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The Great Kingdoms of Southern Africa
The Great Kingdoms of Southern Africa
The Great Kingdoms of Southern Africa
The Great Kingdoms of Southern Africa
Earth 2 Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com Johannesburg Africa Calendar 3 Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com 16 days Trip Distance Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com 2665 KM Self-Guided

The Great Kingdoms of Southern Africa

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Starting from €2,550 /person
Starting from
€2,550
Request a quote
Clara
Roadtrip offered by Clara
Adventure travel expert in 4x4 in Mozambique – Based in Mozambique
01 86 76 71 00

Drive across three countries in your own 4x4

From the mountains of Lesotho to the wild plains of Kruger, this itinerary takes you deep into Southern Africa through three countries with distinct identities. Behind the wheel of your own 4x4, you cross the spectacular mountain passes of the Kingdom in the Sky, discover Basotho villages perched on high plateaus, and tackle the legendary Sani Pass. After exploring Lesotho’s dramatic landscapes, continue to the beaches and nature reserves of St Lucia before heading into Eswatini, a small kingdom where nature can be explored on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback. The adventure concludes in Southern Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi and Kruger National Park, where you will search for the iconic Big Five. A journey combining scenic drives, cultural immersion, and unforgettable safaris through some of the region’s most spectacular landscapes.
You will love
  • Check iconCross the legendary Sani Pass
  • Check iconExplore the Kingdom of Lesotho by 4x4
  • Check iconSearch for the Big Five in Kruger National Park
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Roadtrip offered by
Clara
Adventure travel expert in 4x4 in Mozambique – Based in Mozambique
Discover our expert

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

Johannesburg – Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Your adventure begins as soon as you take the wheel of your 4x4. Leaving Johannesburg behind, the urban scenery quickly gives way to the spectacular landscapes of Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Golden sandstone cliffs, rolling hills, and scenic roads set the tone for the journey ahead. You will spend two nights in the region exploring the park and the charming village of Clarens. Overnight stay in a traditional rondavel nestled in the heart of the mountains.
320 km
Day 2

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

This day is dedicated to exploring the national park. Scenic roads offer magnificent views of the surrounding mountains, while several hiking trails allow you to discover the valleys and rock formations that have made the region famous. You will spend a second night in your traditional rondavel.
Day 3

Golden Gate Highlands – Roma

Today, you cross the border into Lesotho, known as the Kingdom in the Sky. The scenery gradually transforms into vast mountain plateaus where the first Basotho villages begin to appear. This stage offers a first immersion into the local culture before exploring the wide-open landscapes that await in the days ahead. Overnight stay in the Roma region.
250 km
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Day 4

Roma – Hautes Terres du Lesotho

Today, the roads climb steadily into the high plateaus of Lesotho. Deep valleys, remote villages, and endless mountain ranges create a spectacular setting. You will discover one of the most impressive regions of Southern Africa. Overnight stay in the Lesotho Highlands.
200 km
Day 5

Lesotho

Enjoy this day exploring the surrounding area at your own pace. Tracks and scenic roads lead to several villages and remarkable viewpoints. Encounters with local communities are among the highlights of this immersive experience in the mountains of Lesotho. You will spend another night in the region.
Day 6

Lesotho – Mokhotlong

Today, you head to the Mokhotlong region, often considered one of the most authentic areas of the country. Here, shepherds still travel through the mountains on horseback, and traditions remain deeply rooted in everyday life. The wild landscapes enhance the feeling of being at the edge of the world. Overnight stay in Mokhotlong.
130 km
Day 7

Mokhotlong – Underberg

Today is one of the most memorable days of the journey. You travel along the legendary Sani Pass, a spectacular mountain track linking Lesotho and South Africa. Depending on conditions, both the ascent and descent can be challenging, but the views over the surrounding mountains are among the most breathtaking in Southern Africa. You then continue to the lush region of Underberg, where you will spend the night.
Day 8

Underberg – Sainte-LucieUnderberg – Sainte-Lucie

The mountains gradually give way to the subtropical landscapes of KwaZulu-Natal. You make your way to St Lucia, a small town located in the heart of iSimangaliso Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight stay in St Lucia.
400 km
Day 9

Sainte-Lucie

Between wild beaches, estuaries, and nature reserves, the region offers countless opportunities for exploration. A boat cruise to observe hippos, a visit to Cape Vidal, or simply relaxing by the ocean are among the highlights of the day. You will spend another night in St Lucia.
Day 10

Sainte-Lucie

This additional day allows you to fully enjoy the exceptional environment of iSimangaliso and its remarkable biodiversity. You will spend another night in St Lucia.
Day 11

Sainte-Lucie – Hluhluwe-iMfolozi

You make your way to South Africa’s oldest nature reserve. Renowned for its white and black rhinos, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi also offers excellent opportunities to spot elephants, buffaloes, and giraffes. Overnight stay at the gates of the reserve.
60 km
Day 12

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi – Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

After crossing the border, you arrive in Eswatini. Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary offers a different way to experience nature, with safaris conducted on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback. You will spend the night in the heart of the sanctuary.
260 km
Day 13

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Enjoy this day exploring the sanctuary’s trails and observing zebras, wildebeest, antelopes, and warthogs roaming freely around the accommodation areas. You will spend a second night in Mlilwane.
Day 14

Mlilwane – Kruger National Park

Today, you make your way to one of Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves. The southern section of Kruger National Park offers excellent opportunities to spot the Big Five and boasts an exceptionally abundant wildlife population. You will spend the night in a traditional rondavel within the park.
220 km
Day 15

Kruger National Park

This day is dedicated to safari adventures. Every track offers new surprises, from lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, and leopards to the many species of antelope that inhabit the park. You will spend your final night in Kruger National Park.
Day 16

Kruger – Johannesburg

After one final early-morning safari, you begin the journey back to Johannesburg. This last stage is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the mountains of Lesotho, the African wildlife reserves, and the memorable encounters that have shaped this adventure across three countries in Southern Africa.
450 km

Experience feedback

Starting from €2,550 /person
Clara
Roadtrip offered by Clara
Adventure travel expert in 4x4 in Mozambique – Based in Mozambique

Based in Maputo for more than ten years, Clara designs 4x4 adventure trips across Mozambique and Southern Africa, combining bush exploration, local encounters and immersion in wild landscapes between ocean and vast natural spaces.

Discover our expert
Request a free quote
Johannesburg – Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Day 1
Johannesburg – Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Your adventure begins as soon as you take the wheel of your 4x4. Leaving Johannesburg behind, the urban scenery quickly gives way to the spectacular landscapes of Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Golden sandstone cliffs, rolling hills, and scenic roads set the tone for the journey ahead. You will spend two nights in the region exploring the park and the charming village of Clarens. Overnight stay in a traditional rondavel nestled in the heart of the mountains.
320 km
Request a free quote
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Day 2
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
This day is dedicated to exploring the national park. Scenic roads offer magnificent views of the surrounding mountains, while several hiking trails allow you to discover the valleys and rock formations that have made the region famous. You will spend a second night in your traditional rondavel.
Request a free quote
Golden Gate Highlands – Roma
Day 3
Golden Gate Highlands – Roma
Today, you cross the border into Lesotho, known as the Kingdom in the Sky. The scenery gradually transforms into vast mountain plateaus where the first Basotho villages begin to appear. This stage offers a first immersion into the local culture before exploring the wide-open landscapes that await in the days ahead. Overnight stay in the Roma region.
250 km
Request a free quote
Roma – Hautes Terres du Lesotho
Day 4
Roma – Hautes Terres du Lesotho
Today, the roads climb steadily into the high plateaus of Lesotho. Deep valleys, remote villages, and endless mountain ranges create a spectacular setting. You will discover one of the most impressive regions of Southern Africa. Overnight stay in the Lesotho Highlands.
200 km
Request a free quote
Lesotho
Day 5
Lesotho
Enjoy this day exploring the surrounding area at your own pace. Tracks and scenic roads lead to several villages and remarkable viewpoints. Encounters with local communities are among the highlights of this immersive experience in the mountains of Lesotho. You will spend another night in the region.
Request a free quote
Lesotho – Mokhotlong
Day 6
Lesotho – Mokhotlong
Today, you head to the Mokhotlong region, often considered one of the most authentic areas of the country. Here, shepherds still travel through the mountains on horseback, and traditions remain deeply rooted in everyday life. The wild landscapes enhance the feeling of being at the edge of the world. Overnight stay in Mokhotlong.
130 km
Request a free quote
Mokhotlong – Underberg
Day 7
Mokhotlong – Underberg
Today is one of the most memorable days of the journey. You travel along the legendary Sani Pass, a spectacular mountain track linking Lesotho and South Africa. Depending on conditions, both the ascent and descent can be challenging, but the views over the surrounding mountains are among the most breathtaking in Southern Africa. You then continue to the lush region of Underberg, where you will spend the night.
Request a free quote
Underberg – Sainte-LucieUnderberg – Sainte-Lucie
Day 8
Underberg – Sainte-LucieUnderberg – Sainte-Lucie
The mountains gradually give way to the subtropical landscapes of KwaZulu-Natal. You make your way to St Lucia, a small town located in the heart of iSimangaliso Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight stay in St Lucia.
400 km
Request a free quote
Sainte-Lucie
Day 9
Sainte-Lucie
Between wild beaches, estuaries, and nature reserves, the region offers countless opportunities for exploration. A boat cruise to observe hippos, a visit to Cape Vidal, or simply relaxing by the ocean are among the highlights of the day. You will spend another night in St Lucia.
Request a free quote
Sainte-Lucie
Day 10
Sainte-Lucie
This additional day allows you to fully enjoy the exceptional environment of iSimangaliso and its remarkable biodiversity. You will spend another night in St Lucia.
Request a free quote
Sainte-Lucie – Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
Day 11
Sainte-Lucie – Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
You make your way to South Africa’s oldest nature reserve. Renowned for its white and black rhinos, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi also offers excellent opportunities to spot elephants, buffaloes, and giraffes. Overnight stay at the gates of the reserve.
60 km
Request a free quote
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi – Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Day 12
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi – Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
After crossing the border, you arrive in Eswatini. Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary offers a different way to experience nature, with safaris conducted on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback. You will spend the night in the heart of the sanctuary.
260 km
Request a free quote
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Day 13
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Enjoy this day exploring the sanctuary’s trails and observing zebras, wildebeest, antelopes, and warthogs roaming freely around the accommodation areas. You will spend a second night in Mlilwane.
Request a free quote
Mlilwane – Kruger National Park
Day 14
Mlilwane – Kruger National Park
Today, you make your way to one of Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves. The southern section of Kruger National Park offers excellent opportunities to spot the Big Five and boasts an exceptionally abundant wildlife population. You will spend the night in a traditional rondavel within the park.
220 km
Request a free quote
Kruger National Park
Day 15
Kruger National Park
This day is dedicated to safari adventures. Every track offers new surprises, from lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, and leopards to the many species of antelope that inhabit the park. You will spend your final night in Kruger National Park.
Request a free quote
Kruger – Johannesburg
Day 16
Kruger – Johannesburg
After one final early-morning safari, you begin the journey back to Johannesburg. This last stage is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the mountains of Lesotho, the African wildlife reserves, and the memorable encounters that have shaped this adventure across three countries in Southern Africa.
450 km

Upcoming departures

Starting from €2,550 /person
On the dates of your choice
Your tailor-made roadtrip
Request a free quote

Price details

The price includes
  • Toyota Hilux 4x4 rental
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Two authorised drivers
  • 24/7 roadside assistance
  • Border crossing documentation
  • 15 nights of accommodation
  • Detailed travel handbook
  • Pre-departure assistance and advice
  • Breakfasts mentioned in the itinerary
  • Applicable local and tourism taxes
The price does not include
  • International flights
  • International driving permit
  • Fuel
  • Tolls and parking fees
  • Entrance fees to reserves and national parks
  • Personal expenses
  • Drinks and meals not mentioned
  • Vehicle security deposit
  • Additional insurance coverage
  • Border fees and local taxes

Important information

An international driving permit is strongly recommended for any vehicle rental.
Roadtrip en groupe

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