Safari & Tour Overview
Your luxury bush and beach safari start in the Southern Kruger National Park. The intimate Camp Shawu Lodge, overlooking the Mpanamana lake, offers luxury accommodation, high levels of service and hospitality and excellent morning and afternoon Big 5 game viewing, beyond expectation, in a private concession, bordering the Crocodile River. Experience magnificent sunsets, all manners of predators and prey at the watering hole, early morning or late afternoon game drives in search of the ‘Big 5‘ with an expert guide, boma fires under an African sky, a pampering at the spa, a splash in the pool, sundowners in the bush and endless photo opportunities.
Your beach safari takes you to the secluded Santa Maria Peninsula, reached by boat from Maputo. Here you will be spoiled by luxury ocean view rooms, endless white beaches, pristine and untouched dune forests, estuaries bursting with life and eternally wide-open ocean. This magnificent environment, surrounded by 5 marine and nature reserves and the nearby Inhaca Island offers the ideal setting for swimming, snorkelling, diving, birdwatching, canoeing, dhow cruises and beach picnics.
Safari Summary
-
Tour Duration
7 Days 6 Nights -
Departure/Return Location
Johannesburg, South Africa -
Destinations on Tour
Kruger National ParkMaputo, MozambiqueSanta Maria Peninsula, Mozambique -
Included
All TransfersDrinksLocal FlightsLuxury AccomodationMealsSafari Activities -
Not Included
Charter FlightsConservation FeesDrinks not specifiedGratuitiesHelicopter TransfersInternational FlightsItems of a Personal natureLaundryMeals not specifiedMedical InsuranceOther ActivitiesPersonal ExpensesPrivate Guide and VehicleTravel InsuranceVisa Costs
Highlights & Activities
During your safari you can look forward to the following highlights, activities and experiences to ensure an unforgettable time spent in Africa.
The Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa
Morning and Afternoon Big 5 Game Drives
Mozambique
Scuba & Snorkelling
Romantic Beach picnics
Show cruises
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in the Kruger National Park
On arrival in South Africa, board a flight to Nelspruit Airport, your gateway to Kruger.
You will be met on arrival and transferred to the iconic Kruger National Park, and onwards to Camp Shawu Lodge.
On arrival, you will check-in to your luxury room, have some time to freshen up and enjoy something to eat and drink before heading out for your first afternoon game drive with your ranger. You will enjoy a beautiful sunset and some snacks and drinks along the way. As night falls you will return to camp while searching for the nocturnal creatures with the spotlight.
Return to camp, freshen up and share your stories while you dine on traditional cuisine around a roaring boma fire under the African night sky.
Day 2
Game Drives in Kruger
The early morning and afternoon game drives led by expert rangers and trackers are the perfect way to view the wildlife in comfort.
A typical day might look something like this:
Early morning
An early start means an equally early wake-up call. Tea and coffee are served at about 6am and at sunrise you head off on your early-morning game-drive. This is generally the best time to spot the wildlife, as the temperature is cool, and the animals are still very active, including the big cats, which will be returning from a night of hunting.
Late morning
After a few hours, you will either return to your camp for a hearty breakfast.
Lunch and afternoon
You usually have lunch in the camp and spend the main part of the day either relaxing or using the amenities, including the gym, outdoor pool and spa. You might have something to eat and drink at around 3pm before heading out for another safari drive.
Evening
As with early morning, the evening game drive is often the best time to see the wildlife. The predatory animals begin to stir from their heat-of-the-day slumber, and similarly, their prey become ever more active and alert as darkness falls. Vehicles usually return just before dark in time for a shower, pre-dinner drinks and then dinner. The evenings are often rounded off with a few drinks around the campfire, warming toes and swapping safari stories.
Day 3
Explore Kruger Further
The early morning and afternoon game drives led by expert rangers and trackers are the perfect way to view the wildlife in comfort.
A typical day might look something like this:
Early morning
An early start means an equally early wake-up call. Tea and coffee are served at about 6am and at sunrise you head off on your early-morning game-drive. This is generally the best time to spot the wildlife, as the temperature is cool, and the animals are still very active, including the big cats, which will be returning from a night of hunting.
Late morning
After a few hours, you will either return to your camp for a hearty breakfast.
Lunch and afternoon
You usually have lunch in the camp and spend the main part of the day either relaxing or using the amenities, including the gym, outdoor pool and spa. You might have something to eat and drink at around 3pm before heading out for another safari drive.
Evening
As with early morning, the evening game drive is often the best time to see the wildlife. The predatory animals begin to stir from their heat-of-the-day slumber, and similarly, their prey become ever more active and alert as darkness falls. Vehicles usually return just before dark in time for a shower, pre-dinner drinks and then dinner. The evenings are often rounded off with a few drinks around the campfire, warming toes and swapping safari stories.
After a hearty lunch, transfer to Bigodi to visit a local community initiative - the Bigodi Wetland Walk. Be on the lookout for primates and the rare great blue turaco, one of the 138 bird species found in the swamp area.
Dinner will be enjoyed at the lodge.
Day 4
Departure to Mozambique
After your last morning game drive in Kruger, and breakfast, check out and enjoy the drive across the border to Maputo in Mozambique. Your private guide will assist with the formalities at the border crossing. This is about a 2-hour drive.
On arrival at the Maputo Marina, board a boat to the lodge, about an hour away.
On arrival at Machangulo Lodge, check in to your luxury ocean view room, relax and settle in.
The rest of the afternoon can be spent as you wish.
Recommended activities include a sunset dhow cruise, dune walks and a refreshing swim in the ocean outside your room.
Dinner will be served in the lodge dining room, with local ingredients and flavors being served in an exciting way.
Day 5
Explore the Machangulo Peninsula
Enjoy a full day in this ocean and beach paradise, with a range of activities on offer.
Recommended activities include the following:
✓ Swimming
✓ Beach picnics
✓ Dune walks
✓ Village tour
✓ Island excursions
✓ Fishing
✓ Kayaking
✓ Scuba diving
✓ Snorkelling
✓ Spa treatments
✓ Bird watching
Day 6
Experience More Machangulo Magic
Enjoy a full day in this ocean and beach paradise, with a range of activities on offer.
Recommended activities include the following:
✓ Swimming
✓ Beach picnics
✓ Dune walks
✓ Village tour
✓ Island excursions
✓ Fishing
✓ Kayaking
✓ Scuba diving
✓ Snorkelling
✓ Spa treatments
✓ Bird watching
Day 7
Departure for Johannesburg
After breakfast, check out and make your way back to Maputo by boat transfer.
From here you will be transferred to the Maputo International Airport for your flight to Johannesburg.
Tour Location
Map & Destinations
Kruger National Park
The world-renowned Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa and is definitely one of the must-visit destinations in South Africa. This is a wildlife sanctuary like no other, offering magical unpredictability and endless wilderness that is the true quality of Africa. This is the land of baobabs, fever trees, knob thorns, marula and mopane trees underneath which lurk the Big Five, and more species of mammals and birds than any other African Game Reserve.
Mozambique
Mozambique is a southern African nation whose long Indian Ocean coastline is dotted with popular beaches like Tofo, as well as offshore marine parks. The Bazaruto Archipelago farther south has reefs which protect rare marine life including dugongs. The current capital, Maputo, is known for its diverse architecture, vibrant nightlife and relative proximity to beaches like Ponta do Ouro. Inland, Gorongosa National Park’s forests, wetlands and savannahs shelter wildlife including lions, hippos and zebras. In Niassa National Reserve, near Tanzania, animals including elephants and wildebeest live in the wild.
Santa Maria Peninsula
Discover this wild, untouched piece of land jutting into the Indian Ocean on the eastern side of Maputo Bay, close to Inhaca Island. Indulge in world class fishing, exquisite bird sightings, and mind-boggling snorkeling. The Santa Maria Peninsula is one of the best Mozambique holiday destinations that offer all year-round satisfaction. Scuba divers explore the depths of the Santa Maria reefs offshore while other tourists indulge in boat trips to the biodiverse beauty of Inhaca Island. Or enjoy a day cruise to Portuguese Island for lunch. Drive a few kilometers inland from the peninsula to explore the important Maputo Elephant Reserve, once home to abundant herds of antelope and elephants.
Let Jewel of Africa Safaris Help You with Your Next Safari
The expert team at Jewel of Africa Safaris is here to help you to plan your tailormade safari. Whether you prefer desert sand, sea or bush experiences, we make sure you travel in luxury.