Explore South African in an eco-friendly way. Maintain a low carbon footprint during the entirety of the trip by arriving to the country on ‘green’ airlines, such as South African Airways and Lufthansa, two of a number of airlines that offer carbon offsets. Discover one of the best national parks on earth – Kruger – and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life, getting in contact with nature. Observe incredible wild animals, including the Big Five. The wildlife of the Kruger Park, the land of the proud Zulu warriors and unforgettable Cape Town, with its historic coastline and its famous vineyards, make South Africa an indispensable destination. The ideal itinerary to get the best possible picture of the contrasts offered by South Africa with Kruger’s nature and wildlife as a counterpoint to the beautiful and scenic Cape Town, all with ‘green’ alternatives to keep your mind at rest for the eco-conscious traveller.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Kruger National Park: Considered one of the best national parks on earth, Kruger offers incredible possibilities to spot both common and uncommon African wildlife, with an amazing offer of mammals and birdlife
Cape Town: This extraordinary city is juxtaposed between sea and mountains and offers a vibrant culinary offering, great nightlife and a lively cultural scene
Day 1: ARRIVAL JOHANNESBURG – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (380km –5 hrs)
Arrive at OR Tambo International airport and proceed to the counter of Ashton Tours & Safaris for your shuttle service to Hazyview departing at 06h45 & 11h00. We recommend you to arrive 30 minutes before as after 11h00 there won´t be any other transportation to Hazyview. Considering that transportation is a major contributor to the build-up of harmful ozone-depleting emissions in the atmosphere, making careful, eco-conscious decisions about how to get around while holidaying in South Africa goes a long way to ‘greening’ your vacation. One sure way to reduce your carbon footprint, and thus reduce your contribution to global warming, is to make use of public transport alternatives, rather than hiring a car, as every extra vehicle on the road simply adds to the pollutants in the air. What follows is a selection of sensible travel alternatives for visitors eager to step lightly on our precious earth. Upon arrival in Hazyview lookout for the Echo Safari Rangers, who will collect and transfer you to your safari camp. Arrive at the camp set in a high-density game area that is rich in unspoiled natural beauty within Kruger National Park. Forget about electricity and Wi-Fi – experience the bush with us in true traditional African style!
Overnight in Kruger National Park on a full-board basis.
Day 2: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Wake up early to the warm safari morning and meet your Echo Safari Ranger, then jump in the open safari vehicle and enjoy an incredible safari experience. Let your self be driven through this magic mixture of colorful surrounding to Kruger National Park. You will be back to the lodge for breakfast to pick up some energy for the second round of safari game. Kruger National Park was founded in 1898 by Paul Kruger to protect the area’s unique flora and fauna. It encompasses an area of almost two million hectares and shares borders with Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The ideal season to observe the game is during the South African winter (May to September), since the climate is moderate and the landscape is dry. With the first rains in November, nature revitalizes. Simultaneously, summer is the time where most of the young animals are born. Kruger National Park is widely renowned for its astonishing variety in wildlife. Besides the Big 5 of elephants, rhinoceros, lions, leopards, and buffalo, visitors may also encounter giraffes, zebras, antelopes, warthogs and multiple bird species. Back in the lodge for lunch and the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Kruger National Park on a full-board basis.
Day 3: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Wake up early and proceed to your Open Safari game in Park with your echo safari ranger. Today you could recall again the magical atmosphere of awaking safari wilderness, observing the big five and all other safari creatures and take delight in this unique atmosphere. Back to the lodge for breakfast. You could decide to join the bushwalks instead of the open safari vehicle game drives to keep your carbon footprint in check! Inform your safari ranger and get closer to this jungle by stepping and following the prints of the wild animals. Lunch at the lodge and the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Kruger National Park on a full-board basis.
Day 4: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – CAPE TOWN (2 hrs by flight, not included)
After breakfast, bid farewell to Kruger with a shuttle transfer from the camp to Nelspruit Airport and take a direct flight (not included) from Nelspruit airport to Cape Town. Direct flights emit less carbon than connecting flights. Arrive at Cape Town International Airport and take the MyCiTi Bus (ticket not included) just outside the terminal to the Civic City Centre bus stop. From here it will take you nine minutes on foot or use the public taxis to get to your hotel. The city’s prime attractions are only a short walk away from the hotel. Stay at the hotel for dinner or walk to be a champion of sustainability in the food realm. Enjoy gourmet dishes (delicious vegetarian options too) from fresh, seasonal produce bought from carefully picked local suppliers… An eatery can be considered a wise option if it aspires to use only locally sourced ingredients – and thus supports surrounding farms and minimizes its carbon footprint – and if it focuses on organic, seasonal produce, thereby endorsing honest, natural farming and production methods that don’t poison the earth with noxious chemicals. Interestingly, vegetarian food is also a more planet-friendly choice as it requires less energy to make than meat-based dishes. Check out tasty restaurants such as Dear Me, Addis in Cape or Plant. Nightlife can be enjoyed in Long Street, only a short stroll away from the hotel.
Overnight in Cape Town on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
Day 5: CAPE TOWN
Today, after beautiful fresh breakfast at your hotel, learn about Cape Town’s rich heritage while riding a bike from the vibrant Waterfront to the bustling inner city, getting up close and personal with the city and its inhabitants on a bicycle tour with Bike & Saddle (included). From the historic City Centre, cycle into the colourful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood and then make your way towards Green Point before heading back to the Waterfront along the Atlantic Seaboard. Historic and modern landmarks of the tour include Adderley Street, Bo-Kaap, Company’s Garden, St. George’s Mall, Green Point Stadium and Eco-Park. Led by experienced guides, these bicycle tours are relaxed, interactive and offer an authentic approach to Cape Town’s cultural legacy and modern day life. Professionally guided tours by Bike & Saddle depart at 9am from outside the Radisson Blu Hotel, Beach Road (100 Beach Rd, Granger Bay, Cape Town, 8001 South Africa) on a daily basis and last for 3 hours (tours may be shortened or extended on request). Use public transport to get to the meeting point at the waterfront.
Overnight in Cape Town on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
Day 6: CAPE TOWN
This morning after an energizing breakfast, get ready for the sightseeing tour of Cape Town. The closest City sightseeing Cape Town Tour Office Bus stop is at 81 Long Street and the tour departs at 09h40 in the morning (bus ticket included). Renowned for its bright red, double-decker hop-on-hop-off buses that take visitors on sightseeing trips around Cape Town and the peninsula, this tour operator is also South Africa’s first carbon-neutral bus company and is committed to offsetting emissions by buying carbon credits from a local composting business. These guided tours are therefore a doubly responsible way to see the city and surround. Enjoy a full-day excursion to Cape Point, driving through picturesque Muizenberg and Fish Hoek, visiting the penguin colony in Boulders. You then continue to the Cape of Good Hope with an optional hike to the Cape of Good Hope headland. Return to the city via Scarborough and Kommetjie and the scenic Ou Kaapse mountain pass with its spectacular vistas towards False Bay.
Overnight in Cape Town on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
Day 7: DEPART CAPE TOWN
All good things come to an end and you will have to take the MyCiTi Bus or Green Cab back to the airport.
Breakfast included.
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in South Africa. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
