featuring four stunning game reserves
South Africa is internationally known for its wealth of celebrated game reserves, populations of countless diverse wildlife and bird species, all located within stunning and breathtaking landscapes. Imagine a fantastic journey of discovery through four of South Africa’s northern reserves, occupied in many cases by the ‘Big Five’. With many meals included and accommodation in top class lodges, concluding with a 3-night stay in a luxurious safari lodge, this outstanding collection of enthralling game drives in open 4x4 vehicles and a number of guided nature walks, promises an experience with nature, after which you are sure to be a safari expert!
Including...
- 12 nights in hotel/lodge and 2 in flight (accommodation as specified or similar)
- 35 meals: 12 breakfasts (days 3-14) 11 lunches (days 3-10 and 12-14) 12 dinners (days 2-13)
- All soft drinks, local wines and spirits, during your stay at Entabeni Lakeside Lodge, Chisomo Safari Camp, Shiduli Game Lodge and Imbali Safari Lodge
Included excursions and visits: 21
- 5 game drives in the Waterberg region
- Visit to Endangered Species Centre and replica Pedi village
- Mapungubwe UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Game drive and bush walk in Mapungubwe National Park
- San Rock Art at Mapungubwe
- 4 game drives in Karongwe National Park
- Visit to Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
- The Panorama Route
- 4 game drives in Kruger National Park/Mthethomusha Game Reserve
Plus all these benefits:
- VIP Home Departure Service®
- Free connecting flights from regional airports
- Check-in service with porterage
- Services of an experienced local tour manager
- Scheduled South African Airways or British Airways direct flights
- Transportation in coaches and open 4x4 vehicles on game drives, with experienced drivers
- Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
- Airport taxes, security charges and fuel surcharges
- UK Air Passenger Duty (APD)
Day 1 London - In flight
VIP Home Departure Service® collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport and a direct, scheduled overnight South African Airways or British Airways flight to Johannesburg.
Day 2 Johannesburg - Waterberg
This morning we arrive into Johannesburg and commence our exciting journey heading north first to Entabeni Safari Conservancy. Located in the Waterberg biosphere, Entabeni means ‘place of the mountain’, but the area is home to several diverse habitats. We arrive at Lakeside Lodge (4T) situated on the upper escarpment and the banks of Entabeni Lake. Hippos often frequent the lake and it is not uncommon to spot other animals close to the lodge; this afternoon we enjoy a game drive in search of the local wildlife.
Day 3 Waterberg
The Safari Conservancy has plentiful wildlife including the ‘Big Five’: lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino, hyena, many birds and at least fifteen species of antelope. We awake on our first morning to magnificent mountain scenery and embark on an early game drive to the upper escarpment. After lunch we enjoy a game drive.
Day 4 Waterberg
Another thrilling day of nature-spotting awaits us, with two included drives to further explore the natural wonders of the reserve and its wildlife. Our first is before breakfast in the lower escarpment. This contrasting area of the reserve is home to warmer sandy wetlands. After breakfast we visit the Endangered Species Centre to learn of the rare white lion, before joining a walk around a reconstructed Pedi cultural village. Our lunch will be taken at a traditional bush boma, followed by a second game drive.
Day 5 Waterberg - Limpopo
Today we continue our adventure to Limpopo in the far north of South Africa, travelling through the diverse landscape of this region. We stop en route for a picnic lunch, arriving this afternoon at Mopane Bush Lodge (4T), our base for the next three nights. We enjoy a bush walk this afternoon around the local area.
Day 6 Limpopo
Mopane Bush Lodge, a tranquil retreat located on Mapesu Nature Reserve, is a perfect base for the next few days’ activities. We begin early for a guided visit to Mapungubwe UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, in the 9th century Iron Age, the first known Bantu settlement was established in South Africa. The site’s most famous artefact, the ‘Golden Rhino’, highlights the importance of the settlement within the vast Indian Ocean trade network. After lunch Mapungubwe National Park is our destination, for another exhilarating game drive.
Day 7 Limpopo
We return to the Mapungubwe National Park for a bush walk or game drive. This afternoon we experience the wondrous sight of ancient rock shelters adorned with approximately two hundred individual images of ancient graffiti and art, a legacy of the San people who occupied the area of early Africa before the arrival of the Bantu civilisations.
Day 8 Limpopo - Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Heading to Karongwe Private Game Reserve, we arrive later at Chisomo Safari Camp (4T) located within a landscape dominated by the northern Drakensberg Mountains, thought to have been inspiration to South African born J.R.R. Tolkien. This afternoon we embark on a game drive, before dinner.
Day 9 Karongwe
Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre has become home for many of South Africa’s abandoned or injured wildlife and together with their longstanding breeding projects, rescue and release efforts, offer a substantial contribution to wildlife education. This morning promises a totally different animal experience to that which we have encountered so far. After lunch another drive into the bush awaits us.
Day 10 Karongwe
Today we enjoy two more exciting journeys of potential animal-spotting, through the breathtaking landscape of Karongwe - perhaps we may see an elusive leopard or a lion.
Day 11 Karongwe - Kruger National Park/Mthethomusha Game Reserve
We leave Karongwe to travel along part of the famous Panorama route, including stops at the Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window. Our destination is Imbali Safari Lodge (5T), situated within the Kruger National Park, or Bongani Mountain Lodge (4T) in Mthethomusha Game Reserve, adjacent to Kruger National Park.
Day 12 Kruger National Park/Mthethomusha Game Reserve
Today we have included two game drives in an area of diverse game viewing and wealth of wildlife.
Day 13 Kruger National Park/Mthethomusha Game Reserve
Two further game drives today before our final sumptuous evening meal in serene surroundings, which will no doubt be filled with bubbling conversation regarding the splendid wildlife experiences we have encountered.
Day 14 Kruger/Mthethomusha - Johannesburg - In flight
Today, our adventure almost at an end, we depart for the journey back to Johannesburg Airport for a direct, scheduled, overnight South African Airways or British Airways flight to London.
Day 15 London
Arrival at London Heathrow Airport where you will be met and guided to your vehicle, for the journey home.