Day 1 – Monday 7 December

Arrive at Port Elizabeth airport and transfer to Amakhala Game Reserve – approximately 40 minutes.  Flights for your own arrangements and to be advised.

Check into Leeuwenbosch/Shearer’s lodge from 14h00.

Enjoy some leisure time and a late afternoon/evening game drive (depending on arrival time) on Amakhala Game Reserve in an open Land Rover in search of their wildlife – rhino (white and black), elephant, cheetah, buffalo, lion, giraffe, black wildebeest, zebra, tortoise and over 16 antelope species. Watch the sun set while enjoying drinks and snacks, before searching for elusive nocturnal animals such as spotted hyena, lynx, porcupine and spring hare.

Back at the lodge we’ll review the programme for the rest of the safari, and prepare guests for tomorrow’s activities.

Overnight in Amakhala Game Reserve at Leeuwenbosch Lodge.
Accommodation here is on a full board basis (excludes certain drinks and extras).
 
Amakhala Game Reserve began in 1999 as a joint conservation venture and today has six independently owned lodges. All are owner managed by the descendants of the original families who arrived here with the British settlers of 1820.

Dr William Fowlds, a wildlife veterinarian and our co-host, and his family own and run Leeuwenbosch which consists of the Country House and Shearers Lodge. Built in 1908 and set in its own lovely garden, the Country House is a large and beautiful home, which offers true country living in every sense. Both spacious and comfortable, it has four en-suite bedrooms and a newly added suite.

Shearers Lodge was originally built in 1930 and used for shearing and classing wool.
It has now been beautifully converted into four luxury en-suite bedrooms, one with a private lounge. All the rooms open on to a wide colonial verandah, overlooking indigenous gardens, rolling lawns and the quaintly charming Leeuwenbosch Chapel.

For more information and images, please visit http://www.amakhala.co.za/

Day 2 – Tuesday 8 December

After tea and coffee at 06h30 with a briefing for the photographic morning, we set off early morning in search of rhino. Today the focus will be on this species. We will hopefully get a chance to spend some time with both black and white rhino learning about their habitat, feeding, social behaviour and the issues that affect their management and survival as Africa’s most endangered large mammal.

We return to the lodge later in the morning for brunch.

After brunch there will be some informative talks on issues relating to rhino immobilisation and conservation/management and the actual procedure, equipment, drugs, etc. This will also cover safety aspects and guests involvement in the procedure. Time permitting guests will be allowed to fire tranquiliser darts, loaded with water at a target!

Enjoy an afternoon game drive with an Amakhala guide and other guests – time permitting – private drives are available at an additional fee.

Day 3 – Wednesday 9 December

After another early start, time to be finalised the day before, we set off early morning to immobilise a lion on Amakhala Game Reserve.
Most animals need transmitter collars in order to monitor their movements on the reserve – living next to traditional farmers has inherent risks for both man and animal.  The batteries in these collars run flat necessitating collar replacement.

The patient will be darted from a vehicle, if possible, in view of the guests on another vehicle. When the lion is immobilised and it is safe, guests will be allowed to leave their vehicle and join the vets, hands on! There will be an opportunity to help monitor and treat the patient. Of course there will be time for those photos of a lifetime too!

Once the procedures have been completed, we’ll reverse the immobilising drugs, as far as pharmacologically possible, and watch our patient recover.

Once adequately recovered to be safely left alone, we return to our lodge to rid ourselves of some of the adrenalin that is sure to have flooded our bodies, and to discuss the morning’s adventure….

We return to the lodge for brunch and leisure time for the rest of the day. If we have not covered any aspects yet due to time constraints, or guests want more talks/interaction on the lion, then we’ll happily oblige.

If the group feels they have seen enough behind the scenes work we’ll enjoy a more traditional game drive in another reserve instead, with sundowners at an amazing spot…..

Return to our lodge late evening for dinner and to overnight.

Day 4 – Thursday 10 December

We start early again today, with tea and coffee before heading out on our last game drive, or simply lie in and wake to the sounds of the bush…..

*** END OF SERVICES***

Costing:
This safari is available at a cost of ZAR 12 000-00 per person sharing.
Single supplements apply – subject to availability.

This is based on a minimum of 6 persons participating in total, and allows for a maximum of 8 participants.

This is inclusive of:
Return transfers from Port Elizabeth International Airport to Amakhala Game Reserve, accommodation on a full board basis; all activities as laid out in the itinerary; the services of Dr Peter Brothers or Dr William Fowlds (Wildlife Veterinarians); the services of management, local guides and staff and Government VAT.

Cost excludes:
Additional optional activities, drinks items of a personal nature, gratuities, and medical insurance (compulsory).

Safari Dates:
7 – 10 December 2009

Tailor-made departures and alternate dates are available on request.

Please note:

• This program is a guide and all these activities will be done, but not necessarily in this order, as lion do not read that well!! 
• Every effort will be made to ensure that the client participates in the darting procedure, as laid out in the itinerary, but the animal's welfare will not be compromised at any stage, and a procedure may have to be aborted and the animal revived in certain circumstances. The animal is the primary reason for this safari, and we need to bare that in mind and respect the patient.

Terms and conditions for booking

• A 30% non-refundable deposit is payable at confirmation of booking
• Balance of 70% payable 56 days before commencement
• 60% Refund for cancellation (full or in part) 42 - 56 days prior to commencement
• 50% Refund for cancellation (full or in part) 28 - 42 days prior to commencement
• Cancellation (full or in part) within 28 days subject to full forfeiture
• Payment of deposit implies acceptance of terms and conditions
• Cancellation must be made in writing to Brothers Safaris
• An administration fee of ZAR 500-00 per person will be charged for amendments made after confirmation
• Brothers Safaris reserves the right to use a similar lodge/hotel if the intended lodge/hotel is not available for reasons beyond our control, this may affect pricing
• The itinerary costing is subject to availability and currency fluctuations
• Terms and Conditions are subject to change without notice

Please note the following regarding the darting/immobilisation procedures:
While every endeavour is made to locate and dart the animal in question, factors such as severe weather conditions or illness involving the animal, unable to locate or approach the animal close enough due to bush conditions, failure of the animal to come to a bait, etc. which are all unpredictable, may prevent the darting from going ahead. Every effort will be made to ensure that the client participates in the darting procedure, or similar, as laid out in the itinerary, but the animal's welfare will not be compromised at any stage, and a procedure may have to be aborted and the animal revived in certain circumstances. This may shorten the procedure/down time and hence the close up experience for the client. Brothers Safaris, its staff, and appointed agents will not be held liable for any losses incurred by a client as a result of such situations, and accept no responsibility whatsoever. Every endeavour is made to ensure the health and safety of all our clients, but any procedure with a potentially dangerous wild animal and veterinary drug is of such a nature that certain circumstances may be beyond our control. Should any such situation arise which leads to death or injury due to any reason whatsoever, Brothers Safaris, its staff, and appointed agents, will not be held liable for any losses incurred as a direct, or indirect, result of such a situation, or our actions in such a situation.