2023/24

Days 1-4: 3 nights at Elephant Plains Lodge – 1 Luxury Suite

Days 4-9: 5 Nights at AC Hotel Marriott, Cape Town Waterfront – 1 Double Room

* Lodgings offered are subject to space availability at time of booking *

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The Itinerary:

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Day 1 Arrive Johannesburg, South Africa 

Arrive into Johannesburg, South Africa 

VIP Meet & Greet: OR Tambo International Airport 

Welcome to Johannesburg! You will be met at the door of your aircraft with your name on a paging board and assisted through immigration, baggage collection and customs. You will then be shown to your onward flight into the safari region. 

On arrival in Hoedspruit, Private Transfer: Hoedspruit Airport to North Sabi Sands 

Includes: 2 x bottled water per person per transfer & Park Entrance fees 

Days 1 – 4 On Safari

Welcome to the Greater Kruger National Park… 

As you bump along the park roads, the sun warm upon your face and air dry in the back of your throat, your senses are on high alert. This is the real Africa, cut away from the hectic pace of life, home to Africa’s Big 5. The Kruger is alive, from the nervously twitching herd of impala after a night of predator action, to the wild dog cavorting like domestic pets alongside the road. Marvel as a herd of elephant simply appear from out the bush, then silently vanish back into the landscape. With over 2 million hectares of pristine wilderness, the Kruger’s biodiversity sustains numerous species of game and birds. The dry north consists of Baobab trees, scrubland and rocky outcroppings which can be seen for miles and animals tend to gather around water sources. As you come south, the park gets busier, animal numbers increase and the backdrop changes to grassland and acacia woodlands. On the western borders, private reserves such as Sabi Sands and the Timbavati open onto the Kruger, offering an exclusive game experience with the flexibility of night drives and off-road 4 x 4 safaris. Swaying to the movement of an open vehicle while wrapped warmly against the night chills, is an unforgettable experience. The call of a Nightjar darting overhead and the flash of eyes reflected from the bushes brings an entirely different twist to your safari and as you drop your head back and look up – the crisp night skies go on forever.     

3 nights at Elephant Plains Lodge – 1 Luxury Suite 

Elephant Plains Lodge is located in the northern region of the Sabi Sands Reserve, and lies on the banks of the dry Manyeleti riverbed, overlooking open bush and a watering hole. Owner run, and warmly inviting, this property offers a variety of accommodation types: 5 affordable rondavels, 6 luxury suites and a honeymoon suite. Built in landscaped gardens, the rondavels are comfortably furnished and feature their own sundecks. The glass-fronted luxury suites enjoy warm, earth tones and private viewing decks with stunning views, while the Honeymoon Suite merges privacy and romance. Delicious meals are a creative blend of local and international cuisine and are served on central decks or in the open boma. At Elephant Plains children can be baby-sat, while adults delight in exciting game drives or make use of the pool, spa and gym. 

Your stay includes: All meals, tea and coffee, two daily game drives and a daily bush walk. Maximum 10 guests per vehicle.

Elephant Plains Lodge fast facts
• 5 rondavels with sundecks, 6 luxury suites with private decks & 1 honeymoon suite
• Spa, gym & pool
• Excellent cuisine & wine cellar

Extras included: Conservation Levy

Wild African Ventures: Quote itinerary

A typical day on Safari may unfold like this:

You will get up before dawn – hot coffee and tea are served. This is when the wildlife is most active. The air is cold as the sun rises and shimmers on the open plains. This is the best time to see the wildlife. Your camera is ready to go and you have layered your clothing to keep you warm. Head into the bush and search for lions, elephant, giraffe and plains game. Each turn will offer
something unique – a lioness and her cubs, a herd of elephant moving to a waterhole, a cheetah stalking a gazelle. Your morning game drive lasts about 2-3 hours, depending on what you see. Return to the lodge for a delicious breakfast. Most game drive times will be geared to what you are seeing – if spotting is great – you will stay out.
On some days, some lodges offer activities such as bush walks as well, or they might even go out again for a short drive after
breakfast.
As with the early morning, the late afternoon is when the wildlife comes into their own again. The predators are stirring from their slumber and the prey become active as the light becomes dimmer. It’s an exciting game drive to say the least! As the sun sets, return to camp for a hot shower. Then indulge in a delicious dinner and after dinner drinks in the lounge. There may also be a chance to sit around the campfire exchanging tales of the bush. Everyone retires early with great anticipation of the next day’s adventure!

Day 4 Fly from Safari region to Cape Town

Private Transfer: North Sabi Sands to Hoedspruit Airport in time for your flight to Cape Town.

Includes: 2 x bottled water per person per transfer and vehicle entry fees

On arrival in Cape Town, Private Transfer: Cape Town Airport to Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Welcome to Cape Town…

Scenically beautiful, Cape Town is a compelling mix of trendy modern and old-world elegance. Glamorous hotels, world-class dining and stunning vistas merge seamlessly with dynamic student suburbs and vibrant nightlife. Malay and African heritage is evident in the cuisine, traditions and entertainment while the architecture reveals a strong Dutch, German and English flavour and style. Contemporary art is proudly displayed in a variety of galleries and modern boutique hotels, and wine bars and brandy tasting lounges will appeal to the fashionable set. For the well-heeled the finest in opera, ballet, drama and music can be appreciated in style. If you take a short boat cruise to Robben Island, just over seven km’s from Cape Town harbour, you can experience a sense of hopelessness inside the prison cell where South Africa’s most beloved legend, Nelson Mandela spent 27 years hard labour. It is difficult to imagine how anyone could rise above the horror of incarceration to become arguably the most iconic and compassionate leader of our era.
An exciting trip up Table Mountain in a cable car provides panoramic views over the “Mother City” and other attractions include the Cultural History Museum, the Castle of Good Hope and the world-renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Greenmarket Square’s local crafts markets and the Bo-Kaap’s colourful Cape Malay buildings add a sense of authenticity to your trip, and Long Street’s vibrant restaurants, bars and clubs come alive after dark. Perhaps wander around the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a working harbour and hub of entertainment and shopping opportunities.

5 Nights at AC Hotel Marriott, Cape Town Waterfront – 1 Double Room

The tour commences with a tour of Table Mountain ascending by cable car (weather permitting). Enjoy panoramic views over the Mother City and the Atlantic Seaboard with Robben Island in the distance lying sleepily in Table Bay harbour. In the city itself, stop at the Company Gardens. Enjoy a walk through the garden and a visit to the South African Museum. This is followed by a visit to the Castle of Good Hope. Built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company as a maritime replenishment station, the Castle of Good Hope is the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa. The drive through the city centre would also take you past the Houses of Parliament, the Grand Parade and City Hall from where Nelson Mandela first addressed South Africans after his release in February 1990. Return to your hotel upon completion of the tour at approximately 14h30.

Includes Table Mountain Tickets

Day 6 Cape Point & Peninsula, Boulders Beach for Penguins, Kirstenbosch Gardens

Cape Point & Peninsula Tour: Scheduled Full Day

Travel along the Atlantic Seaboard via Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay, to Hout Bay, a quaint village and fishing harbour with magnificent mountain views and beach.

Continue via Chapman’s Peak, one of the world’s most breath-taking coastal drives, to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point which is perceived to be the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Go on to historic Simon’s Town, a village with charming Victorian architecture, a naval base and a large penguin colony at the beautiful Boulders Beach. Boulders Penguin Colony is home to a growing colony of the vulnerable African Penguin. Wooden walkways allow visitors to view the penguins in their natural habitat and there is also a new information centre.

A lunch stop is made nearby (lunch to own account). End the day with a visit to the well-known Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. The Garden includes five of South Africa’s six different biomes and is world-renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape Flora it displays as well as for the magnificence of its setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. The tour ends at
17:30 with drop-off at your hotel.

Day 7 Leisure

A full day at leisure to explore on your own

Day 8 Wine region – Stellenbosch / Franschhoek & Paarl

Winelands Tour: Scheduled Full Day

This delightful drive winds its way to the heart of the Cape Winelands, through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads.
Head off to the wine country via the N2 to the heart of South Africa’s wine industry, Stellenbosch, boasting great beauty and culture that is steeped in South African history. Walk down the canal-lined avenues, in the shade of giant oak trees and beautifully preserved historic buildings. With the sheer vastness of wine estates on offer, we are truly spoilt for choice when we enjoy our first wine tasting of the day at the Waterford Estate or similar.
Travel over the Helshoogte Pass to the town of Franschhoek, historically dating back to the 17th century when the French Huguenots arrived. Billed as the Gourmet Capital of South Africa, this charming town, in a most picturesque valley, retains a French Huguenot style.
We enjoy a wine tasting before taking time to enjoy the fabled culinary skills of the Franschhoek chefs at one of the many award winning restaurants (lunch to own account).
Onward to Paarl, one of the Cape’s first farming districts. The town is set at the foot of the cluster of remarkable granite domes from which it takes its name. Our last stop for the day is at a wine estate on the Paarl wine route.
We return to the bustle of city life after an enthralling day in the countryside, arriving back at the hotels at approximately 17:30

Day 9 Departure

Private Transfer: Victoria & Alfred Waterfront to Cape Town International Airport in time for your departure
flight home.

2023 LAND COST: $3220 per person sharing a double room

INTERNATIONAL AIR NEEDED: USA/JNB – CPT/USA
DOMESTIC AIR NEEDED: JNB/HDS/CPT

We do not issue airtickets in our offices but can certainly assist you with these.

YOUR SAFARI INCLUDES

•  VIP Meet and greet in Johannesburg and assistance at the airport
• Accommodations as shown in the itinerary on a bed/breakfast basis in Cape Town, and all meals on safari at Elephant Plains.
• Elephant Plains includes Three meals, teas and coffees, two game drives and a bush walk per day and Conservation fee
• All airport/lodge-hotel transfers
• Professional English-speaking rangers and trackers on safari and guides for sight-seeing tours
• 4×4 vehicles for safari
• Safari Vehicle generally carries drinking water in a cool box, binoculars, books on flora & fauna
• Game Drives and water Activities on safari
• Scheduled sight-seeing as specified in Cape Town including Table Mountain cable car tickets

YOUR SAFARI DOES NOT INCLUDE

• International and domestic flights
•  Travel, medical, and cancellation insurance
•  Tips and gratuities
•  Meals not specified
•  All items of a personal nature (i.e. phone calls, laundry where not included etc.)
•  Any increases in park fees, government taxes, or fuel surcharges
•  Any unforeseen currency revaluations or fluctuations

This Quote is given subject to availability of all services at time of booking, and was costed using the South African rate of exchange of 15.5.
US citizens do NOT require visas nor anything Covid to travel to South Africa, and NO shots are needed for the safari, just anti-malaria precautions.

Call or text (818) 353-9500