South Africa Big Five Safari
INDEPENDENT TOUR
City life meets the bush on this holiday as you spend time in Johannesburg before heading into the wilderness for a three night stay at a game lodge. Explore the vibrant city of Johannesburg, delve into South African history, explore museums and galleries, each with a story to tell. Discover bustling neighbourhoods and lively markets.
Go in search of the Big Five in the Madikwe Game Reserve, a hidden gem near the Botswana border with vast swathes of open plains. A lesser-known reserve it’s regarded as the best conservation area in the country.
Click here to check out more holidays in South Africa.
Your Itinerary
-
Day 1
-
Day 2-3
-
Day 4-6
-
Day 7
-
Day 8-9
Day 1 : UK - Johannesburg
Take your overnight flight from the UK to South Africa.
Day 2-3 : Johannesburg
You will be met on arrival at Johannesburg airport and transferred to your hotel for a two night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Spend today and tomorrow exploring the art galleries and museums or perhaps take a sightseeing tour to see the city in depth and learn about its history and culture.
Your hotel, the award-winning Peech Boutique Hotel, is a boutique property located in the suburb of Melrose opposite James Gray Park and adjacent to the Wanderers International Cricket Stadium. Sixteen elegantly designed and furnished rooms with either a patio or balcony are set in the lush gardens where you’ll also find two swimming pools, ideal for relaxing after a day sightseeing. The Peech has two restaurants: one offering casual contemporary dining, the other a fine dining experience and a patio bar for a relaxing drink.
Day 4-6 : Madikwe Game Reserve
Today you begin the highlight of your trip when you are collected after breakfast and transferred to the Thakadu River Camp in the Madikwe Game Reserve for a three night stay.
Situated on the border with Botswana close to the Kalahari Desert, Madikwe Game Reserve is the fifth-largest game reserve in South Africa. As one of the lesser-known reserves, this hidden gem is regarded as one of the best conservation areas in Africa and offers visitors a Big 5 safari experience of over 750km². Roughly a 4.5 hours drive from Johannesburg Madikwe offers a number of luxurious lodges in a malaria-free zone.
Thakadu River Camp is set within the canopy of the riverine forest on the banks of the Marico River, in the Eastern portion of the beautiful Madikwe Game Reserve. This treetop lodge has been built to blend in with the nature that surrounds it and allows guests to truly unwind and enjoy their peaceful surroundings. The main lodge consists of an open plan lounge, dining and reception area with a pool and bar area close by. Enjoy the panoramic views from the traditional lapa that is set in the forest glade.
The Camp offers 12 en-suite, tented suites, each with their own private viewing deck overlooking the Marico River. The tents are spacious and well appointed with a strong Afro-Asian ambience to them. All of the suites are air-conditioned to provide guests with comfort during the hot summer months.
Thakadu River Camp is an ecotourism partnership between the Molathedi Community, aha Hotels and Lodges and the North-West Parks Board. The concept is unique in South Africa with substantial benefits accruing to the community itself.
During your Stay
All meals are included from arrival to departure, taken at the main lodge.
Morning and afternoon game drives show the true splendour of nature. Using open safari vehicles the game drives are led by highly trained rangers with a vast knowledge of the fauna and flora in the area. Expect to see everything from elephants and rhinos to lions and giraffes during morning game drives. Leopards are a bit more difficult to spot but should you wish to find this well-hidden creature, evening game drives are your best bet.
Stargazing, bush dining and bird watching are also offered.
Day 7 : Johannesburg
All good things come to an end and after breakfast you’ll be transferred back to Johannesburg for a final night in South Africa at the Peech Hotel.
Day 8-9 : Depart Johannesburg - UK
A private transfer will take you to the airport in time to check in for your overnight flight back to the UK, where you arrive on the morning of day 9.
