Tag: holiday safari

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.

 

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 

 

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 

 

Cape Malay Cooking Safari

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Cape Malay Cooking Safari

For me, travelling is all about discovering the local culture. Learning about the history, the people and events that have affected or influenced the culture of that society.

It is fascinating, and makes visiting new destinations that much more interesting.

The fastest way to learn a new culture, is to learn about their foods.

In Cape Town, there is a REAL interactive experience in the Cape Malay quarter, one of the countries oldest established communities. This community dates back to the early settler days, when captives were brought to the shores in the 1600’s to work on the farms.

Start your day with a Walking Tour of this historic, Heritage Protected area, visit to a Community Empowerment Project, the popular local Spice (Masala) shop and the Bo-Kaap Museum.

Then it is time to visit your hostess – a local resident, for an exciting encounter with her religious, cultural and indeed culinary background – in her own home! You will participate in preparing and cooking samoosas, Rooti (flat bread) and chicken or veg curry-in the kitchen around her table. Once the lunch is prepared, you get to sit back, relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

It is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the local culture

Contact African Sands to learn more about a holiday to Cape Town & the Cape Malay

Family Friendly Cape Town

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Travelling with children can be great fun, but it can also be very stressful!

Finding enough things to do that will occupy young minds and older minds alike can be quite difficult…. But not in Cape Town! With a wide variety of exciting activities available to capture inquisitive minds, you can be sure that a Family Holiday in South Africa with be just that – a true Family Holiday!

Here are our top tips of what to do with children in Cape Town:

1. Cape Point Nature Reserve

This is a great day out for the whole family. En-route to Cape Point, stop at Boulders Beach (just near Simon’s Town) and see the resident Jackass Penguin colony. These cute little creatures will liven up anyone’s day and they are clearly visible from the neat boardwalks that have been laid out to make viewing better and to preserve the penguins breeding area. Continue onto the Cape Point Nature Reserve, where the children can look out for the wild buck and baboons that are often seen in the reserve. Take the funicular to the old lighthouse with its great views. There are often baboons in the car park just waiting for tourists … remember not to feed them! If you still have energy after Cape Point, continue onto the Cape Point Ostrich Farm, where you can see the world’s largest flightless bird and the fastest bird on land

2. Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands is a perfect adult and child combination!

There are many wine estates along this route to explore most with excellent wine on offer – so enjoy the wine tastings.

A great estate to explore is the Fairview Wine Estate (near Paarl) which has wine making as well as cheese making. They are famous for their goats’ cheese, and have two resident goats on the estate. Kids love seeing the goats, especially watching them climb into their tower house. Parents love the wine and cheese tasting…

Nearby is Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm – they have over 1000 crocodiles on the estate and kids can hold a small baby crocodile.

Continue onto Franschhoek and explore this wonderful town on foot. Enjoy art galleries, antique shops and craft stalls. Not to mention lots of exciting places to eat true gourmet food. Mont Rochelle is a fabulous state to explore in this area with wine tasting and horse riding on offer

3. Table Mountain

Taking the Cable Car to the top of Table Mountain can be a really fun experience. Especially since the ride takes 4 minutes to reach the top of the mountain and the floor revolves, offering great views of the city below and the mountain. At the top of the mountain is a restaurant to catch a quick bite to eat and a shop for souvenir shopping, or be prepared and take your own picnic with you – there are lots of beautiful spots to sit and enjoy a meal – especially if you wander off from the main tourist hub. Look out for “Rock Rabbits” locally known as Dassies. They often pop up from gaps in the walls and can be seen sunning themselves on the rocks.

To work off energy after the Mountain, why not enjoy coffee at the Deer Park Café in Vredehoek, which has an outdoor park attached – so parents can relax and enjoy their afternoon tea while the kids run riot in the park.

4. V&A Waterfront

This is a premier destination in Cape Town and has good shopping options available.

Wander around this working harbour and see the boats at moor. Watch the harbour waters for the resident seals. You can often see them basking on the jetties. There are many good restaurants where you can enjoy a good meal in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Quay Four is renowned for its fish and chips on the dock.

If you want a fun experience, take one of the charter boats out for a sunset cruise with views back over the harbour and mountain it gives you another perspective of this landmark.

5. Two Oceans Aquarium   

Located at the V&A Waterfront, this Aquarium is a wonderful showcase of what goes on under our earths’ sea! There is a really good Atlantic Ocean display with its murky depths and sea kelp forests as well as an Indian Ocean display with its tropical fish and coral. Enjoy the Shark tank with a variety of shark pieces swimming past you. Don’t miss the Japanese Crab display!

6. Butterfly World

This is an area dedicated to the preservation of Butterflies, located in the Winelands. You can enter this magical world and wander among the many butterflies flitting around. Enjoy coffee and relax in this tranquil setting.

7. Camps Bay

Parents can sit on this world famous beach and relax and enjoy the goings on, while the kids can caper in the Atlantic Ocean. With many restaurants and take away options available across the road from the street, as well as an exciting Ice Cream store that has many wonderful ice cream scoop flavours – it is no wonder this spot is a firm family hit.

Contact African Sands to help you plan your family holiday to South Africa