South Africa & Botswana: a journey of safaris, African cultures and legends
Duration : 10 nights - GUIDED
Price : from € 3.505,00 and based on 4 pax
Date of Departure : any date requested by the client - this is a private safari.
Accommodation : 3* and 4* upgradable to 5* on request.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Johannesburg – Mpumalanga
You will be welcomed by your guide at Johannesburg International Airport. Departure to the Mpumalanga region with a stop over at the quaint village of Dullstroom where you will enjoy lunch. On route visit Lone Creek waterfall. Long crested eagles are a regular sighting here!
Included: Full board @ Graskop Hotel
Day 2
Panorama Route – Thornybush private game reserve
Enjoy a morning sighting of Berlin waterfall, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the magnificent Blade River Canyon, considered one of the wonder of South Africa. Proceed to Thornybush Private Game Reserve. Lunch will be served at the lodge.
Time to relax before departing on your afternoon game drive. Expert rangers and trackers will take you in an open safari vehicle to close contact with the wide variety of wildlife. After a sundowner, return to the lodge with the help of spotlight and search for nocturnal animals such as pangolin, genet, honey badger, civet to mention a few. Dinner is served under the African sky.
Included: Full board @ Chapungu Lodge
Day 3 and 4
Thornybush private game reserve
The schedule for this two days is the following: wake up call for a coffee’ and departure for a game drive. In this time of the day the animal are more active and the possibilities to see predators in action are bigger. Brunch at the lodge.
We strongly advice to go for a walking safaris after brunch. You will be escorted by expert rangers of the Tsonga tribe that will bring your attention on tracking techniques, the medicinal use of bush plants, legend and incredible stories of the native culture.
Time to relax at the pool, in company of a good book or doing some bird watching, before leaving for the afternoon game drive. Sundowner in the bush.
Included: Full board @ Chapungu Lodge
Day 5
Thornybush private game reserve – Mapungubwe
Morning game drive and brunch.
Head to the northern part of the Limpopo region on the border with Zimbabwe and Botswana. The landscape changes dramatically with cycads forest and remarkable baobab trees (Adansonia digitata).
After reaching your lodge situated on the border with Mapungubwe national park you will explore on foot Mapesu Nature Reserve: a 6.000 hectares of beautiful landscapes, excellent birdwatching and generous flora and fauna.
Included: Brunch and dinner @ Mopane Bush Lodge
Day 6
Mapungubwe National Park
Day to visit Mapungubwe National Park, proclaimed a world heritage site by Unesco. Archeological visit of Mapungubwe hill where an ancient African civilisation prospered in the time around the 1200 and 1270. Visit the museum where you can admire golden artefacts and the famous Rhino dating back to 1050 circa. In the afternoon you will go for a game drive in the park where we expect to see: elephant, rhinoceros, gnu, zebra and giraffe.
Return to the lodge after sunset.
Included: Full board with a picnic lunch. Overnight @ Mopane Bush Lodge
Day 7
Mashatu Game Reserve
Cross the mighty Limpopo river with border formalities before heading to Mashatu Game Reserve.
This magnificent reserve is situated in Botswana on the border with South Africa and Zimbabwe and boasts a unique flora with giant trees of Acacia and Mashatu.
The fauna is breath taking with big herds of elephants, giraffe, antelopes, lions, cheetah and leopard.
Lunch and game drive in the afternoon. You will be accompanied by expert ranger and tracker on an open 4×4 vehicle. Return to the lodge after the sunset.
Included: Full board @ Mashatu tented camp
Day 8
Mashatu Game Reserve
The game drive start very early, when the predator are still active. Your ranger and tracker will search for tracks that may lead to an exciting sighting! The early morning light is also perfect for photography.
Brunch is served at the lodge where you can have a well deserve rest.
If you are a keen photographer, Mashatu offers the possibility to spend some hours to the underground hide situated in front of a very active waterhole. The photographic opportunity are amazing with a unique prospective (optional).
The afternoon game drive will take you in new areas of the reserve called “The Land of the Giant” because of its landscape and attraction. Your ranger will go in search of species not yet spotted. Dinner at the lodge under the African sky.
Included: Full board @ Mashatu tented camp
Day 9
Mashatu – Louis Trichardt
Early morning game drive and brunch before heading back to South Africa.
Reach the town of Louis Trichardt and your guest house that is the home of a beautiful cultural and artistic centre. Many sculptures and artefacts locally produced are on sale here.
Included: Brunch and dinner @ Madi a Thavha mountain lodge
Day 10
Louis Trichardt
With the help of a local guide you will explore the nearby valley going through Venda villages and learning their culture, traditions, myths and legends. Visit a school, meet artisans that work the local wood, women that produce beautiful terracotta vases decorated in ochre and graphite
Included: Full board with picnic lunch @ Madi a Thavha mountain lodge
Day 11
Louis Trichardt – Johannesburg
Morning at leisure. Departing to Johannesburg International Airport in time to catch your flight back home.
Included
- Professional private guide for the entire safari
- All land transfers
- Overnight in hotel and lodge as per program – upgradable on request
- All meals as per program:
- Excursion as specified in the program:
- All entry to the parks
- Museum entry
- Touristic Tax
– Lunch and dinner on day 1
– full board on day 2, 3 and 4
– brunch and dinner on day 5
– full board with pick nick lunch on day 6
– full board on day 7 and 8
– brunch and dinner on day 9
– full board with pick nick lunch on day 10
– Breakfast on day 11
– Panorama Route
– Mapungubwe Hill and museum
– Mapesu Private Riserve
– 6 safaris in 4×4 in Thornybush Private Game Reserve
– 1 walking safari in Thornybush Private Game Reserve
– 1 safari in Mapungubwe
– 4 safaris in 4×4 in Mashatu Private Game Reserve
– Cultural excursion with Venda people
– 2 walking safaris
Not included
- All drinks and meals not specified
- Travel insurance
- Every extra of personal nature
- Optional activities such as Hot air Balloon and Mashatu Hide
- Tips
- Visa
- International flights