Your specialist guide, Lex Hes is a legend around Southern Africa with a track record of superlative safaris to his credit.
Day 1
Scheduled arrival at Cape Town International Airport.
Upon arrival, a Wilderness Safaris representative will meet and transfer you by road to Grootbos Nature Reserve where accommodation has been reserved for three nights.
GROOTBOS NATURE RESERVE
Dates on request
Basis: Inclusive of all meals and reserve activities
Grootbos Nature Reserve is nestled in the fynbos clad hills above Walker Bay with beautiful views of the dunes, sea and distant Cape of Good Hope. The reserve has more than 1 000 species of Cape Flora as well as a host of smaller animals such as Bush Buck, Porcupine, Grey Duiker and Lynx.
The Lodge at the Sea is set in a Milkwood forest - each cottage has been built from locally hewn stone and timber and has an en suite bathroom. From the bar, guests can view picturesque sunsets across Walker Bay. The restaurant specialises in seafood, complemented by homegrown produce. Specialist guides accompany guests on walking trails, horse back riding and mountain biking through the reserve.
Drives in 4X4 vehicles are also offered. From July to December, the Southern Right Whale migrates from Antarctica to Walker Bay. This spectacular vantage point for whale watching is a short drive from Grootbos. Guests can also swim or relax on the beach or take a 20-minute boat trip to Dyers island, home of the Cape Fur Seal.
Day 4
After breakfast you 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, a Wilderness Safaris representative will meet and transfer you by road to The Sani Pass Hotel where accommodation has been reserved for two nights.
THE SANI PASS HOTEL
Dates on request
Basis: Inclusive of dinner and breakfast daily.
Sani Pass Hotel & Leisure Resort is situated 1 500 m above sea level and is surrounded by 800 hectares of beautiful countryside, nestling at the foot of the magnificent Sani Pass Gateway to Lesotho. Up to 200 guests are accommodated in double, single and inter-leading family cottages.
The hotel offers a wide variety of cuisine to choose from and has two cocktail bars. Activities include swimming, tennis, golfing on a 9-hole course, bowling, squash and horse riding on scenic trails. There is spa, which has a sauna, jacuzzi and massage facility for those who enjoy being pampered. Guests can also enjoy a short drive over the top of the magnificent Sani Pass into Lesotho.
Day 6
After breakfast you depart The Sani Pass Hotel and transfer by road to Ndumo Wilderness Camp where accommodation has been reserved for two nights
NDUMO WILDERNESS CAMP
Dates on request
Basis: Inclusive of all meals, game activities and laundry
Ndumo Wilderness Camp, situated in the Maputaland region of northern Natal, just south of the Mozambique border, is one of South Africas most superb safari camps. Time at Ndumo is mostly spent on nature walks and drives through forests of fig trees and the surrounding bush. Drives in open 4x4 vehicles around the various scenic pans are a highlight, and boating along the waterways is permitted, depending on water levels. Accommodation is in the wilderness zone of the reserve, in an area not open to the general public.
The camp offers eight luxury-tented rooms with en-suite bathrooms and a private balcony. The entire camp is raised up on wooden decks inter-linked by walkways under the canopies of giant fig trees. The cool thatched bar and dining room area and the adjoining pool deck have a commanding view of the floodplain.
Ndumo Game Reserve is one of Africas oldest and most scenic parks, and is considered by many to be the finest bird watching locality in South Africa, with over 400 species having been recorded. The Nyamithi and Banzi Pans are on the Pongola and Usutu flood plains, and attract waterfowl in large numbers.
The reserve is also home to good numbers of Black Rhino, White Rhino, Hippo, Crocodile, Giraffe, Impala, Blue Wildebeest, Nyala, Red Duiker and Suni. Leopard is occasionally sighted.
Day 8
After breakfast you depart Ndumo Wilderness Camp and transfer by road to Rocktail Bay Lodge where accommodation has been reserved for two nights.
ROCKTAIL BAY LODGE
Dates on request Basis: Inclusive of all meals, activities and laundry Rocktail Bay Lodge is situated in northern Kwazulu-Natal in the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve, adjoining the Maputaland Marine Reserve. The lodge offers the most private beach experience in South Africa. Few parts of the South African coastline are as unspoilt and secluded as the area in the vicinity of Rocktail Bay. There are about 30 kilometres of pristine and undeveloped coastline around Rocktail Bay. Accommodation is in 10 wood tree-house chalets raised up on stilts into the forest canopy, each with a wooden deck and private facilities. There is a thatched pub, lounge and dining area. An inviting plunge pool also awaits your arrival. You can enjoy strolls along the deserted sandy beaches, excellent surf and fly-fishing, snorkelling and swimming in the warm Indian Ocean. As of early 2001, scuba diving will be available offshore. We will be utilizing Island Rock as a launch site, not far from Rocktail Bay. This activity is offered subject to boat availability, weather and tidal conditions, and is at an additional cost. Other activities include nature walks through the coastal forest, birding, and drives in open 4x4 vehicles to neighbouring beaches. The cycad forests and the Hippo Pools can also be visited. In summer, nocturnal explorations of the beach in search of egg-laying turtles can be arranged.
Day 10
After breakfast and a morning activity you depart Rocktail Bay Lodge and transfer by road to the airstrip.
Upon arrival at the airstrip, you board a private charter flight to the Sabi Sands area where a representative of Djuma will meet and transfer you by road to Vuyatela Camp where accommodation has been reserved for three nights.
VUYATELA CAMP
Dates on request
Basis: Inclusive of all meals, game activities and laundry
Vuyatela! - "come and visit again" in Shangaan, a farewell to guests who have enjoyed our hospitality and who wish to return as friends. The lodge consists of eight luxury suites, each with a separate lounge, bedroom, dressing room and bathroom with outdoor shower. The rooms are also equipped with their own private deck, plunge pool, air-conditioning, mosquito nets, IDD telephone, mini-bar and 24 hour internet access.
Marvel at the detail of the contemporary African artwork in the main lodge, and frequent the gym/relaxation room and library.
Activities include morning and afternoon game drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles, bird watching tower, game viewing decks overlooking waterholes and an aquarium.
Day 13
After the morning game activity and brunch you depart for your onward journey or flight home.
