A great family adventure through the northern part of South Africa where you will experience and live Africa the way it is supposed to be. From game drives to see the Big Five to discovering Bushman paintings, from exploring South Africa’s own rainforest to staying in a traditional village – this tour has it all! We visit a Cheetah Project and an animal shelter, gaze at the stars in the night sky and see breathtaking scenery, which changes at every location!

Kololo - Game Drive, Guided Walk.  Enjoy an exhilarating game drive into Welgevonden and view the Big 5 - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard, on this 40000 hectare reserve.

In the afternoon our guides will take you on foot into our reserve, to track spoor and show you a complete new way of enjoying wildlife.

There is also an optional afternoon programme which includes a horse back safari (experienced riders only), guided walk or mountain bike tour on Kololo.

In the evening the chef will prepare a traditional potjie for you, and you can learn a bit about the history of the Voortrekkers whilst the smells drifting from the fire work up your appetite.

Kololo - Transfer to Leshiba.  Todat after breakfast we transfer to Leshiba.

Experience the warm and creative atmosphere of the authentic Venda Village. The staff will show you around and give you the history of the Village. Enjoy tea and home baked biscuits and cake, or sundowners on the deck overlooking Duluni valley. Look out for rhino and giraffe grazing on the plain below you, and then enjoy dinner in the panoramic dining lapa.

Leshiba lies in a hidden valley on top of the Soutpansberg mountains, which is one of the country’s most unique bio-diverse environments. Transcending expectations, this wildlife reserve is something special, family-run, and offering a uniquely African experience with luxury touches, warm hospitality and rich memories.

At night you can share stories around the open fireplace under the night sky. You can enjoy the authentic African character of the Village, and maybe even enjoy a hot stone massage!

Leshiba to Kurisa Moya - Guided Nature Walk.  After an early breakfast at Leshiba, we transfer to Kurisa Moya – 210 kms and approximately 3 hours from Leshiba Wilderness.

Kurisa Moya Nature Lodge is a 422 hectare property near Tzaneen, Polokwane and Magoebaskloof in Limpopo Province. Kurisa Moya is perched on the edge of the Drakensburg escarpment, so it has mesmerising views out over the lowveld.

You will be welcomed to Kurisa Moya Nature Lodge. This soulful place embraces a pristine indigenous forest with massive moss-covered trees where ancient Yellow-woods carry an energy all of their own. Burbling streams make their way over boulders to the dams below. Here, nature's tranquillity is broken only by booming Samango monkeys, croaking crimson-winged Knysna Turacos and Bushbuck barks. Kurisa Moya has mountains, rivers, indigenous forests and bushveld.

On your guided nature walk, with South Africa’s top Bird Guide, David Letsoalo, you will feel that there is something powerfully restorative in being surrounded by ancient trees in an untouched forest and by being all alone in this tranquil place. Silence, peace and beauty all combine to make you feel that your spirit is full to the brim and that the world is a magical place.

Enjoy dinner under the stars, listening to the sounds of the Bushbaby and Wood Owl calling.

Please note: There is no electricity at Kurisa Moya. Lighting and cooking is provided by gas.

Kurisa Moya to Johannesburg.  After breakfast at Kurisa Moya we transfer to the airport, where the tour ends on arrival.

Please ensure that you have provided Kumuka with your flight details if you are flying out today - we suggest that no flights are arranged before mid afternoon.

Alternatively you can be dropped at an Airport or City Hotel if staying overnight in Johannesburg

Please note that accommodation is not included tonight, but Kumuka will be more than happy to help organise accommodation for you.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe.

We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that may have been issued prior to arrival in case of loss or damage.

Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the END of your tour or 12 months if entering Uganda, and must have one blank page for each country to be visited. 

NOTE:- If visiting South Africa it is a government requirement that your passport have TWO blank consecutive pages.

The following information is a guideline only. Kumuka Worldwide are not medical professionals and we strongly advise you make an appointment with your GP or Traveller’s Medical Centre at least TWO months prior to your departure date.

Vaccinations:

You must have an International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination if crossing borders within Africa. Southern African countries i.e. South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe DO NOT need the International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination if you are only travelling between these countries.

Compulsory Inoculations:

Yellow Fever if you are arriving from an infected area. Please refer to your GP or Immunization Clinic.

Strongly Recommended:

Diphtheria, Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Meningitis, Hepatitis A & B, Yellow Fever. These may vary from country to country, please consult your GP or local Travel Clinic.

- A dental check-up prior to travelling.

- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.

- That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.

You can also visit www.kumuka.com  for further details.

Medical Supplies: 

We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

Currency and how much to take is something that we’re always asked about. We hope that the following information will assist with your budgeting.

Please keep in mind that only YOU will know how much you’ll spend on souvenirs, drinks, meals nt included in the itinerary, internet fees etc. It’s always best to allow for more than you think you’ll need rather than go without.

Our recommendation is to allow for at least US$25 to US$50 per day for incidentals over and above the cost of optional excursions and visa fees which should be budgeted for separately. There will be days when you’ll not spend anything and other days when you may blow your budget entirely on that souvenir that you have to have or a round of drinks for your fellow travellers.

US Dollars CASH is the most widely accepted currency in most parts of Africa. Please ensure that all notes are clean and printed AFTER 2001. Small denominations are best for changing into local currencies and tipping i.e. US$5, US$10 & US$20. Where visas are required (refer to our visa guide) you can pay with US$50 notes however keep in mind that it is ALWAYS best to have the correct denomination as you will find immigration officials rarely have change available.

When changing money from USD to local currency be aware that you will NOT be able to change back to USD or into another currency, what money you don’t spend will be useless after you’ve left that country. 

If you are travelling to South Africa or Namibia you can easily withdraw Rand from an ATM in South Africa or Namibia, just be mindful of security when doing this.

Other currencies accepted but not as popular are Pounds and Euros, however you will find the exchange rate is not as favourable as USD.

Do not rely on credit cards for payment nor the use of working ATM’s to withdraw money as it is very common for the card facility to NOT be working when you most need it. There have also been instances of credit card fraud and many ATM’s have been tampered with in the major cities.

Where credit cards ARE accepted you will find that VISA CARD is more widely known than Mastercard or Cirus

Traveller’s cheques are not widely accepted and when the facility is available often you will receive a much lower rate of exchange.

If you do wish to take traveller’s cheques, we recommend taking 10% to 20% of your overall budget to use in case of emergency.

NOTE: - For passengers who may also be visiting Victoria Falls, please do not change any USD to local currency without speaking with your tour guide first.

How much should I take?

• The best rule for packing is to limit yourself to a weight limit of 15 KGs. It will inconvenience you if you bring more.
• A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles. Please note that we do not recommend that passengers bring suitcases.
• A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions.
• We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers cheques etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe.

As a general rule when travelling, it is worthwhile being prepared for all types of weather.  Keep a lightweight waterproof jacket/poncho – this should prepare you for all seasons!

For detailed climate information about the areas you are travelling to, please visit our website www.kumuka.com

English is widely spoken in the countries we visit in Africa but you might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

Africa has some of the most spectacular photographic opportunities in the world. To capture these scenes you will need to bring a camera with a good zoom lens. For game photography, a 200mm lens or higher is recommended. Tripods tend to be bulky and cumbersome and a versatile beanbag is a good substitute.

If you are using print film, all supplies plus any filters and other accessories should be obtained prior to departure. We do not recommend that you develop your film whilst in East Africa, as the standards vary considerably and are often unreliable.

NOTE:- Protect your camera from the elements, particularly dust, as getting your camera repaired will be impossible in most places.  A good idea is to use an old tea towel or t-shirt to wrap your camera up inside it’s dustproof camera bag when not in use.

Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission. It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installations

If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you.

On the last day of the tour we usually arrive at our final destination in the late afternoon, when the tour ends. If you would like to book accommodation for that night or even stay additional nights, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well.

All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

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www.kumuka.com

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