Ultimate South Africa Photographic Safari
This tour consist out of two portions. A Cape Town and surrounding area and a Safari portion at a Big Game Reserve.
Cape Town is a port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, on a peninsula beneath the imposing Table Mountain. Slowly rotating cable cars climb to the mountain’s flattop, from which there are sweeping views of the city, the busy harbour and boats heading for Robben Island, the notorious prison island that once held Nelson Mandela.
Vineyards of the Cape Winelands and breathtakingly beautiful mountains surround the city. Its coastline is rugged and wild but every here and there the rocky coastline gives way to the most beautiful sandy beaches. Fauna and flora flourishes in this area. The ecosystem or better known as the Cape Floristic kingdom supports about 9,600 recorded plant species. Seventy percent of them are found nowhere else on the planet. Marine birds and mammals are also fairly common and could be seen any time of the year.
Cape Town and surrounding areas is a magical place and a traveller's dream come true. Be prepared to be blown away by its sweeping vistas, rugged coastline, beautiful colourful birds, magnificent flowers and trees, friendly people, marvellous food around every corner, arts and crafts and so much more.
A short two hour flight will take us to Johannesburg where we will depart in a shuttle mini bus and drive through some farmland and impressive landscapes. The safari portion will take place in the renowned Sabi Sands Game Reserve which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Unfenced borders between these two parks offer the visitor unrivalled opportunity to witness and photograph the sought after African Big 5 in their natural environment. The Greater Kruger eco system is in excess of 2 Million hectares of unspoiled African bush and host more than 500 species of birds and nearly 150 species of mammals.
The Sabi Sands is renowned for its spectacular wildlife sightings in all shapes and sizes, but it is the opportunity to photograph Lion and Leopard up close and personal that sets the Sabi Sands apart from other game reserves. Other wildlife sightings might include African Elephant, Rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, Cheetah, African Wild Dogs, Spotted and Brown Hyena and several other game species.
Your safari experience is further enhanced by the use of skilled trackers and rangers that have unparalleled knowledge about the area and animals that you may encounter. Each safari vehicle will seat 6 or 7 guests and will maximize your chances of getting great photographs.
The Lodge offers luxurious accommodation with air-conditioned rooms and you will have the opportunity to indulge yourself in true African Cuisine while staring into the fire in the traditional Leadwood boma. Above, the African sky will light up to be the most spectacular starry sky that you would ever lay your eyes on. Africa is a magical place and is truly special for both the photographer and the non-photographer.
So sit back, relax and take it all in while exploring this incredible wild place.
Cape Town area highlights will include:
Wine tasting at some of the best cellars in the world.
Magnificent nature all around.
Opportunity to witness and photograph birds and flowers that could not be found anywhere else in the world.
Stunning landscapes with rugged coastlines and beautiful white sandy beaches.
A visit to the famous Table Mountain National park.
Photographing the endangered African Penguin.
Delicious food and local beers/wines.
Shopping to your heart's content.
Spectacular sunsets.
Sabi Sand safari highlights will include:
Close encounters with the African big five.
Outstanding photographic opportunities, both in the day and at night.
Quality time at each sighting.
Lots of general game species around with an abundance of babies for this time of year.
Bush walks.
Chance to witness an African thunderstorm.
Delicious food in a great location.
Luxury accommodation with air-conditioning in each room.
Tour information:
This tour is open to anyone 12 years and older.
Rates are based on double occupancy but single rate supplement can be discussed.
Date: To be announced
Size of group: 6-10 persons
Cost: To be announced
Payment: 25% non refundable deposit to secure your spot. Remainder is due 120 days before travel date.
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Day 1: Arriving in Cape Town and checking in at Guest Farm/ House.
Day 2: Late start to ensure ample time for resting after the long flights and exploring a nature reserve and wine farm nearby.
Day 3: Get up early and depart for Cape Point (a mountainous and very scenic landform that runs north-south at the extreme southwestern tip of the African continent ) visit the nearby Ostrich Farm and visit the African penguin colony at Boulders beach.
Day 4: Hopefully it is a clear day as we will be visiting Table Mountain, One of the new Seven wonders of the world. Down in the V& A Waterfront you can visit the Two Oceans Aquarium and shop till you drop at the hundreds of curio shops. Late in the afternoon we will board a yacht and watch the sunset to the west. Excellent views of Table Mountain can be enjoyed as the whole maintain is illuminated by the setting sun.
Day 5: This day will all be about tantalizing your taste buds as we explore some fine cuisine, wine and cheese tasting, chocolate, ice cream, craft beer, biltong, droë wors etc. and end the day with a traditional meal (potjie kos),
Day 6: A relaxing day as we explore the “Bo-Kaap”, Houtbay. Chapman’s Peak and end the day visiting the world famous Kistenbosch Botanical Garden.
Day 7: Departing for OR Thambo International Airport and transfer to a lodge near Hoedspruit for one night.
Day 8: Arrival at the lodge in the Sabi Sands Game reserve. After lunch and a little siesta, it is time for the first safari experience. We will be driving around the reserve in search of the animals and stop whenever we see anything interesting. Our guide will stop at a special spot for a well-deserved sundowner. After a nice cold one we set out to find some crepuscular and nocturnal animals with a spotlight. Back at the lodge a scrumptious dinner will be served around a campfire under the clear African Skies.
Days 9-12: Early morning game drives and bush walks. You will be woken up by one of the guides well before sunrise. Coffee and rusks will be served before we depart on the early morning game drive. Animals are most active during this time, and we will try and capitalize on that beautiful morning light. We return to the lodge around 9 am and after breakfast can either participate in a morning bush walk or just lay next to the pool with a good book in hand. Animals frequently drink form the waterhole right in front of the camp.
Days 9-12: Afternoon and night drives. After a late “high tea” we once again depart on a game drive. This is a good time as animals starts to move and feed again. Since every game drive will be different from the last, there is always something new to see and experience. If there is no sightings we will stop again for a sundowner and just enjoy the setting sun across the magnificent African horizon. After the search for some nocturnal creatures, we once again enjoy a delicious meal under the African sky.
Day 13: Last game drive and departure for our last night at another game lodge closed to Nelspruit.
Day 14: After one last breakfast and some leisurely hiking around the lodge it is unfortunately time to head back to the airport to catch your flight back home.
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Breakfast every morning
Eight suppers
Five lunches
6 Nights luxury accommodation in Cape Town
2 Nights luxury accommodation before and after safari portion
5 nights at luxurious Game lodge in Sabi Sands
All activities mentioned in Itinerary.
Shuttle services between all activities.
All game drive activities.
All bush walks.
Domestic Flight to Or Thambo (Johannesburg)
Return flights from Calgary Airport.
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All Alcoholic drinks
Telephone calls
Gratuities and purchases of a personal nature.
Laundry
Canned and bottled beverages that are not stipulated above.
Extra excursions not stipulated.
Meals not stipulated above.
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No skills required.
Some moderate hiking can be expected but majority of activities is at your own pace.
No camera or photography experience required but basic understanding of your camera will yield better photos. I will also be available to help you master some of your settings.
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please find it hereT&C
FAQ
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Local knowledge of some of the best places, restaurants, wineries , tourist attractions etc to visit. I'm also proud to team up with some of the best shuttle services, guesthouses and game lodges to make your stay as memorable as possible.
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A complete packing list will be send out closer towards the departure date.
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We will be in a low risk malaria area and it is recommended to take pills 24 hours before we enter that region. Your local Doctor will be able to tell you what type of pills to get. Although the risk is low it is still better to prevent than to cure.
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Absolutely. You just need to be smart about certain things. I will send out more information later regarding safety tips. We will only partake in activities if it is safe to do so. The majority of activities will be in high population tourist attraction areas where the necessary security will be in place.
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Yes, the animals are not there to hurt anybody but sometimes they can be a little bit curious. Rest assured though that working with top level guides and rangers that understand animal behaviour is the key to safety. If animals approach the vehicle it is more often than not just out of curiosity and with no intention to harm or damage anything. We will not put you in dangerous situations just for the sake of a photo. After all the animal's welfare are top priority and there is no exception to this rule!
