With its rich array of habitats, scenery and cultures, South Africa offers some of the best opportunities on the continent for wildlife viewing and cultural experiences. Our focus will be on the wildlife KwaZulu Natal and Kruger National Park, which offer opportunities for game viewing and hiking.

Accommodation will range from the luxurious with all facilities, to comfortable, atmospheric bush lodges.

Tour: South African Wildlife Safari

Tour Length: 12 days / 11 nights

Departures:

   • August 17, 2008

Tour Price:

   • $3995 per person sharing

   • Single supplement: $475

August 17 - 28

Day 01: (Sunday) Arrive into Johannesburg airport, where you will be personally met and be brought to the fabulous Misty Hills Hotel on the outskirts of J'burg. We will take a short afternoon tour into the suburb of Soweto to visit some of the sites made famous during the apartheid years, including Nelson Mandela's house.

The hotels grounds are an excellent spot to start your African birding, with mousebirds, barbets, dove species, wood-hoopoes and more being common on the well wooded grounds.

Day 02: (Monday) We head south and east to KwaZulu Natal province, dropping from the High Veld down into the Low Veld. Overnight near the historic town of Ladysmith, where an English army was besieged by the Boers during the Boer War. This area of open farmland and high rock outcrops called 'kopjes' is good for birds of open country, including larks, raptors, wheatears and chats.

Day 03, Day 04 & Day 05: (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) To Hluhlewe-Umfolozi National Park (three nights), a mecca for game and wildlife. This lovely park offers a wide range of habitats from open savannah to hills and valleys, with a complimentary mix of wildlife. All the large game are found here, including lions, leopards, cheetah and African wild dogs, as well as over 300 bird species. Birds of prey are especially common, including Bataleur, Marshall and Black eagles. En route we'll visit a local Zulu village to learn more about the people's history and culture.

We'll travel to the Greater St Lucia wetland reserve, situated on the coastal plain and a magnet for lowland subtropical species. Influenced by the warm Mozambique current, a number of tropical birds push to their southernmost extremity here. We'll look for some of the local avian specialties; pink backed pelicans, knysna louries, puffbacks, Neergaard's sunbirds, African finfoot and black egrets. Mammals range from suni and red duikers to otters, hippo and crocodiles. If time allows we'll head to the Indian Ocean for a chance to swim and snorkle in the warm waters.


Day 06 & Day 07: (Friday & Saturday) Heading north we'll explore the Mkuzi game reserve, little visited yet fantastic for its birds, rare fig forest habitat and large-game viewing. Bounded by the Lebombo Mountains to the west and flood plains to the east, its excellent viewing blinds are great places to see black rhino, nyalas, bushbucks and possibly leopard. There are a number of good hikng trails in the park. Avian specialties include crowned eagles, purple rollers, Pel's fishing owls and at least five kingfisher species.

Day 08: (Sunday) Northwards into the Kingdom of Swaziland. This independent country is landlocked between South Afric and Mozambique. We experience the friendly Swazis as we drive through the capital of Mbabane to our hotel n the outskirts.

Day 09, Day 10 & Day 11: (Sunday, Monday & Tuesday) To Kruger National Park (three nights), one of Africa's premier wildlife reserves. Kruger is a vast park covering a diverse range of habitats. Over 150 species of mammal and 500 bird species have been recorded, as well as alarge variety of amphibians and reptiles. with its open terrain the park offers the best chance of seeing the elusive African wild dog and cheetah.

Day 12: (Wednesday) We make our way back to J'burg airport for evening flights home, or continuing on with your African journey.

Tours must be booked at least 45 days prior to arrival.

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