The Discovery Journey to
South Africa & Botswana
Experience the wonder of a safari to South Africa & Botswana. From Entabeni, which means ‘beyond comparison,’ to Mashatu and Makalali, these private Southern African wildlife parks will give you an insight into the wonders of nature beyond compare. Learn first-hand about the local flora and fauna, as well as cultural heritage, history and geology. Explore these amazing parks in open 4x4 vehicles, on nature walks or if you prefer, by horseback and mountain bike. Discover Mashatu’s Stone and Iron Age sites. Throughout, your accommodations are quite simply the best – from elegant tented camps and lodges, to South Africa’s leading country hotel.
Days 1/2 - New York, Washington, DC or Atlanta/Johannesburg
Board your overnight flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival, you are escorted to your premier hotel in the heart of the upscale Sandton district. Relax poolside as you prepare for your safari adventure. BALALAIKA HOTEL. (Meals Aloft)
Days 3/4 - Entabeni Nature Reserve
Drive north to the Entabeni Nature Reserve located in the malaria-free Waterberg, known for its spectacular scenery of grasslands, mountains, a mile-long lake and a 2,000-foot escarpment, plus diverse wildlife viewing including the ‘Big Five’ (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant & rhino). Your exploration includes drives in open vehicles, guided walks and horseback safaris. Wildlife is abundant with lion sightings during most drives as well as zebra, giraffe, kudu, duiker, eland and oryx. Birdlife is varied with as many as 380 species during the summer months, such as Black Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Secretary Birds, Black-breasted Snake Eagles, Gymnogene and Narina Trogon. Your elegant tented camp is nestled on the lower escarpment surrounded by majestic mountains. ENTABENI WILDSIDE CAMP. (B,L,D Daily)
Days 5/6 - Mashatu National Reserve, Botswana
Next stop is Mashatu National Reserve in the remote eastern corner of Botswana, at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers. This is a diverse wilderness of savannah, riverine forests, marshland, open plains and sandstone outcrops. Explore this beautiful land by open four-wheel drive vehicles, walking safaris, mountain bikes or horseback. Along the river, huge Mashatu trees provide shade for eland, impala, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra, while at night, the bat-eared fox, African wildcat and the magnificent leopard search for prey. Home to over 360 species of birds, plus prides of lion and cheetah, Mashatu also has the single, largest population of elephant on privately held land. Join the resident elephant specialist and researcher, Jeanetta Selier, on a morning drive to learn how to identify the different herds, as well as calculate age and sex. Historic and archaeological sites abound such as the Pitsani Koppje and Motloutse Ruins. Visit the Mmamagwa ruins on the Motloutse River and see pottery, beads and stonewalls dating back a thousand years. Back at camp there is always time to lounge poolside or learn more about the scientific research conducted at Mashatu in the camp’s discovery room. In the ilala-palm enclosed boma, savor sumptuous dinners under the African sky served around a blazing fire. MASHATU MAIN CAMP. (All Meals Daily)
Day 8 - Agatha
Through beautiful countryside, drive to the Coach House at Agatha in the Valley of the Olifants, set on a magnificent plateau with sweeping views across forests and farmland, to the peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains. One of South Africa’s leading country hotels, it is set in lovely gardens echoing with bird calls. Each room has a private balcony and wood burning fireplace. Recreation facilities include a sparkling pool, mountain bikes, floodlit croquet lawn and hiking trails. You may choose to pamper yourself at the Agatha Spa. THE COACH HOUSE. (B,L)
Days 9/10 - Blyde River Canyon/Drakensberg Mountains/Makalali Private Wildlife Reserve
Visit one of the most spectacular scenic vistas in Africa – Blyde River Canyon. The Blyde River (river of joy) and the Treur River (river of sorrow) meet here and water erosion has formed one of the most remarkable geological phenomena in the country, known as Bourke’s Luck Potholes. At the Three Rondavels view huge rock spirals rising out of the far wall of the canyon. After lunch, continue to Makalali (place of rest) in Shangaan, which is situated west of the Kruger National Park and close to the Drakensberg Mountains. Considered one of the leading pioneers in South African ecotourism, Makalali Private Wildlife Reserve represents a conservation mission to expand the country’s green frontier by re-establishing the ancient traditional wildlife migration routes that linked Kruger Park in the east to Drakensberg Mountains in the west. In the process lion, cheetah, leopard and breeding herds of elephant, rhino and the rare sable antelope have all been re-introduced to the wild, making the reserve home to over 1,000 animals. Founded in 1992, it consists of 30,000-acres of acacia bush, open savannah grassland and surrounded by the lush riverine system of the picturesque Makhutswi River. Activities include wildlife drives in open Land Rovers, river rafting, nature walks, abseiling, golfing excursions, Cheetah Breeding Project, scenic flights, mountain biking and trout fishing. Each suite in your exclusive camp is decorated in African splendor with private deck, fireplace and raised timber ‘sala’ for your lounging pleasure. MAKALALI. (B,L,D Daily)
Days 11/12 - Hoedspruit/Johannesburg/Atlanta, Washington, DC or New York
Transfer to Hoedspruit and depart on your flight to Johannesburg. Relax at the Premier Lounge before boarding your overnight flight home.
Optional Extensions
Begin your adventure with a five day pre-extension to Cape Town, one of South Africa’s loveliest cities. Your luxurious hotel is conveniently located in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Discover the coastal beauty on a drive to the Cape of Good Hope and see the African (Jackass) Penguins at Boulders Beach. Discover the internationally-acclaimed vineyards at Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek on the Western Cape and stroll through beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Experience more exciting wildlife viewing with a three day post-extension to Rhino Post Safari Lodge, set on the banks of the Mutlumuvi Riverbed with an active waterhole. Track rhino trails and elephant paths on foot for close encounters with some of the most fascinating animals in the world. At night, you will return to your luxurious base lodge for dining al fresco under a canopy of stars.
Your Safari Includes:
- Roundtrip air transportation from Atlanta, Washington, DC or New York. All local flights within Southern Africa per itinerary.
- Superior accommodations as indicated, or similar.
- All meals while on safari. Other meals as specified in the itinerary.
- Wildlife drive with Jeanetta Selier, resident elephant researcher at Mashatu.
- Archaeological tour while at Mashatu.
- All wildlife viewing by private 4x4 open vehicles, driven by professional driver/guides.
- Complimentary bottled water in safari vehicles and while touring in the cities.
- All applicable hotel/lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
- All park entry fees.
- Complimentary backpack, baggage tags and passport wallet.
2006 Dates |
Price Main Trip |
Single Supplement Price/Main |
Optional Extensions |
Price Extension |
Single Supplement Price/Ext |
May 14-25 |
$6,295 |
$1,295 |
Cape Town |
$1,795 |
$495 |
Rhino Post |
$1,995 |
$495 |
|||
Jul 16-27 |
$6,495 |
$1,295 |
Cape Town |
$1,795 |
$495 |
Rhino Post |
$1,995 |
$495 |
|||
Aug 22 - Sep 2 |
$6,995 |
$1,395 |
Cape Town |
$1,895 |
$495 |
Rhino Post |
$2,195 |
$495 |
|||
Oct 8-19 |
$6,995 |
$1,395 |
Cape Town |
$1,895 |
$495 |
Rhino Post |
$2,195 |
$495 |
*Prices do not reflect applicable departure taxes.