Three Area South African Safari - 9 Days (Code S13)

The Nine Day Three area South African Safari is a luxury fly-in Safari, which explores three of South Africa's finest safari areas. The safari departs from and returns to Johannesburg. This safari is highly recommended to those who wish to enjoy five star safaris in varied safari areas.

The safari focuses on the Shamwari, Phinda and Sabi Sand Private Game Reserves in South Africa. In each area two open 4X4 safaris are conducted daily in search of the legendary Big Five, in area where many other mammal, plant and bird species grace the African Wilderness.

South Africa Safari Itinerary

Guests are met and welcomed at any location of their choice in either Johannesburg or Pretoria, from where they are transferred to O. R. Tambo International Airport for a flight to Port Elizabeth. Guests will be met on arrival in Port Elizabeth Airport, from where the safari makes its way north to the Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Shamwari is home to Africa’s ‘Big 5’ (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard) and is in a malaria free area. The reserve is situated in lush bushveld along the Bushman's River, halfway between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown.
Overnight: Shamwari Bayethe
Meals: Full Board

The day is devoted to two open 4x4 safaris conducted by experienced rangers and trackers, in the Shamwari Reserve. The area is steeped in pioneer history and dates back to a time when a multitude of game roamed wild and free, in this part of Southern Africa. The 25 000 hectare reserve boasts five eco-systems, which support an abundance of animal, plant and bird life.
Overnight: Shamwari Bayethe
Meals: Full Board

A last morning game drive in Shamwari is followed by breakfast, after which guests are transferred to Port Elizabeth for a flight to Durban. Guests are met on arrival at Durban Airport. Sugarcane plantations line the route, as the safari travels along the Kwa-Zulu Natal north coast en-route to Phinda Private Game Reserve, situated in the lush Maputaland region of northern KwaZulu-Natal. The reserve encompasses 23 000 hectares of prime bushveld, with no less than seven distinct eco-systems. The reserve is home to the ‘Big 5’, as well as a large diversity of other mammal species and 280 identified bird species. The reserve is reached during the late afternoon.
Overnight: Phinda Forest Lodge
Meals: Full Board

The two open 4x4 safaris conducted today, will afford guests the opportunity of viewing the rare sand forests of Maputaland, with fever trees standing guard over the many small creatures that make this reserve their home. Sightings of the ‘Big 5’ are a near certainty and will surely provide some of the highlights. Guests also have the opportunity to enjoy a walking safari, between the morning and afternoon game drives. This is a unique way of viewing Africa's mammals and the absence of noise from game drive vehicles, provides a totally different perspective from which to view wildlife.
Overnight: Phinda Forest Lodge
Meals: Full Board

A morning safari in the Phinda Reserve is followed by a drive through northern Maputaland, before crossing the border into Swaziland. The tiny mountain kingdom of Swaziland is one of the smallest self-contained sovereign states in the world. The Swazi’s are friendly and colorful people renowned for their artistry. A visit is made to a local candle maker and craft market, before reaching the overnight destination set in the Ezulwini ‘Heaven Valley’.
Overnight: Royal Swazi Sun
Meals: Full Board

Breakfast in the ‘Valley of Heaven’ is followed by a journey northwards, traversing rolling grassland with rocky hills, to the border with South Africa at Oshoek. From here the route then travels through Nelspruit - the capital of the Mpumalanga Province, en-route to the town of Hazyview, where a stop is made at a Shangaan Cultural Village. This visit will provide guests some insight into the rituals, culture and lifestyle of one of Africa’s most interesting nations. A local guide will lead guests down a winding pathway and past fields, where you are shown how the Shangaan people collect food from the environment. On reaching the traditional village, the guide will explain different facets of the Shangaan way of life. A quick visit will also be made to the local medicine man, after which a short drive then leads to the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. The reserve is named after the two principal rivers which flow through it - the Sabi and the Sand and covers an area of approximately sixty five thousand hectares of pristine African wilderness. The reserve is part of the Greater Kruger National Park and incorporates most of South Africa' finest safari lodges. The late afternoon is devoted to a first game drive in search of Africa's legendary ‘Big 5’. Guests will have the opportunity of viewing many other mammal and bird species, which grace the African savannah and give meaning to the words ‘Spirit of Africa’.
Overnight: Lion Sands River Lodge
Meals: Full Board

The day is devoted to two open 4x4 safaris in search of Africa's legendary ‘Big 5’. The safaris are led by an experienced ranger, whose intimate knowledge of the habits and behavior of the different animals, is sure to add to your enjoyment of the experience. A bush-walk is also conducted during the day, allowing guests the opportunity to come into closer contact with some of the plains game species, whilst on foot.
Overnight: Lion Sands River Lodge
Meals: Full Board

The sounds of the African wilderness awakening to another day, fill the air as guests enjoy an early morning game drive and as we admire the many different species of wildlife endemic to this conservation area. The safari returns to camp for a late breakfast, after which a bush-walk is conducted by an armed ranger, for those who wish to explore the area on foot. Some time is then set aside for relaxation, before once again embarking on a late afternoon and early evening game drive.
Overnight: Lion Sands River Lodge
Meals: Full Board

A last morning safari is followed by breakfast, after which guests are transferred to a local airfield for a flight to Johannesburg, where guest will be met if required and transferred to a location of their choice in either Johannesburg or Pretoria. Memories of an unforgettable South African Safari are sure to be painted in memory for ever.
Overnight: None
Meals: Breakfast