14 Day Bush And Beach Guided Tour

Itinerary

Day 1 & 2

Meet your tour leader and depart Johannesburg, wind your way northwards into Venda, the heartland of Limpopo and land of Legends. Arrive late afternoon and enjoy the comfort of Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge situated on the banks of the Levubu River. After a sumptuous breakfast the following morning, visit the wealth of arts and crafts on the Ribolla Artist's Route. Enjoy the community hospitality during your visit to Mashamba and Mukhondeni Villages. World renowned woodcarvers, Venda drum makers and potters such as Jackson Hlungwani will be visited. We will leave the Zoutpansberg plateau, the next day, as we descend into the Lowveld and travel through rural Limpopo, visiting a unique bar in the world's largest Baobab tree before reaching Phalaborwa.
*2 nights Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge or similar - Breakfast and dinner included

Day 3
After an enjoyable breakfast, depart the Lodge and head for your next destination on the doorstep of the Kruger National Park. Dinner tonight is under the stars amidst the tropical gardens of the lodge. There is also an option of going on an Astronomy evening tonight. Overnight in your own comfortable rondavel and prepare for your first safari.
* 3 nights Sefapane Lodge & Safaris - Dinner included

Day 4
Today will be an early rise for a Full Day Safari in the Kruger National Park, renowned for exceptional biological diversity, which include the big 5 (Lion, Elephant, Rhinoceros, Buffalo and Leopard). Spend the entire day in the Park, visiting some of the popular Rest Camps on route and stopping at various picnic sites for breakfast and lunch. Arrive back at the lodge in the late afternoon and indulge in a cocktail or two, at the bar before dinner.
* Breakfast and dinner included

Day 5
After breakfast, leave for the Olifants River. Board our comfortable river raft and cruise the river while viewing crocodile, hippo and other game that will come to the river to quench their thirst. Return to the lodge around lunch time and enjoy a few hours at the pool. Late afternoon you return to the Kruger for an exciting evening safari. Enjoy sundowner drinks and turn on the spotlight in search of 'eyes in the darkness'. Dinner tonight will be a traditional bushbraai.
* Breakfast and dinner included

Day 6
We depart for the Giriyondo Border Post, on the western boundary of the Kruger National Park and enjoy our last sightings in South Africa. We cross into Mozambique and into the Parque Nacional Do Limpopo. Arrive at Machampane Wilderness Camp, situated in the only private concession of the Transfrontier Park. It extends over 35 000 hectares of wilderness and you will be the only guests on safari in this vast tract of pristine National Park.
* 2 nights Machampane - All meals included

Day 7
An early morning is rewarded with a beautiful sunrise. Explore the area around the river on foot, guided by two armed rangers. On return enjoy a hearty breakfast. Spend the rest of the morning bird watching or relaxing on your private deck on the Machampane River. Set out after lunch on another guided walk or drive. Enjoy nature, the views and a splendid Mozambican braai tonight at camp.
* All meals included

Day 8
Wake up in the wonderful serenity of the Parque Nacional Do Limpopo. After breakfast we head towards the impressive Massingir Dam, experiencing local culture in the many villages we encounter along the route. We have to keep going however, as the coastline of Mozambique awaits us! Tonight we will spend the evening at Xai-Xai Beach Resort overlooking the Indian Ocean.
* 1 night Xai-Xai Beach Resort - Breakfast and dinner included

Day 9
Today we will depart northwards for Inhambane to the small town, Barra. You will spend the next few days here on a small island during high tide, where the sea enters the lagoon. At Areia Branca Lodge you will experience 360 degree views of pristine white beaches, hundreds of palm trees and the warm Indian Ocean at your doorstep. Welcome to paradise!

Take a stroll along the endless beaches and take in the sensory splendor of what surrounds you or book an optional sundowner cruise on the crystal clear waters of the Barra Lagoon . The choice is yours.
* 3 nights Areia Branca - Breakfast and dinner included

Day 10
Wake up to the fresh sea air! After breakfast today, we will board a boat and cruise across the lagoon to the isolated sand bar, called Pansy Island. Here you can spend the time snorkeling, sun bathing or admiring the hundreds of beautiful Pansy shells hidden beneath the sand. On our return to the lodge, try fishing the tidal lagoon, go horse riding along the beach, or sit back, relax and sip on a cocktail, while reading a book. Dinner tonight will be at one of the local restaurants.
* Breakfast and dinner included

Day 10

Today we will head into to the nearby town called Tofo, to experience the "Mercado" (market) where you can shop for arts and crafts, textiles, spices and other unique souvenirs and take pleasure in the local beaches of the area. Here you have the option of going snorkeling on an Ocean Safari, where you can try to spot whale sharks, dolphins and manter rays. End the day with a typical Mozambican dinner at one of the restaurants in Tofo: Peri-peri chicken, Prawns, Crayfish or the Catch of the Day; life is delicious!
* Breakfast and dinner included

Day 12
Time to leave Barra behind and head southwards along the coastal road to the capital of Mozambique: Maputo. The city boasts a lively harbor and colourful markets; all with a strong Portuguese flavour.
* 1 night Maputo Holiday Inn - Breakfast included

Day 13
Let the commotion of the city pass you by on an early morning city tour. Maputo has enjoyed a fascinating history from an ancient trading port, to a colonial "African Riviera", to a cosmopolitan African capital city. We visit the up-market neighborhoods of Sommerschield and Polana, the railway station, musea and churches. Depart for Ressano Garcia border post and cross back into South Africa. We will travel onwards into the impressive mountains of Mpumalanga and Dullstroom, the trout fishing mecca of South Africa. Our last night of this exciting tour is spent enjoying dinner at Critchley Hackle with new found friends.
* 1 night Critchley Hackle - Breakfast and dinner included

Day 14
Time to say goodbye and return back home. After breakfast, we will depart on the last couple of kilometers to Johannesburg. This is the end point of our exciting 12-Day Bush 2 Beach Tour, or perhaps you will continue your holiday with a new adventure..
* Breakfast included

14-DAY BUSH 2 BEACH TOUR INCLUDES :

• All Transfers
• 13 nights’ Accommodation
• All Breakfasts
• 13 Dinners
• Lunches as mentioned in quote
• Full Day Safari in Kruger National Park
• Evening Safari in Kruger National Park
• Traditional Bush Braai
• Olifants River Cruise
• Morning and Afternoon Walk in Parque Nacional do Limpopo, Mozambique
• Pansy Island Boat Cruise in Barra, Mozambique
• Day trip to Tofo Town
• Morning City Tour of Maputo
• Third party Insurance in Mozambique
• Entrance fees for Kruger National Park
• Entrance fees for Parque Nacional Do Limpopo
• Experienced Tour Leader/Driver
• First Aid Kit – Guides are NOT qualified to carry out medical duties and clients are advised to bring their own personal medicines for allergies etc.

14-DAY BUSH 2 BEACH TOUR EXCLUDES:

• Additional activities/excursions
• Drinks unless specified in quote
• Lunches unless specified in quote
• 1 Dinner (in Maputo)
• Personal needs or items such as laundry and phone calls
• Air fares and airport taxes
• Visa fees
• Personal travel insurance and Medical Aid
• Gratuities