Big 5 Combo Journey (South Africa)

Explore the Pride of the Eastern Cape’s Malaria-Free Greater Addo Area

Stay at two luxury Private Game Reserves - Lalibela and Kuzuko Lodge - both renowned for their sustainable tourism initiatives and lauded for their rehabilitation of endemic flora and fauna species conservation (scroll down for our SDG analysis). This journey package provides a unique opportunity for nature lovers to view, and learn about, the amazing Spekboom plant and the Big-5 land animals (Cape buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino). At both game reserves, you can also learn about the cheetah metapopulation initiative, which aims to increase the gene pool of this graceful predator species.

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Itineraries

Days 1-4

Lalibela Game Reserve

Your 8 day journey begins at Lalibela Game Reserve (located 94.6km from Port Elizabeth via the N2 to Grahamstown), with check-in at Mark’s Camp (12h00 - 13h00), which has an outdoor dining “boma” for fireside dinners and open-air brunches, as well as a gracious indoor dining area.

Your 4-night stay at Mark's Camp includes accommodation, two game drives per day (evening & morning), and all meals and all drinks (including on game drives). WiFi access is complimentary. After breakfast on day 5, you'll check out (by 11h00) and transfer to Kuzuko Lodge.

Need to Know:

• Road transfers to and from Port Elizabeth Airport - by prior arrangement.
• Lalibela Game Reserve is easily accessible with a standard rental car. There is no need to hire a SUV / 4X4 vehicle.
• Secure parking available at reception.
• Guests are transferred from reception to Mark's Camp in a Lalibela vehicle.
• All rooms have showers, single basins, and private viewing decks.
• Family rooms have partitioned sleeping areas for parents and children.
• Lalibela Game Reserve boasts one of the densest populations of free roaming lions in South Africa. Sightings of the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard) as well as other predators like cheetah, hyena, jackal and lynx are frequent.

Highlights

Family Friendly

Mark's Camp is discretely fenced for children's safety and offers an exciting children's programme for 2 years or older. For those under 2 years of age, experienced child-minders & babysitters can be provided.

Safari Cuisine

Lalibela Game Reserve has buffet dining for all meals, which encourage conversation and allow you to sample the hearty dishes such as ostrich steak with sherry jus, or lamb curry with parsley rice, and sticky poached pears for dessert.

Soft Walking Eco-Safari

"Soft" walking eco-safaris are available in the game  breeding area, which offers a more relaxed experience for the whole family to get up close and personal with game such as zebra, giraffe, warthog and various antelope.

Days 5-8

Kuzuko Game Reserve

From Lalibela, you'll travel 116km (via the N10 route) to Kuzuko Game Reserve, which is built high up on a hill with breath-taking views and complemented by luxurious chalets, warm attentive service, and true Karoo hospitality. Your 3-night stay here includes afternoon high-teas, four-course gourmet dinners, sumptuous breakfasts, selected local beverages, morning and afternoon game drives, and sundowner drinks and snacks.

Unwind and Rejuvenate:

• Perfect for couples, honeymooners, families, multi-generational, special occasions, wedding, and conference getaways.
• Kuzuko Game Reserve practices 'Impact Investment' – a concept with the main goals being to create jobs, solve social issues, and conserve the environment.
• Kuzuko's other key social focus lies in environmental education and training which they do through the Kuzuko Foundation.

Highlights

Diverse Activities

Loads of activities to enjoy during your stay at Kuzuko Game Reserve from the daily game drives, spa treatments, San Rock Art, guided nature walks with wonderful stops to enjoy sundowners with spectacular views.

Endemic Flora

Kuzuko is home to 3 of of South Africa's 7 biomes, namely Albany Thicket, Succulent Karoo, and Nama Karoo. The plains are favoured by antelope, the thicket by Kudu, and the Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) by elephants.

Karoo Cuisine

Expect gourmet cuisine at Kuzuko Game Reserve, inspired by the land – from high teas filled with delectable nibbles to full four-course dinner menus that include Karoo lamb, naturally infused by the flavours of the biome, and Spekboom salad.

• Luxury 5-Star accommodation
• All meals and selected local beverages
• Morning and afternoon game drives
• Sundowner drinks and snacks
• Conservation levies

• Medical insurance
• Premium beverages
• Wellness treatments
• Transport (flights, airport transfers, and transfers between game reserves)
• Additional activities
• Gratuities
• Any items of a personal nature.

Sustainable Development Impact

While the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are global concerns, and not aimed specifically at the travel and tourism industry, target 8.9 of the 2030 Agenda aims to "by 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products". In this regard, tourism has the potential to contribute, directly or indirectly to all 17 SDGs.

Travel with Purpose

For every night you spend at Lalibela and at Kuzuko, you make a difference through the Conservation and Community Levies that are included in this Winter Combo Special package rates deal. 100% of the levy funds collected are spent on the respective game reserves sustainable tourism projects.

Considering the track history and documented evidence of both Lalibela's and the Kuzuko Foundation Trust's commitments to conservation and community upliftment, Naturecrazi considers their respective SDG "qualifying criteria" as follows:

• SDG 1: Creates fixed term and permanent job opportunities for local communities.
• SDG 2: Actively engages in community feeding schemes and food growing agricultural projects.
• SDG 3: Works with local community health clinics.
• SDG 4: Contributes to sustainable local community development through education programs and research.
• SDG 6: Provides for careful handling and disposal of solid waste and sewage. Uses alternative, sustainable means of water acquisition and reduces water consumption.
• SDG 7: Meets its energy needs through passive design and renewable energy resources.
• SDG 8: Has planted 26 million Spekboom, resulting in 1,182 tonnes of CO2 already captured (Kuzuko).
• SDG 11: Uses traditional building technology and materials wherever possible and combines these with their modern counterparts.
• SDG 12: Grows and sources food ingredients locally, recycles food waste organically, and avoids plastic beverage containers where possible.
• SDG 13: Lodge construction and operation has minimal impact on the natural environment. Blends with local physical and cultural environment through careful attention to form, landscaping and colour, as well as the use of local traditional architecture.
• SDG 15: Conserves and rehabilitates the surrounding flora and fauna. Offers educational interpretive programmes to both its employees and tourists about the surrounding natural and cultural environments.

If you need flights to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) airport (PLZ) and car hire, our handy airline aggregator will find the best prices for your dates.

• Offer subject to availability for the peak period 01 December 2024 to 10 January 2025.
• Full pre-payment is required prior to arrival via Bank Transfer.
• 50% cancellation charge if cancellation occurs between 15 and 30 days prior to arrival.
• No cancellation charges will be levied in the case of a force majeure event (bookings that have been prepaid, will be refunded).