In supplier order. Some entries may cover multiple days; optional experiences are described by the supplier.
Day One – Fly to Johannesburg
Start your safari holiday with an overnight flight to Johannesburg.
Day Two – Travel to Safari Plains and included wildlife talk
Meet your driver as you touch down in Johannesburg this morning before taking a scenic drive north to your camp set against the backdrop of the Waterberg Mountain range. Arriving in time for lunch, you’ll have the chance to share a meal in the camp’s restaurant with your fellow travellers.
You’ll have the afternoon at leisure to settle into your impressive new surroundings in the heart of the Mabula Game Reserve. Perhaps have a dip in the outdoor swimming pool or relax in the comfort of your private tent. Later, you can watch the sunset on your veranda for unparalleled views of the South African savannah. If you’re feeling peckish, why not treat yourself to a high tea at the camp’s restaurant?
This evening, re-join your fellow guests for an expert-led wildlife talk courtesy of one of the reserve’s resident specialists before dinner.
Day Three – Included morning game drive and afternoon at leisure
Rise early this morning, and perhaps take a tea or coffee, ahead of your first game drive in Mabula. Witness herds of the region’s antelope moving in the open as they tend to move around more early in the day, to find the best protection from predators.
You’ll then return to camp for breakfast and time at leisure to enjoy under your own steam before lunch is served. More downtime will follow this afternoon, in between your daily high tea, for you to take in the warm South African sun. Whether you’re relaxing by the poolside or pampering yourself with a treatment in the on-site spa, there’ll be plenty to help you unwind.
Dinner will be served in the camp restaurant this evening.
Day Four – Morning at leisure and included afternoon game drive with sundowners
Wake up early and watch the sun rise over the mountains or take a lazy morning lounging with time at leisure after breakfast.
Later this afternoon, set out in search of the ‘Big Five’ – the lion, leopard, black rhino, elephant and African buffalo – with a drive out into Waterberg’s idyllic open landscapes. As you pass through the South African bush, be sure to keep an eye out for the region’s big cats which are known to rest amongst the branches of the native acacia trees!
After this afternoon’s safari, enjoy a true safari tradition with a relaxing sundowner. Watch the sun set over Waterberg with snacks and drinks served in the bush amidst the stunning savannah
Day Five – Morning at leisure and included afternoon game drive
Take the morning at your own pace with time at leisure, accompanied by the day’s breakfast, ahead of the third game drive. With a diverse range of habitats housed in the Mabula Game Reserve, you’ll find an astounding array of wildlife besides the ‘Big Five’ which are synonymous with safari sightseeing. Look closely and you may see one of the region’s smaller, but no less exciting, creatures from the elusive bushbabies and vervet monkeys to the humble pangolin and burrowing mongooses!
You’ll then join your driver and fellow travellers for an excursion into the UNESCO-listed Waterberg Biosphere, an area rich in biodiversity and home to hundreds of species of native flora and fauna. Here, you’ll find an area abundant in flocking zebra, roving antelopes (including the rarer tsessebe), and giraffes which are certain to provide an enchanting day afternoon out on the open savannah.
Enjoy dinner this evening back at the lodge’s restaurant.
Day Six – Included morning game drive and evening stargazing experience
Another game drive awaits this morning and with it comes another chance for you to see the ‘Big Five’. Fuel yourself with a hot drink this morning before taking to the savannah plains under the morning sun – the perfect time to catch a glimpse of the area’s vibrant birdlife with the endangered ground hornbill a particular highlight while out in Mabula. If you’re lucky may also spot some of the region’s native kori bustards or the impressive martial eagles.
Returning to the camp for breakfast, you’ll then be able to spend the rest of the morning at your own pace before lunch is served. Spend the afternoon at leisure, whether that’s taking Waterberg’s striking landscapes from the comfort of the camp, having a drink at the bar or enjoying afternoon tea.
However you choose to spend your afternoon, be sure to reconvene with your tour group this evening for an early dinner and stargazing experience under the unobstructed night sky. Joined by an experienced guide, enjoy a different side to your safari as you chart the constellations amidst the tranquil Waterberg night. Listen closely too and you may find the silence broken by the roar of distant big cats!
Day Seven – Included morning bush walk and afternoon game drive
Head out at sunrise for your next safari experience – this time, by foot. Enjoying the fresh air as you stretch your legs, giving you a different more intimate perspective of the reserve. Being closer to the ground also allows you to track the paths of animals including kudu, zebra and maybe even lions that have followed the same path just a few hours before you. Come closer than ever to the region’s most exotic sights from vibrant plant life, hidden away in the bush, to the smallest of South Africa’s creatures that you might have missed. Standing face-to-face with these exotic delights, a bushwalk offers a unique opportunity to take in the intricate details of Mabula’s captivating wildlife.
Having returned to camp this morning, enjoy a late breakfast and time at leisure ahead of your lunch. Afterwards, head back into the bush for an afternoon game drive in Mabula. As you set out today, you’ll have the chance to see some of South Africa’s most symbolic animals from the lively springbok, an emblem of South African sport, to the blue crane, which is the country’s national bird.
This evening, take dinner back at the lodge in the company of your fellow guests.
Day Eight – Included morning game drive and bush lunch
Gaze out on a memorable sunrise over the Waterberg mountains before fuelling yourself for your final full day in the South African bush with breakfast with your fellow guests. This morning will see you set out on your last game drive so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for any of your wish-list sights as you journey through the Waterberg Biosphere.
After this morning’s excursion, you’ll stop at a scenic spot in the bush to enjoy a delicious traditional lunch – crowning your time on safari in unique and truly authentic style.
You’ll then return to your luxury camp this afternoon for the final dinner of your safari adventure.
Day Nine – Morning at leisure and travel to Cape Town
Enjoy your breakfast at the camp and make the most of your final day in Limpopo with a morning under your own steam. Packed and ready to go, now is the time to tick off any last experiences at the camp that you might have missed.
You’ll then travel back to Johannesburg for a flight to the magnificent Western Cape for the first of three nights in Cape Town.
Day 10 – Day at leisure
Having had breakfast at the hotel this morning, you’ll be free to spend the day as you wish, perhaps exploring Cape Town at your own pace or taking the day to unwind by the poolside.
If you’d prefer a more active day, you can head down to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for some shopping.
Day 11 – Day at leisure with optional Cape Peninsula excursion
Enjoy breakfast and get ready for another day at leisure, perhaps joining an optional drive around the Cape Peninsula. The first stop on this unmissable excursion will be breathtaking Chapman’s Peak (weather permitting), famous for its idyllic picnic spots and glorious 180-degree views of the Cape’s rugged coastline. This legendary route encompasses nine kilometres of mountainous seafront and promises some of the region’s finest natural landscapes from Hout Bay to Noordhoek.
After an extraordinary time on the road, you’ll visit the Cape of Good Hope, a stretch of flower-strewn headland leading onto the Atlantic Coast. Here, you’ll have time to admire the fields of native fynbos in the heart of the Cape Floral region, which is home to a fifth of Africa’s total floral species. Reconnect with the natural world, or perhaps search for the perfect photo spot, amongst the colourful wildflowers and imposing clifftops overlooking the open ocean. If you visit between early August and late September, you’ll experience the region’s flora at their most vivid as the Cape enters the height of its flowering season.
Another wildlife encounter awaits on the return leg of the day’s journey as you make a stop at Boulders’ Beach, home to flocks of free-roaming native penguins. Though their species is endangered, this group of African penguins, numbering around 3000, often nest along the bay’s craggy rockfaces and make for a perfect picture stop.
Day 12 – Day at leisure
It’s your final day in the ‘Mother City’ and you’ll have one last opportunity to tick off any remaining wish-list experiences. If you haven’t already, venture into the famed Cape Winelands for a visit to one of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch or Paarl’s award-winning vineyards.
Those in favour of a more laid-back day will be spoilt for choice of coastal gems to enjoy in Cape Town, with Clifton Beach and Bloubergstrand Beach amongst the most popular options. Table Mountain is another must-see landmark and promises a relaxing, scenic ride to its summit onboard its dedicated cable car service.
Later, enjoy a final evening in Cape Town ahead of the return journey.
Day 13 – Return flight to the UK
Land back in the UK.
Please note: The order of itinerary may change at the tour manager’s discretion.