Beauty and the Beasts South Africa Safari

What's this trip about?

Our first glimpse of South Africa’s grandeur starts in Cape Town; Four nights at the colorful and bustling waterfront. A full schedule of sightseeing in the city and environs showcases the incomparable beauty of the area. An overnight in the Winelands allows you sample award-winning vintages and stroll through the quaint village of Franschhoek.Then it is off on safari – winging to South Africa’s prime game viewing regions. Moditlo Private Game Reserve is your first lodge, located near the border of famed Kruger Park. Morning and afternoon game drives, in open safari vehicles, reveal an astonishing wealth of wildlife: lions, giraffe, leopard, hippo, rhino and elephant – to name just a few.Your second lodge is located to the south, within the stunning rock-strewn Malelane Mountain range. In addition to the daily game drives available, Bongani Mountain Lodge boasts access to San Bushmen rock art – the greatest concentration of ancient rock art found anywhere on earth!Day 1. Depart USA. Relax on an overnight flight to South Africa.Day 2-5. Cape Town (4 nights). On arrival at Cape Town Airport, you will be met by your Great Safaris Guide who will assist you to the vehicle for your private transfer to your elegant waterfront hotel.One of the world’s most picturesque tourist destinations and most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town is situated amidst majestic mountains and is surrounded by pristine white beaches. Often called the ‘cosmopolitan hub of Africa’, Cape Town is home to a rich cultural and historical heritage, vibrant restaurants and nightlife and a multitude of activities, from extreme sports to leisurely scenic cruises and world-class shopping.Enjoy a morning tour of the city center, Table Mountain, the Malay Quarter and the Cape Castle. A full day excursion of the Cape Peninsula, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Hout Bay and Simonstown is also included.Day 6. Stellenbosch Cape Winelands (1 night). South Africa’s prime wine-growing region, founded in 1679, Stellenbosch is the oldest town in South Africa after Cape Town. Nestled between towering mountains in the beautiful Cape winelands, it is the food and wine heartland of the country. Learn the history of the “French Quarter” and enjoy a wine tasting Museum visit.Explore Stellenbosch for a vineyard tour and tasting at Spier, undoubtedly the most unique development in the wine world, and Eagle Encounters, a bird of prey rehabilitation, education, conservation and ecotourism center.Day 7. Moditlo River Lodge (Greater Kruger Park) (3 nights). Wing from Cape Town to Kruger Park. With over 65 square miles to roam, all animals of the great African wilderness can be seen on the Blue Mountain Conservancy, from lions to elephants, hyenas to rhinos, not to mention giraffes, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, impala, kudu, eland and nyala. The Conservancy’s landmark is the magnificent silhouette of the Drakensberg mountains – spectacular, especially at sunset, occasionally accompanied by packs of wild dogs, one of the rarest and most exciting sightings of what is perhaps the most effective predator of the savanna. Almost 400 species of birds inhabit the reserve alone, including the highly endangered ground hornbill.Depart this afternoon for the first game drive in an open 4×4 safari vehicle. Enjoy sundowners in the bush, as you witness the multi-hued African sunset.Day 8-9. Blue Canyon Conservancy (Greater Kruger Park). Augment your morning and late afternoon game drives, setting out to find night-time predators stalking their prey.Day 10-11. Mthetomusha Game Reserve (Greater Kruger Park) (2 nights). After your early morning game drive followed by breakfast at the lodge, depart for an overland drive to the Mthethomusha Game Reserve.The Bongani Mountain Lodge is beautifully located in the shadows of the Malelane Mountain range in 20,000 acres of the Mthetomusha Game Reserve, on the south western border of the Kruger National Park. Its altitude allows guests the unique opportunity to experience the Big Five. Walk the ancient paths once used by the San Bushman people of over 250 San rock art sites estimated to be 1,500 years old. This San bushman art site is, to date, the greatest concentration of rock art per square yard on earth.Experienced rangers and Swazi trackers lead interpretive game-drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles.Day 12. Departure. After a final game drive followed by breakfast, transfer to Kruger MQP Airport for your departure flight to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, where you will connect to your outward flight and bid “farewell” to Africa.Day 13. Arrive USA. Back home with fond memories and photos of the Beauty and the Beasts South Africa Safari to last a lifetime!LAND RATE: $975 per person  Supplement for Single: $295

Accommodation