On Safari in South Africa with Mauritius Beach

Travel to South Africa on an overnight flight.  

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city, you’ll be met by your local tour manager and set off on a scenic transfer to the Sebatana Rhino Lodge. Once you’ve unpacked and settled in, lunch will be served.  

Afterwards, relax in your new surroundings, perhaps taking a refreshing dip in the outdoor swimming pool. This evening, enjoy an included welcome drink, followed by dinner and a short briefing about the week ahead.  

After breakfast, you’ll venture into the reserve in an open-air vehicle on your first game drive. During this journey, your guide will provide a wildlife talk about the different animals, birds and plants that inhabit the area, as well as the area’s history.  

This drive will be followed by lunch and some free time back at the lodge before you return on an afternoon game drive, with a local tracker, who’ll do his best to seek out wildlife. Keep an eye out – and have your camera at the ready – for zebras, meerkats, giraffes, wildebeest, and impalas. 

In the evening, dinner will be served at the lodge.  

Following breakfast this morning, you’ll join a ‘Big Five’ game drive and visit one of the best private reserves in South Africa, Welgevonden Game Reserve.  

Set within the UNESCO-protected Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, this expanse of wilderness is home to more than 50 mammals, including lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalos, and elephants. Access to the reserve is subject to extensive restrictions, so it’ll feel like you have the whole place to yourself.  

After the sun has set, you can choose to join an optional tribal dinner, with the opportunity to gain insights into African culture and lifestyle. You’ll be able to taste local dishes and beverages, learn about traditions and customs, as well as watch a performance of dancing and music in a replica of a cultural village.  

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

After lunch, you’ll be collected in an open-air vehicle for a game drive to Christina’s Wallow, a hide with direct views of a waterhole, which is often teeming with giraffes, wildebeest, and impalas. For a truly authentic wildlife-spotting experience and to have the least impact, you’ll complete the journey on foot.  

At dusk, you can join the optional night game drive, giving you the unique opportunity to witness how the bush changes as the sun goes down, and a different animal kingdom emerges. With the help of powerful spotlights, you’ll hopefully see nocturnal creatures, like caracals, bush babies, porcupines, and ant bears.  

On the way, you’ll stop at ‘Flintstone Cave’, where the chef will have prepared a special three-course dinner spread across beautifully set tables and looking out over a fire – a wish-list experience.  

You’ll rise early this morning for a 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, so this is time best time to see them.    

Around mid-morning, you’ll stop at Kudu Rock for a lavish Champagne brunch, enhanced by the backdrop of the African bush. Here, you can tuck into your meal while soaking up the surrounding vista, perhaps even seeing an animal or two.  

Afterwards, you’ll return to the lodge to unwind.  

Enjoy breakfast and a day of leisure at the lodge, taking advantage of the amenities, or join an optional excursion to Pilanesberg National Park, the fourth largest of its kind in South Africa.  

 This expansive park is situated in a volcanic crater and presents further opportunities to spot the ‘Big Five’ as well as the endangered white rhinos, cheetahs, hippopotami, and over 300 bird species. When you arrive, you’ll board an open-air vehicle and traverse through the park with an experienced guide who’ll provide you with facts about the park and the animals that reside here.  

 In the evening, dinner will be served back at the lodge.  

After breakfast, you can spend another day at the lodge lounging by the pool or join a last morning game drive into the Kaingo Game Reserve. If you still want to tick some of the ‘Big Five’ off your list, this is the perfect opportunity.

In the mid-afternoon, there will be one more game drive to Sunset Rock, a fitting finale to your South African adventure. This spot is where you’ll have a magnificent vantage point and a chilled glass of Champagne while looking out over the Waterberg Mountains as the sky turns a cascade of red and orange. 

You’ll then return to the lodge for a final dinner with your new-found friends.

Have your last breakfast and say goodbye to your hosts before you depart for the airport for your flight to Mauritius.

Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to the southwest of the island, where you’ll check into your ocean-facing resort in the village of Bel-Ombre.  

Rise to the sound of the waves and enjoy a buffet breakfast with the choice to spend the day at your leisure, taking advantage of the resort’s assortment of facilities.  

Alternatively, you can join an optional excursion, which encompasses several stops around the island. You’ll begin with a visit to Royal Botanic Gardens, the oldest in the southern hemisphere. Dating back to 1786, these beautiful grounds are known for the pond of giant water lilies and colony of giant tortoises. You’ll also be able to see 85 different varieties of palm trees from around the world, including the talipot palm. This unique species waits up to 60 years to produce a single crop of yellow-green fruit, only to die soon afterwards.  

Next up on the itinerary is the Sugar Adventure Museum, which is set in an old sugar mill. Here, you’ll get to taste sugar and rum, both made on the property.  Interactive exhibits showcase the history of the nation’s sugar industry and there’ll be time to purchase some souvenirs created by local craftsmen.  

The tour will continue to the seaside village of Grand-Baie, with its pristine beach and protected cove. You’ll be able to wander the lively bazaar, selling handicrafts, before you enjoy lunch at one of the ocean-facing restaurants.  

You’ll then stop off at the northernmost point of Mauritius. This area is aptly named Cap Malheureux, which translates to 'The Cape of Misfortune' due to the legendary 1810 battle in which the British defeated the French and took over the island. Take in the views over the Indian Ocean and surrounding islands, observe the red-roofed church of Notre Dame Auxiliatrice, and take some photos.  

Lastly, a visit to an ancient working sugar estate, Domaine Labourdonnais, will conclude the excursion.   

Later, you’ll return to the resort to relax and have dinner.  

Once you’ve had breakfast, another day of leisure awaits, or you can opt for an excursion, which involves boarding a speedboat to cruise around some of Mauritius’ most beautiful, uninhabited islands. You’ll first cruise across a lagoon to a wild nature reserve on the small island of Ile aux Mariannes, where your guide will inform you about the endemic flora and fauna. Then you’ll travel to Ile aux Phares (Lighthouse Island), a former military base for the French during the colonisation of Mauritius. The lighthouse, which can be found here, was built to guide ships to the local port, and the island’s unique location near colourful reefs ensures a brilliant photograph opportunity.  

The tour will then pass by the rocky islet of Ile de la Passe, which was a base for English and French troops, and now encompasses several fortifications. You’ll then have some time to snorkel and swim in the turquoise waters before calling at the paradisical Ile aux Cerfs for a BBQ lunch and chilled refreshments, including local rum.  

You’ll return to the resort in the evening for dinner.  

After breakfast, you’ll venture on a full-day excursion to cover the natural splendours of the southern part of Mauritius. The Takamaka Winery is the starting point, and the only winery in the world dedicated exclusively to lychee wine. Ganga Talao, a crater lake, also known as ‘Sacred Lake’ is another must-see location, and it’s ringed by a temple with small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other gods. This lake is also an important pilgrimage site, and according to Hindu mythology, it’s believed that the water here is sourced from the sacred Ganges River in India.  

A photo stop at the Black River Gorges National Park is next, where you should keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, deer and mongooses. Lunch will be served at a local family home in the small village of Chamarel, encircled by tropical rainforests. Chamarel is also home to the famous Terres de 7 Couleurs, ‘Seven Coloured Earth’, which consists of an expanse of multi-coloured sand dunes as a result of uneven cooling of molten rock. This natural wonder of green, purple, yellow, red, brown, and violet is a striking sight, and at the base, there are several giant tortoises.  

Towards the end of the day, you’ll be taken back to the resort, where you can unwind and have dinner.  

It’s your final day in this beautiful corner of the world, and you can make the most of it by embracing many of the resort’s activities. Perhaps tick off anything you’ve been wanting to experience, like windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, and snorkelling, or maybe book a treatment at the spa. 

Alternatively, choose to do something completely different by being a conservationist for a day. This optional excursion takes you beyond the tourist traps and allows you to volunteer at a wildlife fountain with local biologists.

You’ll travel by boat to the unspoilt island of Ile aux Aigrette, which showcases a well-preserved ecosystem of Mauritius. Here, you’ll get to observe the operations of experienced and knowledgeable biologists and rangers. They’ll give you unique insights into the flora on the island, particularly the trees, and you’ll get to participate in potting, planting and feeding tortoises.

During your visit, you may even have lunch with a biologist and discuss their daily work in the field station before learning about the island’s bird conservation. The proceeds from this experience go to supporting the foundation, and you’ll return to the resort feeling informed and enlightened after leaving a positive impact.

Following your last breakfast in paradise, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Arrive back in the UK after your adventure to Africa.

The order of the itinerary may change at times.