11-day Luxury South African Safari & Cape Town

Take an unhurried cruise along the Matlabas River on Miss Mara. Nothing tops watching the sun shimmy into a liquid horizon in vivid colour, as you sip on a G ‘n T to the splash of a grunting hippo.

The perspective of the bush is quite different when experienced from the water. An excursion on Miss Mara is highly recommended as a unique and highly enjoyable way to immerse yourself in the magnificence of the reserve.

Morning and afternoon cruises are conducted on the Matlabas River, just 20 minutes drive from the Lodge. Delicious refreshments and snacks are provided; from pastries and hot chocolate, to G ‘n Ts and Canapés.

One of Marataba’s experienced Field Guides will conduct the slow cruise along the river. You can expect to see birdlife a-plenty, hippos in the water, and the many creatures that walk the plains of Marataba along the water’s edge.

Guests staying at Marataba Luxury Lodges will meet the team, receive a pre-operational briefing, and depart at the predetermined time.

Once the rhino has been located and darted, guests will actively participate in the activity, involving tasks that may include: fitting tracking collars, ear-notching, collecting blood and tissue samples, and micro-chipping of horns. This experience does not include dehorning interventions.

Each intervention offers a unique and singular experience with one animal. It's important to note that, with smooth operations, the duration can vary from approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Once the intervention is complete, the blindfold and earplugs are removed, and the reversal drug are given to the rhino.

Opportunities are provided for guests to take photos, and if safe to do so, take photos with the animal and field team. The guide will also photograph the guests experience and these images will be made available upon return.

After the intervention, the conservation team provides a debriefing and a 'behind the scenes' tour of their operations room, for a comprehensive understanding of how the intervention aligns with conservation efforts and how the collected data contributes to the cause.

Please note that interventions are limited to the months between April and September, due to more favourable weather conditions, ensuring the safety of the animals, and there are approximately 60 activities that take place place throughout the year.

Cost:
R95 000.00
For a group of 15 guests

Availability:
April to September

This tour gives a very personal and authentic look into life in the townships.

The tour begins with a stop in at the MORE Community Foundation - supported Injongo Educare Crèche, Mfuleni where guests can help to make or serve the children breakfast, and read, play ball and have singalongs with them. This is followed by a short walk down the road to where the crèche began at the home of inspirational founder, Mavis Ngcongolo who will be there to greet the group.

Then it’s on to the township of Khayelitsha where guests can see the whole of Cape Town’s biggest location from Lookout Hill at the Tourism Centre, before taking a drive through the streets, hearing about its history and people as they go.

The tour’s last stop is Langa (meaning ‘sun’) and arguably Cape Town’s most vibrant and progressive settlement. Here, guests visit Langa Heritage Museum in The Old Pass Court building, Guga Sthebe Arts & Culture Centre for local empowerment, and Langa Quarter where the Ikhaya Le Langa project is furthering social enterprise and creating a tourism hotspot.

– Departure times: After breakfast and lunch – meet at hotel reception
– Travel time: ±40 minutes (one way)
– Tour duration: 3–4 hours
– Number of guests: 2–7
– Cost: POA

As the sun dawns on your special day, celebrate the occasion with a sunrise picnic on Signal Hill. Romantic, exciting, it’s befitting any event from a birthday to anniversary, or proposal… At the most scenic lookout point, we’ll pop the bubbly and lay on treats especially for you.

– Cost: POA