South Africa - Rainbow Route
Safari
Small group lodge / cabin accommodated safari -
16 nights / 17 days
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Safari Packages
A 17-day lodge & cabin accommodated journey through the Rainbow Nation. Camping, trekking, game viewing, historical and cultural visits through South Africa!
Summary
• A participation tour that offers an accommodated safari at a reasonable price, accommodated in chalets, cabins and hotels. A South Africa participation safari with a bed each night.
• A comprehensive introduction to the Rainbow Nation - a world in one country!
• Exciting trip with culture, wildlife, adventure, walking, mountains and beaches.
• Kruger NP, Swaziland, Zululand, Drakensberg, Garden Route and Cape Town.
Why travelers like this trip
• Accommodation – an accommodated safari through South Africa which offers adventure with the comfort of a bed each night.
• Variety - a tour that covers so much of the African experience, from the game reserves to the vibe of Cape Town and everything along the way. A world in one country!
• National Parks and wildlife areas - We visit 10 national parks en route ranging from the awesome Big 5 of Kruger NP to the unique penguins and fynbos in the Cape of Good Hope.
• Culture and history - South Africa has a unique and interesting cultural diversity, which we experience through contact with local people as often as possible.
• Scenery - breath-taking scenery along the entire route - a world in one country!
• Small group - traveling in groups of up to 12 people creates a friendly, holiday atmosphere.
• Walking - every opportunity to get out and walk in the areas such as Mpumalanga, Malolotja Mountains, Mkuzi GR, Drakensberg (Dragon mountains), Storms River and Tsitsikamma NP, climb Table Mountain. Walks are easy to moderate exertion and optional. Duration from 1 - 6 hours.
• Adventure - activities available include: riding an ostrich, Cango caving, Bloukrans -highest bungi jump in the world!
Departs: Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday at 6:30am.
Ends: Cape Town, South Africa on Monday at 6:00pm.
Group size: Guaranteed from 4 guests; 12 guests maximum.
Highlights
• Mpumalanga Panorama Route – sight seeing
• Kruger National Park – game drives
• Swaziland – mountain walks
• Zululand – game drives & cultural village
• Drakensberg mountains – maintain walks
• Wild Coast – beach walks & Xhosa villages
• Addo - game drives
• Tsitsikamma – forest walks
• Hermanus – beaches and whales
• Cape Town – Cape Point & Table Mountain
Includes
• 16 nights in lodge / hotel / chalet or cabin
• Entrance fees
• Transport in minibus / safari truck
• Meals as per itinerary
• Professional guide |
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SAFARI
COST (2012): $2,570 per person sharing, plus local payment of ZAR 1,600 (in cash).
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT (2012): $820
If you are a single traveler, you will be assigned to room with another same gender single traveler and there is no supplemental payment required. If you request to room alone, then a price supplement will be charged.
ADD-ON: All Rainbow Route departures can be combined before the Cape to Victoria Falls Grand Explorer Safari to create a complete Southern Africa Adventure. |
DAY 1;
(1 Night)
JOHANNESBURG to MPUMALANGA, South Africa [Lodge - lunch & dinner] |
  Departing from Johannesburg at 06:30am we head towards Mpumalanga where mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls & forests characterize the landscape. Few regions in the world can match the extraordinary beauty of the Lowveld & escarpment. We visit Pilgrims Rest, Mac-Mac Falls and God's Window, before staying in a lodge on the edge of the escarpment near Graskop.
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Includes: Entrance to Mac Mac falls & God’s Window.
Overnight: Chalets - 2 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 bathroom shared between 2 bedrooms. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant.
Distance / Time: 380kms, ± 5½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing, breakfast & lunch.
Optional Activities: N/A
Revised 2012: Visit to Bourkes Luck Potholes instead of Mac-Mac Falls.
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DAYS 2 - 3;
(2 Nights)
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, South Africa [Tented Lodge or Chalets - breakfast, lunch & dinner] |
  The largest game reserve in South Africa, boasts the world's greatest concentration of species, and has an amazing 16 different ecosystems. Exciting game drives provide us with excellent game viewing. Spot the “Big 5“ (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and many other animals in this true African wilderness.
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Includes: Entrance to Kruger National Park, morning & afternoon game drives.
Overnight: Chalets – twin chalets (or lodge tent) on suite facilities, swimming pool, restaurant.
Distance / Time: 150kms, ± 2 hours + 3 x 3 hour game drives.
Optional Activities: Night game drives in National Park open game viewing vehicles.
Revised 2012: Accommodation will have shared ablution facilities. |
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DAY 4;
(1 Night)
KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND [Cabins - breakfast, lunch & dinner] |
  Malolotja Nature Reserve in the mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland is our next attraction. Renowned for a great variety of habitats from short grassland, to thick riverine scrub, bushveld and moist forest, we explore the reserve on foot to enjoy the fantastic mountain views, relax around a campfire dinner and stay in mountain cabins for the night.
Special Interest
Tradition is strong in the Kingdom of Swaziland, with no better example than the use of traditional medicine & healers. We visit the traditional medicine and craft market in Mbabane for insight into the traditional beliefs of the Swazi people.
Sustainable Tourism
Our stay in Mkuzi Game Reserve not only supports the wildlife but also the local surrounding villages. Your tour funds are used to support the local Zulu villages which surround the Game Reserve. Our village visit and our local guide create employment and income for the villages increasing the importance of tourism and conservation. Community awareness and prosperity helps to reduce subsistence poaching. |
Includes: Entrance fees to Malalotja Nature Reserve.
Overnight: Cabin – each cabin sleeps a maximum of 6 people in 2 bedrooms and a loft room which share a ablution facilities, hot showers.
Distance / Time: 200kms, ± 4 hours, excluding 2-3 hour morning drive out of Kruger, shopping stop in Malelane, Jeppes Reef border formalities & stops for sightseeing etc.
Optional Activities: N/A |
DAYS 5 -
6; (2 Nights)
ZULULAND, South Africa [Tented Lodge or Chalets - breakfast, lunch & dinner] |
  We visit craft markets near Mbabane that have a fascinating range of handmade crafts and the local witchdoctor stall is not to be missed! We re-enter South Africa and head to Mkuzi Game Reserve, which is a safe haven for the endangered black rhino. We visit a waterhole hide and watch game come down to. An early morning game drive is followed by a cultural afternoon where we visit a Zulu village on the border of the game reserve and learn about the Zulu culture.
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Includes: Entrance to Mkuzi Game Reserve, morning and afternoon game drive & Zulu village visit with local Zulu community guide.
Overnight: Chalets - 2/3/4 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 or 2 bathrooms shared. Swimming pool, restaurant & shop .
Distance / Time: 300kms, ± 4 hours, excluding border formalities + game drives in Mkuzi.
Optional Activities: N/A
Revised 2012: Accommodation will have 2 twin rooms sharing 1 bathroom. |
DAYS 7 -
8; (2 Nights)
DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS, South Africa [Cottages - breakfast, lunch & dinner] |
  The Drakensberg Mountains or “uKhahlamba” - the Barrier of Spears, is a 200-kilometre-long mountainous wonderland and world heritage site. From Mkuzi we move further south to the base of these mountains where we overnight for two nights in a quaint cottage. We will spend time walking along beautiful mountain stream paths or just enjoying spectacular views.
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Includes: Morning and afternoon hikes in the Drakensberg Mountains.
Overnight: Chalets – 2 or 3 twin bedrooms with 1 or 2 bathrooms shared between bedrooms.
Distance / Time: 500kms, ± 7 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch. The last 50km is a slow gravel
road.
Optional Activities: N/A |
DAYS 9 - 10;
(2 Nights)
WILD COAST, South Africa [Chalets - breakfast, lunch & dinner] |
  The Wild Coast remains a relatively untouched paradise in South Africa. There are unspoiled stretches of dramatic and savagely beautiful coastline, open spaces and pristine forest areas. We stay overnight within walking distance of the beach and the next day is free to explore the area, meet local villagers or relax on the beach.
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Includes: Scenic coastal walk.
Overnight: Chalets or guesthouse – twin rooms with shared ablutions, hot showers, swimming pool,
restaurant & bar.
Distance / Time: 600kms, ± 8½ hours excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch – a long day!
Optional Activities: Quad bikes, horse riding & ocean fishing.
Revised 2012: Accommodation will have 2 twin rooms sharing 1 bathroom. |
DAY 11; (1 Night)
ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK, South Africa [Chalets - breakfast, lunch & dinner] |
  The Addo Elephant National Park was established in 1931 to protect the last 11 wild elephants from extermination. Today more than 350 elephants roam through the area. The park also offers excellent viewing of black rhino, Cape buffalo, lion and leopard, as well as a host of other large and small mammals and over 400 species of birds in the greater park area. (We overnight either at the national park camp on the border of the park, or nearby at a guest house).
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Includes: Entrance fees to Addo Elephant National Park, afternoon & morning game drives.
Overnight: Chalets – twin room, with en-suite facilities, restaurant & floodlit waterhole.
Distance / Time: 500kms, ± 7½ hours – a long day! Excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch + game drives.
Optional Activities: Night game drives in National Park open game viewing vehicles. |
DAYS 12 -
13; (2 Nights)
KNYSNA / TSITSIKAMMA, South Africa [Lodge - breakfast x2] |
  For two nights we will stay in a lodge resort in Knysna, which is nestled on a tranquil lagoon. We will take a day trip to the Storms River mouth where there are walks up the gorge and along the rocky coast. The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80km of spectacular sea and landscapes; a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys, coastal forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea. There is also an option of the world’s highest bungi jump. Sample seafood at one of Knysna's great restaurants (own expense).
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Includes: Entrance fees to Tsitsikamma National Park.
Overnight: Chalets – 2 twin bedrooms in each chalets with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms. Swimming pool & restaurant.
Distance / Time: 300kms, ± 4½ hours excluding stops for sightseeing.
Optional Activities: Bungi jumping, whale watching & treetop canopy tour. |
DAY 14; (1 Night)
HERMANUS, South Africa [Guest House - breakfast & lunch] |
  Hermanus offers some of the best land based whale watching in the world. From May to December Southern Right whales come up from the southern oceans to the coast to calve and mate in the shallows. In the afternoon we will take a walk along this beautiful coastline before having a dinner out at local restaurant (own expense).
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Includes: N/A
Overnight: Guesthouse – twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool & restaurant.
Distance / Time: 500kms, ± 7 hours excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch.
Optional Activities: Whale watching by boat, shark cage diving. |
DAYS 15 - 16;
(2 Nights)
CAPE TOWN, South Africa [Hotel - breakfast x2] |
  Cape Town is one of the most picturesque cities in the world, with the majestic Table Mountain providing its central focus. On our way into Cape Town, we visit Stellenbosch, South Africa’s renowned wine region, for wine tasting and a cellar tour. The “mother city” has many attractions; we will visit Cape Point, the harbor at Hout Bay, enjoy the famous beaches and the V&A Waterfront. Optional visit to Robben Island (own expense). We sample the local fare at a variety of local restaurants (own expense).
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Includes: Entrance fees to Penguin colony & Cape Point National Park.
Overnight: Guesthouse / hotel – twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool & restaurant.
Distance / Time: 150kms, ± 2 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing + full day Cape Peninsular tour on day 16.
Optional Activities: Robben Island cruise, Shark Cage diving, Seal colony visit. |
DAY 17
TRANSFERS [Tour ends - breakfast] |
In the morning we climb Table Mountain, offering panoramic views over Cape Town reaching out into the bay and Robben Island. Having explored the highlights of the Rainbow Nation we take a last look at Cape Town and catch up on last minute curio shopping in the afternoon, before your tour ends at 6:00pm. |
Note: The accommodation specified in the itinerary is a guide only and is subject to availability. Alternatives will be nearby and of a similar standard.
ADD-ON: All Rainbow Route departures can be combined before the Cape to Victoria Falls Grand Explorer Safari to create a complete Southern Africa Adventure.
DETAILED SAFARI INFORMATION:
Accommodation
• Mpumalanga, Graskop Mogodi Lodge - 2 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 bathroom shared between 2 bedrooms. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone.
• Kruger, National Park chalets - twin share chalet (or lodge tent) with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone.
• Swaziland, Malolotja Nature Reserve - mountain cabins, 2 bedrooms per cabin which are twin share with 1 bathroom and 1 washroom shared between 2 rooms.
• Zululand, Mkhuzi Game Reserve permanent tents– these are twin share en suite. (Reserve chalets may also be used subject to availability, 2/3/4 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 or 2 bathrooms shared). Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone.
• Drakensberg, Game Reserve chalets - bedrooms are twin sharing with shared ablutions. (Smaller chalets may also be used subject to availability, these are twin share en suite).
• Wild Coast, Buccaneers - twin share rooms with 1 bathroom shared between two rooms. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, bar, internet & telephone.
• Addo, National Park chalets - twin share chalet (or lodge tent) with en suite facilities. (Sandflats Guest Lodge may also be used subject to availability, these rooms are twin share en suite) Swimming pool, restaurant, telephone.
• Knysna, Lagoona Inn – twin rooms with en-suite bathroom, Swimming pool, lounge, telephone.
• Hermanus, guest house - rooms are twin share with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms. Telephone.
• Cape Town, Sweet Orange Guest House – guest house in a metropolitan area of Cape Town near the V&A Waterfront. Rooms are twin with en suite facilities. (or similar guest house).
Transport
• On foot - easy to moderate walks throughout the tour.
• Vehicle - for longer distance travel, place to place, we use custom built safari trucks with 12 forward facing seats. Comfortable touring and good for game viewing. Large, sliding windows and viewing hatches give everyone a good view; or Toyota Hiace minibuses with 10 forward facing seats (roof rack and trailer for equipment and baggage). There are a couple of long days of traveling but the vehicles have a comfortable cruising speed. The emphasis of the trip is “getting out and doing things.”
Local Payment
A local cash payment is required on this safari and this will be collected by the tour leader on departure. This payment covers a portion of the local operational costs including entrance and park fees, which are paid in cash locally. This ensures that a major portion of your tour price goes directly into the country you are visiting, benefiting local communities and contributing to the conservation of the area. The payment must be made in cash (South African Rand) and they cannot accept traveler’s checks nor credit cards.
Participation
An essential part of this safari is participation – from putting up your tent (while camping) or packing away in the morning to helping with meal preparation and cleaning up – it’s all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation but we do ask the clients to help with the washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun!
Shopping
Craft shopping for carvings, candles, batiks, wirework, paintings and clothing, in Swaziland, Zululand and Knysna, is some of the best in Southern Africa.
Food
• We pride ourselves on giving very good healthy meals to our clients and will provide three meals per day, except 5 dinners and 4 lunches in Knysna, Hermanus and Cape Town where we try out local restaurants.
• The tour leaders do the shopping and meal planning and meal preparation for each group. He/she will always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. A rough idea of what these will consist of is: Breakfast - cereals or coffee and toast or the occasional fried breakfast, Lunch - cheese, cold meats, salads on bread or rolls, Dinner - braais (local barbecue), potjies (stews), stir fries etc. We use regular plates, cups and cutlery. All cooking and eating utensils will also be provided.
• We do cater for special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian or allergies.)
• We will supply fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages will be for your own expense. We will not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops on tour.
Difficulty
• Anyone who is generally active and in good health should enjoy this trip. A combination of camping and basic accommodation makes for a comfortable tour.
• Full itinerary with a couple of long driving days but also plenty of outdoors activity.
• Everyone is asked to help out with the running of camp on tour. In other words if everyone spends a little time setting up camp, preparing meals and cleaning up then the tour will run smoothly and everyone will have a good time. Participation is the name of the game.
Things you should know
• Includes park entrances.
• You will need a valid passport and visas for entry into Swaziland and re-entering South Africa.
• Luggage, please pack to a limit of 12kgs in a soft sports tog bag. Bring a daypack for walks.
• We recommend that you bring South African Rand for personal expenses on this trip. Travelers checks can be changed in most large towns. Major credit cards can also be used for optional activities and restaurant bills. Ask us for approximate costs of drinks and meals etc.
• The trip begins and ends at a local address; if you require transfers, please advise. Transfers are US$45 each way.
Common questions about this trip
• What do I need to bring? A warm sleeping bag (for the Drakensberg), comfortable clothes for warm days and cool evenings, walking shoes, a raincoat, hat and sunglasses, swimsuit, a small pair of binoculars also comes in very handy and most importantly - a sense of adventure!
• Is it safe? South Africa, like many countries, has its problems, but your guide knows the country intimately and will endeavor to show you the best parts while looking after you. Be aware, but not paranoid, and you will have a great trip!
• Do I need malaria tablets? Mpumalanga, Swaziland and Zululand (ie: first week of tour) is a limited risk malaria area and prophylactics are recommended.
• Can I charge camera batteries? We recommend that you bring extra batteries as well as a 12/24-volt cigarette lighter adapter for charging in the vehicle if necessary. Charging in the vehicle will be at the discretion of the guide, as it will not be allowed if there is a risk of draining the vehicle's battery. The power supply of most of the countries you will be visiting is 220-240 volts.
• Can I wash my clothes on tour? There are coin-operated laundries available in the Drakensberg (day 7&8) and Storms River (day 11&12). There is also a laundry service available at the hotel on the Wild Coast (day 9&10).
2012 DATES
SCHEDULED SAFARI
DATES - 2012
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Departure
Date |
Language |
Departing
From |
Ending
Date |
Ending
In |
14 January |
English |
Johannesburg |
30 January |
Cape Town |
11 February |
English |
Johannesburg |
27 February |
Cape Town |
18 February |
English |
Johannesburg |
05 March |
Cape Town |
03 March |
GERMAN |
Johannesburg |
19 March |
Cape Town |
31 March |
English |
Johannesburg |
16 April |
Cape Town |
07 April |
English |
Johannesburg |
23 April |
Cape Town |
21 April |
English |
Johannesburg |
07 May |
Cape Town |
19 May |
GERMAN |
Johannesburg |
04 June |
Cape Town |
26 May |
English |
Johannesburg |
11 June |
Cape Town |
09 June |
English |
Johannesburg |
25 June |
Cape Town |
07 July |
English |
Johannesburg |
23 July |
Cape Town |
14 July |
GERMAN |
Johannesburg |
30 July |
Cape Town |
28 July |
English |
Johannesburg |
13 August |
Cape Town |
11 August |
English |
Johannesburg |
27 August |
Cape Town |
25 August |
English |
Johannesburg |
10 September |
Cape Town |
01 September |
English |
Johannesburg |
17 September |
Cape Town |
15 September |
English |
Johannesburg |
01 October |
Cape Town |
13 October |
English |
Johannesburg |
29 October |
Cape Town |
20 October |
English |
Johannesburg |
05 November |
Cape Town |
03 November |
GERMAN |
Johannesburg |
19 November |
Cape Town |
01 December |
English |
Johannesburg |
17 December |
Cape Town |
08 December |
English |
Johannesburg |
24 December 2013 |
Cape Town |
22 December |
English |
Johannesburg |
07 January 2013 |
Cape Town |
ADD-ON: All Rainbow Route departures can be combined before the Cape to Victoria Falls Grand Explorer Safari to create a complete Southern Africa Adventure.
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Safari Packages
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