11 Day Ivory Trail
Lodge/Chalet Accommodation

Day 1  

You arrive at Oliver Tambo Interntional Airport where you are welcomed by your highly qualified naturalist guide, who will accompany you throughout your safari. Set out for the Pilansberg National Park, a 50,000 ha,'‘Big 5' wildlife sanctuary about 200km north west of Johannesburg, Check into a lodge before departing on a game drive. Dinner and overnight. (D)

Day 2 

An early morning game drive is followed by a hearty breakfast and then time to relax at the pool or head for Sun-City - South Africa's 'Las Vegas in the bush'. Return for an afternoon drive. Dinner and overnight at your lodge. (BD)

Day 3    

After breakfast we set off, travelling north to the proposed peace park (transfrontier game park), where South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe meet at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers. We cross the Shashe into Botswana, to an area referred to as 'Land of the Giants', because of the large baobab trees that dot the landscape and the largest single population of elephant on privately owned land in Africa. After settling into your luxury en-suite safari tent at Mashatu Game Lodge, we depart on our first adventure safari in an open 4 x 4 vehicle. Dinner and overnight. (BD)

Day 4

A full day to enjoy and explore the area, go on a walking, horseback or cycling safari accompanied by an armed ranger. Spend some time at the lodge's museum or just enjoy drives with your ranger. Overnight. (BLD)

Day 5

You depart early this morning with a packed breakfast for South Africa's newest national park - Mapungubwe. This reserve was opened on what is reputed to be South Africa's first kingdom, which existed in the 13th century from about 1220 to 1290 ad. On top of Mapungubwe Hill (place of jackal's) is where gold artefacts, including a small golden rhino and other treasures have been discovered. The day is spent observing the flora and fauna and African iron-age archaeological sites before settling into a comfortable lodge for dinner and overnight. (BD)

Day 6

Today you spend time with the wild dog researchers at the Venetia Nature Reserve, where you radio track the Venetia wild dogs as they go about their daily routine. Return to your lodge for overnight. (BD)

Day 7

After an early breakfast we drive parallel to the Limpopo, past isolated groups of baobab trees, to the Kruger National Park, entering via the far north gate at Pafuri. This area of the park is seldom visited by tourists, but is steeped in legend. It is also home to some of Kruger's biggest 'tuskers'. You will visit "Crooks Corner", where South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe meet, made famous by T.V. Bulpin in his book 'The Ivory Trail'. Overnight at Punda Maria rest camp. (DB)

Day 8

A full day to explore the region including Thulamela archaeological site. Overnight Punda Maria. (BD)

Day 9

We head south in the park, observing wildlife en-route to Letaba where we visit the elephant museum and exit the park at Kruger Gate. Overnight at Chestnut Country House in the Kiepersol area. (BD)

Day 10   

A full day to explore the fascinating Blyde River Canyon area, including God's Window, the Three Rondawels, Bourke's Luck potholes, numerous waterfalls and Pilgrim's Rest, a 19th century gold mining town. Overnight at Chestnut Lodge. (BD)

Day 11

This morning you spend time at a Shangaan village, observing the villagers as they go about their daily routine. Speak to the chief and the witch doctor (traditional healer), before heading back to Johannesburg where your tour ends.

1. All accommodation, with meals as indicated
2. All entrance and park fees
3. All tours and transfers as indicated
4. Bottled water in our vehicle
5. Services of a naturalist tour guide
6. Transport in air conditioned safari vehicle