In supplier order. Some entries may cover multiple days; optional experiences are described by the supplier.
Sample itinerary. Choose a departure for its exact itinerary and hotel plan.
Day 1 — UK - In flight
Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Johannesburg.
Day 2 — Johannesburg - Mabula Game Reserve
Mabula Game Reserve is just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Johannesburg airport, but it feels like entering another world. A world home to over 300 species of bird and 60 species of mammal, including the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Plus, their lesser-known friends, the Little Five – elephant shrew, antlion, rhinoceros beetle, buffalo weaver and leopard tortoise.
With no compromising on creatures or comfort, Mabula Game Lodge is distinctively African in design, and the thatched chalets have huge windows and wooden decks to bring the outside in. This afternoon, soak up the wilderness surroundings by the outdoor pool or at the bar with a sundowner.
Meals: Dinner
Day 3 — Mabula Game Reserve
Up with the dawn chorus, head out on a game drive. With open-air safari vehicles and expert guides, get close to the action and explore the grassy plains, rocky outcrops and watering holes that are home to wildlife including lion, cheetah, warthog, leopard, elephant, rhino, hyena, ostrich and jackal. Plus, the grumpiest of them all – the honey badger. With the best chance of seeing big game at dusk and dawn, relax back at the lodge and listen to a wildlife talk before heading out on a second game drive this afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4 — Mabula Game Reserve
Meet the big cats on a guided lion tracking experience. Get within roaring distance of a pride of lions with experienced rangers. Learn about their behaviour, pride structure and the conservation efforts to protect them. Safari royalty, the power and majesty of these jungle kings is a humbling experience.
After lunch, go out on another game drive – keeping watch for comical warthog, wallowing hippos and tree-pruning giraffes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5 — Mabula Game Reserve
This morning, take a walk on the wild side with a guided bush walk. Sticking to the open plains and grasslands, look out for the morning grazers including impala, giraffe and ostrich. The rest of the day is free at the lodge. Settle by the pool, booking a treatment at the spa or simply enjoy the lodge's surroundings.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6 — Mabula Game Reserve
Head out on a game drive before breakfast and enjoy the stillness of the reserve as the sun warms the savannah and the bush comes alive. Early morning is an amazing time to see active wildlife before the sun gets too hot and the bigger predators go down for a mid-morning nap.
The rest of the day is at leisure before a stargazing experience tonight. Free from light pollution, the inky Southern Hemisphere skies above the reserve are mesmerising. Learn about the planets and constellations and the local myths and legends that surround them.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7 — Mabula Game Reserve
This morning is all about the reserves plants. When faced with elephant ambling past you, and warthog snuffling in the bushes outside your chalet, your natural focus may be on the wildlife. But the flora on the reserve is critical to the survival of both the wildlife and traditions here. Guided by a specialist in local medicine and holistic cultures, this morning’s bush walk focuses on identifying different native plants and their healing properties. This afternoon, head out on another game drive.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8 — Mabula Game Reserve
The reserve is home to 300 species of bird including ostrich, osprey, nightjars and migratory swift, which you may see on this morning's guided bush walk. This afternoon, try to spot non-feathered friends on a game drive. Spend the final night at the lodge dining under the stars, sharing favourite moments with new friends, and having a farewell drink for the road.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9 — Mabula Game Reserve - Johannesburg - In flight
On the last day at Mabula, wake up for one final game drive as the sun rises over the savannah, before transferring to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 — UK
On arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
