On Safari in South Africa

WONDROUS WILDLIFE

Savour South Africa’s magnificent wildlife on this once-in-a-lifetime, full-board safari holiday, based in the locally-rated five-star Sebatana Lodge, with its own sweeping private game reserve. On this unique small-group tour, you’ll get the chance to really settle into your breathtaking surroundings as you spend a week at South Africa’s distinguished Sebatana Rhino Lodge. Set amongst the malaria-free UNESCO-listed Waterberg Biosphere, the Sebatana Private Reserve covers almost 100,000 acres and is home to over 75 mammals, 300 species of bird and hundreds of different flowers and trees – the perfect place to connect with South Africa’s wildlife!

Highlights

The opportunity to spot the fabled Big Five
Four game drives in the Sebatana Private Reserve
One game drive in the Welgevonden Reserve
Fascinating guided bush walk
Traditional African champagne brunch
Sundowner at Sunset Rock
Wildlife talk
Wine-tasting and welcome drink
Johannesburg and Soweto tour, including a visit to the Apartheid Museum
Optional game drives at Kaingo Game Reserve and Pilanesberg National Park
Optional night safari and tribal evening cultural experience
All-inclusive upgrade available

Inclusions

Seven nights’ carefully chosen full-board accommodation at the five-star Sebatana Lodge, Lephalale, plus two nights on the aircraft
Return flights to Johannesburg
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager and wildlife specialist

Day 1

Overnight direct flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2

Meet your local tour manager at Johannesburg airport for the scenic transfer to the Sebatana Rhino Lodge. Upon arrival, lunch will be served. Afterwards, rest, relax and settle into your new surroundings, perhaps by taking a refreshing dip in the one of the pools. This evening, enjoy an included welcome drink, followed by dinner and a short briefing about the week ahead.

Day 3

After breakfast, venture out in 4x4s into the reserve with your guides, who will tell you about the different animals and plants that inhabit the area. This afternoon, head out on a wildlife-spotting game drive to Christina’s Wallow, a hide with wonderful views of a waterhole. All game drives at Sebatana are done in open-air vehicles for maximum visibility. For a truly authentic wildlife-spotting experience, you’ll complete the journey on foot. Keep an eye out – and have your camera at the ready – for zebras, meerkats, giraffes, wildebeest and impalas. Return to the lodge to enjoy a complimentary wine-tasting before dinner.

Day 4

After breakfast, venture out into the reserve on a game drive in search of the fabled Big Five – the lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant. Access to the reserve is subject to extensive restrictions, so it’ll feel like you have the whole place to yourself! At dusk, you could join the optional night safari, giving you the unique opportunity to witness how the bush changes as the sun goes down, and a different animal kingdom emerges. Keep an eye out for caracals, bush babies, porcupines and ant bears!

Day 5

This morning, join your guide for a gentle included bush walk into the Sebatana Private Reserve. Listen intently as your guide points out animal breeding areas and local plant life. After the walk, return to the lodge for some well-earned lunch. After lunch, set out on your second game drive into the Sebatana Private Reserve for the chance to spot some spectacular wildlife, armed with the knowledge gained this morning.. This evening, you have the chance to join the optional tribal evening to learn more about South Africa’s indigenous cultures.

Day 6

Today you have the choice of joining the optional excursion to Pilanesberg National Park, the third-largest of its kind in South Africa. The park covers over 135,000 acres and presents further opportunities to spot the Big Five as well as the endangered white rhino, giraffes and hippopotami. Dinner will be served back at Sebatana, with a complimentary wine tasting beforehand.

Day 7

Rise and shine early this morning for a very special game drive, and the chance to spot herds of antelopes moving in the open. Antelopes and other prey animals tend to move around in the morning, to find the best protection from predators. Around mid-morning, you’ll stop at Kudu Rock for a magnificent, traditional African brunch with champagne. Enjoy a well-earned meal as you soak up the fantastic views of the African bush. Return to the lodge to rest and relax. If you want to carry on exploring, the guides will point out some gentle trails through the reserve. This evening, enjoy a complimentary wine-tasting before dinner.

Day 8

This morning, you’ll have the chance to join one last optional Big Five game drive. Later, in the mid-afternoon, enjoy a fitting finale to your South African adventure, as you join the included safari to Sunset Rock. Sip champagne from this magnificent vantage point, looking out over the Waterberg Mountains as the sky turns a cascade of red and orange. Return to the lodge for a farewell feast, no doubt reflecting on a wonderful break in the African wilderness.

Day 9

Say goodbye to your wonderful hosts as you depart for an included tour of Johannesburg and Soweto. Visit Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum, which documents South Africa’s troubled past and racial segregation, before exploring fascinating Soweto, home to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Winne Mandela. After the tour, continue to Johannesburg airport for your overnight flight.

Day 10

Early morning arrival.

Further Information

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 2.5 hours.

Passports and visas

A visa is not required for UK citizens travelling to South Africa, but your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry to the country and have two adjacent blank pages. Special entry rules apply for children under 18 years.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Luggage allowance

You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home. Should you have walking difficulties, getting around monuments and attractions may be harder and, in some cases, impossible. Should you have any concerns whatsoever please do contact us prior to travel.

Travel vaccinations

Requirements and advice can vary over time, and from person to person, so please contact your GP about eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or any other preventive measures.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Payments at the lodge

Please note that the lodge is cashless. The payment of the final bill in the resort will be in euros with a Visa/MasterCard credit or debit card. Only a small amount of local currency is required for purchases on the road and for tips to staff members (at your discretion) at the end of your stay.

Optional Excursions

The following optional excursions are available on this tour and are only bookable in resort and cannot be prebooked. Prices quoted are 'from' prices and subject to change without notice. Pilanesberg National Park – from 160 Euros Night safari – from 75 Euros Tribal evening – from 65 Euros Welgevonden Reserve game drive – from 135 Euros A package with all four tours is available in resort from 349 Euros. Children aged 0 – 11 are half price.

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