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Take Your Safari to the Next Level
We carefully selected four private reserves for this journey: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Babanango Game Reserve, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, and Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve. Each meets their own unique set of conservation challenges with equally tenacious teams of conservationists. With vastly different landscapes and vegetation, you won’t feel as though you are staying within South Africa’s borders. By the end of this impactful adventure, we hope to inspire a deeper connection with the land and its wildlife.
Hands-On South Africa 2025
March 29-April 12, 2025
Wild. Authentic. Impactful.
Discover Hands-On South Africa, the next expedition of our newly created impact series, Into the WildLIFE. Designed to expose travelers to more than passive game viewing, the primary mission of this expedition is to make an impactful difference to some of South Africa’s critical conservation efforts. Witness first-hand how endangered species populations are monitored, join a field ranger on an anti-poaching patrol flight via helicopter, and ride along on a rhino conservation safari accompanied by a team of experts telling each rhino’s story with intense passion.
Hosted Throughout by Experts
Carol Guy
Expedition Manager
Born in Zimbabwe and living in South Africa, Carol Guy is deeply passionate about travel and has journeyed to more than 30 countries across the world. With a degree in anthropology from the University of Witwatersrand, Carol has a strong interest in conservation and the interactions of local communities with the natural world.
Congo Basin Discovery 2023 Itinerary
Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of the Congo
“Vivienne’s Africa” is all about each sunrise bringing adventure. Vivienne has lived in Africa all her life and as an avid traveler has traversed 30 countries on the African continent and visited 65 countries worldwide. Over 20 years, Vivienne has led more than 100 Bushtracks trips and is at home managing aviation charters and complex expedition logistics. As an artist, photographer and cyclist, she shares her passion for adventure and hopes to inspire all who travel with her to embrace Africa.
Day 7-8
Mboko Camp
1 Night
Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of the Congo
“Vivienne’s Africa” is all about each sunrise bringing adventure. Vivienne has lived in Africa all her life and as an avid traveler has traversed 30 countries on the African continent and visited 65 countries worldwide. Over 20 years, Vivienne has led more than 100 Bushtracks trips and is at home managing aviation charters and complex expedition logistics. As an artist, photographer and cyclist, she shares her passion for adventure and hopes to inspire all who travel with her to embrace Africa.
Day 7-8
Mboko Camp
1 Night
Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of the Congo
“Vivienne’s Africa” is all about each sunrise bringing adventure. Vivienne has lived in Africa all her life and as an avid traveler has traversed 30 countries on the African continent and visited 65 countries worldwide. Over 20 years, Vivienne has led more than 100 Bushtracks trips and is at home managing aviation charters and complex expedition logistics. As an artist, photographer and cyclist, she shares her passion for adventure and hopes to inspire all who travel with her to embrace Africa.
Day 7-8
Mboko Camp
1 Night
In Our Travelers' Words
The Peacock Family
Multi-Generational Safari
"Our youngest, Emily is almost 7. And mom and dad are in their late 70's. And the rest of us fall somewhere in between - and I can tell you we ALL just had the best time! It's tricky to have a plan that appeals to everyone. The thought of our daily adventure was so exciting, that no one minded the early morning wake-ups - not even the teenagers! They were often the first ones on the jeep - as they couldn't wait to start the drive each day."
The Ousterhout Family
Family Safari
"My father-in-law had always wanted to go to Africa, and invited us all to go with him to celebrate his 80th birthday. We went with no expectations, and the trip was beyond anything we could have imagined. In each camp we were exhilarated to be so unbelievably close to animals. Our guides really turned the safari into an educational experience for the girls with in-depth discussions on not just the wildlife, but also history, culture, and the relationship between tourism and the environment. It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime trip – but we hope to return."
Tamar Sherer & Chris Cooper
Active Safari
"This was our fourth trip to Africa, and by far the best. We keep going back because we love the whole experience: the people, the wildlife, their behavior, the environment, the accommodations, the music, everything. We chose Bushtracks for this custom adventure with two goals: to see the migration and to see the gorillas. Experiencing the migration was like witnessing a miracle in process. Could it get any better? Yes - the gorilla treks were the most exhausting thing we've ever done, but worth every exhilarating ache. Amazing!"
At the end of the day our travelers are most qualified to describe the African safari experience, and they certainly say it best.
Hands-On South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa
Begin your adventure in Johannesburg, South Africa's main travel hub. Enjoy an evening at leisure and recover from international travel.
Conveniently located less than 250 feet from the international arrival hall, the upscale InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport features well-appointed soundproof rooms with king beds and blackout curtains for a comfortable rest.
InterContinental Johannesburg O.R.Tambo Airport
1 Night
March 29-30, 2025
Days 1-2
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa
After meeting fellow travelers at our welcome breakfast, we'll board a short charter flight to Hoedspruit, a charming town on the edge of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. This 135,000-acre wilderness is known for exquisite game viewing thanks to prolific and diverse wildlife - including populations of big cats, African wild dogs and elephants - in combination with a low density of visitors and game viewing vehicles. Join a Timbavati field ranger on a helicopter patrol flight and learn about the importance of this "eye in the sky". Engage in a conversation with renowned wildlife vet Dr. Peter Rogers, who will speak about his involvement in critical wildlife rehabilitation and translocation efforts. We’ll go "hands on" with an exciting conservation activity, depending on the reserve’s needs at the time. At night, enjoy the serenity of the bush and stargaze the southern hemisphere night sky.
Tanda Tula Safari Camp sits on the banks of the seasonal Nhlaralumi River. Tanda Tula means "to love the quiet," and the camp truly delivers. Secluded canvas and glass suites feature private decks and heated plunge pools in a peaceful setting overlooking the riverbed.
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
3 Nights
Days 2-5
March 30-April 2, 2025
Babanango Game Reserve, South Africa
The newly established Babanango Game Reserve undertook ambitious conservation efforts that have paid off in a remarkable way, recently achieving “Big 5 Status” with the reintroduction of elephants, a species not seen in this area for almost 150 years. The reserve’s conservation team has been working tirelessly since 2019 to restore the reserve’s biodiversity, starting with the reintroduction of buffalos, and white and black rhinos. In early 2023, the reserve facilitated ‘The Return of the King’, introducing two male lions soon to be joined by females. Accompany a wildlife monitoring crew tracking black rhinos and elusive cheetahs and experience a thrilling safari adventure in an ecosystem on its way to former glory. And history buffs can join an engaging tour of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift - major battle sites in the 1879 war between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom.
Nestled along the banks of the White Umfolozi River, beautifully appointed tented rooms at Madwaleni River Lodge feature private heated plunge pools and breathtaking views of large, molded river rocks complemented by lush hills.
Madwaleni River Lodge
3 Nights
Days 5-8
April 2-5, 2025
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Journey to the Great Fish River Valley, an ancient haven for black and white rhinos, and take a deep dive into understanding the threat of poaching which has demanded constant protection for these magnificent animals. Kwandwe Rhino Conservation Trust employs environmental educators, full-time monitors, and specialized counter-poaching teams with canine units and advanced technology assets to prevent and detect poaching threats. Experience their efforts firsthand as you embark on a rhino conservation safari with opportunities to get “hands on” and participate in the rhino notching program. Once the target animal is darted, we'll join the Kwandwe vet team at the scene to assist with microchipping the horns and notching the ears-- essential tasks for enhanced identification and protection.
Perched above a majestic perennial river, spacious suites at the elegant Great Fish River Lodge are designed to showcase the magnificent setting. Enjoy uninterrupted views from your private deck and watch kudu and nyala graze near the riverbanks below.
Great Fish River Lodge
4 Nights
Days 8-12
April 5-9, 2025
Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve, South Africa
We conclude our epic journey at the iconic Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve for a chance to observe unusual wildlife such as desert black rhinos, black-maned lions, and brown hyenas, as well as burrowing species like meerkats and aardvarks. Tswalu straddles a unique transition zone between the desert and arid savanna landscapes bisected by the Korannaberg Mountains thus providing a variety of unique and unspoiled habitats in what is called "the green Kalahari". The desertscape is particularly enlivened at this time of year as the region emerges from the rainy season. Meet scientific researchers and participate in a conservation activity as determined by priorities at the time of our visit. Take a horse-riding safari or visit important rock art sites and learn about the San bushmen culture – there are many ways to explore the reserve and to design your own adventure! On our final night, we celebrate our journey together with a farewell dinner at Restaurant Klein JAN which artfully showcases the region's unique heritage foods.
The Motse embodies serenity and casual elegance. Each spacious suite features a private shaded veranda with day bed – perfect for gazing across the desert landscape during the day, and stargazing at night.
The Motse
3 Nights
Days 12-15
April 9-12, 2025
Johannesburg, South Africa
After a final morning exploring the bush, there is time to freshen up and enjoy a scrumptious lunch before we’ll board a short flight back to Johannesburg where you’ll connect to your international flight departure.
Day 15
April 12, 2025
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