Car rental Chev Spark from R155/day
Losing track of time is a sign that your holiday's going well. I got so much in the holiday mood, that I thought yesterday was Monday, so sent the newsletter off on the weekend!
Cruise news: Any guest who has a different name listed on the booking to that on their passport may be denied boarding.
Kruger National Park safari
The Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers 18,989 square kilometres (7,332 sq mi) and extends 360 kilometres (220 mi) from north to south and 65 kilometres (40 mi) from east to west. To the west and south of the Kruger National Park are the two South African provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. In the north is Zimbabwe, and to the east is Mozambique. It is now part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a peace park that links Kruger National Park with the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe, and with the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique.
[Contact cheapflights@southafrica.to to book a 4x4 Safari or rent a Landrover]
Nature of the Tour:
With this itinerary you will visiting one of Africa’s best known National Parks. The Kruger National Park, rich with amazing wildlife, diverse habitats and a whole host of bird life a wide diversity of photographic subjects.
Arguably the most ideal environment in which the novice can get to terms with wildlife photography and the expert can hone their photographic skills all under the guidance of a photographic guide. There is so much that you can be covered within 6 days and especially within the Kruger, guests will have a numerous subject matter. The attraction of this photographic safari will allow excellent photo opportunities of both animals and the environment in which they live.
The range of photographic topics will vary from landscape, macro, action and wildlife photography. The photographic skills that will be covered include: depth of field, composition, backlighting flash photography, panning and motion blur to mention but a few.
Safari dates:
Johannesburg to Johannesburg
Arrival/Start – 07th November 2011
Departure/End – 12th November 2011
Basic Itinerary:
Tour starts at 08:00 from Linga Longa Guest House in Kempton Park Johannesburg.
Day 1 & 2 23rd & 24th June Johannesburg – Mac Mac Retreat
Day 3 & 4 25th & 26th June Mac Mac Retreat to Setara
Day 5 27th June Setara – Pretoriuskop
Day 10 28th June Pretoriuskop - Johannesburg Departure
Safari Cost:
Cost is based on a per person sharing rate, ZAR 11, 700
Our prices include:
- Your fully customised Land Rover/Game Viewer vehicles and all necessary camping equipment where required
- Support vehicle and photographic guide costs
- Route planning, itineraries, bookings and travel guidance
- Field guides, maps and documents required for cross-border travel
- Complete introduction to the vehicle, equipment & basic 4x4 driver training where necessary
- Vehicle exchange when serious mechanical breakdown occurs
- Comprehensive vehicle insurance cover (full details available upon request)
- Free airport transfers to and from our Johannesburg offices
- Our individual service
- All fuel & toll road fees
- An emergency medical kit, and all guides are first aid trained
- Two full meals per day plus snacks
- Drinking water and cordial
Our prices exclude:
- International/regional and domestic airfares to and from collection/departure points
- Visas and personal travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages, mixers and soft drinks
- All beverages and food out of camp
- Laundry services
- Clothing, toiletries and all other personal items e.g. sun block, anti malaria prevention etc
- Fees for non-scheduled excursions, activities, entrance fees etc
- Gratuities
- Costs for any upgraded accommodation to that listed above and below.
- Camera’s and camera equipment
Passport Visa Requirements:
We will be travelling in South Africa:
- South Africa – Visas are generally required at the port of entry. You will be given a three-month visa, which is free of charge.
This information is correct as of today’s date, please double check with the relevant embassy in your home country before you travel. Chimhavira cannot be held responsible to any changes to these requirements that are beyond our control.
Items of interest:
Total driving Distance: Approx 1,940 km (1,205 UK miles)
Diesel consumption based on one vehicle: 554 litres (146 UK gallons)
Suggestions:
African kids love asking tourists for sweets and pens. If you have space in your suitcase bring a couple bags of both with you. The kids will smile and be happy; you will enjoy it for little cost. Old clothes are good for bargaining with adults for curios or local fruits etc.
6 - Day Kruger National Park Safari Itinerary
Meal Key: B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner
Day 1 & 2: Arrival into Johannesburg – Mac Mac Retreat
Situated in the heart of Mpumalanga and on the Kruger Panorama route lies our resort and Adventure zone. Mac Mac is halfway between Graskop and Sabie and is walking distance from the Mac Mac falls.
On day two we will visit the Blyde River Canyon returning back to Mac Mac Retreat for dinner.
Approximate distance: 620 km
Accommodation: Mac Mac Retreat
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3 & 4: Mac Mac Retreat – Setara
Now it's time for some serious safari and photographic opportunities. We will awaken you early today so that you will be able to go on your own private game drive on your way to Kruger's Phalaborwa gate. You'll be driving over unpaved roads to your next accommodation which lies in lion territory. Provided we have not taken too long enjoying the sights along route we will arrive at Letaba in time for lunch and have a chance to visit the elephant museum which houses the tusks of the “Kruger’s Magnificent Seven”.
In the afternoon, just as the heat of the day is subsiding we will jump into our land rovers and head off for an afternoon/evening game drive. We should not have any problem spotting animals; this area is known for the large number of animals roaming the land freely since there are no restrictive fences within the park. On return to the camp, we will prepare a delicious dinner and after share the groups photographs around the campfire.
Approximate distance: 360 km
Accommodation: Setara Camping
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Setara – Pretoriuskop
Pretoriuskop Camp in Kruger National Park takes its name from the nearby kopje (hill) where Voortrekker Willem Pretorius, a member of Carl Trichardt's 1848 expedition to Delagoa Bay, is buried. The camp is also one of the oldest in the Kruger National Park.
Approximate distance: 560 km
Accommodation: Pretoriouskop Camping
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Pretoriuskop – Johannesburg
This morning we will have time for a relaxing breakfast and pack away our equipment, when we are done we will drive the last leg of the itinerary to Johannesburg arriving early evening.
You will be transferred to the airport where you say goodbye to the guides and the group…
Approximate distance: 400 km
Accommodation: Linga Longa Guest House
Meals: B, L, D
– End Of Services –
Arrival:
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation (where required). For convenience of our early start spending the night at Linga Longa Guest house is recommended, please advise us if you require a booking and Chimhavira will arrange this on your behalf.
Accommodation not included in the quote above.
Departure:
If you require an airport transfer this can be arranged for you.
Transport:
Chimhavira Overland Safaris cc use fully equipped 4x4 Land Rover Defender/Discovery vehicles.
Camera Equipment:
Photographic equipment is not included in this itinerary. It is suggested as a minimum that you consider bring the following: Digital SLR camera, lenses (Ranging from telephoto zoom minimum 300mm to a wide angle), tripod, camera cleaning kit, polarising and UV filter.
Accommodation:
Accommodation will be in your vehicle roof top tents. Should you want to upgrade please ask your guide to assist you. Where possible your guide will try to upgrade you as to your requirements but this will be dependant on availability. Please note upgrades are not included in your Chimhavira Overland Safari cc invoice and will therefore necessitate you paying for upgrades directly.
Spending money:
Clients are advised to bring enough money to cover the purchase of curios and personal items.
Meals:
All meals are organized by the guide and are prepared by our cook. Meals are nutritious and filling, drawing on fresh local produce where possible. We buy groceries along the way, so our clients have a say in what type of meals are eaten. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements before tour commencement.
First Aid:
Our guides are trained in basic first aid, Chimhavira Overland Safari cc guides are trained to level III St John’s or equivalent standards, our vehicles are equipped with a comprehensive medical aid kit. Preventative Malaria medication should be taken before the trip and throughout its duration, although it is advisable to consult a doctor prior to departure.
Luggage:
Maximum baggage allowance: 20kg. Chimhavira Overland Safaris cc stipulates this luggage allowance, as an overloaded vehicle is a danger to both the clients and the guide. This does not include photographic equipment and a small daypack. Please bring a backpack or soft barrel bag, not a suitcase. Please adhere to the allowance specified as space for luggage is limited.
Sleeping bags:
Chimhavira Overland Safaris cc will provide sleeping bags and pillows for those guests choosing the camping options, please advise us if this is required at your time of booking. If you prefer to bring your own please feel free to do so.
JNB-CPT R435 one-way (e.g. 27 Sep)
JNB-DUR R249 one-way (e.g. 27 Sep)
CPT - London R5380
(some days in November)
Stay in CPT from R250/night
Stay in Durban from R370/night
Stay in JHB from R250/night
There's a group of 80 Nedbank top achievers on board the Liberty of the Seas with us - what a generous company to reward its staff with a cruise on the Mediterranean with Royal Caribbean International.
It's great to see the fans wearing their Springbok rugby jerseys, and with all us South Africans on board, there's been a lot of gees and support for the AmaBokoBoko. We're so proud of the boys to have beaten Wales in the first round.
Ever wondered what it costs to get sick overseas? Each visit to the hospital in Barcelona with our infant cost 220 Euros, plus return taxi fares of some 16 Euros.
Note for the party animals: there were still queues outside the nightclubs in Barcelona at 3am on a Friday morning, when we left the hospital.
The Purple shall rule! After distributing our newsletter about Velvet Sky's Polokwane flights, a few people wrote to us:
Maureen said
"Would you please consider flights between Cape Town and Kimberley? Airlink prices are very close to R4,000 return, which is out of most private passengers' means. They seem to cater mainly for business people and not the general public. I have family in Kimberley and to pay that price for one return trip we find very costly."
Cecile says: "What about flights from Wonderboom airport to George, Cape Town and Durban. The person who starts with that, will strike the Jackpot! Please!" (Ed: the last airline which tried that went bust - remember Interlink)
Marina wrote "I do not fly to Polokwane ever, but often have to fly to Cape Town. Please start flying between Durban and Cape Town. I heard that Velvet Sky is the cheapest and would love support you."
Angela says "COME VELVET SKY – DO FLIGHTS TO BLOEMFONTEIN - PLEASE"
Debbi writes "How about flying to Port Elizabeth!"
And just when I thought no men were responding, Norman wrote "We appreciate the coming of Velvet sky to Polokwane it is long overdue and i am looking forward to use your services and stop driving to JHB and also consider adding direct flights to Durban and Cape Town. We warmly welcome you to our Province and city. Ta!!!"
Des wrote "What about GEORGE airport to JB."
Errors & omissions occur from time to time.
add cheapflights@southafrica.to to your address book
The Bottom Line: We really appreciate it when our much-loved readers take the trouble to tell us about typos or grammar errors. Whilst we cannot fix up the newsletters which have been distributed, we can fix up the online version. Thanks Joachim for writing in to let us know "Towards the end you wrote 'yearly or annually - and they're correct.....' Now annuity or annually have a latin root, namely anno, which translates into year. Therefore yearly and annually is one and the same thing. Apologies for nitpicking."