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Two weeks in New Zealand is plenty of time to experience the natural beauty and unique customs. From movie sets, to wildlife viewing, geothermal baths, and Maori culture, these epic experiences will have you wanting to come back again.

First: Why Visit Both Islands?

The North and South Island are vastly different- not just in temperature, but in scenery, experiences, and overall vibes. While you could easily spend two weeks exploring just one island, we chose to hit the highlights of both. Achieving this much in a short window was made possible by including 3 in country flights. 

Pro-tip: When your short on time, but high on ambition, choosing at the fastest (which isn’t always the cheapest) transportation option will help you maximize what you’re able to do.

Of course, when planning any adventure, wildlife is a top priority to us, so we chose to hop around a bit in the pursuit of the best wildlife opportunities.

North Island: The North Island is warmer and looks almost tropical with its lush green hills. To us, it resembled a slightly chillier version of Hawaii.

South Island: The South Island is definitely chillier. While on the South Island it felt like we were in a beautiful Nordic adventure land- fjords, glaciers, and epic mountain views.

North Island Highlights (Days 1–3)

Hobbiton 

Is Hobbiton worth is? Absolutely. While it is ever so slightly touristy, it’s still such a cool experience.  They have really put a lot of effort into maintaining the integrity of the set, the experience, and integrating the New Zealand heritage. It must be booked as a guided tour, which truly ensures you get the best view points, photo ops, and stories. 

Joc has adamantly refused to give the LOTR series a try, but even a non-LOTR lover like her enjoyed the experience (I believe she did agree to watch the movies after, but we’re still waiting).

Waitmo caves 

If you’ve read any of our other posts, you have likely seen Joc talk mention her Pinterest bucket list. This is probably the sole reason she wanted to come to New Zealand- THE GLOW WORMS.

There are a few different options for how you can experience this unique bioluminescence phenomenon- by boat or by innertube. Seeing as we were visiting in the early spring, we anticipated the water to still be chilly and opted for the boat, but next time we will do the innertube!

The tour begins by a guided walk through the caves, complete with an explanation of how the bioluminescence works. Then you board a boat and are guided through the water while the worms twinkle above you. You should not miss this experience… I mean worms are gross, but in this case, they’re *romantic*

Rotorua hot springs

Have you ever considered the smell or rotten eggs relaxing? Neither have we. BUT, this might just change your mind. Walk through the bubbling geothermic park, then relax in the mud spa. 

This area has been used medicinally by the Maori people for quite some time. While we can’t say that we felt any different, it sure was nice to relax our tight muscles after that 14hour flight. 

The sulfur smell will remain in your suit, so definitely don’t bring your favorite swim suit. They told us it would come out with a specific detergent, but that was not the case for us. There are swim suits available for rent, should you wish to rent a swimsuit.

Tamaki Maori culture tour

Culture is incredibly important to us when we travel and this was probably one of our favorite experiences. New Zealand is incredible in the blend that they have with the Maori people. Coming from the US and our freckled history with our own indigenous people, it was so wholesome to see how the cultures blended with respect for one another.

This experience was formatted similar to a Luau in Hawaii- it included a show, an example of a cultural ceremony, a lesson on Maori cooking methods, and a fantastic authentic meal. The night ended with Q&A session where nothing was off limits (but there were definitely some questions that could have been more tactful). 

This is run by a local Maori family and you could really tell that they were passionate about educating others and preserving their culture… we are big fans of this!

Brunch at Hill House Café

We had just landed in Auckland after 14+ hours of flying and we were HUNGRY HANGRY. Zach, being the calm in a storm of hanger, was quick to start the “best brunch places” google.We’re not typically the biggest fans of google results for food, but this knocked it out of the park.

Not only was the food amazing, but the café is located in a beautiful park complete with walking trails and epic views of the city. It was the perfect way to start our journey in Auckland and would make an excellent place for brunch any day of the week. We highly recommend the cheddar scone.

Mount Eden

The highest volcanic peak in mainland Auckland. To be honest, even after going, I am still not sure it’s real.

The strikingly green grass was otherworldly. The epic views from the summit make all the steps up worth it. There are hiking trails throughout the area and it is very well maintained. Absolutely a “must see” during a day in Auckland.

South Island Highlights (Days 4–14)

Marlborough sound Dolphin, penguin, birding cruise

If there’s a chance to see birds, you better believe that Zach, our bird nerd, will sign us up. Joc is a big penguin & dolphin fan, so this really suited us both. We booked this experience with E-Ko tours .

We started in Picton and went through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds to the Motuara island bird sanctuary. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife and local conservation efforts. Since we fancy ourselves to be wildlife naturalists, this was a really cool and unique experience.

We cruised through the sounds while dolphins played underneath us- a cool experience because we didn’t approach them, they were curious about us.  This is a little off the beaten path, so you will be avoiding crowds and is easily drivable from Kaikōura, the whale hotspot.

Stargazing Lake Tapeko

To be completely honest, this was not on the OG itinerary. We ended up needing to spend more time in Lake Tapeko due to weather and booked this last minute. It ended up being a HUGE success. 

Lake Tapeko is one of the best areas in the world for stargazing due to its lack of stray light. We cozied up with the provided blankets and were mesmerized by what we saw. We have never seen so many stars in our lives. They also brought in heavy duty telescopes which even allowed us to see a Saturn (it really looks like the pictures!!). 

Go Tepako Farms Tour

Again, this didn’t make the OG itinerary, but this off the beaten path activity was so fun. Lamb are incredibly common in NZ, in fact, there is a “lambing season” when the new babies are born. Unfortunately, this season can close down a lot of hiking paths, but luckily for us, we visited this farm and got to feed the baby orphaned lambs.

We first went on a tour of the area and learned all about the farming practices and wool collection. We learned about the importance of the farms and how this remote area of NZ functions (they have one electricity source).

While this isn’t full of adrenaline, it’s a wholesome activity that really gives you a better understanding of the life in NZ outside of the big cities. These type of cultural experiences are really important to us and we believe they help us grow. Plus, did I mention we fed the baby lambs? 

Kaikōura whale watching

Kaikōura is a picturesque coastal town known for its abundant wildlife. This area is well known for sperm whales, which typically prefer very deep waters. Because of a shelf located just off shore, the waters tend to be very deep, making it the perfect area to spot them not far off land. 

Although the primary attraction is the sperm whales, this area is also known to have other whale friends like humpback whales, blue whales, southern right whales, and even orcas. While you may spot these other whales on a tour, that is more seasonally dependent.

Sperm whales, Orca whales, Hectors dolphins, and Dusky dolphins can be spotted year-round, but humpback & southern right whales are best spotted June-August.We were lucky enough to have some great sightings of sperm whales and some hectors dolphins. Although we were holding out hope for an Orca or two, it wasn’t our day.

If you’re not too chicken (like us) they also have whale watching flights. I imagine this would be AMAZING. If we could ever get the courage, we would definitely go back just for this.

Hooker Valley Track in Mount Cook/Aoraki

This is the most popular trek in Aoraki/ Mount Cook National Park. With 3 epic suspension bridges, Mueller Glacier views, and Mount Cook looming in the background, this will have you feeling like you’re in the midst of a crazy alpine adventure.

Because of the alpine nature of the area, weather changes incredibly fast. Although this trek isn’t the most physically demanding, be prepared for the elements.

 During our time int the Mount Cook NP area, we had crazy storms. We did finally get some okay-ish weather to try this hike (aka insane wind and some rain), but we were still only complete ½ the trek safely. Better safe than sorry… and we will go back to try again!

Penguin viewing Otago Peninsula

Penguins? Say less. Here you watch from a platform as the Little Blue Penguins (that’s their actual name) come home to their nests for the evenings. With the help of master spotters, you will see them form rafts coming into shore and then be in awe as they waddle past you to their homes. 

We had a little bit of a traumatic experience here as nature was…well, naturing. A predator tried to take one of the tiny guys, but luckily the penguin successfully escaped.

Although slightly traumatic, it speaks to the naturalist perspective and not interfering. They did tell us that they had never seen that happen before, so unless you’re unlucky like us, you should just be able to make heart-eyes at tiny penguins for the evening.

Milford sound Cruising

The vast fjord lands with endless waterfalls and pure moody magic. If you’re coming to NZ, this is likely already on your list, but if it’s not…it should be! 

If you happened to be here while it’s raining, that’s when the waterfalls really shine. Keep in mind, it’s all the more chance to get wet, so dress accordingly (aka bring a poncho). 

 If you’re here when its sunny, you will get to see the beautiful fjords bursting out of the water. Either way, it’s a winning experience.It is also possible to book a multi-day cruise through the Milford sound, but we felt a day cruise was plenty

Isthmus peak hike

As I mentioned above, during lambing season, certain trails are closed (looking at you, Roy’s peak). Because of that, we ended up here. While, I cannot compare this to Roy’s peak, I can tell you that it’s one of the most beautiful hikes we have ever done.

With stunning views over Wanaka and Hawea the whole way up, this 10 mile hike will take your breath away… in more ways than one.

We would say that this hike difficulty is moderate, with 1,000m elevation gain, but the real doozy is the length. If 10 miles isn’t for you, don’t worry, there are various viewpoints where you can stop and call it quits, but still get epic views.

Dunedin wildlife Safari

More wildlife? Don’t roll your eyes just yet… there are MORE PENGUINS.

On this tour, you will head out to Cape Saunders for a look at various wildlife habitats, one being the Yellow-Eyed Penguins. On this half day tour, you will also get the chance to see NZ Fur seals (warning: they are smelly), albatross, and NZ sea lions.

The best part about this tour is it is completely different from the other tours above. You will see different (stunning) landscapes, new wildlife, and we really enjoyed our time with the two chill bros who guided our day.

Final Thoughts: Is 2 Weeks in New Zealand Enough?

Two weeks is enough to make you absolutely fall in love New Zealand and leave you longing to come back. 

Will you see everything? No. However, if you use these 15 recommendations as a guide, you will see some of the best natural and cultural highlights that New Zealand has to offer.

The post 2 Weeks in New Zealand: 15 Epic Things to Do on the North & South Islands  appeared first on World Travel Lahrs.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you). It helps keep the adventures coming—thank you!

Outstanding animal encounters, intimate safari lodging, attentive staff that make you feel like family, Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge has it all right in the heart of Kruger National Park’s Balule Private Game Reserve.

Does the idea of a South African safari seem thrilling, but overwhelming and out of reach? Are you completely lost on where to start? We were too. With so many options out there at many different price-points, it’s truly hard to know where to turn. During the planning process of our trip to South Africa, we knew we wanted to visit Kruger National Park. Elephants in the wild? Say less. Beyond this, we were completely lost.

We prefer to stay in the mid-range price point. Joc is our book-keeper, so she leans more budget. Zach thinks our bank account is much bigger than it actually is and therefore tends to be a little bougie, so mid-range is a good compromise for us. One thing neither of us will compromise on is quality of experience- we would rather spend all our pennies if it means the experience will be memorable. Can’t take it with us, right? While scouring the internet and looking at way too many lodges, we came across Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge. It checked all our boxes:

• Mid-rang budget
• All-Inclusive meal plan (because where does one get food in the middle of an African Savannah?)
• Inside Kruger National Park
• Multiple game drives included
• Near an airport for ease of transport

Getting there

To get to Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge you have two options:

Fly into OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg (JNB) and book a package inclusive of transportation. It is a 5.5hour drive from here.

Fly into Hoedspruit Civil Airfield (HDS) from here it is a 20 minute drive to the reserve.

We highly recommend flying into HDS. Airlink and CemAir PTY both fly into HDS directly and it is about a one hour flight from JNB. We personally used Airlink and were very pleasantly surprised with the service we received, even on this short 1 hour flight. It’s a smaller plane, but not as tiny as a private jet.

Pricing

The cheapest option is staying in a king room, which costs R6800.00 per person (sharing) or R8800.00 (single rate) per day. This equates to approximately $381USD or $493USD respectively.

For a suite with a private plunge pool, the rates are R9900.00 per person (sharing) or R19 800.00 (single rate) per day.

This equates to approximately $555USD or $$1,109USD respectively.

We chose to stay in the king room and felt this was plenty luxurious to us.

What’s included

This was probably the most important booking factor for us. Joc is our trip logistics planner, but this trip had her stumped. How does one get food while in a game reserve in Africa? How do you book game drives? Who do you book them through? Cue Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge saving the day and making sure we had everything we needed.

Included in our stay:

• Transportation to and from HDS airport
• 3 freshly made meals, daily
• Tea & coffee
• 2 game drives per day (morning & afternoon)
• Expert knowledgeable guides
• Access to the property’s pool

Booking Process

We booked our stay through booking.com. We prefer to use booking.com primarily as our gateway to any great destination. Book with Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge here:

First Impressions & Arrival

Funny story: this trip was our first true travel blunder. Remember how we recommended flying into HDS airport? Well, somehow when booking our flights, we accidentally booked to fly into a different airport (not HDS)… 2ish hours away.

We realized this right before boarding our flight and emailed the lodge to notify them. They didn’t miss a beat and had arranged a driver to pick us up. Sure, it was an added headache, but it really gave us an insight how attentive and accommodating the staff were.

Once we arrived, we were warmly welcomed with a fantastic lunch on the lawn. The kind of home-cooked South African goodness that your body needs after the stress of traveling. The view? It was even better than the lunch. Under the shade to the acacia tree, we observed the watering hole and stunning African savannah. Truly, not sure any meals in our lifetime will op this experience.

Room Tour & Amenities

Our room was a King room, a typical African dwelling complete with a thatched room. Once inside, we were removed from the heat with access to air-condition and slept peacefully with the white noise of a fan (anyone else have a co-dependence with fans for sleeping?).

South Africa does struggle with energy and rolling blackouts are very common, however, Mohlabetsi has backup generators which allowed us to never be without electricity, AC, or most-importantly: WIFI.

The bathroom was complete with an outdoor shower- not the icky kind, the glamorous kind. For some reason, using this shower was the epitome of an African Safari experience to me (Joc).

One of our favorite things about Mohlabetsi was the pool. To be honest, having a pool in Africa was not even on my radar. After a beautiful lunch on the lawn, there was nothing more relaxing than spending the afternoon poolside while we waited for our evening game drive.

Safari/Game Drive Experience

Morning game drives:

With a gentle knock on the door, we were woken every morning around 5:30am. Just as the sun was starting to rise, we loaded up in our Landcruiser. We met our guides for the week- Sam & Richard. Sam had the kind of quick dry-witted humor that was absolutely hilarious, while Richard was stoic and more reserved (but equally as lovable). Both grew up in the South African bush and honed their animal guide abilities while protecting their village. It was at a young age that they learned how to pay attention to animal tracks, learn their behaviors and preferences, and developed their fearlessness.

Sam & Richard would take turns with their position on the landcruiser. One would sit up front, observing, looking for tracks, and guiding the other who would be our driver. Together they ensured that we saw the big 5: lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and African buffalo. Zach and I both realized quickly that we were not expert spotters, but we excelled at finding grass that looked like lions, rocks that looked like elephants, and trees that looked like giraffes. When we asked Sam the secret to being a good spotter, he quickly replied “tabasco sauce”.

Just prior to finishing our game drive, we would find a safe spot, empty of the landcruiser and break for tea in the bush. Talk about a surreal experience. I’m getting misty in my eyes just thinking about it.

Evening Game Drives:

With the heat of the day dissipating, we would set off on our evening game drives. The interesting thing about game drives is that no two are ever the same. Animals are…wild. They are living their lives and we got the honor of catching glimpses of their day.

On one of our evening game drives, we had just arrived at a watering hole where buffalo had stopped for a mud bath . While watching the buffalo, Zach was startled and quietly whispered “look behind us”. A heard of about 20 elephants were sauntering past us. They stopped, looked at us, and the tiniest baby elephant let out a yell before they continued on their journey. I will never forget how quietly these gentle giants appeared and how magical it felt to be in their presence.

Staying safe on safari:

As I said, animals are wild. Of course, there are risks associated with being near wild animals, but Sam and Richard used their expert knowledge to ensure we stayed safe. I mean, if you had to have someone guide you in the wild, wouldn’t you want the person who kept their village safe from lions?

A few ground rules we followed to stay safe:

• Don’t make any noises or calls to the animals
• Don’t stand up inside the vehicle
• Don’t make any sudden movements
• Keep voices low

While these are wild animals, they are on a game reserve and therefore they are used to vehicles being in close contact with them. The animals view the safari vehicle as a whole, passangers included. Standing and making large gestures breaks that illusion.

Dining

Going into this experience, we fully expected to starve. Joc packed our bag full of protein bars and we were prepared to live off of them. I am happy to report that we can home with a suitcase full of our protein bars. The food was excellent.

Breakfast:

After our early morning game drive, we headed for our freshly made breakfast. We were welcomed into the breakfast area with a buffet of fresh yogurt and fruit. The entree of the morning was freshly prepared for each person individually and typically consisted of some variation of an English breakfast.

Lunch:

Every morning, the lunch & dinner menu was hosted in the reception area. Lunch was always served on the lawn accompanied by a light breeze in the shade. Lunch was typically lighter fare- salads or sandwiches. All fresh and completely delicious. The best part about lunch was it was finished with a dessert (aka the most important part of the meal).

Dinner:

Dinner was served by candlelight around the Boma with a blazing fire and stars twinkling above. If that sounds dreamy, it’s because it was. A special part about dinner was that we were joined by the staff. Again, the food was nothing short of outstanding, served as a three course meal. Think soups, steak and veggies, creme brûlée dessert… you know, exactly what you would expect in the African bush.

Final Thoughts

When someone asks our favorite place… South Africa is one of the first things out of our mouths. While South Africa as a whole is absolutely amazing, Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge was truly the highlight of our time there. It was a core memory for us and the experiences we had there, we will never forget. The people, the wildlife, the staff, each detail collectively made the experience an a bucket list memory. If you’re considering a trip to South Africa, we 100000000% recommend booking a stay with Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge.

This should tell you something: Joc said she could easily live there… and she loves her modern conveniences like amazon prime, having her own car, and grocery delivery, but she would consider giving it up to live in this slice of paradise.

FAQ Section

Is Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge worth it?

ABSOLUTELY. Not a single doubt. The value for what you get is outstanding, especially for a trip that is once in a lifetime.

When is the best time to go on safari in South Africa?

Two things to note: There is a rainy season/dry season & malaria is prevent in this area.

Dry season is from May-September

Rainy season is from (November – March)

Shoulder season is in April & October.

We chose to go in October and it was perfect!

Pro-tip: Make sure to contact your physician for anti-malarial medications & pack plenty of bug spray.

What should I pack for a safari lodge stay?

We’ve created an amazon storefront with some of our favorite amazon purchased safari supplied here. Here are our basic recommendations:

• Bug spray
• Antimalarial medications
• Neutral color clothing (tans, greens, black)
• Closed toe shoes
• Sunglasses
• Rain jacket or poncho
• A brimmed hat
• Lightweight breathable clothing

The post Best Safari Lodge in South Africa? Our Stay at Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge appeared first on World Travel Lahrs.