A Touch of South Africa

8 days, 7 nights
Price Range: $4,732 – $12,251
(all-inclusive price per person, depending on dates & camps selected)

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Legendary Kruger National Park and venerable Sabi Sand Game Reserve are names that are synonymous with some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa. These adjacent reserves, along with vast, wild Mashatu just over the border in Botswana, comprise the heart of South Africa’s extraordinary safari country. It’s genuine wilderness, home to the famous Big Five and multitudes more. You won’t believe how much you can see in a just a week.

Photo of Wendy Klausner

Our Expert Says

Big game, that is what South Africa is about. Here, it is not uncommon to see all of the Big Five on one game drive. And, there is so much scenic diversity, from rocky outcrops to sweeping plains to remote and pristine coastlines. This route showcases a multitude of habitats that are home to a great range of wildlife. Combine that with Cape Town and its splendors, and you have a South Africa sampler that highlights the best parts of the country.

– Wendy Klausner

Photo: Johannesburg view image gallery

Day 1: Johannesburg

Cosmopolitan Johannesburg is the jumping-off point for most South African safaris. The city of 3.6 million is a vibrant mélange of colors and cultures. Food and music are central to life in ‘Joburg,’ and its clubs and pubs are an integral part of the social fabric. Tour Soweto or visit the Apartheid Museum to gain a deeper understanding of Johannesburg’s history, travails and rich multicultural heritage.

Photo: Kruger / Mashatu view image gallery

Days 2-4: Kruger / Mashatu

World-renowned Kruger in South Africa and private Mashatu in nearby Botswana offer phenomenal wildlife watching in the Limpopo River basin, a land of sweeping skies and giant baobab trees. Depending on your camp choice, you’ll explore one of these magnificent nature sanctuaries: each protects great elephant herds, abundant lion and cheetah, and rich grazing for wildebeest, giraffe, zebra and antelope. On night drives, look for bat-eared fox and leopards hunting.

Photo: Sabi Sand Reserve view image gallery

Days 5-7: Sabi Sand Reserve

Sabi Sand is one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife locales. This private 150,000-acre reserve shares a border with Kruger National Park and is named for the two rivers that flow through it. Renowned for its excellent “Big Five” viewing—the elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, lion and abundant leopard, which were once favorite hunting targets—Sabi Sand has led the way in bringing them back.

Photo: Johannesburg/Home view image gallery

Day 8: Johannesburg/Home

Your safari adventure ends today in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Notes

  • Africa safari planner cannot precisely calculate the costs of air and land transfers to all camps and lodges as the locations and travel distances vary slightly. With this in mind, your final quote may increase or decrease by a small amount.
  • The estimated rates given for these itineraries are adult rates, but many properties offer reduced rates for children. Please contact our office for more information.
  • Holiday surcharges may apply for travel in late December and early January, and occasionally over the Easter holiday.
  • A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the trip fee per person is required upon booking to confirm your reservation.

Inclusions

  • All accommodation on a double occupancy basis
  • Meals at camps and lodges
  • Excursions and transfers unless listed as optional
  • Services of the lodge guides and staff unless a NHA Safari Expedition Leader is booked
  • Relevant park fees
  • Alcoholic and soft drink beverages are included at some camps and lodges
  • Laundry service is available at most permanent camps/lodges and hotels; in some cases this service is included in the tariff quoted
  • Air transfers within countries as specified
  • Accommodation taxes, the applicable Tourism Levies and all relevant Value Added Tax (VAT) or Government Sales Tax (GST)

Exclusions

  • Travel to the start and end point of the route
  • Generally lunch and dinner in city hotels
  • Alcoholic and soft drink beverages at some camps and lodges
  • Cancellation, baggage and medical insurance
  • Staff gratuities
  • Any newly-implemented government taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control
  • Visa fees where relevant
  • International airport departure taxes applicable from manned airports only, which is to be paid in US$ cash on departure unless included in your ticket cost
  • Any items of a personal nature