SOUTH AFRICA
FLY-IN SAFARIS
South Africa is the most scenically diverse country in the sub-continent. From the sub-tropical east coast, to the arid Kalahari and temperate Cape - the so-called 'World in one country' has much to offer. For South Africa trip report, click here.
Moving day for a family of lions at MalaMala. Apart from the Kruger National Park, the remaining wilderness regions are very much smaller than those found elsewhere on the continent. Small reserves occur in abundance, however, and safeguard a large proportion of the country's wildlife resources.
Highlights for the wildlife enthusiasts include the superb wildlife reserves of Mpumalanga (eastern Transvaal lowveld) and northern Kwazulu-Natal, the walks and scenic drives of the Drakensberg Mountains, the forests and fynbos of the western and Eastern Cape, Namaqualand and the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in the dry northern Cape.
SOUTH AFRICAN FLY-IN SAFARI
Day 1: You will be met at Johannesburg International Airport and transferred to the Grace Hotel, Rosebank for one night on bed & breakfast basis. Understated elegance, personalized hospitality and devotion to detail characterize this intimate five-star hotel, which is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Located in the leafy, cosmopolitan suburb of Rosebank, The Grace is surrounded by exclusive shopping malls, quality craft markets, art galleries, cinemas and an eclectic mix of more than 50 restaurants. The ground floor sitting room, with its intriguing library and complimentary Cafe Complet, provides a welcoming, restful ambience for the travel-weary guest, as do the hotel’s sumptuous bedrooms and suites. Unpretentious, delectable cuisine is served in The Dining Room on the fourth floor, adjoining a roof garden and poolside terrace where lighter fare is served. Room service available 24 hours a day from the room service menu and, during mealtimes, from the restaurant's main à 'la carte menu.
"The Grace" is an ideal choice for guests seeking a sophisticated city hotel with the highest levels of service and luxury, as well as that personal charm found only in small establishments. The Grace won the prestigious Accommodation Award for "Best Luxury City Hotel" in South Africa for 1999, only one year after opening.
Day 2: Scheduled Flight to Skukuza (cost excluded) and transfer by road to Kirkmans Camp in the MalaMala Game Reserve where all meals and game drives and walks are included. Two nights on full board basis.
Kirkman's Kamp, situated in the southern division of the famous MalaMala Game Reserve, offers a return to the bushveld of yesteryear. Located on one of the most elevated sites overlooking the Sand River, the camp has spectacular views of the unspoiled wilderness as far as the eye can see. The property, Toulon, on which this camp stands, is bordered on two sides by the Kruger National Park and shares a long history with the development of this world famous game reserve.
The original homestead, which was built in the very early twenties, was restored and is now the recreational centre of the Camp. A large lounge-dining room and a parlor decorated in the 1920's style with many old photographs and memorabilia take one back through the years on Toulon. The bedrooms consist of semi-detached cottages overlooking the Sand River. Each room has access to its own private verandah and has en suite bathroom featuring ball and claw footed baths and showers. Everything is as authentic as possible except the air-conditioning and overhead fan. The only facility not in evidence in the 20's but which is now provided for your comfort is a swimming pool. Breakfast and lunch are either served in the main house or on the shady surrounding verandas. Dinner is a very special event taken in a reed enclosed 'boma' around a camp fire.
The game-viewing at MalaMala is spectacular. The reserve straddles the perennial Sand River and includes a variety of habitat types, such as dense riverine forest, acacia thornveld, open grassland and rocky outcrops, each supporting different plant and animal communities.
Game drive at MalaMala. In addition to buffalo the other four 'Big Five' mammals namely leopard, elephant, lion and rhino are seen practically every day of the year. It is this consisently excellent game-viewing which puts MalaMala in a class of its own. MalaMala Game reserve is the largest tract of privately owned big game territory in South Africa, with 45,000 acres of pristine game-viewing land, and boasts a multitude of animals including lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard, cheetah, and wild dog, together with a wealth of antelopes, birds and reptiles interacting in their natural environment.
Only guests accommodated in one of the three camps on the MalaMala Game Reserve may traverse this immense tract of privately owned game land. You are assured of a successful safari because the rangers and trackers are dedicated, experienced and highly trained.
The ranger will be your host for the duration of your stay and he will take care of your every need while sharing his knowledge and love of the wild which will enable you to capture many memorable moments. These highly qualified, formally trained rangers, most with University degrees, are thoroughly conversant with all aspects of ecology. Your trackers are Shangaan men with intimate bush knowledge and an instinct that imparts an extremely fascinating insight that brings you into close contact with the bush.
Safaris in open Landrovers are conducted over the vast tract of bushveld, with after dark spotlight safaris providing the opportunity to view the nocturnal creatures and carnivores 'on the hunt' - truly an exhilarating experience.
Day 4: Charter flight from MalaMala Reserve to Ndumo Game Reserve and Ndumo Wilderness Camp for two nights, including all meals and game drives and walks.
Ndumo Game Reserve is one of South Africa's most scenic parks. Situated in the Maputaland region of northern Natal and just south of the Mozambique border, Ndumo has often been compared to Botswana's Okavango Delta. Nyamiti and Banzi Pans, surrounded by fever trees, are the focal points in the reserve. These pans are on the Pongola and Usutu floodplains and attract waterfowl in large numbers. Ndumo is not well known, even to many South Africans, as accommodation has previously been limited to a small seven bungalow camp which is almost always fully booked. Now, the new Ndumo Wilderness Camp - a joint venture between Wilderness Safaris, the regional parks and the local villagers who live outside the reserve - has been built on the edge of Banzi Pan.
Ndumo Wilderness Camp is in the Wilderness Zone of the reserve and in an area not open to the general public The camp is set in the most beautiful location, so you may want to simply relax on the wooden platforms in the canopy of giant fig trees. The camp offers eight superbly appointed tented rooms with en-suite bathrooms and there is a separate bar/dining area. The entire camp is raised up on a wooden deck and linked with a tree canopy walkway several metres above the ground. There is a swimming pool.
Ndumo Wilderness Camp Ndumo is considered by many to be the finest birdwatching locality in South Africa. Over 400 species - 60% of South Africa's birds - have been recorded. Green Coucal, Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Pinkthroated Twinspot and African Broadbill are among the 'specials' resident throughout the year. Good numbers of Black Rhino, White Rhino, Hippo and Crocodile occur, while Red Duiker, Nyala and Suni are all fairly common. Time at Ndumo is mostly spent on nature walks through forests of fig trees and through the bush. Drives in open 4x4 vehicles around the various pans are a highlight.
Wilderness Safaris leases Ndumo Wilderness Camp from the KwaZulu Department of Nature Conservation. A trust has been set up for the surrounding villagers who jointly own the camp with the park authorities. The camp employs and trains local people and like its sister camp Rocktail Bay Lodge, is one of the few true eco-tourism projects in South Africa. Visitors to Ndumo Wilderness Camp are therefore contributing directly to the local economy and thus helping to ensure the long term future of Ndumo Game Reserve.
A trip to Black Rock is highly recommended during a stay at Rocktail Bay. Day 6: Road transfer to Rocktail Bay including all meals and nature drives and snorkeling.
Situated in northern Natal in the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve and adjoining the Maputaland Marine Reserve, is the secluded Rocktail Bay Lodge. The Lodge is situated meters from the Indian Ocean in the coastal forest just behind the first row of forested dunes and offers perhaps the most private beach experience in South Africa. It is a joint venture between Wilderness Safaris, the conservation authorities in the region and the surrounding villagers who live closest to Rocktail, just outside the reserve. The bay received its name after a trawling ship - the Rocktail - was wrecked offshore. Few parts of the South African coastline are as unspoiled and secluded as the area in the vicinity of Rocktail Bay. Here, you can enjoy evening strolls along the deserted beach, snorkeling, excellent fishing from rocky points, or walks in search of elusive forest birds. A number of exciting localities are in the vicinity and can be visited on day excursions.
In addition to simply sunning yourself on the clean golden beaches, a variety of guided activities are available. The Indian Ocean is ideal for snorkeling in search of tropical fish (flippers and snorkels may he borrowed at the lodge), while surf fishing is reputed to be among the best on the east coast. Nature walks through the coastal forest and grasslands, or drives in open 4x4 vehicles to Black Rock will enthrall naturalists and photographers. The spectacular Lake Sibaya is a short drive away. In summer, nocturnal explorations along the beach in search of egg laying sea turtles can be arranged. There is a swimming pool and sun deck for those who want to relax around the lodge.
Rocktail Bay This is not "Big Game" country, although we do have our own "Big Five" - Leatherback Turtle, Palmnut Vulture, Buitons Skink, Lion Fish and Zululand Cycad. Two interesting antelope occur - Common Reedbuck in marshes and grasslands and Red Duiker in forest patches; Hippo are found in fresh-water lakes. Whales and Dolphins are sometimes seen off-shore. Birding is very good and a number of typical coastal species occur - Green Twinspot, Green Coucal, Gray Waxbill, Purplecrested and Livingstone's Louries. Natal Robin and jewel-like Emerald Cuckoo in forests, and Pinkthroated Longclaw and Rufousbellied Heron in marshy areas. Various waders frequent the shoreline.
Ten wood and thatch "tree-house" chalets are raised up on stilts into the forest canopy, each with a wooden deck. The chalets have either two or three beds, with private bath/shower and toilet facilities. Twenty guests can be accommodated comfortably. There is a lounge/pub and dining area, with meals being served under thatch, or under the giant Natal Mahogany trees. An intricate boardwalk winds from the lodge, through the dune forest and down to the beach.
While the numbers of sea turtles have declined throughout the world's oceans in recent years, the Natal Parks Board have managed to halt their decline on the South African coast. This may not be enough, however, as these turtles travel great distances and are often the innocent victims of gill nets, oil spills and marine pollution.
Both the Leatherback (which may weigh as much as a Buffalo) and the somewhat smaller Loggerhead can be seen coming ashore at night in the vicinity of Rocktail Bay during the summer months to excavate their nests and lay their eggs.
Day 8: Road transfer to Durban (with lunch stop en route) and fly to Cape Town (scheduled flight - cost not included). Scheduled transfer to the Cape Grace Hotel for 3 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
CAPE GRACE HOTEL
Situated on the West Quay of Cape Town's Victoria and Alfred Waterfront overlooking the new international yacht basin, the Cape Grace Hotel occupies the prime position in the Cape. This luxury hotel for the discerning traveler opened in December 1996. Cape Grace is an elegant hotel, with the architecture reflecting the strong French historical influence on the Cape. Leading South African architects and designers were chosen to create the exterior and interior of the hotel. Their inspiration: the opulence and luxury of such great European hotels as the Amstel Inter-Continental, Amsterdam and The Gritti Palace, Venice (both also situated on water), and the classical proportions of Cape Town landmarks such as the Natural History Museum.
Dawn over the Cape Grace Hotel, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town. The hotel is the perfect base for both business and leisure travelers, and is fully equipped with every modern convenience. Furniture of the finest design and quality grace the public and private rooms. Every one of the 92 bedrooms and 12 suites are luxuriously appointed. Each have lounge areas, walk-in dressing rooms, bathrooms with separate showers and double vanities, so as to cater for the privacy and individuality of the guests. All rooms have French doors opening to exquisite views of Table Mountain, the yacht basin, or the working harbour. Other hotel facilities include a boardroom, private guest lounge, swimming pool and 24 hour room service.
The cuisine is contemporary and relaxed. The restaurant and cocktail bar both have view terraces overlooking the newly-constructed bascule bridge, which will function as a gateway for the passing yachts. As Cape Grace is situated in the heart of the Waterfront, leisure activities abound. The Victoria Wharf offers upmarket shops, restaurants, cinemas, and a theater. The hotel is situated three minutes from the city centre, and is within easy reach of Cape Town's art galleries, museums, botanical gardens, wine farms and beaches.
Day 9: Scheduled full day tour around the peninsula including lunch.
Day 10: Scheduled full day tour around the winelands including lunch.
Day 11: Scheduled transfer to Cape Town International Airport.
Price: 11-day/10-night safari starting in Johannesburg and ending at Cape Town Airport: $2,850 p.p. sharing (party of 2); $2,550 p.p. sharing (party of 4), single supplement of $815. Scheduled flights to Skunza and between Durban and Cape Town are excluded.
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