Our bush and beach safari itinerary offers the ideal balance between activity and relaxation. Start your trip off with a safari adventure in the South African bush visiting two of our favourite game reserves, before unwinding on Mozambiques sandy beaches.
Day 1
Your safari begins at Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) were you will be met on arrival by a member of our team and transferred to Rukiya Safari Camp just 25 mins away. You will arrive at Rukiya Safari Camp in time to settle in and rest and relax. Rukiya is a luxury tented camp within the Wild Rivers Reserve nestling along the banks of the Blyde River among age old tress, a truly stunning location. Later in the day, before the sun sets we’ll take a short stroll along the river bank and enjoy a sundowner, returning to the lodge for dinner.
Day 2
Your morning game drive will take you through the Wild Rivers Reserve and into the adjacent Balule Reserve (part of the Greater Kruger Park) where you will be able to enjoy your first big five game drive as well as a bush breakfast. Lunch is followed by time to relax and enjoy the views from your private deck with river views, before your afternoon game drive in the Wild Rivers Reserve, which returns home for a sumptuous dinner.
On your first full day on safari we will include our unique bush senses experience. This is an activity that we have developed over many years and has proven to be very popular with our safari guests. In a fun way it encourages you to use all of your senses when in the bush. Not just sight, but also smell, hearing and touch. Some of our senses are dulled by modern living, but this simple and fun exercise quickly hones one’s bush senses, ideal preparation for any safari. We also encourage our guests to download our Leopard research App and become a citizen scientist by using the App while on game drive to help monitor Leopard movement. Territorial behaviour changes almost on a daily basis and is dependent on many factors, making this a fascinating and fun exercise and rightfully invites you to feel and become part of the Ingwe team should you wish.
Day 3
An early morning game drive will again take you through the Wild Rivers Reserve and into the adjacent Balule Reserve, breakfast will be served in the bush before return to Rukiya. There will be time to rest and relax and enjoy lunch, and when the heat of the day has faded a little, you may join our rangers learning to track leopards and other predators within the reserve, where our Leopard researchers are monitoring the resident leopard population. Return to camp for drinks and dinner.
Day 4
After your morning game drive you will transfer to the Klaserie Reserve (approximately 2 hours) arriving in time for a late lunch. Klaserie is another key location for our Leopard Research project. Your afternoon Game drive will leave the lodge at around 15:30 heading out into the reserve. Our private traversing area of Klaserie offers both wonderful game viewing and often exclusive access making this a fantastic location to view wildlife. Sundowners will be served while watching the sunset after which, as darkness falls, you will take a leisurely drive back to your lodge looking out for all the nocturnal happenings and returning in time for drinks before dinner.
Day 5
No two days are ever the same on safari. Your days in the Thornybush Game Reserve start with an early morning game drive, returning to your lodge in time for a late breakfast/brunch. The afternoon game drive will start after high tea and will cover previously unseen areas of the reserve, followed by dinner often taken around the fire in an outside boma.
Day 6
Early breakfast and road transfer (approx two hours) to Kruger International Airport (Nelspruit) for your flight to Mozambique.
You will be met on arrival and transfer by road to Sava Dunes (approximately 4 hours). Sava Dunes is owned and managed by our good friends Lily and Conraad who also own and manage Rukiya Safari Camp (our Safari base in South Africa).
As the name suggests, the lodge nestles in sand dunes amidst a long and secluded stretch of pristine beach on Mozambique’s Eastern coast between Tofo and Barra. An intimate boutique beach lodge, sympathetically designed in keeping with its environment. Where guests can relax and unwind in luxurious surroundings alongside an isolated expanse of sandy beach.
As you would expect from any of our portfolio, the focus is on the environment – abundant sea animals, rich cultural heritage, indigenous vegetation and seclusion.
The ethic is green – off the grid facilities include solar power for electricity and borehole water.
Sava Dunes radiates peace and style, with only five suites for 10 guests, each with panoramic views of the blue ocean. The villas – with outside showers, day beds and hammocks – blend rustic and luxury elements, nestling in the dunes for complete privacy.
Arriving in the mid afternoon there will be time to settle in rest and relax and perhaps take a first dip, or enjoy a drink on your private balcony overlooking the Ocean, before dinner in the restaurant with two decks and digest wonderful Mozambique foods and drinks – an unforgettable dining experience.
Day 7 - 9
Each day you can enjoy the peace and seclusion of this wonderful price beach location. Perhaps take a dip in the pool or stroll along the beach. This eco-friendly lodge is truly off the grid, relying on solar power and solar water heaters, but for those who desire to stay connected with the outside world then WIFI is found in the main lounge. There are five individual chalets each with private balcony and stunning Ocean views, connected by a raised wooden walkway to the main lounge and dining area with L shaped pool. The Ocean not only contributes to the serene ambiance that emphasizes Sava Dunes, but also provides a delightful gentle sea breeze and relaxing background music from waves rolling against the sandy beach.
Personal service and warm hospitality are the bywords for Sava Dunes operations. Day's start with tea and coffee served on your private balcony, where the sun rises across the Ocean offering up sightings of Dolphins and Whales, seemingly displaying just for your pleasure.
Meals are served either by the poolside or the balcony of the main lounge. And, as is to be expected from any lodge managed by Lily and Conraad, the quality of cuisine is both stylish and delicious. Fresh local produce makes up the mainstay of the menu on offer each day.
The lodge can also book a variety of other marine activities with a specialist marine operator based in Tofo. Probably the most popular of these is a Marine Safari, where you join a small boat trip looking for the abundant megafauna found in this unique, yet relatively undiscovered, portion of the Indian Ocean.
Whale Sharks, Dolphins and Manta Rays are present all year, and where ethically viable, you are invited to snorkel and swim with these wonderful creatures. Add to that list the nearby coral reefs with their own mini eco-systems, which are also are great for snorkeling or scuba diving, and you have an abundance of wildlife to discover on your Safari.
During Whale season (July - November), these Marine Safaris also include boat based Whale watching and again, where ethically viable, your guide will invite you to enter the water to snorkel alongside these gentle mammoths.
Travel North from Sava Dunes, around the headland towards Barra and you’ll find a large calm estuary where you can also swim or snorkel. Sea horses and a plethora of fish are found here. You can also enjoy a fisherman’s lunch on one of the islands, or boat-based bird watching in the mangrove forests. Perhaps returning to shore in a Dhow in time for sundowners at Sava Dunes, followed by a sumptuous three course dinner accompanied by the sound of waves rolling onto the beach. What a day to remember.
Day 10
A leisurely breakfast and road transfer to Inhambane airport (approx 30 mins) for your onward flight to Johannesburg. Note the scheduled arrival time at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport is 18:30.
If your preference is to arrive in Johannesburg earlier then we can arrange a road transfer (4 hours) and return flight from Vilanculos to Johannesburg.
Included in this trip:
All accommodation as described above.
All meals, tea/coffee while staying in the accommodation as described above
Daily guided game drives while on safari
Road transfers as described
Flights from Nelspruit - Mozambique - Johannesburg as described.
Excluded:
Return flights from home country
Alcohol and soft drinks
Local conservation fees for safari venues (small cost but we will advise on enquiry)
Tips and Gratuities
Souvenirs