South Africa K9 Safari Adventure
10 Days / 9 Nights
Johannesburg
Guernsey Private Nature Reserve
Klaserie Private Game Reserve
Overview:
Days 1 -3 Johannesburg, The Willow Inn
Days 3 -6 Guernsey Private Nature Reserve, Ngama Tented Safari Lodge
Days 6 - 9 Africa on Foot Camp, Klaserie Private Game Reserve
Night 9 The Willow Inn / Day 10 Departure Johannesburg
Day 1 Arrival
Arrive O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), Johannesburg, South Africa
Transfer to The Willow Inn, staying for 2 nights, Bed and Breakfast (BB)
You will be met by your Guide at the airport and then transferred to your lodging for the next two nights, The Willow Inn. In the evening your Guide will return for an introduction to your South African K9 Safari Adventure. After the meeting, your Guide will take you to the restaurant of your choice for Dinner. Your Guide and The Willow Inn Staff will let you know local favorites. Then, spend the night in comfort at your accommodation and prepare for the next day’s adventure.
The Willow Inn
Charming and classic with a modern twist, The Willow Inn, a bed and breakfast, situated in a beautiful gated community in Benoni, offers you all the comforts of home coupled with the styling of a secluded getaway. The interior of the guesthouse boasts a modern, farmhouse-styled design with a dining area, a lounge that has a cozy fireplace for those chilly evenings, two separate outdoor entertainment areas and a pool area where you can soak up the warm South African sunshine. There are seven rooms, and each one is equipped with a TV with premium satellite channels, coffee and tea-making facilities, ceiling fans, windows that offer guests gorgeous views, and en-suite bathrooms with basic amenities.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is one of Africa’s largest and most vibrant cities. It is the economic capital of Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa. This bustling city offers a wide range of activities, attractions. The nearby township of Soweto is Johannesburg’s most popular tourist attraction.
Day 2 Tour Johannesburg
After a hardy South African breakfast, you will head out for a day of touring Johannesburg. Following the tour, your Guide will once again take you to the restaurant of your choice for dinner.
SOWETO
Our tour is designed to give the visitor to Johannesburg an overall impression of Soweto (South Western Township), the largest black residential area in South Africa, we see fascinating contrasts of the “city within a city”. SOWETO essentially acts as a Labor reservoir for the greater metropolitan area of the Witwatersrand. In many ways, the story of Soweto is the story of South Africa. Our tour includes all the major points of interest, such as Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (from the outside) Baragwanath taxi rank, Freedom Square, and Hector Peterson Memorial.
Apartheid Museum
The Apartheid Museum opened in 2001 and is acknowledged as the pre-eminent museum in the world dealing with 20th century South Africa, at the heart of which is the apartheid story. Please note the Apartheid Museum is open Wednesdays to Sundays, thus tour is dependent on arrival day.
Duration: Full day
Entrance included: Guided Soweto and Apartheid Museum
Certified driver with Guide at location
Days 3 – 5 Guernsey Private Nature Reserve
K9 Wildlife Protection
Staying 3 nights at Ngama Tented Safari Lodge
Full Board (FB), Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and K9 Wildlife Protection Course
On the morning of Day 3, after breakfast, we make our way to the low-veld, taking the Panorama Route. Connecting the Lowveld and the Drakensberg, and sandwiched between the Kruger National Park and the Highlands Meander, the historical Panorama Route is a scenic drive in the Mpumalanga Province. The route features sensational views of natural wonders including fascinating rock formations and impressive waterfalls and boasts numerous scenic hiking trails alongside a myriad of fauna and flora. The quaint little town of Graskop serves as the gateway to this wonderful route.
Ngama meaning ‘place of the eagles’ is a delightfully intimate, tented safari lodge, that offers a true African experience. Guests fall asleep to the sounds of the bush and are pampered with the warm hearted service that embodies the soul of Africa. Comfortable Tented Chalet ensuite bathroom, free standing bath, both an inside and outside shower, tea and coffee station, bathroom amenities, standing fan, and private deck.
Guernsey Private Nature Reserve
Set in the lush province of Limpopo, neighbouring the world-renowned Kruger National Park and set roughly halfway between Mbombela and Phalaborwa, this private conservancy invites visitors from around the world to experience an authentic African safari experience. Guernsey Private Reserve is acclaimed for its unspoilt natural beauty and its variety of wildlife. Home to “The Big Five”, the reserve offers visitors the opportunity to tick this once in a lifetime experience off their bucket list. Other commonly spotted species include Cape Buffalo, Crocodile, Rhino, Hippo, Cheetah, Lion, Wild Dog, Zebras, Leopard, Elephant, and Honey Badgers.
Your next 2 days will be spent with Green Trax. Green Trax supports conservation efforts in Africa through K9 training, K9 handler training, conservation education, and active deployment of K9s and handlers.
Green Trax Mission:
We believe in working together and that there should be no competition or "trade secrets" if we want to be successful in counter-poaching as well as curbing crime like drug dealing, hijackings, cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, etc.
We are not under the illusion that we can save the world or that we will be able to stop wildlife poaching and trafficking. We do know, however, that we are making a positive difference in nature conservation and crime prevention through active participation and through the support of and collaboration with other reputable organizations and individuals.
Working with dogs is our passion - Using our knowledge of the bush and experience of working with rangers made the decision to devote our lives to conservation using the dogs an obvious one. Working with the dogs to combat crime and even helping in search-and-rescue missions are just added bonuses to a very fulfilling life.
We will present an informal interactive program over 2 full days which will include demonstrations, theory, and practical activities. We aim to introduce the complex situation with wildlife crime, poaching, trafficking, syndicates, etc. We will introduce the work of rangers, dog-handlers, and working dogs, pilots as well as other role players in the fight against crime. The costs and legal requirements to be able to operate and where the law and corruption often hinder us to do our work.
The daily program for the following days:
Breakfast at 06:00 am
Start the day at 07:00 am
Lunch at 12:00 noon
Continue the day at 13:00 pm
Dinner at 19:00pm
Q&A throughout will guide you through the following topics/activities:
Introduction
Syndicates, wildlife facts, statistics, conservation
Scent behavior and K9 disciplines
Visual tracking (activity)
Snare sweeping (activity)
Detection demo
Crime scene scenario
Detection
Cowboys & Crooks (rangers and poachers - activity)
Operational K9 Unit and handler (the package)
Days 6 – 9 Klaserie Private Game Reserve
Staying 3 nights Africa on Foot
Full Board (FB), Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Activities
After breakfast we first go on a Village Walk.
Local Village Walk
Walk through the local village with our Private Guide from Sigagule, for a better understanding about his community, the Shangaan culture, and traditional beliefs and folklore.
Duration 2.5-3 hours
Following, proceed to Africa on Foot
Africa on Foot are specialists in Big Five Safaris and Walking Safaris in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve; a wildlife rich region in the heart of the Greater Kruger. The Klaserie shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park, which means predators and other wildlife roam freely.
On a Walking Safari guests will be led by experienced and professional Trails Guides through an area abundant with wildlife. Walks offer a unique perspective and insight into the bushveld, and plenty of knowledge is gained while at ground level with marauding predators and giant herbivores. On foot you will learn about the medicinal and practical uses of plants; and exchange stories about the wild. Morning’s start with a 3 hour slow paced walk through the Savannah (weather permitting), where you will track and try to find big game.
In addition to Walking Safaris, Evening Game Drives take place. This allows guests to participate in a full spectrum of Safari activities and track the Big Five. There are only 5 chalets, which means guests will enjoy an intimate, Personalized Safari Experience. The more adventurous guests have the opportunity of sleeping under the stars in a treehouse structure at an extra cost.
Evenings are spent around the campfire and there is often a traditional braai (barbecue) dining experience. The atmosphere at camp is relaxed and guests are made to feel like they are part of the Africa on Foot family. Two swimming pools adorn the property - one is located inside the camp, which is ideal for families. The other swimming pool is adjacent to the treehouse, a few steps outside of the entrance to camp.
Klaserie Private Game Reserve
Situated on the northeastern edge of South Africa, Klaserie Private Game Reserve forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park. It is one of the largest privately owned reserves in the country comprising 60 000 Hectares (148,263 Acres) of seemingly endless plains of unspoilt African bushveld. This scenic wilderness sanctuary is home to the renowned “The Big Five” as well as an impressive array of wildlife including: African Elephant, Black and White Rhino, Buffalo, African Wild Dog, Lion, Leopard, and an abundance of Buck. The reserve is known for its incredible birdlife boasting over 500 species including the endangered Southern ground hornbill and the white-backed vulture.
Day 9 Morning Activity, Return to Johannesburg
After your morning activity, you and your Guide will make your way to Johannesburg, through beautiful South Africa.
Day 10 Farewell & Departure
Today after breakfast you begin to make your way home after a great African Safari Adventure. Your Guide will transfer you back to the airport. Take care. We look forward to your return.
Price:
$3,890 USD per person (sharing) (2023 Rate)
Includes:
Accommodation per program
Meals per program
Beverages per program
Airport Transfers
Entry per program
Activities per program
Professional Guide
Excludes:
International Flights
Visas
Activities excluded from the program
Meals excluded from the program
Beverages excluded from the program
Items of personal nature e.g., alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks not served with meals; spa treatments, etc.
Tips and gratuities
Travel Insurance
C19 Tests
Please note the above quote is for 2023.
A Tourist Visa is not required for US Citizens traveling to South Africa for less than 90 days. However please be sure to have 2 consecutive empty visa pages per entry.
