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If you want more than just a safari in South Africa, this is the 10-day wild ride you're after. Picture yourself abseiling down Table Mountain, camping under the stars near Kruger National Park, and hiking to the top of the world's second tallest waterfall. Plus, you'll hit the ground running with guided bushwalks, spotting wildlife up close. This is the kind of trip that'll have you saying, "I can't believe we just did that!" Adventure junkies, this one's calling your name.
1. YELLOW FEVER
South Africa is to enforce new rules requiring proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for all travelers - even in airport transit - who have been in Zambia or other countries where the disease is endemic. The stricter guidelines, effective 01 Oct 2011, will see travellers without an international Yellow Fever certificate refused entry.
2. TRAVEL DAYS
This is not a physically demanding journey; however, travelling can be difficult, with long drives and poor road conditions at times. Despite this, most clients feel that the diversity of the African landscape, countries, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience. We use a comfortable and safe air-conditioned touring vehicle for the long drives.
3. COMBO TOUR
Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.
4. ACCOMMODATION NOTE:
Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.
You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.
Check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.
Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops
If you would like to book an airport Departure transfer for your tour, please contact our Sales Team or your Travel Agent in advance of travel.
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Cape Town
- Atlantis Dunes Sandboarding
Private vehicle, plane, safari vehicle, walking.
Max 16.
All G Adventure vehicles are regularly serviced and follow a strict maintenance schedule. However given the long travel days and rough conditions of many of the roads in Africa, vehicles can and do breakdown on occasion. If such situations occur all drivers are trained mechanics and any vehicle issues are rectified as quickly as possible so as to not disrupt your trip. Your patience is requested if the vehicle you are traveling in happens to encounter a mechanical fault.
Cold weather:
• Long-sleeved shirts or sweater
• Scarf
• Warm gloves
• Warm hat
• Warm layers
Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)
Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket
Health & Safety:
• Hand sanitizer (required)
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) & experienced local guides throughout
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier and contact us as soon as possible. If you have a pre-booked transfer, and you have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.
Laundry can be done at the lodges (at own expense).
16
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Abseil down Table Mountain. Hike in the Drakensberg Mountains to either Sentinel Peak and Tugela Falls or Gudu and Mahai Falls, Embark on an immersive and active 4-night stay at a bush camp learning about best leave no trace practices, Get outside on a full wildlife immersion day and overnight camping in the savanna.
On this tour, you will be accompanied by one group Chief Experience Officer (CEO).
The Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will be the group manager/leader and driver- this person is a registered and licensed tourism guide, experienced in the routes travelled. You crew member has studied to have a broad knowledge base of the region's history, cultures, and wildlife, and are legally certified to lead/guide tours in the regions visited. Most of our leaders in the region are from South Africa. As the group coordinator and manager, the aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. He/she will provide information on the places where you are travelling, and will take care of the small things so you can concentrate on enjoying your adventure. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting.
Safari guides at the lodge (wildlife safari drives): All safari guides are certified safari guides, and are of course very skilled and experienced drivers. With years of experience taking wildlife seekers into the wildlife parks, our local safari guides are exactly what will make your safari a success.
Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of your tour program. The gesture serves as an expression of appreciation for exceptional service, and amounts given are up to your discretion. Please note that you are encouraged to bring small USD bills for tipping ($1 and $5) since anything larger becomes difficult to break.
Tipping is one of the most direct ways that you can have a positive economic impact within the African community. Although it may not be customary for you, it is an important source of income for those in the tourism industry. Giving a tip should be a seen as a formal 'thank you', and the action should in no way be awkward.
The best method of tipping someone that has served the whole group is to plan in advance, and not rush when it comes to saying goodbye. A suggestion would be for each group member to contribute anonymously by putting their tip into an envelope. This often works the best and the group should gather to present the gift to the recipient(s), offering their thanks and showing their appreciation. This method brings the action out into the open, allowing for a friendly and appreciative interaction between the group and the recipient(s).
You may use the following as a guideline, all given in a per person format:
CEO: $10-15 USD (per day)
Driver: $8-10 USD (per day)
Local guides: $3-5 USD (per day)
Safari Guide/Driver: $8-10 USD (per day)
Restaurant Staff: 10-15% of cost of bill
We recommend you contact your family physician, or your local travel clinic for the most up-to-date health information at least one month before departure. Travellers should also carry a basic first-aid kit and hand sanitizers/antibacterial wipes on their travels. Medical facilities are basic throughout these countries. For your own safety, we strongly recommend that you advise your tour leader of any medical condition that may affect you while travelling with the group. Your tour leader will be able to inform you of local health advisories (e.g. drinking water quality). Please ensure you have all the inoculations recommended by your doctor.
Yellow Fever Certificate Note: (Updated: May 2023)
It is compulsory to show a valid Yellow Fever Certificate if you are travelling to the following G Adventures-visited countries from a Yellow Fever endemic country:
- Botswana
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Rwanda
- South Africa
- Swaziland
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
For some of these countries, proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is also required for passengers who have travelled more than 12 hours through the airport of an endemic country. If other countries not endemic to Yellow Fever have been visited after visiting an endemic country, then a Yellow Fever certificate may still be required on entry. Please check country-specific regulations before your departure.
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that is present in some regions in Africa. Risk of malaria can increase during periods of heavy rain, during the rainy seasons, and in densely populated areas of Southern & East Africa. To prevent malaria, we recommend speaking to your doctor about taking preventative medication (prophylaxis), combined with regular use of insect repellent spray/cream. Please check updated travel health advisories specific to malaria before your departure.
8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Lodges (6 nts), Hotels (2 nts).
You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be clearly labelled and restricted to one soft compact suitcase, sports bag, or backpack. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. Porters may not always be available, so be prepared to carry your own bags. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a warm jacket for early morning wildlife safari drives. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable.
The Southern Hemisphere essentially has the opposite weather to the Northern Hemisphere. The winter months of June, July and August, whilst clear and warm during the day (up to 25 degrees), can drop down to single figures and even below freezing at night. Between September and May it is considerably warmer with the time between October and March being the hottest, getting up to the high 30C and sometimes above. However it is always a dry heat and the temperature does drop at night. The wet season is between November and February, but this is not a bad time to go, as it generally does not rain for very long. We strongly recommend lots of layers to wear from the start of the day until the night. You might still need to wear a fleece jacket in the mornings, a t-shirt during the day and again the fleece jacket at sunset time. A woolen hat is also very much recommendable for the cold winter's early morning wildlife safari drives.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group. Hike either Sentinel Peak to Tugela Falls or Gudu and Mahai Falls. An immersive and active 4-night stay at a bush camp learning about best leave no trace practices. 4 safari drives through the Kruger area. Full wildlife immersion day and overnight bush camping. Biking activity through Pridelands Conservancy. Morning bush walk back to the main lodge. Boma dinner. Abseiling down Table Mountain. Free time in Cape Town. Internal flight between Cape Town and Johannesburg and Johannesburg and the Kruger area. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Eating is a big part of travelling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available in South Africa
After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Your tour evaluation will be e-mailed to you 24 hours after the conclusion of your trip. If you do not receive the tour evaluation link in the days after your tour has finished, please drop us a line at customersolutions@gadventures.com and we will send it on to you.
For details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher, G Account, the G Adventures App or contact your travel agent.
If you would like to book an airport Arrival transfer for your tour, please contact our Sales Team or your Travel Agent in advance of travel.
If you have paid in advance for an arrival transfer, a G Adventures representative will be at the airport to meet you. If for any reason you are not met at the airport, please call our local support line. If you are unable to make contact for whatever reason, please make your way to the joining point hotel via taxi.
Please note that day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned on this day.
Upon arrival to your Joining Hotel (note that check-in time will be in the afternoon), look for a note or bulletin board in the reception with a note from your CEO. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on day 1 (usually between 5pm and 7pm), where you will get a chance to meet your CEO and other travellers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don't see a note, please ask reception for details!
If you are arriving later and will miss the Welcome Meeting, your CEO will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need, and with morning instructions for the next day.
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of people in the sex trade is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they utilize the services of paid sex workers, in any capacity.
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. G Adventures can provide you with the appropriate coverage. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!
Arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel and enjoy a welcome meeting in the evening before an included group dinner where you will get to know your fellow travellers.
Soak up this thrilling day in Cape Town and experience the adrenaline rush of abseiling down the cliff face of iconic Table Mountain. After breakfast the group will ride a cable car up to the top of the mountain and enjoy the views of Robben Island, Lions Head, The Twelve Apostles and Camps Bay in the deep blue Atlantic.
Head back to Cape Town in the early afternoon and spend the rest of the day and evening exploring on your own. From neighbourhood walks to lighthouse hikes, there are so many ways to get to know this incredible city.
Fly from Cape Town to Johannesburg in the morning and travel to your mountain lodge accommodations near Tugela Falls. The lodge is owned by the local Batlokoa (Sotho) community, and all staff and guides are members themselves. Once here, sit down for a welcome meeting and briefing about the hiking that is expected in the coming days. Then, have an included group dinner at the restaurant on the lodge property.
This morning you have two hiking options to decide between. Choose to set off on the more intense Sentinel Peak hike to the second highest waterfall in the world, Tugela Falls and enjoy lunch at the top. Or opt for the Gudu and Mahai Falls guided hikes along more gentle routes and have lunch back at the lodge in between each one. Dinner will be had back at the lodge with views over the surrounding scenery you spent the day immersed in.
Choose between two guided hiking options this morning. One is more strenuous and takes you to the top of Tugela Falls, the second highest waterfall in the world, while the other is moderate and also visits two separates waterfalls with a return to the lodge in between for lunch.
After breakfast at the lodge transfer to the airport and onwards to Hoedspruit and your immersive and active lodge stay. One at the lodge, sit down for a brief orientation of the property and the safety rules for the upcoming bush camp stay. Take some time to get settled in before the afternoon open safari vehicle drive through the bush searching for wildlife and continuing after sunset with a focus on nocturnal life and astronomy.
Enjoy a full-day wilderness trail experience in the form of a bush walk. Connect with the wilderness and learn a minimal impact approach as you spend the day trekking on foot, observing wildlife both near and far, and learning about how guides and rangers in South Africa are taught to track and observe the animals in the bush. In the afternoon, set up an eco-friendly tent camp in the wild with your local guides. You will stay overnight here in your pitched tent along with the company of your travel mates and guides for a once in a lifetime opportunity to sleep under the starts in the savanna. Enjoy dinner around the fire and listen out for wildlife in the distance. The night sky should put on quite a display, so don't forget to look up as you drift off to sleep.
Rise early and after some refreshments clear the camp leaving no trace. Trek back to Pridelands Conservancy with your guide and group and indulge in a hearty breakfast there at the lodge. Later in the day, listen in on an expert-led discussion at the Pridelands Basecamp about an important wilderness topic led by your local expert. Later in the day, hop into the vehicles and join an afternoon safari drive incorporating important points from your earlier talk into the safari drive. Enjoy a Boma dinner back at the camp and fall asleep under the stars.
As the sun begins to rise the group will embark on an adrenaline-pumping mountain biking activity through the reserve. In the afternoon, choose to join an outdoor wilderness focused discussion led by the local guides and rangers. On your final evening in the conservancy, head out on a last safari drive to spot those last few animals. Bid farewell to the savanna with dinner and a drumming session out in the bush as darkness falls.
Sip your morning tea or coffee in the bush as the golden light crosses the savanna. Set out on a short morning drive to simply enjoy and envelop yourself in the dawn with nature rising around you. Return for breakfast before transferring onwards to the airport for your flight back to Johannesburg. Arrive in the late afternoon, get settled at the hotel, and enjoy a free evening to explore and grab dinner at a trendy spot in the city with your fellow travel mates and CEO.
Depart at any time.
Details
Prices from: €3429.00
Duration: 10 Days
Merchandising: New Trips
Service Level: Basic
Physical Grading: 4 - Demanding
Travel Style: Active
Trip Type: Small Group
Prices from: €3429.00
10 day Active tour
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