Authentic Safaris & Conservation Experiences
Garden Route & Eastern Cape Game Reserves
True African experiences amidst untamed beauty
Ultimate road trip aside, the Garden Route offers an easy malaria-free game viewing experience, with a variety of private reserves in the area offering Big Five encounters. Exceptional wildlife also awaits in the Eastern Cape, hailed for its beaches, bush and forest with a wealth of thriving flora and fauna, including the Big Five. What’ s more the nature and game reserves of the Eastern Cape are also within a malaria-free zone, making it an ideal safari destination for all the family. Although many parks are easily navigable on a self-driven safari, guided tours are recommended. Join early morning or evening guided game drives to view the animals as they eat, drink, interact, or emerge from their sleeping spots to hunt. Within easy reach of Gqeberha, Addo Elephant Park is perfectly placed to show off all its natural wonders. Established in 1931, this diverse conservation park may be renowned for its elephant population but it can also exclusively claim to be the world’ s only national park to conserve the Big Seven- the Big Five along with Southern Right whales and great white sharks off the Algoa Bay Coast. In fact, the park provides the perfect habitat for some 92 mammal species and over 400 types of birds.
Addo Elephant Park
SOUTH AFRICA
GARDEN ROUTE
• Oudtshoorn Cape Town • George •
• Mossel Bay
Addo Elephant NP •
George •
EASTERN CAPE
EASTERN CAPE
Grahamstown •
• Queenstown
• Gqeberha( Port Elizabeth)
• East London
• Qunu
Getting there: Garden Route game reserves are about an hour’ s drive from George. For the Eastern Cape, Gqeberha( Port Elizabeth) is the nearest airport with internal flights available from Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
Best time to go: For the best game viewing aim for the dry winter months( May-September), while October-April has lush scenery, migratory birds, newborn animals and warm weather.
Conservation / park fees: Applicable at selected game reserves and lodges and payable locally, details of which will be advised on quotations and at time of booking.
South Africa- Garden Route & Eastern Cape game reserves
Authentic Safaris & Conservation Experiences
2 or 7nts
For those who fancy something different to a stay at a typical game reserve, we have two fabulous alternative options!
Perhaps‘ go back to basics’ and try a unique walking experience at a camp reflecting the original safari concept of being on foot and sleeping around the fire at night, albeit within the comfort of a bush tent.
Alternatively, you have the chance to make a meaningful impact and contribute with important, but enjoyable, conservation work toward the sustainability of South Africa’ s diverse wildlife.
Either give you a true one-of-a-kind experience!
What you need to know:
Authentic safari price: The price shown includes accommodation, meals, local brand beverages, conservation levy and walking activities. Available September-May.
Conservation experience price: The price shown includes accommodation, meals, daily conservation activities and game drives.
Note: International flights and transfers not included in either option.
Shamwari Explorer Camp
Eastern Cape
2nts from £ 869pp
With a magical setting on a plateau amongst sandstone outcrops, this is ideal for guests seeking adventure and authenticity. Offering the ambience of a tented bush camp of old safari lore, there’ s daily guided walks for eye-opening wildlife encounters rather than in a 4x4 vehicle. Each of the solar powered tents have an ensuite shower and are spaced to provide privacy. Culinary feasts are presented around the camp fire or in the dining tent with exquisite silverware. The camp also has a plunge pool where you can cool off between activities and, while the camp is fenced, wild animals can cross through at any time. This is a true explorer experience for anyone aged 17 years and over. Stays also available at the luxury Shamwari Private Game Reserve, see page 35.
Amakhala Volunteer Programme
Eastern Cape
7nts from £ 582pp
A true hands-on conservation experience, involving a variety of tasks from Monday to Friday, usually for around 8 hours a day. Duties and experiences may include predator tracking, herbivore monitoring, darting and relocation, erosion control and helping at the Amakhala Foundation. Fun elements include bush survival skills, canoeing trips and excursions, while at weekends, you can explore or relax. Volunteers stay in comfortable rooms within a one-storey 11 bedroom house and, while all food is supplied, it’ s prepared by you and other volunteers. Facilities include a swimming pool, outdoor‘ braai’ area and there’ s a pub next door. Stays also available at the luxury Safari Lodge Amakhala, see page 33.
visit your local travel agent or call 08444 937 444 • www. premierholidays. co. uk South Africa 31