A fantastic Bush and Beach Adventure. Start your Safari in the world famous Kruger National Park, one of the greatest wildlife conservation areas in Africa and experience the thrill of tracking the Big 5; discover the Blyde River Canyon, 3rd largest of its kind; meander through Swaziland, and experience the beauty of its culture; explore Maputo, the City of contrast; and finally fly to Vilanculos, spend 2 days enjoying the powder white beaches and warm blue waters before setting sail for the Bazaruto Archipelago, where you will explore the Islands by Dhow Sailing Ship and by foot, Camp on the secluded beaches, snorkel forgotten reefs and bathe under the African Sky.
Rates (31/08/2009 – 31/10/2010): Adults Sharing: R 28,995 (ZAR) Children u/12 Sharing: R 19,995 (ZAR) Single Supplement: R 6,995 (ZAR) ________________________________________________________________________________________
The Safari at a glance:
Duration: 12 Nights and 13 Days Tour starts in Phalaborwa, Limpopo (South Africa) and ends in Johannesburg, Gauteng (South Africa) 4 nights, in the Kruger National Park (South Africa) accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis 1 night, 4 star accommodation in Blyde River Canyon (South Africa) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis 2 nights, at Mlilwane Sanctuary (Enzulwini Valley, Swaziland) on dinner, bed and breakfast basis 1 nights, 4 star accommodation in Maputo (Mozambique) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis 2 nights, 4 star accommodation in Vilanculos (Mozambique) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis 2 nights, sailing the Bazaruto Archipelago (Mozambique) secluded beach camping on a fully catered basis Local flights from Maputo to Vilanculos, and Vilanculos to Johannesburg All ground transport in an air-conditioned 4x4 while on Safari, and return airport transfers The services of a fully qualified safari guide while on Safari
Optional Activities: Walk with Elephants experience, open-vehicle game drives, Big 5 game walks, Animal Rehabilitation Centre, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Horse Riding, Kayaking and Dhow Sailing
Day 1: Phalaborwa and into Kruger (Kruger National Park, South Africa)
You will be met in Phalaborwa by your Safari Guide. After brief introductions and a quick stop for last minute suppliers, we enter the world famous Kruger National Park, where Game viewing opportunities should present themselves almost immediately in this vast 2-million hectare game sanctuary. Hopefully we will see several species of antelope, zebra, wildebeest and maybe even giraffe before we reach camp.
The Kruger Park offers a choice of several camps, each situated in a different section of the park with its own unique flora and fauna. Our favorites being: Skukuza, Letaba, Olifants, Lower Sabie, Pretoriuskop, Satara and Berg-en-Dal. Accommodation is in simple but comfortable thatched game park bungalows, with each camp having a restaurant
Days 2, 3, & 4: Kruger National Park (South Africa)
Your days will be spent exploring the vast Kruger Plains, which offer magnificent game viewing opportunities. Renowned for its diversity and home to approximately 145 mammal and over 500 bird species, this amazing sanctuary is bound to provide you with some awesome game viewing.
Y our knowledgeable guide will provide you with insight into the different species and ecological phenomena you come across. Your daily routine will include early morning and late afternoon game drives with your guide, the hotter mid-day periods will be spent relaxing at camp reading, bird watching, swimming or just taking a cat-nap in the shade of a tree.
There are also optional game viewing activities including 3 hour morning and afternoon open vehicle game drives and 4 hour morning game walks escorted by Kruger rangers. These activities come highly suggested, and Strider Expeditions would be happy to book them in advance for you.
In the evening, enjoy the balmy weather and pristine stars of the Southern Sky and Milky Way, as you have never seen them before – including the spectacular Southern Cross.
Day 5: Blyde River Canyon – South Africa
Our final day will begin with an early morning game drive to a secluded picnic site in order to enjoy our last African breakfast before making our way out the Park.
You will then explore the wonders of the Blyde River Canyon, taking in the beautiful vistas of God’s Window, the natural wonders of Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Mac-Mac Falls, before heading to your lovely Inn on southern section of Canyon.
Here, you will spend your final night enjoying the fabulous food and great hospitality.
Day 6: Blyde River Canyon (South Africa) to Enzulwini Valley (Swaziland)
After a scrumptious breakfast, we begin our journey south, through the border and into Swaziland. This beautiful mountainous country is one of the last African Monarchies, and is a land proud of its culture. We will travel through the Enzulwini Valley and into the Mlilwane Sanctuary where we will overnight. Our journey will take us through many interesting locations, time will be provided to will stop along the way to view the beautiful vistas, explore rural villages and do some curio shopping.
Day 7: Enzulwini Valley (Swaziland)
Day at leisure. You may choose sleep in late and explore the sanctuary on foot (or on many of the offered activities: Game Drives, Cultural Tours, Horse Riding), or you might like travel to the Enzulwini Route, taking you through many curio markets, and other sights of interest. These aspects can be discussed directly with your guide.
Day 8: Enzulwini Valley (Swaziland) to Maputo (Mozambique)
Today, we travel east towards to the coast, leaving Swaziland behind. Our destination: Maputo – the City of contrast. Arriving just before lunch, we will have to time to check in and grab something to eat before heading out to explore the city.
We travel the streets by car and foot, exploring the markets and the historic sites. Maputo is a city of contrast, where poor, rich, new and old live together in harmony. As you stroll through the streets you will come across 17th century architecture alongside 21st century modern day buildings. It is truly a site to see.
Days 9 & 10: Maputo to Vilanculos (Mozambique)
After breakfast and a short tour of the city, you head off to Maputo International, where you will catch your connecting flight onto Vilanculos. A lodge representative will meet you at Vilanculos and escort in an air-conditioned vehicle to your lodge. You will arrive in the early afternoon, giving you time to hit the beach before the sun goes down.
The Bazaruto Archipelago is made up of several tropical islands and includes some awesome reefs which are home to a diverse array of marine life and offers some of the finest diving worldwide. The Unspoilt reefs are home to local Dolphin pods, resident Manta Rays and Whalesharks as well as several Turtle Species, while the highly endangered Dugong is often seen. The area boasts over 1000 local fish species, while mammals are not hard to find either, with migrating Humpback Whales a common sighting between August and October. As a result there are a host of water sports available in the area including world class deep sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling. The area also boast several other land and boat based options including sailing, kayaking, 4x4 echo explorations, island tours, birding excursions, historic tours, cultural experiences and horse riding.
At night, you will enjoy the Mozambique tropical heat as you drift to one of the local Restaurants, where you will indulge your taste buds in a variety of seafood delights infused with Portuguese and African flavours.
The tropical locations creates an atmosphere of relaxation, where many gather to watch the sun go down or participate in a beach volley ball, pub games or simply to enjoy the atmosphere and a few tropical cocktails.
Days 11, 12 & 13: Vilanculos & Bazaruto Archipelago (Mozambique)
Today, you depart on 2 day, 2 night sailing safari of the Bazaruto Archipelago. Your guide will introduce you to the marine wonders of the area, as you sail between the reefs. Your time will be spent snorkeling with the marine life, exploring the uninhabited Islands and enjoying the tropical weather.
The day to day happenings are as follows:
• Day 11 Depart for Magaruque Island, landing on the north point of the island. Snorkel on the base reef and wander off along pristine white beaches. After lunch set sail for Macunye, arriving late afternoon.
• Day 12 Head off to Bazaruto Island and explore the dunes of Ponta Dundo. Set sail for 2-Mile Reef for snorkeling or diving (Diving requires prior arrangement). Lunch on Benguerra Island. Look out for dugongs or dolphins feeding in the channel.
• Day 13 After breakfast there is a further opportunity to see more of 2-Mile Reef. After breakfast, we set sail for Vilanculos, arriving at about 1.00 pm.
Unfortunately, this is your final day and you will be escorted back to Vilanculos Airport. You then board your onward flight to Johannesburg International Airport.
(Tour Ends approximately 17:00) ________________________________________________________________________________________
What Is Not Included: Long haul International Flights; Lunches, Drinks & refreshments; Tips for porters and restaurants; Telephone calls, laundry & other incidental personal expenditure; Visa fees, in countries where these apply; Airport departure taxes, in countries where these apply.
This tour is offered in accordance with Strider Expeditions Booking Terms and Conditions.
