Summary
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Full Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
On arrival into Johannesburg, you will be met by an Alluring Africa representative and assisted to your scheduled charter flight to Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge where you will stay for three nights. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive.
Day 2
Enjoy two full days of game viewing activities at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge.
An early morning call from the Ranger will wake you before first light, while the kitchen brews hot coffee or tea, and prepares cool fruit juices with a muffin, rusk or other freshly made delicacy. So begins the morning safari.
The bush is already alive, the air filled with birdsong as the rising sunlight dances off beads of dew on spiders’ webs. Nobody, not even the tracker who can read the bushveld like a book, knows what’s in store. He will watch the road for spoor, leaning forward intently to find any print left by a predator during its hunt in the dark. There may be hushed discussions in Shangaan between Ranger and Tracker, and brief radio interactions from one vehicle to another. Sharing information ensures that the occupants of each Land Rover have the best chance of a wide range of sightings during their drives – and also ensures control and responsible behaviour as the vehicles move in close to the animals.
Renowned for luxury experiences, Sabi Sabi isn’t all about phenomenal game drives and exceptional dining. Opportunities for education and adventure are definitely on the cards for those interested and energetic. On the morning safari walk you can be part of a small group that sets out on foot after breakfast. The walk is an opportunity to feel the pulse of Africa through the soles of your feet and experience the bushveld at close quarters.
Sabi Sabi boasts approximately 350 different species of birds, a paradise for birdwatchers. Raptors are plentiful, including 11 species of owl, the seldom seen cuckoo hawk and rare bat hawk. There is an endless diversity of trees, shrubs and flowering plants, and whatever the time of year, no two walks are ever the same.
Evening falls and you prepare for the night safari. As the fierce heat of the day cools, the inhabitants of the bush become restless, and the animals move out of the shade of the trees. The call of the crested francolin reverberates through the bushveld and birds increase the volume of their song. You will be aware of colors softening to the beautiful, gentle hues that vary with each season. New scents fill the air and as the sun dips behind the horizon your Ranger will choose a spot where you can stretch your legs and enjoy sundowners alongside the vehicle. Watch in awe as the sky turns to the sensational vibrant reds, golds and oranges typical of an African sunset. There is a lull as the animals sense the transition into a time of increased danger. It is during evening safaris that the nocturnal hunters start stirring, and their prey needs to be alert for survival through the night.
During your safari you may be lucky enough to watch lions prepare for their evening hunt. Their long bodies stretch to ease muscles cramped from lying in the shade during the day; sinews are lengthened and claws sharpened against a tree; the vegetation is marked with scent, and the wind checked for smells; only then do they set off in a slow, loose-jointed, arrogant amble. There are numerous nocturnal hunters and on your evening safari, with the help of a spotlight, a leopard’s eyes may reflect back from a nearby tree. Or you may be lucky enough to spot another smaller predator, a genet, African civet or African wild cat. One can come across scenes at night that become etched in memory: elephants moving heavily but silently in the moonlight; the incredible flying leaps of bushbabies from treetop to treetop, and the red shine from a lion’s eyes as it looks up from its kill. A Sabi Sabi evening safari will never be forgotten.
Day 3
Day 4
After breakfast and a morning activity, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your scheduled charter flight to the Kruger Airport Connect with your scheduled regional flight to Vilanculos, Mozambique. On arrival, you will be met by an Alluring Africa representative and assisted to your helicopter transfer to Azura Benguerra Island where you will stay for six nights. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
Day 5
Imagine an unspoiled island within a Marine National Park, deserted beaches of pure white sand that extend for miles, sparkling turquoise seas crisscrossed by local dhows plying their trade, sunny days and star studded nights…and you have Azura Mozambique. Enjoy four full days in this beautiful paradise.
Just 20 villas are nestled along one of the last undiscovered stretches of beach in the world, with all the creature comforts you could wish for, sparkling private pools, Mozambican Butler-hosts to look after your every need, fish and seafood fresh from the ocean, a fantastic range of activities and experiences, an African spa to relax in, all at a community based project where the local islanders benefit as much as you.
Azura is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. A deserted remote island paradise, reached by a spectacular low level helicopter flight over the pristine turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, a uniquely special place and a haven of privacy to spend the most important vacation of your life.
Romantic nights spent dining on a candlelit beach beneath the stars. This is the kind of place you dream of for your honeymoon, lazy days spent swimming and relaxing, long lunches with fresh food and free-flowing wine, and romantic nights spent dining on a candlelit beach beneath the stars.
Take a beach ride on the coastal area with the beach bicycles or take a Land Rover tour of the island (included in your stay), and experience the local culture for which Mozambique is rightly famous, as well as visiting the school which was built with donations to Azura’s Rainbow Fund. Climb the dunes, some of which are scattered with the remnants of ancient Arab pottery. Visit the island’s lakes and spot a crocodile or two. Discover the local fauna and flora. Take a long walk and we will meet you with a picnic. Or join one of our star gazing events and lie back and listen to the ancient African stories that chart the cosmos. The whole of Africa is soccer mad. On Benguerra Island we have an Island League made up of teams from the hotels and local island teams. This is a really important event amongst the local community and great pride is at stake. Come and support Azura’s soccer team at one of their matches on the weekend (schedule depending).
A time honored tradition in African waters, set sail in a traditional Mozambican Dhow sailboat (included in your stay), and watch the sunset as you drift along on the ocean breezes.
Activities that can be booked at an additional cost include: horseback riding on the beach, paddleboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, big game fishing, fly fishing, spa treatments
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
At a time to be advised you will be transferred to your helicopter transfer to Vilanculos. Connect with your scheduled regional flight to Johannesburg.
Included / Not Included
Included
– Intra-Africa airfare
– Scheduled activities (i.e. with other guests) as specified. Most safari camps and lodges include two game activities per day (morning and afternoon);
– Alluring Africa’s local reps available 24/7 while travelling;
– Services of lodge guides and staff;
– Air/ground transfers as specified;
– Accommodation taxes, applicable tourism levies and all relevant Value Added Tax (VAT) or Government Sales Tax (GST);
– Relevant park fees (excluding Azura which must be paid directly at the lodge for $15 per person);
– All accommodation as specified;
– Excursions/activities as specified;
– Drinks – differs between camps/lodges;
– Alluring Africa Final Documentation.
Excluded
Meals, drinks, laundry, entrance fees, porterage, tours/excursions and transfers not specified;
Any scheduled flights and related taxes not specified;
Cancellation, baggage and medical insurance;
Staff gratuities;
Azura Benguerra Island park fee which must be paid directly at the lodge for $15 per person;
Any new gov. taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control;
Any items of a personal nature or anything not specifically stated as included;
International airfare.