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On Safari in South Africa at Mabula Lodge
10 Days Starting and ending in UK
Visiting: South Africa, Mabula Game Lodge, Hornbill House, Hornbill Road, Sundowner, Johannesburg, United Kingdom
Tour operator:
Tour code:
99051
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 49
Age range:
21-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
On this immersive, family-friendly tour, you’ll get the chance to really settle into your breathtaking surroundings as you spend a blissful week at the Mabula Game Lodge. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the UNESCO-listed Waterberg Mountains, the Mabula Private Game Reserve boasts diverse landscapes and habitats, perfect for the free-roaming Big Five and other wonderful creatures, making this a perfect family friendly safari holiday that you’ll never forget!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day One – Fly to South Africa
Location: South Africa
Fly overnight to Johannesburg.
Day Two – Arrival
Location: Mabula Game Lodge
Meet your transfer representative at the airport for the transfer to Mabula Game Lodge. Upon arrival at the lodge, unwind and settle in, perhaps making use of the wellness and spa facilities.
This evening, dinner is served at the lodge, as you enjoy a first night under the starry African sky, looking forward to a wonderful break ahead.
Day Three – Safari and wildlife talk
Location: Mabula Game Lodge
Rise and shine early this morning, grab a tea or coffee and perhaps some rusks then head out into the Mabula Private Game Reserve on the first of many wonderful safaris. All safari drives are in open-air 4x4 vehicles for maximum visibility. Keep your eyes open for the Big Five - lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo. Upon your return to the lodge, enjoy a well-earned, leisurely breakfast.
This afternoon, you’ll enjoy a fascinating wildlife talk. Delivered by the resident ecologist and reserve manager, the talk will introduce you to some of the 60 mammals and the 300-plus species of birds and reptiles that inhabit the reserve, arming you with some interesting knowledge for forthcoming week.
This evening, after your first full day in your wonderful new surroundings, enjoy dinner at the lodge.
Day Four – Hornbill Project and safari
Location: Hornbill House
This morning you’ll visit the Hornbill Project, located within the boundaries of the reserve. Founded in 1999, the award-winning Hornbill Project aims to change the fortunes of this iconic, endangered species through a number of different evidence-based conservation techniques. The southern hornbill is a focal point in South African culture, and you’ll learn all about them this morning.
This afternoon, you’ll head out into the reserve on a safari, equipped with the knowledge from this morning’s visit and yesterday’s wildlife talk, before dinner is served under the stars at the lodge this evening.
Day Five – Morning safari
Location: Hornbill Road
Rise and shine early this morning for an included morning safari, giving you the chance to spot herds of antelopes and other pretty moving in the open as they tend to move around more early in the day, to find the best protection from predators.
Return to the lodge and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps making use of the wellness and spa facilities or the leisure area, including tennis and cricket, before dinner is served at the lodge this evening.
Day Six – Bush walk, safari and sundowner
Location: Hornbill Road, Sundowner
After breakfast, join your guide for a gentle guided bush walk into the reserve. Enjoying the fresh air as you stretch your legs, giving you a different more intimate perspective of the reserve. Being closer to the ground also allows you to track the paths of animals including kudu, zebra and maybe even lions that have followed the same path just a few hours before you.
This afternoon, embark on another open-air safari into the reserve, keeping your eyes open for the Big Five. After the safari, you’ll stop at a picturesque spot to enjoy a refreshing sundowner and some snacks as the sun slips behind the horizon and the sky turns a vibrant patchwork of red, purple, orange and yellow – a fitting end to a wonderful day.
Please note: Children aged under 16 cannot participate in the bush walk for safety reasons.
Day Seven – Safari and stargazing
Location: Mabula Game Lodge
Rise and shine early this morning as you head out into the reserve on your penultimate safari, hopefully spotting something new to tick off your list. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge upon your return.
After dinner this evening, you’ll spend an unforgettable night stargazing. As the sun goes down, thousands of twinkling stars, including the Milky Way, reveal themselves to you, completely free of any light pollution. Your guide will point out the different constellations visible as you spend a wonderful evening beneath the starry South African night sky.
Day Eight – Safari and bush lunch
Location: Mabula Game Lodge
Today, your last full day at the lodge, brings the chance to take one last safari out into the Mabula Private Game Reserve, giving you a final opportunity to tick animals off your list. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and morning before setting off into the reserve.
After the safari you’ll stop at a scenic spot in the bush to enjoy a delicious traditional lunch – a fitting finale to an exceptional week on safari.
Day Nine – Departure
Location: Johannesburg
After breakfast, it’s time to say your goodbyes to the lodge and its staff. You’ll be transferred to Johannesburg airport for your overnight return flight, bringing a wonderful week to an end.
Day 10 – Arrival
Location: United Kingdom
You'll land in the UK in the early morning.
What's Included
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Seven nights’ full-board accommodation at the Mabula Game Lodge, plus two on the aircraft
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Open bar between 12pm and 10pm (limited to local brands only of beer, wine and spirits, premium brand beverages and cocktails are excluded)
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Five safaris into the Mabula Private Game Reserve
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A wildlife talk by a wildlife specialist
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A bush walk through the reserve
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A visit to the Hornbill Project
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A traditional bush lunch at a scenic location
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A stargazing session beneath the starry South African night sky
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A sundowner in the bush
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Return flights to Johannesburg
What's Not Included
Tipping and Gratuities
Itinerary changes
Please note, some activities are weather-dependent and the itinerary may have to be swapped around in some circumstances.Weather
Please note, some activities are weather dependent and may need to be moved around.Transfer times
Please note the transfer time from the airport to your accommodation is 2 hours 30 minutes.All Inclusive
The included all inclusive applies only to new bookings made after 7th February 2023. Any bookings taken prior to this date have the option to upgrade at a supplement.All inclusive
The included all inclusive applies only to new bookings made after 7th February 2023. Any bookings taken prior to this date have the option to upgrade at a supplement.Travel vaccinations
Requirements and advice can vary over time, and from person to person, so please contact your GP about eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or any other preventive measures.Itinerary changes
Please note, some activities are weather-dependent and the itinerary may have to be swapped around in some circumstances.Weather
Please note, some activities are weather dependent and may need to be moved around.Transfer times
Please note the transfer time from the airport to your accommodation is 2 hours 30 minutes.Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1983
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Vaccination Requirements
Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our company’s mission is to enrich lives and improve wellbeing through travel. A big part of that is ‘Travel for Good’. Our ‘Travel for Good’ hub is our first step in a long journey to reduce carbon, offset anything we produce as a company and travel without harming the planet or the people of the destinations we go to.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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Fitness to Travel
We strive to give all our customers full care and attention, but we do need to know at the time of booking if there are any special needs or requirements. It is particularly important that we are advised of any disabilities and also if you intend to bring any specialist equipment such as a wheelchair with you. Please make sure that you make us aware of any requirements.
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Low Deposit
Newmarket Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 35% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of newmarket holidays charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 48 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 34 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Vaccination Requirements
Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. You can find the travel restrictions for different countries on www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.
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