The vehicles we use are specifically chosen to be suitable for the area. Some of the areas we travel comprise very thick sand, other is clay surfaces, and still others can comprise a hard surface overlaying a pool of treacherous mud. All of these surfaces can change rapidly under varying conditions. In addition to close-up encounters with wildlife, our adventures also provide a diverse an in-dept encounter with many of the folk who contribute to the land we travel in, to really appreciate the beauty of Africa in all its facets.
This is designed as an adventure trip, and the unexpected can be expected. Be prepared.
Kindly refer to the section of this proposal after the detailed tour itinerary for some comments and explanations, as well as details about what is included and excluded.
A deposit of 50% would be required in advance to secure the various bookings en route. We would suggest this be done on confirmation of your booking.
Payments made in foreign currency will be subject to the effective rate of exchange prevailing at the time of transfer.
We supply a copy of our detailed “Terms and Condition” should you indicate your interest in this proposal.
Day 0: Arrival in Johannesburg
Arrive at OR Tambo International Airport. Flight arrival times to be confirmed in advance. We will meet you the airport, and transfer you to our guesthouse for check in. You may spend the rest of the day at leisure, catch up on some shopping or sleep.
We have a quick tour briefing.
Overnight in Pretoria
Day 1: Pilgrims Rest and Panorama Route
Departing early after breakfast, we head towards the Eastern Escarpment of South Africa, via Lydenburg, and lunching at Pilgrims Rest en route.
Pilgrims Rest is a village set back in time. The focal point of one of the most sustainable gold rushes in South African history, the entire town has been declared a national monument, and epitomises the life and times of the early pioneers of our land, despite
The more modern tourist vibe that is so evident today. Typical of pioneer towns, it has its fair share of folklore and colourful characters, and we share some of the stories over lunch and drinks (lunch at own cost).
We spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the splendor of the Northern Drakensberg, as we meander along the Panorama Route, visiting God’s Window, Berlin Falls, Lisbon Falls, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the Blyde River Canyon.
Overnight at a guesthouse in Graskop or Sabie
Day 2: Leisure Day in the Panorama Area
A day of leisure in the Lowveld area, where we can relax and enjoy the surroundings or take on some of the adventure activities in the area
Mountain biking, gorge swings, abseiling, white water rafting, ballooning, elephant back safaris, zip-lining, micro-lighting, horse trails, etc. are all available in the area. Transport will be provided, but lunch and all activities are to own account.
Other optional activities for this day include a visit to the Khamai Reptile Park and Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre.
Or we can take a trip to the beautiful Magoebaskloof area of the Northern Drakensberg. This stunning area abounds in natural and man-made forests, and offers several interesting hiking trails and waterfalls, as well as fascinating tribal folklore. A spectacular picnic spot is provided at the Debegeni waterfalls, where we can enjoy a relaxed packed lunch. It is quite a long drive from our lodgings, but well worth the trip.
A further alternative is to join in the adventures and activities of a game capture team operating in the area. Depending on circumstances, we may witness, or even assist in, the capture of wild animals and relocation to other reserves. This is not an “included” component of the tour, and would have to be negotiated and organised with the capture team at the time of the tour only (because circumstances change on a day-to-day and hour-to-hour basis). Additional charges would apply, and these would be discussed at the beginning of the tour.
Overnight at a guesthouse in Graskop or Sabie
Day 3: Kruger National Park (Southern Region)
Entering the park soon after sunrise, we spend the day exploring the southern section of the park, seeking, amongst others, the “Big-5”. This region covers a wide range of habitats and there are excellent opportunities for sighting elephant, lion, rhinos, leopard and buffalo as we meander along the Crocodile River or explore the thickets around the Sabie rive
We enjoy a casual breakfast and lunch at one of the picnic spots along the route, before heading for one of the rest camps, where we hop aboard one of the open game-viewers in search of the creatures of the night (and day, of course).
The stars and sounds of the African bush surround us as we enjoy a traditional “braai” (barbeque) before bedding down for the night.
Accommodation in safari tents or bungalows, with en-suite facilities.
Day 4: Kruger National Park (Central Region)
Leaving camp at daybreak, we head northwards towards the central region, breakfasting at one the picnic spots or dams en route. We may reach Satara or even Olifants camp, where we enjoy lunch, hopefully watching the ellies enjoying their afternoon dip in the river below us.
This part of Kruger tends to have more open bushveld than the southern section, and the potential for sighting big game along the rivers is exceptional. Its more open habitat is ideal for large herds of buffalo and plains game, as well as white rhino and the illusive cheetah.
We depart from Kruger just as the sun starts its final descent over the distant Drakensberg Mountains, and head for Hazyview, where we spend the night. Dinner at own cost
Day 5: Swaziland
We enjoy a relaxing breakfast before traveling southwards towards the Kingdom of Swaziland, a tiny landlocked country, bordered by Mozambique in the east, and South Africa on the remaining three sides.
Crossing the border by late morning, we continue towards the Milwane Game Sanctuary (or alternatively, the Malalotja Nature Reserve).
For those you are interested, there is a small cultural village at the border post, where you can browse through the stalls and enjoy the tribal dancers displaying their prowess.
We arrive at the reserve in time to enjoy some light hiking or game watching. Both Milwane and Malalotja offer wonderful trails providing a variety of habitats. Malalotja is a hikers’ paradise, exhibiting spectacular scenery and unique geological features, whereas Milwane provides opportunities of encountering a number of game species up close.
We spent the night at a local lodge. (Due to the limited availability of accommodation in these reserves, these venues can only be confirmed when your booking is made).
Day 6: Swaziland and Pongolapoort Dam
Swaziland offers a wealth of opportunities of interacting with the local folk and appreciating the way of life of many African people. We spend the morning visiting a local craft market, then head for candle factory where we can watch these wonderful craftsmen at their work.
Other options include a visit to a local cultural village, located in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains (optional, own cost).
A quick and early lunch at the candle factory precedes our dash for the South African border, where we hope to get to our lodge before the afternoon game drive leaves. (Note that we will be able to do a drive, bushwalk or canoe safari the next morning before departure if we opt not to do the evening drive).
Returning from our drive (included), we laze around enjoying the solitude of the lodge while we await dinner.
Overnight at Mvubu Game Lodge in Pongola Game Reserve (or similar)
Day 7: Ndumu Game Reserve
We spend the day exploring the Ndumu Game Reserve.
A game reserve with sub-tropical forests, floodplains, sand forest open grasslands with one of the highest checklists in South Africa. African Wood-owl, Eastern Nicator, Pink-throated Twin spot, Neergaard`s Sunbird, African Broadbill, Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Retz`s Helmet-Shrike and Brubru are only a few of the special birds to be seen in this reserve.
Overnight at Ndumu Game Reserve.
Day 8: Tembe Elephant Park
Visit the Thembe Elephant Park for an exiting game drive. Do some shopping in Mangusi. Leave the afternoon for the Utshwayelo bush camp in Kosi Bay.
Overnight at Utshwayelo Kosi Bay Mouth.
Day 9: Utshwayelo
Spend the day at the beach and river mouth. Visit the fish kraals and do some spear fishing with the local fishing tribes, snorkel in the mouth and tidal pools, watch the whales and see the dolphins play in the surf. Explore the sometimes totally deserted beach.
Overnight at Utshwayelo Kosi Bay Mouth.
Day 10: The Isimangaliso Wetland Park
Depart after an early breakfast for the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. Travel the coastal forest 4X4 route. This section of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park includes the pristine beaches of Mabibi, Island Rock Bay, Black Rock and Lake Sibaya witch is the largest fresh water lake in South Africa. Its crystal clear water is home to the second largest population of crocodiles and hippos in the Maputaland area.
Overnight in St Lucia
Day 11: The Isimangaliso Wetland Park
We explore the town and have a bite to eat (own cost), before donning our cameras and binoculars and hopping aboard a river cruiser to go hippo hunting, and croc-hunting, and bird-hunting. The only shooting allowed is of the photographic variety. Take long walks on the beach, do some snorkelling, hiking, bird watching and watch whales from the whale watching tower.
The 328000ha St. Lucia Wetlands Park was proclaimed a World Heritage Site in 1999. The park boasts 280km of coastline, and the estuary, almost 85km long, contains over 1000 hippos, thousands of Nile crocodiles, 114 fish species (including sharks), and over 500 bird species.
Our hotel welcomes us as we return from our cruise on the estuary, having chalked up a whole lot more than the Big-5.
Dinner is served before hit the sack for the night. Overnight in St Lucia
Day 12: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park
Early morning wake-up calls drag us out of bed to heed the call of nature – the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park awaits Game drives at daybreak start our day, as we go in search of the many hundreds of white and black rhinos that inhabit this special sanctuary. This Big-5 park was the brainchild of some deeply committed folk (including golfer Gary Player’s father) who contributed enormously to saving the rhinos from extinction many years ago, and is icon in the conservation world of today.
All day game drive through the Umfolozi/Hluhluwe National Park
Overnight in Hluhluwe
Day 13-14: Drakensberg Mountains
Continuing into Kwazulu Natal we enter the Drakensberg Mountains, which are known by the Zulu as the "barrier of spears", and are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of their outstanding natural beauty. We head for the Sani Pass region of the mountain range. Spending two nights here affords you the chance to explore the area the next day.
Drive further into Kwazulu Natal heading for the Sani Pass area of the Drakensberg
Day 15: Sani Pass area
Spend the day exploring the walking trails of the Sani Pass area, including waterfalls and rock paintings or join an organized tour that will take you up the Sani Pass to the border of Lesotho giving you magnificent views.
Option of walking or taking an organized tour up the Sani Pass
Day 16: Wild Coast
Overnight at the Wild Coast.
Day 17 – 18: Addo Game Reserve
Next morning we make our way to the Addo Game Reserve, famous for its elephant herds. Here we will spend two nights camping in the reserve. Up early the next morning we game drive in the reserve for the greater part of the day, allowing us time to sit and watch these wonderful animals interacting.
Arrive at Addo Elephant Game Reserve. Spend next day in the reserve watching the elephants and other animals.
Day 19: Tsitsikama National Park
Leaving Addo we pass through Port Elizabeth and continue along the Garden Route of South Africa. After a short stop to see the Storms River Viewpoint we spend the next two nights in the Tsitsikama National Park where the beautiful grassy campsite, meets the edge of the rocky shoreline. The next day you have the option of doing various activities including the highest bungi jump in Africa, a forest aerial cableway or take a rejuvenating walk along the shoreline.
Making our way to the Garden Route we stay at Tsitsikama National Park. Optional activities available - walking, bungi jumping or forest aerial cableway.
Day 20: Hermanus
Continuing on towards Cape Town we pass through Knysna and our next overnight stop is in the town of Hermanus. (Seasonal whale watching)
Day 21: Cape Town
Next morning you have time to explore the town centre with its craft market or take a short walk along the coastal path before we leave and take the short drive into Cape Town arriving in the late afternoon. (Optional, visit to Table Mountain)
