Tanya and Bill’s Safari

For those interested in seeing a bit of the country from Johannesburg to the Pilanesberg. Follow Tanya and Bill in loose convoy or go ahead on your own and meet up at key points. The Safari is completely optional.

Suggested accommodation:

Friday 22 August, 18:00

Registration and welcome drinks at Maropeng hotel in the Cradle of Humankind, a Unesco World Heritage site. Overnight at Maropeng hotel.

• https://www.maropeng.co.za/st_hotel/maropeng-boutique-hotel

Saturday 23 August

Depart in rented cars, overnight in the Magaliesberg, at Lesedi Cultural Village (or Tuskers Bush Lodge, depending on numbers).

• https://www.lesedi.com/accommodation#/search-availability
• https://www.tuskerslodge.co.za

Sunday 24 August

Depart in rented cars, overnight somewhere in the Magaliesberg. Possibly in tented accommodation at Africamps Milorho, Magaliesberg.

• https://africamps.com/farm/africamps-at-milorho-magaliesberg/

Mon 25 Aug, 14:00

Arrive at Bakubung Gate of Pilanesberg National Park, drive directly to Bakubung Camp (5 minutes from gate, outside of park).

Daytime activities to choose from:

Day time activities that we recommend but you are free to pursue your own interests.

Saturday 23 August:

• Visit Maropeng Visitors’ Centre and Sterkfontein caves.
  • https://www.maropeng.co.za/maropeng-tour/
  • https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/915
  • https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/article/cradle-of-humankind
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cradle_of_Humankind
• Lunch at The Aloe farm or van Gaalen cheese factory.
  • https://thealoefarm.co.za/about-the-aloe-farm/
  • https://www.vangaalen.co.za
• End off the afternoon with a visit and dinner at Lesedi Cultural Village.
  • https://www.lesedi.com/

Sunday 24 August:

• Visit to Elephant Sanctuary (and possibly Monkey Sanctuary too).
  • https://hartbeespoortdam.elephantsanctuary.co.za
  • https://www.monkeysanctuary.co.za
• Take the cableway at Hartebeespoort for lunch with spectacular views. This will include a drive over the Hartebeespoort dam wall.
  • https://hartiescableway.co.za/
  • https://hartbeespoort.net/the-building-of-hartbeespoort-dam/
  • https://hartbeespoortsnakeanimalpark.co.za/index.html
• Afternoon shopping at Chameleon Village, an African curio market.
  • https://chameleonvillage.co.za/shopping/

Monday 25 August:

• For the adventurous, there is ziplining in the Magaliesberg.
  • https://www.canopytour.co.za/locations/magaliesberg
• For those that prefer terra firma, you can simply enjoy all that Milorho has to offer. Alternatively, there are options to visit the Kgaswane Nature Reserve or Kwena crocodile farm. Of course, you could enter the Pilansberg national Park and take your first self-drive game drive.
  • https://www.milorholodge.co.za
  • https://theroamingtaster.com/kgaswane-mountain-reserve/
  • https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/Attraction_Review-g312651-d459967-Reviews-Kgaswane_Nature_Reserve-Rustenburg_North_West_Province.html
  • https://dewildt.co.za/
    https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/Attraction_Review-g312652-d459787-Reviews-Kwena_Crocodile_Farm-Sun_City_Moses_Kotane_Local_Municipality_North_West_Province.html

We will gauge interest and recommend activities accordingly. However, people are free to follow their own interests, there is a lot to do in the Cradle and the Magaliesberg. For example:

• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Incendo gin farm
• Hartebeespoort snake and animal park
• Van Gaalen cheese factory
• Spelunking (caving) at Bat cave. This involves abseiling into the cave and squeezing through some tight spaces.

Costs

The estimated cost for the three nights of accommodation is R 5 350 for a single person and R 6 400 for two people sharing.

Depending on the activities chosen, one should budget approximately R3750 for the activities. This can be reduced by selecting activities more prudently. Booking for many of these activities will be essential. These arrangements will be made once the numbers have been confirmed.