Tailor-made safaris and travel to Southern Africa
AFRICA'S SUPER PREDATORS AND MAMMALS
This 14-day safari takes participants from the Cape Peninsula, up South Africa's east coast of Kwazulu-Natal, to the Kruger National Park, the mighty Zambezi River, and ends in Botswana's Okavango Delta. The diversity of species studied is dazzling: southern right whales, great white sharks, black and white rhino, crocodiles, hippo, lion, leopard, elephant and cheetah - and anything else that comes our way. It's an incredible safari, led by a great naturalist, travelling through many different eco-systems and habitats to give guests a wonderful, all-round experience. Paul de Bruyn is a renowned guide who is a full time conservationist working with the communities who live alongside the Kruger National Park.
(The itinerary below contains links to the properties described; by clicking on these links, you will open a new page in your browser. To return to this page, simply close the new page, or click on the icon at the bottom of your screen).September 4 to 6, 2002: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Scheduled arrival at Cape Town International Airport. Upon arrival, one of our representatives will meet and transfer you by road to Grootbos Nature Reserve where accommodation has been reserved for two nights.
Grootbos Nature Reserve is nestled in the hills overlooking Walker Bay. The reserve has more than 1 000 species of Cape flora as well as a host of small animals. The lodge is discretely set in an ancient Milkwood forest. Each cottage has been built from locally hewn stone and timber, with a large en suite bathroom, a cozy sitting area complete with wood stove, and a balcony. Activities at Grootbos are plentiful and varied. Specialist guides accompany guests on nature walks, horse-back rides and mountain bike rides through the reserve. The highlight is the southern right whale population in Walker Bay.
In: 04 September 2002
Out: 06 September 2002
Basis: Inclusive of all meals and reserve activities
September 5: Great White Shark Excursion
After breakfast at Grootbos we depart for a full day shark diving / sighting excursion from Gansbaai (weather permitting). Lunch is included. Dyer Island, which lies a short boat-ride offshore from Gansbaai, is arguably the best place in the world for viewing the magnificent great white shark. Divers are secured in a specially designed, two man cage, and lowered roughly 1 meter below the surface. Only experienced divers with a minimum diving certification (valid resort course and upwards) are allowed in the cage, but non-divers will have a great opportunity to watch the sharks feeding from the safety of the boat. The excursion takes place from one of two comfortable 27ft vessels with a maximum of 8 guests per boat. Each boat is equipped with a spacious cabin, comfortable bunks (inside and outside), private toilet, and fresh drinking water. The boat is also fitted with a specially designed observation platform situated on top-level of each vessel.
06H00 - Transfer from Grootbos Nature Reserve in an air-conditioned minibus to Gansbaai.
08H00 - Breakfast is served at a quaint restaurant in Gansbaai, and our tour guide briefs us on the day's activities.
09H00 - Launch from Kleinbaai Harbor for the 30-minute boat cruise to "Shark Alley".
12H00 - Snacks, fruit and drinks are served onboard.
14H30 - Return to Kleinbaai Harbor
15H00 - A late lunch will be served at a restaurant situated on the cliffs of Walker Bay (time permitting), where guests are presented with a diving certificate. Otherwise a light lunch and drinks will be served onboard.
18H00 - Return to Grootbos Nature Reserve for overnight.
September 6 to 8: Ndumo Wilderness Camp
After breakfast we depart Grootbos Nature Reserve and transfer by road back to Cape Town International Airport to connect with a scheduled flight to Durban. Upon arrival at Durban International Airport, we are met and transferred by private charter flight to the lovely Ndumo Wilderness Camp, where we will be staying for two nights.
Ndumo Wilderness Camp, situated in the Maputaland region of Kwazulu-Natal, is one of South Africa's most beautiful safari camps. The camp offers eight superbly appointed luxury tented rooms with en-suite bathrooms and private balconies. The entire camp is raised on teak decks, inter-linked by walkways under the canopy of giant fig trees. Ndumo Game Reserve is one of Africa's oldest and most scenic parks; the reserve is home to good numbers of Black Rhino, White Rhino, Hippo, Crocodile, Giraffe, Impala, Blue Wildebeest, Nyala, Red Duiker and Suni. Leopard are occasionally sighted. A real highlight is the opportunity to track rhinos on foot!
In: 06 September 2002
Out: 08 September 2002
Basis: Inclusive of all meals, game activities and laundry
September 8 to 10: Thornybush Game Reserve
After the morning game activity and brunch we depart Ndumo Wilderness Camp and transfer by private charter flight to Thornybush Main Lodge, where accommodation has been reserved for two nights.
Thornybush Main Lodge is located in the 26,000 acre Thornybush Game Reserve, adjacent to the Kruger National Park. Thornybush is a 'Big Five' reserve, with lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo, in addition to a wealth of general and plains game. Main Lodge offers accommodation in air-conditioned, en suite chalets, all with outdoor showers and private decks overlooking the Monwana River. Dawn and dusk safaris in open Land Rovers and on foot allow guests an opportunity to experience excellent game viewing opportunities. The lodge also has a library, pool and lounge area.
In: 08 September 2002
Out: 10 September 2002
Basis: Inclusive of all meals, game activities, laundry and drinks on game drives.
September 10 to 13: Ruckomechi Camp
After the morning game activity and brunch we depart Thornybush and transfer by private charter flight to Ruckomechi Camp on the banks of the Zambezi River (flying via Pietersburg and Kariba to clear customs). Accommodation has been reserved for three nights.
Ruckomechi camp is beautifully set in a large grove of Acacia and Mahogany trees overlooking the Zambezi River, with a superb view over the mountains of Africa's Great Rift Valley. The camp consists of ten thatched chalets, with en suite facilities. The thatched central dining and living area is set on the river's edge, facing the escarpment. Ruckomechi offers diverse game activities, including game drives in open Landrovers, canoeing, and daily game walks with an armed guide. Predators including Lion, Wild Dog, Leopard, and Cheetah are often sighted around Ruckomechi, and the river attracts large concentrations of Buffalo and elephant.
In: 10 September 2002
Out: 13 September 2002
Basis: Inclusive of all meals, game activities, laundry and drinks (except imported premium brands)
September 13 to 15: Chitabe Camp
After the morning game activity and brunch we depart Ruckomechi Camp and transfer by private charter flight to the Chitabe Camp (flying via Kariba and Kasane to clear customs). Accommodation has been reserved for two nights.
Chitabe is a luxurious tented camp in a private area bordered on three sides by the Moremi Reserve. Accommodation consists of eight spacious walk-in tents that are built on elevated wooden decks. Each tented room has en-suite facilities and a verandah. The thatched dining room, living room and bar areas are also raised on decks over-looking the surrounding flood plains. Activities at Chitabe consist of day and night game drives in open Landrovers accompanied by an experienced guide, as well as nature walks. Game viewing is excellent, and includes sightings of Buffalo, Elephant, Lion, Leopard, and Zebra. Wild dogs are also sometimes seen.
In: 13 September 2002
Out: 15 September 2002
Basis: Inclusive of all meals, game activities, laundry and drinks (except imported premium brands)
September 15 to 17: Vumbura Camp
After the morning game activity and brunch we depart Chitabe Camp and transfer by light aircraft to Vumbura Camp, where accommodation has been reserved for two nights.
Vumbura is a remote luxury camp situated on a private concession in a remote corner of the Okavango. Each one of Vumbura's eight spacious luxury tented rooms has a bathroom en suite, as well as an outdoor shower. The main dining, living room and bar area is tucked beneath a canopy of indigenous trees with a superb view across the floodplain. Vumbura offers both water and land activities, including guided mekoro rides, boat trips (water levels permitting), game-drives in open safari vehicles, and nature walks. Guests could see Red Lechwe from a mekoro in the morning, then a Sable antelope from a vehicle in the afternoon. Other species include lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo.
In: 15 September 2002
Out: 17 September 2002
Basis: Inclusive of all meals, game activities, laundry and drinks (except imported premium brands)
September 17, 2002: Safari Ends
After the morning game activity and brunch we depart Vumbura Camp and transfer by light aircraft to Maun Airport, where the safari ends.
To find out more about the Super Mammal Safari, or to make a reservation, call on
27-11-463-7889 or email us.
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Photo credits: Wilderness Safaris; Grootbos Private Nature Reserve; Thornybush Private Game Reserve