Fly in: King Shaka Airport, by Sunday 12 February 2023 BEFORE 11h00
Fly out: King Shaka Airport, Durban from 13h00 on Wednesday the 22 February 2023.
Group size: 6 – 9 Ladies . (**We need a min of 6 ladies to run this trip.)
**Please talk to Carla as some of the ladies are arriving early and staying in St Lucia**
RATE:
R106 000pp + R20 000 fundraising – R126 000 pp Sharing occupancy (Approx: US$7170pp)
R119 000pp + R20 000 fundraising – R139 000 pp Single occupancy (Approx US$7910pp)
(25% Deposit is required to book a seat). T&C apply. *Once you pay the deposit Rand/Dollar rate will be secured*
Journeys With Purpose are offering YOU an opportunity to expand your life experiences with an expedition that will be unrivalled by anything you have ever done! Become one of the Eco-Travelers tribes, make a difference, and make your day!
TRIP SUMMARY
South Africa. The one place on Earth where you’re guaranteed to fall in love with raw, magnetic natural beauty. It is an intoxicating mix of sights and sounds, wildlife and natural splendour that enthrals, captivates and will take your breath away.
Breathe In the sounds of the warm Tropical waves as they dance in an unending rhythm along the shores. Feel the aroma of azure waters glistening in the morning sun, hidden ocean treasures encapsulated in bursts of colour, swaying to and fro as the gentle currents conduct the unheard orchestra beneath. Taste the sumptuous delight of walking barefoot on pristine white sands that they squeak beneath your feet. Open your eyes and hear the call of nature beckoning you…urging you to use your every sense in a unique and exhilarating way. Africa is not a place; she is emotion, fluid, brave and beautiful with endless unveilings of mystical magic and gifts.
Stay at some of South Africa’s most undiscovered luxury Wilderness beach lodges nestled in iSimangaliso Wetland Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Set on the shores of glistening white beaches, blazing corals, and freshwater lakes in KwaZulu-Natal. Go Barefoot at Thonga Beach Lodge, treading carefully so as not to disturb the hidden nurseries of the yet unhatched, Leatherback and Loggerhead Turtles. Start each morning in the glow of the sunrise with guided activities designed to nurture a deep sense of curiosity and wonder. Feel the warmth of the day subside sipping on cocktails, lying in a hammock with the sounds of the waves lapping the shores.
We venture inland to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park (HIP) to see untamed Africa from a new perspective. We will spend our days on game drives or a game walk, giving you the chance to stumble upon the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and Cape buffalo) and many other species in their untouched habitat. Our fundraising eco-adventure wraps up in HIP, where we will be the support team to a group of experts who will be collaring elephants there.
Not only will you be making lifelong friendships with other travellers who are just as passionate about making a difference in nature as you on this exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime African experience, you’ll be contributing towards conservation. Relax, absorb, experience, and breathe in this journey as all logistical details are taken care of for you.
Frequency: Bespoke once-off expedition
Fitness Rating: Moderate to Fit
Tour Features: Wildlife Conservation, Youth Conservation Education, English-spoken, Fundraising for Wildlife Conservation Groups , Women only
Beneficiary: Turtle research, Elephant Collaring with African Wildlife Vets (AWV), The Bateleurs
Accommodation: A mixture of tents /bungalows /rooms. Accommodation is SHARING unless single occupancy is arranged.
Min: 6 eco-adventurers (**We need a min of 6 ladies to run this trip)
Max: 9 eco-adventurers
Some of the extraordinary experiences you can look forward to as part of this group of solo eco-travellers include:
| DAY | DATE | DAY | ACCOMMODATION | ACTIVITIES | COMMENTS |
| 1 | 12-Feb | Sunday | Rhino Ridge | Transfer to RR from St Lucia (Urban Glamping) or KIA Airport (Durban) Type: Safari Rooms and 1 x Guide accommodation Meals: All Activities: 1 x Game Drive |
Isibindi Lodges |
| Transfer from KIA to RR | Isibindi Lodges | ||||
| 2 | 13-Feb | Monday | Rhino Ridge | Conservation work + Activity or Game Drives Type: Safari Rooms and 1 x Guide accommodation Meals: All |
Isibindi Lodges |
| 3 | 14-Feb | Tuesday | Rhino Ridge | Conservation work + Activity or Game Drives/Bush Walk Type: Safari Rooms and 1 x Guide accommodation Meals: All |
Isibindi Lodges |
| 4 | 15-Feb | Wednesday | Rhino Ridge to TT | Transfer from Rhino Ridge to Sodwana Bay. Arrival by 12 pm | Isibindi Lodges |
| Wednesday | BSE | Lunch in Sodwana – EAT restaurant | BSE | ||
| Wednesday | Thonga Trails | Transfer from Sodwana Bay to Bhanga Nek. Depart by 1 pm | Thonga Trails | ||
| Thonga Trails | Accommodation: Bhanga Nek community camp Type: Shared Accommodation & Ablutions*Generator run electricity Meals: All |
Thonga Trails | |||
| 5 | 16-Feb | Thursday | Thonga Trails | Accommodation: Bhanga Nek community camp Type: Shared Accommodation & Ablutions *Generator run electricity Meals: All |
Thonga Trails |
| 6 | 17-Feb | Friday | Thonga Trails | Accommodation: Hlabazimhlope camp Type: Shared Accommodation & Ablutions *Generator run electricity Meals: All |
Thonga Trails |
| 7 | 18-Feb | Saturday | Thonga Trails | Accommodation: Crafters Lodge Type: Rooms Meals: All *Talk by Sharklife Group (Donation) |
Thonga Trails |
| 8 | 19-Feb | Sunday | Thonga Beach Lodge | Ocean Experience & later Transfer to TBL from Sodwana | Isibindi Lodges |
| Transfer to Thonga Beach Lodge from Sodwana at 12pm Type: Forest View Rooms and 1 x Guide Meals: All Activities: Relaxing/Snorkelling/Scuba *Activities are weather dependent and decided the previous day |
Isibindi Lodges | ||||
| 9 | 20-Feb | Monday | Thonga Beach Lodge | Type: Forest View Rooms and 1 x Guide Meals: All Activities: Relaxing/Snorkelling/Scuba |
Isibindi Lodges |
| 10 | 21-Feb | Tuesday | Thonga Beach Lodge | Type: Forest View Rooms and 1 x Guide Meals: All Activities: Relaxing/Snorkelling/Scuba |
Isibindi Lodges |
| 11 | 22-Feb | Wednesday | Thonga Beach Lodge | Road Transfer to Sodwana or Durban | Isibindi Lodges |
*Please note this Itinerary and Price may change slightly but the expedition host will keep you posted and updated if anything does happen. Terms and conditions apply due to availability. Please note that some activities are weather dependent, and we will do our best to accommodate them in our itinerary.
DAY ONE/TWO/THREE – ARRIVAL DAY
ST LUCIA/RICHARD BAY OR DURBAN TO HLUHLUWE IMFOLOZI
12 FEBRUARY to 14th February 2023 (3 nights)
Airport pick-up. Welcome to South Africa! Your adventure begins when you are greeted at King Shaka Airport in Durban, by Carla Geyser. Please make sure you arrive BEFORE 11am in Durban. (I would encourage heading straight to Durban from JHB or perhaps spend the 11 February 2023 there. I can assist with extra accommodation in Durban or Umhlanga). Please chat with me about options.) We will then be shuttled to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park (HIP) which will take about 4 hours, and where we will be dropped off on our first night at Rhino Ridge which is situated in the heart of HIP, This will be our home for the next three nights.
This glass-wrapped lodge rests on a ridge overlooking Africa’s oldest proclaimed game reserve, capturing the suspension between Earth and sky. Down below, a waterhole, frequented by a diversity of wildlife, pulls your eye away from the extraordinary views, forcing you to slow down and connect with the Earth.
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is proud to be associated with the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (HIP) and its historical success story of rhino conservation in Southern Africa. They are the first luxury safari lodge to be established within this world-renowned Big 5 game reserve, which we will explore on various game drives and walks. We are honoured to call the “home of the rhino” our home too.
Activities: There are few things more iconic to Africa than setting out at dawn in an open game viewing vehicle and watching the crimson sun creep over the horizon as a herd of majestic elephants ambles across the dusty road in front of you. These are the experiences, and unique wildlife encounters that we take utmost pleasure in providing for our guests on our safari drives in the spectacular Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Reserve, a vast haven for protected species such as rhino, elephant, leopard, and wild dog.
Conservation Project: One of the mornings will be flagged for working closely with the conservationists and wildlife vets from HIP and African Wildlife Vets. Ideally, we would be actively involved in the collaring of 2 Elephants or similar conservation work. PLEASE NOTE: Nothing is guaranteed, and the elephant’s safety is ALWAYS a priority. We will do everything we can to ensure we are included in this highly skilled operation.
Accommodation: Rhino Ridge Lodge
Type: Luxury Bush villas (Single/ Sharing occupancy)
Meals: Full board
Website: https://www.rhinoridge.co.za
DAY FOUR/FIVE/SIX/SEVEN – HIP TO SODWANA TO KOZI BAY/BHANGA NEK
15 FEBRUARY 2023 to 18 FEBRUARY 2023 (4 nights/ 5 days)
After breakfast at Rhino Ridge, we’ll transfer the group to Sodwana for a light lunch, We will then be collected by the team from Thonga Trails and transported to Bhanga Nek. The next few days we will explore, walk on the beach, look for Turtle hatchlings, we’ll do an excursion to the estuary for snorkeling. We’ll enjoy sundowners while overlooking the unique lake system, and the Michelin chef Damien will prepare a delicious meal for you. We meet Andy Coetzee from Thonga Trails, who will guide us for the next few nights and days. To see more about the Thonga Trail look at https://www.thongatrails.com/the-trail
DAY EIGHT/NINE/TEN – SODWANA TO MABIBI
19 FEBRUARY 2023 to 21 FEBRUARY 2023 (3 nights)
After breakfast at Sodwana, and an Ocean Experience we will transfer you to Thonga Beach Lodge, this will be our home for three nights, and we will get to explore the beaches and oceans and just RELAX and REFLECT on what we have achieved over the past few days.
The lodge will provide all meals here; we can do more walks along the beach looking for the hatchlings. Thonga Beach Lodge is situated in the protected world heritage site Isimangaliso Park. Twelve luxurious thatched rooms (a few with private pools) are discreetly nestled into the dune forest overlooking Mabibi beach. With no development 100 miles up or 60 miles down the beach, this beach and marine wilderness sanctuary is unrivaled.
Thonga Beach Lodge is proud to have played a role in Maputaland’s world-renowned turtle success story. Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles have laid their eggs on this ancient shoreline for thousands of years. Thonga Beach Lodge and the Isibindi Foundation continue to play a role in protecting this breeding ground.
Activities: Involve Kayaking, Snorkelling, Sundowers on Sibaya **All activities are weather dependent and will be arranged accordingly
Accommodation: Thonga Beach Lodge
Type: Eco-friendly elegant Forest and ocean rooms (Single/ Sharing occupancy)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Website: https://www.thongabeachlodge.co.za/
DAY ELEVEN – SODWANA – JOHANNESBURG/DEPARTURE
22 FEBRUARY 2023
Early breakfast, we catch our road transfer back to Sodwana or to Durban King Shaka Airport where you can catch a domestic flight up to Johannesburg. Menzies Meet and Greet can assist you with International Departures, where your return flights home can be booked in the early evening – from 19h00 onwards. Some guests have opted to stay in Sodwana a few extra nights and will fly out of Richard Bay a few days later. (please chat to Carla about options)
You are among friends when you are with us. Together, we are in a safe space, and you have the freedom to be yourself and explore. Whether you have never left your home country or are a seasoned solo traveller, this trip will offer you adventure, friends, and breathless beauty.
*Please note this Itinerary and Price may change slightly, but the expedition host will keep you posted and updated if anything does happen. Terms and conditions apply due to availability. Please note that some activities are weather dependent, and we will do our best to accommodate them in our itinerary.
**PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING TO READ AND SIGN OUR INDEMNITY. Each person must have signed this before departure
Expedition Agreement – https://www.blueskysociety.org/expedition-agreement-form/
Indemnity Form – https://www.blueskysociety.org/indemnity-online-form/
| DAY | DATE | DAY | ACCOMMODATION | ACTIVITIES | COMMENTS |
| 1 | 12-Feb | Sunday | Rhino Ridge | Transfer to RR from St Lucia (Urban Glamping) or KIA Airport (Durban) Type: Safari Rooms and 1 x Guide accommodation Meals: All Activities: 1 x Game Drive |
Isibindi Lodges |
| Transfer from KIA to RR | Isibindi Lodges | ||||
| 2 | 13-Feb | Monday | Rhino Ridge | Conservation work + Activity or Game Drives Type: Safari Rooms and 1 x Guide accommodation Meals: All |
Isibindi Lodges |
| 3 | 14-Feb | Tuesday | Rhino Ridge | Conservation work + Activity or Game Drives/Bush Walk Type: Safari Rooms and 1 x Guide accommodation Meals: All |
Isibindi Lodges |
| 4 | 15-Feb | Wednesday | Rhino Ridge to TT | Transfer from Rhino Ridge to Sodwana Bay. Arrival by 12 pm | Isibindi Lodges |
| Wednesday | BSE | Lunch in Sodwana – EAT restaurant | BSE | ||
| Wednesday | Thonga Trails | Transfer from Sodwana Bay to Bhanga Nek. Depart by 1 pm | Thonga Trails | ||
| Thonga Trails | Accommodation: Bhanga Nek community camp Type: Shared Accommodation & Ablutions*Generator run electricity Meals: All |
Thonga Trails | |||
| 5 | 16-Feb | Thursday | Thonga Trails | Accommodation: Bhanga Nek community camp Type: Shared Accommodation & Ablutions *Generator run electricity Meals: All |
Thonga Trails |
| 6 | 17-Feb | Friday | Thonga Trails | Accommodation: Hlabazimhlope camp Type: Shared Accommodation & Ablutions *Generator run electricity Meals: All |
Thonga Trails |
| 7 | 18-Feb | Saturday | Thonga Trails | Accommodation: Crafters Lodge Type: Rooms Meals: All *Talk by Sharklife Group (Donation) |
Thonga Trails |
| 8 | 19-Feb | Sunday | Thonga Beach Lodge | Ocean Experience & later Transfer to TBL from Sodwana | Isibindi Lodges |
| Transfer to Thonga Beach Lodge from Sodwana at 12pm Type: Forest View Rooms and 1 x Guide Meals: All Activities: Relaxing/Snorkelling/Scuba *Activities are weather dependent and decided the previous day |
Isibindi Lodges | ||||
| 9 | 20-Feb | Monday | Thonga Beach Lodge | Type: Forest View Rooms and 1 x Guide Meals: All Activities: Relaxing/Snorkelling/Scuba |
Isibindi Lodges |
| 10 | 21-Feb | Tuesday | Thonga Beach Lodge | Type: Forest View Rooms and 1 x Guide Meals: All Activities: Relaxing/Snorkelling/Scuba |
Isibindi Lodges |
| 11 | 22-Feb | Wednesday | Thonga Beach Lodge | Road Transfer to Sodwana or Durban | Isibindi Lodges |
*Please note this Itinerary and Price may change slightly but the expedition host will keep you posted and updated if anything does happen. Terms and conditions apply due to availability. Please note that some activities are weather dependent, and we will do our best to accommodate them in our itinerary.
DAY ONE/TWO/THREE – ARRIVAL DAY
ST LUCIA/RICHARD BAY OR DURBAN TO HLUHLUWE IMFOLOZI
12 FEBRUARY to 14th February 2023 (3 nights)
Airport pick-up. Welcome to South Africa! Your adventure begins when you are greeted at King Shaka Airport in Durban, by Carla Geyser. Please make sure you arrive BEFORE 11am in Durban. (I would encourage heading straight to Durban from JHB or perhaps spend the 11 February 2023 there. I can assist with extra accommodation in Durban or Umhlanga). Please chat with me about options.) We will then be shuttled to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park (HIP) which will take about 4 hours, and where we will be dropped off on our first night at Rhino Ridge which is situated in the heart of HIP, This will be our home for the next three nights.
This glass-wrapped lodge rests on a ridge overlooking Africa’s oldest proclaimed game reserve, capturing the suspension between Earth and sky. Down below, a waterhole, frequented by a diversity of wildlife, pulls your eye away from the extraordinary views, forcing you to slow down and connect with the Earth.
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is proud to be associated with the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (HIP) and its historical success story of rhino conservation in Southern Africa. They are the first luxury safari lodge to be established within this world-renowned Big 5 game reserve, which we will explore on various game drives and walks. We are honoured to call the “home of the rhino” our home too.
Activities: There are few things more iconic to Africa than setting out at dawn in an open game viewing vehicle and watching the crimson sun creep over the horizon as a herd of majestic elephants ambles across the dusty road in front of you. These are the experiences, and unique wildlife encounters that we take utmost pleasure in providing for our guests on our safari drives in the spectacular Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Reserve, a vast haven for protected species such as rhino, elephant, leopard, and wild dog.
Conservation Project: One of the mornings will be flagged for working closely with the conservationists and wildlife vets from HIP and African Wildlife Vets. Ideally, we would be actively involved in the collaring of 2 Elephants or similar conservation work. PLEASE NOTE: Nothing is guaranteed, and the elephant’s safety is ALWAYS a priority. We will do everything we can to ensure we are included in this highly skilled operation.
Accommodation: Rhino Ridge Lodge
Type: Luxury Bush villas (Single/ Sharing occupancy)
Meals: Full board
Website: https://www.rhinoridge.co.za
DAY FOUR/FIVE/SIX/SEVEN – HIP TO SODWANA TO KOZI BAY/BHANGA NEK
15 FEBRUARY 2023 to 18 FEBRUARY 2023 (4 nights/ 5 days)
After breakfast at Rhino Ridge, we’ll transfer the group to Sodwana for a light lunch, We will then be collected by the team from Thonga Trails and transported to Bhanga Nek. The next few days we will explore, walk on the beach, look for Turtle hatchlings, we’ll do an excursion to the estuary for snorkeling. We’ll enjoy sundowners while overlooking the unique lake system, and the Michelin chef Damien will prepare a delicious meal for you. We meet Andy Coetzee from Thonga Trails, who will guide us for the next few nights and days. To see more about the Thonga Trail look at https://www.thongatrails.com/the-trail
DAY EIGHT/NINE/TEN – SODWANA TO MABIBI
19 FEBRUARY 2023 to 21 FEBRUARY 2023 (3 nights)
After breakfast at Sodwana, and an Ocean Experience we will transfer you to Thonga Beach Lodge, this will be our home for three nights, and we will get to explore the beaches and oceans and just RELAX and REFLECT on what we have achieved over the past few days.
The lodge will provide all meals here; we can do more walks along the beach looking for the hatchlings. Thonga Beach Lodge is situated in the protected world heritage site Isimangaliso Park. Twelve luxurious thatched rooms (a few with private pools) are discreetly nestled into the dune forest overlooking Mabibi beach. With no development 100 miles up or 60 miles down the beach, this beach and marine wilderness sanctuary is unrivaled.
Thonga Beach Lodge is proud to have played a role in Maputaland’s world-renowned turtle success story. Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles have laid their eggs on this ancient shoreline for thousands of years. Thonga Beach Lodge and the Isibindi Foundation continue to play a role in protecting this breeding ground.
Activities: Involve Kayaking, Snorkelling, Sundowers on Sibaya **All activities are weather dependent and will be arranged accordingly
Accommodation: Thonga Beach Lodge
Type: Eco-friendly elegant Forest and ocean rooms (Single/ Sharing occupancy)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Website: https://www.thongabeachlodge.co.za/
DAY ELEVEN – SODWANA – JOHANNESBURG/DEPARTURE
22 FEBRUARY 2023
Early breakfast, we catch our road transfer back to Sodwana or to Durban King Shaka Airport where you can catch a domestic flight up to Johannesburg. Menzies Meet and Greet can assist you with International Departures, where your return flights home can be booked in the early evening – from 19h00 onwards. Some guests have opted to stay in Sodwana a few extra nights and will fly out of Richard Bay a few days later. (please chat to Carla about options)
You are among friends when you are with us. Together, we are in a safe space, and you have the freedom to be yourself and explore. Whether you have never left your home country or are a seasoned solo traveller, this trip will offer you adventure, friends, and breathless beauty.
*Please note this Itinerary and Price may change slightly, but the expedition host will keep you posted and updated if anything does happen. Terms and conditions apply due to availability. Please note that some activities are weather dependent, and we will do our best to accommodate them in our itinerary.
Sign up for our Newsletter
Stay up to date with Blue Sky Society Trust Newsletter!
The Blue Sky Society Trust is an accredited Non-Profit Organisation and Public Benefit Organisation. NPO number | NPO 118-708
PBO Registration number | 930046151
SATSA membership: 2773
Associations
To book fill in the form below
