Wildlife holiday in South Africa
| country: | South Africa |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2008: 1 Nov |
| price: | From £2155 (9 days) excluding flights, single supplement available. Price includes conservation contribution. We can arrange flights from the UK |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
This safari takes us ‘behind the scenes’ and gives us the opportunity to interact with the researchers, ecologists, vets and guides while discovering the fantastic world of wildlife in southern Africa.
We have the unique opportunity to see chimpanzees in semi-wild surroundings and observe their social interaction and behavioural patterns at the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary on a private guided tour. We explore the Elephant Sanctuary and get hands on with Africa's biggest inhabitants, dispelling some of the myths normally associated with these mammals. Further we are given the opportunity to experience hidden aspects of wildlife conservation, some ranger and bush skills, and gain knowledge in dart guns and other wildlife immobilisation techniques.
We spend a morning with local researchers in the Greater Kruger National Park and seek out elephants by telemery tracking. We take a behind the scenes look at Khama Reptile Park and shadow any veterinarian work being done. In addition to our unique encounters with wildlife behind the scenes, we also have a more traditional safari experience searching for wildlife, including the famous 'Big 5' on several open vehicle game drives. All in all, an amazing conservation experience!
Throughout the tour our specialist guide, who is a wildlife veterinarian and registered tourist guide, accompanies us. We are also joined by researchers, and various local guides to give us a unique and rare insight into the world of wildlife in southern Africa. Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime safari, while helping to conserve Africa’s wildlife through our participation. Whilst on safari the focus is to provide a comprehensive and balanced look into the problems facing some of Africa’s greatest species and the challenges of conserving them. Not only will we have a fantastic time, but our participation also means donations to the various research projects, thus helping to save endangered species.
We have the unique opportunity to see chimpanzees in semi-wild surroundings and observe their social interaction and behavioural patterns at the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary on a private guided tour. We explore the Elephant Sanctuary and get hands on with Africa's biggest inhabitants, dispelling some of the myths normally associated with these mammals. Further we are given the opportunity to experience hidden aspects of wildlife conservation, some ranger and bush skills, and gain knowledge in dart guns and other wildlife immobilisation techniques.
We spend a morning with local researchers in the Greater Kruger National Park and seek out elephants by telemery tracking. We take a behind the scenes look at Khama Reptile Park and shadow any veterinarian work being done. In addition to our unique encounters with wildlife behind the scenes, we also have a more traditional safari experience searching for wildlife, including the famous 'Big 5' on several open vehicle game drives. All in all, an amazing conservation experience!
Throughout the tour our specialist guide, who is a wildlife veterinarian and registered tourist guide, accompanies us. We are also joined by researchers, and various local guides to give us a unique and rare insight into the world of wildlife in southern Africa. Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime safari, while helping to conserve Africa’s wildlife through our participation. Whilst on safari the focus is to provide a comprehensive and balanced look into the problems facing some of Africa’s greatest species and the challenges of conserving them. Not only will we have a fantastic time, but our participation also means donations to the various research projects, thus helping to save endangered species.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to hotel. |
| Day 2: | Travel to Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Private guided tour of facility. |
| Day 3: | Behind-the-scenes look into veterinary and animal management procedures. Afternoon discussion on wildlife immobilisation. |
| Day 4: | Morning at elephant sanctuary. Afternoon departure for Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Short game drive on the reserve. |
| Day 5: | Early morning bushwalk followed by private tour of rehabilitation centre. Afternoon guided tour of Khama Reptile Park. |
| Day 6: | Rehabilitation centre observation (veterinary schedule permitting) before continuing to tented camp in Timbavati Game Reserve. Late afternoon game drive. |
| Day 7: | Morning bushwalk followed by tracking skills lesson. Evening game drive. |
| Day 8: | Learn about elephant conservation work. Track collared elephants using telemetry. Early evening game drive. |
| Day 9: | Final game drive or walk. Travel to Johannesburg where trip ends this afternoon |
travellers' tales
The most memorable part - it's difficult to choose just one aspect, but I think tracking the cheetah on foot at Edeni. (more)
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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This special hands-on experience ensures that travellers become acutely aware of the importance of conservation so that future generations can continue to appreciate Africa and its myriad wildlife. Having done this trip most clients become vocal ambassadors for the sustained protection of wildlife and wilderness the world over. The focus of this special adventure is animal management, giving clients an insight into the vital work being done in this field and where practical and safe, helping to carry out routine procedures on animals such as rhino, lion, elephant or leopard. You are accompanied throughout by your own vet/guide, so you are kept fully informed of the work being undertaken and the objectives in mind.
Using accommodation with a distinct focus on conservation this trip supports a number of innovative responsible travel projects. For example the Jane Goodall Institute is committed to conserving the primates, which are estimated to become extinct within their natural habitats in as little as 10 years. The goal of the sanctuary is to rescue some of the Chimpanzees that have survived the various threats to their existence, including the ‘bush meat’ trade and illegal pet trade practices. Besides being provided with a home to live out their lives, they are also provided with the necessary attention to recover from the trauma that they have experienced. We will have the unique opportunity to see Chimpanzees in semi-wild surroundings with normal social interaction and behavioural patterns under group members. Our lodge is situated within the 1000 hectare nature reserve with breathtaking views over the picturesque de Kaap Valley Mountains. Each of the 13 rooms is individually designed to reflect a unique African ambience. Buffet breakfasts and candlelit dinners are served in the restaurant or on the deck overlooking the reserve. Other projects visited on this trip include the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre where we take a private tour of the work being done here, escorted by a guide from the centre. The Centre is a non-profit organization, relying completely on the support of the public and exposes a different facet of wildlife work and conservation. Here a wide variety of birds and animals (lion, leopard, serval, lynx and honey badger) can be seen, being nursed and nurtured after being orphaned or injured, for release back into the wild. Some animals cannot be released and are kept for breeding and educational purposes. This operator has made the conscious decision to exclusively employ local tour leaders in the belief that by offering a steady income through employment, tourism can ultimately make a real positive difference to local communities. Regular training is provided to all local tour leaders on a variety of issues, from environmental awareness to First Aid. This is not only important to the overall conduct of the tour but also provides local people with important life skills. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |