Classic South Africa Safari

ABOUT THIS TRIP

The wildlife-rich north of South Africa is ideal for authentic safaris deep in the African bush. On game drives in open-air SUVs, discover the Big Five and all the other wildlife in the famous Kruger National Park, the beautiful Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, and the magical iSimangaliso Wetland Park. You’ll also experience breathtaking landscapes along the Panorama Route and endless beaches on the Indian Ocean, which is warm year-round. Optionally, you can also explore the majestic Drakensberg Mountains.

You don't want to drive yourself, but a small group tour doesn't have the right start date for you and a privately guided tour is too expensive? Then our English-speaking chauffeur-driven tours are just the right alternative. Your private chauffeur will take you from place to place, where you will then take part in guided day activities and excursions. However, you do not have the all-round support of a continuous tour guide. All chauffeur-driven tours can start daily and can be adapted to your wishes in advance. The more people take part in your own chauffeur-driven tour, the lower the price per person.

OVERNIGHT STATIONS

• 4x Hazyview
• 1x Piet Retief
• 4x St. Lucia
• 2x Umhlanga

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• 11x overnight stay in the Comfort ***/**** category
• 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners
• private transfers according to program
• Day tour Panorama Route
• Day game drive Kruger Park
• Boat Tour of the Blyde River Canyon and Visit to Kinyonga Reptile Park
• Day game drive iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• Day game drive Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park
• Boat trip iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• Night game drive in Simangaliso Wetland Park
• Comprehensive travel documents according to the booked tour itinerary
• Local offices with 24-hour hotline (German/English)
• Travel insurance certificate

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Meals not mentioned
• not mentioned or optional activities
• Flight performance
• Entrance fees and conservation fees not mentioned
• other personal expenses, tips
• personal travel insurance
• Continuous tour guide

DAY 1: JOHANNESBURG

ONEWAY TRANSFER TO HAZYVIEW

In the case of a transfer from your accommodation, you will be picked up at the entrance of your guesthouse, lodge or hotel at the agreed time. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation or at the airport.

For transfers from the airport, you will be met personally in the arrivals hall. Please look out for a person carrying a sign with your name on it. If an explicit pick-up point or meeting point is mentioned in your tour book, please go there. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation.

This private transfer is operated by a qualified English-speaking driver. The vehicle is air-conditioned and corresponds to your private group size, there are no other passengers. The transfer company has all the necessary licenses and insurance for its vehicles and drivers to guarantee legal passenger transportation (no Uber or similar). For long-distance transfers, toilet and catering stops are made as required (catering not included in the price).

DAY 1 TO DAY 5:

HAZYVIEW

Hazyview is ideally located between the scenically unique Panorama Route and the world-famous Kruger Park. From here you can take day trips to the Blyde River Canyon, the Bourkes Luck Potholes and various waterfalls as well as to the Big Five and all other African wildlife. It is also possible to discover the highlights of the Panorama Route or the Kruger Park on the way to or from the private game reserves.

You will stay at the comfortable Böhms Zeederberg Country House, which is nestled in beautiful natural surroundings in the picturesque Sabie Valley near the small town of Hazyview. The ten detached chalets are spread over spacious subtropical grounds with unique views over the valley. The chalets have a bathroom/WC, air conditioning, a tea/coffee maker, a minibar and a veranda. The Family Suites also have a sofa bed. The guest house offers a pool, a restaurant, a bar, a fireplace lounge, a garden area, a wine cellar and free WLAN in the main building.

BÖHMS ZEEDERBERG COUNTRY HOUSE (GARDEN CHALET)

4X OVERNIGHT STAY WITH HALF BOARD

DAY 2: HAZYVIEW

FULL DAY PANORAMA TOUR

You take part in a day tour to the highlights of the Panorama Route. Of course, the world-famous Blyde River Canyon is on the program, including breathtaking views of the Three Rondawels and the Lowveld. You will also discover the Bourkes Luck Potholes, as well as the former gold mining town of Pilgrims Rest.

In the cozy little town of Graskop, you have the opportunity to have lunch and visit some souvenir stalls. The region is known for its countless waterfalls, including Berlin Falls and Lisbon Falls.

You will be picked up at your accommodation at around 09:00 (please note the exact pick-up time in your tour book). The tour takes about seven hours. The entrance fees for the attractions are included in the price. Lunch is optional. The tour language is English and the tour is conducted with additional people. The tour takes place in a closed vehicle.

DAY 3: HAZYVIEW

FULL DAY KRUGER SAFARI EXPERIENCE

You will take part in a full-day excursion in an open off-road vehicle into the national Kruger Park. You will preferably stay in the southern part of the park, as this is where the animal population is densest. Your professional ranger will bring you very close to the animals, a first-class safari experience.

The park is home to more than 150 different mammal species including the so-called "Big Five", i.e. lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Over 500 different bird species as well as many reptiles and amphibians make the Kruger Park the ultimate wildlife experience.

You will be picked up at your accommodation early in the morning (please note the pick-up time in your tour book). The safari takes about eight to nine hours. Conservation fees for the Kruger Park are included in the price. You can have a breakfast pack packed by your accommodation, lunch is optional. The tour language is English and the tour is conducted with additional people. The safari takes place in an open off-road vehicle. The transfer to and from Kruger Park can be done in a closed vehicle.

DAY 4: HAZYVIEW

FULL-DAY BLYDE BOAT & REPTILE PARK

Experience the majestic Blyde River Canyon—the third-largest canyon in the world—from a completely different perspective. Take a boat ride down the Blyde River into the canyon, one of the most impressive scenic experiences in northern South Africa. Afterward, stop at a local restaurant (lunch optional) before continuing on to the Kinyona Reptile Park.

Nestled in a breathtaking natural landscape, the Kinyonga Reptile Park is a leading center for reptile research, species conservation, and education. Home to an impressive variety of snakes, lizards, amphibians, and arachnids—including endangered and rarely seen species—the park offers a close-up experience of the often-overlooked world of cold-blooded animals.

You will be picked up at your accommodations around 8:00 a.m. (please check your tour book for the exact pickup time). The tour lasts about nine hours. Admission fees for the boat ride and the reptile park are included in the price. Lunch is optional. The tour is conducted in English and will be shared with other participants. The tour takes place in a closed vehicle.

DAY 5: HAZYVIEW

ONEWAY TRANSFER TO PIET RETIEF

In the case of a transfer from your accommodation, you will be picked up at the entrance of your guesthouse, lodge or hotel at the agreed time. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation or at the airport.

For transfers from the airport, you will be met personally in the arrivals hall. Please look out for a person carrying a sign with your name on it. If an explicit pick-up point or meeting point is mentioned in your tour book, please go there. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation.

This private transfer is operated by a qualified English-speaking driver. The vehicle is air-conditioned and corresponds to your private group size, there are no other passengers. The transfer company has all the necessary licenses and insurance for its vehicles and drivers to guarantee legal passenger transportation (no Uber or similar). For long-distance transfers, toilet and catering stops are made as required (catering not included in the price).

DAY 5 TO DAY 6:

PIET RETIEF

Piet Retief is situated south in the Mpumalanga region, halfway between the Kruger Park and Zululand. The town is known for its timber industry and was named after Piet Retief in 1833. The town has an eventful history behind it. The descendants of the Voortrekkers were the actual founders, but settlers from other nations - including many Germans and Scots - also soon found their way here. Today, the town blends tradition and modernity.

Welcome to the Dusk To Dawn Guesthouse, which is situated on a 1800ha working farm. Here you can relax by the solar-heated pool after your long drive and enjoy nature. In addition to the garden and pool, the accommodation also offers guided farm tours (at an extra charge), a store with local handicrafts and farm products, a petting zoo for children and three different shelters for bird watching. The eight detached cottages have a bathroom/WC, air conditioning, a lounge area, a small kitchenette and a veranda. The executive suites are more spacious and furnished to a higher standard.

The accommodation does not have a restaurant, so an extensive picnic basket awaits you for dinner.

DUSK TO DAWN FARM GUESTHOUSE (STANDARD SUITE)

1X OVERNIGHT STAY WITH HALF BOARD

DAY 6: PIET RETIEF

ONEWAY TRANSFER TO ST. LUCIA

In the case of a transfer from your accommodation, you will be picked up at the entrance of your guesthouse, lodge or hotel at the agreed time. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation or at the airport.

For transfers from the airport, you will be met personally in the arrivals hall. Please look out for a person carrying a sign with your name on it. If an explicit pick-up point or meeting point is mentioned in your tour book, please go there. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation.

This private transfer is operated by a qualified English-speaking driver. The vehicle is air-conditioned and corresponds to your private group size, there are no other passengers. The transfer company has all the necessary licenses and insurance for its vehicles and drivers to guarantee legal passenger transportation (no Uber or similar). For long-distance transfers, toilet and catering stops are made as required (catering not included in the price).

DAY 6 TO DAY 10:

ST. LUCIA

Your destination is the small town of St. Lucia in northern KwaZulu-Natal. This is the ideal starting point for excursions in the surrounding area. Take a boat trip to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and discover hippos, crocodiles and unique birdlife. The Eastern Shore Section with Cape Vidal is a unique nature retreat with a real bush & beach feeling between the ocean and the evergreen hinterland, which is even home to three of the Big Five. The beautiful beach of St. Lucia with subtropical water temperatures invites you to swim all year round. An excursion to the famous Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, the oldest and perhaps most beautiful game reserve in South Africa with its Big Five, is also an absolute highlight.

Your destination is the beautiful and centrally located Lidiko Lodge in St. Lucia. Restaurants and shops are within walking distance. The beach is just a few minutes away by car or about a 30-minute walk. The 16 rooms feature a bathroom with toilet, air conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, a minibar, a safe, a veranda, and free Wi-Fi. The Standard Rooms can accommodate an extra bed for children under 12 years of age. The Family Units consist of two Standard Rooms connected by a door. The Manor House Family Units feature two bedrooms, a bathroom/toilet, and a lounge area. The lodge is set in a large subtropical garden with a pool. There is a guest lounge with a bar and a large outdoor terrace.

LIDIKO LODGE (STANDARD ROOM)

4X OVERNIGHT STAY WITH BREAKFAST

DAY 7: ST. LUCIA

Full-day bush and beach safari

The Eastern Shore Section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park offers a unique beach and bush experience. This unique evergreen sanctuary is home to hippos, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, antelopes, zebras and impressive birdlife and offers one of the most beautiful beaches in the area at Cape Vidal. As only a certain number of guests are granted access to this part of the Wetlands each day, you usually have the beautiful surroundings all to yourself. Also included is a snorkeling trip to discover the interesting underwater world of the Indian Ocean, as well as a traditional bush lunch.

You will be picked up at your accommodation in the morning and dropped off there again in the afternoon. The tour language is English. The tour takes place in an open off-road vehicle. A maximum of ten people take part in this tour. Conservation fees, snorkeling equipment and lunch are included in the price.

DAY 8: ST. LUCIA

FULL DAY HLUHLUWE SAFARI EXPERIENCE

You take part in a full-day game drive in an open off-road vehicle in the famous Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. The park is home to the Big Five, including elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo. The rhino population in particular is larger here than anywhere else in the world. With its rolling hills and open savannahs, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is one of the most beautiful game parks in South Africa. Your professional ranger will bring you up close to the animals, a first-class safari experience. On the way, you will stop for a traditional South African bush lunch.

The tour lasts around eight hours. The tour language is English. A maximum of ten people take part in this tour. You will be picked up at your accommodation early in the morning and dropped off there again in the afternoon. Conservation fees, a breakfast package and lunch are included in the price.

DAY 9: ST. LUCIA

HIPPO & CROC BOAT TRIP

You take part in a boat trip to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. A very special wealth of species has developed here at the confluence of fresh and salt water. You have a good chance of spotting hippos, crocodiles and an extraordinary world of birds. If you are very lucky, you might even spot a representative of the Big Five on the banks.

The boat tour lasts about two hours, is conducted in English, and is led by a guide along with other participants. The starting point is Sunset Jetty in St. Lucia (you’ll need to make your own way there). Please refer to your tour book for the exact departure time.

DAY 9: ST. LUCIA

ISIMANGALISO NIGHT DRIVE

Discover the nocturnal animals of St. Lucia and Cape Vidal on a guided night drive in an open off-road vehicle. With a bit of luck, you may even spot a representative of the Big Five, but the focus of a night drive is more on searching for smaller animals such as chameleons or bushbabies. A highlight is of course the grazing hippos, which can usually only be found in the protective waters during the day.

The game drive takes about two and a half hours (English-speaking, conducted with additional persons). You will be picked up and dropped off at your accommodation. Conservation fees are included in the price. Please remember to bring a jacket or sweater, as the game drives can get quite chilly at night - even in the South African summer.

DAY 10: ST. LUCIA

ONE-WAY TRANSFER TO THE DURBAN AREA

In the case of a transfer from your accommodation, you will be picked up at the entrance of your guesthouse, lodge or hotel at the agreed time. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation or at the airport.

For transfers from the airport, you will be met personally in the arrivals hall. Please look out for a person carrying a sign with your name on it. If an explicit pick-up point or meeting point is mentioned in your tour book, please go there. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation.

This private transfer is operated by a qualified English-speaking driver. The vehicle is air-conditioned and corresponds to your private group size, there are no other passengers. The transfer company has all the necessary licenses and insurance for its vehicles and drivers to guarantee legal passenger transportation (no Uber or similar). For long-distance transfers, toilet and catering stops are made as required (catering not included in the price).

DAY 10 TO DAY 12:

UMHLANGA

Continue to the metropolitan area of the lively metropolis of Durban. Visit the colorful markets or simply relax on one of the many excellent city beaches on the warm Indian Ocean, which invites you to swim here all year round. It is also worth visiting uShaka Marine World, a large aquarium and amusement park with stores and restaurants. The Moses Mabhida Stadium, inaugurated in 2010 for the World Cup, has become a tourist attraction.

In the quiet northern suburb of Umhlanga, the modern guest house Caza Beach is located just a few meters from the sea in a lush green garden. Shopping facilities, restaurants and of course the beach are all within walking distance. The attractions of Durban can be reached in ten to fifteen minutes by car. The seven rooms have a bathroom/WC, air conditioning, a minibar, a tea/coffee maker, a TV and a safe. The Family Rooms have a sofa bed for a child. The guest house offers a garden, a guest lounge, a pool with sun loungers and free Wi-Fi.

CAZA BEACH GUESTHOUSE (STANDARD ROOM)

2X OVERNIGHT STAY WITH BREAKFAST

DAY 11: UMHLANGA

FULL-DAY DRAKENSBERG & NATAL MIDLANDS TOUR

OPTIONAL EXTRAS AVAILABLE STARTING AT €250 PER PERSON

Early in the morning, you’ll leave the greater Durban area, as the drive to the central Drakensberg Mountains takes about two and a half hours. Your first destination is the Kamberg Nature Reserve in the Mooi River Valley, very close to the Giants Castle rock formation. You’ll take a hike of about three and a half hours to the Game Pass Shelter, home to the famous rock paintings of the San, South Africa’s indigenous people.

The tour then continues through the picturesque Natal Midlands to Howick. It was here that Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962 while on the run. Exactly 50 years later, a monumental sculpture and a museum were opened in his honor, which you will visit. On the drive back to Durban, you’ll stop at the Howick Falls, which are about 100 meters high—a spectacular way to conclude your day trip.

You will be picked up at your accommodation around 6:30 a.m. (please check your tour book for the exact pickup time) and dropped off there again around 5:30 p.m. Admission fees for the listed activities are included in the price. Lunch is optional. The tour is conducted in English, and there are no other participants. The tour takes place in a closed vehicle.

This service can be booked for an additional charge.

DAY 12: UMHLANGA

ONE-WAY TRANSFER TO THE DURBAN AREA

In the case of a transfer from your accommodation, you will be picked up at the entrance of your guesthouse, lodge or hotel at the agreed time. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation or at the airport.

For transfers from the airport, you will be met personally in the arrivals hall. Please look out for a person carrying a sign with your name on it. If an explicit pick-up point or meeting point is mentioned in your tour book, please go there. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation.

This private transfer is operated by a qualified English-speaking driver. The vehicle is air-conditioned and corresponds to your private group size, there are no other passengers. The transfer company has all the necessary licenses and insurance for its vehicles and drivers to guarantee legal passenger transportation (no Uber or similar). For long-distance transfers, toilet and catering stops are made as required (catering not included in the price).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TRIP

All prices quoted are subject to availability before booking and are based on the number of participants stated. Errors excepted. Alternative availability, seasonal overlaps or exchange rate fluctuations may lead to price changes. Please request your personal tour offer with your desired travel dates. This tour offer does not include flights.

The child rate applies to one child under the age of 12 staying in their parents' room. One child under the age of two stays free of charge. For children aged 12 and over, the adult rate generally applies. Not all accommodation allows children of all ages.

We recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance and travel health insurance to cover the costs of assistance, including repatriation in the event of accident, illness or death. We can provide a corresponding offer on request.

A passport is required to enter the country. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a visa in advance. Minors under the age of 18 may need to carry additional documents. We will inform you of the exact requirements before you book. Travelers who have stayed in an area at risk of yellow fever must provide proof of a yellow fever vaccination.

The regions around the Kruger Park, the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and eastern Eswatini are malaria endangered areas.

This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Please ask for suitable offers.

The organizer of this trip is South Africa Travel GmbH & Co. KG, Buddestraße 9, 33602 Bielefeld, Germany, Tel +49 521 33676880.

APPROXIMATE ADDITIONAL COSTS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

Long-haul flights to Southern Africa in Economy Class cost from EUR 900, while prices can be well over EUR 1000 in the high season. Flights in Premium Economy Class are available from 1500 EUR, in Business Class flights cost from 2500 EUR (per person for outward and return flights). All prices are average values depending on the airline and season. The actual prices at a given time depend on the number of bookings and may vary. Early booking is recommended, especially in the high season.

A light lunch costs about 5 EUR (small salad, soup) to 8 EUR (pizza, pasta, burger) per person; dinner costs about 10 EUR (pizza, pasta, burger, large salad) to over 12 EUR (steak, fish) up to 22 EUR (three-course meal) per person. Coffee, tea, beer, or soft drinks cost about 1.70 EUR per cup or glass. Prices may vary up or down depending on the region or type of restaurant.

Entrance fees to national parks cost between EUR 5 and EUR 25 per person per day, depending on the size and popularity of the park. Entrance fees to museums or other attractions cost between EUR 3 and EUR 20 per person. Children under the age of 12 usually pay half price.