DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg & transfer to lodge

You will be met at Johannesburg Airport and transferred 3.5 hours to the beautiful malaria-free Waterberg Mountains, a UNESCO biosphere renowned for its diversity of plant and bird life.

After checking in to your lodge, enjoy a safari in your Private Game Reserve where game viewing opportunities should present themselves almost immediately. Hope to see several species of antelope, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and numerous other plains game before dining under the stars.

Days 2 & 3: Game Viewing

Rise early to take advantage of the best game viewing conditions of the day, and enjoy a thrilling open top safari with a lodge ranger in your malaria-free private game reserve, with its many beautiful sandstone monoliths, ravines and waterfalls.

With numerous different species of mammals and reptiles in the park, you can hope to see several of the Big Five - lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard - as well as many other interesting species such as giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, eland, kudu, sable antelope, waterbuck, warthog, baboon and much more. Bird watching is outstanding and you can see hippo and crocodiles in the dam.

Return to the lodge for breakfast and in the late afternoon enjoy another thrilling game drive with a lodge ranger. After a beautiful African sunset, enjoy the balmy evening and pristine stars of the Milky Way as you have never seen them before – as well as the spectacular Southern Cross.

Note: Most lodges do not allow children < 6 on open top game drives.

Day 4: Transfer to Johannesburg

After some final early morning game viewing, transfer 3.5 hours from the Waterberg Mountains to Johannesburg.

Check in to your hotel conveniently situated near Johannesburg Airport.

Day 5: Fly to Seychelles

Make your own way by free hotel shuttle or on foot (depending on location of your hotel) to Johannesburg Airport for your flight to Mahe Island in the spectacular Seychelles.

On arrival you will be met and escorted to your connecting light aircraft flight to Praslin Island. Check in to your hotel and relax on this paradise island.

Days 6 to 8: At Leisure

Relax and enjoy the pristine beaches of Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles.

Be sure to visit popular Cote d'Or Beach, the longest on Praslin island with several small shops, dive and activity centres. Also visit famous Anse Lazio Beach in the north, with its picturesque granite boulders, white sands and clear turquoise waters.

During your stay do try and visit the beautiful Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to gigantic coco de mer palm trees, whose enormous double coconut seeds resemble a woman's pelvis. This tropical forest also offers sanctuary to birds such as the endangered black parrot and the endemic bulbul.

Day 9: Cousin, Curieuse & St Pierre Islands (optional)

This morning we recommend transferring to Baie Sainte Anne Harbour to embark on a full day 3 Islands sailing adventure.

Our first stop is the small island of Cousin, with its pristine eco-system & nature reserve that is home to many rare birds. We continue to the mangroves of Curieuse Island Marine Park, which is home to over 100 giant tortoises that roam free, as well as giant crabs.

After a delicious BBQ lunch on board our yacht, we continuing to St. Pierre, a very small island that offers superb snorkelling opportunities, before returning to Praslin island.

Note: Take your swimming costume, towel, sunscreen & insect repellent. Minimum of 12 people required on the day to guarantee departure. Tour operates on a Tuesday and Thursday.

Day 10: La Digue Island (optional)

We suggest transferring to Baie Sainte Anne Harbour this morning to board the 15 minute ferry to pretty La Digue Island, the fourth largest granitic island in the Seychelles archipelago.

On arrival at La Digue harbour, you will be taken to the cycle shop to collect your bike. Your day is then free to independently explore this relatively less developed island, where the pace of life is slower and all transport is by bicycle or golf cart.

Be sure to visit Anse Source D'Argent, one of the most photographed beaches in the world with its gigantic granite boulders, palm trees and turquoise waters. It is a level 10 minute cycle ride or 40 minute walk from the village. When you arrive, don’t stop at the first cove but walk along the beach as there are many more coves that are less crowded.

Also visit Veuve Nature Reserve, which is home to the rare black paradise flycatcher, of which there are only about 100 left in the wild. From here enjoy views of La Digue's tallest peak - Belle Vue (or Eagle's Nest Mountain). Lunch is for your own account today, with the ferry back to Praslin island departing at 16.30 from La Digue harbour.

Day 11: Fly Home

Transfer to Praslin Airport for your light aircraft flight to Mahe airport and your connecting flight home.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a full board basis on safari and half board in Seychelles. Seychelles domestic flights, all transfers, park fees and game drives are included. International flights are not included and will be quoted separately.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance. The FCO should also be consulted.