An unforgettable, fully inclusive, 3/4-star, fully guided tour. Stay in lodges, hotels, guest houses and even a houseboat while we showcase the best 4 countries have to offer.
Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls, Botswana and Namibia
DAY 1: Arrive Johannesburg You will be met at the airport in Johannesburg and head straight for Africa Sky Guest House.
DAY 2: Panorama Route Set off for the Panorama Route, best known for its cultural heritage and dramatic landscapes. We reach the small forestry town of Graskop on the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment. Here we have time for lunch and to visit a unique shop specializing in silk from the African Mopane worm. In the afternoon visit viewpoints along the edge of the escarpment, such as God’s Window.
DAY 3: Kruger National Park Our first stop is Bourke’s Luck Potholes, an erosion process that started thousands of years ago. Also view Blyde River Canyon, the third deepest and the only green canyon in the world. Enter world-renowned Kruger National Park and game drive to camp.
DAY 4: Kruger National Park A very early start to enjoy a morning game drive. We return to camp for a late breakfast and wait out the midday heat in camp, at leisure, before setting off on another afternoon game drive.
DAY 5: Mapungubwe Enjoy a last morning game drive before leaving Kruger. Book into Mopane Bush Lodge, located on the 6000ha Mapesu Nature Reserve, a safe environment for walking and considered one of the best birding areas in South Africa - or just relax in the pool before dinner…
DAY 6: Mapungubwe Visit Mapungubwe National Park, a UNESCO World heritage Site. Mapungubwe Hill is the site of the first African Kingdom which reached its climax in the 13th century, predating the Great Zimbabwe Ruins! In the late afternoon set off on an unforgettable predator encounter. Join a researcher working closely with the lions and cheetahs of the area. He explains their intricacies and dynamics. Track them by radio transmitter on an open safari vehicle. This is a unique opportunity to get up close with some of Africa’s predators.
DAY 7: Francistown Head for the Botswana border. The road passes through stands of mopane woodland before reaching Francistown, where we spend the night.
DAY 8: Makgadikgadi Pans / Nata Head north to Nata. This area incorporates a multitude of salt pans and vast grass plains and forms the Great Makgadikagidi - the largest area of salt pans in the world. The Nata River delta feeds the Nata sanctuary and forms the breeding ground for a host of water birds. We join a guided tour in open safari vehicles into the sanctuary.
DAY 9: Chobe National Park After breakfast we continue north to Chobe, home to some of the greatest concentrations of game found on the African continent. The afternoon is spent at leisure.
DAY 10: Chobe National Park Morning game drive in open safari vehicles, into Chobe National Park. There are an estimated 60 000 elephants in the park, thought to be the largest surviving elephant population in Africa. In the afternoon embark on a boat cruise into the park, where we might be lucky enough to witness one of the elephant herds crossing, using their trunks as snorkels!
DAY 11: Victoria Falls Cross into Zimbabwe and enter Victoria Falls. Although the Falls are neither the highest nor widest, it is the largest sheet of falling water in the world. In the evening, take part in a sundowner cruise on the Zambezi. Victoria Falls has a staggering variety of restaurants, so tonight we have not included dinner - allowing you to make your own selection.
DAY 12: Victoria Falls Today you have quite a few options to choose from! Book from a selection of Flight of Angels, Walk with Lions, Elephant Back Safari and many more…….
DAY 13: Caprivi Strip Enter Namibia and the Caprivi, a narrow strip of land in the far northeast of Namibia. There are no fences, so the animals can roam freely across the borders of the neighboring countries of Botswana and Zambia. In the evening, enjoy a scenic sunset cruise.
DAY 14: Caprivi Strip Set off on a morning game in open safari vehicle into Mudumu Game Parks. In the afternoon, become part of the bustling river life by easing between the papyrus clad banks on traditional 'mokoro' canoes. These are propelled from the stern by skilled 'poler' guides, allowing the guests to sit back and absorb the scenery.
DAY 15: Rundu After breakfast we head west, along the Okavango River and Angolan border, to the riverside town of Rundu. We book into the Kaisosi River Lodge on the banks of the Okavango River.
DAY 16: Etosha National Park Visit the Hoba Meteorite - largest known meteorite and most massive naturally-occurring piece of iron known at the Earth's surface. Continue on to Etosha National Park and spend the night on the eastern boundary of the park.
DAY 17: Etosha National Park A visit to Etosha Park is a highlight of Namibia. Etosha covers an area of more than 22 000-square kms. The pan is just about always dry. Be it lion or elephant, giraffe or zebra; almost all African animal species are represented in the huge nature reserve.
DAY 18: Etosha National Park Explore the vastness of Etosha as we make our way to Halali Camp for lunch. Then continue on to the southern boundaries of the park and book into Taleni Etosha Village.
DAY 19: Skeleton Coast Leave the Etosha Pan and head south towards the Skeleton Coast. Bushmen called this region "The Land God Made in Anger" and Portuguese sailors referred to it as "The Gates of Hell."
DAY 20: Swakopmund Visit Cape Cross Seal Colony. A boardwalk separates you from the seals. There are thousands of seals hauled out on the beach and further away thousands more in the ocean. Then head down the coast to Swakopmund. Today it is one of the few places outside Europe where a sizeable minority of the population speak German and have German roots. In the afternoon, you have the option to go “flightseeing”. The “Sossusfly” fixed wing flight takes you over Kuiseb Canyon, Sossusvlei, the dunes of the Namib Desert and back along the coastline. A bird’s eyeview of one of the most amazing sights in Namibia.
DAY 21: Swakopmund Set off on a “living desert” tour. Explore the Namib Desert and discover its many wonders. Namib means “vast and empty”. This is true to a certain degree, but the life giving fog supports a wealth of fauna and flora. Afternoon once again at leisure. As the second largest town on Namibia, there are excellent shopping opportunities!
DAY 22: Windhoek Head inland to the capital of Namibia – Windhoek. Dinner is at Joe’s Beerhouse, the most famous Beerhouse on the African Continent. Enjoy the atmosphere of this unique pub and restaurant - the generous portions of excellent Namibian and German food have ensured many happy customers!
DAY 23: Depart Windhoef We drop you off at the airport in time for your flight.
INCLUDED: The price will include all transport, meals, entrance fees, guides and accommodation during the safaris, as indicated in the itinerary. The safaris will be done in an air-conditioned vehicle to ensure your every comfort.
EXCLUDED: Accommodation before and after the tour, flights and meals not specified in the itinerary, drinks and curios, items of a personal nature, travel insurance, required inoculations and malaria medications, visas (if required).
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The operator did a great job of planning our 26 days in South Africa, accommodating all our requests.
Their itinerary included a great variety of accommodations, and a comfortable vehicle for the many kilometres from Cape Town to Kruger.
Vaughn, our guide for the entire trip, was interesting and colourful. He went out of his way to make sure that we saw exactly what we wanted, that we were comfortable, and had everything we needed.
Our experience was awesome, enjoying several public and private game park safaris, boat and train rides, and great food. We truly enjoyed the scenery and viewing the wildlife in South Africa, a troubled, yet beautiful country.
We were extremely pleased with all aspects of our tour, from initial arrangements through delivering us to the airport for the return trip.
Their selection of activities, lodging, etc. considered and suited our interests and needs very well. Our only regret is that we did not involve them earlier in our planning.
Pierre and Karen are both great people and very trustworthy.
They were the greatest! Just having my husband and I with the tour guide made it so personal... truly worth the investment.
The tour guides Melanie & Mike went out of their way to make us have a vacation of a lifetime. We customized our tour from Johannesburg and Cape Town to see the culture, beauty, and history of each place. Breathtaking..... simply.... fabulous...
We went to to the Timbulvalti on safari and stayed at the Kambaku Lodge where we celebrated our anniversary and Christmas which was SO remarkable, one we shall treasure forever.
We made new friends and plan to do it again with them... all the way.
Our trip was wonderful. They coordinated many exciting activities and arranged beautiful accommodations and delicious meals for us. Our guide was friendly and informative.
We definitely recommend them, especially for people who want a customized itinerary
Book now! Without hesitation, that is our advice to any person who is considering using this tour operator to plan and guide their tour of South Africa.
We have never used a guide before and chose them because they offer private tours and do not combine parties to fill their vehicles. We were extremely satisfied with all aspects of our tour from the planning stages to the choice of accommodations to the guide himself.
We booked the 21 day tour from Johannesburg to Cape Town. Our guide, Pierre, is a knowledgeable and very personable guide who made us feel at home in South Africa from the moment we met him. The choices of game reserves and other stops on the tour were excellent and when we wanted to add or change part of the tour while in route, Pierre did everything he could to accommodate our requests. He even swung through the trees with us when we wanted to do the Tsitskamma Canopy Tour and "suffered" through a full day at the spa with us at the Pongola Game Reserve.
We especially enjoyed spending a day stopping at Zulu villages handing out clothing and soccer balls to the local people, as well as, having the opportunity to purchase old spears and other crafts directly from the Zulus. Our 21 days tour gave us a fantastic overview of the diversity and beauty of South Africa.
As Pierre told us we would be, we are now hooked on Africa. We hope to return soon to travel with them to Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.
We give our highest recommendation and are looking forward to our next tour with them.
Dr. Karsten and Sydney Eden Anchorage, Alaska, USA
We have travelled the world. Forget coach tours. This operator is the best by far.
Pierre and his team provide us with a fantastic holiday and I strongly recommend them to those who want to see the best, with the best at a very reasonable cost.
My husband, my thirteen year old grandson and I just returned from an absolutely glorious exploration of South Africa.
Our trip from the time we landed in Johannesburg and departed from Cape Town was 23 days packed full of adventures. From Soweto to game safaris to Victoria falls on to whale watching and visiting schools and homesteads way back in the bush we were cared for, transported and wined and dined by our guides Pierre, Tony and Mike who had exceptional knowledge and skill. Beside their knowledge, we were constantly amazed at their ability to see and identify birds and animals in the bush or even as we drove along roads at highway speeds.
Our accommodations were always lovely and in ideal locations and settings. We stayed in a 2 bedroom log cottage by the sea, a tented lodge in Kruger National Park, an outstanding guest house on the ocean where we could whale watch from our balconies and an European style mansion in Cape Town. Because all the places were small and intimate we got to spend time with South Africans which certainly enhanced our experience. Meals were a varied experience from in the lodges to interesting but lovely restaurants and even, BBQ's cooked by our wonderful guide, Pierre. Food was plentiful, excellent and we were encouraged to order way more than we could eat. Our grandson loved this as he tried every exotic food on the menu.
Our guides Pierre, Tony and Mike, besides being unbelievably knowledgeable and informative, are wonderful company. One example is the day that Mike, a history expert, drove us to one of the Zulu-British battlefields, sat us in canvass chairs under an African tree and with props reenacted the battle. We were sure that 20,000 Zulu warriors would crest the hill at any moment.
Since I am not the easiest client to deal with as I ask too many questions and want to be involved in all decision making, I can testify to the patience and attention to details that this company provides. Having a 13 year old traveling with you can present other parameters but Pierre and Company were just incredible with our grandson making sure that he was always included, engaged and excited.
I am sure that you can tell that this is an absolute rave review. I cannot wait to travel again with Pierre and company next time to Namibia and Botswana.
8
Client:
Debbie Jones - from United States
Trip:
currently unavailable
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
We returned last week from our first trip to Africa.
I have to say, that after months of anticipation, this trip was everything we expected, and more. I would highly recommend this safari operator for anyone planning a trip to Africa.
Pierre and Mike went out of their way to make sure that each person on the tour was happy and comfortable.
We intended this to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but, since we have come home, we have been talking about planning another trip as soon as time and money allow!
The wildlife was amazing, as was the scenery at Victoria Falls. We really could not pick just one favorite thing about the trip, it was all wonderful.
Just got back from 20 nights in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Pierre couldn't have put together a more perfect itinerary.
Four nights at A'Zambezi Lodge enjoyed the Walk With Lions, Elephant Ride Safari, Helicopter Tour of Victoria Falls, Day Trip to Botswana (Chobie)and had fun at the market. The lodge was beautiful with a friendly staff and excellent food. Returned back to Johannesburg to meet Pierre and head to Greater Kruger with stops such as waterfalls and God's Window. Timbavati reserve was teaming with wildlife and we stayed at Gomo Gomo. Another beautiful lodge with great staff and great food.
Our ranger, Trevor was fantastic at spotting and tracking animals and birds. We go so close to so many different animals it seemed like something out of a wildlife show. Trevor and Pierre's humor made the game drives and meals even more enjoyable. We spent one night in Kruger National Park where we finally spotted the infamous Bushbabies. Yes, they really do exist! Then on to Pongola where we stayed at Mvubu. Beautiful accodomations with world class views. It was here that we caught tiger fish and spotted the rhinos. Great place. Swaziland was a great experience for two nights to see how tribes really live. The entertainment, tour, food and people were again the best.
Sadly, we had to leave our beloved Pierre and fly from Durban to George where we met the other guide Pierre had arranged to show us around the Cape Town area. Mike....what a nice guy! Always working hard to meet our needs and please us. We spent 3 nights in Wilderness at Shinning Waters BB where Ann made sure we were comfortable. Beautiful home with ocean views in each room. Visited National Park, kids went Bungy Jumping, took a little hike and rode the ostriches! Great fun! Last three nights were spent in Cape Town at Blackheath Lodge. John and Antony were wonderful hosts. The home was very nice with good location. We spent our time at the Waterfront, on Table Mountain, Cape Good Hope and touring around the city.
While I was not to sure about booking a trip for my family and my husbands parents and being able to meet everyone's needs, Pierre put me at ease with his many e-mails, phone calls and listening to the endless list of things we wanted to do and see. I could have never put such a wonderful trip together myself. Pierre kept my mother in law fed and happy....a feat in itself, listened to my son's never ending stories and tolerated my daughters simple minded questions like "how did those rocks get there?" and "why is the car driving backwards?"
If you are looking for a tour company who knows their way around South Africa, Pierre will provide the trip of your dreams for a a personalized, helpful and exciting experience
We had a great couple of days in Kwa-Zulu Natal. We wanted a customised tour to fill three spare days and this safari came up trumps.
Pierre was great, meeting us at Durban and arranging every aspect of the safari and the battle field tour we had wanted to cover on our brief stay in KZN.
We would thouroughly recommend this safari operator. The Guest House, owned by Pierre in Dundee was really comfortable and we were made very welcome by Pierre and his wife Karen - great
