Travel to Botswana, South Africa: Transfrontier Wildlands of Africa

Home  >  Destinations  >  Africa  >  South Africa  >  Transfrontier Wildlands of Africa

Transfrontier Wildlands of Africa

			DAYS: 10 GRADE: II, Optional hiking and mountain biking define PRICE: $5295 per person HIGHLIGHTS: Northern Tuli Game Reserve Kruger National Park participatory animal research community development Big 5 ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges Wilderness Camp MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] SEASON: Year-round Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

New bush flights into the wild and remote trans-frontier region of Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique, allow ready access to the Land of the Giants in Mashatu Game Reserve with the beautiful and diverse ecosystems of northern Kruger National Park. These remote and lesser-known African wilderness environments offer thrilling wildlife viewing in a variety of diverse habitats fed by the Limpopo River flowing through the region. Mashatu is the home of no less than seven of Africa's giants: the African elephant, the lion, giraffe, the baobab tree, the eland antelope, the ostrich, and the kori bustard. Here we participate with wildlife researchers to lend support and learn about the Tuli Elephant Research Project and the Northern Tuli Predator Project, where we spend time in the field amongst the various studied animals. We walk among dinosaur footprints and skeletons of the Northern Tuli Game Reserve protecting some of the most significant paleontological remains on the subcontinent as well as rock art and remnants of Stone Age tools that are still found on this ground here in one of the longest inhabited places on earth. We complete our journey through the wildlands of Africa in the contrasting, modern Cape Town, the uniquely cosmopolitan side of South Africa. Our private guide in the Cape will share the cultural and natural history of the region including a local township community visit, a cheetah outreach rehab center, and an afternoon wine tasting in the stunning Cape wine lands. This private adventure departs on request for a minimum of two persons.

DAY 1 :  JOHANNESBURG TO MASHATU GAME RESERVE

Arrive at Johannesburg International Airport and assistance with check-in for the flight to Polokwane where we transfer to a light aircraft for the short hop to Mashatu. Mashatu Game Reserve is a wholly preserved wilderness in eastern Botswana, at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers. The abundant landscapes range from savannah, to riverine forests, marshland, and sandstone outcrops. Accommodation for the next three nights is the intimate Mashatu Tented Camp, which sleeps a maximum of just 14 guests. Although rustic in character, every facility is provided; the tents are insect-proofed, have comfortable beds and each has an en suite shower and toilet. There is an open sided thatch deck where meals are served and a traditional boma for intimate campfire dinners. [D]

DAYS 2-3 :  MASHATU GAME RESERVE

Mashatu, Land of Giants takes its name from the locally-sacrosanct Mashatu tree and the giants that roam its terrain. This extraordinary place possesses an ecological diversity uncommon in other reserves. Complementing three members of the Big Five - leopard, lion and elephant - are some of the more surprising species, including the aardwolf, bat-eared fox, African wild cat, honey badger and black-backed jackal as well as endangered wild dog. Mashatu is also an ornithological paradise, and plays host to more than 350 bird species.

Earliest indications of man in the Tuli come from the numerous stone tool quarries. These stone tools date back to the Middle Stone Age (100,000 to 20,000 years ago). Many Late Stone Age tools can be found scattered in the Reserve where the Khoi and San people practiced a foraging lifestyle. About 1200 years ago the Bantu-speaking traders migrated from the north and their influence on the land can be seen in the artifacts found in the area such as the stone work, gold ornaments, iron tools, garden-roller beads and pottery.

DAY 4 :  PAFURI, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast you will be transferred by road to Pafuri Camp in northern South Africa. Situated between the Limpopo and the Luvuvhu Rivers in the northern sector of Kruger National Park is an area of 24,000 hectares called the Pafuri or the Makuleke. This area is the ancestral home of the Makuleke people and is the most diverse and scenically attractive area in all of Kruger National Park. It is certainly the wildest and most remote part of the Park and offers wonderful and varied vegetation, great wildlife viewing, the best birding in all of Kruger Park and the romance and folklore of early explorers and ancient civilizations. The Makuleke people who live on Kruger's western boundary are the land-lord for this camp and for the area. They earn direct financial benefits from every guest stay at Pafuri. 

DAYS 5-6 :  PAFURI, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

The area is home to all the Kruger animal species, including lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard although the Pafuri is most famous for its big herds of elephants and for special, rare birds like the Pels fishing owl.  While animals such as nyala, eland and Sharpes grysbok are not commonly seen in the Kruger further south from Pafuri, they come in great abundance in this region. On our morning and afternoon activities, guests may choose from a range of options, including game and nature drives in open 4x4 vehicles, night drives in the concession (north of the Luvuvhu), as well as birding walks and foot safaris  accompanied by armed guides.  In addition, traces of just about every stage of humankind from 1.5 million years ago till today can be seen on the ground here in one of the longest inhabited places on earth. The area is covered in stone-age tools, rock engravings and rock paintings. There are even unexcavated dinosaur fossils. You can also spend an afternoon visiting the Makuleke Village on a community organized tour. Overnights Pafuri Camp. [BLD]

DAY 7 :  CAPE TOWN

This morning we leave the bush and fly back to Johannesburg in time to catch one of the frequent flights to Cape Town. Upon arrival in Cape Town, we are met by our private guide and before heading to the guesthouse we embark on a comprehensive tour of Cape Town including the Malay Quarter, Houses of Parliament, the District Six Museum and a walk through the old Town Square bustling with market traders. Take in the views from Signal Hill and visit one of the most colorful places in Cape Town: Greenmarket Square, where craftspeople from all over Africa come to sell their wares. Visit the Street Wires shop, a special community project where street children make art, toys and trinkets out of beads. Overnight Gingko Guesthouse at the top of the City Bowl. [B]

Note: There are hourly scheduled flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town; book this in conjunction with your international flight or let us know if you would like assistance in booking this local flight segment.

DAY 8 :  TOWNSHIP TOUR & ROBBEN ISLAND

Our tour into the Guguletu Township today is an eye opening experience of a local African neighbourhood.  We enjoy their lively music and learn about native theologies on this very personalized tour which is entirely run by the local community. We have lunch in the township before catching an afternoon ferry to Robben Island to see first-hand the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for so many years during the Apartheid era.  The guides on Robben Island are former political prisoners held with Mandela under the Nationalist regime. To share their personal memories of prison under Apartheid is particularly poignant and revealing. A half hour ferry ride takes us back to Cape Town for the evening. Overnight Gingko Guesthouse. [BL]

DAY 9 :  TABLE MOUNTAIN & CAPE WINELANDS

Another exciting day of discovery starts early this morning with a journey on the new Rotair Cable Car which takes just 5 minutes to reach the summit of Table Mountain, 1036 meters above sea level.  The views of the city and surroundings are spectacular and there is a chance to walk the top of the table and view various parts of the city. Then descend and drive out to the beautiful Cape Winelands where we enjoy a picnic lunch on the lawns of one of our favorite estates before visiting some hand-picked vineyards for wine tasting. Later this afternoon we head to the Spier Winery's Cheetah Outreach Program for a first-hand look at how the program rehabilitates eagles, cheetahs, and other animals to the wild. Tonight take dinner on the grounds of the winery amidst Bedouin tents and gazebos. Indulge in a delicious African buffet featuring local dishes while a host of local performers showcase the Cape African culture through dance, storytelling, drumming and dramatic performances. Overnight Devon Valley Hotel. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  DEPART

After a breakfast this morning you will be transferred to the airport for your departing flights. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Julia Nesbitt 1(800)345-4453