At Ezulwini Game Lodges, we encourage our guests to “disconnect from the world, and reconnect with nature”.  However we do understand that some of our guests may want to make the most of their time here with us.  Available at an additional cost, here are a few of our favourite half-day & full-day excursions & day trips. You may choose to pre-book your tours prior to your arrival at our lodges or you may advise your host(s) as soon as possible upon check-in to secure your spot on your preferred activity.  The sooner we know, the faster our tour providers can advise us on availability.  Trip costs can be settled at the end of your stay, on your final invoice at the lodge

EXCURSIONS/DAY TRIPS OFFERED AT AN EXTRA COST:

BLYDE CANYON BOAT CRUISE – Enjoy the splendor of the 3rd largest canyon in the world and unquestionably the largest ‘green canyon’ due to its lush subtropical foliage. An excursion by boat with a knowledgeable tour guide will take you to the rare Kadishi Tufa Waterfall (at 200m, it is considered the tallest tufa waterfall in the world) where you will also learn about the natural history & geology of the canyon. Wildlife is abundant and you may spot hippo, crocodiles, and a variety of birds, as well as the Samango Monkey & Taita Falcon which are endemic to the canyon.

Please note that the boat cruise itself is approximately a 1hr to 1.5hrs weather dependent tour, departing several times a day (guests may miss the morning or afternoon drive depending on boat tour times) with reduced times during filming (generally end Jan. to end April). Travel times to the boat cruise can be anywhere from 1hr to 1.5hrs one way depending on departure from Billy’s or River Lodge. Quote will generally include transfers, conservation/gate fees, Swadini entry fees and boat cruise.

PANORAMA ROUTE – This magnificent route is best known for its cultural heritage and dramatic landscapes. This tour offers some of the best views in South Africa. Some of the tour highlights may include The Three Rondawels, Bourque’s Luck Potholes, beautiful waterfalls in the Graskop area, God’s Window, The Pinnacle, and Pilgrim’s Rest, home to the early gold prospectors. Please note that this is a full day, weather-dependent tour. Quote will generally include transfers, conservation/gate fees, and entry fees into the various sights. Lunch will be at guest’s expense.

MICROLIGHT FLIGHT – Flying experiences are offered by The Leading Edge Flight School from the Civil Airfield in Hoedspruit. Imagine soaring over wildlife areas and geological wonders with stunning views of the Drakensberg Mountains on the horizon. Experience flying in the world’s most amazing three axis microlight known as the Bantam with an option to feel the freedom of flight with 180◦ panoramic views. Flights of 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 90 minutes are available. You can also have the opportunity to have a hands-on experience if you wish to do so. Depending on length of flight, these may take you over private nature reserves, along the Olifants River, or even to the Blyde River Canyon. For more information visit www.lefssa.com. Quote will generally include transfers, conservation/gate fees and flight(s).

HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT – Take a 1hr long flight over the scenic, Lowveld section of the Blyde River where the terrain is a mixture of farmland and private nature reserves at the foot of the Drakensberg Escarpment. This area offers the very in terms of safety, accessibility and scenic splendour. Please note that this sunrise tour has a very early morning departure, especially if departing from River Lodge (4:30AM). You will also need to provide the weight of each person partaking in the tour – this is for the tour operator to monitor maximum allowable weight in the balloon basket. Quote will generally include transfers, conservation/gate fees and balloon flight. For more information visit www.suncatchers.co.za .

NOURISH – Visit this non-profit (NGO) organization and learn how Nourish was created as a platform linking conservation with community issues and ideals, finding integrated sustainable solutions to issues plaguing conservation efforts such as poverty, low level of education, food insecurity and unemployment. Learn about their Eco Village Model and how it transformed the surrounding community. Visitors can opt between the following tours:

1. VILLAGE WALKING TOUR – Walk through the local village with a private guide from Sigagule, for a better understanding about his life in a rural community, learning about social dynamics, the Shangaan culture, lifestyles, and traditional beliefs & folklore. Tour lasts approximately 2.5hrs to 3hrs.

2. ECO VILLAGE IMMERSION TOUR – Spend a few hours immersed in the day-to-day operations of a grassroots Eco Village. Get to learn about the Nourish Eco Village project, enjoy a mini permaculture workshop, lend a hand harvesting vegetables for the feeding scheme, help cook the children’s afternoon meal, spend time playing or reading in the Creche, and a get a tour around the Eco Village with our of their knowledgeable and passionate staff. Please note that specific day-to-day activities may vary depending on the time of day. Tour lasts approximately 2.5hrs to 3hrs. For more information visit www.nourishecovillage.com and www.shikshak.com/tours. Quote will generally include transfers, conservation/gate fees and tour costs.

BLACK MAMBA ANTI-POACHING UNIT – The Black Mamba APU, are a team of dedicated anti-poaching and conservationists who operate on the Balule Nature Reserve. They are world renowned as being the first all-female APU. A visit to their headquarters can be arranged for an overview of their role in conservation and anti-poaching in the area, together with an informal meet & greet, and questions & answers session. This tour lasts approximately 2hrs and is located within the Balule Nature Reserve. Quote will be provided on request. A donation to the Black Mamba APU is also recommended.

NYANI CULTURAL VILLAGE TOUR – The history & culture of the African tribes comes to life at Nyani through their Roots of Rhythm Tribal Dance & Drumming Cultural Show’s 1 hour-long theatre show designed to entertain & educate. Following the show, the group is led down to a traditional Shangaan village. Here you will learn about the architecture, agriculture, family duties & customs of the Shangaan people. Depending on the number of guests, a delicious traditional lunch can be organized afterward at an additional cost. For more information visit www.nyaniculturalvillage.com. Please note that this is not a daily event. We recommend requesting availability of this tour as soon as possible as minimum numbers are required. Quote will generally include transfers, conservation/gate fees, and entry into the cultural village show. If lunch is served on the day, it will be at an additional cost.

TOWN TRIP – Interested in doing a little shopping before your onward journey home? Why not spend some time in our little town of Hoedspruit. Here you will find an array of shops & galleries, as well as street vendors selling African curios. Quality gold and diamond jewellery is high on the list of the popular purchases. Leather goods, wooden carvings, sculptures, paintings, bead work and woven articles are also available for purchase. If all the shopping has made you hungry or perhaps even thirsty, we can recommend several fantastic eating establishments to suite every taste & budget. Please note that our small-town shops are only open Monday to Friday, 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM, and Saturday 9.00 AM to 12.00 PM. Shops are closed on Sundays. Length of town trips depends on guests. Quote will include transfers and conservation/gate fees.

QUAD BIKING – On arrival at Franklyn Park, your quad guide will brief you on how to safely operate your quad bike. Guests will drive through a riverine forest at the foot of the Mariepskop Mountain. A mixture of flat terrain and some hills will add to this adventure. Please note that this 1hr tour is weather dependent. This tour does not operate on Sundays or Mondays. Quote will be supplied on request.

HORSEBACK TRAILS RIDING – As you leave the stables, you enter the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate for a safari like no other. The estate is home to giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, a variety of antelope, warthog and leopard to name a few, however, the chances of seeing all of these can never be guaranteed but it’s the anticipation of what’s around the next corner that makes the bush so exciting. The trail follows a riverine course, which contains two dams, where one can hope to see a variety of game quenching their thirst. There is an option for a 1hr or 2hr tour. Quote will include transfers and conservation/gate fees; however, tour will have to be paid in cash by each guest participating in activity. For more information, visit www.africandreamsafaris.co.za.