Your safari adventure begins the moment you touch down at King Shaka International Airport. After you clear customs, our driver will warmly greet you and escort you to your transfer vehicle. Sit back, relax, and take in the changing landscapes during a scenic drive heading north through KwaZulu-Natal toward Mkuze. Your ultimate destination is the spectacular Manyoni Private Game Reserve.

Upon arrival, check in to the beautiful Sensiri Plains Safari Lodge (or similar), where you can shake off any travel fatigue and enjoy a peaceful overnight stay surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild bushveld.

Meals: Dinner

Manyoni Private Game Reserve offers an unforgettable safari experience with diverse wildlife, including the Big Five. Guests can explore stunning landscapes while enjoying luxury accommodations. The reserve is committed to conservation, providing exclusive access to remote areas and personalized experiences tailored to each visitor.

Your first full day on safari begins with an early wake-up call as the bush comes alive. Head out into the Manyoni Private Game Reserve for an exhilarating morning game drive, tracking the Big Five and its many other species as we explore the diverse landscape. Throughout the day's adventures, you will cover roughly 50 kilometers around the reserve.

Return to Sensiri Plains Safari Lodge for a hearty breakfast, followed later by a relaxing light lunch. You can spend your midday at leisure, unwinding by the pool or soaking in the tranquil wilderness views from the lodge deck.

Mid-afternoon, we set off on the main event - an extraordinary pangolin tracking experience - as we offer you the rare privilege of tracking these highly endangered, elusive creatures. We will try locate one of the monitored pangolins with the help of our sniffer dog friend, and the use of telemetry only if needed.

Thereafter, we undertake our second game drive of the day to catch the wildlife and predators becoming active as the sun goes down.

We then return to the lodge for a delectable dinner around the boma or braai (barbeque) area.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Head back out into the reserve for an extraordinary, exclusive experience: a pangolin monitoring night drive. You will have the rare privilege of tracking these highly endangered, elusive creatures under the stars before returning to the lodge for a peaceful overnight stay.

You will spend a second night at the incredible Sensiri Plains Safari Lodge.

Your day begins with one final morning game drive in Manyoni Private Game Reserve, giving you another chance to locate any new species or get better sightings of some already seen targets. After returning to the lodge for breakfast and checking out, we will set off on a scenic journey heading inland toward the historic town of Vryheid. Watch the changing South African countryside as you transition into the beautiful, rolling farmlands of the region.

Your destination for the day is the peaceful Ruigtefontein Farm. Upon arrival, check in to your countryside accommodations and spend the afternoon unwinding. As dusk falls, the adventure picks up again with an exciting guided open safari night drive. You'll head out in an open vehicle to track nocturnal wildlife and experience the landscape after dark before returning to the farm for a restful overnight stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ruigtefontein Farm offers breathtaking mountain views and a tranquil atmosphere, ideal for relaxation. Located near hiking trails, it invites adventure and exploration. Experience a working farm with local produce and enjoy cozy accommodations that provide a unique connection to nature and wildlife.

Wake up to the peaceful sounds of the countryside and enjoy a hearty breakfast at Ruigtefontein Farm. This morning we will explore the farm again, or alternatively head northwards for half the day to the amazing bird haven of Wakkerstroom. Alternatively we could undertake a morning birding walk around the beautiful farm grounds.

As afternoon fades into evening, we enjoy an early dinner while the excitement builds for another guided night safari. Tracking wildlife after dark is always unpredictable, giving you a fresh opportunity to spot different nocturnal species. After a long night of searching, we turn in for some well-earned rest.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will spend a second evening at the wonderful Ruigtefontein Farm

Leaving the rolling farmlands of Vryheid behind, you will embark on another scenic drive into the foothills of the Maluti Mountains in the north-eastern Free State. Your destination today is the breathtaking Golden Gate Highlands National Park, renowned for its towering, golden-ochre sandstone cliffs that brilliantly catch the afternoon sun.

This stay serves as a relaxed, scenic overnight stop to break up your travel before you head onward to Marrick Safari. Upon arrival, check in to the Golden Gate Hotel and Chalets, located within the national park. We enjoy a late lunch before relaxing and unwind on the hotel property. In the late afternoon we undertake a game drive around two of the loop roads in the park, as we absorb and photograph the majestic rock formations that surround us.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving the towering, sun-kissed sandstone cliffs of Golden Gate behind, you will embark on a scenic journey heading west across the vast, rolling plains of the Free State toward the Northern Cape. Your destination is Marrick Safari, a pristine 3,000-hectare private property of unspoiled savannah thornveld located just outside the historic city of Kimberley

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will set off early on a full-day excursion to the nearby Mokala National Park, a stunning reserve dominated by arid grasslands, sandy savanna, and majestic camel thorn trees. You will spend most of the day exploring this unique habitat in search of rare and endangered antelope species—such as Roan, Sable, Tsessebe, alongside Cape Buffalo, Southern Giraffe, Common Eland, and both Black and White Rhino.

We enjoy a packed breakfast at Lilydale Rest Camp overlooking the river, and then set off on a rewarding day of game viewing, stopping at Stofdam Bird Hide for some photography, before continuing to Mosu Lodge for lunch and another chance to stretch our legs.

We exit the park around 14h30 and return to Marrick Safari to relax before dinner. Once darkness falls, the anticipation rises again over dinner, whereafter the adventure continues with another guided open vehicle night drive. Using spotlights to sweep the thornveld, you will search for more nocturnal specials and "Shy 5" mammals, keeping a close eye out for Aardvark, Caracal, Aardwolf, Bat-eared Fox, Striped Polecat, African Wild Cat, and—with a bit of luck—the incredibly rare and elusive Black-footed Cat, before turning in for the night.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You'll spend another evening at the wonderful Marrick Safari Chalets

Your day begins early with a specialist morning tour at Marrick Safari to locate two fascinating local species: the Eastern Rock Elephant Shrew (Sengi) and the Suricate (Meerkat). We will first search a rocky hill for the energetic and elusive elephant shrew (sengi), and then also search for a wild colony of meerkats before they depart their burrows on their day's exploits.

After returning to the lodge for breakfast, you have the rest of the day to either relax, or to visit the large nearby wetland and dam to search for flamingoes and the other abundant waterfowl.

As night falls, we will again enjoy an early dinner before setting out on your final guided open-vehicle night drive at Marrick. This second evening safari maximizes your chances of spotting the area's legendary nocturnal inhabitants using spotlights.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will spend one final night at the Marrick Safari Chalets

After breakfast, you will check out of Marrick Safari and begin a scenic journey traveling south into the heart of the Great Karoo toward Hanover. This drive transitions you from the savanna into the vast, open plains and distinctive flat-topped kopjes (hills) of this beautiful, semi-arid Nama Karoo landscape.

We stop briefly in the interesting town of Orania for lunch at a riverside restaurant, before proceeding onwards.

After arriving and checking into Khoisan Karoo, settle into your accommodations briefly before setting off on a relaxed sunset safari drive to get your first taste of this starkly beautiful environment.

We enjoy a delicious dinner as night falls, before the true adventure begins with your first of three highly anticipated "Shy 5" night drives. Your specialist guide will use spotlights to sweep the Karoo scrub, aiming to locate the numerous elusive nocturnal mammal species, including Aardvark, Black-footed Cat, Caracal, Cape Fox, Aardwolf, Cape Porcupine, Striped Polecat, Bat-eared Fox, and African Wild Cat.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your day starts early with a dedicated Sengi (Elephant Shrew) and Suricate (Meerkat) morning tour. You will head out into the crisp Karoo morning to a wild, habituated colony of meerkats, sitting quietly to watch these charismatic creatures emerge from their burrows and stand tall to warm themselves in the early sun. You will also search the rocky terrain for the quick and energetic Eastern Rock Sengi.

Return to New Holme Nature Lodge for a hearty breakfast. You have the rest of the day for leisurely relaxation, as you enjoy the peaceful Karoo atmosphere, or stroll around the lodge grounds and edge of the vast dam.

After dinner, when darkness sets in, embark on your second guided open-vehicle night safari. With nocturnal animal behavior changing night-by-night, this second night drive offers fresh opportunities to seek out the elusive creatures you may have missed on previous drives. Keep your eyes peeled for these wonders before heading back to the lodge for the night.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You'll spend another evening at the wonderful New Holme Nature Lodge

Enjoy an early morning birding drive in an open vehicle to experience the Karoo as it wakes up, giving you a great chance to spot the amazing endemic and special birds and diurnal mammals. The abundant birdlife, includes Blue Korhaan, Karoo Korhaan, Blue Crane, Ludwig's Bustard, Burchell's Courser, Double-banded Courser, Cape Penduline Tit, Namaqua Warbler, and many more.

Spend your midday and afternoon unwinding at New Holme. Take a refreshing swim, read a book around the pool, enjoy a hide, or simply enjoy the tranquil, wide-open spaces of the conservancy.

As your final evening in the Khoisan Karoo Conservancy approaches, head out for your third and final "Shy 5" night drive. This final sweep of the veld under the brilliant Karoo stars and dark skies is another chance to check off any remaining target species on your mammal checklist. Return to the lodge for a celebratory final drink and comfortable night's rest.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You'll spend a final evening at the wonderful New Holme Nature Lodge

After a final breakfast in the Khoisan Karoo, you will check out and embark on a 280-kilometer road transfer heading southwest toward Beaufort West. Your destination today is the magnificent Karoo National Park, a starkly beautiful sanctuary famed for its dramatic mountain valleys and the spectacular cliffs of the Nuweveld escarpment.

Upon arrival, check in to the Karoo National Park Main Camp and take some time to settle into your chalet. The afternoon is yours to relax and absorb the rugged mountain scenery.

As the day cools down, you will set off on a guided open-safari vehicle drive. This park provides an excellent mix of classic safari species and unique regional endemics. You will explore the rugged valleys before you return to the main camp for a peaceful night tucked away in the mountains.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin early with a major highlight of driving up the spectacular Klipspringer Pass, which winds through scenic mountain terrain and offers panoramic views of the ancient Karoo plains. Scan the rocky slopes for Klipspringers, Cape Mountain Zebra and Red Hartebeest. In the valleys below, search for Black Rhino, Brown Hyena, Gemsbok, and Common Eland, and the park's famous black-maned African Lions.

We return to camp for brunch, whereafter you have the afternoon to rest - you can walk the park's unique Fossil Trail, spot birdlife from the camp's bird hide, or unwind by the pool.

In the late afternoon we drive back into the park in search of more wild delights before returning to the main camp for a peaceful dinner in the camp's restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will spend one final evening under the stars at Karoo National Park Campsite.

After our morning drive and breakfast, check out of Karoo National Park and travel south toward the second oldest town in South Africa, the charming Swellendam. This scenic drive takes you out of the arid Great Karoo and into the rolling hills and unique fynbos vegetation of the beautiful Overberg region.

Upon arrival, check into your beautiful farm small-holding accommodation on the outskirts of Swellendam. In the late afternoon, head into the highly biodiverse Bontebok National Park for an afternoon of wildlife watching. This reserve provides a sanctuary for the gorgeous Bontebok antelope, Cape Mountain Zebra, Cape Grysbok, Cape Clawless Otter, and unique smaller mammals like the Large and Cape Grey Mongooses. Return to your lodge in the evening for a relaxing final dinner to end off the tour.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We set off early once again, as we head southwards to De Hoop Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to search for mammal species such as Cape Caracal, Cape Grysbok, Honey Badger, Bontebok, and Cape Mountain Zebra, as well as birds like Black Harrier, Cape Clapper Lark, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Long-billed Lark, and Southern Black Korhaan. To end the tour we proceed westwards to Cape Town International Airport in the renowned tourist city of Cape Town. Guests depart after an immersive journey through South Africa's great rare mammal regions.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch