An Expedition to Protect and Preserve Africa's Wildlife

Overview

Experience the adventure of a lifetime, and the essence of Africa, on this unique, bespoke, responsible adventure that has a focus on the preservation of this wild and beautiful land and the wildlife that roam there. This is the ultimate African experience, travelling in a small women-only group, and we can guarantee by the time you leave, the burning red sunsets and the incredible hospitality of the locals will have hooked you, and it won't be long until you're itching to get back.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience is not your regular safari. It’s a unique and personalised adventure, searching for wildlife and exploring the beautiful landscape in the magnificent Hoedspruit area in South Africa.

You’ll be working with the teams of experienced wildlife veterinary surgeons and conservational professionals on one of their vital projects, such as Elephant collaring, trekking, tracking and collaring wild dogs, or lions or dehorning rhino. You work with the wildlife experts responding to their needs according to the urgency on the ground that week.

It’s on the ground, genuine, and vital conservation work and a unique privilege to work with those most involved with preserving and protecting African wildlife species.

You’ll also discover rushing rivers, the awe-inspiring slopes of the Drakensberg, all manner of wildlife in the world-renowned Kruger National Park, relax under the stars in a remote lodge that lies deep in the wilderness, enjoy beautifully made bush dinners by crackling campfires…

Spot white lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, wild dogs, aardvarks, hippos, crocodiles… the list goes on. But you won’t simply be going out to spot these incredible animals, you’ll be helping to preserve this incredible, yet delicate ecosystem on with a variety of conservation groups, NGOs, and not for profits, the details of which can be found in the day by day itinerary below.

Fall in love with the beat of Africa, as you cruise the landscape with a cold beer in one hand and the sun setting over the horizon, and enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

Arrival in Africa

On arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you’ll be welcomed by our guide. Assistance will be on hand at the airport for Currency Exchange, SIM card purchases etc. We’ll then get transported to our hotel for the night. An idyllic and exclusive haven, the Giglio is amongst Johannesburg’s finest luxury boutique hotels, located a mere ten minutes’ drive from OR Tambo International Airport.

Accommodation

Giglio Boutique Hotel or similar

The Magic Begins

Wake up to an early breakfast and then we are transferred back to OT airport to catch our domestic flight to Hoedspruit. Where we will be collected from the airport and taken to our lodge for a late lunch. Hoedspruit is located between the world-renowned Blyde River Canyon and Kruger National Park.

Blyde River Canyon is one of the largest canyons on earth extending 26km’s in length and around 800m deep at its deepest point. Our accommodation for the next five nights will be the 4 star Safari Moon, the ideal retreat to be based as we discover the wonders of South Africa’s Lowveld region. Our neighbours are free roaming general game species such as Giraffes, Zebra, Kudu and Warthogs.

The absence of lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino gives you an opportunity to explore nature and discover your inner game ranger on foot, mountain bikes or horseback.

On arrival at the lodge, you will check into your rooms and then at 2pm we head out to Blyde River Dam for an afternoon sunset cruise. We will get to enjoy a guided boat ride on the Blyde Dam, where you will admire the splendour of the third largest Canyon in the world and see the rare “living” Kadishi Tufa waterfall and the majestic Three Rondavels mountain formation. After our 1 ½ hour boat journey we will then return to our lodge for a delicious dinner. (All boat trips are weather dependent, and no alcohol is allowed on the boat)

Accommodation

Safari Moon Lodge

Located in South Africa’s Safari hub of Hoedspruit, Safari Moon is a boutique base from which to discover the wonders of South Africa’s Lowveld region.

One can expect a luxurious and tranquil space to revitalise and rediscover one of South Africa’s most sought after safari destinations. Safari Moon provides a cultured and contemporary setting for the discerning traveller.

Hot Air Balloon Safari

Today you have an EARLY start. Weather permitting, we’ll have the opportunity to participate in the magic of a Lighter-than-Air Hot Air Balloon experience near the foot of the Drakensberg Escarpment (steep sloping mountain). Our one-hour long flight will take us over the scenic, Lowveld section of the Blyde River, 15 km West of Hoedspruit. The terrain is a mixture of farmland, private nature reserves and wildlife estates. The mountains to the South and West provide shelter from the prevailing winds, affording us good flying weather on most days.

We’ll meet before sunrise for a quick coffee, while we watch the eight-story-high balloon being inflated and prepared for flight. After a safety briefing we should be airborne in time to witness the sunrise. The height above ground will vary between skimming the tree-tops to as high as 2,000 feet as the pilot changes altitude in search of favourable wind directions and speeds. As the sun rises, the landscape, the vegetation and, if you’re lucky, some wildlife will provide superb photo opportunities. Game spotting cannot be guaranteed, but on most flights, we see plains game like giraffe and wildebeest.

The landing is an exciting event because the basket meets the earth at whatever speed the surface wind is at the time. Light air allow the softest of landings while fresh breezes necessitate a “positive” landing so that the basket can serve as an anchor to slow the envelope down. If not already at the landing site, the ground crew will soon arrive to deflate and pack the balloon while you enjoy a glass of champagne or fruit juice.

The afternoon will allow you to get closer to nature inside a Private Game Reserve 20 minutes from the lodge. We’ll enjoy our own private safari with an experienced guide where we’ll get to witness a much bigger variety of wildlife.

Accommodation

Safari Moon

Exploring Kruger

Today is all about exploring the Kruger National Park. You’ll have the pleasure of taking a truly authentic safari that will give you an unbelievable overview of this iconic wildlife destination.

The entire day will be spent in your comfortable open vehicles with expert guides, taking lunch on the run as you explore inside the world-famous Kruger National Park.

Kruger National Park is over 2 million hectares, nearly 5 million acres in size, with approximately 145 mammal species, over 500 bird species and over 1,986 plant species. If you’ve never been on safari it’s nearly impossible to describe the thrill as you see each new variety of animal or bird. It’s an experience you will never ever forget.

As the sun lowers, you’ll return to our lodge for a delicious meal in the evening.

It has been said that even an hour in paradise is a rewarding experience… a whole day is a life-changing experience.

Accommodation

Safari Moon

A Day of Working with Elephants

Today is a WOW day!! We’ll be working side by side with the professional wildlife veterinarians and the team from Elephants Alive collaring an elephant (or another endangered animal). Today you’ll want to bring your inner Jane Goodall or Dian Fossey. This is an experience you’ll never ever forget.

Why collar?

There are several critical reasons why we need to raise funds to collar elephants in this area:

->Scientific research: As in everything in life, the best decisions are knowledge-based. Similarly, safeguarding and preserving Africa’s elephant population is heavily dependent on quality data. Experts must be able to monitor the animals’ movements and migration routes. The elephants we’ll be working with are known to travel great distances over a short period of time, across man-made borders to other protected areas within the Great Limpopo Trans Frontier Conservation Area. How does this impact on water and food access? How do the elephants’ journeys affect communities living in and around these protected areas? And how best do we protect the animals and humans under these circumstances? The answers are based on scientific research i.e. crucial data that the collars will provide.

->Collars help save elephant lives:

Human-wildlife conflict is an age-old dilemma. The collars provide experts with critical data and helps them make life-saving decisions so that people and elephants can co-exist in harmony. Fully understanding jumbo behavior and movement will fuel significant, impactful decision-making and intervention measures. The collars provide real-time data so rangers, for example, can move in if necessary, with rapid response teams and herd the animals away if they wander too close to communities, or they can close in on poachers decimating Africa’s elephant populations. If an animal is poached the transmitter will show researchers that the animal has not moved, and they can immediately send in the response team to go see what’s happening.

There is much riding on our elephant-collaring missions. You are invited to help us save lives (elephants and people) within this precious area of exquisite natural beauty.

The Specialist Team from Elephants Alive:

Elephants Alive represents a South African based NGO consisting of a small but impactful team who have consistently developed research-based information to help managers best protect elephants throughout Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and beyond. They have extensive experience collaring elephants and networking with other NGOs to achieve what is best for elephants. They’re an experienced team, having deployed close to 200 collars throughout Southern Africa since 1998. Elephants Alive have collared many elephants with Blue Sky Society Trust. The elephants that we have collared are functioning as trailblazers, showing us how, where and when we should be connecting Protected Areas across the landscape. This is an exceptional experience and something many people will never get to experience.

**SAFETY: The animals’ and vets’ safety is ALWAYS their #1 priority so we’ll work under their guidance. The vets’ and pilot’s urgency is to get the animals down in a safe area, collared, checked for any ailments, and then up and back into the bush as safely and fast as possible. They will do everything in their power to include us as much as possible, where and when possible. PLEASE NOTE: We run all our conservation expeditions under strict ethical rules.

After our once-in-a-lifetime adventure with the wild elephants or other animals, we’ll head back to our lodge for rest and relaxation before drinks and dinner when we’ll re-tell our exciting stories from today’s exploits.

Accommodation

Safari Moon

The Panorama Tour

The Panorama Tour – Nowhere else will you see so much natural wonder in such close proximity.

Today we’ll journey to some of the most captivating sights located within South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. The scenic route includes dramatic landscapes, the world’s third-largest canyon, the incredible Tufa waterfalls, and God’s Window – one of the most breathtaking views you’ll ever encounter. We’ll also see Bourke’s Luck Potholes, a natural water feature marking the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon. The Potholes are swirling whirlpools caused by waterborne sand and rocks grinding huge, cylindrical holes into the river rocks, often described as a Giant’s kettle. A full day out and about exploring.

Dinner will be relaxed back at the lodge.

Accommodation:

Accommodation

Unembeza Boutique Lodge & Spa

Unembeza Boutique Lodge and Spa is situated on the greenbelt of the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate and caters for the conscious traveller looking to connect with nature.

Whether staying in a lodge or one of the villas, you can be assured of a carefully curated stay, with a focus on personal attention, helping you connect to this wonderful part of the world. Their eco-friendly ethos is one of respect for nature and her bounty, which you can enjoy from the privacy of your room, our pools, viewing decks, bomas, lounge areas or spa.

Migrate to the Timbervati Area

Today we’ll be moving to our new accommodation in the Timbervati area.

Kambaku is the Tsonga word for “great tusker.” It is the name of one of Africa’s Magnificent Seven – the largest elephant bulls once found in the Kruger National Park, each with tusks weighing 50kg and more. Kambaku represents a part of African heritage that is worth protecting. Lodge owners Bryce and Nicola were determined to raise their two children in an environment where our wildlife could be conserved, treasured and admired by the world. Today, their vision has been actualised in three travel destinations – each one distinct in character and its innate sense of reverence for the natural realm. This 4-star experience is designed to bring people together, to open a window to a new way of thinking about safari travel.

After our arrival we’ll savour a sumptuous high tea before we head out for an afternoon game drive with sundowners in the Timbavati private nature reserve, a vast expanse of 60,000 hectares of pristine African bush. This is a conservation area that borders the ubiquitous Kruger National Park. In 1993, the fences between these two areas were removed to encourage the natural migration of each park’s species. You’ll be guided by an expert team of game rangers who will welcome you into the world of Africa’s wildlife. Encounter wildlife basking in the golden glow of the afternoon sun and then we’ll raise a glass to the setting sun as you enjoy a personalised selection of drinks and snacks, surrounded by the living silhouettes of the majestic African bush.

We’ll drive back to camp as night falls while your tracker illuminates the world around you, identifying nocturnal wildlife. Your arrival will be met with a delectable dining experience indoors or under a starlit sky, weather depending.

Accommodation

Kambaku Safari Lodge

Spot the Big Five

The morning game drives depart just before sunrise, with the time dependent on the changing of the seasons. Wake up to a cheerful morning call and start your day with a freshly brewed cup of tea or coffee. After some time, we’ll stop for a bush breakfast, something to be treasured. Expect sightings of some of the region’s rarest wildlife – White Lions, African wild dogs, and bashful Aardvarks.

Upon our return we’ll be met with a delicious brunch served by our accommodating and approachable culinary team. Life is good. After your tummy is full you’ll have time to relax, read or nap before our Afternoon game drive.

This afternoon we’ll head out back into the Timbavati Private Nature reserve, searching for the world-renowned Big Five: Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo, that roam freely in an untouched habitat.

Tonight’s meal will be back at the Lodge.

As John Hemingway once said; “If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa.”

Accommodation:

Kambaku Safari Lodge

An African Bush Experience

Today we continue to explore and look for wildlife. You could spend 100 days in the wild and still not see everything it offers.

Tonight, we have a treat in store for you!!! A Bush Dinner. You’ll spend your last night in the magnificent Timbervati eating delicious food while listening to the night life around you. This experience will imprint on your hearts – the sounds of the Wild while a million stars dance above your head.

Accommodation

Kambaku Safari Lodge

Farewell to Africa

Sadly, our time in the Timbervati area has come to an end, but today you will know that your life has been enriched forever.

You will be collected by our road transfer company and driven to Hoedspruit East Airport where you will catch your domestic flight back to OT airport in Johannesburg in time to catch your evening flight home. As you get ready for your flight home, you can take the time to reflect and remember. We’ll arrive in JHB by 13h00, so any connecting flights must be booked for the late afternoon or evening.