ITINERARY/ ROUTE(ISH):

Day One: Nottingham Road or Mooiriver 

Guests will be picked up from Johannesburg OT Airport,  or self drive to the starting point of our journey, the destination for the day is Nottingham Road or similar. Which is about a 5 hour drive. Nottingham Road presents an opportunity to marvel at the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, Southern Africa’s primary mountain range. Rising over 3,475 meters high and stretching approximately 1,125 kilometers parallel to the southeastern coast of South Africa, the Drakensberg is truly awe-inspiring.
Accommodation: Bellwood cottages or Harmony Game Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, and Dinner (Self catering)

Day Two to Three – Underberg

The journey from Bergville to Underberg takes approximately three hours. Underberg, nestled in the Mzimkulu River valley, is an administrative town surrounded by dairy and cattle farms, offering numerous activities for nature enthusiasts. Nearby lies the southernmost region of the Drakensberg and the Mzimkhulu Wilderness Area, near the Lesotho border, both part of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site. Covering 249,313 hectares, it’s the largest Protected Area complex along the Great Escarpment of Southern Africa, crucial for over 250 endemic plant species, various fauna, and unique bird species as an Important Bird Area.

Our next two nights will be spent here, collaborating with Wildlife ACT. The team operates from the charming ‘Gate House,’ a rustic yet cozy farmhouse located in the buffer zone surrounding the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site. This strategic location allows easy access to the park, vulture-safe feeding sites, and swift response to emergencies.

Wildlife Act Vulture Project:

The Wildlife ACT Vulture Project, part of the Southern Drakensberg Conservation Project, collaborates with the Drakensberg Conservation Initiative and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to enhance wildlife conservation efforts in the region. The project focuses on vulture conservation, species monitoring, and protected area boundary support. Activities include monitoring nesting sites, managing safe vulture feeding sites, conducting remote camera surveys, and controlling alien plants. Volunteers participate in physical tasks such as hiking, monitoring nest activity, transporting carcasses, and maintaining camera traps. They also assist with emergency response and boundary support. This hands-on conservation work provides valuable data for management and policy-making.

THIS IS A GUIDELINE : (Depending on what is needed we will be doing some of the below items when with Wildlife Act)
Camera Traps set-up / check in the mountains (involves some hiking)
Bearded Vulture nest monitoring (involves some hiking and a few hours of nest observation with a spotting scope)
Camera Traps check and visit rock paintings on the way (involves some hiking)
Mzimkulu Hide vulture monitoring session & local school education session.
Vulture Safe Feeding Site Maintenance (involves clearing carcasses, checking camera traps, etc.)
Molumong Bearded Vulture Safe Feeding Site (vulture monitoring, putting out bones for Bearded Vultures, checking camera traps, general site inspection) and village visit (engagement with local chief and herders, etc.) with Wildlife ACT team
Accommodation: Khotso Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner (Self catering)

Day Four – Lesotho

Today, as a group, we embark on an exhilarating journey across the famed Sani Pass to reach Lesotho. Our ascent begins at 1544 meters, and we will ascend 1332 vertical meters to an impressive altitude of 2874 meters. The route ahead presents us with a steep gravel road, featuring gradients of up to 1:3, which may pose challenges, particularly in adverse weather conditions. As we make our way along this approximately 9-kilometer pass, we remain mindful of its significance as the boundary between border controls of the two countries. We will head to the Molumong Bearded Vulture Safe Feeding Site to do some work with Wildlife Act. There after we say goodbye and we head further into Lesotho to our accommodation.
Accommodation: Sani Stone Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner (Self catering)

Day Five, Six   – Tshelanyane National Park (Lesotho)

Today we travel through magnificent Lesotho to our next venue.

Maliba Lodge is the first and only ecolodge in Lesotho, Southern Africa and is located in the pristine Tsehlanyane National Park in the heart of this Mountain Kingdom. This park, with altitudes ranging from 1940 to 3112 meters, is predominantly sub-alpine and owes its existence to the access road to the Hlotse tunnel for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Nestled at the convergence of the Tsehlanyane and Holomo rivers, this protected area spans over 5600 hectares of rugged mountain terrain, safeguarding one of the few remaining indigenous woodlands in Lesotho.
Accommodation: Maliba Mountain Lodge or similar
Type: River Chalet
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner (Self catering)

Day Seven – Welkom or Hoopstad 

We depart and head back into South Africa. Border : Caledonspoort Border Control. We will try fit in a morning activity before we depart. Once back in SA we will drive to Welkom for the night.
Accommodation: Uitsig Boutique Hotel or similar
Included: Breakfast, and Dinner (S/C). Lunch (Own)

Day Eight to Ten – Khamab Reserve

Today we are in transit to Working with Wildlife. We stop in Vryburg for groceries for the next three nights.  Its a long drive today but will be worth it when we get to our final destination. We will be at Working for Wildlife, embarking on an exclusive Kalahari Safari focused on wildlife research. Participants will be provided with a hands-on conservation experience in South Africa’s vast Kalahari Desert. They will be accommodated in a tented lodge within the Khamab Kalahari Reserve, a 240,000-acre Big-5 private game reserve. The safari will include activities such as predator monitoring, pangolin monitoring, camera trap surveys, game counts, vegetation surveys, and anti-poaching efforts.  ** It all depends on what conservation work is needed at the time. Participants will have the opportunity for sensational star-gazing and incredible game viewing experiences.

The safari aims to make a real conservation impact by involving participants in vital conservation efforts. They will be able to track iconic predators like African wild dogs, contribute to pangolin and cheetah monitoring, assist with camera trap surveys, participate in game counts, and contribute to anti-poaching initiatives. The experience will go beyond typical wildlife safaris, allowing participants to become partners in critical conservation research and directly contribute to the survival of endangered species.

The basecamp will offer comfortable accommodations with essential amenities such as electricity, hot water, Wi-Fi, and purified drinking water. With just five two-sleeper tents with en-suite bathrooms, guests can enjoy unrivaled wildlife sightings and unforgettable nights by the bonfire boma. “Working for Wildlife” will emphasize the importance of active participation in conservation efforts rather than passive observation. The safari will aim to educate participants about the challenges facing African wildlife and inspire them to make a meaningful difference. It will reject the notion of armchair conservation in favor of hands-on involvement, challenging participants to get involved in the reality of conservation work in the Kalahari Desert.
Accommodation: Working with Wildlife Basecamp
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner (Self catering)

Day Eleven – Johannesburg

Today we head back to Vryburg then back  on to Johannesburg.  It will be a long 8 hour drive or if you are a self drive you can start heading back home to KZN.
Accommodation: Glendowa View Guest House or similar
Included: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast (Self catering)

Day Twelve 

As the journey nears its end, you’ll be transported  to the airport to catch your flight home, carrying with you cherished memories of South Africa and Lesothos diverse landscapes and rich cultural experiences. Before departure, breakfast will be provided, ensuring you begin your journey home on a satisfying note.

**Please note that this itinerary and pricing may be subject to slight changes, and the expedition host will keep you informed of any updates. Terms and conditions apply, based on availability. Some activities may be weather-dependent, and while we will do our best to include them all in the itinerary, flexibility may be required. In certain areas, Wi-Fi signal may be minimal or unavailable (offering a great opportunity for a digital detox). Regarding conservation work, the safety of the animals is always our top priority, and we will do our best to participate where and when possible, guided by expert conservationists to ensure we are contributing in the most responsible and meaningful way.