Journeys with Purpose (JWP02) Wind 2024

South Africa & Botswana
Date: 18 to 30 May 2024 – FULLY BOOKED
12 nights/13 days

Fly in: OT International Airport, Johannesburg by 9am on 18th May 2024
Fly out: OT International Airport, Johannesburg from 17h00 on 30th May 2024
Group size: 6-8 guests (Closed Group. Need a min of 4 people to run the trip)

Rate:
R60 000pp + R15 000pp (Fundraising) = R75 000pp Sharing
**R5000pp deposit is required to book a spot on the trip.
25% by 1st September 2023 . The balance is to be paid 90 days  (1 February 2024) before the departure date.
Price quoted is SA Rands. T&C Apply

**Blue Sky Society Trust expeditions are different as one of our main focuses is supporting Conservation organisations. We do this by charging/asking guests to raise funds for a particular conservation organisation.

Summary

Join an African adventure that promises to immerse you in wild and mysterious beauty, bringing together eco-warriors from around the world. The journey begins when we collect you from Johannesburg International Airport, South Africa, and head north to Lindani in the heart of the Waterberg. We then journey further north to Leshiba, where the magnificent Soutpansberg unveils its beauty.

Then cross over to Botswana to visit the Tuli Block, one of the most significant private game reserves in southern Africa, sustaining a multitude of wildlife. The Tuli Block is situated in eastern Botswana within a narrow strip along the Limpopo River in the border triangle of Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

The journey continues back into SA, heading just across the river to Limpokwena for some conservation work with the Endangered Wildlife Trust. We then continue our journey further south to the Pilansberg National Park. Finally, the journey ends back in Johannesburg. Get ready to be immersed in wild, mysterious beauty, with waist-high golden grasses, a million stars, and breathtaking landscapes.

Do YOU have any questions? We would love to hear from you.

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Highlights

Some of the extraordinary experiences you can look forward to as part of this group of solo eco-travellers include:

  • 13 days / 12 nights in South Africa and Botswana
  • Discover the wonders of Soutpansberg for history, wildlife, and scenic beauty.
  • Visit one of Botswana’s best-kept secrets the Tuli Block searching for predators and other wildlife.
  • Game drives and game walks exploring the rocky outcrops.
  • Isabel Wolf- Gillespie from Earth Awareness will take us to a school, planting trees with the children and/or seeing their community projects.
  • Spend a day with the remarkable team from Endangered wildlife trust (EWT) hearing about the vital Vulture and/or Wild dog research work they do in the Limpopo area;
  • Make lifelong friendships with other travellers from around the world who are just as passionate about making a difference in Africa as you are.
  • Enjoy an exceptionally organised once-in-a-lifetime African experience where all logistical details are taken care of for you.
  • Raising funds for Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT)

Frequency: Annual once-a-year trip
Fitness Rating: Moderate to Fit.
Tour Features: Wildlife Conservation, Youth Conservation Education, English-spoken, Fundraising for Wildlife Conservation Groups, Women/Men
Beneficiary: Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT)
Accommodation: A mixture of tents /bungalows /rooms. Accommodation is SHARING unless single occupancy is arranged.
Price: Mid-Range
Min: 6 eco-adventurers (*We need a min of 4 people to run this trip + 2 BSE crew).
Max: 8 eco-adventurers

*Please note that this Itinerary and Price may change slightly, but the expedition host will keep you updated if anything happens. Terms and conditions apply due to availability. Please note some activities are weather dependent, and we will do our best to accommodate them all in our itinerary. In some areas, there will be minimal or no Wi-Fi signal (We do love a digital detox)

 

Do YOU have any questions? We would love to hear from you.

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Includes

  • Expedition leader and native South African – Carla Geyser.
  • Basic accommodation – sharing accommodation
  • All meals & water as shown in the itinerary.
  • National Park fees & taxes where applicable.
  •  R15 000pp fundraising for our chosen beneficiary: EWT (NB: This money can either be paid by person or fundraised by the person)
  • All activities detailed in the itinerary. 
  • Transportation to and from the airport during the expedition only

Excludes

  • Any Flights & any necessary transfers to get to the start/finish of the expedition
  • Gratuities (*We recommend US$ 5 to 10 per guide or activity*)
  • Any visas & border costs for South Africa or Botswana
  • Alcoholic drinks & snacks & any extra meals not on the itinerary
  • Any personal expenses
  • Comprehensive travel insurance (*Compulsory*)
  • JHB Extra nights’ accommodation (pre/ post-expedition) – Budget on approximately R1000pppn
  • Any extra activities not mentioned in the itinerary

Itinerary

JWP 02 Wind Trip 2024 Daily Calendar
DATES: 18th – 30th May 2024
13 Days/ 12 Nights
Country: South Africa & Botswana 
Day Date Time Department Details / Comments  Action
0 17/05/2024 (Fri) ETA Flight Flights to South Africa Depart from overseas Own Account
Accommodation Overnight in JHB if needed Own Account
Comments: BSST will meet you at the airport on arrival on the 18th otherwise overnight in JHB. Please arrive by 9 am on the 18th of May 2024
DAY 1 
Day Date Time Department Details / Comments  Action
1 18/05/24 (Sat) ETA 09h00 Flight Flight from overseas to OT  International Airport Own Account
ETD 14h00 Transfer Collect guests at the airport and drive to Lindani in the Waterberg BSE
Meals Fully catered – Lunch/Dinner/Breakfast BSE
Activities Afternoon or Morning  walk/Drive BSE
Accommodation The Loft or similar Lindani Lodges
Comments: Collect crew from OT International Airport. Drive 3 hours approximately to the Waterberg.
DAY 2 & 3
Day Date Time Department Details / Comments  Action
2 19/05/24 (Sun) ETD: 11h00 Road Transfer Drive from Lindani to Leshiba in the Soutpansberg BSE
3 20/05/24 (Mon) Meals Fully catered – Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner BSE
Activities Game Walk/Drives BSE
Accommodation  Luvondo rondavels or similar Leshiba
Comments:
DAY 4 & 5
Day Date Time Department Details / Comments  Action
4 21/05/24 (Tue) Road Transfer Drive from Soutpansberg to Tuli Block (Botswana) BSE
5 22/05/24 (Wed) Meals Full catering- Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner TW
Activities Day 4 – Game Drive
Day 5 – Game Drive/Walk
Day 6 – Game Drive
TW
Accommodation Tuli Wilderness – Mohave camp TW
Comments:
DAY 6/7 & 8
Day Date Time Department Details / Comments  Action
6 23/05/24 (Thu) Road Transfer Drive from TW to Tswehe BSE
7 24/05/24 (Fri) Meals Fully catered – Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner LTC
8 25/05/24 (Sat) Activities Day 6 – Game Drive sundowners or relax
Day 7 – Community Work
Day 8 – Walk/Game Drive + Drive
LTC
Accommodation Tswehe – Lone Tree Camp LTC
Comments: We will be doing some community work with Isabel from Earth Awareness.
DAY 9 & 10
Day Date Time Department Details / Comments  Action
9 26/05/24 (Sun) Road Transfer Drive from Tuli Block to Limpokwena BSE
10 27/05/24 (Mon) Meals Fully catered – Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Limpokwena
Activities Day 9 – Game Drive/Sunset
Day 10 – Conservation work EWT
BSE
Accommodation Island Camp or Main camp Limpokwena
Comments: We will be doing some conservation work with EWT
DAY 11 & 12
Day Date Time Department Details / Comments  Action
11 28/05/24 (Tue) Road Transfer Drive from Limpokwena to Pilansberg National Park BSE
12 29/05/24 (Wed) Activities Day 11 – Game Drive
Day 12 – Game Walks/Drive
Day 13 – Game Drive
SANPARKS
Accommodation Thutlwa Safari Lodge SANPARKS
Comments: Stop for Supplies at Alldays. We will be self-catering for the next few days. Everyone gets involved in food preparation. Our game drives will be with a guide.
DAY 13
Day Date Time Department Details / Comments  Action
13 30/05/24 (Thu) Road Transfer Drive from Pilansberg to the OT Airport BSE

*Please note that this Itinerary and Price may change slightly, but the expedition host will keep you updated if anything happens. Terms and conditions apply due to availability. Please note some activities are weather dependent, and we will do our best to accommodate them all in our itinerary. In some areas, there will be minimal or no Wi-Fi signal (We do love a digital detox)

DAY ONE – ARRIVAL DAY: WATERBERG

Airport pick-up. Welcome to South Africa!   Your adventure begins when you are greeted at the  airport by Carla Geyser. Please make sure you arrive BEFORE 9 am as we are heading out to the Waterberg. The slow drive north will take about three to four hours. We will spend the night getting to know each other around a camp fire.

DAY TWO/THREE: SOUTPANSBERG

After packing up, we head off to the breathtaking Soutpansberg area. The VhaVenda call it “Tha vhani ya muno” – the Mountain of salt. Rising like an island from the surrounding bushveld flatlands, the forgotten Soutpansberg is South Africa’s best-kept secret and one of the country’s most unique and unexplored natural areas. The name ‘Soutpansberg’ is derived from the large natural salt pan to the northwest of the range. Spending two nights at Leshiba Wilderness, where within this malaria-free reserve, guests may experience over 380 indigenous tree species and an abundance of animal and bird life, as well as enjoy sundowner game drives, and guided nature walks learning about trees and plants.

DAY  FOUR/ FIVE: LIMPOPO TO TULI BLOCK

After packing up we head off to Platjan Border post to cross into Botswana.

Tuli Wilderness offers a wonderful natural location to awaken the explorer in you and to enjoy an authentic wilderness experience reminiscent of Africa a century ago. Situated on an exclusive concession in the vast Northern Tuli Game Reserve in eastern Botswana, Tuli Wilderness is owner-managed by Stuart and Julie Quinn, who have a wealth of experience in the southern African wildlife tourism, hospitality, and training industry.

Mohave Bush Camp is a small and private rustic bush camp. The camp is located on the banks of the Mohave River in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve. Tuli Wilderness’ private and exclusive 24 000 acre concession of Botswana wilderness makes an ideal getaway or stop-over point for travellers between Botswana and South Africa, as well as a unique and true African Safari Experience for International Guests.

DAY SIX /SEVEN / EIGHT: TULI BLOCK

Today we travel a small distance to our next camp. Tswehe Wildlife Reserve is situated in the heart of Tuli, Botswana. The reserve is home to the highest peak of the region called Tswehe Hill, which was named after the elusive Mountain Reedbuck with its whistling call echoing ‘tswehe’ from afar. The reserve borders the mighty Limpopo River in the South, where Pels Fishing Owls are abundant, fishing amongst crocodiles and hippos.

Heading North through the vast expanse of the reserve, the vegetation changes from thick riverine forest to Savanna woodland, interspersed by rocky outcrops and ancient Baobabs. Tswehe’s rich biodiversity provides a paradise for Elephant, Leopard, Lion, Hyena, Zebra, Giraffe, Wildebeest, and a host of many antelope and wildlife species. Their vision is a balance between conservation, communities, and sustainable low-impact tourism. We will spend the next three nights and days exploring the area or just sitting at the watering hole. You will meet Lloyd and Isabel owners of this camp. Passionate about nature and making a difference. We will be doing some community work with Isabel.

DAY NINE & TEN: TULI BLOCK TO LIMPOPO

After a beautiful morning we will pack and head back into South Africa to Limpokwena. Limpokwena Nature Reserve is committed to preserving 2,400 hectares of the South African bush where the Limpopo and Mogalakwena Rivers converge. An oasis set on the South African side of the Botswana border, open to the Thuli Block. We consider the fauna and flora as our partners and guides rather than as our assets – elephants, giraffes, leopards, and antelope come and go with the same sense of freedom that we aim to provide to our guests. A vast expanse to explore and the natural beauty of Limpopo Province will soothe your woes and reinvigorate your senses.

Accommodation: The Island Camp is an exclusive rustic tented camp set on an Island in the Limpopo River. The perfect spot to unwind and take in the rare surrounding wilderness. Grab a book & a drink, and settle in for a relaxing blissful time in the wild!

The Island Camp is open and unfenced and lies between the border of South Africa and Botswana. It is open to the Thuli Game Reserve and allows for various game species to move through the camp. Elephants, hippos, and hyenas are regular visitors, and there are also plenty of crocodiles in the surrounding pools of water. The camp does not have any cellular service or WiFi and so a hand-held radio will be provided for any emergencies. The camp is serviced by Eskom and so electricity is available and plug points are provided in the main kitchen and the tents.

DAY ELEVEN/TWELVE – LIMPOPO TO NORTH WEST PROVINCE

Today we pack up and say goodbye to the almighty Limpopo River and head further south to the magnificent Pilansberg National Park. Among Southern Africa’s fascinating game reserves, Pilanesberg National Park is possibly the most accessible. Situated in the ecologically rich transition zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld, this vast area promises thrilling big game viewing in a malaria free environment. A wide variety of accommodation is available to suit your needs. This is where we spend our last two days.

DAY THIRTEEN – JOHANNESBURG/DEPARTURE

Early breakfast and then drive to O.R Tambo International Airport for our final farewells. Departure Flights are to be booked in the early evening – from 17h00 onwards. If you would like to stay longer please chat to Carla about options and prices.

You are among our friends when you are with us. Together, we are in a safe space and you have the freedom to be yourself and to explore. Whether you have never left your home country or are a seasoned solo traveller, this trip is guaranteed to offer you adventure, friends, and breathless beauty.

*Please note that this Itinerary and Price may change slightly, but the expedition host will keep you updated if anything happens. Terms and conditions apply due to availability. Please note some activities are weather dependent, and we will do our best to accommodate them all in our itinerary. In some areas, there will be minimal or no Wi-Fi signal (We do love a digital detox)

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