South Africa Safari

With luxurious accommodation throughout and guaranteed animal sightings, this trip is an excellent opportunity for the first time Africa traveller to experience the thrill of seeing animals up close in their natural habitat.

We begin in Cape Town, truly one of the world’s most beautiful cities nestled at the foot of majestic Table Mountain. Slowly rotating cable cars climb to the mountain’s flat top, from which there are sweeping views of the city, the busy harbour and boats heading for Robben Island, the notorious prison that once held Nelson Mandela. From jaw-dropping scenery to centuries-old architecture mingling with minimalist modern design, Cape Town encompasses it all. Its buzzing harbour and streets house nightlife and storefronts, and its beaches and mountainous surroundings are bursting with flora and fauna.

We fly directly to Hoedspruit airport, and have 3 nights at the elegant Moditlo River Lodge, located at the heart of the Blue Canyon Conservancy on 36,000 acres of African bushveld bordering the scenic banks of the Nbesi River and in close proximity to the world-renowned Greater Kruger National Park. Game drives, in an open safari vehicle, are conducted in the early morning and late afternoon every day in search of animals – both large and small.

We end our safari with 4 nights at the luxurious Arathusa Safari Lodge in Sabi Sands, the most famous private game reserve of all, and adjacent to South Africa’s flagship Kruger National Park. Arathusa offers an exceptional safari experience. The lodge is situated in front of a thriving open plain ensuring interesting game and bird viewing even from the comfort of the camp. You can expect one-of-a-kind photographic opportunities from our sightings of a high concentration of game during our game drives, close encounters with so many animals including the Big Five and quite frequent leopard sightings.

*Escorted from Cape Town to Johannesburg
Guaranteed SINGLE occupancy room throughout
Commencing 22 March, 2021

Day 1 22 March, 2021 Arrive Cape Town. Make your own way to Cape Town. Use your frequent flyer points or we will find the best airfare for you and team you up with others who may be on the same flight. Accommodation: The Commodore (or similar) overnight With panoramic views of Table Bay and Table Mountain, The Commodore is decorated in a nautical theme. It features an outdoor swimming pool and sauna, fitness and massage facilities. The Commodore’s air-conditioned rooms include free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and a private bathroom with bathtub. There is 24-hour room service and a 24-hour reception. The Commodore Hotel is situated adjacent to the V&A Waterfront and a 10-minute walk from Cape Town Stadium.

Day 2 23 March, 2021 Cape Town – Hoedspruit – Moditlo Private Game Reserve This morning after breakfast we transfer to Cape Town International Airport for flight to Hoedspruit (flights not included). We’ll be met on arrival and transfer to the lodge in time for lunch and then an afternoon game drive and dinner. Accommodation: Moditlo River Lodge (or similar) 3 nights. Situated on 36,000 acres of African bushveld bordering the scenic banks of the Nbesi River, Moditlo Private Game Reserve offers a range of luxurious wildlife encounters and African safari options especially tailored for the discerning traveller. Moditlo River Lodge sits at the heart of the Blue Canyon Conservancy, a stretch of protected land in close proximity to the world-renowned Greater Kruger National Park and boasting bio-diversity that rivals that of many of South Africa’s premier wildlife destinations. The vegetation is made up of Northern Thornveld and Southern Bushwillow Woodlands, two distinct eco-zones that each supports an abundance of animal species. Scattered throughout the reserve are numerous lakes, perennial streams and dams that support the growth of large trees and underbrush, providing the perfect habitat for the wide variety of wildlife species that call Moditlo home.

Day 3 & 4 24 March & 25 March, 2021 Moditlo Private Game Reserve Each day we take morning and afternoon/evening safaris. No safari is the same, each morning and evening brings with it new encounters and, depending on the weather, time of year, herd behaviour and various other factors, you could encounter lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, hippos, crocodiles and the increasingly illusive rhino.

On a typical day you will awake early to the dawn chorus of bird song and witness the bush come alive with the rising of the sun as you venture into the veld on a morning safari. Over a cup of tea of coffee, and a snack, our guides will answer all questions, whilst describing the terrain and the possible sightings that you might witness. Later in the morning we’ll be driven back to the lodge to enjoy a hearty breakfast.

Evening Safaris begin in the late afternoon and provide the opportunity to watch day-roaming animals prepare to settle in for the night, whilst our nocturnal friends emerge to stalk the plains. We’ll be driven into the veld as the sun begins to set turning the sky brilliant shades of rose, amber and gold, before ushering in a velvet sky brimming with twinkling diamond-shaped stars. There is absolutely nothing like an African sunset made even more perfect as we partake in ‘sundowners’ before setting out to find night-time predators stalking their prey. We return to the lodge for dinner which is served at the thatched dining area or beneath the stars at the open-air boma.

Day 5 26 March, 2021 Moditlo Private Game Reserve – Sabi Sand Reserve After an early morning game drive and breakfast we transfer to Arathusa Safari Lodge located in Sabi Sand Reserve.

Accommodation: Arathusa Safari Lodge (or similar) 4 nights Arathusa Safari Lodge has a prime location within the Sabi Sand Reserve adjacent to the unfenced Kruger National Park. Together these two areas comprise one of South Africa’s most incredible and pristine preserved wilderness sanctuaries. Arathusa offers an exceptional safari experience – expect a high concentration of an assortment of game, including the Big Five, and frequent leopard sightings. The lodge is situated in front of a thriving open plain ensuring interesting game and bird viewing from the comfort of the camp.

There are thirteen Suites, nine of which face the (now-dry) waterhole in front of the lodge, and four of which are remotely located within the bush a short distance from the lodge. Despite the devastating drought in the region over the last three years having affected the amount of water in Arathusa’s signature waterhole, vast amounts of game still gather on the open plains. Once the eagerly anticipated rains arrive, they will hopefully restore the waterhole to its former aquatic glory enjoyed since 1983. Each Suite is uniquely designed, with fresh interiors and a focus on light and space. Each has a bathroom en-suite, with shower, as well as a private outdoor shower and verandah. Amenities include a mini bar (stocked with a selection of beverages on request), an electronic safe, hairdryer, air conditioning, direct-dial telephone, mosquito net and tea/ coffee making facilities.

Days 6,7 & 8 27 March – 30 March, 2021 Arathusa Safari Lodge Game drives, in an open safari vehicle, are conducted in the early morning and late afternoon every day in search of animals – both large and small. This means that about 8 hours of every day are spent in this natural sanctuary, in search of the creatures who call it home. Experienced, knowledgeable and personable rangers are paired with local trackers, and together they ensure a first class safari experience. Trackers sit up at the front of the vehicle looking for fresh animal tracks, while rangers skilfully navigate into ravines and through thickets in pursuit of fantastic game sightings.

Close encounters are guaranteed, and the animals are not threatened by our presence. Expect one-of-a-kind photographic opportunities of The Big Five, and much more – including over 300 bird species. Guided walks with an armed ranger may also be arranged. Walks are usually arranged in the early hours when temperatures are more moderate. Being on foot affords a unique and altogether different view of the bush.

Day 9 30 March, 2021 Sabi Sands – Nelspruit – Johannesburg Our final morning game drive and sadly we say goodbye to the lodge as our safari ends after breakfast this morning. We transfer to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg (flights not included). We would be happy to assist with your onward travel arrangements.

Tour cost $AU8490 includes:

Services of an Destination World Travel escort from Cape Town – Johannesburg
SINGLE occupancy of double room
Breakfast daily
All meals on safari
Sundowners on safari
House wines, beers and spirits at Arathusa Safari Lodge
Morning and afternoon game drives on safari – 4WD
Local safari guides on safari
Included lodge activities
Transfers as per itinerary

Tour cost does not include:
. Air fares or air ticket taxes
. Passports, visas or items of a personal nature
. Drinks other than those included on safari
. Gratuities
. Anything not mentioned in ‘inclusions’

Please note: This tour involves services which are settled in a number of currencies and the exchange rate has been calculated on rates current at the time of uploading this tour onto our website.

Should there be a fluctuation of exchange rates of more than 3% from this time to the time we receive payment, we reserve the right to pass on an exchange rate surcharge.

Destination World Travel