On Safari in South Africa - Elephant Lodge

Overview

Savour South Africa’s magnificent wildlife on this once-in-a-lifetime, full-board holiday, based in the locally-rated four-star Elephant Lodge, with its own sweeping private game reserve.

On this unique small-group tour, you’ll get the chance to really settle into your breathtaking surroundings as you spend a week at South Africa’s distinguished Sebatana Elephant Lodge.

Set amongst the malaria-free UNESCO-listed Waterberg Biosphere, the Sebatana Private Reserve covers almost 100,000 acres and is home to over 75 mammals, 300 species of bird and hundreds of different flowers and trees – the perfect place to connect with South Africa’s wildlife!

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Fly from UK to Johannesburg

Overnight direct flight to Johannesburg. 

Day 2: Arrive in Johannesburg

Meet your local tour manager at Johannesburg airport for the scenic transfer to the Sebatana Elephant Lodge. Upon arrival, lunch will be served. 

Afterwards, rest, relax and settle into your new surroundings, perhaps by taking a refreshing dip in the one of the pools. This evening, enjoy an included welcome drink, followed by dinner and a short briefing about the week ahead. 

Day 3: Sebarana Private Reserve Introduction & Game Drive

This morning you'll venture out in 4x4s into the reserve with your guides, who will tell you about the different animals and plants that inhabit the area.

After lunch, head out on the first of many wonderful wildlife-spotting game drives. All game drives at Sebatana are done in open-air vehicles for maximum visibility. Access to the reserve is subject to extensive restrictions, so it’ll feel like you have the whole place to yourself! Keep an eye out – and have your camera at the ready – for zebras, meerkats, giraffes, wildebeest and impalas. 

Tonight, enjoy a complimentary wine-tasting before dinner.

Day 4: Included Welgevonden Big Five Game Drive & Optinal Tribal Evening 

After breakfast, venture out on a game drive to the nearby Welgevonden Reserve in search of the fabled Big Five – the lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant.

This evening, you have the option to join the tribal evening to learn more about South Africa’s indigenous cultures.

Day 5: Included Bush Walk & Christina's Wallow Game Drive

This morning, join your guide for a gentle included bush walk into the Sebatana Private Reserve. Listen intently as your guide points out animal breeding areas and local plant life. After the walk, return to the lodge for some well-earned lunch.

After lunch, set out on your second game drive into the Sebatana Private Reserve for the chance to spot some spectacular wildlife, armed with the knowledge gained this morning. You’ll head to Christina’s Wallow, a hide with wonderful views of a waterhole. For a truly authentic wildlife-spotting experience, you’ll complete the journey on foot.

Day 6: Optional Pilanesberg National Park Excursion

Today you have the choice of joining the optional excursion to Pilanesberg National Park, the third-largest national park in South Africa. The park covers over 135,000 acres and presents further opportunities to spot the Big Five as well as the endangered white rhino, along with giraffes and hippopotami.  

Dinner will be served back at Sebatana, with a complimentary wine tasting beforehand. 

Day 7: Game Drive with Included Champagne Brunch & Optional Night Safari 

Rise and shine early this morning for a very special game drive, and the chance to spot herds of antelopes moving in the open. Antelopes and other prey animals tend to move around in the morning, to find the best protection from predators.  

Around mid-morning, you’ll stop at Kudu Rock for a magnificent, traditional African brunch with champagne. Enjoy a well-earned meal as you soak up the fantastic views of the African bush. 

Return to the lodge to rest and relax. If you want to carry on exploring, the guides will point out some gentle trails through the reserve. This evening, enjoy a complimentary wine-tasting before dinner. Later on, why not join the fascinating optional night safari?

Day 8: Optional Big 5 Game Drive & Included Sunset Rock Game Drive 

This morning, you’ll have the chance to join one last Big Five game drive to nearby Welgevonden.

Later, in the mid-afternoon, enjoy a fitting finale to your South African adventure, as you join the included safari to Sunset Rock. Sip champagne from this magnificent vantage point, looking out over the Waterberg Mountains as the sky turns a cascade of red and orange. 

Return to the lodge for a farewell feast, no doubt reflecting on a wonderful break in the African wilderness. 

Day 9: Johannesburg & Soweto Tour, Followed By Departure

Say goodbye to your wonderful hosts as you depart for an included tour of Johannesburg and Soweto. Visit Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum, which documents South Africa’s troubled past and racial segregation, before exploring fascinating Soweto, home to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Winne Mandela.

After the tour, continue to Johannesburg airport for your overnight flight.

Day 10: Arrive in UK

Early morning arrival.