18 Day Family South Africa Safari
This 18-day family safari will take you from the bright city lights of the ‘City of Gold’ to pristine game reserves where you can see the big 5 to the gorgeous ‘Mother City’ of Cape Town. Experience the best South Africa has to offer on this private family safari.
Day 1 ~ Johannesburg
This morning on arrival at Johannesburg international you will be collected by your private guide and continue onto your overnight accommodation for check-in.
Afternoon city tour of Johannesburg included.
On this half-day tour, we take you to the top attractions Johannesburg has to offer. Some of the areas our tour visits are Hillbrow, Constitution Hill, Central Johannesburg, Braamfontein, and Newtown.
We start your introduction to Jozi with a good view of the impressive 269 metre Telkom Tower, as seen on many postcards of Johannesburg. We then enter the inspiring Constitution Hill – and Court (when not in session). Political activists like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were once held here. During a tour inside you will learn about some of the legal history of Johannesburg.
On our way to Newtown, we pass by the longest southern African bridge, named Nelson Mandela bridge. At Mary Fitzgerald Square you can walk on the Jazz Walk of Fame.
We end this tour with a visit to the Carlton Centre, also known as the ‘Top of Africa’. There a lift will elevate you 50 stories for an amazing and total view over the city. In short, this tour offers you a unique Johannesburg experience
ACCOMMODATION: Buona Notte B&B
MEALS:
Day 2 ~ Pilansberg
Set in Pilanesberg National Park, this is an upscale, family-friendly bush lodge. Bakubung Bush Lodge blends modern-day luxuries with a full-on African wildlife experience. Join a game drive to track down the Big 5 or relax in the spacious pool. A wide range of sports activities and shuttles to Sun City offer the flexibility to make every day a unique experience.
The main attraction is the abundant wildlife of the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. The Big 5 and most other large mammals of Southern Africa are represented in the reserve. Bakubung Bush Lodge offers a wide range of other activities. Whether you want to relax or be more active – all needs are catered for: Afternoon game drive included.
ACCOMMODATION: Bakubung Bush Lodge
MEALS: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 2 ~ Pilansberg
Set in Pilanesberg National Park, this is an upscale, family-friendly bush lodge. Bakubung Bush Lodge blends modern-day luxuries with a full-on African wildlife experience. Join a game drive to track down the Big 5 or relax in the spacious pool. A wide range of sports activities and shuttles to Sun City offer the flexibility to make every day a unique experience.
The main attraction is the abundant wildlife of the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. The Big 5 and most other large mammals of Southern Africa are represented in the reserve. Bakubung Bush Lodge offers a wide range of other activities. Whether you want to relax or be more active – all needs are catered for: Afternoon game drive included.
ACCOMMODATION: Bakubung Bush Lodge
MEALS: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3 & 4 ~ Pilansberg
Two game drives in open safari vehicles are included each day. Family-friendly activities and facilities available.
ACCOMMODATION: Bakubung Bush Lodge
MEALS: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 ~ Lydenberg
Today an early start is required as we have a good 5-hour drive ahead of us.
ACCOMMODATION: De Ark
MEALS: Breakfast
Day 6 & 7 ~ Lydenberg
The next 2 days are spent exploring the magnificent Blyde River Canyon. Here will visit the numerous view sites and attractions.
There are also lots of child-friendly adventure activities available in this area as well as excellent hiking opportunities.
ACCOMMODATION: Blyde River Canyon Lodge
MEALS: Breakfast
Day 8 ~ Hoedspruit
We depart early this morning in order to visit Moholoholo Rehabilitation center. Situated in the shadow of the majestic “ Mariepskop” which forms part of the mighty Drakensberg mountains, our unique Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is home to many of South Africa’s abandoned, injured, and poisoned wildlife. Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is extremely proud of its efforts in wildlife education in South Africa. At Moholoholo we are often faced with the difficult decision of what to do with an injured or poisoned animal that will not be able to be released back into the wild. As a result, we have a number of “permanent residents” at the centre and at our own cost we use them as “ambassadors” for their respective species. Members of the public are therefore able to get an up-close and personal experience of these incredible creatures and with our hands-on approach, we have the ability to demonstrate to the public the threats and problems our wildlife is facing today. The Centre has a long-standing and successful Serval Breeding Project and more than 160 have successfully been reintroduced to areas where they have become extinct. We are actively involved in research on the movement and behavior of leopards and also on a number of vulture species that we monitor daily at our “vulture restaurant”. A visit to the Centre is “an experience of a lifetime” and will leave you with lasting memories.
We stop for lunch in Hoedspruit before continuing onto Tshukudu.
This private wildlife reserve, where exclusivity is assured, covers 5000 ha of unspoiled bushveld close to Hoedspruit in the Limpopo Province. A labour of love for the Sussens family, it has developed into a true haven for wildlife and a unique tourist destination over the past 30 years. Renowned for the re-introduction of orphaned animals to the wild, it offers guests the rare opportunity of interacting with animals on a special morning walk.
Enjoy a game drive in an open four-wheel-drive vehicle, where you can spot a large variety of game including the Big 5 in the wild and over 270 species of bird-life. All rooms are air-conditioned and there is a swimming-pool provided.
145kms less than 2-hour drive but with stops at viewpoints and activities you will arrive in the late afternoon at the lodge in time for your afternoon game drive.
ACCOMMODATION: Tshukudu Bush Camp
MEALS: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9, 10, 11 & 12 ~ Kruger National Park
Early morning game walk before continuing onto Kruger National park.
The camps in the park all have excellent facilities. The tourist shop caters for all your basic needs, including camera accessories, snacks and gifts etc.
There are lovely swimming pools to relax at during the heat of the day, when the majority of the animal life is resting in shady areas out of sight.
The next 4 days are spent inside the borders of the National Park, with experienced guides who are happy to share their wealth of knowledge on the wildlife of Africa.
The evenings are spent in a truly unforgettable fashion around a campfire, listening to the night sounds of wild Africa, as your hosts prepare traditional South African meals on the open fire.
We will do at least 2 extended game drives a day, looking out for the Big 5( Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, and Buffalo), as well as a multitude of other animals. These game drives are done with your private guide in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Originally proclaimed as a National Park in 1898, the park today measures some 380km in length, and is approx. 60km wide.
A varied geological substructure supports an intricately interwoven rich variety of vegetation, animal, and birdlife.
ACCOMMODATION: TBC – Satara & Berg en Dal
MEALS:
Day 13 ~ Johannesburg
After a last game drive we head back to Johannesburg and the B&B for the night.
ACCOMMODATION: Buona Notte B&B
MEALS:
Day 14 ~ Cape Town
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your onward morning flight to Cape Town.
On arrival you will be collected your private guide and check into your hotel.
The Tudor Hotel is very centrally located with numerous restaurants and markets on the doorstep. They offer reasonable rates and lovely rooms however it does get a little loud in the early morning when the market sets up, so if you are not keen on early mornings this might not be the best-suited option.
After you have checked in your guide will take you on an afternoon tour of the city and stop off at the Castle for a short tour.
ACCOMMODATION: Breakwater Lodge
MEALS:
Day 15 ~ Cape Town
Today you have an option to visit Robben Island or Table mountain weather permitting (these options are not included as the weather can be unreliable and will need to be paid directly). Otherwise we tour the peninsula, making many stops along the way at the many attractions such as a penguin colony, Cape Point and round past the beautiful beaches of Camps Bay and Boulders Beach.
ACCOMMODATION: Breakwater Lodge
MEALS: Breakfast
Day 16 & 17 ~ Cape Town
Free days to explore the city and Waterfront at your leisure. Unguided
ACCOMMODATION: Breakwater Lodge
MEALS: Breakfast
Day 18 ~ Cape Town
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Johannesburg.
Tour Ends
MEALS: Breakfast
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18 Day Family South Africa Safari
* Based on 2 adults + 2 children under 12 sharing
INCLUDES: Private safari, All accommodations, Meals as specified (B-Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner), Activities as specified. All transfers. All Park entry fees. All flights are subject to availability and price increases (please note all flights need to be paid along with deposit) Johannesburg to Cape Town return included. EXCLUDES: Flights, Visas, Optional activities, Items of a personal nature, Gratuities, Personal travel insurance.
