Three natural wonders now a hop away
SEVEN of the world’s greatest
natural wonders are in Africa.
Most well-travelled South Africans
have seen at least three of the four
in Southern Africa, but now improved
air links to East Africa have put South
Africans in the privileged space where
they can see them all.
The three in East Africa have largely
been out of the reach of South Africans.
The industry there prices in dollars
and mainly caters for well-heeled
tourists making a once-in-a-lifetime
trip to Africa.
Park fees and permits by South
African standards are astronomical.
In Rwanda, a permit for a gorilla
experience for a morning is over
R20 000! Fees to descend into the
Ngorongoro Crater probably cost more
than a lifetime of visits to Kruger.
These experiences are not affordable
for most as a family holiday, but for
South Africans with a love of nature,
they are now within reach, thanks to
improved air access that makes short,
one-week holidays possible.
The number of flights a week to East Africa from SA
The four hours’ flying time to
East African gateways is about
the same length as a flight to
Mauritius. SAA flies 10 times
a week to Dar es Salaam,
eight times to Entebbe
and nine times to Nairobi.
RwandAir flies 12 times a
week from Johannesburg to
Kigali and four times from
Cape Town. Kenya Airways flies
21 times a week to Nairobi
from Johannesburg and three
times a week from Cape Town.
Uganda Gorillas and Tanzania Safari
Nine-day Uganda (gorilla trekking
at Bwindi) and Tanzania (Lake
Manyara/Ngorongoro Crater/Central
and Northern Serengeti) including
flights from Johannesburg.
By Explore Plus.
Fly with Kenya Airways to Kigali
and transfer by
road for two nights
in Uganda. Here,
guests will set out on
a guided trek into the Bwindi Park
to see the gorillas. The US$600
(R8 572) permit is included. Then
transfer back to the astonishingly
clean city of Kigali for the flight to
Tanzania where guests will spend a
night in Arusha before heading off to
Lake Manyara National Park.
The next two nights will be spent
on the edge of the unforgettable
Ngorongoro Crater, which will be
the base to explore the bottom of
the crater below. Then enter the
Serengeti, staying one night in the
central area and two nights in a
tented camp on the Mara River. Best
viewing of the Great Migration is
usually from August to early October.
All accommodation in
Tanzania is in top-notch
Serena lodges. Fly
back to Arusha before
transferring to flight from Kilimanjaro
back to Johannesburg. Optional
balloon trip and visit to Maasai
village.
R97 624pps
Includes: full board, park fees
and gorilla permit, all flights from
Johannesburg and transfers.
Excludes: Visas, gratuities, drinks
and items of a personal nature.
Essence of Tanzania
Six-day scheduled safari to
Tarangire, Ngorongoro and
Serengeti, excluding flights from
SA. Starts and ends in Arusha.
By Wild Frontiers.
Unwind in some of the few last
expanses of true wilderness on
the continent. From untouched
Tarangire, to the
world-famous
Serengeti and
Ngorongoro
National Parks, this safari is run
at a leisurely pace, allowing one
ample time to discover the wild
spirit of Tanzania. Included are a
day visit to Tarangire, one night
in Ngorongoro and three nights
in Serengeti Wilderness Camp
(located inside the national park,
the intimate camp comprises just
12 tents. It offers decent quality
accommodation and great food
without costing a fortune).
Set departure October 27, 2018
(min two pax, max seven).
R30 005pps
Includes: full board
Excludes: flights, visas,
R9 815pp park fees,
gratuities, drinks and items of a
personal nature.
Can also be quoted on a private/
tailormade basis – or add on
gorilla trekking in Uganda. See full
details on Wild Frontiers’ page on
Travelinfo.
Remarkable Rwanda and Tanzania
Eight days. Gorillas in Rwanda and direct flight into
Serengeti. Excludes flights from SA. Starts Kigali, ends
Kilimanjaro Airport. By Ican Holidays.
Tour starts in Kigali with city tour after breakfast.
Transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, which is
the most accessible, organised and easiest way to do a
gorilla trek. After two nights, return to explore the art and
culture of Kigali, staying at the luxury Kigali Serena Hotel.
Fly to the Serengeti early the next day. Three nights in
a Migration Camp with optional balloon safari (R8 400)
followed by two nights on the edge of the Ngorongoro
Crater. Visit Maasai village on the way to Arusha.
R168 095pps
See full details on Ican Holidays’ page on Travelinfo.
Africa’s Natural Wonders Itinerary
Nine days featuring gorillas,
Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti,
including flights from South Africa. By
Falcon Africa.
Fly from Johannesburg to Kigali on
RwandAir. Transfer to mid-market lodge
outside the Volcanoes National Park
after a tour of fascinating Kigali. After
viewing golden monkeys, cross into
Uganda for two nights where guests
will spend one day on the challenging
but rewarding walk to track gorillas.
Then it’s back to Kigali for RwandAir’s
direct flight to Kilimanjaro where they
will overnight in nearby Arusha. Guests
fly to Lake Manyara – avoiding tedious
road transfers – the gateway to two
nights on the rim of the Ngorongoro
Crater. The intimate tented camp
has the best access to the floor of
the crater, making it easy to avoid
the morning rush. Fly on to a mobile
tented camp in the Northern Serengeti
close to the Mara River, where in early
October there is a good chance of
witnessing the Great Migration. After
two nights, fly back to Kilimanjaro for
the flight to Johannesburg via Kigali.
R84 700pps
Includes: All flights, gorilla permit
and park fees, and most drinks in
Tanzania.
See full details on Falcon Africa’s page
on Travelinfo.
Northern Highlights
Eight days. All-inclusive safari featuring
the Great Migration and Ngorongoro
Crater. Flights from Johannesburg
included. By Rove Africa.
Depart Johannesburg on Kenya Airways
to Nairobi and on to Arusha for lunch
and overnight stay. All accommodation
on the trip is in the superior Serena
lodges and camps.
The next day, travel to Lake Manyara
National Park and Tarangire, staying at
Serena Lake Manyara Lodge with its
spectacular views. Next day, travel to
the Serengeti in a personal 4x4 with
English-speaking guide and stay at a
Serena tented camp for three nights.
Guests will see the plains game of the
Serengeti and, if they are fortunate, the
Great Wildebeest Migration which is
best seen from now until October. Then
on to the the Ngorongoro Crater. Guests
stay for two nights on the crater rim
as their base to explore the floor. Then
it’s back to Kilimanjaro to catch a flight
home. This tour includes entrance into
the parks, which is extremely expensive.
Accommodation is on a full-board basis.
R67 800pps
See full details on Rove Africa’s page on
Travelinfo.
All prices are based on the exchange
rate at time of publishing.
