Meet Gaia Expeditions Team at KMI Airport in Mpumalanga. We aim to depart at 12 pm so if you are unable to arrive before this time we recommend you fly in a day earlier and overnight at an airport hotel which we can arrange for you.  

We will load up the vehicles and travel as a group to The Kruger National Park home to Africa’s iconic Big 5; Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Rhino and Leopard. The park covers an area of 2 million hectares of African wilderness and has a greater variety of wildlife than any other African national park, earning it the classification as one of the world’s super-parks.  

Starting our photographic safari as soon as we enter the park gates, enjoying a 2 hour game drive in an open game drive vehicles. We will have two open game vehicles with each guest enjoying an end seat, perfect position to catch your shot! 

On arrival into camp we settle in and relax around the campfire under the African night sky.  

Tonight we will get to fall asleep under the stars to the sounds of roaring lions, snorting hippos and the soft croaking of frogs in the river.  

Accomodation: Lower Sabie Camping 

Meals Included: Dinner

This safari is all about wildlife and outdoor adventure, so we'll experience a guided adventure in open safari vehicles, where we will get up close and personal with the park's residents. Our professional and passionate Kruger guides will explain and interpret what is going on in the natural environment around us as we travel along the tracks.  

Our morning will start with tea, coffee and rusks in camp, before heading out on an early morning photographic safari. Avid bush enthusiasts love the Kruger in spring as water is scarce and animals tend to spend more time around watering holes giving us the chance for some incredible sightings and photographic opportunities.  

The park has approximately 147 species of mammals, 500 species of birds, 114 species of reptiles, so there are plenty of opportunities to experience wildlife in their natural habitat. 

In addition to the Big 5, cheetah, hyena, wild dog, giraffe, large herds of zebra and wildebeest, and an impressive variety of antelope are among our usual sightings.  

After lunch at a remote picnic site, we will head back to camp for some R & R before heading out on an exclusive night drive.  

Accomodation: Lower Sabie Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After early morning drive and breakfast we will load up the vehicles and travel as a group to a Rhino Sanctuary in the heart of the Mphumalanga to meet Rhino Rehabilitator Petronel Nieuwoudt. Petronel founded Care For The Wild in 2001 due to the drastic increase in the number of rhino poaching incidents within South Africa, resulting in orphan rhinos needing a specialized sanctuary which would rehabilitate and eventually, release them back into the wild.  

Care for Wild is also home to many different animal and plant species. The reserve, together with surrounding areas, are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains contain the best- preserved, oldest and most diverse sequence of known volcanic and sedimentary rocks on Earth.  

Our home for the night at Care for Wild is in shared cabins. Each room is equipped with comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms and electrical outlets.  

Accomodation: Care for Wild Volunteer Village

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & DInner

After breakfast we join Petronel and her team for the full day get a true understanding into the effects of the rhino poaching crisis in Africa. We will learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned calves, the rewilding and release processes.  

We will also meet their K9 Unit and hear about their ongoing monitoring, protection and conservation of the rhino species and their ecosystem and are really fortunate to get a behind the scenes look into the daily running of the rhino sanctuary and how it evolves over time as the needs and requirements change.  

The sanctuary runs a structured and timetabled programme that is designed to meet the needs of the rhinos under their care, however as they are a Rhino Sanctuary on call 24/7 the programme may be altered at any given time. 

Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary operates a ‘hands off’ approach to caregiving. Their sole purpose is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-wild rhinos so that they can be released successfully back into their natural ecosystems.  

We will assist in milk preparation, bottle feeding and boma care, participating in behavioural observations and gain completely new insights into the world of rhino care, rehabilitation and conservation. We will be able to take photos and videos to document our experience.  

Accomodation: Care for Wild Volunteer Village

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Up early and out to enjoy a final morning at the Rhino Sanctuary. After a hearty breakfast we will bid farewell to the Rhinos and the amazing team at Care For Wild and shuttle to the airport to fly to Cape Town.  

After a short 3 hour flight we will land in Cape Town. On arrival we will take a private transfer to our accommodation in Cape Town.

(This internal flight is included in the cost of the trip and will be arranged by our suppliers). 

After settling into our accommodation we will venture to Camps Bay, nestled between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean Bay.  

We will immerse ourselves in the stunning scenery and lounge on the wide white beach, regarded as one of Cape Town's top spots to catch a mesmerising sunset.  

In the evening celebrate with a welcome dinner.

Accomodation: TBC

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we explore the spectacular Cape Peninsula and take sunset pics on Chapmans Peak.  

Spend time at Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town, home to the African Penguin. Pristine white sands and calm turquoise waters hemmed in by gigantic granite boulders. Boulders Beach is one of the Cape Peninsula’s most magnificent beaches and is protected as part of the Table Mountain National Park.  

We will spend time on the beach, boardwalk and boulders capturing African Penguins.  

The South Peninsula is also home to one of the world’s most spectacular passes, Chapman’s Peak Drive.  

We will venture on Chapmans Peak catching some sunset shots before a heading to a local brewery for dinner.  

Accommodation: TBC

Meals Included: Breakfast

After a relaxing morning editing, around lunch time we will head to The Kogelberg range of mountains along the False Bay coast in the Western Cape of South Africa.  

They form part of the Cape Fold Belt, starting south of the Elgin valley. The Kogelberg area has the steepest and highest drop directly into the ocean of any southern African coastal stretch and is one the worlds greatest and possibly the most biodiversity hot spots in the world, we’ll organise a sunset photoshoot in this beautiful place.  

Accomodation: TBC

Meals Included: Breakfast

Up early to climb the most iconic landmark of South Africa, Table Mountain at sunrise.  

Towering tall at over a thousand metres over Cape Town, Table Mountain is a playground for nature lovers and adventure seekers. On reaching the top of the mountain, we will take in the amazing panoramic views across this fantastic city and beyond. We'll spend time exploring the mountain top and enjoy a light snack with refreshments, before we catch the cable car back down.  

Free afternoon to explore the city, Bo Kaap, shop at the V&A, go to Robben Island, the choice is yours!  

Accomodation: TBC

Meals Included: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner

After breakfast, we'll bid farewell to the breathtaking landscapes of Cape Town.  

Transfer to Cape Town International Airport where home or your next destination awaits.  

Ensure your flights are scheduled for 2pm or later, allowing you ample time to relish the final moments of this unforgettable experience.  

Meals Included: Breakfast

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (3 nights) 

LOWER SABIE CAMPING: 

The camp is located within the public Lower Sabie Rest Camp in the game rich south eastern region of Kruger. This is the best area of the park for spotting the Big 5. 

The campsite itself is on a small exclusively allocated space just off the Lower Sabie public camping area. Guests are accommodated in basic but comfortable dome, canvas safari tens which take 2 people each. Canvas camp chairs are provided around a central camp fire. Paraffin lamps and other ambient lighting create a cosy night time atmosphere. Dinners are served around the campfire.  

Clean flush toilets and hot showers are a short walk away and are a shared facility.  

The camp has a café/bar with a large wooden deck which overlooks the beautiful Sabie River, perfect for sundowners. There is a well stocked shop in the camp and an electrified perimeter fence keeps wildlife out of the camp day and night.  

Care For Wild (3 nights) 

VOLUNTEER VILLAGE: 

We will stay in log cabins - twin share with ensuite bathrooms.  

Enjoy the use a common area with a fully equipped kitchen, lounge area and firepit to relax during down time and a swimming pool to cool off in.

Cape Town (4 nights) 

NEVER@HOME - Greenpoint.

Never@Home Green Point  is only a short walking distance from the famous V&A Waterfront, the Sea Point Promenade and less than a 10-minute drive from the beautiful Camps Bay and Clifton Beaches. To top it off, never@home Green Point is surrounded by some of Cape Town’s best restaurants and coffee shops, has a supermarket next door and is across the road from the FIFA Cape Town Stadium. 

We will stay in private rooms with twin beds  ensuite. These rooms are set away from the hustle and bustle of our shared rooms to guarantee more privacy and serenity.

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