Photographic Safaris

Lifetime Memories

The private game reserves of the Mpumalanga Province offer a quality game viewing experience. In an open vehicle, game drives will take you off road to ensure best sightings of African's big 5, as well as many other species of wildlife. Night drives by spotlight reveal some shy nocturnal animals and often result in a thrilling and unforgettable experience. Listen to the calls of Wild Africa under starry skies, while being hosted and enjoying the services of a personal guide, tracker, hostess and support staff.

The Kruger National Park, renowned for one of Africa's largest wildlife sanctuaries, offers some of the best game viewing in the world. It covers two million hectares of land, with a great diversity of wildlife, boasting 149 mammals, (including the big 5) and over 480 species of birds. Experience the vast tracts of virgin land and scenic views, in a place where you will lose track of time.

Kruger has many rest camps and offers visitors a wide variety of accommodation, ranging from thatched huts, to fully contained and private family cottages. Night drives and guided walks can also be arranged. Book well in advance.

You will also have the opportunity to appreciate or purchase some of their arts and crafts, while visiting some local craft centers. Visits to world famous archaeological sites including fossilized ape-man, estimated at 3 million years old, dinosaur fossils, prehistoric foot prints, gold and iron smelting, dating back to 1300 and 1250 AD., and an assortment of ruins and cultures from many different ages. The San Bushman religious rock art will take you to breath taking views and scenery that will give you and appreciation for their respect of life and creation.

Kruger National Park

  • 3 Days, Minimum 2 People
  • Arrive at Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa airport ad spend 2 nights in Kruger, sightseeing.
  • Includes all meals ad soft drinks, plus transfers to hunting camp.
This tour can be upgraded to include night drives, bush bbqs and guided walks within the Kruger. (SQ)

NB Bookings are subject to availability and prices are subject to change

Cape Town Extension

  • 3 nights luxury accommodations at the Portswood Hotel on the famed Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
  • Round trip airport transfers
  • ½ day Table Mountain tour
  • Full day winelands tour
  • Full day Cape Point tour

Cape Town Luxury Extension

  • 4 nights accommodations at the Cape Grace in a superior room.
    (Grace was voted as the World's Top Luxury Hotel by Conde Nast Traveler in 1999)
  • Private round trip airport transfers
  • ½ day Table Mountain tour with private driver & car
  • Full day winelands tour with private driver & car
  • Full day Cape Point tour with private driver & car

Victoria Falls Extension

  • International airfare from Johannesburg to Livingston Zambia on Nationwide Airlines
  • 2 nights accommodations at the Zambezi Sun located on the Eastern cataract of the Mighty Victoria Falls
  • Round trip airport transfers

Day Trips

  • Watching the age-old tradition of Venda Women making clay pots using the "pinch pot" method. You will "see and feel" the genuine RURAL Africa.
  • Visiting the Screen-Printing factory, in Louis Trichardt. They have an incredible selection of hand made tablecloths, napkins, place mats, aprons, clothing, and general decorative pieces for your home.
  • The tea garden on the mountain also offers a super shopping opportunity for novelty items made locally and regionally.
  • A mountain picnic, in our scenic Soutpansberg mountains… offering possibilities of seeing elusive Klipspringer or Baboon, as well as the stone age Rock Art.
  • Leopard Breeding Project is approximately an hour from us. It is best either in the early morning, or late afternoon. This is not a full day trip. The operation they have there is very basic, but its interesting and nice to see the Cats.

Cultural, Archaelogical and Historic tours

South Africa is known as the rainbow nation, rich in culture. She boasts some world famous archaeological sites, with recent un-exploited finds. She is rich in history, which is only now proudly receiving international recognition. Shi-awela offers visits into villages of various tribes, including the legendary Vha Venda, Ba-Phedi, Shangaan, and Zulu's. Here you will learn of the great pride and friendliness of the African people, which will remain part of your African memories forever.

Sample 4 Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive at Hoedspruit Airport. You will be in BIG 5 country in time to orientate yourself, and go for an evening game drive. Naturally the evening campfire holds the magic that lets you KNOW you are finally in Africa!

Day 2

This full day is spent in the Private Nature Reserve. You can expect a morning game drive, or walk - as you wish. Noon would be spent relaxing in the heat of the day. Then in the evening, another sundowner drive that will reveal some of the animals that Africa is famous for, and give you the opportunity to photograph them up close. There is nothing quite like the roar of a Lion really close!

Day 3

Today you will depart from the Private Nature Reserve, and head for the Kruger National Park. You will be covering a large area in the Kruger, and will be able to absorb the vast land in its natural state. You will stop at one of the camps for lunch, refreshments and curio shopping. You could also visit the Elephant museum, which is home to the collection of the Magnificent Seven Kruger Elephants. This stop is a must! You will spend this night in the park.

Day 4

After leisurely breakfast, you will spend the morning in the park, and then slowly make your way to the hunting grounds.

Prices based on 2 people sharing

NB Bookings are subject to availability and prices are subject to change.

Family Vacations and Tailored Tours

The visitor will find a measure of sophistication and good standard of accommodation, food, shopping and entertainment. This is what makes South African the ideal destination for an "African" FAMILY vacation. Shi-awela Safaris will tailor your vacation and assist you in planning a safari vacation that will meet your families' personal need and desires.

Tours include destinations throughout Southern Africa; including National Parks, World Heritage Sites and a variety of bio-spheres - ranging from tropical islands and forests, wetlands, mountains, savannah bushveld, to dessert regions. Visits to famous tourist attractions like Victoria Falls, Table, Mountain, The Cape Wine lands, Robin Island and inner city tours can be arranged.

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