established that this is indeed the earliest known mine in the world.
We depart the picturesque Forester’s Arms after breakfast and exit Swaziland via Oshoek Border Post. En route we will have lunch in the town of Dundee, a town that lies equidistant from Johannesburg and Durban and is particularly noted for its battlefields and associated military history. Names such as Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift and Blood River have echoed through the centuries. Zulus, Boers and British - all have shed blood on these rolling hills. For our Mauritian guests, it might be of interest to know that the last of the Napoleonic bloodline, Louis Napoleon, died of wounds sustained on a Zulu battlefield not far from Dundee. Lunch will be enjoyed at the historic Royal Country Inn-own cost! After lunch we head for Harrismith where we will overnight – in the heartland of South Africa, the Eastern Free State, situated for the most part in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains.
After breakfast, we check out and prepare for our journey to yet another independent kingdom - the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. Lesotho has an equally interesting pre-history! En route, the journey is one of exceptional beauty. The road takes us through spectacular scenery of hills, mountains, sandstone rocks, contours and lush grasslands. The typical red and yellow rock formations are known as the Elliot (red) and Clarens (yellow) formations; the Elliot formation dating back 200 million years. Fossils are quite common here, in particular, the Euskelosaurus and the Massospondylus. Arriving at Maseru Bridge Border Post we prepare for the experience of a lifetime in the lofty heights of the land of the Basotho Nation. Maseru Central A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF LESOTHO Arrival afternoon Maseru Bridge Border and enter Lesotho. Luxury Hotel in Maseru with Spa & Casino
Depart after breakfast and does an orientation tour of Maseru, the Capital of Lesotho. Starting at the information center, where the purchase of local arts and crafts is available. Viewing of Tapestries being made and visiting the Post Office to buy Lesotho stamps. Thaba Bosiu, lunch on arrival. After lunch a guide will take us on tour and explain the history of the 1st Chief Moshoeshoe and how he was able to conquer the Zulu King Shakas warriors. Well then be taken to a demonstration village and from a distance see the famous mountain-Thaba Bosiu. Thaba Bosiu Demonstration Village Chief Moshoeshoe 1-Grave Site Depart Thaba Bosiu after Lunch and proceed to Morija, the oldest town in Lesotho have been founded in 1833 by pioneer French Protestant missionaries), visit Morija Museum with its collection of Bushmen Art, Dinosaurs Footprints, Books, Clay Pots, Fossils, old tools used by various tribes and explanations. The Moeder Craft Center is housed in the oldest building in Morija, 1843, where one may purchase a variety of tapestry, Mohair shoals, and souvenirs etc., Lunch at Morija Museum. Proceed via Matsieng, King Palace, we will get a Basotho guide to take us up to the viewpoint of the palace and he will explain everything, we are not allowed to enter inside (strictly no photos at King’s palace). The landscaped grounds sit on a small hillside, surrounded by high, concertina wired fence with guards. Morija Museum and Archives
Depart after breakfast and proceed along winding, ascending the Blue Mountain Pass to 2.620m, named after the 2.900m high Thaba Putswa (Blue Mountain), which dominates the range in the north. On tar road we drive past mountains of white sandstone to Roma. The city is the principal center of the Roman Catholic Church in Lesotho and since 1964 the site of the National University of Lesotho. Roma was found in 1862 when King Moshoeshoe granted the site to Bishop Allard and Father Gerard to Semonkong known as ‘The Place of Smoke’. The place boasts the spectacular Maletsunyane Falls which thunder from a height of 204m, as one of the highest /longest single drop waterfalls in Africa. The journey will explore through the rugged mountains of Lesotho with experienced guides via Roma. A scenic drive through bushy landscape, small forests and farmland dotted with picturesque villages. Along the road dense bushes and shrubs used by the locals for medical purposes, e.g. the “Wild ALS Bush” is a remedy for Asthma and Flu or the “Chi/Chi Bush” (Old Wood Bush) for stomach problems. On the roadside basalt stone with hardened volcanic bubbles. We descend the pass to a viewpoint at 1.860m to look down to the awesome valley. An exciting journey high over the summit of the Thaba Putswa Range via Makheka’s passing and across the basalt moorland roof of Southern Africa to Semonkong, “the Place of Smoke”. View stop at 2.260m before we reach the summit of the Makheka’s Pass with 2.860m. Panoramic views to the valley with farmlands. The grassland around is dotted with the yellow flowers of Eryops, the white Arum Lilies, the bright red and yellow colors of the Red-Hot Pokers and plenty of other wildflowers. Basotho ponies will be on standby for those who would prefer to pony trek to Maletsunyane falls along the rugged terrain. The clients will have a chance to hike to the bottom of the waterfall where swimming and Trout fishing can be enjoyed? Lunch at Semonkong Lodge. After lunch we proceed to view the Maletsunyane Falls-called the Place of Smoke. (Depending on flight arrival or viewing of the Maletsunyane falls, after breakfast the next day). Semonkong Lodge-Place of Smoke The mighty Maletsunyane Falls is one of the highest single drop waterfalls in Africa! Creating a haze of smoke as the water plummets with savage splendor 204 meters down into a spectacular gorge. This is how Semonkong, The Place of Smoke, got its name. Landlocked by South Africa lies a country with the highest lowest point in the world & hiding away in the magnificent Maloti Mountains, you will discover the gem that is Semonkong Lodge, built on the banks of the Maletsunyane River using only local stone & thatch, that offers just the right balance between civilization and rustic elegance, electricity, hot showers, roaring fireplaces, and not a telephone in sight. The fully licensed Duck and Donkey Tavern and Restaurant, provide a popular meeting place for both locals and guests. The restaurant serves world renowned, affordable scrumptious meals and also caters for vegetarians. Experience the wilds of Lesotho at Semonkong Lodge. We strive to conserve the environment. World Record Maletsunyane Abseil This is the longest commercially operated single-drop abseil in the world as stated by Guinness World Records. (204m). Activities available at own cost- After Lunch! 1.Horse riding to the Maletsunyane Waterfall- 2 hours riding. 2.Hiking to the Maletsunyane Waterfall = 3 hours. 3.Mountain Biking to the Maletsunyane Waterfall= 2 hours. 4.After lunch a Donkey ride can be done and visiting Semonkong Village, with the local guide=2-3 hours. Options are they can have a packed lunch at the Waterfall or return back to the Lodge for lunch! Return via same route back to Maseru.
Departing Lesotho, we travel to Johannesburg and onto our hotel in the precinct of O R Tambo International Airport
We check out of our airport hotel in time to meet our flight
