Small-group tour of South Africa: national parks, mountains & coasts

South Africa - Rainbow Route

Tour code:
SAa17

Small group tour
maximum 12 guests

Countries visited
South Africa & eSwatini

Duration:
17 days

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The following information is provided by our long-standing partner, Sunway Safaris, and outlines their travel philosophy and services.

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Why travel with Sunway Safaris?

We know you have many options when choosing your African safari. We also know you want to make the most informed decision possible about your safari—what you are getting, what is included, and what you will see and experience.

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These are just a few of the qualities and facts about Sunway:

Small groups – Small travel groups of a maximum of 12 participants make it possible to experience Africa and gain insights into this wonderful continent and its people. This is the key to our success. Our trips appeal to all age groups. The average age is 37 – most are between 25 and 60. The diversity of the participants contributes to a unique safari experience every time.

2 Sunway expedition leaders – Group tour guides are the key to every safari. On a Sunway safari, you will be accompanied by 2 qualified and registered field guides (FGASA) who make up the crew. This means maximum knowledge and informative, interesting travel. Our expedition leaders have a passion for Africa, its people, and its wildlife, and they love sharing their knowledge with our guests.

Guaranteed departures – Departures in “bold” are guaranteed departures. All other departures are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 people.

All-inclusive price – When we plan Sunway routes, we ensure that every itinerary includes the best highlights. For a tour to Botswana, for example, you should definitely visit the national parks in an open 4x4 vehicle; that is the essence of the Botswanan wilderness. If you travel to Zambia, you should definitely visit South Luangwa National Park and take a walk through the wilderness with a local scout. When booking a Sunway safari, all entrance fees, a variety of activities, and meals are included. We have incorporated all the highlights into our tours so that you can see and experience them without having to pay on-site. Therefore, there are no hidden costs. This should be an important aspect of your decision to book a Sunway safari.

Safety – Our vehicles are all custom-built. We ensure comfortable and safe travel. Each vehicle was designed by an officially certified passenger vehicle manufacturer according to the latest safety requirements; it has a safety cage and every seat is equipped with a seatbelt. This gives you peace of mind when traveling on the often challenging roads with Sunway Safaris.

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‍Good2Go Sunway Safaris is committed to responsible travel and supporting local projects and initiatives in the regions we visit. In our trip descriptions, the Good2Go symbol highlights selected projects or measures associated with each specific journey.

Solo travelers Traveling solo won't break the bank, as our reservations team will pair you with a roommate of the same gender to keep your trip affordable. You also have the option to book a single room or tent for a small additional fee.

Experience For over 27 years, Sunway Safaris has been planning journeys through Southern Africa, allowing us to perfect our routes over many years. This guarantees a smooth and seamless tour experience. While we visit many of Southern Africa's highlights, we ensure we stay off the beaten path. Our guides have extensive experience both in Africa and around the world.

Based in Africa Sunway Safaris is an African travel agency, which means we live in Africa, we travel in Africa, and our passion belongs to this wonderful continent. That makes Sunway Safaris your best travel choice.

Age limits On all scheduled tours, we welcome children aged 12 to 17 when accompanied by an adult. There is no upper age limit. Guests over the age of 65 at the time of travel require a medical certificate confirming they are fit and healthy enough to participate in an adventure group tour. We have many travelers over 65 who are perfectly capable of enjoying every aspect of a Sunway tour, whether staying in lodges or camping.

SOS Tree Project – Okavango, Botswana

For hundreds of years, the local people living near the Okavango Delta in Botswana have used the wood of the sausage tree to craft their traditional "mokoros" (dugout canoes). This knowledge has been passed down through generations and has long provided a steady livelihood. As the number of visitors to the Okavango Delta grows every year, more mokoros are needed, leading to more trees being felled. Due to this tourism growth, the sausage trees are unfortunately disappearing from the region. Traditional mokoros must be replaced every five years, which puts additional pressure on the dwindling number of sausage trees.

Against this backdrop, Sunway Safaris has launched a project to encourage local "polers" (mokoro guides) to switch to fiberglass replicas. These replicas last for 10 years, are significantly more durable, and are manufactured with no negative environmental impact. The project is currently struggling with the funding for these replicas. Although a portion of our tour costs already goes toward this initiative, further support is needed. We also offer our guests the opportunity to help solve this problem. For more information on the SOS Tree project or if you would like to make a donation, please contact the Sunway Safaris office. This is a cause close to all our hearts, and we look forward to a successful project.

Local Payment

A local payment for this safari is not required.

Participation

Guest participation is an essential part of the safari. From carrying your own luggage and cleaning the windows to packing the vehicle in the morning, it is all part of the adventure, and guest involvement is necessary to keep things running smoothly. On days when tour guides handle meals, help (on a rotating basis) with tasks such as washing up is appreciated.

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Recommended Reading:

Before you travel, you might want to read the following books. These books are not specific to Sunway tours, but they provide good background information and insight into the countries you will be visiting.

·       Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (Autobiography - Nelson Mandela is one of the great moral and political leaders of our time.)

·       Sands of Silence by Peter H Capstick (Tales of travels and the Bushmen's culture and their political persecution)

·       Skeleton Coast by John H Marsh (Wreck of the Dunedin Star and its survivors)

·       The Diamond Hunters by Wilbur Smith (Fictional family feud set in Namibia)

·       The Skeleton Coast by Benedict Allen (A journey through the Namib Desert)

·       The Smell of Apples by Mark Behr (Story of boy in Cape Town and then army in Caprivi)

·       Etosha by Daryl and Sharna Balfour (A coffee table book of photography)

·       Newman's Birds of Southern Africa by Kenneth Newman

·       Sasol Birds of Southern Africa by Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey, and W.R. Tarboton

·       The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, and Primates by Richard D. Estes and Daniel Otte

·       Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa (Field Guides) by Braam Van Wyk, Keith Coates Palgrav, and Piet Van Wyk

Shopping

The best selection of souvenirs, such as carvings, batiks, paintings, and clothing, can be found at Victoria Falls in Livingstone. In Botswana, you can buy beautiful woven goods. Namibia also offers unique and beautiful keepsakes and handicrafts. If you see something you like, buy it right away, as it is rare to find similar items offered elsewhere along your route.

Food

We take pride in providing our travelers with high-quality, delicious, and healthy meals three times a day. Exceptions are noted in the itinerary, where we will try out local restaurants.

The tour guides handle the shopping and meal planning for the group. They will make every effort to source fresh produce whenever possible. A general overview: Breakfast – coffee, cereal, and/or toast, or occasionally a hot breakfast; Lunch – cheese, cold cuts, and salads on bread or rolls; Dinner – braais (barbecues), potjies (stews), stir-fries, etc. We use standard plates, mugs, and cutlery. All cooking and eating utensils are also provided.

We are, of course, happy to accommodate special dietary requirements for vegetarians and those with allergies. Please let us know in advance.

Sunway Safaris provides the following drinks: fruit juice at breakfast and tea or coffee at breakfast and dinner. All other drinks must be purchased by you. Sunway Safaris does not provide bottled drinking water.

Difficulty Level

Anyone in good general health with a moderate level of fitness will have no trouble enjoying the tour. Simple camping in the wilderness is a true joy for outdoor enthusiasts. You might get a little dusty and sweaty, but that is exactly what Africa is all about!

The itinerary includes some long days on the road. Roads in remote areas are not always in the best condition, and travel can sometimes be slow and dusty. Border crossings, road damage, or weather can occasionally disrupt the schedule. But never forget: the journey is the destination! Take in the diverse, exotic impressions and enjoy the African adventure even when things aren't moving quite as fast as planned.

An important part of a Sunway safari is participation. Loading luggage and equipment in the morning, helping to tidy up, and assisting with meal prep—it’s all part of the adventure. When everyone contributes a little, the trip runs smoothly. The tour guides prepare all meals, but they do ask for help from participants with the washing up. Team spirit is fun!

What you should know

All entrance fees and charges for parks, game drives, and the Okavango excursion are included in the tour price.

You will need a valid passport and visas to enter South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia. Please check our booking terms and conditions for detailed information on current entry requirements.

Luggage - Please bring your luggage in a soft-sided duffel bag weighing no more than twelve kilograms. Also, remember to bring a small bag or backpack for day trips that can be easily stowed in the vehicle. Bedding is provided, so there is no need to bring a sleeping bag or pillow. Most accommodations provide towels, but it is advisable to bring your own small towel for the pool and beach. For tours visiting the Okavango Delta, please bring your own small towel, as they are not provided there.

Money - We generally recommend bringing Euros, US Dollars, or South African Rand. Please note, however, that in South Africa and Namibia, foreign currency must be exchanged for Rand or Namibian Dollars. Similarly, in Botswana, foreign currencies are not accepted in shops, restaurants, or markets; only Botswana Pula are accepted. In Livingstone, individual activities can be paid for with Euros, US Dollars, or credit cards. Traveler's checks can be exchanged in Cape Town, Swakopmund, Windhoek, Maun, and Livingstone. Please also refer to the Sunway guidelines for estimated prices for food, drinks, etc.

Frequently asked questions about this tour

1. Can I buy memory cards for my camera? Memory cards and other camera accessories are occasionally available during the tour. A camera with a zoom lens ranging from wide-angle to telephoto, 35-200mm, is recommended for landscape and wildlife photography. Each vehicle is equipped with a 12/24V cigarette lighter socket, but you cannot rely on it for charging batteries, so we recommend bringing a spare battery. Don't forget that you can (almost) always charge your camera when staying in accommodations (SA 220V).

2. Safety? Like many other countries, South Africa has its share of challenges. However, your tour guide will do their best to show you the most beautiful sides of the country while ensuring your safety. Stay alert, but don't be overly cautious, and nothing will stand in the way of a fantastic and unforgettable safari.

3. Do I need malaria prophylaxis? There is a low risk of malaria in Mpumalanga, Eswatini, and Zululand (i.e., during the first week of this trip). Please consult your doctor to see if they recommend prophylaxis. We do not take malaria medication on this trip.

4. What should I pack? All details are listed in our general tour information (available at www.sunway-safaris.com). However, the essentials are: comfortable clothing for warm days and cold nights, hiking boots, a rain jacket, a hat and sunglasses, swimwear, a small pair of binoculars, and—most importantly—a sense of adventure.

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