Rhino in South Africa

<p>Arrive into Johannesburg and transit to your flight out to Kruger National Park. Upon arrival at Hoedspruit airport at you are joined by your tour leader from Dyck Advisory Group Conservation Trust (DAGCT) who will be with you for the duration of the tour. After a short drive to Pezulu Tree House Lodge you have the afternoon to relax and unwind from your flight.</p><p></p><p>At the evening dinner you will be introduced to the Where Wild Things Roam Travel concept in South Africa with an introduction to Dyck Advisory Group Conservation Trust and informative presentation on their conservation efforts. Now is the time to ask any questions you may have about the tour.</p>

<p>After breakfast at the lodge you set off early with an exciting open vehicle game drive for the day in Kruger National Park. Kruger National Park is well-known for its boundless opportunities to spot the famous African Big Five - Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino and of course Lion. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>The area of Kruger National Park you will explore is adjacent to DAGCT’s area of operation in Mozambique. The safari will be carried out by a specialised guide to explain and answer all topics related to the bush, wildlife and conservation. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>A lunch pit-stop is enjoyed in Kruger National Park before continuing with the afternoon game drive. As the sun goes down, enjoy sundowners before heading back for dinner at the lodge.</p>

<p>Head back into Kruger National Park for a full day of game viewing. The day provides for a good overall experience at a relaxed pace. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>You will experience South Africa's natural beauty, capture boastful wildlife photographs and have amazing African wildlife encounters. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Lunch is enjoyed inside the park at one of the rest camps before taking an afternoon game drive through the park. As dusk arrives, you will return to the lodge for dinner.</p>

<p>After two exhilarating days experiencing the bush and wildlife, enjoy breakfast at the lodge before heading off to Welverdiend for a day interacting with the local community and school. Based on the doorstep of Kruger National Park, the community is well known for its poacher syndicates and activity. Your time in the community is two-fold. As you enjoy their traditions and culture, the members will also enjoy learning from you and the importance of tourism to the area.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>During the day you will meet with local elders and community leaders who will talk on culture and history and be entertained by traditional dancers. For those people interested, there is also the opportunity to visit the Shangoma (witch doctor). For a real taste of the local way of life, a traditional lunch is enjoyed in the community followed by the opportunity to pick up a few gifts of unique handicrafts including beaded jewellery and wooden carvings.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>In the afternoon you will visit the local primary school, spend some time with the school children and donate a large amount of school stationery which has been pre-purchased in preparation for the visit (included in your tour price). Feel free to bring donations of your own but we do recommend that you stick to school supplies for the children.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Return to the lodge for sundowners on the deck, dinner and a magical evening under the stars in the boma.</p>

<p>Today is very exciting as you will spend time gaining an insight into the conservation efforts being made to protect the diverse wildlife of the Greater Kruger National Park and get a first-hand experience out in the field assisting with rhino conservation.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Jump in the helicopter to get a birds eye view as you help spot rhino and collect valuable data to be recorded. Accompanied by the chief vet and rangers, you will locate a rhino and take part in de-horning the sedated animal. The vet will explain why de-horning is happening as a last resort to help protect the rhino.</p><p></p><p>Return to the lodge for dinner and reflect on your day.</p>

<p>After breakfast head out to take part in the Baobab Tree Planting activity. The Baobab tree is a strange looking tree that grows in low-lying areas in Africa and Australia. It can grow to enormous sizes and carbon dating indicates that they may live to be 3,000 years old. When bare of leaves, the spreading branches of the Baobab look like roots sticking up into the air, rather as if it had been planted upside-down.</p><p></p><p>An old Baobab tree can create its own ecosystem, as it supports the life of countless creatures, from the largest of mammals to the thousands of tiny creatures scurrying in and out of its crevices. Birds nest in its branches; baboons devour the fruit; bush babies and fruit bats drink the nectar and pollinate the flowers, and elephants have been known to chop down and consume a whole tree.</p><p></p><p>By planting a Baobab tree, you are leaving a legacy. You will receive GPS location co-ordinates of your licensed tree detailed on a certificate. </p><p></p><p>Return to the lodge for lunch before enjoying an afternoon game drive in Manyeleti. The 23,000 hectare Manyeleti Private Game reserve is located between the Timbavati and Sabi Sands Game Reserves and borders the world-famous Kruger National Park. In this pristine bush area, you can be sure to experience the best of South Africa far away from mainstream tourist areas. Manyeleti is one of those very few remaining 'secret places'.</p><p></p><p>Enjoy sundowners as the South African sun sets before heading back to the lodge for dinner.</p>

<p>Today is your last day in the African bush. It is now you can reflect on the past week’s activities of enjoying the wildlife, seeing the communities that are a part of that and the </p><p>conservation work that helps protect the wildlife. Relax for the morning around the lodge.</p><p></p><p>Enjoy lunch at the lodge before heading out to Blyde River Canyon for a cruise with sunset sundowners. Marvel at the splendour of the third largest Canyon in the world, unquestionably being the largest ‘green canyon’ due to its lush subtropical foliage. Here, an abundance of wildlife will keep you distracted while learning more about the natural history of the Blyde Canyon as the sun sets and you enjoy sundowner drinks.</p><p></p><p>The Blyde River canyon supports a large diversity of life, including numerous fish and antelope species as well as Hippos and Crocodiles, primate species and a diversity of birdlife such as the African Fish Eagle, African Finfoot and much more.</p><p></p><p>Return to the lodge for dinner and an evening to look back on the week of experiences you have had.</p>

<p>After breakfast, depart Pezulu and transfer to Hoedspruit Airport for your flight to Johannesburg, departing 11:20am. You arrive in Johannesburg at 12:20pm and connect to your international flight home or choose to stay on in Johannesburg.</p>