September 2024: South Africa Wildlife Safari: The Cape & Kruger
Our South Africa Wildlife safari trip covers two of the country’s most popular areas – Cape Town and the Greater Kruger National Park. Indeed, these areas are quite different to each other and offer a nice contrast when bundled into one tour. The Cape Town area offers mountain and sea views at every turn. Moreover, the Greater Kruger offers a classic African safari experience. Combine the two and you literally have the best of South Africa in an 11-day tour! To sum it up, this wildlife safari takes in the best of the two regions’ natural history, giving you an exciting, varied and rewarding South African holiday experience.
Areas covered:
Our South African Wildlife safari starts of in Cape Town. After three nights in Simon’s Town we then move to Hermanus, famous for its whale viewing. After that we then drive back to Cape Town for a regional flight to the Kruger National Park. The safari starts here and we visit three different camps as we make our way northwards. From there we end off at a private lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. This is the highlight of the tour in many ways. Participants will then get a transfer to one of the regional airports for a flight back to Johannesburg.
Accommodation:
The accommodation is of a medium-plus to high standard. It includes a B&B, a hotel, national park’s chalets and private lodge chalets. Importantly, all accommodations have en-suite facilities, and are clean and comfortable.
The mammals:
The variety of species to be seen on this South Africa Wildlife safari is remarkable. Firstly, while the Cape no longer has the mega-fauna component it once did, there are some interesting species to see. These may include Bontebok, Cape Mountain Zebra, Red Hartebeest, Cape Grysbok and Rock Hyrax for example, and maybe even Caracal with a bit of luck. Southern Right Whales should be common in the inshore waters. Other Cetaceans may include Bryde’s and Humpback Whales and several Dolphin species. Kruger and Sabi Sands will then deliver the megafauna – in abundance! Elephants, Buffalo and Giraffe are common. And of course we’ll be on the lookout for the big predators – Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild Dog and Spotted Hyena. In between all of these we’ll see a host of antelope species, primates, mongooses and other interesting species. Indeed, South Africa wildlife viewing is top class in all respects. See the species check list on the digital itinerary for the full species list.
The birding:
Birds are not the main focus of this South Africa wildlife safari. However, we can’t ignore some of the more impressive feathered fauna. Consequently, we’ll no doubt show you some fantastic birds such as: Martial Eagle, Bateleur, White-fronted Bee-eater, Little Bee-eater, Lilac-breasted Roller, Blue Waxbill and others, sticking to the big, colourful and photogenic species.
In conclusion, this South Africa wildlife itinerary offer a great introduction to the country. It’ll showcase two of the prime travel and wildlife areas. And once you’ve done it you can say you’ve seen the main parts of South Africa, but you’ll probably want to come back to see more of South Africa's wonders!
Gallery
Itinerary
Route Map
Wildlife of Cape & Kruger Safari route map. Click to enlarge.
Tour in brief
Group size: maximum of 12 participants; 6 participants per guide / vehicle (the passenger allocation at the private lodge is out of our control, so there may be more than 6 people per vehicle in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve).
Areas Visited: Cape Peninsula, Hermanus, Kruger National Park and Sabi-Sand Game Reserve.
Expected weather conditions: the Cape’s weather is notoriously variable and September is within the winter rainfall period. Some rain can be expected, while fine and warm conditions are also expected. In the Kruger it should be dry and warm, but early morning drives in open vehicles can be cold, so adequate clothing such as a thick fleece and windbreaker are recommended.
Tour tempo: medium, optional mid-day breaks on non-travelling days (compulsory mid-day break on day 10, at the private lodge, due to their fixed routine).
Accommodation standards: medium plus: lodges and guest houses.
Mammal viewing: Southern Right Whales in season (late-August to December); antelope species such as the endemic Bontebok, Rock Hyrax and Chacma Baboon and other smaller species in the Cape. Superb mammal viewing in the Kruger region, including the Big Five.
Birding: great birding opportunities, highlights include African Penguin, Cape Sugarbird and Blue Crane, as well as a host of savanna bird species.
Other wildlife and attractions: Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula, the scenic drive between Gordon’s Bay and Pringle Bay, fynbos vegetation and wild flowers, Kruger Park scenery and general natural history.
Add-ons: this tour can be combined with extensions to Victoria Falls or Namibia. Contact us for more information.
Full Itinerary
Rates
2024: ZAR 62 330 per person sharing; ZAR 11 700 dingle supplement
Price may be subject to change based on factors beyond our control. Note that this tour can only run at the listed price with a minimum of two participants.
Includes
- Accommodation
- All breakfasts and dinners
- Ground transport
- Bottled water in vehicle whilst travelling
- Entrance fees
- Personalised checklists
- Specialist guide fees
Excludes
- All airfares
- Travel and medical insurance
- Lunches
- All drinks
- Optional excursions where applicable
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
Note:
- This itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions at the time and other factors beyond our control.
- The species mentioned in the itinerary represent only some of the possible ones we may see on the tour, however, none of these can be guaranteed even though every effort will be made where possible to locate them. A full list of possibles appears on your checklist.
Participants should ideally overnight in Cape Town the night before the tour starts. We are happy to arrange this accommodation. Alternatively, participants need to arrive on early morning flights on the day the tour starts. Tour ends at Kruger / Mpumalanga International Airport on the last day of the tour, in time for connecting flights to Johannesburg and evening transcontinental flights. Please check with us before booking any flights.
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