Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Accommodation

PARTICIPATORY CAMPING: This family trip involves some participatory camping. Everyone will embrace the team spirit by helping with camp setup, food preparation and cleaning. You will be putting up and taking down your tent as you move from place to place. UPGRADES: In some camping locations, upgrades may be available. However, during busy times of the year - and especially over local school holidays - these upgrades become very difficult to secure. If available, they can be arranged locally. They cannot be pre-booked by Intrepid. Please speak to your leader on the ground if you wish to upgrade. Hotel (1 night), Camping with basic facilities (6 nights), Chalet Lodge (4 nights)

Meals

11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 10 dinners

Transport

Overland truck , 4X4

Others

Soweto - Cycle Tour Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park - Game drives Zulu Village Visit Kosi Bay - Kayaking Hlane Royal National Park - Guided 4x4 Sunset Game Drive Kruger National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive Kruger National Park - Full Day Game Drive Panorama Route - Bourkes Luck Potholes Panorama Route - Three Rondavels

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Flights

International flights are not included.

Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank’s name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. Travellers who reside within the European Union or Switzerland receive basic international health insurance, so travel insurance is not mandatory under European Union Law. However, as this does not cover situations such as emergency rescues, private health care, or repatriation to their home country, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. European Union or Swiss travellers who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Johannesburg
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Johannesburg

Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 12 noon. Afterwards, head out on a 2 hour cycling tour of Soweto – an exciting opportunity to get an insight into contemporary life in South Africa. You will cycle to some of the most interesting historical sites around Soweto. Visit the formal migrant workers’ hostel and be introduced to conditions of male mine workers and meet the families that live here today. Cycle through the vibrant community of Meadowlands, and continue to the Hector Pieterson Memorial, the historical landmark of the 1976 student’s uprising, proceed to the famous Vilakazi street where Nelson Mandela used to live. There will be the chance along the way to visit a market or shop to stock up on any supplies you might need for the next few days. There’s WiFi available at your accommodation (the first 30 minutes are free). Note: If you do any exploring on your own today, be sure to get local advice on where it is and isn’t safe to walk, especially in the evening. The level of crime here may be higher than what you’re used to, and doing a bit of homework can significantly reduce the risk.
Day 2 Day 2: Hluhluwe Game Reserve
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Hluhluwe Game Reserve

Today is a travelling day. Depart Johannesburg early this morning and travel into the heart of KwaZulu Natal (560km/350miles - approximately 9 hours). Here you will camp at an eco-lodge just 20 kilometres from Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park. The park is home to some amazing wildlife, including lions, elephants, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes and wild dogs. At our camp, you’ll have access to a fully stocked communal kitchen, gas stoves, kitchen utensils, a fridge and freezer, a braai (for grilling) and a campfire area. Camping guests are more than welcome to use the swimming pool, bar and restaurant in the lodge. There are also showers, wash basins and toilets available. With the group’s assistance, your crew will prepare meals, and the group will help with washing up. The tents are 2 x 2 metres across and 1.7 metres high. Tomorrow we head out on a game drive.
Day 3 Day 3: Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park

Embark on an adventure through the oldest proclaimed game reserve in South Africa. While you’re here, you’ll have the chance to see some of the ’Big Five’ game – African elephant, black rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, African lion and African leopard. There will also be a good chance of spotting the white rhino, as Hluhluwe-Imfolozi has the largest population of these near-threatened creatures in the world. A series of conservation efforts has saved them from extinction and their population is once again on the rise. The park also boasts some 400 species of birds, including the African finfoot, bat hawk and white-backed night heron. It is approximately a 40km drive from our overnight camp to the gate of the park. Leaving just after breakfast we spend the whole day in the park on the lookout for animals. The game drive will be in an overland truck with a picnic lunch along the way.
Day 4 Day 4: Kosi Bay
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Kosi Bay

Depart the game reserve in the morning and visit a Zulu village with a local community guide. Then, travelling northeast to the coast, visit the beautiful Kosi Bay Nature Reserve (160km/100miles - approximately 5 hours including time spent at activities). The location of the bay is amazing. On the one hand there is picturesque jungle with wild figa and monkey orange trees, and a grazing area for hippos; on the other, a mangrove and coral reef that’s teeming with aquatic life. Your accommodation, Kosi Bay Lodge, will be in comfortable log chalets. Enjoy a night under the stars as you relax around the campfire.
Day 5 Day 5: Kosi Bay
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Kosi Bay

We have a full day ahead as we explore Kosi Bay by kayak. Kosi Bay is one of very few places on earth where five different species of mangrove trees are found in one area. It is particularly famous for the traditional Tsonga fish traps built to trap fish moving in and out of the estuary with the tide. The Tsonga people, who have made this land their home for more than 1,000 years, are experts in fish traps and the construction of fishkraal. There is also the opportunity to snorkel over the coral reef in search of some colourful fish.
Day 6 Day 6: Hlane National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Hlane National Park

Driving north, you will reach the small land-locked kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland), and Hlane National Park (220kms/135miles - approximately 6 hours depending on border crossing). At some point today you’ll be able to visit a market or shop to buy anything you might need. A vast expanse of bushveld and its ancient hardwood trees make Hlane Royal National Park home to the largest wild herds in Eswatini. Your camp is spacious and has plenty of tree coverage, making for a nice spot to relax and be greeted by the odd inquisitive impala, warthog or nyala. If you’re feeling adventurous, book a guided mountain bike trail, bird walk or game drive and explore the greater Hlane area. In the absence of electricity in Ndlovu Camp, the area is romantically lit at night with candles and parafin lanterns. It’s also within easy reach of Ndlovu’s semi-open-air restaurant and floodlit waterhole. Hlane Activities Center, a braai/barbeque area (with firewood provided), communal kitchen, and hot showers are all available.
Day 7 Day 7: Hlane National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Hlane National Park

Explore Hlane National Park on a game drive. This park used to be a private royal hunting ground, which gives you some idea of its calibre as a wildlife-viewing destination. It is Eswatini’s largest park, spanning an impressive 30,000 hectares. Landscape-wise, it’s a flat lowland area with some grasslands and shallow pans. There’s a great chance of catching sight of Wildebeest, zebra and impala, especially in the drier months. Notably, cheetahs were reintroduced to the park relatively recently. The park also has an abundant and diverse array of birdlife, boasting the highest density of nesting white-backed vultures in all of Africa. Today’s game drive is in an open vehicle with a park guide and takes approximately 2.5 hours.
Day 8 Day 8: Kruger National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Kruger National Park

Crossing back into South Africa, journey to Kruger National Park – one Africa’s very best wildlife arenas (130kms/80miles - approximately 4 hours). On arrival at the park we start our game drive as we head towards our overnight campsite. The game drive will be in the overland truck and takes approximately 3 hours before reaching camp to set up. Later on, there will be the option of a night drive with the park guide. This is a great chance to spot nocturnal animals and perhaps even a night-time predator or two – catch a lion or hyena out hunting, or perhaps an impala out in search of a late-night feed.
Day 9 Day 9: Kruger National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Kruger National Park

Enjoy further explorations of Kruger. You will embark on a second game drive today, hopefully spotting some animals you didn’t cross off the list yesterday! One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park boasts more than 500 bird species, 100 reptile species and 150 mammal species. The big five and the endangered African wild dog are no exceptions. Depending on the areas you visit, you’ll have the chance to see some exotic birds along the way, from the tiny bronze mannikin to the more conspicuous ostrich. Keep an eye to the sky where, if you’re lucky, a giant eagle owl or martial eagle might be soaring.
Day 10 Day 10: Blyde River Canyon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Blyde River Canyon

Today we set off to visit parts of the Blyde River Canyon, including the three rondavels en route to Graskop (120kms/75miles - approximately 6 hours). One of South Africa’s most spectacular attractions, Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world, and probably the greenest. It’s an excellent place for walking. The sheer-sided walls of the canyon rise over 2,000 metres and the vegetation varies wildly, from dry rocky sections to rainforest, depending on the altitude. You will explore the stunning Bourke’s Luck Potholes, where shadowy rock formations take on different colours and shadings in the changing light.
Day 11 Day 11: Blyde River Canyon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Blyde River Canyon

Today is a free day for you and your family to do as much or as little as you like. Perhaps stretch the legs on a hike through the beautiful surrounds, spend the day relaxing by the swimming pool, or why not do both? There’s also plenty of other activities on offer at the resort so the choice is yours.
Day 12 Day 12: Johannesburg
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Johannesburg

Enjoy a morning of free time before returning to Johannesburg (410km/255miles - approximately 7 hours). Your trip comes to an end upon arrival at Tambo International Airport in the afternoon (usually between 2pm and 4pm). If you prefer, we can also drop you at the original joining point location. Please advise your booking agent before you depart or your leader during your welcome meeting on day 1. Please do not book any onwards flights until after 8pm this evening.

12 days tour

South Africa Family Safari With Teenagers

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip South Africa Family Safari With Teenagers

Day 1: Johannesburg

Day 2: Hluhluwe Game Reserve

Day 3: Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park

Day 4: Kosi Bay

Day 5: Kosi Bay

Day 6: Hlane National Park

Day 7: Hlane National Park

Day 8: Kruger National Park

Day 9: Kruger National Park

Day 10: Blyde River Canyon

Day 11: Blyde River Canyon

Day 12: Johannesburg

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