North of South | Journey Across Mozambique, Eswatini and Lesotho via SA

Through ancient lands, over mountain peaks, and along endless coastlines, Southeastern Africa is a fascinating corner of this vast continent, with hidden gems at every turn.

Located on the shores of the Indian Ocean, Mozambique’s thousands of miles of coastline have made the country a popular destination for its warm, turquoise waters, stunning marine life, and white-sand beaches. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Lesotho are two of Africa’s only three present-day kingdoms.

Beautiful Eswatini may be a small country, but it packs a punch, offering an opportunity for an unforgettable road trip via rolling hills, lush forests, and thundering waterfalls. It’s home to national parks and nature reserves that offer the chance to spot elephants, lions, giraffes, and more, and it features a proud and ancient history as well as the rich cultural traditions of its indigenous people, the Swazi.

Lesotho, a high-altitude nation known as “the Kingdom in the Sky," is packed with imposing mountain ranges. With one of the world’s smallest networks of roads, due to the extreme terrain, this is a truly off-the-beaten-path destination where you’ll feel on top of the world. Get ready to island-hop in the tropics, encounter bucket-list wildlife, meet with local tribes, and traverse dramatic mountain passes as you trek in some of Africa’s most remote treasures.

Let’s go!

Day 1 // MOZAMBIQUE Arrival at Maputo International Airport, immigration clearance, transfer to hotel for overnight. Free time at leisure.

Day 2 // MOZAMBIQUE Time to discover Mozambique’s stunning coastal areas! Our first stop is Santa Maria, where we will spend the morning snorkeling and swimming. Later we’ll take a short boat ride to Inhaca Island, where we’ll enjoy a seafood lunch and visit the local market, and our last stop of the day will be the pristine beaches of Portuguese Island.

Day 3 // ESWATINI Today we cross the border into the Kingdom of Eswatini. Our destination is Hlane National Park, where we’ll hop into safari vehicles for a drive around the park in search of lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and an array of birdlife. After lunch we’ll rest and then set out for a sunset drive.

Day 4 // ESWATINI It's time to drive towards the centre of the country, visiting Mantenga, a place where Swazi history, culture, and tradition are brought alive against the stunning backdrop of the Mantenga Falls and Nyonyane mountain. Later we’ll make a stop at a contemporary Swazi art market.

Day 5 // ESWATINI In the morning we’ll hit the trails for a visit to the famed Sibebe rock, a geological wonder that is some 3 billion years old, over three times older than Australia’s famed Uluru (Ayers) Rock. The surrounding trails provide magnificent vistas all the way to the Lubombo Mountains in the east. Sundowners at Sibebe infinity pool to cheer the discovery of this hidden gem.

Day 6 // ESWATINI - LESOTHO Start with two short connecting flights via JNB to Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, and a drive through lowlands, where the twin peaks of Thaba Li Mele, known as Nipple Mountain, rise against the horizon. The road leads upward into the Maloti Mountains, with grand landscapes of river valleys and basalt cliffs of the Kingdom in the Sky. At Semonkong, beside the Maletsunyane River, have dinner with local specialties, Famo music, and a presentation of a Basotho blanket-famous tribe hospitality.

Day 7 // LESOTHO Exciting day ahead as we set out on a scenic 6 hour trek through the mountains, following winding trails across highland landscapes, remote valleys, towards highlands and picture-perfect scenery. Stop at midway viewpoint for picnic lunch. In the afternoon we’ll arrive in Ketane Village, not far from a river for a swim with sundowners. Evening under the stars, stay in Basotho huts or camp.

Day 8 // LESOTHO After breakfast hit the trail to Ketane Waterfall, seen only by few outsiders. You'll be quickly rewarded with some grand views…