Practical infos ...
Trip start: Johannesburg airport
Trip end: Johannesburg airport
Groups...
Guided trip : 4 min - 9 max.
Age min: 12 years.
Accommodations...
In chalet or bungalows. In tents during the canoe trip.
Transport...
4x4 specially made for this kind of trip.
Meals...
Prepared by the team.
Difficulty and comfort...
This trip is accessible to everybody (kids 12 years and older).
Conditions...
What is included...
Accommodation and meals as indicated. Transport in 4x4. Included activities. Equipment, except sleeping bag, clients to bring their own.
What is not included…
Internationals flights. Excluded meals, park fees (73 Euros per person). Drinks. Souvenirs. Other optional activities. Gratuities.
Day by day
D1 : Johannesburg...
Your guide will meet you at the airport. This is a day to get to know each other and prepare the trip with the rest of the group and the team. Depending on your time of arrival we may have time for a short visit of the city. Meals to your own account.
D2-3 : The Soutpansberg…
We set off northwards, 250km beyond Johannesburg, towards a spectacular and majestic mountain range, the Soutpansberg. The subtropical climate of this region produces a green landscape where valleys and hills alternate with splendid forests that harbour more than 300 tree species. This vegetation shelters abundant and varied fauna: more than 250 bird species as well as antelope, monkeys, white rhinoceroses and other mammals. With its restricted access roads, the Soutpansberg is an ideal place for an exploration on foot.
The Venda...
But the interest of this region does not end in its ecosystem. This is the home of the Venda people, a distinct linguistic and cultural group of South Africa. The Venda are notably known for their mystical beliefs and their art. In addition, the Soutpansberg has some interesting sites of bushmen rock paintings.
Our base is a small camp situated within a wildlife sanctuary. We shall visit the reserve essentially on foot. Nights in bungalow.
D4-6 : The North of Kruger Park…
We set off today for the largest national park in Southern Africa, the world-renowned Kruger National Park. A huge number of people visit the park’s southern and central section. On the other hand, the northern sector is far more quite due to its remoteness - and it is here that one can indeed appreciate an intimate Kruger Park experience.
We mainly discover the park in vehicle but during those 3 days, we will have the opportunity to do a night drive in open 4x4 as well as a morning walk of 3 hours with an armed ranger. Nights in chalet in a small intimate camp of the North.
D7 : Mozambique : the Greater Limpopo…
Transfrontier parks have the objective to restore the large open spaces that existed before man colonialism. The Greater Limpopo extends the limit of the Kruger Park on the Mozambican side (as well as on the Zimbabwe side - Gonarhezou). It has now become possible to cross into Mozambique through the Kruger Park and this is what we do. We discover a wild Greater Limpopo, totally under developed on this side. We spend the night in a small camp managed by the local communities. This is an important component in the creation of transfrontiers parks which are focused on sustainable development and local communities have to be part and benefit from it.
This camp is built above a steep slope and offers an admirable view of Massingir dam. It is built of chalets and rustic tents accommodating each 3 to 5 persons. The local communities run the camp, and can offer a certain number of service as meals, conducted tours (fishermen, sangoma , traditional dances, etc.)
D8-10: Canoe Safari on the Olifants River...
Transfer at the start of our canoeing excursion. We spend the following 3 days paddling down the river, while appreciating the magic and the serenity of the bush! In the evening a tented camp is erected for us along the river and we enjoy our time in total harmony with nature.
D11-12 : Mozambique : lndian Ocean…
We continue in the direction of the Indian Ocean in the vicinity of Xai-Xai. Here we slow down the pace to take advantage of the beach. We settle down in a rustic camp offering a magnificent view of the Indian Ocean. The coral reef makes this place an ideal place for snorkeling. Other possible optional activities (at your expense) are kayaking, diving, fishing, etc. …
D13: Maputo...
Transfer to Maputo where we spend the night in a B&B. Day at leisure to discover the city. Meals at your expense.
D14-16: Kosi Bay...
After breakfast, departure for Kosi Bay. Kosi Bay remains largely unexploited and is part of the ISimangaliso Wetland (ex Greater St Lucia). ISimangaliso Wetland is a 2700km2 protected wetland which became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1999 because of the exceptional diversity of its ecosystem and for its beauty. It contains in particular savanna forests, a unique lake system, a littoral and coral reef. This park protects a unique ecosystem of estuarine lakes and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park includes several biomes such as savannah and dune forests, estuarine lakes and coral reefs. This incredible place supports prolific bird life and numerous aquatic and terrestrial species. It is a truly unique park where visitors can see hippo, crocodile, elephant, dolphins, whales and giant turtles in one place - to name only a remarkable few!
We base ourselves for 3 nights in Amangwane camp.
Possible included activities from the camp :
- snorkeling
- canoeing
- fishing with local community
- visit to local schools.
- Safari at Tembe Elephant
Optional activities :
- Turtle tour to observe them laying their eggs (November to February)
- Boat trip to sea
D17: Ithala Reserve…
Transfer westward for Ithala game reserve. This reserve is spectacular by its mountainous and green landscapes and its rocky formations among the oldest in the world. Man has been living there for more than 20000 years and numerous artifacts dating from the Stone Age sprinkle its grounds. The wildlife is impressive, especially the big mammals which abound: giraffes, zebras, rhinoceros, elephants, buffaloes due to the absence of large predators such as lion.
Transfer to our camp (while observing our first animals) where we settle down for 3 nights! As much as possible, we use an exclusive camp for our group, situated in a private sector of the reserve! This camp accommodates a maximum of 10 persons in 5 comfortable chalets offering a magnificent view on the reserve.
D18: Ithala Reserve…
In the morning we discover the reserve on foot for 3 hours accompanied with a ranger, and we feel the thrill of tracking. We learn not only on the big animals but also on the whole ecosystem, the flora, the insects, the tracks, the interaction of animals and plants. We enjoy the comfort our exclusive camp during the middle of the day. Mid afternoon we set out for a game drive.
D19: Ithala - Johannesburg...
Departure after breakfast for Johannesburg (lunch en route at your own charge) where we will arrive in the end of the afternoon. Drop off at the airport. End of the trip.