Category: South Africa Holiday

5 Night South African Safari

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Rhino on a South Africa Safari

A traditional South African Safari is on many peoples ultimate wish list.

Idube Game Reserve and Lukimbi Safari Lodge offer a fantastic 5 night safari experience.

Idube Game Reserve is located in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, adjoining the world famous Kruger National Park. This reserve is internationally recognised for its efforts in conservation, especially in its endeavours to save the Rhino. It offers amazing game viewing opportunities being home to the Big Five. Enjoy guided bush walks, safaris in open air 4 x 4 vehicles with a ranger and tracker and endless relaxation in world class facilities.

Lukimbi Safari Lodge is located in the Southern Part of the Kruger National Park and is a perfect complement to Idube Game Reserve.  Kruger National Park offers exceptional Big Five game viewing and is home to a multitude of other animals and bird life, all which are able to freely roam through this natural habitat. The southern part of Kruger is well renowned for its leopard sightings.

Why not enjoy a 5 night Safari combining 2 Nights at Idube Game Reserve in a Safari Chalet & 3 Nights Lukimbi Safari Lodge in a Classic Suite.

Contact African Sands for more information on this 5 Night South African Safari.

 

Cape Town to Cape Town, 5 Day Garden Route & Klein Karoo tour

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Dusty Klein Karoo roads South Africa

The Western Cape is one of South Africa’s most diverse regions. From Cosmopolitan Cape Town, to the arid starkness of the Klein Karoo, the rugged splendour of Wilderness, and the world renowned beauty of the Garden Route… this tour will leave you dazzled by some of the country’s most scenic sights!

Start in Cape Town and travel inland, via Route 62, towards Oudtshoorn. Route 62 meanders through vineyards, mountain vistas and the semi-arid Klein Karoo. Stop for lunch in Barrydale, at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. Afterwards, discover Calitzdorp, South Africa’s port wine capital. Enjoy a wine tasting. Oudtshoorn, dubbed ‘the ostrich capital of the world’, boasts over 400 ostrich farms and several, so-called, Feather Mansions. Board a tractor for a guided tour of a working ostrich farm. Relax and delight in the friendly Klein Karoo hospitality. Enjoy dinner in town. Overnight at Hlangana Country Lodge or similar – Dinner and breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before departing for Knysna. Visit the Cango Caves, a 20-million-year-old national treasure in the foothills of the Swartberg mountain. Continue over the Outeniqua mountains to the Garden Route. Enjoy sweeping views from Dolphin Point and the Map of Africa (weather permitting), before arriving into Knysna. In Knysna, board a boat and enjoy a sunset Knysna oyster tour. This informative cruise introduces foodies to local wines and the culinary delights of a wild Knysna oyster. Dinner is served at a Knysna Estuary Restaurant. Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays or similar – Dinner and breakfast

After breakfast head for the historical harbour town of Mossel Bay. Visit the Dias Museum Complex and several different museums, including the Shell and Maritime Museums as well as the iconic Post Office Tree. Relax and enjoy lunch at The Point. Continue westwards to a private game reserve offering the opportunity to see the ‘Big 5’ and other game. Board an open safari vehicle for an afternoon game drive. Delight in an outdoor dining experience (weather permitting). Overnight at Garden Route Game Lodge or similar – Dinner, breakfast and 2 game viewing excursions

Enjoy an early morning game drive before breakfast. The reserve is home to elephant, lion, buffalo, white rhino, giraffe, cheetah and a variety of antelope species. Departs for Arniston, a small coastal village in the Overberg region on the Cape south coast. Lunch is enjoyed en route. Dinner is served at the hotel. Overnight at The Arniston Hotel or similar – Dinner and breakfast

Have a leisurely breakfast before departing for Cape Agulhas, the southern-most tip of Africa and where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic. The Cape of Storms is notorious for its many wrecks. Visit a South African national monument – the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse and Museum. Continue on to Hermanus, renowned for its whale watching. In season (July to November) the southern right whale returns to these waters to calve. Lunch is enjoyed en route. Continues to meander along False Bay’s coast before arriving in the late afternoon into Cape Town.

This is tour is a private guided tour, but can be operated as a self-drive tour too.

Contact African Sands to plan your Cape Town to Cape Town, 5 Day Garden Route & Klein Karoo holiday.

 

Great Train Journeys – Rovos Rail – Pretoria to Durban including the battlefields  

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KwaZulu Natal Drakensburg Mountains

There is something quite exotic about a “great train journey”! Rovos rail definitely does not disappoint.

Board this opulent train reminiscent of a bygone era, and start your exceptional rail safari across the Drakensburg Mountains to Durban.

This train journey covers some of the most magnificent scenery in South Africa and combines the glamour and excitement of the golden age of rail travel.

Enjoy discreet 5 star service, gourmet cuisine and award winning wines while you travel from Pretoria to Durban.

Outline itinerary

Depart Pretoria and enjoy a delicious lunch as the Drakensburg Mountains come into view. In the afternoon the train climbs to Majuba Hill (2146m/7040ft). Dinner is served enroute to Elandslaagte where the train stops for the night.

Next morning, wake up early and d enjoy Tea, coffee, juices and pastries in the dining car before embarking on a game drive in search of the Big Five in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve. Return to the train for brunch before heading to Escourt. In the afternoon, disembark for a 40-minute drive to Spionkop Lodge where there is a choice of two excursions: an escorted tour of the battlefields or a game drive in the Spionkop Game Reserve. Return to the train for dinner.

Relax and enjoy breakfast in the dining car as the train descends the escarpment enroute to Lions River Station.  Visit the famous Ardmore Ceramics Gallery including an equestrian display and tea.
Reboard the train and traverse the spectacular Valley of a Thousand Hills before arriving into Durban

If you have the time, why not start this journey in Cape Town, with a 2 night Cape Town to Pretoria Rail Safari

This 1 600-kilometre meander is a perfect illustration of South Africa as a world in one country.

Starting in Cape Town, travel to Matjiesfontein for a visit to the historic village; this is an authentic perfectly preserved Victorian Village – founded by Mr Logan as a refreshment stop in 1890. Continue onto Kimberley providing an opportunity to enjoy a city tour and a visit to the Diamond Mine Museum and the world’s largest man-made excavation, the Big Hole. Travel through the grasslands of the Highveld before arriving into Pretoria.

All of these itineraries can be done in reverse.

Contact African Sands to plan your Rail Safari 

 

4 Day Cape Garden Route Holiday

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Tsitsikama Suspension Bridge

You have explored Cape Town, now you want to head out and discover the world renowned Garden Route.

This 3 night/ 4 day itinerary is perfect for you!

Depart Cape Town heading for Oudtshoorn, via Route 62, a picturesque route that explores the contrasting regions of the Western and Eastern Cape. Stop in the Tradouw Valley for lunch, followed by a wine tasting. While in Oudtshoorn, once known as the “Feather Capital” of the world, enjoy an informative tour of an ostrich farm aboard a tractor learning about the intricacies of a working farm. Spend the night at Surval Boutique Olive Estate (or similar)

The next day continue onto the Cango Caves for a guided tour before continuing over the Outeniqua mountains to the Garden Route. Enjoy incredible photo opportunities in Wilderness, with its sweeping views from the Map of Africa lookout point. Then make your way to Knysna where you will stay for 2 nights at the Protea Hotel Knysna Quays (or similar). In the late afternoon embark on a sunset Knysna oyster cruise. This is an informative cruise introducing guests to the culinary delights of a wild Knysna oyster.

After breakfast, head for Plettenberg Bay. Take a boat at Lookout Beach for a marine excursion with the emphasis on marine-mammal conservation. This Fair-Trade Tourism certified ocean safari affords guests close-up views of whales, dolphins and seals. Back on shore, enjoy a relaxing lunch. In the afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Qolweni Township, school and crèche. This community development programme focuses on education. Allocated tour proceeds are channelled into initiatives targeting the education of Qolweni’s young children. You are invited to donate pencils, books and other stationary.

The next day travel to Port Elizabeth, via Storms River and the beautiful Tsitsikamma Forest. The Garden Route features lush forests, blue ocean waters and rugged mountain peaks. Stop at Storm’s River and enjoy a short walk to the suspension bridge to take in the views. Enjoy lunch in the Tsitsikamma Forest area, home to century-old trees.

Arrive into Port Elizabeth – transfer to the airport to stay at one of the Beachfront hotels.

Contact African Sands for more details on this 4 day Cape Garden Route Holiday

8 Day Luxury Safari in the Kruger National Park

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Hippos in Sabi Sand Reserve

Going on a safari is probably an item on many people bucket list. And who can blame them?  A safari is a truly incredible experience, which allows you to relax with spectacular nature surrounding you and offers an incredible opportunity for you to get up close with the Big Five.

It is a time to lock the mobile phone away, forget about the WIFI, your job and all the city stresses. Just relax…. Breathe deeply….. and enjoy the peace and tranquillity!

African sands has a fantastic 8 night luxury safari in the Kruger National Park that allows you to explore the 3 distinctly different sides to the Greater Kruger National Park.

Starting up North in the Makuleke Concession, spend three nights at The Outpost, overlooking the Luvuvhu River Vally, Pafuri enjoying spectacular views of this vast remote wilderness areas

Then move onto Kings Camp Private Game Reserve, situated in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Enjoy two nights of splendour in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve while revelling in the warmth of gracious hospitality from a bygone era at the ultra-luxurious Kings Camp. Live the true African Safari game viewing experience in refined luxury a leopard on the hunt, lions roaring at twilight, hippo wallowing, or a crocodile basking on a sandy beach; each viewing will enthral.

From Kings Camp, you will be whisked off to the world famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve where you can relax and soak up the tranquillity of the African bush for three wonderful nights at Leopard Hills Private Game Lodge. This exclusive lodge is built on a hill overlooking a natural waterhole with spectacular game viewing from the deck of your private suite… explore the endless fascination of Africa’s wildlife in open, state-of-the-art game viewing vehicles, indulge in pampering treatments and savour spectacular sunsets. En-route to Leopard Hills from Kings Camp, you will be transferred to Elephant Whispers where you will be enthralled by a two hour Ultimate Elephant Experience. Interact, ride and indulge in a champagne picnic surrounded by these gentle giants.

Finally, it will be time to make your way back to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for your return flight to Johannesburg.

This is an incredible safari experience that is fully inclusive: Accommodation, All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and Drinks (local brands) as well as scheduled activities – such as game drives and bush walks.

Prices from ZAR 81,800.00 per person sharing 

Contact African Sands for further information on this 8 Day Luxury Kruger Park Safari