Inspirations Travel & Tours & Tours
Tel: +27(0)31 266 0030
9 Kensington Drive, 3629 Westville, Durban, South Africa
Email:
Web: www.africaninspirations.co.za
EAST3ROUTE (3 country discovery – South Africa, Mozambique & Swaziland)
An easy self-drive extension – a fly in island style beach destination – a layman manageable 4x4 adventure route!
· The area adjoining the Southern Kruger National Park, the Kingdom of Swaziland, Northern KwaZulu-Natal Elephant Coast, and Southern Mozambique, above and below Maputo. Bush, Beach, Mountains, and endless natural diversity.
· An easy 3 to 5 day add on to the traditional Johannesburg to Durban route, entirely accessible by self-drive, avoiding expensive flights, yet also easily accessible by way of plentiful scheduled flights to Nelspruit, Mbabane or Maputo.
· An area featuring outstanding Big 5 Game Reserves, the Marine Reserve with endless, pristine Sub-tropical Beaches, scenic Mountain Ranges, amazing coastal Dune Forests, Multicultural Cities and experiences, World Heritage Wetlands, and much undiscovered, untouched nature and wildlife!
· A multitude of unique and diverse Eco Zones characterise the bio-diversity of its Nature Reserves and scenic highlights, including the African Bush, the Coastal Palm Forests, the Marine Reserve, the forested Mountains, Riverine Valleys, and Okavango like Wetlands, a nature lovers dream!
· Contrasting multi-cultural diversity!
Highlights
· Affordable travel logistics in that one can avoid expensive flights – all reachable by easy self-drive, where largely a 4x4 vehicle is not necessary, though also this offers unique additional adventure opportunities!
· Modular flexibility in that route planning can flexibly include 2 or 3 adjoining countries, also by way of optional easy self-drive, fly-in, or adventure 4x4 route. And more costly 4x4’s can be limited to pickup and drop off between Nelspruit and Durban, or vice versa.
· Both affordable and top end hotels and lodges are available, easy transfers, unique and untouched wilderness locations, and superb combos such as Bush and Beach to a true island style beach location.
· 3 in one – not just because of 3 countries, or 3 modes of travel, mainly because this region combines 3 major eco zones in close proximity:
The African Bush: Besides the multitude of Kruger options, Tembe Elephant Park is one of only two remaining game Reserves in Africa that feature the biggest Tuskers (by definition minimum of 100 lbs tusks). Phinda, Thanda, Swazilands Big 5 reserves, Hluhluwe, Mkuze, Amakhozi and many more well reputed game reserves need no introduction, but also there is the unique Kruger to Mozambique Transfrontier Park, the Maputo Elephant reserve, the Jozini Biosphere, the Kosi Lakes system, and more. Superb game viewing at great Lodges, often for far less than traditional venues.
The Marine Reserve: Featuring Southern Africa’s best diving and snorkling sites, miles and miles of glorious untouched beaches, this region also offers unique deep sea fishing (also inland tiger fishing), whale watching in season (July to December), as well as the annual leatherback turtle breeding season on the beach. Whether active or just relaxed, for nature lovers, divers, families or just the normal client – only the EAST3ROUTE offers Southern Africa’s best and most versatile coastal experience opportunity – with sub-tropical climate, warm water, glistening white sand and .
And in-between these two:
The Coastal Reserve: Featuring forested dunes, world heritage wetlands like St Lucia, Sibaya lake, the Bilene lagoon, the Kosi lake system, the mightly Limpopo river mouth, subtropical palm forests and endless beaches. Exquisite bird life, and diverse estuary species of wildlife can be explored by canoe, safari drive, or on foot, with an absolutely unique palm forests and close by adjoining Big 5 game experiences. Furthermore, for 4x4 lovers, some diverse and scenic routes to enjoy, far from the maddening crowd, yet not difficult, meaning also a novice can choose to go 4x4!
· Exotic Maputo, a melting pot of African and Portuguese cultures. On the one hand very third world with its colourful markets and street traders, on the other first world with world class hotels, a large diplomatic and UN community, excellent restaurants, and interesting history and architecture. Maputo station was allegedly based on a design by Gustav Eiffel it is said – same architect that designed the Eiffel Tower!
Maputo also offers a selection of good Guesthouses.
EAST3ROUTE – full of contrasts and diversity – largely undiscovered, yet packed with highlights. A nature lovers dream, a beach & ocean lovers heaven, a safari expert’s new discovery. Accessible, affordable, and packed with new & exiting adventure options!
FLY-IN ROUTES
Easy and more affordable fly in to Maputo for access to top class resorts such as White Pearl and Machangulu Beach Lodge. Air transfer to White Pearl further south, but easy boat transfer across Maputo bay to the tip of the Elephant Reserve, facing Inhaca island, for a true island style Machangulu Beach Lodge experience! Also possible by road transfer from Kruger area to Maputo. The perfect bush and beach experience!
SELF DRIVE – ROAD CONDITIONS Gravel Roads - Paved Roads - 4x4 Tracks
The region is primarly bestowed with good to reasonable paved roads so that for most options a 4x4 is not necessary. And in addition, Europcar allow their vehicles into Mozambique on the same terms and conditions as South Africa, only a R 15,000 additional excess applies to insurance cover. The cross border fee is R 2200. This means affordable rentals, and easy driving convenience where most garages in Mozambique accept credit or debit cards for payment, cell phone signals exist on all major routes, and ATM’s easily allow cash withdrawals in local currency.
In addition, there are some unpaved roads, such as through Kruger and the Transfrontier Park, as well as the route from Maputo south. If continuing to the Kosi bay border to Kwazulu-Natal, however the last stretch is a 4x4 track. Most of these unpaved roads are adequate for use with a normal car, in some areas a higher ground clearance and larger tyres may be preferable, and the route between the Transfrontier Park and the Mozambique coast is potholed in some stretches – still driveable though.
The southern Mozambique coastline, and also the Kwazulu-Natal coastline further offer the adventure lover some fascinating 4x4 routes traversing coastal dune forests, lake systems, beach locations, open grasslands etc. Here a full 4x4 is essential, and satellite GPS navigation with Tracks4Africa digital maps is recommended. These can be easily rented – or one can bring one’s own, download the map.
SELF-DRIVE ROUTES – normal vehicles
Northern Loop: Kruger – Transfrontier Park – Mozambique Beach – Maputo – Swaziland
An easy 3-5 day add on (remember one saves 1 or 2 days from the normal Kruger south route) that can include an island style beach experience.
Day 1: Transfrontier Park
From the central Kruger area proceed to Giriyondo border gate in the Kruger Park (closes at 15:00!). From Phalaborwa allow 3 hours drive. Complete formalities, cross over to Mozambique, and then proceed for 45 mins to Machampane Camp in the Transfrontier Park. Full board bush camp with activities.
Extra Day: Optional
Enjoy bush walks and safari in the Transfrontier Park
Day 2: Mozambique Beach
Half a day’s drive to either the Xai Xai area, or Bilene lagoon for overnight close to the beach.
Day 3: Maputo
Proceed to exotic Maputo and enjoy the atmosphere of this cultural melting pot of African and Portuguese cultures. Excellent hotels and Guesthouses, good restaurants and sightseeing opportunities.
Extra 2 Days: Optional
Min 2 nights Island Style Beach stay at Machangulu Lodge – secure vehicle parking in the Marina, pickup point for the boat transfer.
Day 4: Swaziland
Depart Maputo and proceed to the Swaziland border only 100km’s away. Add on rest of tour, Big 5 Game Parks, Mbabane, or continue to KwaZulu-Natal.
NET COST “add on” GUIDELINE for 2014
Based on 3 night’s accommodation (Transfrontier x1 DBB, Xai Xai or Bilene x 1 BB, & Maputo Guesthouse x 1 BB) – and 3 days Group C Toyota Corolla rental add on: ZAR 1234 for 2 persons sharing.
Southern Loop: Southern Kruger – Maputo – Island Stay – Swaziland
An easy 1-3 day add on (remember one saves a day from the normal Kruger south route) that can include an island style beach experience.
Day 1: Maputo
Proceed from southern Kruger to exotic Maputo via Komatipoort border near Nelspruit. 1 ½ hours later enjoy the atmosphere of this cultural melting pot of African and Portuguese cultures. Excellent hotels, Guesthouses, good restaurants and sightseeing opportunities.
Days 2 and 3: Machangulu Beach Lodge
2 nights Island Style Beach stay at Machangulu Lodge – secure vehicle parking in the Marina, pickup point for the scenic 1 ½ hour boat transfer to Inhaca Island.
Day 4: Swaziland
Return transfer from Machangulu, and then depart Maputo and proceed to the Swaziland border only 100km’s away. Add on rest of tour, Big 5 Game Parks, Mbabane, or continue to KwaZulu-Natal.
NET COST “add on” GUIDELINE for 2014
Based on 3 night’s accommodation (Maputo Guesthouse x 1 BB & Machangulu Lodge x 2 FB) – and 3 days Group C Toyota Corolla rental add on: ZAR 1234 for 2 persons sharing.
SELF-DRIVE ROUTES – 4x4 Vehicles
Two main routes are of 4x4 adventure significance, and renting a 4x4 double cab is adequate to cope with these routes, besides navigational aids.
Between Maputo and the KZN border at Kosi Bay Gravel Roads - Paved Roads - 4x4 Tracks
This is an easy days run of under 200kms, mostly on poor gravel road. It’s the last 15-20 kms to the border post, and also all the routes along the coast which are strictly 4x4 routes made up of mostly sandy terrain between the coastal villages of Ponta Do Oura, Ponta Mologane etc, where one can also overnight. Diving centres are available.
There is also a 6 hour 4x4 track off the main road traversing the Maputo Elephant Reserve, all the way to Santa Maria, at the tip of the peninsula facing Inhaca Island. From here Machangulo Lodge is accessible. This latter route should ideally only be tackled with 2 vehicles, and extra fuel needs to be carried for the return trip. In the rainy season it can get quite difficult.
Between Kosi Bay and Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal Gravel Roads - Paved Roads - 4x4 Tracks
Whilst good paved roads exist inland, there is a very scenic coastal 4x4 route, which includes the palm forests, lake systems, as well as open grass plains. Much traverses the coastal forest reserve, with villages in-between, but also providing access to good lodges such as Thonga beach and the Wilderness camp at Mabibi.
The route is mostly sandy, in places fairly “tight” through the coastal forest, and provides great picnic stops at for example Lake Sibaya, or a scenic view site overlooking the coast. Navigation can be difficult given the number of tracks in all directions, however a GPS loaded with Tracks4Africa maps will address that.
The entire distance is an easy days run, if also it can be interrupted if staying at some of the lodges en route. Driving along the beach is forbidden.
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Inspirations Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd
Email: l Tel: +27(0)31 266 0030
www.africaninspirations.co.za
9 Kensington Drive, Westville, 3629 l PO Box 1166, Westville, Durban, 3629
South Africa
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