THE
“BIG CAT” AFRICAN VET SAFARI – 2007/8 Come face to face with the magnificent cheetah, the leopard, African Wild Dog, African Elephant, vultures, and of course the mighty lion... This safari takes guests behind the scenes and gives them the opportunity to interact with researchers, ecologists, Vets and guides while discovering the fantastic world of wildlife in Southern Africa. Guided throughout the safari by Dr Peter Brothers, Wildlife Veterinarian and registered Tourist Guide, you will be given a unique insight into the world of wildlife. Not only do you have a fantastic time, but your participation also helps save the endangered cheetah and other species! Join
us for the experience of a lifetime and know that your dreams
about Africa will never be the same... Day 1 – Sunday Arrive at Johannesburg International Airport where you will be met and transferred to your Midrand (situated between Johannesburg and Pretoria) Hotel to settle in and relax for the remainder of the day and evening. Enjoy lunch and dinner at your hotel – for your own expense. Your hotel is situated in a beautifully landscaped garden setting, halfway between the dynamic, bustling cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria. Plush elegance is evident from the moment you enter the spacious foyer with its sophisticated combination of Italian granite, cherry wood finishes and lofty glass-and-wood-rafted ceiling. A shop in the foyer offers a small selection of goods and essentials the frequent traveller may require. Culinary delights tempt the palate at the Palm Terrace Restaurant, while sundowner cocktails and al fresco breakfasts can be enjoyed on The Terrace, overlooking a cascading fountain and garden courtyard. Enjoy the mellow sounds of Malone's Cherry wood Saloon or watch one of the entertainment channels over exotic cocktails or an imported beer. All rooms are en suite and fully soundproofed, individually air-conditioned, with radio, telephone and cupboard safes. Other room facilities include remote control colour TV with M-Net, satellite TV and other pay-per-view channels. Fridges are available in all rooms. Day 2 - Monday After breakfast
at the hotel (included in safari cost) you will be met at 10am
by Brothers Safaris, and transfer to De Wildt Cheetah
and Wildlife Centre, Check in and enjoy lunch at the De Wildt Cheetah Lodge. Enjoy a private afternoon tour of the facility, with the likely opportunity to have your photo taken with one of De Wildt’s “Cheetah Ambassadors” – proceeds from photographs go to De Wildt’s Outreach Education Programme. Sundowners
(sunset drinks) are followed by dinner back at the lodge. De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre is renowned for its breeding success of rare and endangered species. The very rare King Cheetah was first bred here and similar success was achieved in breeding the Wild Dog, Brown Hyena, Blue Duiker, Suni Antelope and various species of vultures. Visitors to the Centre can see these animals up close and learn interesting facts about their nature, habitat and way of life when taking a tour in an open vehicle, conducted by a knowledgeable guide. The centre is a CITES approved cheetah breeding centre-the only one in the world with this approval! De
Wildt Cheetah Lodge is situated just north west of Pretoria,
in the De Wildt area. The lodge is set in lush green gardens on
an adjacent property to the breeding Centre, nestled in the foothills
of the Magaliesberg mountain range. This presents a landscape
of open veld (bush), many indigenous trees, and a panoramic view
to the north. Day 3 - Tuesday Early breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast
the morning will be spent observing, and where possible, assisting
with the immobilisation of cheetah/wild dog, or other
species at the centre that require immobilisation for management
reasons or disease control/Veterinary treatment. Return to the nearby lodge for lunch. After lunch
we transfer to the Elephant Sanctuary - approximately
30 minutes by The Elephant Sanctuary is not a rescue centre for elephants (although most of its residents have been rescued) but a commercial centre that accomplishes great work with the resident elephants and guests, in terms of the experience and education they offer through their passion for these amazing animals. A knowledgeable guide conducts this “hands-on tour” on foot, and you are sure to leave the sanctuary feeling enlightened. Return to
De Wildt Cheetah Lodge early evening for dinner. Day 4 - Wednesday We check
out after breakfast and transfer to Hazyview, Mmpumalanga
Province – approximately a 5 hour drive –
and check in to our hotel just outside town. After check in relax for the rest of the day and enjoy the hotel facilities. Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis, dinner is for your own expense. The Hotel combines the warmth of Africa with the village atmosphere. Nestling in the foothills of the Drakensberg in the Sabie Valley, set in a 500 hectare nature reserve, this unique four star village hotel has become world-renowned for its superb warm but professional service, its sub-tropical gardens, architectural charm and fine dining. Surrounded by tranquil pools, deeply shaded glades and flower gardens, this is an idyllic heritage of Portugal . Guests will enjoy accommodation in “villas” on cobbled streets. Day 5 - Thursday Spend
the day sightseeing and curio-shopping on the Panorama
Route - God's Window Mountain Views, The Pinnacle Rock
Formation, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon, Mac-Mac
Falls, Pilgrims Rest Village, etc. Return to the hotel late afternoon for dinner and overnight at the hotel – dinner for own expense. Day 6 - Friday Check out
after breakfast and drive into Sabi Sand Game Reserve
– about 2 hours - Elephant Plains awaits!! Late afternoon we enjoy a game-drive (game viewing) after a brief introduction to the reserve and the wildlife, on an open game viewing vehicle with your appointed ranger and tracker, and in the company of Dr Peter Brothers. Return to the lodge after sunset for dinner and to overnight. Elephant Plains is a privately owned and operated property within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, part of the 2,2 million hectare Greater Kruger National Park. Over many years our strict conservation policies and successful habitat management have resulted in a rich diversity of fauna and flora. Here you will come face to face with Africa’s Big Five and may be lucky enough to encounter other rarer species such as the endangered wild dogs and cheetah. Leopard sightings are of unrivalled frequency and quality! Elephant
Plains is home to a maximum of 22 guests. This, combined with
their flexibility and gracious hospitality, ensures guests’
comfort, and provides a very personal service. Your
stay here is on a full board basis, including daily activities.
Day 7 - Saturday Early morning
tea and coffee are followed by a game drive in search
of the majestic King of the Bushveld...the mighty lion, and any
leopard that may be lurking in the vicinity... Return to the lodge late morning for breakfast. Enjoy some leisure time before and after lunch. After enjoying afternoon tea we head out on another game drive. This afternoon we will again focus on any of the big cats in the area, mostly at dusk and after sunset in the hope that they will become mobile and give us the opportunity to witness their hunting prowess first hand! Return to the lodge for dinner. After dinner we will be addressed by either the park warden or ecologist, who will explain the management principals in the Sabi Sands, with special reference to the large cats. Overnight Elephant Plains. Day 8 - Sunday Early morning
tea and coffee are followed by an extended bush walk,
who knows what you may come across... Return to the lodge late morning for breakfast and leisure time to relax and enjoy your surroundings and facilities. After lunch you will be briefed on any remaining topics that have not yet been covered with respect to the large cats, and some relative tracking and Veterinary aspects will be discussed/illustrated. Enjoy a late afternoon game drive, once again focusing on the Big Cats, but also taking in the other game which we may not yet have encountered during our stay. This is another chance to hopefully witness hunting behaviour…. Return to the lodge after sundowners for dinner and to overnight. Day 9 - Monday Early morning tea and coffee is followed by your last game drive (with just your local guide and tracker) before returning to the lodge for breakfast and check out. For those who have had enough drives, sleep in and wake to the sounds of Africa………. Late morning departure back to Johannesburg International Airport to arrive in time for connecting flights back home. Lunch en route for own expense. Your safari ends at Johannesburg International Airport, at around 5pm. If you are flying home today please do not book a flight departing before 8 pm BESIDES INCOME GENERATED FROM THE SAFARI, A DONATION TO THE DE WILDT CHEETAH AND WILDLIFE CENTRE IS MADE ON BEHALF OF EVERY PARTICIPANT
This safari
is available at a cost of ZAR27 000-00 per person sharing. This is based on a minimum of 6 persons participating in total, and allows for a maximum of 8 participants. Larger groups may be accommodated on special request. This cost includes board and accommodation as laid out above, all land transfers in a comfortable air-conditioned mini-bus, guides (Veterinarian Dr Peter Brothers throughout the safari, and various local guides and researchers), all tours, presentations and activities as laid out above, entrance fees, VAT and Government Tourism levies. Not included are drinks, dinner and lunch on day 1, lunch on days 4 and 5, lunch on day 9, any optional additional activities, items of a personal nature, gratuities, travel insurance and flights. Please note that due to the nature of this experience, times and plans may need to be adjusted slightly as we proceed, especially since wildlife do not read itineraries very well! We will however always endeavour to complete all activities as laid out, but please bear with us should changes become necessary. Departure Dates:
Tailor-made departures and alternate dates are available on request. Terms and conditions for booking
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note the following regarding the darting/other procedure/s: |
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Copyright © 2001 Brothers Safaris. Your Ultimate African Experience. Website last modified: 6 May 2007