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| Viewing: South Africa - Kruger and Culture Safari |
Package ID: 1711 |
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| South Africa - Kruger and Culture Safari |
A 10 day Safari and Cultural Holiday, which combines a luxurious safari in the Greater Kruger National Park and an introduction to the cultures and heritage of South Africa. A truly African Experience
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Day 1: Arrive Johannesburg to Blyde River Canyon
On arrival at Johannesburg International Airport (O.R. Tambo International) you will be met by us, who will assist you while you book into your connecting flight to your first destination, Blyde River Canyon. Your host will go through you Itinerary, and answer any questions you might have about your tour or the area.
The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world which boasts awesome views and fairy tale forests. Its wide variety of activities attracts many a tourist, while the landscape has turned many a tourist into residents.
On arrival you are met by your host, who escort you to luxury accommodation overlooking this wonderful area. Here, you may choose from a wide variety of optional activities or choose merely to realax around the pool with drink in hand, while watching the beautiful Africa sunset.
In the evening sit around an open campfire and enjoy a traditional barbeque dinner on open fire. Then observe the stars of the southern skies as you have never seen them before, including the Milky Way and spectacular Southern Cross. In this remote location far from any city lights, enjoy some of the finest stargazing available anywhere in the world!
Day 2: Blyde River Canyon
This morning your host will share with you the splendour of the Drakensberg Panorama Route as you drive through Blyde River Canyon. This tour will take you to view the Mac Mac Falls, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the panoramic views from God’s Window. You will also make a brief stop at the historic mining village of Pilgrim’s Rest.
The afternoon will be spent at the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where you have the unique opportunity of viewing wild lion, leopard, cheetah, eagles and vultures at close quarters. Animals found injured, poisoned or orphaned are given a second chance and released back into the wilds.
Return to your luxury guesthouse for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Greater Kruger National Park
After breakfast, your Blyde River host will transfer you to Thornybush Private Game Reserve where you will be handed over to your new hosts, who will be looking after you for the duration of your stay at this Luxurious Game Reserve (exact camp subject to availability at time of booking).
Thornybush is part of the world famous Greater Kruger National Park and offers unique exclusive Safari experiences in both open Land Rovers, and on foot. The private reserve is home to an abundance of species: 147 mammals including the "Big Five", 114 reptiles, 507 birds, 49 fish, 34 amphibians and 336 trees. The reserve is predominantly open savannah and with a near perfect year round climate, it is considered by many the ideal African safari holiday destination. Game drives and walks are accompanied by highly trained, and experienced Rangers and trackers, ensuring that your African Safari experience is truly memorable.
You will arrive in time for Afternoon Tea, before embarking on your first Game Drive.
The rest of the evening will be spent enjoying a luxurious dinner under the African Sky socializing with your fellow guests.
Day 3 & 4: Thornybush Game Reserve
You will spend the next 2 days in the lap of luxury. Your intimately private location will provide for your every need, from 5 star lavish accommodation to wildly extravagant African cuisine. Your hosts will endeavor to provide you with a most memorable African Experience. And let’s not forget about the animals that need to be seen, with the Big 5, being the most obvious of items on your wish list. There will be ample opportunity with 2 scheduled game drives per day and an optional mid-morning walks. You can be assured that you won’t come away disappointed.
A typical day will include an early morning up-close game drive followed by breakfast either back at the Main lodge or in the riverbed or bush. The rest of the day is spent at the discretion of the guest and may include additional bush walks with your ranger & tracker, browsing in the intimate library; being pampered at the exclusive Thornybush Spa or simply relaxing at the pool with your favourite cocktail as you bask in Africa's glorious sunshine.
The afternoon game drive is preceded by high tea, and extends into the evening to view seldom observed nocturnal species and where possible tailored to suit individual guest's preferences and interests. Sundowners and snacks are enjoyed by guests during the game drive at a remote, scenic spot. Dinner is served in a variety of locations such as, the boma, the deck or even in the bush. Guests may socialise with a Cognac or single malt before retiring to bed ahead of another day's Safari experience.
Check in, settle down and relax in your outdoor bushveld surroundings before enjoying dinner
Days 5: Greater Kruger National Park
Today, we head south to your second camp in the Sabi-Sabi Game Reserve, to give you the opportunity of exploring a different eco-system within the Greater Kruger National Park.
After your early morning drive you will be transferred by air-conditioned vehicle to Djuma Private Game lodge, which is found on the Sabi-Sabi Game Reserve, which in-turn is also part of the Greater Kruger National Park.
The safari experience here is unique in that Djuma Rangers do not only concentrate on the Big Five, but will also introduce you to the history of the reserve and how the Tsongas (local African inhabitants) once lived on this land alongside the animals.
Days 6: Djuma Private Game Lodge
The typical day at Djuma begins shortly before sunrise, as you are awakened with steaming cup of coffee and biscuits. As the sun rises, you set off on our early morning game drive where your Ranger and his Tracker will combine to locate some of the amazing animals that are to be found at Djuma.
After the exciting morning drive you will sit down to a hearty breakfast. The mid morning activities include a bush walk and / or a cultural drive to the local village. The bush walk will give you the opportunity view some of the smaller and often unseen objects such as animal tracks and insects. Your guide will also introduce you to the culinary and medicinal uses of the various plants.
Alternatively, you may choose to go out on the cultural drive, which visits the local. You will be shown how the local indigenous people live, a way of life that has changed little since time immemorial. From meeting the headman to visiting the schools, guests leave with a sense of wonder at how different our lives are. Guests are also deeply touched by exuberant spirit of these community-minded people.
After Lunch and short siesta, we will assemble again for some tea and cakes and set off for the evening game drive. The game drive stops for a 'sundowner' drink overlooking the magnificent African sunset. The climax of this game drive is at night when a spotlight is used to find some of the more elusive nocturnal animals such as the awesome Leopard or the cute bushbaby.
At the end the night drive a warm, crackling fire and a sumptuous meal awaits at the lodge. To sit around a blazing fire under the endless African night sky - the brilliant Milky Way intense in the unpolluted skies - is to evoke ancient memories of our ancestors who evolved in this magnificent African Savanna all those millennia ago.
Day 7: Johannesburg
After breakfast, you will be escorted back to Johannesburg, where you will have 2 nights to experience one of the most amazing African City’s. Jozi (as it is not locally) is home to several amazing sites of historical and cultural importance.
On arrival you will book into your luxury accommodation in Sandton, Johannesburg. After a mid-day siesta, you will be collected by Johannesburg City Host, who will then escort you on a half day tour of Johannesburg and Soweto. This Tour will take you through the beautiful and history of Johannesburg City -"the City of Gold" see the diverse lifestyles and historical buildings from 1886 when an Australian man named George Harrison discovered the first gold reef in Johannesburg. Experience the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg central from the "Top of Africa" - a 52 storey and highest building in Africa.
We then head to the South Western Township also known as Soweto. A Soweto experience is never the same, one of Africa’s largest, most vibrant and mythical townships it will grasp you imagination and have you singing Nkosi Sikilele before you leave this wonderful cultural location.
During our tour we will visit: the Mandela residence, the Hector Petersen Memorial, and a Shebeen - an African tavern where you can enjoy a drink and listen to traditional township music.
After all of this, we are sure you have a great night sleep in your luxury accommodation, but not before you try out one of many fantastic Restaurants in Nelson Mandela Square.
Day 8: Johannesburg
Today, we venture out of Johannesburg to visit the world renowned Sterkfontein Caves and Maropeng Centre. These 2,2 billion year old caves are the site of some the greatest scientific discoveries of century in the search for the origins of humankind, situated in the World Heritage Site of Gauteng province. An anthropological treasure house of the world where the famous Mrs. Ples - the oldest and most perfect human skull in the world, 2,5 million years old - was discovered in search for origins of humankind. Sites visited are some of the richest in Africa in human evolution. The enormous underground lake inside the cave is something that will stay with you forever.
On our return Journey, we will stop of at the tragic and touching Apartheid Museum. This extraordinarily powerful museum, certain to become one of Johannesburg's most important tourist attractions, has become an obligatory stop for tourists and residents alike. The Museum, with its large blown-up photographs, metal cages and numerous monitors recording continuous replays of apartheid scenes set in a double volume ceiling, concrete and red brick walls and grey concrete floor, is a 20 minute drive from Johannesburg International airport.
Return Transfer to your Guesthouse.
Day 9: Johannesburg
On our final day, we will tour the Lesedi Cultural Village. Here you will share in the fascinating traditions and customs of four different black cultures of South Africa - Zulu (the warrior nation), Xhosa (the proud nation), Pedi (the warm hearted nation) and Basotho (the mountain dwelling nation). Let them lead you through their homesteads, enlighten you with their history, culture and legends. After a traditional dance and sing show from the different cultures, a traditional African style feast will be enjoyed in the Lesedi "Nyama Choma" restaurant from dishes around the African continent.
You host will then transfer you to Johannesburg International Airport for you onward flight.
(Tour Ends Approximately 17:00)
Please Note: All activities are subject to prevailing weather conditions
What Is Included:
• All airport and ground transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
• Accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis
• Domestic Flight - Johannesburg to Hoedspruit & Return
• Activities specified in itinerary, including transfers
• Guide/Host as per itinerary
• Guided Activities as per itinerary – weather permitting
• Access to 24 hour Travel Expert
What Is Not Included:
• International Flights
• Lunches & dinners (unless specified)
• Optional Activity Fees
• 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
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