A sample of South African Experiences:

4 and 5 Day Kruger National Park Tours & Walking Safari

10 Days Hiking Drakensberg & Wild Coast, South Africa & Lesotho

11 Day Cape, Garden Route & Wildlife Family Safari

13 Day South Africa on Foot - Kruger Park, Swaziland, Zululand, Drakensberg

14 Day Beach, Bush & Beyond - South Africa, Mozambique & Swaziland

17 Day Rainbow Nation Lodge & 18 Day Camping Safaris

                                           - Johannesburg to Cape Town

14 Day Southern Cross EXPLORER Lodge or Camping - Cape Town to Windhoek

21 Day Southern Cross GRAND EXPLORER - Cape Town to Victoria Falls

21 Day Trade Route - Camping in Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique & South Africa

Rail Adventures aboard Rovos Rail and the Shongololo Express

Wildlife Volunteering in South Africa

Enquire about more tour options here

About travelling with Children

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We create unique & authentic experiences

designed to suit your budget and desired style of travel.

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Contact Vancouver Travel Expert Christine Boecker for more Africa trips!

Republic of South Africa

• Area: 1 219 912 km²
• Capital: Pretoria (administrative capital)
• Currency: Rand
• Climate: Hot summers with afternoon rains (mostly in the form of short afternoon

  thunderstorms), from October to April, Dry and cooler weather occurs between May

  and September. The exception is the Western Cape region, which has dry and windy summers

  and cooler, rainy winters.
• Population: 44 million consisting of 80% Blacks, 9% European & 11 % Asian, Indian & Malays.
• Official language: English is the official language and there are 11 national languages.
• Time: GMT +2

Location, Landscape & Habitat

The Republic of South Africa lies at the southern tip of the African continent between latitudes 22 and 35 south, flanked by the Indian Ocean on the east coast and the Atlantic on the west, and bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland. Washed by the cold Benguela current on the west coast and the warm Mozambique Agulhas current on the east, the country has a coastline of 1,832 miles.

'Situated at the southern edge of the African continent, South Africa is bounded by oceans on three sides, with an interior that has a wonderful assortment of habitats, from lush tropical forests to arid deserts, from mountains to the open savannah of the bushveld.

Much of South Africa's natural wealth can be explored in facts and figures - on 1% of the planet's total land surface it has 10% of the world's known bird, fish and plant species and 5% of the world's mammal and reptile species; the third most biologically diverse country on Earth. Such diversity is due to great variations in climate, geology and landscape. Geologically, the country can be divided into three main regions: A narrow coastal strip that demarcates the edge of the continent for 3 000km, an extensive central plateau reaching 2 000 meters above sea level, and the Great Escarpment whose mountain ranges and hills stand in between the first two. These can be split further into rolling plains dotted with acacia trees and scattered dwellings, grasslands that meet the blue sky at the ruler-straight horizon, enormous brooding peaks of the Drakensberg, and chattering rivers that force themselves noisily through narrow gorges - to name but a few.

At the southernmost point, Table Mountain stands like a sentinel guarding Cape Town and its beaches. The south-western Cape is home to the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the world's six Plant Kingdoms. Its heath-like vegetation, called 'fynbos', is endemic to this area - some 8 000 plant species grow only here, making this one of the most significant concentrations of plant species on Earth. Along the coast eastwards is the dramatic, rocky shoreline where forests grow down steep cliffs to meet spectacular, rough seas crashing on jagged rocks: the Garden Route.

Moving north-east, the straight lines of the arid Karoo with its semi-desert and arid-adapted life give way to the endless, flat grasslands of the plateau, formed millions of years ago when the center of the continent lifted up. This is the country's economic center both in terms of grain produce and mineral wealth; some of the world's largest gold and diamond deposits lie deep beneath the unassuming surface.

Around the center, the escarpment's mountain ranges break the flatness and the land falls towards the coast. These land forms are not just beautiful but are of great importance in the generation of rainfall and runoff; all major rivers have their origins amongst the peaks and precipitous cliffs.

The country's eastern edges - bordered by the Lebombo Mountains (and Mozambique and Swaziland) in the north-east and the Indian Ocean in the south-east - generally receive more rainfall and are covered with savannah bushveld and woodland. This is the site of some of Africa's great conservation and wildlife stories, such as the Kruger National Park, the Hluhluwe Game Reserve where the southern white rhino was brought back from the brink of extinction, and the iSimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park, where the great sea turtles haul themselves up onto the beaches to lay their eggs.

Despite being threatened by increasing population numbers and development, many game reserves and national parks dot the country, protecting some of its 243 mammal, 900 bird, 370 reptile and 220 fish species and its more than 20 300 species of flowering plants. Each reserve or concession serves a vital role in helping to protect a small piece of this immense, picturesque and life-filled land.' Excerpt from: the wilderness landscape

Fauna & Flora

South Africa has an extraordinary wealth of flora and fauna. Found here are some 22,000 species of flowering plants (of which 730 are classified as trees) which are endemic to the country, and about 900 species of birds, representing 22 of the world's living orders. Indigenous animals include many carnivores, as well as a large number and variety of antelope and other herbivore - the largest being the elephant. The country's game parks preserve an amazing diversity of habitats to which different species have adapted over hundreds of thousands of years: desert and semi-desert, mountain, savannah bushveld, temperate and subtropical coast, lake, estuary and river. Apart from the 800 game reserves and 17 National Parks Board Reserves, there are several privately owned sanctuaries, where conservation is strictly enforced.

The Rainbow Nation - a World in One Country

Diversity is echoed in the peoples of South Africa. Ancient rock art is a silent testimony to the vanished culture of the first human inhabitants - the San or Bushman people - and the powerful civilisations of Mapungubwe and Thulamela who traded with Chinese and Arab traders a thousand years ago remain entrenched in the ruins of their rock-walled hilltop cities. Later the sub region became a stepping stone between Europe and the spices of the East, and then its own mineral riches were discovered. At the beginning of the 21st century this is a country filled with a colourful mixture of people and cultures, a heady history and not least, a natural heritage that has South Africans defining their land as "a world in one country."

Travelling with Children

South Africa is the most child-friendly country in Africa, but care should be taken when entering the bush. In fact, many private game reserves will not accept children under 12, which is understandable given that three-hour game drives can be tedious for restless kids. We offer some game reserves that welcome young children, who are often so intrigued by the animals, that they mostly forget to be restless! Outside of the bush, most hotels offer special amenities for children, and most restaurants have an abundant child's menu.

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Health

Southern Africa is a relatively healthy place in which to live and travel. Please do not go overboard with the information put out by some of the disease control centers. We often have guests arriving who have had every possible injection and who are taking every pill imaginable. We sometimes meet guests travelling in totally healthy areas who are petrified to touch the local salads and fruits or drink the local water. As a result, they do not enjoy the region as much as they should. Southern Africa is generally a lot safer than the rest of Africa, so please don't over-react to the detriment of your own enjoyment. Be careful, but not overcautious. If in doubt, ask your guide for advice.

Generally, water throughout Southern Africa is safe to drink directly from the tap. However, bottled water is readily available, so please do not allow yourself to become dehydrated.

Malaria transmission is at its highest during the warmer and wetter months of November through to April. From May through to October the risks of acquiring malaria are reduced.
The malaria parasite requires a human host in order to complete its life cycle. In most cases, our camps are situated in remote, unpopulated areas, so the chances of contracting malaria are very slim. Nonetheless, it is worth taking preventative measures.

The sun can be extremely severe. Always wear a wide-brimmed hat and use a good sun block cream.

Clothing
Usually informal, casual dress is sufficient, with elegant or smart casual wear for occasions where tie and jacket are required at restaurants, nightclubs or concerts. For the summer months from October to April light-weight clothing is sufficient, but keep in mind that even hot areas such as the Lowveld where the game parks are situated, may experience chilly nights in summer and require at least a sweater or jacket. Most of the country, with the exception of the Western Cape region, has rains in summer. A compact umbrella or raincoat is useful. During the winter months warm clothing is needed, as temperatures can decrease dramatically.

People & Culture

Throughout its history, South Africa has been a geographic designation rather than a reflection of a national reality. The result is that today the Republic of South Africa has one of the most complex and diversified population mixes in the world, a rich mosaic of distinctive minorities. This is underscored by the fact that not one of South Africa's major languages is spoken by a majority of all the people. 

The four major ethnic divisions among black people are the Nguni, Sotho, Shangaan-Tsonga and Venda. Together the Nguni and Sotho account for the largest percentage of the total black population. 

Caucasian people trace their origins to the Dutch East India Company settlement at the Cape in 1652 and the British settlements of the 1700's. The main language groups are English and Afrikaans. English speakers are descendants of English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Australian, American and Canadian. They have contributed to the establishment of exclusive clubs, African paintings by artists such as Baines and Bowler, Victorian and Edwardian architecture, Scottish music and Welsh song. The Afrikaans language was developed locally from Dutch roots and its speakers are known for their pioneering spirit, desire for independence, adaptability and hospitality. The Afrikaaner community is unity-conscious, strongly bound to its culture, nation, country, language, religion, institutions and organizations. 

The Griquas, largely of Hottentot (Khoi-Khoi) ancestry, have developed a culture of their own, characterized linguistically by a broken form of Dutch-Afrikaans with a peculiar yet dignified power of expression. Their religion, love of sacred song and choirs are their chief cultural features. 

The Cape Malays are descendants of the early Muslim people brought to the Cape by the Dutch East India Company. Despite bondage and isolation, they have remained faithful to Islam, still manifest in all their traditional ceremonies, feasts, weddings, funerals and pilgrimages to Mecca. 

The first Indians came to South Africa in 1860 as indentured laborers of the Natal colonial government for Natal's sugar plantations. For many decades, it was assumed that the Indians should eventually be repatriated. It was only in 1961, after South Africa became a republic, that this notion was abandoned and the Indian community was allowed to stay as a permanent part of the South African population.

History
Discoveries in Taung and other sites in the country bear witness to the fact that prehistoric man lived about one and a half million years ago in what is today known as South Africa. The San were the first people to settle, about 2,000 years ago. They were followed by the Khoikhoi, in the Western Cape. Disease, displacement by new inhabitants and miscegenation gradually caused these groups to become extinct. The first Europeans to reach the Cape of Good Hope, toward the end of the 15th century, were Portuguese explorers seeking a sea route to the east. 

The first permanent European settlement was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652. By the middle of the 18th century, this growing Dutch colony came into contact with the African tribes that were established in the southeast coastal regions and expanding southwestward. In 1820, 5,000 British immigrants arrived in Algoa Bay, representing the largest organized group of white settlers ever to come to the country. The first decades of the 19th century were filled with wars between the black nations, resulting in the emergence of the Zulu nation under Shaka and later Dingaan as the dominant power in South Central Africa. The establishment of vassal states and virtual depopulation of the central plateau left the way for Dutch-descended Voortrekkers, who were dissatisfied with the ruling British Government, to move into the area. The population patterns established in the first half of the 19th century remain largely unchanged to the present. 

Discovery of lucrative deposits of diamonds, gold and other minerals, starting in 1866, was the impetus for the development of towns and cities in the interior. The cosmopolitan population of the goldfields was in constant conflict with the conservative government of the pastoral Boers, who resented the influx of foreigners. This was the era when British imperialism reached its peak. 

Black nations were subjugated, their lands annexed and the Boer republics threatened; the result was the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. The British Empire emerged victorious from the war. In 1910 the Cape Colony and Natal (British) and the Orange Free State and Transvaal (Boer republics) were joined to form the Union of South Africa under the leadership of Boer generals Louis Botha and Jan Smuts. The Act of Union was followed by a resurgence of Afrikaaner nationalism, reaching its ultimate apartheid legislation in the 1940s. Restrictions were placed on the movements of Africans and Indians and they were prohibited from acquiring title to land in 1913, although certain territories were reserved for black tribal ownership. African voters were removed from the common role in 1936. The Afrikaaner Nationalist movement grew steadily on a foundation of sectarian preference and achieved its immediate objectives when the National Party, under Dr. D. F. Malan, won the election in 1948. 

Organized political activity among black Africans started with the establishment of the African National Congress (ANC) in 1912. In 1959 the Pan African Congress (PAC) was founded as a breakaway from the ANC because of its dissatisfaction with the nonviolent and nonracial policies of the ANC. The first major violent confrontation between government and African nationalist movements occurred in June 1960, when police fired on a demonstration mounted by the PAC at Sharpeville. Shortly after, virtually all black political organizations were banned.

In 1963 Nelson Mandela and a number of conspirators were convicted of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment. Mr. Mandela was released from prison on February 11, 1990, after serving 27 years of a life sentence. Taking a conciliatory attitude toward the government, he led his party into negotiations, culminating in the democratic election in April 1994 and his inauguration as President of South Africa on 10 May 1994.                                                     Top

Contact Vancouver Travel Expert Christine Boecker for your Africa trip!

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK & MPUMALANGA:

Mpumalanga is the safari capital of South Africa. With over half the Kruger National Park in the province, and many private reserves, there is something for everyone.
The Lowveld is hot and humid, with long grass and broad-leaved trees, and of course, spectacular game. Accommodation in the Kruger Park ranges from clean campsites to very comfortable lodges but the private reserves are, almost without exception, very luxurious.
The Highveld is higher, obviously, and also much cooler. On the opposite side of the Drakensberg to KwaZulu-Natal, it consists of rolling grassland with many wild flowers and pretty streams. Much of the area has been cultivated as pine plantations, but there are still some pockets of indigenous forest. Trout have been introduced into some dams and streams in the Dullstroom and Lydenberg areas.
This whole area has a fantastic history, particularly its gold rush era, when lawlessness was the order of the day and brave pioneers wandered through lion-infested bush to reach their claims. The pretty museum town of Pilgrim's Rest gives an indication of the way of life in those hard days.
The scenery is spectacular - there is God’s Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes in the Blyde River, the quaint town of Graskop, the numerous spectacular waterfalls, the Three Rondawels (three almost circular mountains), the Swadini Dam and the Sudwala Caves.
The main city is Nelspruit which, along with the many small towns, serves the tourist industry and the many farmers who grow delicious sub-tropical products, such as bananas, citrus fruit, litchis, mangoes, avocados, macadamia nuts, pecan nuts and tea and coffee.                        Top

CAPE TOWN & WESTERN CAPE:

There is nowhere quite like Cape Town. It is in Africa, and of Africa, but yet so different. Perched between the ocean and the mountain, and with a South African National Park as its heart, it’s wild and wonderful. But it's also the oldest city of the country, and it has a cultural heritage spanning more than 300 years.

It is in Cape Town that the Rainbow Nation really covers the spectrum, as nowhere else in the country do we have such cultural diversity. Between beautiful Cape Dutch homesteads, elegant Georgian townhouses, traditional dancers with painted faces performing in the city streets, the smell of spicy Malay cooking, the tang of a well-made wine, and the sound of the snoek horn advertising the wares of fish vendors, this city will fill your senses. The bells of St George’s Cathedral alternate with the plaintive tones of the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer. Visitors give a startled jump, and Capetonians calmly glance at their watches, when the noon gun booms above the city - a relic from the days of sail when sea captains had to check their chronometers.

You will never be bored in Cape Town. Table Mountain offers some of the best climbing in the world, and it's right in the city. The surfing is fantastic; the diving is cold but good. You could go mountain biking, or try sand boarding. Go sea kayaking - you may see seals, dolphins or penguins. A great thing to do on a full moon summer's night is to walk up Lion's Head before dark, watch the sun set on one hand and the full moon rise on the other and then walk down in the silvery light. Or, if the wind is right, you could fly off Lion's Head with a qualified tandem paraglider pilot, and land on the beach in time for sundowners. Oh, you'll never be bored.
You can shop till you drop at Cavendish, Canal Walk or the Waterfront where you'll be spoilt for choice. There is so much live music, so many temporary and permanent art exhibitions, so many movies, plays and even opera, ballet or symphony concerts,that you will have absolutely no excuse to stay in your hotel room. Of course, you'll have to find the time to sample some Cape wine. You could visit a different museum every day for a week, and you just have to see Robben Island.                                                                                                                         Top

GARDEN ROUTE & EASTERN CAPE:

The Eastern Cape region of South Africa is spectacularly beautiful. It stretches along the south-east coast from the Tsitsikamma Forest on the Garden Route to the Wild Coast.  In the hinterland, the Great Karoo epitomises the essence of Africa - vast open spaces; sparse veld bushes and distant brooding mountains.

Scattered about in the foothills and beyond, Xhosa homesteads, circular and thatched, are often grouped around a cattle kraal, usually situated on the ridge of a hill. The main city is Port Elizabeth, set on the shores of Algoa Bay. "The Friendly City" is the fifth biggest city in South Africa and the largest on the coast between Cape Town and Durban. East London is set on the broad Buffalo River and one of the most attractive stretches of the Eastern Cape seaboard. East London's sweeping white beaches extend for miles; unpolluted, uncrowded, unspoiled. It is the ideal base to explore the north-eastern mountains and the Wild Coast. For historical and architectural interest, the towns of Grahamstown and Graaff Reinet should not be missed.

In its natural state, the Eastern Cape is one of the most diverse regions on earth. It is a meeting-place for four major weather systems, hence the incredibly diverse environment - spectacular mountain ranges, lush forests and unspoiled beaches.

Much of the pristine indigenous flora and fauna is very accessible, making for breath-taking views, experiences and memories. Addo Elephant National Park supports about 200 elephants in addition to Cape buffalo, black rhino, kudu and over 180 South African bird species. Many game reserves offer a variety of safari options, from a world-class deluxe experience to the hands-on volunteering opportunity.

Experience untamed Africa at its best and view the 'big five' (seven if you include whales and the Great White Shark) in malaria-free game reserves. Indulge in fresh and salt water fishing for trout and ocean game fish, experience some of the most rewarding bird watching (if you're lucky you'll see indigenous parrots in their natural environment) and see a wide range of plant life, including the prehistoric cycads, in their natural environment.

The Eastern Cape has a rich cultural history. Explore the beautiful towns and villages the British settlers established years ago, old mission stations, schools and the university where Nelson Mandela and other prominent African leaders were educated, or attend smoe of over 400 performances presented annually at the Grahamstown Arts Festival.

Whether you choose to explore on horseback or mountain bike, by car or coach, by river raft or canoe or on your own two feet, you will be awed by the beauty of its mountains, valleys, plains, rivers and coastline. There are also opportunities to indulge in adventure sports ranging from skydiving to scuba diving.

Eastern Cape people from all walks of life are hospitable and friendly. Whether you are buying arts and crafts, sampling a traditional meal, enjoying fine cuisine in a country restaurant, having a pint in a country pub, watching a cricket match on an old village green or visiting a township or historical monument, you will be made to feel especially welcome.                                      Top

Throughout your journey, there is one thing we can guarantee. The spirit of Africa and its people will touch you. It might be a herd of elephant against a blood red sunset, the cooling spray thrown up by the thundering waters of Victoria Falls or a simple handshake and a smile from a village elder. Somewhere along the way, you will experience something uniquely African, leaving an indelible print on your memory.

Contact Vancouver Travel Consultant Christine Boecker

for your African Safari!

Wildlife Volunteering

on a Game Reserve in South Africa

This family run Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape will let you feel right at home,

while creating a wildlife experience to capture your imagination, refresh your soul

and conserve our natural heritage!

Since August 2003 students from local schools have been able to discover the wonders of nature on day outings. The Conservation Centre offers international students (of all ages) the opportunity to assist with the development of the Centre and to participate in its various projects. Its main objectives are:

• to promote environmental awareness and impart knowledge of the environmental, economic and cultural importance of wildlife, wild areas and the functioning of natural ecosystems.
• to identify and support research projects that provide ecological and social information relevant to the management of the reserve and to wildlife conservation in general.
• to encourage and advise on various conservation projects which will ensure the conservation of biodiversity and functioning of ecological systems.

The program could include:

• Game drives [animal identification and tracking] & Game capture
• Birding orientation and classification
• Xhosa culture & Community service at underprivileged schools or our Conservation Centre
• History from Stone Age to more recent Frontier history
• Game management [culling, re-introducing, counts, bomas]
• Land management [burning, grazing patterns, roads, water, and fencing]
• Veterinary work with our resident vet [darting and post-mortems]
• Guided walks, canoeing, boating
• Gardening & Medicinal use of plants

Tour Price: from US$1340 per person for 2 weeks although a 4 - 8 week stay is recommended

Contact Vancouver Travel Consultant Christine Boecker

for your Volunteering Experience!          

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        Kruger Park Tour

      4 days - fully guided

Viewing the Big 5 in a private Minivan

on morning and afternoon gamedrives. 

Our Kruger Park Safari starts and ends in Johannesburg and includes a scenic drive along the Panorama Route via the magnificent Three Rondavels in Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, Lisbon or Berlin waterfall, Bourke's Luck Potholes & Pilgrim's Rest.

Accommodation is in a Rest Camp in en-suite chalets with air-conditioning and insect screens, and includes breakfast and dinner daily.

Tour Price: from US$1150 per Adult | Children under 12 from US$750

Travel Log: A Day in the African Bush

Kruger Park Walking Safari (TT06)

This 4 or 5 day standard lodge accommodated walking safari through the Greater Kruger National Park* follows the routes of the 'Big 5' - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino on foot - for the closest game viewing possible.

Mpumalanga is the safari capital of South Africa. With over half the Kruger National Park in the province, and many private reserves, there is something for everyone.

Itinerary:

DAY of DEPARTURE - Johannesburg/Pretoria - Greater Kruger National Park
On the day of departure you will be collected from your hotel at first light and transferred to the Game Reserve. The journey takes approximately 6 hours with stops along the way. You will meet your ranger in the Klaserie Private Game Reserve, where you will complete formalities and have lunch together. After lunch and a rest we embark on our afternoon/evening activity.

DAYS in Kruger National Park
In the mornings we set off at first light after a snack breakfast of rusks and coffee or tea. Enjoying the cool morning air we head off for our morning game walk. Your ranger will decipher the tracks and signs left by the passing animals during the night.The thrill of walking, tracking and getting up close to one of the creatures of the bush is an unforgettable experience.  On the walks there is a lot of emphasis on all the interesting things seen such as trees, plants, insects and birds.

After 3 to 4 hours we return to camp for brunch.

You then have a few hours to relax at the facilities of the camp, before meeting again in the afternoon for tea and a light lunch.

Afterwards, we head off for our afternoon and night game drive, which will take about 3 to 4 hours.

On return at the camp, we share our day’s experiences over a pre-dinner drink, followed by a hearty dinner at the lodge. We end off the day with coffee/tea around the camp fire, before retiring for the night.

After a long day in the bush there is nothing more rewarding then to sneak off to bed and listen to the sounds of the night under a blanket of the overwhelming African stars!

DAY of RETURN - Greater Kruger National Park - Johannesburg/Pretoria

On the day of departure you will still go out for one last walk. Sniffing the typical scents of the bush you'll realize how much you've learned already! After breakfast it's time to pack up and we say our goodbyes and transfer you back to the city (arrival around 6pm).

Tour Price: 4 days from US$1050   Children under 12 $690

                   5 days from US$1360   Children under 12 $820

* We operate in the Greater Kruger National Park, which are the Private Reserves adjoining the Kruger National Park on its western borders. There are no fences between the Kruger Park and these Reserves, hence the name Greater Kruger National Park. The big advantage of these Reserves is their privacy, so no shared sightings or camps with other visitors. Once you’re out there it’s just you, your ranger and chef and the rest of your party of 8.

Contact Vancouver Travel Consultant Christine Boecker for your Kruger Park Safari!

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SOUTH AFRICA - THE RAINBOW NATION (SuS01)

17 day Small Group Lodge or 18 day Camping* Safari
From Johannesburg to Cape Town -

with trekking, cultural visits and wonderful game viewing

Tour price - Lodge: from US$2,095 per person sharing

 + local payment ZAR1600

Single supplement (only if requested) US$650 

*Tour price - Camping: from US$1,850 per person sharing a tent

+ local payment ZAR1900

Single tent (only if requested and only on camping nights) US$130

Highlights

• Mpumalanga Panorama Route – sight seeing
• Kruger National Park – game drives
• Swaziland – mountain walks
• Drakensberg mountains – mountain walks
• Wild Coast – beach walks & Xhosa villages
• Addo Elephant Game Park - game drives
• Tsitsikamma – forest walks
• Hermanus – beaches and whales
• Cape Town – Cape Point & Table Mountain

There is a lot to do on this safari, so days can be long, but the variety is astounding.

Detailed Lodge Itinerary (pdf)

Includes

• Small Group Safari: Max 12 people
• Professional Safari Guides
• Transport in minibus / safari truck
• Meals: B = Breakfast (16) L = Lunch (12) D = Dinner (11)
• Entrance Fees
• 16 nights in hotels, cabins & guest houses

Safari Grade

A comfort adventure participation tour staying in permanent tented camps and guest houses:

6 nights with en-suite facilities

8 nights where two rooms share facilities and 2 nights with multi-share facilities

Tour leader prepares meals and we eat around the camp fire or in communal dining “lapas”. Group participation in camp chores is required.

*Also available as 18 day Camping Safari

Highlights

Request more details

Responsible Tourism -

On the lodge safari, our stay at Mkuzi Game Reserve and the local Zulu village situated on the edge of the reserve helps to create much needed jobs, community awareness and prosperity, and to reduce subsistence poaching. This direct contact ensures that the local community sees the benefits of tourism and conservation, and ensures the continued preservation of a precious nature sanctuary.

Responsible Tourism -

On the camping trip our stay in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho supports the Malealea community. We overnight at Malealea Lodge, who have strong links with the community in their surrounding area.

(See Travel Log)
Local guides, overnight sleep out, village accommodation and some of the fresh produce used in the lodge are sourced from the local villages in a responsible and sustainable method. Thus providing income and better living standards for the Malealea villages and the local community.
This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know the local people - ask questions and don't be embarrassed to open a conversation - Basotho people are very friendly.

Contact Vancouver Travel Expert Christine Boecker for your South African Safari!

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BEACH, BUSH & BEYOND (SUS02)
South Africa, Mozambique & Swaziland

14 day small group 3* accommodated Safari
Wildlife and wetlands of Zululand, magnificent beaches,
snorkeling, diving, fishing, sun, sea and sand....
a tropical paradise tour that includes a bush walk in Swaziland
and game viewing in Kruger National Park!
This is a very easy-going safari with time to relax.

Tour price: from US$1,995 per person sharing accommodation
Single supplement (only if requested) US$460

+ local payment ZAR1200

Highlights

• Swaziland - bush walk
• Kosi Bay - lake excursion & walks
• Mkuzi Game Reserve - game drives
• Moçambique beaches - deep-sea fishing, snorkelling & scuba diving
• Seafood meals
• Kruger National Park - game drives

This is a very easy-going safari with time to relax.

Detailed Itinerary (pdf)

Includes

• Small Group Safari: Max 12 people
• Professional Safari Guides
• Transport in minibus / safari truck & 4WD
• Meals: B = Breakfast (13) L = Lunch (13) D = Dinner (10)
• Entrance Fees
• 13 nights in chalets, casitas & permanent tented camps
• Use of equipment
• Kosi Bay boat excursion

Safari Grade

A comfort adventure participation tour staying in chalets, casitas and permanent tented camps:

8 nights with en-suite facilities

3 nights where two rooms share facilities and 2 nights with multi-share facilities.

Tour leader prepares meals and we eat around the camp fire or in communal dining “lapas”. Group participation in camp chores is required.

Responsible Tourism

We spend 3 nights in the Kosi Bay area. This KwaZulu Natal park is an example of how conservation and the needs of the local communities can work hand in hand. The local community is permitted to harvest fish within the reserve using environmentally sustainable, traditional reed fishing nets. KZN Wildlife are pioneers in the development of sustainable tourism

Return to Mozambique

Contact Vancouver Travel Expert Christine Boecker for your Southern Africa Safari!

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SOUTH AFRICA ON FOOT (SuS04)

13 day small group accommodated Safari
Starts and ends in Johannesburg

Explore the big game of the famous Kruger National Park.

Enjoy hiking Swaziland, before heading into the Zulu Kingdom.
Visit the wetlands, the wildlife, the battlefields and the beaches of KwaZulu-Natal,

before discovering the majestic Drakensberg mountains. (See Travel Log)

Tour price: from US$1,595 per person sharing accommodation

 + local payment ZAR1200

Single supplement (only if requested) US$495

Highlights

• Mpumalanga Panorama Route – sight seeing & mountain walks
• Kruger National Park – game drives
• Swaziland – mountain walks
• Zululand – game drives & cultural village
• Battlefields – museums
• St Lucia – Hluhluwe game reserve game drive
• Drakensberg Mountains – mountain walks

The walks will be easy to moderate, along good mountain paths, so walking shoes / light boots will suffice. Walking time is 3-6 hours for 10 - 22 kms, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.

Detailed Itinerary (pdf)

Includes

• Small Group Safari: Max 12 people
• Professional Safari Guides
• Transport in minibus / safari truck
• Meals: B = Breakfast (12) L = Lunch (12) D = Dinner (9)
• Entrance Fees
• 12 nights in hotels, cabins and guest houses

Safari Grade

A comfort adventure participation tour staying in chalets, cabins and guest houses.

 1 night with en-suite facilities

 7 nights where 2 rooms share facilities and 4 nights multi-share facilities

Tour leader prepares meals and we eat around the camp fire or in communal dining “lapas”. Group participation in camp chores is required.

Responsible Tourism
Several times a year our local operator runs a trip for underprivileged children from SOS Children’s Village to visit a local game reserve, introducing the children to wildlife, the importance of conservation and helping broaden their horizons. Should you wish to become involved in this project, please contact chris@travelboecker.com

Contact Vancouver Travel Expert Christine Boecker for your South African Safari!

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CAPE, GARDEN ROUTE & WILDLIFE FAMILY SAFARI

11 Day Fully Escorted Family Getaway (TT07)

Cape Town • Oudtshoorn • Knysna • Lalibela Private Game Reserve

It’s wonderfully wild, yet in a tame environment.

This 3 - 4*hotel & lodge safari is specifically designed to engage every member of the family!

Great contrasts every day are certain to grab the attention of young and old alike. Exquisite scenery all along your route, delectable bush meals and lots of local colour and wildlife encounters in a range of environments: seals in the ocean, penguins on the beach, Eagle Encounter and Cheetah outreach program on land, penguins on the beach, an ostrich farm, the world-class Two Oceans aquarium, the famed Cango Caves, an Elephant sanctuary, a free-flight bird sanctuary and a free-roaming primate sanctuary.

Ascend Table Mountain, explore the ‘Cape of Good Hope’, savour the winelands, meander along Route 62 and end your safari at the Lalibela Game Reserve, enjoying a fully inclusive experience, including game drives, from the professional lodge staff and game rangers.

This shared family experience is certainly one for the memory books!

Tour Price: from US$2680 per Adult | US$1575 per Child under 12 sharing a family room

Single supplement: from US$895

Includes

• All touring in air-conditioned mini or midi-buses
• Sightseeing, entrance fees and game drives
• 4 nights in Cape Town, 2 nights in Oudtshoorn, 2 nights in Knysna & 2 nights in Lalibela Private Game Reserve
• Accommodation in 3 or 4 star hotels and lodges with private facilities
• Meals: 10 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 2 Dinners
• Services of a professional guide & Hotel porterage

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Contact Vancouver Travel Expert Christine Boecker for your Family Safari!

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- combing your personal preference with our expertise.

We create unique & authentic experiences

designed to suit your budget and desired style of travel.