Practical info ...
This trip can be done with a guide or in self driving. In the latter situation, you will still be guided
in Botswana.
Trip start : Johannesburg airport.
Trip end : Johannesburg airport.
Groups...
Guided trip : 4 min - 7 max.
Self drive : 2 min - 8 max.
Age min: 16 years old.
Accommodation...
In South Africa, all nights are spent in chalets or bungalows. In Botswana, the first 3 nights are in a tent in 2 bushcamps in the open bush (no fences). Tents for 2 people, camp beds. The last camp is in safari tents, more comfortable.
Comfort and difficulty...
The comfort is excellent in South Africa. In Botswana, camps are simple but comfortable (bush shower and toilettes, no electricity).
The trip is accessible for most of the people (kids over 16 years old). No experience is necessary (unless you do the horse ride). However, this trip offers lots of walks so a good health is necessary.
Conditions...
What is included...
Guided trip :
Transfer in minibus in South Africa and in 4x4 in Botswana, all activities mentioned (VTT and horse riding in Mashatu optional), full board (except otherwise stated), accommodations, equipment (except sleeping bags), entrance fees in parks, guided armed rangers in Botswana..
Self drive trip :
Car rental for the duration of your trip with insurance and unlimited kilometers. You will leave the car at the Botswana border for the last part in Mashatu where someone will come and pick you up in 4x4. All activities mentioned , all accommodations, equipment in Botswana (except sleeping bag), meals in Botswana, entrance fees in parks, guided armed ranger in Botswana.
What is not included...
Guided trip :
Internationals flights, excluded meals, drinks, souvenirs, gratuities, optional activities.
Self drive trip :
International flights, all meals in South Africa, drinks, souvenirs, gratuities, petrol, sleeping bag, optional activities.
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 on 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 of Punda Maria and Pafuri, is far more quite due to its remoteness - and it is here that one can indeed appreciate an intimate Kruger Park experience. The vegetation is rather dense here, which makes animal-spotting quite tricky, but the beauty and the serenity of the place are what makes it so special. It is, however, one of the best parts of the park to see large elephant herds and the shy nyala.
We mainly discover the park in a 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.
D7-8 : The National Park of Mapungubwe…
Today, we leave northward to stop in the last South African park, the Park of Mapungubwe.
Proclaimed world heritage of the Humanity by the UNESCO in 2003, Mapungubwe conceals unsuspected historic wealth. Rediscovered only in 1932, the Lost City of Mapungubwe did not stop delivering its secrets. Built originally on Mapungubwe Hill, a long hill of some 300 meters, this site fed for centuries the local legends and the populations considered for a long time places as an inviolable sanctuary. More than 5000 persons populated the zone and Mapungubwe is probably the site of southern Africa presenting the most ancient evidences of a treated on a hierarchical basis society. The afternoon is dedicated to the discovery of the archaeological heritage of this unique park, together with a local guide. D8, we make a morning walk in the park with one ranger to observe the wildlife.
The park shelters 4 of ' big 5 ' (the buffalo is absent) as well as most of the species of present antelopes in this sector of the continent For the passionate persons of avifauna, more than 400 species of birds were listed on the spot! Late in the afternoon of D7, we go on 4x4 open safaris with one ranger to increase our chances to observe the wildlife. Overnight in cottages in the park for the 2 days.
D9--12 : Mashatu Reserve – Botswana…
For the last part of our journey, we cross the border of Botswana, and are going to spend the last 4 nights in the reserve of Mashatu, on the north bank of Limpopo. This reserve deprived of 30 000 hectares got its name of majestic tree of the same name which is plentiful here. With a landscape dented in the rocks of stoneware, its magnificent specimens of baobabs, the river Limpopo soak a rich and diversified fauna, with in particular its elephants and its lions, and small exclusive camps of bush for groups not exceeding 8 persons, Mashatu is unmistakably the ultimate destination to go on safari there on foot in a authentic way, in complete harmony with the nature.
We invite you to discover Mashatu under a totally unique angle, essentially on foot but also, for those who want to taste the other exciting adventures, in MOUNTAIN BIKE and on horseback (riders experienced only!). The first 3 nights here are spent in 2 small tents camps, in the middle of the bush, not enclosed and without electricity, to get to the visitor the real sensation to be in total symbiosis with the surrounding nature! The discovery of Mashatu is made completely on foot, accompanied with one armed ranger and the passage of the 1st camp in the second also (luggage is transported 4x4 by the team there which also takes care to undo and reset up the camp).
D12, after a last morning walk we are transferred aboard one 4x4 in a comfortable safari tented camp ! Since this last camp, two optional activities are possible (at your expense), namely a ballad in MOUNTAIN BIKE or on horseback (riders experienced only). Otherwise, we shall make a game drive 4x4 during the afternoon.
D13: Back to Johannesburg...
Final morning safari before we leave the reserve and drive back to Johannesburg to arrive on time to catch your plane.
Note: All activities in Mashatu are accompanied by armed rangers / guides. The distance covered per day is 6-20 km. Our aim is not to cover as much distance as possible but rather to enjoy the bush in a very natural way, without using motor vehicles.