Africa Safaris & Holidays

Species Specific Interactive Safaris give guests the opportunity to focus on a species of their choice and get to know it inside out, while still enjoying general game (wildlife) viewing and participating in unusual activities involving your species of choice! These safaris often start in a controlled environment such as a breeding centre, which allows time to observe characteristics and behaviour from up close while getting to know your favourite wildlife species. Sometimes there is also the opportunity to participate in an immobilisation procedure during this time, if any routine management procedures need to be carried out. The safari then moves to a more remote reserve where we interact with scientists and field researchers to learn more about our chosen species and its adaptations in the particular wildlife sanctuary we are working in. Where possible, guests are afforded the opportunity to participate in "unusual" activities involving your species, such as tracking exercises using tracking equipment (Telemetry), or even tracking collared animals from the air in a 2-seater microlight aircraft!! As always, activities are optional and guests have a choice as to how hands-on they wish to be.

These safaris are normally 7 or 8 days in duration, which allows ample time for general game viewing and relaxation, ensuring that your safari is not limited to one species. We also stay at several lodges during this time giving you a regular change of scenery. Groups are small, and are normally limited to 7 persons on a sharing basis, ensuring a personal experience. In certain instances bigger groups can be accommodated upon request. Your participation ensures sizeable financial contributions to the conservation bodies we work with, thus contributing directly to the conservation of your chosen species. Join us on a Species Specific Interactive Safari and know that your dreams about Africa will never be the same again……

Focus: Elephant and Rhino ++++++Please scroll down for Focus: Big Cat Safaris
This safari takes you ‘behind the scenes’, giving you the opportunity to interact with researchers, ecologists, vets and guides while discovering the fantastic world of wildlife in Southern Africa. The focus of this safari will be on elephant and rhino, but many other species will be viewed and enjoyed along the way……..The traditional wildlife viewing activities included in the safari programme make this an ideal safari for first time visitors, as well as seasoned travellers to Africa wanting something new and exciting! Not only will you have a fantastic time but your participation also means donations to the various projects, thus you are helping save endangered species. Guided by a Wildlife Vet, and various local guides, you will be given a unique and rare insight into the world of wildlife in Southern Africa. Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime safari, while helping to conserve Africa’s wildlife through your participation……..

Day 1 – Saturday
Arrive at Port Elizabeth Airport in the morning – flights for your own arrangement – where you will be met by a  representative and transferred to the Amakhala Game Reserve – approximately 45 minutes. Your transfer will depart the airport at 12.00 pm. Early/late arrivals can be accommodated on request, but may incur a private transfer fee. Check into Leeuwenbosch/Shearers Lodge and enjoy lunch and some leisure time on arrival.             

Late afternoon you head out on a game drive on Amakhala Game Reserve in an open game viewing vehicle, with your local guide, in search of their wildlife – rhino (white and black), elephant, cheetah, buffalo, lion, giraffe, black wildebeest, zebra, tortoise and over 16 antelope species. Watch the sun set while enjoying drinks and snacks, before searching for elusive nocturnal animals such as spotted hyena, lynx, porcupine and spring hare. Return to the lodge early evening where we’ll enjoy dinner and review the programme for the safari. Overnight in Amakhala Game Reserve at Leeuwenbosch Lodge. Accommodation here is on a full board basis, including drinks (excludes certain premium drinks, spirits and extras). Amakhala Game Reserve is owned and run primarily by families that have been there for some five generations. Their ancestors were Frontier Settlers who settled in the Eastern Capeto farm sheep and cattle on the wild and often hostile Zuurveld. Today they are still there, in the now historic and hospitable Frontier Country, but today they run a Private Game Reserve. The reserve is home to a variety of species, including lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and numerous other antelope species. The vegetation and landscape are awe inspiring and the time spent in this reserve of approximately 7000 hectares will teach you a great deal about African wildlife.

Dr William Fowlds (one of our wildlife vets) and his family own and run Leeuwenbosch which consists of the Country House and Shearers Lodge. Built in 1908 and set in its own lovely garden, the Country House is a large and beautiful home, which offers true country living in every sense. Both spacious and comfortable, it has four en-suite bedrooms and a newly added suite. Shearers Lodge was originally built in 1930 and used for shearing and classing wool. It has now been beautifully converted into four luxury en-suite bedrooms, one with a private lounge. All the rooms open on to a wide colonial veranda, overlooking indigenous gardens, rolling lawns and the quaintly charming Leeuwenbosch Chapel.

Day 2 – Sunday
After early morning tea and coffee, we set off early in search of rhino and elephant…... This morning the focus will be on these species and we will spend some time viewing them in their natural habitat and learning about their habitat, feeding, social behaviour and the issues that affect their management and survival in Africa. We return to the lodge later in the morning for breakfast/brunch. After brunch there will be some informative talks on issues relating to Veterinary Science and Wildlife and Elephant immobilisation, also covering aspects such as the conservation/management of elephant and the actual procedure, equipment, drugs, etc. This will also cover safety aspects and guests involvement in the procedure.

We’ll also take a look at dart gun systems and darts and try our hand at darting a target. After the talks we’ll head out again late afternoon to enjoy another afternoon game driveon Amakhala, searching for wildlife not yet seen, and also explaining telemetry trackingand practice our hand at this skill. Enjoy sundowners and snacks in the bush, before returning to the lodge for dinner. Overnight Leeuwenbosch Lodge.

Day 3 – Monday
After early breakfast we head for nearby Addo Elephant National Park today, a drive of approximately 40 minutes. We’ll enjoy an open vehicle game drive through the main park conservation area and discuss aspects of wildlife management in national conservation areas, as we go. We will also visit the bomas (wildlife holding facility) in the park and if we are lucky will spend some time with South African National Parks staff discussing conservation issues in the park, in particular issues relating to their large and unique elephant population – this depends on staff schedules and availability at the time. Lunch is at the park restaurant – for your own expense.  There will also be some time to explore the park shop and buy some souvenirs to take home.

Addo Elephant National Parklies deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape. The original Elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area - today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 420 elephants, 450 Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. For the first time in over 100 years, lion and spotted hyena were reintroduced to the park in 2005.

After lunch, en route back to Amakhala, we will pass through one of the poorest villages in South Africa, Paterson, where we visit a local Aids orphanage led by its dedicated staff, to learn more about the plight of these children in the context of the HIV pandemic in South Africa. Donations of clothes or financial contributions would be much appreciated. Purchase of items the children and the Trust need can be facilitated in advance through the safari company purchasing these goods, and guests handing such purchases over on the day of their visit.  This saves on packing space and ensures we purchase relevant items for the children. Return to Amakhala Game Reserve late afternoon for some leisure time and to enjoy dinner in the evening. Overnight Leeuwenbosch Lodge and have a good rest, if you can keep your mind off the excitement that awaits you in the morning…..

Day 4 – Tuesday
Set off early morning, after tea/coffee/a light breakfast, to attempt to immobilise an elephant and place a tracking collar….. most likely at one of the nearby Eastern Cape Private Game Reserves – maximum drive time normally one hour each way. The final venue and work to be done will be finalised nearer the time, but the most likely scenario is that a collar will be placed to collect data as part of a research project relating to behaviour and/or spatial distribution of elephant in different vegetation habitats. This data will benefit the participating Private Game Reserves in the Eastern Cape in managing their expanding elephant populations. On arrival final preparations are made and then the elephant will be located and darted – either from a helicopter or a vehicle, depending on the terrain, etc.

When the elephant is immobilised and it is safe, guests will be allowed to leave their vehicle and join the duty veterinarian, hands on! There will be an opportunity to help monitor and treat the elephant/help with procedures. Of course there will be time for those photos of a lifetime too! Once we are done we’ll reverse the elephant’s immobilising drugs, and watch him/her recover. Hopefully he heads off in a direction away from us! We will take a packed lunch along with us today, which we will enjoy after the immobilisation procedure is complete. We return to Leeuwenbosch Lodge in the mid afternoon to relax and rid ourselves of some of the adrenalin that is sure to have coursed through our bodies and to discuss the morning’s adventure …Should we arrive back earlier we may head out for another game drive. Dinner and overnight at Leeuwenbosch Lodge. Please note: The elephant immobilisation is subject to confirmation nearer the time, pending a local university finalising the research project, but in the unlikely event that this is not possible, another veterinary procedure will be scheduled for today.

Day 5 – Wednesday
After our early morning tea or coffee we will head out on a game drive to the Bushmans River, which runs through the Reserve, where we will enjoy a river cruise and experience the bird life which is prevalent along the river (dependent on water levels), before returning to the lodge for breakfast. We enjoy breakfast back at the lodge before checking out. Transfer to another Eastern Cape reserve, approximately 1.5 hours drive away. Check into our new tented camp and enjoy some leisure time. Late afternoon we head out on a game drive in our new environment, with our local guide and a vet, to explore the scenery and search for wildlife.

Enjoy sundowners before returning to camp for an evening of leisure and to enjoy dinner in our new camp. This Private Game Reserve consists of five thousand five hundred hectares with hilly topography and dense thickets, interspersed with mosaics of grass, bush and abundant wildlife. The reserve is very diverse with stunning nature scenes from the many vantage points. The varied habitat types support the tremendously rich array of plant and animal life, many endemic to the area. There are 78 mammal species present within the reserve. A wide variety of birds are to be found on the property and to date there have been 245 birds listed in the area. A wide variety of reptiles, insects as well as some endemic plants species are still to be identified.

The Luxury Tent Camp offers an intimate safari experience, located within the heart of the game reserve. In keeping with the reserve’s Green environment policy, the camp is entirely powered by solar energy and is designed to capture the splendour of the surrounding valley. The four luxury tents are spacious and offer classic safari luxury, with well appointed en suite bathrooms and private verandas. Intimate guest areas include an elegant central dining tent and a traditional boma for those beautiful star lit evenings around the fire, further enhancing your safari experience. The friendly local staff offer charming service, in true Eastern Cape spirit, and their passion for the reserve will delight guests from all over the world. The chef will provide first class South African Cuisine including coffee and traditional rusks to start your day and a hearty brunch after your early morning activity. Late afternoon high tea, at the camp, is the perfect time to enjoy the sounds of the birds and view the brilliant afternoon sunlight filtering through the valley. A sumptuous three course dinner prepared by our chef is the ideal way to end your day, with a large range of South African beverages available to compliment your meals. Take respite from the heat on those hot African days in the camp splash pool.

Day 6 – Thursday
After early morning tea/coffee, we head out on a bush walk on the game reserve, giving us a totally different perspective on things. If we are lucky we will have the opportunity to track rhino on foot too…..Return to the camp for brunch mid to late morning.

After brunch we enjoy a talk by a local conservationist on rhino management and conservation issues, with special reference to black rhino. We also discuss rhino immobilisation and the actual immobilisation procedure planned for the next day in order to ensure that everyone gets the most from the experience in a manner that is safe for the patient, and safe and enjoyable for the guests. Enjoy some leisure time before we head out on a late afternoon game drive again, or just relax to the sounds of the bush in camp. Dinner is enjoyed in camp and then another night’s sleep under canvas, with the knowledge that another immobilisation awaits tomorrow and that no two immobilisations are ever the same…..

Day 7 – Friday
After another early start, the team heads out into a nearby game reserve to locate the patient(s)…The moment of truth arrives when we dart the rhino from a helicopter….. (executed by one of our wildlife veterinarians) probably a black rhino…. Once the rhino is safely immobilised, you will have the experience of your life while assisting with the various procedures – ear notching for positive identification and management reasons, and to help combat poaching, and also micro-chipping and blood sampling for research purposes - all the while monitoring the status of the patient.

All being well, there will be plenty of photo opportunities as you get hands-on with one of Africa’s most endangered species…..Once the procedures are done, guests retreat to the safety of the nearby vehicle while the rhino recovers and walks off into the bush, often a little disgruntled! We will attempt to immobilise and work with two rhino per safari, all being well. After the immobilisation and the rhino’s recovery, guests return to the camp to reflect on the morning’s activities, after all, it is not every day you get to work with one of Africa’s most endangered species….Enjoy lunch, and some leisure time. Head out late afternoon on your last afternoon game drive looking for any species not yet viewed in the preceding days. We enjoy sundowners for the last time, before heading back to camp to enjoy dinner and the day’s tales. Enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep after the day’s excitement….

Day 8 – Saturday
We start early again today, with tea and coffee before heading out on our last game drive, or simply lie in and wake to the sounds of the bush. Enjoy brunch in camp before checking out at 11.00 am and transferring back to Port Elizabeth airport. Arrive at Port Elizabeth around 1.30 pm.

*** END OF SERVICES***

Costing 2012:

from EUR 3190 per person sharing.

Single supplements may apply. This cost is based on a total of 8 guests participating in the safari.  Different size groups may be accommodated on request.

This is inclusive of: All ground transfers; accommodation on a full board basis (including all meals, and certain drinks at Leeuwenbosch Lodge only - house wines, local brand beers, soft drinks and bottled water); all activities as laid out in the itinerary; the services of a Wildlife Vet and the services of local guides and staff, as indicated; tourism levies and Government VAT.

Cost excludes: Additional optional activities; drinks at the second venue and dinks not included at Leeuwenbosch; items of a personal nature; gratuities, and travel and medical (compulsory) insurance.

2012 Departure Dates:

Tailor-made/exclusive departures and more departure dates 2012 are available This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please note:

•Arrangements (transfers/accommodation) can be made for early arrivals from abroad/late departures, but these costs are not included in the itinerary.

•This program is a guide and all these activities will be done, but not necessarily in this order, as Elephant & Rhino’s don’t read that well!!

•Every effort will be made to ensure that the client participates in the darting procedure, as laid out in the itinerary, but the animal's welfare will not be compromised at any stage, and a procedure may have to be aborted and the animal revived in certain circumstances. The animal is the primary reason for this safari, and we need to bear that in mind and respect the patient.

Please note the following regarding the darting/immobilisation procedures:
While every endeavour is made to locate and dart the animal in question, factors such as severe weather conditions or illness involving the animal; inability to locate or approach the animal close enough due to bush conditions; failure of the animal to come to a bait, etc; which are all unpredictable, may prevent the darting from going ahead. Every effort will be made to ensure that the client participates in the darting procedure, or similar, as laid out in the itinerary, but the animal's welfare will not be compromised at any stage, and a procedure may have to be aborted and the animal revived in certain circumstances. This may shorten the procedure/down time and hence the close up experience for the client. Brothers Safaris, its staff, and appointed agents will not be held liable for any losses incurred by a client as a result of such situations, and accept no responsibility whatsoever. Every endeavour is made to ensure the health and safety of all our clients, but any procedure with a potentially dangerous wild animal and veterinary drug is of such a nature that certain circumstances may be beyond our control. Should any such situation arise which leads to death or injury due to any reason whatsoever, Brothers Safaris, its staff, and appointed agents, will not be held liable for any losses incurred as a direct, or indirect, result of such a situation, or our actions in such a situation.

Focus: Big Cat Safaris

Come face to face with the magnificent cheetah, the leopard, African Wild Dog, African Elephant, and of course the mighty lion...This safari takes guests behind the scenes and gives them the opportunity to interact with researchers, ecologists, Vets and guides while discovering the fantastic world of wildlife in Southern Africa. Guided throughout the safari by a Wildlife Veterinarian and registered Tourist Guide, you will be given a unique insight into the world of wildlife. Not only do you have a fantastic time, but your participation also helps save the endangered cheetah and other species! Join us for the experience of a lifetime and know that your dreams about Africa will never be the same...

Day 1 – Saturday
Arrive at Johannesburg International Airport (OR Tambo) – flights for your own arrangement.
On arrival transfer from Johannesburg International Airport to your nearby hotel, via the free shuttle service provided by the hotel. Your accommodation for the night is on a bed & breakfast basis and check in is from 2.00 pm. Enjoy dinner at your hotel complex – for your own expense. If you prefer to transfer directly to De Wildt on day 1 and avoid the night in the city, this can be arranged subject to availability and at an additional cost.

Contemporary convenience at its best... your 3-star Hotel offers stylish and comfortable rooms as well as a "group-friendly" experience for corporate, convention and leisure guests. The hotel offers a variety of room configurations and amenities which include LCD flat screen TV, satellite DSTV channels for all languages, tea and coffee stations, secure internet connections, laptop safe, working desk with business-convenient plug points. The hotel's clean and modern façade is complimented by a private and sheltered pool terrace, set in a beautifully landscaped garden, providing guests with food and beverage service throughout the day. There is also an express-style deli for quick and convenient meals, a business centre with workstations and data connectivity for laptops, boardroom with state of the art facilities, and Wi-Fi internet access in public areas. The hotel also features the F.L.A.G Café and the 21° Cocktail Bar. The hotel features 248 rooms and your stay will be in one of the Classic Rooms.

Day 2 - Sunday
After breakfast at the hotel (included in safari cost) you will be met at 10 am by a representative of the safari company and transfered to the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, just North West  of Pretoria (approximately 1 hour drive). Check in and enjoy lunch at the De Wildt Cheetah Lodge. Enjoy a private afternoon tour of the facility, with the likely opportunity to have your photo taken with one of the centre’s “Cheetah Ambassadors”. Sundowners (sunset drinks) are followed by dinner back at the lodge. Overnight at De Wildt Cheetah Lodge.

Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre is renowned for its breeding success of rare and endangered species.  The very rare King Cheetah was first bred here and similar success was achieved in breeding the Wild Dog, Brown Hyena, Blue Duiker, Suni Antelope and various species of vultures.  Visitors to the Centre can see these animals up close and learn interesting facts about their nature, habitat and way of life when taking a tour in an open vehicle, conducted by a knowledgeable guide. The centre is a CITES approved cheetah breeding centre.

De Wildt Cheetah Lodge is situated just north west of Pretoria, in the De Wildt area. The lodge is set in lush green gardens on an adjacent property to the breeding Centre, nestled in the foothills of the Magaliesberg mountain range. This presents a landscape of open veld (bush), many indigenous trees, and a panoramic view to the north. A renovated old farm homestead, the lodge has eight suites, each individually decorated to highlight the species that are bred at the Centre, or the environment. Each meal is a sumptuous experience. Brothers Safaris rates this lodge 3 star.

Day 3 - Monday
Early breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast we transfer to the centre where the morning will be spent observing, and where possible, assisting with the management tasks at the centre. Staff will take guests behind the scenes for a look at how things are run. Return to the nearby lodge for lunch. After lunch we transfer to the Elephant Sanctuary - approximately 30 minutes by road - where we will participate in an afternoon tour of the facility and meet the individual elephants in a hands-on experience.

The Elephant Sanctuary is not a rescue centre for elephants (although most of its residents have been rescued) but a commercial centre that accomplishes great work with the resident elephants and guests, in terms of the experience and education they offer through their passion for these amazing animals. A knowledgeable guide conducts this “hands-on tour” on foot, and you are sure to leave the sanctuary feeling enlightened. Return to De Wildt Cheetah Lodge early evening for dinner. Overnight at De Wildt Cheetah Lodge.

Day 4 - Tuesday
After early breakfast we transfer to the neighbouring De Wildt Cheetah Centre to witness a “cheetah run”! The ambassador cheetahs are exercised regularly, using a lure to invoke their hunting instinct, as part of a new programme to exercise them and in so doing hopefully also eliminate gastritis which is an ongoing problem for captive cheetah. After the run we check out of the De Wildt Cheetah Lodge and transfer to the far north west of the country - approximately a 6 hour drive through some remote areas of South Africa. Enjoy packed lunch en route.

Check in mid afternoon and enjoy a short game drive (time and mood dependent after the day’s drive) and sundowners before returning to camp for an evening at leisure with dinner and overnight at our lodge. Our lodge is situated on a sandstone ridge offering guests breathtaking views. The lodge is built of stone and thatch and offers simple luxury. All rooms are en-suite, air conditioned, and are set a short distance away from the main lodge area. While staying here we have exclusive use of the lodge. Our stay here is on a full board basis and a reasonable amount of local drinks - soft and alcoholic - are included.

Day 5 - Wednesday
Early morning light breakfast/tea/coffee followed by a transfer into the neighbouring Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve (VLNR) which we’ll be working in. VLNR is 34 000 hectares in size, and home to many species of antelope, giraffe, lion, African Wild dogs, leopard, elephant, white and black rhino, and many more. The vegetation consists mostly of Mopane scrub, which presents a harsh landscape and does not favour all species, or only carries low numbers of grazers. You have to work hard at your game viewing here, but this offers a true sense of Africa and its wildlife!

Various research projects are planned/in progress, and mostly focus on monitoring and data collection on various species such as the African Wild Dog, elephant and lion. The Reserve’s best-known programme is the African Wild Dog programme, which has already been running for years and is set to continue. The project focuses on the resident wild dogs and their role in sustainable Eco-Tourism. An integrated predator research project is also underway in the reserve and surrounding area, under the auspices of the Endangered Wildlife Trust and any veterinary work we do while here assists this project. Participation also ensures additional donations to this project. 

We will join researchers this morning and learn more about their work and the skills of tracking wildlife using telemetry, as well as the conservation issues surrounding endangered species, and the veterinary aspects and involvement of veterinarians.  If there is any veterinary work that needs doing with the dogs, or other species, we may do this at the same time. Return to the lodge later in the morning for brunch (and some leisure time). After brunch there will be some informative talks on issues relating to lion/predator immobilisation and conservation/management and the actual procedure, equipment, drugs, etc. This will also cover safety aspects and guests involvement in the procedure.

Mid to late afternoon we return to the reserve for the immobilisation procedure on one of the predators (lion or cheetah or hyena or African Wild Dog) requiring management procedures such as contraception or collar replacement. Depending on the individual we may be able to “free dart” without a bait and having to call him/her up under the cover of darkness, or we may have to set up a bait in the area we expect to find our patient and try coax him/her onto our bait so we can dart. It could be a long night and there is no predicting exactly how things will go……. but you are sure to return to the lodge late evening with adrenalin pumping through your body, after all, it is not every day that you handle a wild predator! Enjoy dinner and a good night’s sleep, if you can….

Please note: If we are working with a diurnal species then the afternoon programme today will be slightly different and we will try dart tomorrow morning instead.

Day 6 - Thursday
Early morning light breakfast/tea/coffee followed by a game drive on one of the two local nature reserves, depending on how the game viewing and tracking progressed the day before. Return to the lodge late morning for brunch and some leisure time. After brunch we’ll explain how the dart gun system works and guests will be allowed to load tranquiliser darts with water and fire them at a target! Mid to late afternoon we head out again, this time to enjoy a game drive in a different area and sundowners in one of the most magnificent spots in Africa! If we have not been successful with our planned immobilisation the night before, we will again attempt an immobilisation tonight. Return to the lodge for dinner and to overnight.

Day 7 - Friday
After late breakfast we check out and head across the border into Botswana at 1.00pm. If the river is in flood we may have to cross the river by cable car…. Another adventure… We drive through the reserve for approximately 45 minutes to get to our camp and check into our new camp mid afternoon and enjoy some leisure time before high tea. Late afternoon we head out on game drive into this new environment with our local ranger and your wildlife vet to explore, and in search of more wildlife…….and new species not yet seen…. We enjoy sundowners in the bush before returning to camp for dinner and a good night’s rest. 

During our stay we explore some 75,000 acres / 30,000 hectares of pristine privately owned game land, whish has been set aside to preserve the unique, prodigious features of this exhilarating continent. The area covers a diverse wilderness of savannah, riverine forests, marshland, open plains and sandstone outcrops, and is the home of no less than seven of Africa's giants: the African elephant, the lion, giraffe, the baobab tree, the eland, the ostrich, and the kori bustard. Nestled in the remote northern area of the reserve lies our luxurious tented camp. With never more than sixteen guests, this idyllic getaway provides accommodation in the form of eight twin tents. Although rustic in character every facility is provided. The tents are insect-proofed, have comfortable beds and each has an en-suite shower and W.C. facility. There is an open sided thatch deck where meals are served and a traditional boma for intimate camp¬fire dinners. This camp also contains a very welcome plunge pool. Your total comfort is the priority of your hosts. While on game drives, you will be taken care of by your ranger and on your return, the camp staff will gladly attend to your every need.

Day 8 - Saturday
Early morning tea and coffee is followed by a game drive, this time with a local resident researcher, the focus is elephant…… Learn more about this species in the wild, in particular in this unique environment. Of course there will be other species to view along the way too…
Return to the lodge late morning for breakfast and leisure time to relax and enjoy your surroundings and facilities. Enjoy a late afternoon game drive with another of the resident researchers, this time we focus on the elusive but exquisite leopard, but also taking in the other game which we may not yet have encountered during our stay. This is chance to hopefully witness hunting behaviour…. Return to camp after sundowners for dinner and to overnight.

Day 9 - Sunday
Early morning tea and coffee are followed by a bush walk, who knows what you may come across…..(Any guests who do not wish to participate in the walk, or are unable to, will be taken on a game drive with other lodge guests during this time, subject to availability) Return to the lodge mid morning for breakfast and leisure time. After high tea we head out again on a game drive in search of any species still not seen…. Return to camp after sundowners for dinner and to overnight.

Day 10 - Monday
Early morning tea and coffee is followed by a short game drive, or for those who have had enough activities, sleep in and wake to the sounds of Africa……….
We have breakfast earlier than usual to ensure a timely check out and crossing of the border post, without rushing. Late morning departure back to Johannesburg International Airport to arrive in time for connecting flights back home. Lunch en route for own expense. Your safari ends at Johannesburg International Airport, at around 5pm. If you are flying home today please do not book a flight departing before 8 pm. For guests not departing today, accommodation arrangements can be made on your behalf – not included in safari cost.
 
Costing:

ZAR 29 500 per person sharing.

Single supplements apply. This is based on a minimum of 6 persons participating in total, and allows for a maximum of 8 participants. Larger groups may be accommodated on special request.

Includes: board and accommodation as laid out above, all land transfers in a comfortable air-conditioned mini-bus, guides (including a Wildlife Veterinarian  throughout the safari, and various local guides and researchers), all tours, presentations and activities as laid out above, entrance fees, VAT and Government Tourism levies.

Not included: drinks (except at our second lodge), dinner and lunch on day 1, lunch on day 9, any visa costs applicable for Botswana, any optional additional activities, items of a personal nature, gratuities, travel insurance (medical insurance compulsory) and flights.

Departure Dates 2011:

12 - 21 February - Fully booked
17 - 26 September

Tailor-made departures and alternate dates are available This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please note that due to the nature of this experience, times and plans may need to be adjusted slightly as we proceed, especially since wildlife do not read itineraries very well! We will however always endeavour to complete all activities as laid out, but please bear with us should changes become necessary.

Please note the following regarding the darting/other procedure/s:
While every endeavour is made to locate and dart the animal in question, factors such as severe weather conditions or illness involving the animal, which are unpredictable, may prevent the darting from going ahead. Every effort will be made to ensure that the client participates in the darting procedure, or similar, as laid out in the itinerary, but the animal's welfare will not be compromised at any stage, and a procedure may have to be aborted and the animal revived in certain circumstances. This may shorten the procedure/down time, and hence the close up experience for the client. Brothers Safaris, its staff, and appointed agents will not be held liable for any losses incurred by a client as a result of such situations, and accept no responsibility whatsoever. Every endeavour is made to ensure the health and safety of all our clients, but any procedure with a potentially dangerous wild animal is of such a nature that certain circumstances may be beyond our control. Should any such situation arise which leads to death or injury due to any reason whatsoever, Brothers Safaris, its staff, and appointed agents, will not be held liable for any losses incurred as a direct, or indirect, result of such a situation, or our actions in such a situation.