Fly from the UK to Johannesburg

Welcome to Johannesburg, the vibrant heart of South Africa! Immerse yourself in a city where past and present harmoniously coexist. Explore the renowned Apartheid Museum, delving into the country's complex history and the triumph of Nelson Mandela. Discover the bustling streets of Soweto, where the legacy of struggle intertwines with the warm spirit of its people. Ascend to the iconic Hillbrow Tower for panoramic views or delve into artsy Maboneng Precinct's creative hub. Don't miss the stunning Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a glimpse into humanity's origins. In Johannesburg, history unfolds at every corner, shaping an urban landscape full of diversity, resilience, and endless wonder.

Included Experience - Cradle of Human Kind Tour

Enhance your visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Enjoy an exclusive experience with a private guide dedicated to your group, addressing your specific needs and questions. Highlights of the tour include the fascinating Sterkfontein Caves and the informative Maropeng Visitor Centre.

Fly from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit then transfer to Kapama Buffalo Camp

Escape to Kapama Buffalo Camp, an oasis of luxury in South Africa's wilderness. Nestled in the heart of Kapama Private Game Reserve, this intimate camp offers opulent tented suites, exhilarating game drives, and breathtaking views. Experience world-class dining, rejuvenating spa treatments, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Perfect for adventurers and relaxation seekers alike, Kapama Buffalo Camp promises an unparalleled safari experience that blends adventure with elegance. 

After breakfast you’ll head out for a morning visit to a local wildlife rehabilitation centre, where they take care of injured and poisoned animals that sadly will not be able to be released back into the wild. Watch a film presentation before you head out into the centre’s grounds on a two-hour tour, where you will have the chance to get up close and personal with animals including cheetahs, African wild dogs and vultures.

The centre is actively involved in several interesting research projects, including studying the movement and behaviour of leopards. Today’s visit will highlight the threats wildlife is facing today, but also demonstrates the positive impact of rehabilitation centres. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, you’ll have the chance to join the optional boat cruise, which will take in some of the Blyde River Canyon’s most picturesque sights, including the ‘living’ Kadishi Tufa Waterfall. Tufa waterfalls are formed when water running over dolomite rock absorbs calcium, and deposits rock formations more rapidly than they erode the surrounding rock, supporting moss and other plant life. The Kadishi Tufa Waterfall is thought to be the second-oldest tufa waterfall on earth. The boat tour will also take in the Three Rondavels, a trio of rocky outcrops that have eroded over time and now resemble a traditional Zulu beehive hut.

The Blyde River Canyon supports an impressive amount of biodiversity too, including numerous antelope species as well as hippos and crocodiles, together with birds such as the African fish eagle, African finfoot and much more. Refreshing soft drinks will be available on the tour, adding to the enjoyment of a wonderful afternoon.

Keep your eyes peeled for buffalos and elephants, as your guide shares their expert wildlife knowledge. Kruger National Park is home to some of the most diverse wildlife on earth, including 146 species of mammals, nearly 500 different kinds of birds, 114 species of reptiles, 49 freshwater fish, 33 species of amphibians and countless insects and flora and fauna – many of them found nowhere else on earth.

After an exciting morning, a well-deserved lunch will be served in a dry riverbed back at camp. At dusk, why not join the optional night safari, giving you the unique opportunity to witness how the bush changes as the sun goes down, and a different animal kingdom emerges?

As the sun dips behind the horizon, the colour of the sky changes and new scents fill the air as the nocturnal hunters appear. Keep an eye out for caracals, bush babies, porcupines and ant bears!

After a sumptuous breakfast in the camp’s boma area, you’ll set out on a stunning panoramic mountain tour. Don’t forget your camera! The tour will take in the Drakensberg Mountain Range, which stretches over 600 miles from the Eastern Cape toward Mpumalanga. The tour will take in the Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon on earth, spanning over 16 miles and over 2,000 feet deep. Formed over millennia, dramatic cliff drops are carpeted in bush and forest, high above the meandering Blyde River.

The tour continues to the Three Rondavels, a trio of rocky outcrops, shaped like a traditional Zulu beehive hut. You’ll also call at God’s Window, named for its sweeping panoramic views of the Lowveld and lush forest-clad ravines below. God’s Window is part of a 160-mile-long network of sheer cliffs that boast wonderful views. When you get there, you’ll see why it’s called God’s Window! Continue to Lisbon Waterfalls, which is 308 feet high and one of the most dramatic and picturesque waterfalls in the region.

You’ll make a lunch stop at Graskop, a small town nestled amongst picturesque pine and eucalyptus forests, known for pancakes and curio shops, before starting our scenic journey back to camp.

This morning, enjoy a final included safari into a private game reserve that forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park, as you savour every second spent in this unique natural paradise. We’ll stop for breakfast at a picnic spot, before your guide tells you more about the plant life in the area, which is vital to the park’s existence. Among many others, Kruger is home to the iconic marula tree, the fruit of which is used to make South Africa’s famous Amarula liquor. Return to the camp for lunch and then join your guide for a fascinating nature walk around the camp, which sits on its own private reserve.

Keep an eye out for wonderful creatures such as zebra, kudu, nyala and warthog that frequently wander through the camp. Later this afternoon, you'll head to the Nyani cultural village.

Learn all about the local culture as you watch a performance in a traditional Boma theatre, featuring music and dance from local tribes including the San (Bushmen), Tsonga, Shona, Venda, Swati and Zulu. Return to the camp for your final night in the African bush, where you will feast on a braai later – a traditional South African barbeque.

Enjoy a wonderful evening eating and chatting with new-found friends, no doubt reflecting on a wonderful week in South Africa.

After breakfast, bid farewell to the wonderful staff at Camp Bethel as you transfer to Johannesburg airport for your overnight return flight after a fabulous, once-in-a-lifetime experience.