Born to Explore
South Africa: Amazing Encounters
Richard Wiese explores the wildest part of South Africa’s fabled Kruger National Park where he encounters elephants, lions and giraffes. He finds out how local communities are banding together to fight poaching and create a new economy based on ecotourism. And he visits a Makuleke village to learn how this proud tribe has helped transform this region into a flourishing wildlife reserve.
seasons
A great time to go on safari is the South African winter (June-September) and the best time to visit Cape Town is during the South African summer (December-February). High Season is the African winter with Shoulder (Value) season being Spring and Fall.
accommodations
The accommodation in Johannesburg and Cape Town will be in hotels. The accommodation on safari will largely be in temperature-controlled lodges.
food
South African food is of a very high quality and includes fresh fish, beef, vegetables, fruits and of course South African wine. South Africa can generally accommodate most
dietary restrictions.
activities
Safari Activity
Level = Easy
Cape Town Activity
Level = Easy/Moderate
family trips
This trip can be adapted for families and groups very well. Some lodges do not allow children under the age of 10 but there are lodges (outside of the main malaria zone) that allow very
small children.
SOUTH AFRICA CLASSIC TRIP
, Kruger National Park & Cape Town
9 Days / 8 Nights
Pricing Starting at
$2,350 PER PERSON*
Day 1
Arrive in Johannesburg, clear customs and transfer to your hotel to settle in.
Includes Accommodation
Day 2
After breakfast, you will be collected by a representative for a half day visit to the Kliptown Youth Program, a community organization. In Kliptown, visitors are considered a gift, and the members of KYP love to meet new friends from all over the world. If you are lucky enough to spend time at KYP, you are sure to receive a warm welcome, and you may well make some friends for life.
Transfer back to the hotel in the later afternoon and spend the evening at leisure.
Accommodation, Breakfast
Day 3
After an early breakfast and checkout, you will be transferred to OR Tambo Airport for a commercial flight to begin a 3-night safari in the Kruger National Park or surrounding private reserves. After check in and lunch, you will embark on your first game drive in the African bush. [Game Drive #1]
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4
Typical Safari Day: Game Drive #2 and Game Drive #3
05:00 - Wakeup call
05:30 - Tea / Coffee on camp deck, followed by game drive
09:00 - Return from morning game drive
09:30 - Breakfast
11:00 - Morning bush walk
01:00 - Lunch
04:00 - Tea / Coffee on camp deck, followed by game drive
07:30 - Return from game drive
08:00 – Dinner
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5
Typical Safari Day #2: Including Game Drive #4 and Game Drive #5
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6
After an early morning game drive [Game Drive #6] and breakfast, you will be transferred by commercial flight to Cape Town.
Upon arrival in Cape Town, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel for 3 nights.
Accommodation, Breakfast
Day 7
After an early breakfast, you will be met by a representative at 8:30AM and embark on a (group) Scheduled Cape City Tour--Including Table Mountain. You will return to your hotel around 3PM for an evening at leisure.
Accommodation, Breakfast
Day 8
After an early breakfast, you will be met by a representative at 8:30AM and embark on a (group) Scheduled full day Cape Point and Peninsula Tour. You will return to your hotel around 5PM for an evening at leisure.
Accommodation, Breakfast
Day 9
Check out and fly home. Depending upon your international flight, you will likely have an additional half day to explore Cape Town.
Accommodation, Breakfast
INCLUSIONS: Accommodation / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner as described above / Visit to Kliptown Youth Program / Safari Game Drives in 4x4 vehicles / Scheduled Cape Point and Peninsula Tour / Scheduled Cape City Tour/Including Table Mountain/ 24/7 English-language travel support / Local English-speaking guides for all sightseeing tours and excursions
EXCLUSIONS: International Flights / All domestic and regional flights / Insurance (Trip cancellation, interruption, medical) / Cost of obtaining visas or passports / Items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls etc. / Gratuities / Table Mountain Tickets / Alcohol
EXTENSION
VICTORIA FALLS
4 Days / 3 Nights
Pricing Starting At
$1,700 Per Person*
Enjoy 4 days on the Zimbabwe Side of Victoria Falls. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, Victoria Falls is a place where wilderness, adventure and culture unite. This extension will include a visit to Victoria Falls, game drives in Zimbabwe and Chobe National Park in Botswana and an optional river safari.
Inclusions: Accommodation, Ground Transfers, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Alcohol (excl premium brands), 1 afternoon game drive or river safari, 1 morning game drive, visit to Victoria Falls, full day in Chobe National Park (Botswana) / 24/7 English-language travel support / Local English-speaking guides for all sightseeing tours and excursions
Exclusions: International Air, Insurance, Visas (if required), Gratuities, Personal Items
EXTENSION
BOTSWANA
5 Days / 4 Nights
Pricing Starting At
$2,700 Per Person*
Experience the stunning beauty, the unimaginable vastness, the isolation and worldliness, the astoundingly prolific wildlife of the best kept African secret - Botswana. Enjoy 5 days of water and land game drives in Chobe National Park, just over the border from Victoria Falls.
Inclusions: Accommodation, Ground Transfers, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Alcohol (excl premium brands), Game Drives in 4x4 vehicles / 24/7 English-language travel support / Local English-speaking guides for all sightseeing tours and excursions
Exclusions: International Air, Insurance, Visas (if required), Gratuities, Personal Items, Flights to Safari
EXTENSION
MAURITIUS BEACH
5 Days / 4 Nights
Pricing Starting At
$850 Per Person*
Mauritius, a magical island in the Indian Ocean with a mountainous center surrounded by pure white beaches and majestically blue oceans. Experience five days
of relaxation, water activities, and full board.
Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Ground Transfers / 24/7 English-language travel support / Local English-speaking guides for all sightseeing tours and excursions
Exclusions: Insurance, Alcohol, Activities, Gratuities, Personal Expenses (Laundry, Telephone
Calls Etc.), Flights to Mauritius
*The "starting at" pricing is a per person estimate of the land arrangements only based on double occupancy. Please note that international flights and insurance are always excluded and booked separately.
Exact pricing will be possible following a tailored quote that will include exact dates, number of travelers and specific itinerary. In general, pricing is subject to availability, currency exchange rate fluctuations and hotels may change their pricing at any time.
Groups of 4+ travelers may have better pricing and may or may not include credit card fees as noted.
The total cost of the core trip and the Mauritius Extension will be quoted in South African Rand (ZAR) and the above amounts are an estimate in USD. The Victoria Falls extension and Beach Extension will be quoted in USD.
Payment by credit card will be an additional fee. Payment by wire transfer will only incur bank fees.
For international air and domestic/regional flights, please contact us for current pricing.
Insurance quotes are available for American and Canadian travelers.
