14 Days Malaria Free South Africa

B=Breakfast   L=Lunch  D=Dinner

DAY 1 Johannesburg and Soweto orientation tour

After landing at OR Tambo International Airport, we drive to the hotel and drop off our luggage, get to change clothes and start our Johannesburg orientation tour that includes Johannesburg downtown, Soccer City Stadium, Soweto (rich and poor sections), Vilakazi street where (Nobel Peace Prize winners) Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu’s houses are located and Hector Peterson Museum. We have lunch in Soweto in one of the local restaurants, try South African cuisine. After lunch, we drive back to the hotel and relax. 1xB

DAY 2 & 3 Pilanesberg National Park

We leave Johannesburg after breakfast and drive to North West Province where Pilanesberg National Park is located, it is located in the ecologically rich transition zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld, this vast area promises thrilling big game viewing in a malaria-free environment. We spend two days in the park. We have two sunset game drives and one-morning game drive in our minibus, but the park offers optional jeep safaris that can be arranged with the guide or reception. 2xD 2xB

Day 4 Kimberly/Diamond mine tour

We leave Pilanesburg early after breakfast, heading to the Northern Cape, one of the most beautiful provinces in South Africa with the mountainous and rocky scenery. The area was known as New Rush during the gold rush of 1800 century. We arrive late afternoon and relax at the lodge. We visit the Big Hole and the Diamond Mine Museum on the next morning before we leave Kimberly for Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. 1xD 1xB

Day 5, 6&7 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Kgalagadi is one of the best national parks in Southern Africa, offering the best game viewing in South Africa. It is the part of Central Kalahari where three countries, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana meet. Herds of Oryx (emblem of the park), Black-maned Kalahari Lions and sociable weavers are common to be spotted. We have one night in Botswana side and two nights in South Africa side explore this hidden jewel of Africa. 3xD 3xB

Day 8 Augrabies Falls National Park

The Khoi people called it “Aukoerabis”, or the Great Noise, as this powerful flow of water is unleashed from rocky surroundings characterized by the 18 km abyss of the Orange River Gorge. Explore the thundering rock of the Augrabies Falls with beautiful gorges, quiver trees and dassies (rock Hyrax) on our short sunset walk and listen to the water falling the whole night. We stay one night at Augrabies.1xD 1xB

Day 9 Calvinia

Calvinia is a small town located south-west of Northern Province and the town dates back to 1750s. Khoisan people were the first people to occupy the area and later in 1750’s the European settlers brought their livestock to the area in search of grassland and the farming was born and the town got recognition. Calvinia is a part of Namaqualand that attracts thousands of travellers in the spring to see and photograph our beautiful flowers. We stop for one night in Calvinia. 1xD 1xB

Day 10 Tulbagh (Hiking & Wine tasting)

Tulbagh is the fourth oldest town in South Africa after Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Swellendam, dating back to 1700’s. Charming Church Street boasts the largest number of Cape Dutch, Edwardian and Victorian provincial heritage sites in one street in South Africa even though it was restored after devastating earthquakes of 1969. Tulbagh is located in the bowl of the mountainous region decorated by wineries. We visit two wineries for wine tasting before we drive to the hotel. We have a short but a breathtaking hike on the following morning before we leave for Cape Town. 1xD 1xB

Day 11, 12, 13 Cape Town

Cape Town, known as the Mother City owing that is the oldest city in South Africa dating back to 1652, the arrival of the first Europeans, Jan Van Riebeeck and his crew. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world laying at the foot of the Table Mountain. We visit Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach, Table Mountain and do a city tour on our last day. 3xB

Day 14 Tour ends after breakfast. B&B

Flight from: 950,-€

SOUTH AFRICA 

The unique “Rainbow Nation”; in Southern Africa. A melting pot of culture wildlife and wonderful scenery. South Africa’s historic emergence from the Apartheid era has created a country with wonderful spirit. With eleven national languages and many more cultures. South Africa’s wildlife destinations rival the best in the world, with the Kruger National Park being a must for all visitors along with Mkuzi Game reserve and Addo Elephant National Park. The Zulu and the Xhosa cultures portray an intense history of survival and exploration of the country before the arrival of the Dutch Settlers.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL– The best time to travel to South Africa depends on the individuals, for safari enthusiast the best time to travel is between May and October. The temperatures are cooler or mild during the day but might get cold at night. It is our dry season. Along the Cape including the Garden Route, the best time to visit is between September and April, less rain and calm wind. It is warm. But, South Africa can be visited all year round and one will enjoy the warm weather and the beautiful landscape.

CAPE TOWN – The Cape Peninsula is a dramatic range of mountains penetrating the desolation of the southern Atlantic Ocean. The majestic Table Mountain is home to some 8500 species of flower. Cape Town often referred to as the “Mother City” is imbued with character and charm. The city centers around the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a working harbour and historical site, offering everything from arts and crafts markets, shopping malls, theaters and live music to superb restaurants offering a variety of dishes from local South African to continental.

CAPE WINELANDS – The Cape Wineland have been described as the most beautiful and scenic in the world. Here you will find majestic mountains, quaint little villages, art galleries, museums, and lots of various wineries. The Cape Dutch architecture is prominent in the wineland making this an enchanting area.

GARDEN ROUTE – Stretching along the southern Cape coast from Heidelberg in the west to the Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River in the east. The Garden Route boasts tropical forests, birds, fynbos plant species, tranquil inland lakes, towering mountains, pristine beaches and its brilliantly colored fauna and flora. Further inland you reach the Klein karoo, a semi-desert area of copper colored plains, ostrich farms, the spectacular Cango Caves and majestic mountain passes.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – The Kruger has more species of wildlife than any other reserve in Africa. Famous for the “big five” experience being elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino as well as over 460 different species of bird.

MPUMALANGA – The province boardering the southern Kruger National Park is known as Mpumalanga. The landscape of the Mpumalanga is made up of panoramic mountain passes, river canyons, waterfalls and steep mountains. Some of the most spectacular sights include God’s Window, the Blyde River Canyon (3rd largest in the world), and the old gold mining town of Pilgrims Rest.

KWAZULU NATAL – is a area rich in diversity. In the Maputaland region you find the St. Lucia Wetland Park, an area rich in wildlife and beauty. Sodwana Bay boasts spectacular coral reefs superb for diving and snorkeling. The Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserves offer the chance to see the rare white rhino as well as many other species of wildlife. There are numerous Zulul villages offering crafts, traditional Zulu dance programs and the opportunity to mix and mingle amongst the Zulu tribe. For history enthusiasts a stay in the heart of Zululand with a guided tour to the battlegrounds of the Zulu, British and Boer wars is a must. The scenic Drakensberg Moutains offer adventure activities such as hiking, biking and fishing. KwaZulu Natal is a perfect haven for birders.

TRAVEL GREEN AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Big 5 Green Travel ways for Southern Tours & Safaris

1. Eco-friendly destination- We try to identify and use green hotels/lodges for our trips
2. We visit local schools and workshop them about sustainability and environmental issues focusing on climate change
3. We match a donation given by our clients up to $100 to buy more trees and support other activities that focusing on climate change. On all our trips, where possible, we visit different communities and spend an hour with them planting trees.
4. We use less emission producing vehicles (NO DIESEL VEHICLE) until we find the emission detectors for our vehicles while raising funds to buy electric vehicles for our tours.
5. Within the cities, we walk, bike or use safe mode of local transportation like trains, where possible (e.g. OR Tambo Int. Airport to Rosebank/Sandton)

Big 5 Green Travel ways for our travelers (our recommendations) 

1. We encourage all our travelers to take direct flights to minimize the aeroplane emission during taking off and landing (planes produce more emission during take-off and landing because of the engine demanding power, connecting flight might be cheaper but they are not good for our environment)
2. Go digital- We don’t print flight tickets, travel invoices and other documents. Keep them in your smartphone as a pdf, take a picture or keep them on your emails, you can always login on a cafe and access all your documents in case of need.
3. Pack light – the lighter your luggage the lesser aeroplane and vehicles consumes gas during your travels
4. Reuse your towels, sheets (in hotels) and bring your reusable water bottle
5. Try to eat local food than eating something that was transported miles/kms away (eat fish only along the ocean not inland)