Intimate Exploration of South Africa: Safari and Starry Skies
What to expect on this itinerary
Capture postcard-perfect images galore as you search South Africa from the forested woodlands of Phinda Private Game Reserve to the savannahs of MalaMala Game Reserve on this breathtaking 9-day wilderness adventure. Your discoveries will lead you to watering holes where predators lurk beyond the shrubbery and gentle giants graze vast pastures, all scenes to swoon over stationed right outside your spectacular accommodations.
Customizable Itinerary
Phinda Private Game Reserve - Seven Worlds of Wonder
After a brief transfer from Johannesburg to the luxuriant wildlands of KwaZulu-Natal, you will arrive at Phinda Private Game Reserve, a destination described as the ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder.’ The untouched landscape is composed of lush wetlands and emerald forests, in which your stunning, award-winning accommodation lays nestled beneath the rustling branches of the canopy. After unpacking in your Zulu zen suite, you may join a knowledgeable ranger for an afternoon galavanting through the green before turning in this evening for a peaceful rest underneath the clear, starry sky.
What's Included:
Phinda Private Game Reserve - Searching for the Big Five
Phinda Private Game Reserve - Rare Encounters within the Brush
Phinda Private Game Reserve - A Night Under the Stars
MalaMala Game Reserve - Picture-Perfect Scenes in Northeast South Africa
MalaMala Game Reserve - Unparalleled Big Five Photography
MalaMala Game Reserve - Wandering through the Bucolic Bush
MalaMala Game Reserve - Visions of the African Night Sky
MalaMala Game Reserve - Goodbyes beneath the African Sun
Trip Highlights
- Soak up the scenic splendors of Phinda Private Game Reserve upon arrival as you galavant through the luxuriant green forest unrolling from the foot of your spectacular accommodation alongside an experienced ranger
- Search shrub-speckled plains and forested hills for South Africa’s famous Big Five; lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos, while admiring the untamed habitats of Phinda Private Game Reserve
- Scour Phinda’s staggering untouched terrain for rare creatures hiding in the thicket, tracking cheetahs and their cubs as well as the rare Suni antelope
- Spend an evening under the twinkling stars soundtracked by the symphonies of the wilderness as you tuck into a traditional Shisa Nyama, South African barbeque, around the campfire and sleep on beds stationed in the bush clearing
- Acclimate to South Africa’s bewitching northeastern wildlands as you peruse the varied habitats composing the picture-perfect reaches of MalaMala Game Reserve
- Capture the Big Five like never before as you relish a unique photographic game drive within a fully-equipped vehicle and accompanied by expert rangers and photographers
- Witness MalaMala’s colorful creatures and blossoming flowers from a new vantage point as you stroll along trails weaving through the alluring game reserve
- Look upon the cosmos during a riveting star-gazing experience beneath one of the clearest night skies in South Africa
Starting Price
$9,600 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 3 reviews
We had an AMAZING trip to South Africa to celebrate the milestone of turning 30!
This safari travel coordinator was definitely the right choice to plan our trip. We gave them a budget, a timeline, and a list of things we wanted to do on our trip and they made it happen. It was almost effortless for us as they took over planning every detail. We knew nothing about the areas that we were travelling to so it was very nice to have people that were knowledgeable that could set us up with the appropriate accommodations for the types of things we were hoping to do and see while we were there. In Cape Town we were right at the waterfront so we were walking distance to shops and restaurants. In Victoria Falls we were walking distance to the falls. We never had to worry about transportation getting to and from anywhere. Our "excursions" were all planned out in advance and we were picked up and dropped off right from our accommodations. The trip was so seamless that all we had to worry about was enjoying our time there.
Our contact made sure everything was ready to go prior to our departure and then checked in to make sure that we had arrived safely once we got to Cape Town. We were able to contact him throughout our trip and he was there to make sure that everything was running smoothly.
The anticipation built throughout the trip for the safari. We were got more and more excited as we told people we met along the way that we were going to Mala Mala. We had no idea what we were in for but people told us "Wow, those guys know what their doing" when we told people that our travel company had booked us there. It didn't disappoint when we arrived. We had an unbelievable experience at Mala Mala and I wish that everyone could have the same experience that we did. The staff was unbelievable, professional, knowledgeable, and all around nice people. It was sad having to leave after our 3 nights at the main camp.
When it was time to go home, our contacts from our travel company came and met us at the airport to check in on how the trip was and to get feedback on what they could do better and how the various accommodations were. It really showed that they cared about their company. It's always a bit of a question mark when you choose a company online from a different country to hand over significant amounts of money to. There is always that shadow of doubt in your mind, the what-ifs - those all disappeared as soon as we landed! We were all so impressed with the company's team and the trip that they planned for us. It was exactly what we wanted and they made it a reality for us. And on top of that, they were great people to sit down and chat with! They were the first ones to see some of our amazing photos from the trip and hear the excitement in our voices of how much fun we had while we were there. I'm hoping from our meeting that they realized how great of a trip we had because of them! Thanks again guys!
We have all been bragging to our friends, family and co-workers that they need to come and visit Africa. We specifically recommend using this safari travel company because of the wonderful experience we had with them....like really, who meets you at the airport before you leave just to get feedback! Such a great company! Like we all said, we wish that everyone was able to experience Africa the way that we did!
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Our trip was wondrous, truly, thanks to our tour designer and safari travel company. He provided my wife and me with impeccable service, advice, and logistics. Most of all, he took the time to understand our interests and tailored an incredible journey for us. We received the name of this company and that of another company from Zicasso. I wrote both companies within 24 hours, indicating that my wife and I had travelled and lived extensively in Africa. That included backpacking across the entire continent and visiting more than 20 African countries in 1980, living for four years in Kinshasa, Zaire, and for seven years in Rabat, Morocco. In 1998 we had also been on safari in Botswana and done a self-drive safari throughout Namibia. So our request for a specially tailored trip was based on our desire to do something very different this time, to visit the most remote parts of Namibia, and to see some of the wildest parts of southern Africa. Our safari tour designer responded 24 hours later with a complete sample itinerary and a price quote. He was that responsive throughout our planning process, answering all our emails and queries in 24 hours or less. The other company said their Namibia specialist was out of the office, and we should set up an appointment for a week later. By then it was too late, as our tour designer had convinced us he knew exactly what we wanted and would work tirelessly to set up the best trip for us. We were excited that he had visited all of the camps he had proposed in Namibia and Botswana, and understood our interests to go far and deep, given our long history of travel in Africa. We asked to have a telephone conversation with him, and he gladly set up the time, and then answered our many questions. Clearly, this tour designer knows southern Africa intimately, including Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia, as well South Africa. He had many excellent suggestions as to the camps we were interested in, and the right amount of time to spend at each. For example, he insisted we spend at least 3 nights at Serra Cafema in northern Namibia. He was right, except in hindsight we could have spent 4, 5, or more nights there. Our final itinerary included Tubu Tree in the Okavango Delta (Botswana), and Desert Rhino Camp, Hoanib Skeleton Coast, Serra Cafema, and Little Ongava in Namibia. All of the camps except the last are run by Wilderness Safaris. Our trip was full of wonder, and we can hardly believe we're back home. We would go back to Namibia and Botswana tomorrow if we could, and we would only organize our travels with this safari tour designer and his company.
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My family was looking forward to a fabulous trip to celebrate my imminent retirement and my daughter's birthday - this safari travel planner certainly supplied us with what we wanted and needed. Starting at Victoria Falls and a 3 night stay at a private island, then on to a day of rest in Johannesburg, 4 nights at a luxurious game lodge and 3 nights at the beautiful hotel in Capetown, our trip met and exceded all our expectations.
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