Fly In : Gold Class

From R 13 500 per person sharing

Day 1

Upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport you will be met by an Island-Safari.com representative. Pick up your rental car from OR Tambo International Airport this morning for a five hour drive to the Pontdrift Border Post / Tuli Block of Botswana (The Pontdrift Border Post which is the entrance to the Reserve is 525km from Johannesburg). The lodge is located 60 - 90 minutes drive from the Limpopo valley airfield, depending on animal traffic.  Clients are collected in open safari vehicles with sun shade canopies and transferred to the lodge at no additional cost.

Check into Nitani Game Lodge where there will be time for some cool beverages and freshening up before your first afternoon/evening game drive.

Nitani Private Game Reserve presents the quintessential African Safari experience. The perfect balance between pristine wilderness, high quality game viewing, luxurious and exclusive accommodations, and the passionate commitment of a family who have been part of this landscape for decades – Nitani is sure to appeal to the most discerning of travellers who seek something different, yet reminiscent of home.

Located in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve in Botswana (where South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe meet), Nitani is part of an Africa of wide open savannahs, grand and majestic skies and of people who proudly share their country and culture with visitors from far and wide.

Safaris are exhilarating. Private and open vehicles head out into the wilds, and take guests into close contact with elephants, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, and antelope species a-plenty. Twitcher's will find an abundant and impressive menu of birdlife.

Within the camp (raised on stilts in the unspoiled bush), the experience is a sensory one. From enjoyment of cordon-bleu cooking at the hands of their talented chef, to the quiet solitude and rejuvenating treatments on offer at the spa, one is guaranteed to leave the reserve a new person.

Join the Pinchen Family on a Safari of indulgence, appreciation, invigoration and excitement – food for the soul. The greater Tuli region (which encompasses the Northern Tuli Game Reserve) is bordered by the Motloutse, the Shashe and Limpopo rivers in the north-eastern corner of Botswana and the south-western part of Zimbabwe. It is in the northern reaches of the Northern Tuli Game Reserve that one will find Nitani Game Reserve.

The region has a variety of landscapes...  Riverine forests along the river banks and watercourses, sandstone outcrops, dolerite dykes (most notably, the renowned Solomon's Wall) and Mopane savanna.

Tuli is a semi-arid region, with rain falling in the summer months (November – March). Temperatures are very cold during winter (during early mornings and evenings – mid-day is more moderate and very pleasant), but start to escalate when spring begins in September.
The wildlife experience within the reserve is also vast. There are admirable populations of elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe and eland.  In addition to the common plains animals (such as wildebeest and zebra), there are also monkeys and baboons, as well as steenbok, the duiker, grysbok, impala, common waterbuck, bushbuck, and warthog. Also present are aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, African wild cat, spotted hyena and black-backed jackal. And the bird-life is astounding, with more than 350 different species in abundance.

Spend three nights at Nitani Game Lodge on a fully inclusive basis

Day 4

After a morning game drive and some leisure time, drive back to D`Oreale Grande Hotel in Johannesburg.

The five-star D`Oreale Grande Hotel embraces grand luxury on an intimate scale. Surrounded by palatial buildings and set in a display of gardens, fountains and statues, the experience is overwhelming while the art of personal service is practised with efficiency and aplomb.

Emperors Palace is located at South Africa's premier tourism address, the Johannesburg International Airport. Spoil yourself at Octavia's Sensorium Health & Beauty Spa, enjoy a game of tennis, relax on the pool deck or stroll through the Gardens of Vespasian. Whether it is business or pleasure, The Emperor is without a doubt Africa's premier hotel destination.

Overnight D`Oreale Grande Hotel on a Bed and Breakfast basis

Day 5

After breakfast, depart to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve (approx. 6 and a half hours) 

Check into Simbambili Game Lodge where there will be time for some cool beverages and freshening up before your first afternoon/evening game drive

Simbambili Lodge can be found nestled amongst stands of knob thorn and jackalberry trees along the Manyeleti River.

There are only 8 suites, each styled along Moroccan lines – yet which blend with the environment, and are placed to enhance privacy. The suites all have excellent views over the savanna, and with this, game viewing can be enjoyed from the comfort of your accommodation. The suites are air-conditioned, and the en suite bathroom includes an indoor/ outdoor bath and shower. There is also a plunge pool and Sala.

Meals can be enjoyed in the dining room, open-air Boma or in bush – as a compliment to the cuisine there is also a selection of fine wines.

The Sabi Sand is famous for wildlife, not least of which are the excellent leopard concentrations. Guests are taken on game drives, who will teach you about the bush, and its myriad inhabitants. The drives are timed for the best game viewing. You can also enjoy a guided bush walk, which will both you interests, and level of fitness. On walks you get to learn more about the smaller animals, and the plant life – including traditional medical uses.

In addition, there are a number of day trips in the area, such as the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, the Cheetah Breeding Project, and Panorama Route tours (to Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, and so forth).

Spend three nights at Simbambili Game Lodge on a fully inclusive basis

Days 6, 7

Your two full days on safari will be spent on game drives early in the mornings and late in the afternoon with time in-between to just relax and be spoiled by the lodge staff. 

Day 8

After a morning game drive and some leisure time, drive back via the Panorama Route / Blyde River Canyon (if time allows) to OR Tambo International. Drop off your rental car. From this point you will depart under your own arrangements.

END SERVICES

Priced from: ZAR 13 500 + US$ 1 500 per person sharing  

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Accommodation as specified, Meals as specified, Ground transportation and excursions as noted, Park and entrance fees for lodges/camps inside national parks.

NITANI GAME LODGE
Luxury accommodation
Game drives and interpretive bush walks
5 star cuisine
All local brand drinks
Snacks on game drives
Transfers to Nitani
Special Interest Lectures
Star gazing through the computerized telescope
Tea and coffee

Activities Programme
                                                           
(INCLUDED IN THE RATE)
Astronomy
Lie back and absorb the African sky through our computerized telescope, where information on the ancient galaxies are at a touch of a button.

Bush Dinner
Guests are driven to an open plain, which is lit by paraffin lamps, making an unforgettable memory of Africa. Guests can absorb the thrilling night sounds, whilst savouring a meal cooked on the open-coals of a bush fire. This activity is subject to the Season as winds may cause a fire hazard.

Bush Walk
During the summer months the walks are done in the early mornings, and in winter the walk is done after breakfast. The ranger will talk on a variety of subjects ranging from the medicinal uses of certain plants, interesting facts on the fauna and flora of the area and archaeology dating back to the Stone Age.

Specialist Lectures
Archaeology - Take a time walk back to 255 million years ago and discover early Jurassic Dinosaurs. Travel through the Crystalline Age, The Stone age, The Iron Age and end up with sundowners at the owners, Shane and Ade’s home.

Entomology- Enter the insect world with our resident entomologist and discover an inexhaustible subject filled with fascinating facts. This is usually conducted on bush walks or as a special request from guests.

Ornithology: Peek into an endless and fascinating world of birds. This lecture is done on request by guests.

Bushman walk
Clients learn how to make fire with their hands, as well as set bird traps and track game with the ranger. He does this according to traditional bushman methods.

Game Drives
Guests are taken on morning and evening drives in open Land Rovers.

Private Dinner or Lunch
Guests can request a private dinner or lunch, which is served on an open deck overlooking a waterhole.

(ACTIVITIES NOT INCLUDED IN THE RATE)
Cultural Village tour
Animal Tracking & Talk
Hot Air Ballooning
Bicycle Rides
Wellness Centre
Sir Williams Bar

D’OREALE GRANDE HOTEL
Accommodation, Breakfast and Airport transfers

SIMBAMBILI GAME LODGE
Accommodation, All meals, teas, coffees & snacks, Dawn and dusk safaris in open land rovers and bushveld walks, Sun downer local drinks are included at Simbambili Game Lodge

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

Domestic flights (quoted separately) all flights as specified in the above itinerary: PLEASE NOTE: Fares are subject to class/seat availability at the time a reservation is made.
Lunches & dinners (unless specified)
Drinks & refreshments
Tips for porters and restaurants
Telephone calls, laundry & other incidental personal expenditure
Visa fees, in countries where these apply
Airport departure taxes, in countries where these apply
Medical, cancellation and baggage insurance

Car Rental

• Suggestion - Car Rental // Toyota Corolla or similar // Unlimited mileage // Super Insurance cover

Notes:

• All activities are subject to prevailing weather conditions
• ** PLEASE NOTE: These rates are given as guidelines, and will differ depending on factors such as the time of the year that guests travel, the number of guests travelling, and the class of airline seats available. All rates are subject to change at the discretion of the properties/operators, and due to currency fluctuations, unforeseen increases in fuel prices, increased airline prices, or any future government imposed taxes