Fourteen Day Best of South Africa with Outdoor Africa 2018 SAMPLE

Transcription

1 Fourteen Day Best of South Africa with Outdoor Africa 2018 SAMPLE Proposal by Outdoor Africa Day 1 Arrive Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International Airport) Day at leisure. Upon arrival in Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International Airport), you will be transferred to Africa Sky Guesthouse. Balance of day at leisure. Overnight Africa Sky Guest House. Included: Transfer, dinner, and overnight Africa Sky Guest House. Day 2 Mpumalanga / The Panorama Route Morning departure for the Panorama Route. The most spectacular stretch of the Panorama Route is the Blyde River Canyon. Blyderivierspoort Nature Reserve lies to the north of the town of Graskop and is a narrow strip, which runs for approximately 35 miles along the Drakensberg Escarpment. It contains one of the great scenic wonders of Southern Africa, the Blyde River Canyon, which is 35 miles long and is the third largest canyon in the P a g e 1 15

2 world. Unlike the Fish River Canyon in Namibia and the Grand Canyon in America, it is filled with lush vegetation and wildlife. There are a number of viewpoints along the edge of the escarpment offering excellent views of the Canyon and the river below. From many well-positioned vantage points one has a view of the long gorge, which starts at "Bourkes Luck Potholes" and ends at the "Three Rondavels". Bourke's Luck Potholes were named after Tom Bourke who discovered gold here at the confluence of the Treur and Blyde rivers. The potholes are deep cylindrical holes formed by the action of the sand and rock carried down by the rivers when in flood. Visitors can obtain a close view of the potholes from specially constructed bridges. Overnight Hoedspruit/Blyde Wildlife Estate. Included: dinner, all entrance fees and excursions, and overnight Hoedspruit/Blyde Wildlife Estate. Day 3 Kruger National Park, Satara camp (or other KNP Camp as available) Morning departure for Kruger National Park. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, SANParks - Kruger National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets. P a g e 2 15

3 Satara is a busy camp situated in an excellent game viewing area, with the bush relatively open and the animals plentiful and diverse. The camp itself has a rustic charm, with the bulk of the accommodation set out in a series of circles. The camp is well wooded and the daytime bird-life is prolific. At night the clink of fruit bats is fused with the chirping of cicadas and crickets. The call of owls and nightjars add to the symphony that is punctuated intermittently by the whoop of hyena, the screech of jackal and the roar of lion. Satara is regarded as one of the best game viewing areas in the park and is particularly noted for cats, with lion, leopard and cheetah being recorded regularly. General game includes blue wildebeest, Burchell s zebra, waterbuck, giraffe and the ubiquitous impala. Rhino, buffalo and elephant are also easily seen - of the smaller animals, the honey badger is something to look out for. Satara, like other camps, has a plethora of resident birds. Particularly prominent are Redbilled Buffalo Weaver, Glossy, Greater Blue-eared and Burchell s Starling and Mourning Dove. At night Giant Eagle, Barn, Scops and Pearlspotted Owls can be seen and heard in camp. The evening will be set aside for a night safari, where you will have the opportunity to explore the magic of the African bush at night (night safari for your own account.) Overnight Satara Camp (or other KNP Camp as available). Included: dinner, all game drives, and overnight at KNP Camp. Optional activities (for your own account): Guided Bush Walks Bush Breakfast and Bush Braai (Barbecue) Optional Activities are on a first come/first serve basis and can be limited. P a g e 3 15

4 Day 4 Explore Satara and surrounds Early morning game drive departing from Satara camp. We return late morning for breakfast and a rest before departing on an afternoon game drive that will see us returning to camp early evening. Overnight Satara Camp (or other KNP Camp as available). Included: dinner, all game drives, and overnight at KNP Camp. Day 5 Kruger National Park, Lower Sabie Camp (or other KNP Camp as available) Morning departure for Lower Sabie Camp (or other KNP Camp as available). Lower Sabie graces the banks of the Sabie River, one of the few perennial rivers to flow through the Kruger National Park. Visitors cannot but feel soothed by the view towards the river and the Lebombo Mountains beyond. In this rest camp, the bounty and plenitude of are very evident, eloquently symbolized by the most conspicuous of its numerous trees, the mighty sycamore fig, which provides generously for the livelihood of many birds and insects. Not only do these giants produce fruit at least twice a year, but different trees produce fruit at different times, extending the gifts of life over many months. Watching the endless procession of animals coming to drink at the Sabie River establishes a sense of one's own place in the eternal cycle. Early morning and afternoon game drives. Overnight Lower Sabie Camp (or other KNP Camp as available). Included: dinner, all game drives, and overnight at KNP Camp. Day 6 Kruger National Park to Swaziland, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Morning departure for Swaziland. Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is Swaziland's pioneer conservation area and a beautiful, secluded sanctuary situated in the Kingdom's Ezulwini Valley, 'Valley of Heavens'. Located between Mbabane and Manzini. The name 'Mlilwane' ('Little Fire' in siswati) was derived from the numerous fires started by lightning strikes on the Mlilwane Hill but now holds significance as the little fire that started a big conservation movement in Swaziland resulting in the saving of over 22 species from local extinction across the three reserves. The accommodation huts are comfortable, fully en-suite, units built in the traditional Swazi way. The wildlife reserve is special as one can walk around freely and get close to animals on foot. P a g e 4 15

5 Overnight at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary beehive huts. Included: dinner, and overnight Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Day 7 Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary to Tembe Elephant Park Tembe Elephant Park is situated in the north eastern region of KwaZulu Natal, now known as the Elephant Coast. This reserve was established in 1983 to protect the last remaining herds of freeranging Elephant in South Africa, known as the Great Tuskers. These herds migrated seasonally between Mozambique and the north of Zululand; however they faced constant harassment over the border, and preferred to stay in the dense Sand Forest thickets of Tembe. Tembe is one of the few places left in South Africa where the true African wilderness experience can still be enjoyed. Afternoon Game drive in Tembe Elephant Park. Overnight Royal Thonga Safari Lodge. Included: dinner, game drive, and overnight Royal Thonga Safari Lodge. P a g e 5 15

6 Day 8 Tembe Elephant Park. Royal Thonga Safari Lodge is the culmination of a dream of the local community, private investors, and the Royal Tembe Development Foundation to create a natural paradise for visitors to this unique reserve. The lodge is architecturally designed to emulate the local Tonga building style, and each of the fourteen chalets are uniquely positioned to offer guests total privacy and luxurious comfort within a sand forest in Tembe Elephant Park. Natural materials and timber give a warm organic ambience and invite the outdoors in - all rooms are appointed with quality furnishings and bathrooms come complete with an indoor and private outdoor shower for those whom enjoy immersing themselves in their surroundings in rare solitude and perfect tranquility. We will enjoy an early morning game drive in Tembe Elephant Park! Upon return from the morning game drive, we will visit a local Thonga village and school in order to experience some of the local Tembe/Thonga culture. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local shisanyama. Overnight Royal Thonga Safari Lodge. Included: Game drive, community visit, breakfast, dinner, and overnight Royal Thonga Safari Lodge. P a g e 6 15

7 Day 9 - Depart Tembe for Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserve. Morning departure for Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserve. Hluhluwe/iMfolozi is set in the heart of Zululand, and is the oldest game reserve in Africa. This is where Zulu kings such as Dingiswayo and Shaka hunted and put in place the first conservation laws, and where today the "Big five" of African legend stalk the verdant savannah. The Park became world renowned for its white rhino conservation methods implemented during the 1950 s and 1960 s. Established in 1895, game viewing is the prime attraction. Viewing hides overlook pans and waterholes enabling visitors to see animals at close range. Previously managed as two separate parks, the Hluhluwe (in the north) and imfolozi (in the south) were joined into one large game reserve. The wide range of plant life in the park gives rise to a diversity of mammals, birdlife, reptiles and amphibians. The Big Five - Lion, Rhino (back & white), Elephant, Buffalo, and Leopard are all to be seen in the park, as well as a variety of other species, including Cheetah, Wild dog, and Giraffe. It is also one of the best places in the world to see Nyala. Hluhluwe is characterized by hilly topography, and this northern section of the park is noted for its wide variety of both bird and animal life. imfolozi, the southern section of the park, lies west of the town of Mtubatuba. The region is generally hot in summer, and mild to cool in winter, although cold spells do occur. Larger mammals to be seen include buffalo, blue wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, elephant, and large numbers P a g e 7 15

8 of impala, waterbuck, common and mountain reedbuck, nyala, kudu, bushbuck, steenbuck, duiker, warthog, black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, and jackal. In excess of 300 species of birds have also been recorded. Overnight Hilltop Camp. Included: dinner, afternoon game drive, and overnight Hilltop Camp. P a g e 8 15

9 Day 10 Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserve Full day in Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserve. A typical day on safari at Hluhluwe/iMfolozi would be as follows: 05h30 06h00 10h00 14h00 15h00 18h00 Wake up time and morning tea Morning safari departs Return for brunch Sandwiches and Tea/Coffee Afternoon safari departs Afternoon safari returns Overnight Hillrop Camp. Included: dinner, two game drives daily, and overnight Hilltop Camp. Day 11 Hluhluwe/iMfolozi to Durban, flight to Cape Town Morning departure for King Shaka International Airport for your flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival in Cape Town you will be taken for a quick visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Kirstenbosch is South Africa s world-famous national botanical garden, set against the backdrop of Table Mountain and Devil s Peak, and home to more than indigenous plants. Kirstenbosch is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kirstenbosch was established in 1913 to protect the immense floral wealth of the Cape. Located on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, this 528ha (1 305 acre) botanical wonderland is magnificent in any season. Paved paths make walking around a pleasure, and plaques and signboards provide information on the trees and plants. Overnight local Cape Town Guest House. Included: Gardens excursion, and overnight local Cape Town Guest House. P a g e 9 15

10 Day 12 Cape Peninsula Tour Today will be set aside for an ascent of Table Mountain and a visit to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (please note that this day may be interchanged for any of the days spent in Cape Town, as the ascent is weather dependent) The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway takes visitors to the summit of Table Mountain in under 10 minutes. The cable car s rotating floor and huge windows ensure that all passengers get a 360-degree aerial view as they head up the mountain. The cableway was first launched in Since then, many upgrades have taken place, and today the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway has state-of-the-art facilities and a well-established safety record The two cable cars in operation take 5 to 10 minutes to reach the top of Table Mountain, travelling at a speed of about 10m (33ft) per second. The height of Table Mountain (at its highest point) is 1085m (3560ft) and the views from the top reach all the way to Robben Island and beyond. Table Mountain is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to about 2000 species of plants (more than the number found throughout the entire British Isles), most of them fynbos, which forms one of the world s six plant kingdoms all on its own. After visiting Table Mountain depart for Cape Peninsula named the Cape of Storms by Bartolomeu Dias in 1488; the Point was treated with respect by sailors for centuries. By day, it was a navigational landmark and by night, and in fog, it was a menace beset by violent storms and dangerous rocks that over the centuries littered shipwrecks around the coastline. P a g e 10 15

11 In 1859 the first lighthouse was completed; it still stands at 750 feet above sea-level on the highest section of the peak and is now used as the centralized monitoring point for all the lighthouses on the coast of South Africa. Table Mountain National Park forms part of the Cape Floral Region, a World Heritage Site. It includes the majestic Table Mountain chain, which stretches from Signal Hill to Cape Point, and the coastlines of the Cape Peninsula. This narrow stretch of land, dotted with beautiful valleys, bays and beaches, contains a mix of extraordinarily diverse and unique fauna and flora. After lunch visit the Penguin Colony at Boulders and end off your day at Groot Constantia, the oldest wine estate in the Cape. Wander through the beautifully restored Manor House (time permitting). Overnight local Cape Town Guest House. Included: All entrance fees and excursions, and overnight local Cape Town Guest House. Day 13 - Cape Town at leisure! Today will be set aside for you to enjoy the offerings of Cape Town at leisure. Your guide will be available for suggestions and transfers to different activities. Cape Town - Optional activities (for your own account): 4x4 Tours Abseiling Aquarium Diving Beach Horse Rides Bicycle Tours Bike Tours Blokart Sailing Boat Trips Camel Rides Canopy Tours Classic Car Tours Clay Pigeon Shooting Coasteering Cycle Tours Deep Sea Fishing Dragon Boat Racing Fishing Fly Fishing Go Karting Gyrocopter Harley-Davidson Tour Helicopter Flights Hiking Horse Riding Hot-Air Ballooning Huey Helicopter Rides Karting Kayaking Kite Surfing Kiteboarding Kloofing (Canyoning) Land Sailing Microlight Flying Mountain Biking Paragliding Pelagic Boat Trip Power Boating Quad Biking River Rafting Rock Climbing Running Tours Sailing Charters Sandboarding Scenic Flights Scuba Diving Sea Kayaking Seal Snorkeling Seal Viewing Trips Shark Cage Diving Shark Diving Sidecar Tours Skydiving Sunset Cruises Surfing Surfski Paddling Tobogganing Tubing Underground Tours Whale Watching White Water Kayaking Zip Lining P a g e 11 15

12 Overnight local Cape Town Guest House. Included: transfers, and overnight local Cape Town Guest House. Day 14 Cape Town to Johannesburg return flight Morning departure for Cape Town International Airport for your return flight to Johannesburg. *Safari End* P a g e 12 15

13 Itinerary Table Day Accommodation & website Travel Time Included Excluded 1 Africa Sky Guest House 2 Hoedspruit/Blyde Wildlife Estate 6-8 hours drive time 3 Satara Camp (or local KNP camp as available) Park_Lodging_&_Camping_Guide-travel/sataracamp.html 15 minutes Dinner, transfer 2 hours (via game drive) 4 Satara Camp (or local KNP camp as available) Game drives dinner, entrance fees dinner, game drives, entrance fees dinner, two game drives daily 5 Lower Sabie Camp (or local KNP camp as available) Park_Lodging_&_Camping_Guide-travel/lowersabie-camp.html Game drives dinner, two game drives daily 6 Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Approx 3 hours 30 min dinner, entrance fees 7 Royal Thonga Safari Lodge Approx 4 hours dinner, afternoon game drive 8 Royal Thonga Safari Lodge Game drives, transfers dinner, game drive, community visit P a g e 13 15

14 9 Hilltop Camp 3 Hours 30 min 10 Hilltop Camp Game drives 11 Cape Town Guesthouse (as available) 12 Cape Town Guesthouse (as available) 13 Cape Town Guesthouse (as available) 3 hour road transfer, 2 hour flight Sight seeing Leisure day 14 None Approx 30 minutes, 2 hour flight dinner, afternoon game drive dinner, two game drives daily transfer, Gardens visit entrance fees and excursions Guide available for transfers transfer Flight*, All drinks, dinner, dinner, dinner, Flight*, All drinks, *Please Note: Internal SA Flights can be arranged, but flight costs are determined at the time of booking and are outsourced by Outdoor Africa to a trusted travel agency. These would be billed as a separate line-item on your invoice and are in addition to tour price. P a g e 14 15

15 Rates (rates are current estimates and to be determined based on number or travelers, time of year, availability, etc) Please Note: This is a private tour for an individual, couple, family, or small group! Per Person sharing: 1 person tour - ~$ 6, person tour - ~$ 5, person tour - ~$ 4, person tour - ~$ 4, Rate is inclusive of the following: All land transfer and travel All meals as stipulated (please note: dinners included are up to 200 Rand per person, per night any excess cost and tipping of waitstaff is of your own accord) All excursions as stipulated All accommodation as stipulated Rate exclusive of: Excursions not included as per the itinerary All flights not included as per itinerary Meals not included in the itinerary Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) Items of a Gratuities P a g e 15 15