After arriving in Johannesburg in the morning take a domestic flight to Greater Kruger National Park where our representative will be waiting for you to transfer you to your safari lodge. Your first safari happens this afternoon in search of "The Big -5", lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.
Alternatively, you can spend a night in Johannesburg to rest and relax prior heading for the safari.
Safari Game Drive
WINTER DAILY SCHEDULE – MAY TO SEPTEMBER
5.30 am – 6.00 am wake up call
Tea and coffee served in the Summerhouse
6.30 am game drive departs
9.30 am return from game drive
10.00 am breakfast in the Summerhouse
Bush walk offered after breakfast
Optional extras available throughout the day
14.45 pm high tea in the Summerhouse.
15.30 pm afternoon game drive departs.
19.30 pm dinner served
Village Tour:
Cultural tours can be arranged into the local Shangaan community, to get an insight into their rural way of life and culture. The Shangaan people are naturally creative and musical. The Shangaan workers made gumboot dancing famous, a style of dance which has evolved into its own art form in recent years.
Safari Game Drive
Walking Safari
Village Tour
Morning and afternoon game drive
Early transfer to the airport for your flights to Johannesburg and the Seychelles. Meet your guide and head for the beach.
Relax on one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world or explore the island at your leisure. Free bike rental on offer. Watersports options. Optional tours are available to choose from.
Optional tours are available for extra cost:
Full day discovery tour of Mahe:
Explore Seychelles' busiest island with your guide. Experience the diversity and inspiring scenic beauty of Mahé, Seychelles’ largest and most populated island, when you set off in air-conditioned comfort aboard this Bus Tour.
Begin with a tour of the capital, Victoria, and visit places of interest such as the Victoria Clock Tower and the colourful Sir Selwyn-Selwyn Clark Market place, whilst our experienced guides share the country’s rich culture and history with you. Moving on, enjoy a lesiurely drive through the mountain passes of Sans Souci, as you travel through lush forest and tea plantations along one of the most scenic routes in Seychelles.
After a stop at the historic Mission Lodge, with its weathered ruins and awe-inspiring views of the coast below, set off to enjoy a Creole Buffet in a local Seychellois restaurant. Soak in the breathtaking scenery of the many idyllic bays along the Southern coast before heading to a historic herb & spice garden and our Guides are sure to enlighten you on the unique flora and fauna only found in the Seychelles.
End the day with an insight into Creole culture and architecture by visiting the local craft village for an opportunity of purchasing local souvenirs, viewing Creole houses and meeting local artisans making their crafts.
Full Day Reef Safari ; includes lunch;
Explore the wonders of the St. Anne National Marine Park on this exciting full-day excursion, jam-packed with fun-filled activities.
Set-Sail aboard Anahita as you head off to discover Mahé’s inner islands. Next, hop aboard a semi-submersible vessel as you dip below the waves to explore the depths of the Marine Park. Enjoy watching the tropical fish surrounding the boat and then get up close and personal with the creatures that inhabit the park’s colourful coral gardens for a refreshing snorkel or swim.
Be treated to lunch and musical entertainment before heading ashore on Moyenne Island. Visit the island on-foot as you get to meet the Giant Tortoises that freely roam here, as well as visit old ruins and 'pirate' graves – or simply relax on the island’s private beach. The day ends with a tropical cocktail and a leisurely cruise around the Marine Park before returning to Mahé. Pick up time about 8-8.30am
Full day Peaks of Paradise , lunch included:
Explore the untouched splendour of Mahé’s north coast and discover one of Seychelles best loved hiking trails as you enjoy a guided hike through the Morne Seychelles National Park.
An easy-going 1 hour 30 minute hike over rocky coastal peaks and tropical forests will lead to Anse Major – a secluded beach only accessible via boat or this mountain path. Our catamaran will be waiting to receive guests, who may opt to spend the afternoon at leisure: swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing in this stunning bay.
A delicious lunch will be served onboard, before the gentle cruise back to Victoria.
Guests that would prefer a more leisurely outing may choose to board the yacht in Victoria and sail to Anse Major directly, for a relaxing day at sea. Pick up time about 8-8.30am
Island Combo - Full Day Praslin and La Digue .- per person, lunch included:
Enjoy a full-day, island-hopping adventure and see the best of Praslin and La Digue!
Experience the laid back atmosphere of island living on La Digue. Visit the historic L’ Union Estate for a unique glimpse into the early days of Seychelles’ history: discover a traditional Créole plantation home, an ox-powered copra mill and a traditional boatyard. From there you will be guided to Anse Source d’Argent – the most photographed beach in the world!
A delicious lunch is served aboard Le Cerf, before making your way to Praslin and the legendary Vallee de Mai. This prehistoric forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once believed to be the original site of the Garden of Eden. Here you will have the chance to see the iconic coco de mer and perhaps glimpse the rare black parrot. Next, visit the world -famous Anse Lazio, with its white sands and clear waters, where you can swim or relax on one of Seychelles’ best beaches. Pick up time about 6am.
Birding 1/2 Day Mahe Island: , lasts about 4 hours
The tour will start with transfer from the hotel to various sites on Mahe in search for the White-Eye, Scops Owl, Kestrel and other endemic birds.
• The White-Eye is rare and endemic to the islands. Almost extinct until 1997 when a colony was found on Conception island. Today this bird can be seen on Mahe (Introduced to Fregate Island Private & Denis Private Island recently). In addition to insects, the white-eye feeds on fruits of natives and introduced plants.
• The Scops Owl (Syer) is a nocturnal bird. It is mainly found in the highland forests of Mahe, so it is rarely seen. It can sometimes been heard calling from tall trees, its usual call sounds like a frog or a rasping noise of a big saw on wood giving the bird its Creole name.It reaches a length between 19 and 22 cm. The wings are about 17 cm. Its diet consists of geckos, tree frogs and insects (e.g. locusts).
• Another endemic bird is the Seychelles Kestrel and is the only breeding bird of prey found here. It is the smallest of the Kestrels, 18-23cm long with a wingspan of 40-45cm. The wings are fairly short and rounded. It can be seen in forest, scrub and farmland and around rock faces and houses. Lizards, particularly green day geckos and skinks make up 92% of its diet and it will also take small birds, frogs, rats and insects. The species has a population of about 800 birds and is classified as Vulnerable.
Walk + Trail - Full Day Anse Major (8Hours)
Approximately an hour walk from Bel-Ombre, exploring the unique Flora & Fauna along the way, guestswill also enjoy the Anse Major Trail walking on boulders with beautiful scenery of Beau Vallon bay and northern part of Mahe Island and finishing off on Anse Major beach. Much of the trail lies within the boundaries of the Morne Seychellois National Park, with spectacular rock slopes (called 'glacis') and native vegetation typical of the drier areas of Mahé. The trail is EASY. Approximately 4 hours is required for the total walk (ie up and down). Additional time is allowed for picnicking and spending time on the beach.
Walk + Trail - Full Day Mare Au Cochons (8 hours)
Starting from Le Niole, walking through part of the forest exploring the unique Flora & Fauna. At one point the magnificent scenery of the famous Beau Vallon bay and the Northern Part of Mahe Island. The trail is Moderate.
Walk + Trail - Half Day Copolia Trail (4 hours)
This is a fairly shady walk through the forest of the Morne Seychellois National Park. After dropping down into a valley there is a relatively steady climb of some 140 m (450 ft) up onto a huge expanse of granite rock.
Copolia is 500 m above sea level and spectacular views of the east coast of Mahe and other granitic islands.
Plants and animals unique to the Seychelles, including the insectivorous Pitcher Plants can be found in the higher sections of this trail. Return is by the same trail, as there is, as yet, no alternative route.
The trail is graded as MODERATE. Approximately 4 hours is required for the total walk (ie up and down). Allow extra time for picnicking and exploring at the top. Because most of the trail is through forest, this walk can be tackled at any time of the day, although the summit is very exposed to sun, wind and mist.
Walk + Trail - Half Day Mare Au Cochons (4 hrs)
Starting from Le Niole, walking through part of the forest exploring the unique Flora & Fauna. At one point the magnificent scenery of the famous Beau Vallon bay and the Northern Part of Mahe Island. The trail is Moderate.
Walk + Trail - Half Day Morn Blanc (4 hrs)
This trail is a continuous uphill climb from an already high-altitude starting point in the Morne Seychellois National Park, through mist forests and to the top of the mountain of Morne Blanc, with sweeping views across Mahé’s western seaboard. The initial part of the trail passes through an old tea plantation, but as the trail elevates the mist forest ecology becomes more evident, with lichens, mosses and ferns covering most surfaces. Many jackfruit trees stand adjacent to the path upwards to the mountain, and these large fruits can often be seen on the ground after having fallen.
There are several caves and holes in this area that are highly camouflaged due to the thick jungle undergrowth, so hikers are advised to not stray from the path.
What to look out for: The trail leads to a platform perched atop the sheer cliff of Morne Blanc, with spectacular panoramic views and from which you can see tropicbirds swirling above and below you. Mountain forest areas such as these are common homes for many of Seychelles’ endemic birds, such as the Seychelles bulbul, the Seychelles swiftlet, and the Seychelles sunbird. You may also be able to hear the surprisingly loud calls of the world’s smallest frog, which is endemic to Seychelles, but at 1 cm in length, finding one will prove much more difficult. The trail is MODERATE.
Walk + Trail-La Reserve Brulee,Bon Espoir (4 hrs)
Approximately one hour walk starting from Montagne Posee clients can explore the unique Flora & Fauna along the way. The trail is quite easy finishing on boulders with a magnificent view of the sea and mountains. The trail is EASY.
Take a last morning swim in the Indian Ocean prior heading for the airport.