Africa is an untouched paradise, home to ancient civilizations that existed at the dawn of time. Here is an opportunity to discover Africa’s magic on a 14-day adventure into the wilds. Find out what going on safari is really like as you drive into the bush in special 4x4 vehicles to watch animals going about their daily activities in their natural habitat. Experience what it’s like to dine under the stars in a traditional African boma before heading off for a good night’s sleep in some of Africa’s...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Kruger National Park – Your First Taste of the Wild
Arrive at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, and catch a connecting flight to Hoedspruit Airport, the gateway to safari country. There you collect your 4x4 rental vehicle, and embark on your adventure.
It’s a half-hour drive to Timbavati Game Reserve, a private game reserve that was created in the 1950s, when a group of 48 men who owned private game parks got together and pooled their resources for the benefit of conservation. This magnificent reserve is still privately owned, and is considered one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
Timbavati has been incorporated into the Kruger National Park and forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park, an area covering approximately four million hectares, making it one of the largest game reserves on the continent. It’s also been declared an International Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and is home to around 145 different animal species, from black and white rhino to zebra, hippo, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, warthog and many species of antelope. You’ll also find the Big Five here (lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhino) as well as prolific birdlife.
Your luxurious safari camp offers accommodation for up to 16 guests in cozy thatch and reed huts with mosquito nets over the beds, en suite facilities and open bush showers. The camp provides guests with a true bush experience, and as such, there is no electricity; instead, the entire camp uses candlelight and oil lamps. Guests enjoy a very exclusive, personalized experience, including exciting early morning and evening game drives in open four-wheel drive vehicles with experienced Shangaan trackers and guides. Escorted bush walks and tracking game on foot are other adventures on offer, and your rangers and guides will introduce you to the varied flora, fauna and wildlife in their natural habitat.
What's Included:
Day 2 - 3
Kruger National Park – Your Introduction to the Big Five
Day 4 - 5
Kruger National Park – Lakes and Legends
Day 6 - 7
Leshiba Wilderness – African Art and Soul
Day 8 - 9
Mapesu Nature Reserve – Roads Less Travelled
Day 10 - 12
Mashatu Game Reserve – Africa’s Giants Await
Day 13
Magoebaskloof National Park – Magic in Magoebaskloof
Day 14
Johannesburg – Time to Say Goodbye
Trip Highlights
- Visit some of Africa’s most famous wildlife sanctuaries, including Botswana’s wilderness wonderland
- See a variety of wildlife while on safari including the Big Five (lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo)
- Watch local craftsmen at work, creating woodcarvings, pottery and intricate beadwork
- Dine under the stars in a traditional boma (open-air venue)
- View San Rock paintings, mystical images in shades of red and yellow ochre that were created in ancient times
- Enjoy stargazing in the wilderness where the sky is crystal clear and the stars seem close enough to touch with your fingertips
- Stay at the Coach House heritage hotel in Magoebaskloof, ‘land of the silver mist’
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mapungubwe where artifacts from the Stone Age have been discovered
- Take a bush walk adventure in the wild
- View nocturnal animals in their natural habitat
Detailed Description
Spend two glorious weeks on your South Africa safari, visiting some of the most famous wildlife areas in the world. You will enjoy exciting game viewing with experienced guides to see a variety of wild animals, including the Big Five, namely lion, African elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo and leopard. Viewing these animals is the highlight of any safari and a common sight in the exciting locations you’ll be exploring. See nocturnal animals on adventurous night safaris, brave the wilds on walking and cycling trips with a guide or take a dawn or dusk ride in a four-wheel drive vehicle. Perhaps you’ll even see a kill in progress. This is nature at its best, and it’s all on your doorstep, just waiting to be discovered.
Experience the true soul of Africa as you learn about the local Venda and Shangaan tribes, their culture and traditions, and watch them create beautiful arts and crafts from intricate wood carvings to exquisite beadwork. See relics of ancient times at the UNESCO Heritage Site of Mapungubwe, remnants that date all the way back to the Stone Age. Learn about the Bushmen hunters through the magnificent ochre San Rock Art in the famous Soutpansberg, the Mountain of Salt that is so called because of the numerous saltpans in the vicinity.
A highlight of your visit is a few days exploring the magnificent Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana’s Northern Tuli Reserve, with its open spaces, assortment of birds and wildlife and unexpected adventures. The 75,000-acre reserve is home to what is called Africa’s Giants, which includes the Big Five as well as the ostrich, Kori Bustard and the legendary Baobab tree.
Starting Price
$11,400 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.94 stars based on 1266 reviews.
The trip was the best we have ever had. Africa is a very special place. Zicasso's travel expert did a fantastic job of organizing the itinerary. The only disappointment was that we were not scheduled to see the mass migration across the river.
Reviewed By Andrew K.
Zicasso’s travel agent put together an amazing trip for our family. This travel agent was incredibly responsive.
Reviewed By David W.
Our special trip surpassed all of our expectations!
We had a large group wanting to go on safari and started planning around a year in advance. We also had small children coming with us and we were celebrating a milestone birthday! My first call was with Zicasso’s travel agent, who had the best enthusiasm and confidence in delivering what we wanted. The other travel partner was my main point of contact afterwards and she probably ended up answering at least 10,000 questions for me!
Each moment of the trip was specially curated and special. They did a great job finding camps that would give us a unique experience rather than becoming redundant. The hospitality at the camps and accommodations were unique and comfortable. We were all so happy with how everything went! We would definitely use this travel company again for our travel needs!
Reviewed By Shruti B.
We had an amazing trip, planned by Zicasso's travel partner. This is the first time I've ever used a travel agent and I'll admit, I was nervous. She took all of our feedback into consideration while planning. I highly recommend!
Reviewed By Kris C.
This was a well-planned trip that was personally rewarding and fulfilling.
This trip provided a great balance of the diverse locations from both countries (Namibia and South Africa).
I chose Zicasso as, at this stage of life, when taking well-deserved vacations, I just want to pay, pack, show up and have everything (accommodations, transportation, domestic and international flights, tours, attention to safety, and additional recommendations) accounted for. And that is exactly what the Zicasso's travel expert provided via her tour agency.
I was able to share my must-haves/nice-to-haves and she customized a vacation package that tended to every detail. It was a wonderful balance of rustic and luxury. It was also our July “birthdaycation” for my aunt and me, and we were surprised at multiple locations with surprise birthday acknowledgements. Birthdays are very special to me, so this was a major “icing” on the cake for me on this vacation.
Although there was a minor “hiccup” on the day of arrival, the travel specialist's “on-the-ground” (local) staff pivoted and quickly and professionally found another option for us for our airport pickup. This shows the mark of a company interested in ensuring the complete satisfaction of their clients.
For the destinations the travel expert specializes in, they will be my first point of contact when looking to make my next vacation destination.
Well done!
Reviewed By Andrea +.
The trip was carefully planned and we received optimal assistance throughout the trip and constant availability and monitoring during the journey. Our Zicasso travel agent was very professional and always available to respond to our requests and needs. The choice of hotels was excellent and reflected the expectations. The activities offered in the different locations were very well structured and the guides were of high quality, particularly those in Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta.
Reviewed By Roberto B.