Self-Launched Southern Africa Safari: Kruger & Coast
11 days · South Africa & Mozambique
Exodus Adventure Travels charges £3,390
No-markup version: ~£1,035 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of Exodus Adventure Travels' Southern Africa Safari covers the same incredible ground — Dolphin Coast, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, Ponta do Ouro, Kruger National Park, and Blyde River Canyon — but without the group tour premium. By booking your own accommodation at lodges, tented camps and guesthouses, arranging self-drive or shared transfers, and booking game drives and activities directly through parks and local operators (or via GetYourGuide/Klook), you can save well over £2,000 per person. A hire car (ideally a 4x4) is strongly recommended for flexibility, especially for self-driving within Kruger. All costs are approximate estimates.
Day-by-day
Arrive on the Dolphin Coast
Dolphin Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Fly into King Shaka International Airport (Durban) and make your own way north to the Dolphin Coast — roughly a 1-hour drive or shared shuttle (~£10). Check into a guesthouse or budget lodge in Ballito or Salt Rock. Grab dinner at a local restaurant and get oriented for the adventure ahead.
🚌Shared airport shuttle or Uber from King Shaka International Airport to Ballito (~£10–15)
🛏Ballito Backpackers or similar budget guesthouse (~£25–35/night)
- →Arrival and check-in
- →Explore the beachfront and town
- →Dinner at a local restaurant
iSimangaliso Wetland Park & Cape Vidal Beach
iSimangaliso Wetland Park / St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal
Drive or take a shared minibus taxi (~2 hrs, ~£8) north to St Lucia town. Enter iSimangaliso Wetland Park independently (park entry ~£8/person). Drive to Mission Rocks for turtle spotting and picnic lunch, then continue to Cape Vidal Beach. Return to St Lucia for the evening and check into a tented camp or guesthouse.
🚌Self-drive rental car or shared minibus taxi from Dolphin Coast to St Lucia (~£8–12). Park entry fee ~£8.
🛏Isibindi Zulu Lodge or St Lucia Tented Camp / Amazulu Lodge (~£30–40/night)
- →iSimangaliso Wetland Park self-drive entry
- →Picnic at Mission Rocks — turtle watching
- →Cape Vidal Beach swim and wildlife walk
Lake St Lucia Boat Cruise & Drive to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
St Lucia / Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Book a two-hour morning boat cruise on Lake St Lucia directly with a local operator such as Santa Lucia Boat Cruises (~£18/person) — look out for hippos, crocodiles, and fish eagles. After breakfast, drive ~45 minutes inland to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa; entry ~£10). Self-drive through the park to your camp. In the evening, book an optional guided night safari with a park ranger through the KZN Wildlife office (~£20–25).
🚌Self-drive from St Lucia to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi (~45 min). Park entry ~£10/person.
🛏Mpila Camp (book via KZN Wildlife/SANParks) or Hilltop Camp (~£30–45/night for chalet/hut)
- →Lake St Lucia two-hour hippo & croc boat cruise (book direct, ~£18)
- →Self-drive into Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
- →Evening guided night safari with park ranger (~£20–25)
Game Walk & Game Drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Book an early morning guided bush walk with a park ranger through KZN Wildlife (pre-book at camp reception, ~£20/person — walks are limited to 8 people). Return to camp for a cooked breakfast. Spend the afternoon self-driving through the park in search of lions, both black and white rhinos, giraffes and leopards. Book an optional late-afternoon guided game drive in a park vehicle (~£20–25).
🚌Self-drive within park. Full day — no inter-destination travel.
🛏Mpila Camp or Hilltop Camp (~£30–45/night)
- →Early morning guided bush walk with park ranger (~£20)
- →Self-drive game drive through the park
- →Optional afternoon guided game drive in park vehicle (~£20–25)
Morning Game Drive & Border Crossing to Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi → Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique
Rise early for a final self-drive through Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, exiting via Memorial Gate. Drive south (~2.5 hrs) to the Kosi Bay/Farazela border crossing into Mozambique. Note: a 4x4 is strongly recommended for the sandy tracks on the Mozambique side. Cross into Mozambique (Mozambique visa on arrival for most nationalities, ~£50 or pre-arrange e-visa). Drive ~20 minutes to Ponta do Ouro, arriving in the late afternoon.
🚌Self-drive from Hluhluwe-iMfolozi to Ponta do Ouro via Kosi Bay border (~3 hrs total, 4x4 recommended for sandy tracks). Mozambique visa on arrival ~£50.
🛏Ponta do Ouro Camping & Chalets or Motel Ponta do Ouro / Casa Barry Lodge (~£25–40/night)
- →Morning self-drive game viewing exiting Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
- →Border crossing into Mozambique at Farazela/Kosi Bay
- →Arrive and settle in at Ponta do Ouro
Swim with Dolphins at Ponta do Ouro
Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique
Book a dolphin-swimming boat trip directly with a local dive operator such as Ponta do Ouro Dive Centre or Liquid Diving (~£40–55/person for a morning launch). This is a bucket-list experience — spinner and bottlenose dolphins are resident in these waters year-round. If you want to maximise your chances, book a second launch in the afternoon (~£40 extra). From July–November look out for humpback whales; from December–May, whale sharks and manta rays are possible. Spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach.
🚌No inter-destination travel today.
🛏Ponta do Ouro Camping & Chalets or Casa Barry Lodge (~£25–40/night)
- →Morning dolphin-swimming boat launch (book direct with local dive operator, ~£40–55)
- →Optional second afternoon boat launch (~£40)
- →Beach time, snorkelling, relax
Drive Through Maputo to Kruger National Park
Ponta do Ouro → Kruger National Park (Crocodile Bridge area)
Drive north through Mozambique via Maputo (~3 hrs), the vibrant capital — worth a quick stop for coffee or a look around the waterfront if time allows. Cross back into South Africa at Ressano Garcia/Komatipoort border (no visa required for most). Enter Kruger at Crocodile Bridge Gate (entry ~£20/person/day). Self-drive north along the H4-1 following the Sabie River — prime elephant and hippo territory. Arrive at your camp by late afternoon.
🚌Self-drive from Ponta do Ouro to Kruger via Maputo and Ressano Garcia (~4 hrs driving). Kruger daily conservation fee ~£20/person.
🛏Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp or Lower Sabie Rest Camp (book via SANParks.org — chalets/huts ~£35–55/night)
- →Drive through Maputo (optional city stop for coffee/lunch)
- →Border crossing back into South Africa at Ressano Garcia
- →Self-drive entry into Kruger at Crocodile Bridge Gate
- →Wildlife watching en route to camp along the Sabie River
Full-Day Self-Drive Game Drive — Southern Kruger
Kruger National Park (Southern Section)
Rise before dawn and be at the gate by sunrise — the best game viewing is at first and last light. Self-drive the H4-1 and H4-2 routes in southern Kruger, classic big five territory. Stop at designated picnic sites for breakfast from camp supplies. Look for lions near the Sabie River, leopards in trees, elephants at waterholes and white rhinos in open grassland. Book an optional guided sunrise or sunset game drive in a park vehicle through your camp reception (~£25–35/person) for expert local knowledge. End the day at a camp in central Kruger.
🚌Self-drive within Kruger. Move from southern to central camp.
🛏Satara Rest Camp (central Kruger — book via SANParks.org, chalets ~£35–55/night)
- →Sunrise self-drive game drive on H4-1/H4-2 routes
- →Big Five spotting: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalo
- →Optional guided game drive with park ranger (~£25–35)
- →Sundowner at a waterhole
Full-Day Self-Drive Game Drive — Central Kruger
Kruger National Park (Central Section)
Another full day exploring Kruger, this time focusing on the central section around Satara — renowned for lion sightings. Drive the S100 and H7 routes towards Orpen. Focus on species you haven't yet seen — cheetah, wild dog, and large elephant herds are all possible in this zone. The Timbavati picnic site makes a great mid-morning stop. Book an optional guided night drive from camp (~£25–35) for a chance to spot leopards, hyenas, civets and genets after dark.
🚌Self-drive within Kruger.
🛏Satara Rest Camp or Orpen Rest Camp (~£35–55/night)
- →Full-day self-drive on S100 and H7 routes (central section)
- →Cheetah, wild dog and large elephant herd spotting
- →Timbavati picnic site stop
- →Optional guided night drive (~£25–35)
Exit Kruger via Orpen Gate → Blyde River Canyon & Graskop
Kruger → Blyde River Canyon → Graskop
One final early game drive before exiting Kruger at Orpen Gate. Drive west to Bourke's Luck Potholes — a striking geological formation where two rivers meet and created swirling cylindrical rock formations (entry ~£4). Continue to the Three Rondavels viewpoint over Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest green canyons on Earth. Stop at God's Window for sweeping panoramic views over the lowveld. Arrive in Graskop for the night — a charming small town famous for its pancake restaurants.
🚌Self-drive from Orpen Gate to Graskop via Blyde River Canyon (~2.5 hrs with stops).
🛏Graskop Gorge Backpackers or Mogodi Lodge / The Graskop Hotel (~£25–40/night)
- →Final morning game drive exiting via Orpen Gate
- →Bourke's Luck Potholes geological site (~£4 entry)
- →Three Rondavels viewpoint over Blyde River Canyon (free)
- →God's Window viewpoint (free)
- →Dinner at one of Graskop's famous pancake restaurants
Graskop Gorge Lift & Drive to Johannesburg
Graskop → Johannesburg
Start your final morning with a ride on the glass-enclosed Graskop Gorge Lift (~£15/person), descending 51 metres into an ancient indigenous Afromontane forest gorge — a spectacular and unique experience. Walk the forest boardwalk trails below. Then drive the scenic R36 and N4 to Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (~4.5 hrs). Drop off your hire car at the airport. Your adventure ends here — or extend your stay in Joburg to explore Soweto, the Apartheid Museum or the vibrant Maboneng Precinct.
🚌Self-drive from Graskop to Johannesburg OR Tambo (~4.5 hrs). Return hire car at airport.
🛏N/A — departure day (or book a Joburg guesthouse if flying next day)
- →Graskop Gorge Lift glass elevator descent (~£15)
- →Afromontane forest boardwalk
- →Drive to Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport
Self-launched vs. Exodus Adventure Travels
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus Adventure Travels | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,035 | £3,390 |
| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,355 per person (69%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus Adventure Travels-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,035
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Southern Africa Safari: Kruger & Coast cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,035 per person for 11 days in South Africa & Mozambique. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus Adventure Travels?+
Yes — Exodus Adventure Travels charges around £3,390 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,035 — a saving of roughly £2,355 (69%) per person.
How long is the South Africa & Mozambique trip?+
This itinerary runs 11 days, covering 11 day-by-day stops through South Africa & Mozambique.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a wildlife, adventure, culture trip through South Africa & Mozambique, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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