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 has 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 which offer the chance to spot elephants, lions, giraffes, and more, and 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 areas.

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
Today we drive towards the centre of the country, visiting Mantenga Reserve & Cultural Village, 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 stops at a Swazi candle factory and a Swazi art market.

Day 5 // ESWATINI
Today we’ll hit the trails for a visit to the famed Sibebe rock, a geological wonder that is some 3 billion years old, more than three times as old as Australia’s famed Uluru (Ayers) rock. The surrounding trails, which provide magnificent vistas all the way to the Lubombo mountains in the east.

Day 6 // LESOTHO
Early start and hit the road for 7-8hrs to Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. We’ll visit Thaba-Bosiu Cultural Village, and then head to Kome Caves, home to a group of early 19th century mud dwellings created as a hide out during times of conflict – and still inhabited by the descendants of the people who built them. Later we’ll hit the road to our lodge at Tsehlanyane National Park.

Day 7 // LESOTHO
Today, prepare to be amazed by the country’s dramatic terrain on a scenic road trip passing by iconic Lesotho landmarks such as the famed Qiloane Mountain and Nipple Mountain, shaped like a woman’s breast. We’ll arrive at the village of Semonkong and enjoy a delicious dinner accompanied by local Famo music, and be treated to a traditional Basotho blanket presentation.

Day 8 // LESOTHO
Today we’ll embark on an unforgettable experience: a pony trek through some of Lesotho’s most spectacular landscapes, making our way from the lowlands to the highlands towards our destination, the remote village of Ketane. There we will see first-hand the self-sustaining lifestyle of the Basotho people’s most isolated settlements, and sleep in traditional Basotho huts.

Day 9 // LESOTHO
Pony trek back to Semonkong, and then we’ll set out on the road to Malea-lea. This scenic route gives us one last chance to capture pictures of the dramatic mountainous landscapes. We’ll end the day and wind up our trip with dinner by the fire at our lodge, with entertainment by local musicians.

Day 10 // Departure
After breakfast we’ll make the 1.5-hour drive journey to Moshoeshoe I International airport, where we’ll say goodbye to The Mountain Kingdom.

Level of Difficulty: Easy, available for everyone.
Duration: 10 days.
Activities: Trekking, boating, swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, wildlife and indigenous tribes encounter.
Rooms: African upmarket standards, hotels and lodges – shared rooms, single at extra cost subject of availability.
Meals: Restaurant meals excluded.

COST: 9,000 AED excl. flights until JUL 1.
Flights: Emirates + Airlink, approx. 4500 AED.

Requirements: Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate, malaria prophylactics.

Visas:

MOZ: Visa free / on arrival / eVisa, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Mozambique
ESW: Most of passports visa free entry / consulate visa,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Eswatini
LES: Visa free or pre-arranged visa, support available.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Lesotho
SA: Visa free or eVisa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_South_Africa

It is sole responsibility of participant to secure admission to the country of destination.

YELLOW FEVER Vaccination Certificate is mandatory for crossing inter-african borders.

See yah in Africa x

Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 00971 50 4848238
Find all trekkups at linktr.ee/trekkup