Tailor-made itinerary 01
Itinerary Specially Prepared For A Family Of 4
18 July
On arrival in Johannesburg, you check into the Holiday Inn Johannesburg International for (4) nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
21 July
Today you will be joined by Jennifer and Rebecca at the Holiday Inn Johannesburg International.
22 July
Today all six of you make your way back to the JNB International Airport and board your flight BP 212 to Maun (10h00 / 11h40). On arrival you will be met and transferred in two separate light aircraft to Vumbura Camp for (3) nights on a fully inclusive basis.
Vumbura (pronounced Vuumbera) is a 16 bedded luxury tented camp situated to the north of Mombo, in a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in the extreme north of the Okavango Delta. Vumbura offers both water and land activities. Mekoros (dug-out canoes) traverse the flood plains under the guidance of polers from the BaYei tribe, who have been using mekoros as their traditional form of transport for hundreds of years. Boats take guests onto the larger and deeper areas of water (water levels permitting). Open 4x4 Land Rovers allow close proximity to animals in the savanna areas. This is possibly the only area in the Okavango where one can see Red Lechwe from a mokoro in the morning, then a Sable antelope from a game vehicle in the afternoon. Add in Lion, Leopard, Elephant and Buffalo along with all the plains game, and one has an excellent all round game experience in a remote corner of the Okavango. Walks on the islands give guests the opportunity to enjoy Africa from a different perspective. Each one of the rooms has en-suite facilities with hot and cold running water, a shower, and flush toilets. Each room has an outdoor shower under the stars! The main dining, lounge and pub area is tucked beneath a canopy of indigenous trees with a superb view across the floodplain. The camp has a plunge pool. Access into this area is only by aircraft and then by vehicle to camp. if the waters are high in winter, we may have to access the camp by mokoro.
23 – 24 July
On safari in Vumbura
25 July
Today you will be transferred in two separate light aircraft to Chitabe Camp for (3) nights on a fully inclusive basis.
Chitabe is a luxurious 16 bedded, tented camp built on one of the most beautiful islands in the Okavango Delta, in a private area that is bordered on three sides by the Moremi Game Reserve. The area is surrounded by waterways and lagoons, where a variety of wildlife can be found. Accommodation consists of eight spacious East African style tents that are built on elevated wooden decks, beneath the lush tree canopy. Each tented room has en-suite facilities with flush toilets, and a shower and basin with hot and cold running water. The thatched dining area, lounge and pub are also raised on decks overlooking the surrounding flood plains, and a pool allows guests to cool off from the heat of the day. Activities consist of day and night game drives in open 4x4 vehicles accompanied by an experienced guide, as well as nature walks. Game viewing is good, and includes Buffalo, Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Reedbuck, Lechwe, Impala, Zebra and Hippo. Wild dogs are also sometimes sighted. Night drives can be very rewarding with good sightings of the rarer nocturnal animals. Access into this area is only by aircraft.
26 – 27 July
On safari in Chitabe
28 July
Today you will be transferred in two separate light aircraft transfers to Maun to connect with your flight BP 211 to Johannesburg (15h00 / 16h40). On arrival you will make your way back to the Holiday Inn Johannesburg International for (1) nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
29 July
This morning all six of you collect your rented VW Microbus and make your way to Londolozi Bateleur Camp for (2) nights on a fully inclusive basis.
Situated in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, bordering the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Londolozi has traversing rights over 17,000 hectares of prime game viewing land with exclusive rights over 7,000 hectares. There are eight luxurious chalets and four gracious suites in this historical camp. All the chalets and suites, whose furnishings display Londolozi’s award winning style, have wooden decks and a plunge pool. The twin beds can be converted into double beds. There is air conditioning, a personal bar and en suite bathroom with bath, separate shower, w.c and twin hand basins. The focal point of each bathroom is its enormous bath with its picturesque view of the surrounding bush. In addition the suites have under floor heating and an outdoor shower. The lounge and dining area at Bateleur Camp offer awe-inspiring views of the Sand River and exude the warmth and hospitality of the Londolozi legacy. Historical photographs of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and family portraits add to the congenial atmosphere of the spacious deck, which incorporates an ancient Ebony Tree. The Camp also has a swimming pool, a large boma (reeded enclosure), an orientation centre, well stocked wine cellar and excellent curio shop/ gallery. View Africa's most impressive wildlife on morning and evening game drives in open Land Rovers and on guided bush walks. The game viewing experience is complimented by other activities such as stargazing, bird- watching, moonlit bush dinners (weather permitting), private bush breakfasts, just relaxing in your own private plunge pool and bush presentations in the orientation centre. Visits to the staff village encompass the crèche, the school, the adult learning centre, the clinic and the craft center.
30 July
On safari in Londolozi.
31 July
Today after your morning game drive and breakfast you make your way back to Johannesburg, and check into the Holiday Inn Johannesburg International for (1) nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
01 Aug
This morning you say good bye to Jennifer and Rebecca, and the four of you collect your rented Toyota Prado and make your way to the Augrabies National Park for (1) night on a self catering basis.
02 Aug
Today you enter Namibia and make your way to the Khalahari Sands Hotel for (1) night on a bed and breakfast basis.
03 Aug
Today you continue up to the Etosha area and check into the Mokuti Lodge for (1) night on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Situated at the eastern entrance to the renowned Etosha National Park, Mokuti Lodge is known not only for its modern accommodation facilities and excellent guest service - the lodge was awarded several prizes for these two quality indicators (Best Hotel of the Year Award, Best Customer Service Award) - but also for its unique location in an African bushveld paradise. Mokuti covers a park area of 200 hectares where antelopes, and other African wildlife species graze peacefully on grasslands. Nature lovers can get a close experience of the African bush on walking and riding trails. Guided tours in various vehicles into Etosha National Park will make your encounter with African wildlife a perfect and lasting experience. Accompanied by the sound and beat of African music, delicious food will be served in the boma or the restaurant at night. The lodge offers professional conference facilities with modern technology.
04 Aug
Today you make your way Swakopmund and check into the Hansa Hotel for (1) night on a bed and breakfast basis.
Set in the charming town of Swakopmund, the historic Hansa Hotel was built in 1905, and today its classical architecture forms an integral part of the City Centre. Voted best hotel in Namibia in 1996/ 97, the Hansa is famous for its hospitality and friendly service. Tastefully decorated, suites and rooms offer every modern amenity with under-carpet heating and multi-channel TV. The fully air-conditioned Hansa Restaurant has a fine reputation for culinary delights of fresh fish and traditional game dishes. Stroll to the beach, close to golf, tennis, horse and camel riding and the natural attractions of the dramatic desert.
05 Aug
Today you re enter South Africa at Vioolsdrif Border Post and carry on to OKiep. Here you check into the Okiep Country Hotel for (1) night on a bed and breakfast basis.
Situated in the heart of Namaqualand - a place of unspoilt beauty characterized by vast open spaces, clear blue skies, fascinating plant life, austere mountain wilderness and a world-famous kaleidoscope of brilliantly coloured wild flowers carpeting vast areas in the springtime. Gloudine & Norman offer you traditional country hospitality in a modern and elegant setting in the historic and restful town of Okiep, once the site of the richest copper mine in the world Superb country cooking. Friendly, informal country hospitality and service and well-appointed bedrooms with en-suite bath/shower and TV. Comfortable, relaxing lounge and pub as well as telephone/fax facilities.
06 Aug
Today you drive on down to Cape Town and check in at the Cape Sun Hotel (now known as the Holiday Inn Cape Town) for (4) nights on a bed and breakfast basis. Scott and LeeAnne will be at the hotel already.
07 – 08 Aug
At leisure in Cape Town
09 Aug
Today you say good bye Scott and LeeAnne.
10 Aug
This morning the four of you start up the garden route to Knysna. Check in at the Protea Knysna Quays Hotel for (1) night on a bed and breakfast basis.
Situated on one of the best hotel sites in Southern Africa, the Protea Hotel Knysna Quays enjoys a stunning outlook. Located on the banks of the famous Knysna Lagoon and facing the sea through the Knysna Heads, this exciting hotel development is also an integral part of the vibrant Knysna Quays Waterfront, with its vast selection of restaurants, bars and speciality boutiques. Facilities at the Protea Hotel Knysna Quays include a swimming pool with a uniquely designed wooden sun deck, individual moorings and jetties at your doorstep. All rooms are decorated in light nautical hues and feature deluxe en-suite bathroom with separate shower, satellite TV and air-conditioning. Most rooms offer magnificent views of the lagoon and yacht basin.
11 Aug
Today you continue up to Port Elizabeth and then onto Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Check in at the Long Lee Manor Lodge for (2) nights on a fully inclusive basis.
Long Lee Manor, an Edwardian Mansion built in 1910, has been restored to its former glory and is the flagship of the reserve. This magnificent reminder of an era of gracious living offers guest the finest in accommodation, service and cuisine. Long Lee accommodates 42 guests in deluxe period en suite double rooms. All rooms have air conditioning or ceiling fans and underfloor heating. Four types of accommodation are on offer: The Manor house, Palm Court, Sidbury Suites and the Garden Suites. Expertly prepared meals can be enjoyed in the main dining room, under the stars in the courtyard, or a the riverside “lapa” overlooking the hippo pool. Game drives are taken in the morning and evening with highly experienced rangers, who share their knowledge with your and bring you close to Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Giraffe, Hippos and more than eighteen Antelope species. Game drives are in open landrovers for you to fully appreciate the plains, grasslands, valleys, thickets, vast species of birds and animals that Shamwari has to offer.
12 Aug
On safari at Shamwari
13 Aug
Today you drive north up to Bloemfontein and check in at the Holiday Inn Garden Court – Bloemfontein for (1) night on bed and breakfast basis.
14 Aug
Today drive on up to Johannesburg and check into the Holiday Inn Johannesburg International for (1) nights on a bed and breakfast basis. Today you will also be joined at the Holiday Inn by Scott and LeAnne. This morning at 08h30, all six of you drop off the Toyota Prado at the Avis depot at JNB International, and collect your rented VW Microbus and make your way down to Ulusaba Safari Lodge for (2) nights on a fully inclusive basis.
ULUSABA is part of the Sabi-Sand Wildtuin which is a 66000 ha privately owned reserve within the greater Kruger National Park. ULUSABA, which has been in private hands since the early 1920’s, was purchased by Richard Branson in June 1999.
The hills of Ulusaba are spectacular as they rise above the surrounding bushveld offering a view unsurpassed anywhere in the reserve. It was this unique location, which led to the name ULUSABA. The tribe occupying the area long ago used the hills as an outpost for the chief and senior warriors. The elevation gave them tremendous advantage during battle and meant the enemy were unlikely to win, as surprise attack was virtually impossible. The tribal members could therefore live in safety and the place was called ULUSABA, meaning “place of little fear”. ULUSABA forms part of the Western sector of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and our game vehicles drive on a reciprocal traversing area with properties Idube, Savannah, Ululapa, Exeter, Dulini and Inyathi. When game viewing in open land rovers you can expect to see a large variety of birds and game - Leopard, Elephant, Giraffe, White Rhino, Waterbuck, Lion, Cheetah, Buffalo – to name just a few. Klipspringers (small antelope) are unique to Ulusaba in the western sector of the game reserve and can often be spotted on the “koppies” (high, rocky hills). Ulusaba experiences the highest rainfall of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and the most majestic trees like Bushveld Teak, False Marula and Weeping Bushwillow are abundant.
Our qualified rangers are sensitive to the natural environment and are committed to operating with minimal impact. Extreme care is taken when off-road driving is required for game tracking. Our rangers have an understanding of the ecology and will assess the environment and prevailing conditions before leaving the road.
15 Aug
In conjunction with Potchefstroom University, a “grass” project is underway to rehabilitate seriously eroded areas by changing the properties of the soil and then planting specific grass types to re-establish the degraded areas. Ulusaba borders the Western boundary fence that has halted local seasonal migrations from the eastern sectors of the reserve. Several dams have been built to sustain these migrating species that concentrate in the area. “Kskwenga” dam is the largest dam in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin and easily viewed from Rock lodge. Most animals are dependant on water, and the distribution of water plays an important role in the concentration of animals especially during winter when all the seasonal pans have dried up. Safari Lodge, in the heart of the bush has been decorated in a more contemporary style, whilst still retaining the atmosphere of being “on Safari“. The elevated swing bridges lead to thatched chalets that have been positioned to ensure privacy & each capture individual views. The hand-crafted bush beds and furniture were produced by local craftsmen. The antique Mali Mud cloth cushions and throws are traditional fabrics from Western Africa. Elephant, Leopard, Giraffe, Waterbuck and Monkeys frequently drink from the waterhole in front of the main deck.
Most of our local staff are Shangaan and hail from the communities that border Ulusaba’s western fence line. Jobs and development opportunities have been created for the communities who traditionally have survived on subsistence farming for their livelihood.
Local culture revolves a lot around folklore and witchcraft, with the witchdoctor using various herbs and traditional “bush” remedies. Should you wish to learn a little more on the local traditions and cultures, please ask your ranger or management. All drinking water in the lodge has been filtered to the highest standards and guaranteed perfectly safe. Chilled, bottled mineral water has been placed inside the water flasks in all guest rooms. Electricity is 220 Volts . Hair dryers and international adapters are available in bathroom vanity cupboards. Insect repellent and pool towels are also in each room. A complimentary laundry and pressing service is available on a daily basis. Please complete the necessary laundry form available and place it together with your laundry for collection each morning.
16 Aug
On safari at Ulusaba
17 Aug
Today after your morning game drive and breakfast you make your way back to Johannesburg to drop off your microbus by 17h00, and then check into the Holiday Inn Johannesburg International for (1) nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
18 Aug
Today all six of you check out of the hotel and make your way to the JNB International for your outbound flights.
