Essence of Southern Africa

13 days
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5/5 Excellent
76 reviews  
99%
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Private Guided
Blend Africa’s ‘World in One Country’ with a wonderful barefoot luxury conclusion on Benguerra Island and you’ve got yourself a trip that can’t fail to delight! Begin in South Africa in Franschhoek, set in the middle of the famed Winelands not far from vibrant Cape Town, before moving on to Kruger National Park. Here you stay at the decadent Tanda Tula, a sop...
From$7,795
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Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Explore rural vineyards in the Winelands, close to Cape Town
    • Dine in some of South Africa’s finest restaurants and enjoy excellent local wines
    • Scale Table Mountain and soak up incredible views across Cape Town
    • Learn about South Africa’s cultural history with a visit to Robben Island or visit a local township
    • Track the Big5 on guided day and night game drives through predator rich Timbavati Reserve near Kruger National Park
    • Enjoy bush walks to spot tracks and signs of smaller wildlife you may miss from a vehicle
    • Stay in barefoot luxury in a small hotel on a pristine beach
    • Soak up the views from your private plunge pool
    • Experience world-class snorkeling and diving on undisturbed reefs
    • A private 13-day adventure that blends city comforts with the real African wilderness

What's this trip about?

    Blend Africa’s ‘World in One Country’ with a wonderful barefoot luxury conclusion on Benguerra Island and you’ve got yourself a trip that can’t fail to delight! Begin in South Africa in Franschhoek, set in the middle of the famed Winelands not far from vibrant Cape Town, before moving on to Kruger National Park. Here you stay at the decadent Tanda Tula, a sophisticated tented safari camp set in the heart of game paradise, which is home to lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and zebra. After a few busy but exhilarating days of game spotting, fly to Azura lodge on Mozambique’s heavenly Benguerra Island. A wonderful way to wrap up an adventure-packed vacation, here you can relax on dazzling white beaches or just soak up the dramatic views of the turquoise ocean from the lodge’s lofty setting.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizePrivate - your group only
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityCape Town
End CityJohannesburg

Travel Themes

  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Safari

Destinations

  • Africa
  • South Africa

Attractions

  • Johannesburg
  • Kruger National Park
  • Robben Island
  • Table Mountain

Activities

  • Bird watching
  • Culture
  • Game drive
  • Horseback riding & Equestrian
  • Nature
  • Safari
  • Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

    • Internal flights (note: strict 44lbs baggage allowance per person including hand luggage)
    • Helicopter flights
    • Passenger and airport taxes
    • Airport transfers
    • Other transfers
    • Accommodation and meals as stated
    • Drinks as stated
    • Laundry as stated
    • Activities as stated
    • National Park and concession fees
    • Car Hire

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Days 1-4

Accommodation: Le Quartier Francais

On arrival into Cape Town International Airport today you will make your way to the rental information desk to collect paperwork and keys for your hire car. You have the use of a hire car throughout your time in Cape Town.

Days 5-7

Accommodation: Tanda Tula

After breakfast this morning you will drive yourselves to Cape Town International Airport in time to check for a regional flight to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport.

On arrival into Kruger Mpumalanga airstrip you will be met and assist...

Days 8-12

Accommodation: Azura Benguerra

A scheduled light aircraft flight will take you to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport this morning in time to connect with a regional flight to Vilanculos. You will be met on arrival into Vilanculos and transferred to a helicopter flight t...

Day 13: Fly Vilanculos to Johannesburg

A morning helicopter flight will take you back to Vilanculos today. You will land in time to take a scheduled flight to Johannesburg. From here you will take an international flight home or continue with another African adventure.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $7,795
Price per day$600
Last Updated: 5/15/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Aardvark Safaris.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Aardvark Safaris Reviews & Ratings

5/5  Excellent
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Other Aardvark Safaris Reviews

E

Elyse and Alex

Nov 2019

Provided byAardvark Safaris

We enjoyed every minute of it

It was our first experience in Africa and we loved it, we will for s...

W

Will & Amy

Nov 2019

Provided byAardvark Safaris

We loved every second of our trip

We loved every second of our trip. It was the perfect way to get back to the origins of safari and truly enjoy the beautiful surroundings and wildlife. Thanks so muc...

S

Susan

Nov 2019

Provided byAardvark Safaris

Absolutely fantastic

Absolutely fantastic – I’m going back for the third time this fall! Philip and Gerti are outstanding horsepeople and hosts. I’ve ridden elsewhere in Africa, and I mu...

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Tour Operator

Aardvark Safaris

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At Aardvark, you’ll find that we don’t sell any camps or lodges that we haven’t visited ourselves and that after more than 16 years in the business, we’re still passionate about creating customized safaris that will introduce you to the Africa we know and love.

From a one room, two man enterprise, we now have four small offices in the US and UK that are well stocked with smart, dedicated, patient safari consultants who know their stuff. When we’re not riding through the Okavango Delta, hopping on helicopters in Zambia, climbing sand dunes in Namibia, on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, exploring Kenya’s wildlife with our own children, self-driving in South Africa or sneaking photo opportunities with gorillas, we’re arranging the best customized safaris in the business.

Whether you’re a safari first timer or a veteran, it’s great to know you’re in safe hands. Read on to find out that you won’t pay more for our expertise than if you booked the safari yourself, and that we work hard to give back to the animals and people that make Africa so special. We’re proud to be a small, dynamic company. We’ve stayed close to our roots and we think you’ll find that makes all the difference.

Why Aardvark

At Aardvark Safaris, we know that no two clients are alike, that bigger isn’t better and tailor-made is best. From out and out adventure to the lap of luxury, we bring your dreams to life using our expertise to create unforgettable journeys. Hidden gems, extraordinary access, out of the way places — that’s the Aardvark way. That’s Africa, your way.

A safari is a once in a lifetime experience and we want your safari to be perfect…for you.  We won’t suggest a camp or lodge to you until we get to know your wishes and requirements. And we won’t recommend it unless one of our specialists has been there, has walked with the guides, eaten the food and slept in the beds.

We travel every few months to see new properties and to re-visit old favorites. It is only by spending time on the ground that we can be sure we are offering you the best advice.

Where possible, we will use small, owner run camps and lodges that are ideally located so you can enjoy the bush off the beaten track. We also understand that a guide can make or break your trip. The small camps we use employ better guides with more experience, charisma and unmatched local knowledge.

Our approach combines decades of experience with an exceptional service. We’ll be with you every step of the way, from designing your itinerary to advising you what to pack to monitoring your progress as you travel. More than 70% of our clients come from repeat business or word of mouth and we strive to exceed expectations, every time.

We’ll get you away from the crowds during the wildebeest migration, introduce you to the gorilla vets in Rwanda, find you Botswana’s top specialist guides, create unscripted and meaningful cultural exchanges in townships, villages, schools and clinics, get you into the top restaurants in Cape Town and ensure you have the finest pilot for your Namibian flying safari.

On your return, we want to hear about your trip and find that client feedback (both good and occasionally bad) helps keep us abreast of changes on the ground.

We’re passionate about safaris and know that travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. Whether you are a single traveler, couple, multi-generational family or a group, we can help you plan an itinerary with insider access and experiences that surprise and delight to ensure that you enjoy the real Africa with absolute confidence and security.

 

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International and regional flights
    • Bazaruto National Park Fee (currently US$10 per person on arrival)
    • Airport departure taxes in Mozambique
    • Please note the following taxes now apply these can't be pre-paid and must be paid at the Airport on
    • Arrival or Departure:
    • $3.00 Border Tax paid on arrival
    • $10.00 Domestic Air Tax paid at transfer
    • $30.00 Departure Tax paid on departure
    • Visas
    • Travel insurance
    • Tips and gratuities
    • Another personal spending
    • If you weigh over 220lbs then you may be charged for a second seat on light aircraft flights

Accommodation

,Le Quartier Francais Le Quartier Francais is a small luxurious hotel in the village of Franschhoek, right in the centre of the Cape Winelands. Less than an hour from Cape Town Tanda Tula Tanda Tula Safari Camp is on the Western border of Kruger National Park in South Africa, in a 20,000 acre private area called the Timbavati Reserve Azura Benguerra Azura Benguerra is Mozambique’s first luxury eco-boutique resort and is located on Benguerra Island within the stunning Bazaruto National Park
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
aardva-EssSouAar

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