Wildlife and Wilderness Two-Week South Africa Safari

Rhino at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa

What to expect on this itinerary

From magical canyons to intimate hideouts, this will be the ultimate journey through South African nature, which will come in the form of a two-week safari in five destinations. Wildlife roams South African nature, desert-adapted elephants kick up dust on arid plains, and hippos wallow in ancient wetlands while rhinos and big cats traverse the savannah. After arid Madikwe, Mala Mala will showcase a true Kruger safari, and the opulent Kapama contrasts iSimangaliso before Hluhluwe-iMfolozi completes your natural connection.

Countries Visited

South Africa

Places Visited

Madikwe Game Reserve, Mala Mala Game Reserve, Kapama Private Game Reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Kruger National Park

Suggested Duration

14 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Madikwe Game Reserve – A Safari Introduction

Dust whirls in Madikwe, which is a private game reserve in the Kalahari that is near the Botswanan border. You will touch down and initially wonder how anything can survive out here. Ochre dominates the landscape’s color palette, and trees are stripped bare for most of the year. Somehow, upon this arid land, there will be evocative drama for you to witness, and that is why you will be visiting Madikwe. After landing at O.R. Tambo International Airport, you will transfer onto a safari link flight to Madikwe. Your first afternoon and evening are designed to be relaxed. You will check into a luxurious suite that overlooks the plains before beginning your exploration on a slow, late-afternoon game drive.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Activity
Dinner
Day 2 - 3

Madikwe Game Reserve – Luxury Safari on an Arid Savannah

Day 4

Mala Mala Game Reserve – Into the Bushveld

Day 5 - 6

Mala Mala Game Reserve – Wildlife Abundance in the Kruger

Day 7

Mala Mala Game Reserve – Exploring the Depth of Kruger National Park

Day 8

Kapama Private Game Reserve – Hot Air Ballooning and Blyde River Canyon

Day 9

Kapama Private Game Reserve – Intimate Elephant Encounters

Day 10

iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Discovering the Wetlands

Day 11

iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Exotic Trails Deep in the Forest

Day 12

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park – Rhino Safari in Africa’s Oldest Reserve

Day 13

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park – Final Safari Encounters

Day 14

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Indulge in the luxury of Kapama, where wildlife viewing is complemented by contemporary opulence
  • Absorb the rugged brilliance of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi at a camp that is open to the wild
  • Discover Africa’s ultimate private safari with four nights in Mala Mala
  • Explore wildlife drama on Madikwe’s arid desert plains, which is an evocative destination for a first safari
  • Feast in the lush landscapes of iSimangaliso, which is a UNESCO World Heritage wetland ecosystem
  • Immerse yourself with elephants during a day with researchers in Kapama
  • Hot air balloon above the Kruger for magical sunrise moments
  • Explore all the available perspectives of this wilderness as you will have many nighttime game drives and short game walks
  • Gaze over Blyde River Canyon and spend a day amid the enormity of Kruger National Park
  • Boat part the hippos and cruise down iSimangaliso’s narrow channels

Starting Price

$18,000 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 1124 reviews

Carolyn T.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Trip Review: Wildlife, Local Cuisine, 13-Day Trip

Wow, I ran out of superlatives–fantastic, awesome, amazing. Everything was well organized and the recommended accommodations were all top-notch. The guides were so expert in their field. Every activity was well worth the time. Every meal was delicious.

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Anil M.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Tour Review: 10 Nights

Our first trip to southern Africa was amazing, exceeding all expectations. We saw everything we came to see, and more. The game rides were well structured and safe, the visuals were unbelievable, and taking a side trip to Victoria Falls was a great idea. The accommodations were quite luxurious, despite being considered mid-range. There was always someone there to greet us and guide us at every travel point.

Zicasso's tour operator tailored our itinerary to our wishes and was wonderful to work with. Things couldn’t have gone better.

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Grace J.
South Africa Travel Review: Safaris, 1 Week

We had an awesome trip. Zicasso's travel expert was amazing. She accomplished everything.

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Nancy H.
South Africa, Zimbabwe Tour Review: Cape Town, Franschhoek, Wine Tasting, Elephant Experience, River Cruise, Wildlife, Nature, Scenery, 13 Nights

Zicasso's trip planner arranged the most fabulous trip for my family. She knew exactly what I wanted and delivered a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa! She always answered my questions promptly. She chose memorable experiences for us, our lodgings were top-notch, and she "kept in touch, behind the scenes," to ensure all elements were going smoothly. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone planning a trip to Africa!

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LESLIE W.
Rwanda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique Trip Review: Gorilla Trek, Bush Camps, 3 Weeks

It was very well planned. Zicasso's travel specialist was responsive and flexible in the planning process and throughout the final details.

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Catherine R.
South Africa, Zimbabwe Vacation Review: Safari, 11 Nights

The trip was amazing. Zicasso's trip expert did an awesome job planning the trip. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and exceeded all of our expectations. The “in-country” travel was seamless. Our accommodations and tours were all top-notch. I can‘t thank her enough for planning this awesome experience.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

28,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews
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