"WWF Maputaland Conservation Discover Tour"

Maputaland Conservation Discover Tour



Maputaland, in the Northern KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa, has a fascinating variety of ecosystems, coasts, animal species and people. The area has for a long time been undeveloped but now WWF, together with local environmental authorities, are developing special partnerships with huge benefits for both conservation and local communities in the form of Eco tourism This tour will take you to some of our projects in the area where researches involved will give you talks concerning those specific projects....


Highlights of this tour:

Turtle tracking.
Big 5 game viewing.
Whale watching in season.
Snorkelling and diving.
Kosi Bay and Lake Sibaya.
Game Reserves.
Conservation projects and wildlife photography.
Cultural visits.


The Tour:

Peregrine Tours will be offering the opportunity for 2 groups, of only 12 travellers, to partake in this unique tour, with a minimun of 6 travellers to confirm the tour.

There are currently only 2 scheduled departure dates for this tour in 2007, departing from Richards Bay or Durban by prior arrangement. Flight enquiries can also be made through our offices.


Departs: Finishes:
Richards Bay on Friday at 12:00 pm Richards Bay on Sunday at ± 10:00 am

5 – January – 2007 14 – January – 2007
19 – January – 2007 28 – January – 2007

Flights to Richards Bay are available daily from Johannesburg, which receives flights from major centres throughout the world. Please contact us for further information.


Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Local flight to Richards Bay

Day 1 – 2: JHB-RCB. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve (Lodge Bx1 Lx2 Dx2)

After being met by your guide off your flight at Richards Bay Airport, you are transferred to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve. We check into our lodge and enjoy lunch, after which the afternoon will be free with an optional game viewing activity on the Ubizane Private Game Reserve. This evening, we are joined by researchers involved in the WWF African Wild Dog Conservation Project for a short talk and discussion about this fascinating project.

The following morning we depart in open game viewing vehicles into Hluhluwe, South Africa’s oldest game reserve, and we go in search of elephant, rhino, wild dog and other game. We visit the Ilala Weavers Project, a local initiative providing people of the surrounding rural areas with opportunities to sell their local crafts, and then in the afternoon we once again enter Hluhluwe to enjoy an afternoon game drive.

Day 3 – 5: Kosi Bay (Lodge Bx3 Lx3 Dx3)

We depart from the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve and en-route to Kosi Bay, visit a local initiative, the Kosi Bay Vegetable Garden. This is the area’s first large scale vegetable supplier and with the close proximity of the community to the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, it makes an ideal venture with nearby lodges. On our arrival, we are transferred by 4x4 to our lodge where, after we have had time to check in and enjoy lunch, we depart on an afternoon boat cruise on the Kosi lake system. During the sunset cruise, we see hippo, crocodile and prolific birdlife whist game come down to the lakes shores to drink.

We have the following two full days free to explore the area; canoe trips and walks are available, as well as snorkelling at the Kosi Bay Estuary mouth, regarded as some of the best snorkelling in the world. You are also able to visit a Sangoma (traditional healer) or nearby local villages to gain insight into the local cultures. Our time here offers opportunities of seeing the region’s wildlife, which includes the rare Palm Nut Vulture and Pel’s Fishing Owl, who make this unique habitat their home. Many species of fish are endemic to the lake system and ancient traditional fishing traps are set up within the inter tidal lakes, the traps do, however, allow for smaller fish to escape unharmed. In the evening, before dinner, we are entertained by the local Thonga people who present a spectacular show of African drumming, singing and dancing.


Day 6 – 7: Maputaland Coast (Lodge Bx2 Lx2 Dx2)

Departing Kosi Bay, we head south towards the Maputaland Coast. We are transferred to our lodge by 4x4 and on arrival, just meters from the beach, check into our accommodation. Our luxury stilted suites command magnificent views of the ocean, where you may lucky enough to spot whales and dolphins. The afternoon is free to swim and bask in the sun on the warm Indian Ocean beaches or to snorkel along the coast. After dinner, we go turtle tracking with a guide in search of Leather Back and Loggerhead Turtles. Later in the season, lasting from October to March, the hatchlings start their struggle for life as they make a dangerous dash for the open waters of the Indian Ocean.

The next day we have the full day free for sea kayaking, fly or deep-sea fishing and scuba diving. In the evening we once again go turtle tracking.

Day 8 – 9: Phinda Game Reserve (Lodge Bx2 Lx2 Dx2)

We arrive around midday at Phinda Private Game Reserve, this reserve is part of the Greater Munyawana Game Reserve which was initiated for the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project. On our arrival we enjoy lunch in our lodge. Phinda is world renowned for its frequent leopard sightings and also, recently, the Black Rhino. In 2005, 16 Black Rhino were introduced into the reserve to form a viable breeding population and they have already started producing offspring. In the afternoon we depart on an open vehicle game drive in search of the rare animals and also the shy leopard and as our safari goes into the night, we continue our search with spotlights. On our return to the lodge we enjoy dinner and a talk by a representative of the Black Rhino Project.

The morning starts early with a guided walk into the reserve. We take time to notice the smaller inhabitants of the bush and learn more about bush craft and tracking. We have the afternoon to do another game drive and depending on research activities, may have the opportunity to assist on any of the current conservation projects. We enjoy dinner under the stars and reminisce about our African Discover Tour.

Day 10- Richards Bay (Bx1)

This morning we depart on another early activity of either a game drive or bush walk, returning for breakfast after which we pack up to depart for Richards Bay to catch our flight back to Johannesburg. Other optional add-on tours to other Southern African destinations can be arranged.


Price:
US$ 4000 per person sharing.
Single Supplement- US$ 1100 per person.
A minimum number of 6 passengers will confirm the tour.

Includes:
Group max. 12 people.
9 nights luxury accommodation.
Transport in minibus.
Professional guides.
All meals as per itinerary.
Bottled water and soft drinks en route.
All park, and entrance fees, transfers and game drives as per the itinerary.

Excludes:
Local and international airfares.
Items of a personal nature.
Gratuities.
All other beverages.

To contact this tour operator please use the contact form next to the map on the right.

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Price/Person: 4000,00 DOL
Number of participants 12
Duration: 10 Days

Area: South Africa- KwaZulu Natal/ Zululand
Accomodation is included in this tour: Luxury Accomodation in Private Lodges and Private Game Reserves.

The Guide is able to understand this language also    
   english
   spanish

Special Hints: Join the WWF Discover Tour Programme and travel with Peregrine Tours to some beautiful and unique projects. Experience first hand, conservation and communnity upliftment projects and this unique area of Southern Africa.

edited at 26.09.06 | 10:40 AM
last update 26.09.06 | 10:40 AM

Guide details

Ryan Mengel

Web: To contact this tour operator please use the contact form above.
Phone Number: ---
Vita
Peregrine Tours specialise in customised tours throughout Southern Africa offering specialist itineraries for conservationists and corporations. We are extremely proud to be associated with WWF and are able to offer the unique WWF Discover Tour Programme. Peregrine Tours offer photographic, walking and birding safaris as well as day tours in and around Johannesburg and the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.

edited at 26.09.06 | 10:20 AM
last update 03.11.06 | 1:48 PM

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