Bushtracks Expeditions

South Africa Holiday and Air Safari - Family Adventure

South Africa - Zululand, Wineland, and Land of the Big Six

Departure Dates:

Dec 21, 2008 - Jan 01, 2009

Itinerary

Day 1

Sunday, December 21

Johannesburg, South Africa

Arrive in Johannesburg today where we will be met and escorted to our conveniently located hotel directly across the street from the domestic terminal for some rest and relaxation. Gather this evening to meet your fellow travelers for a festive welcome party followed by dinner.

Lodging: The Airport InterContinental Hotel (D)

Days 2 - 3

Monday & Tuesday, December 22 & 23

Mala Mala Private Game Reserve

This morning, fly by private air to the Mala Mala Private Game Reserve. Located in the Mpumalanga province of Eastern South Africa, Mala Mala is home to over 200 species of animals. The abundance of large animals is fostered by the unfenced border the reserve shares with Kruger National Park, allowing herds to migrate from the park to the Sand River, which runs for twenty miles inside the reserve. On arrival, we will be met by naturalist guides and driven to our classic thatched safari camp, situated amidst shady trees on the banks of the Sand River. Tonight we celebrate the beginning of our adventure with a festive dinner.

Spend the next two days enjoying day and night game drives in our open four-wheel drive vehicles with our naturalist guides. After sundowners and drinks in the bush, continue on night drives, in search of Africa's predators and other nocturnal species. Here Bushtracks Rangers participate in their own tracking program and begin to fill their Ranger Notebooks with photos, drawings and facts collected throughout our safari.

Lodging: Mala Mala Luxury Thatched Safari Camp (B,L,D)

Day 4

Wednesday, December 24

Zululand

Today fly by private air to the heart of Zululand. Tonight, experience and feel the magical rhythm of Africa as you relive the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus. In this authentic re-creation of the Great Kraal overlooking the Phobane Lake you will meet Assegaai-wielding warriors, share the fascinating secrets of the Sangomas, and learn about traditional customs such as tribal dancing and spear making.

Lodging: Protea Shakaland Hotel (B,L,D)

Days 5 - 6

Thursday & Friday, December 25 & 26

Phinda Private Game Reserve

After a morning visit to the kraal (Zulu village) of Cetswayho, the last great Zulu king, we drive to Phinda Private Game Reserve via Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserves. These reserves are two of Africa's oldest and are highly regarded by environmentalists. The beautiful rolling countryside incorporates dense thickets, grass-covered hills, forests and rivers. An impressive array of animal species are represented, including white and black rhinos, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, lions, cheetahs and leopards. Once the hunting grounds of the Zulu Kings, the Umfolozi Game Reserve is now home to "Operation Rhino", which pioneered darting surplus animals for redistribution.

This afternoon we arrive at Phinda Private Reserve, bordering the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park and a World Heritage Site. Phinda offers luxurious lodgings with exquisite architectural design and handcrafted suites set deep in the heart of a rare dry sand forest. The Reserve's seven distinct habitats shelter an abundance of wildlife including Africa's Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) and over 380 bird species. For the next two days enjoy game-drives, walking safaris and canoeing, while also continuing our exploration of the rich heritage of the Zulu Nation. Bushtracks Rangers will set off with their own trackers in search of wildlife and birds, collect pods, feathers, insects and leaves, and learn how to identify different animal spoor. After a day packed with adventure, drinks followed by a sumptuous dinner under the African skies are served in an open-air boma.

Lodging: Phinda Mountain Lodge (B,L,D)

Days 7 - 9

Saturday, December 27 - Monday, December 29

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Today begins with a road transfer to Durban where you continue by commercial air to Cape Town. On arrival transfer to Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, nestled in the fynbos clad hills above Walker Bay with breathtaking views of dunes, sea and the distant Cape of Good Hope. Over the next three days explore and experience all that this unique destination has to offer. The Reserve's 1050-hectacres are ready to be explored by foot, vehicle and horseback. Qualified conservation biologists bring the fynbos to life with their fascinating stories of the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the world's richest regions of plant life. Discover the relationships between insects, birds, mammals and flowering plants supporting this diverse ecosystem and see how these plants have developed creative strategies to ensure their pollination, seed dispersal and germination.

Nearby Walker Bay Nature Reserve has 20 kilometers of pristine coastline. Here you may walk, relax, swim and explore. From July until December the Southern Right Whale migrates from Antarctica into Walker Bay. Here the breeding cycle starts and culminates in the birth of their young. This is one of the most spectacular vantage points for whale watching in the world. Although often easily viewed from shore, whale watching excursions by boat are also available, or you may cruise to Dyer Island, and discover over 40,000 Cape Fur Seals, a breeding colony of rare African Penguins, and countless sea birds. Bushtracks Rangers also learn about Green Futures, a non-profit organization, which provides practical based training programs on the Grootbos Reserve for unemployed people in the fields of fynbos landscaping, horticulture and ecotourism. See the indigenous plant nursery and landscaping business that generate income for the program and learn about how this foundation develops nature-based sustainable livelihoods for people from the local communities around Grootbos.

Lodging: Grootbos Nature Reserve (B,L,D)

Days 10 - 11

Tuesday & Wednesday, December 30 & 31

Cape Town

After breakfast, return to Cape Town through the famous Cape Winelands. Travel over the scenic passes and valleys stopping to enjoy the views and the wines. Explore Franschoek, the valley of the Huguenot and visit the French Huguenot Monument. Arrive this afternoon at Cape Town, one of Africa's crown jewels, full of vibrant culture living among one of the most diverse floral kingdoms on Earth. This evening enjoy a family dinner on your own in one of Cape Town’s charming restaurants or at the hotel.

Our second day in Cape Town begins with a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain, or an optional early morning hike up the mountain (weather permitting), both offering a wonderful panoramic view of the city. We continue to District 6 Museum, followed by a lunch visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. This afternoon return to your hotel to relax or enjoy some last minute shopping at the waterfront. Celebrate New Year's Eve with a festive farewell dinner tonight.

Lodging: Table Bay Hotel (B,L & Farewell Dinner December 31)

Day 12

Thursday, January 1, 2009

International Flights Home

After breakfast this morning board the ferry departing from the victoria and Alfred Waterfront for an excursion to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated. After the tour, have lunch on your own. Day rooms have been reserved before your evening international flight home. (B)

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