Wes Hixon Outdoor Adventures

Photographic Safaris

We offer custom-tailored safaris. This is not a group tour but an exclusive experience for a maximum of 6 people. Safaris and tours are personally arranged and guided by our professional staff. Our lodge is set high in the Crocodile Gorge Mountains outside the town of Nelspruit, on approximately 3,000 acres of unspoiled bush, in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.

The lodge offers a magnificent view of the fabled De Kaap Valley and Swaziland Escarpment. Our staff has a diverse knowledge of Mpumalanga, it's people and its wonderful wildlife.

Combine their high standards with luxury game lodges, exciting game drives, excellent South African wines and cuisine around a campfire in the African bush, and you have all the ingredients for the "Safari of a lifetime."

 The proximity of the camp to the following attractions allow for easy day trips.

•  Kruger National Park
•  Shangana Cultural Village
•  Sudwala Caves
•  Blyde River Canyon
•  Fresh Water Fishing
•  De Kaap Valley

 Safaris are tailor-made to suit individual requirements and itineraries, although past experience has proven the following attractions and add-ons to be very popular. These attractions can be added prior to or after other safaris.

• Cape Town
•  Garden Route
•  Botswana/Zambia
•  Wine Tours
•  Whale Watching
•  Shark Diving
•  Mozambique Fishing
•  Luxury Game Lodges
•  Vic Falls / Livingstone Island

Sample Photographic and Explorer Safaris

Big 5 Photographic Safaris

Day 1 - Arrive at Johannesburg International for daily domestic connecting flights to KMI Airport Nelspruit. Here you will be met by our staff and transferred to the lodge. Afternoon at leisure, relax at the swimming pool. Dinner and overnight at our lodge.

Day 2 - Breakfast at lodge before departing for excellent game viewing in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, home to the Big Five. Afternoon and evening game drive. Dinner and overnight at luxury lodge in Sabi Sand Reserve.

Game drives are in open Land Rovers with an experienced ranger and tracker. Two game drives daily, lasting approximately 3 hours each. Early-morning drive and late-afternoon game drive, sundowner in the bush then spotlights are used to track predators such as Lion, Leopard and other nocturnal animals. Game drives are exciting, often venturing off-road and offering exceptionally close encounters with game. Photographic opportunities are outstanding. After brunch, a safari walk is available for guests interested in the various animals, insects, trees, tribal values and animal tracks. Dinner is held in a boma around a glowing fire. Special venison dishes feature prominently on the varied four-course buffet menu.
 

Day 3 - Morning and afternoon game drive. Midday walk. Breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner. Overnight at luxury lodge in Sabi Sand Reserve.

Day 4 - Early morning game drive returning for breakfast. After breakfast leave game reserve for Casa Do Sol Hotel. Option of drive via Kruger National Park to Casa Do Sol. Cultural experience with Shangana Evening Festival at Shangana Village. Overnight at Casa Do Sol.

Day 5 - Morning departure after breakfast to arrive at the Timbavati Game Reserve for two days of game viewing. Afternoon and evening game drive. Dinner and overnight at luxury lodge in Timbavati Game Reserve.

Day 6 - Morning and afternoon game drive. Midday walk. Breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner. Overnight at luxury lodge in Timbavati Game Reserve.

Day 7 - Morning game drive, breakfast, depart for the lodge via scenic Drakensberg Mountains, Blyde River Canyon and roadside curio shopping. Overnight at the lodge.

Big 5 Safari and Explorer - Day 1 - Day 8 (7 nights) - Cost per person $3,500

Includes:

• Full-time services of guides, camp staff and ground transportation while on safari.
• Government Value Added Tax of 14% (current).
• Luxury accommodations, all meals and soft drinks. Alcoholic beverages to include beer and table wine at lodge.
• Laundry at the lodge.
• All Park and Reserve entrance fees.

Excludes:

• Bar bill at private game lodges and guest houses.
• Hard liquor and spirits at the lodge.
• Personal items.
• Gratuities.

Terms and Conditions:

• A deposit of 50% of the total daily cost is required to confirm the booking.
• Balance of daily rates payable 60 days prior to commencement of safari.
• Deposits are not refundable but by the sole discretion of the company can be transferred or carried over to the following season.

The following destinations can be added or custom planned:

Cape Town and Winelands

Day 8 - Fly KMI Airport directly to Cape Town. Personally met by your private guide and transferred to your hotel. Day at leisure to explore or relax. Overnight at Victoria & Alfred Hotel or Constantia Uitsig Hotel. Framed by the ocean and Table Mountain, the elegance and luxury of the Victoria & Alfred Hotel is rivaled only by its relaxed atmosphere and warm personal service. Located in the historic 1904 North Quay Warehouse, this independently-owned hotel is renowned for the highest international standards, and its idyllic setting in the heart of the waterfront affords it spectacular views. The luxurious interiors complemented by elegant decor, along with all the modern essentials required by international travelers, ensure that guests will feel comfortably at home.

Day 9 - Met by private guide at hotel for orientation tour of Cape Town. A trip up Table Mountain (weather permitting) and to Kirstenbosch Gardens. Overnight Victoria & Alfred Hotel or Constantia Uitsig Hotel.

Day 10 - Today you will be touring the Cape Peninsula. Start the day at Groot Constantia, traveling down via Kalk Bay, Simon's Town (naval base) towards the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Lunch enjoyed en route. Visit the southernmost point at Cape Agulhas. Travel back via Chapman's Peak. Afternoon tea enjoyed. Overnight Victoria & Alfred Hotel or Constantia Uitsig Hotel.

Day 11 - This morning, fetched in grand old style from hotel by vintage car to tour the wine lands. Start in Paarl, at the Language Monument. Continue on to Franschoek, the French quarter of the Cape. Stop-off at wine estates along the way to enjoy some wine tasting. Continue on to Spier wine estate for a typically South African lunch at the Jonkershuis. In the afternoon, visit the town of Stellenbosch and the Living Museum. Overnight Victoria & Alfred Hotel or Constantia Uitsig Hotel.

Day 12 - Pickup from hotel by private guide. Last minute sightseeing before being taken to Cape Town International for your flight back home.

Cape Town & Winelands - Day 9 - Day 13 ( 4 nights) - Cost per person $2,250 (A) $1,850 (B).

Based on staying at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel (A) or Constantia Uitsig Hotel (B).

Included in Cost:

• Accommodation at Victoria & Alfred Hotel and Constantia Uitsig on a per-person sharing basis.
• Private guide throughout with private vehicle.
• Lunches on days 2, 3 and 4.
• Breakfasts daily at hotel.
• All entrance fees, and cable car trip.
• Drinks included with meals.
• Vintage car on day 4.

Excluded in Cost:

• Dinners at Victoria & Alfred and Constantia Uitsig Hotel.
• Items of a personal nature.

Victoria Falls and Livingstone

Day 8 - Fly KMI Airport directly to Johannesburg Intl. for a connecting flight to Victoria Falls on the Zambian side. On arrival guests are met by their host and assisted with immigration formalities and transferred to the prestigious 5-Star Royal Livingstone Hotel. En route your host will introduce you to Livingstone Town, its history and provide insight into the Zambian people. Check in at hotel. In the late afternoon you are invited to explore the Zambezi River aboard the triple-deck African Queen, a luxurious 70-foot catamaran. Guests will be escorted to the topmost deck, the prestigious Captain's Cabin. A private steward will be assigned to you throughout the cruise. After sunset, guests will be transferred back to the Royal Livingstone Hotel in a private vehicle. Dinner at leisure. Overnight at Royal Livingstone Hotel.

Day 9 - In the mid-morning, guests are transferred from the lobby to the entrance of the Falls in a private golf cart. Your host will guide you through the Falls and point out important features as well as discuss the formation of the falls, and their significance to the local tribes and religions. At the end of your tour and curio shopping, guests board a private 4x4 safari vehicle for a 20-minute ride to a beautiful picnic spot overlooking the Batoka Gorge, a series of 200-foot deep gorges which run for 30 km below the falls. Next is a sumptuous three-course lunch served by a maiden in traditional Chitenje outfit. After lunch, guests are accompanied to meet with the Mukuni village, which dates back 700 years and is ruled by a male and female chief. Guests are transferred back to their hotel for a dinner at leisure. Overnight at the Royal Livingstone Hotel.

Day 10 - Transferred early to a boat launch site a few kilometers upriver. A professional river guide will meet you and take you upriver by boat, to the raging rapids where Tiger Fish frolic. The Zambezi River has over 40 species of fish, one of which is the famous Fighting Tiger Fish. Drinks and lunch served on board. Return to hotel by 12:30. The late afternoon, after a midday rest, is ideal to view the falls by helicopter. Dinner at leisure. Overnight at the Royal Livingstone Hotel.

Day 11 - Breakfast in restaurant. Guests check out of the Royal Livingstone. Your luggage will be collected and loaded onto your 4x4 vehicle. Your host will transfer you to the Livingstone Airport for your flight to Johannesburg, continuing back home.

Victoria Falls - Day 9 - Day 11 (3 nights) - Cost per person $1,750, based on staying at the Royal Livingstone Hotel.

Included in Cost:

• Return airport transfers (Livingstone Airport) in custom 4x4 vehicle.
• Guide for tour of the Victoria Falls (entry fees included in the accommodation rate).
• Sunset cruise on the African Queen in the privacy of the Captain's Cabin, including bar, snacks, dedicated steward and private return transfers.
• Picnic three-course silver service lunch above the Batoka gorges and transfers.
• Private Mukuni Village tour including local village guide.
• Half-day fishing safari with guide including full tackle, bar and transfers.
• 13 minute helicopter "Flight of Angels" above the falls including return transfers.
• Dedicated services of a Victoria Falls host throughout the program.
• Accommodations at the Royal Livingstone Hotel on a per-person sharing basis.

Excluded in Cost:

• Airfare domestic and international.
• Visas, where required.
• All meals other than snacks aboard the African Queen and lunch at the Batoka gorge as specifically indicated in program.
• Any extra items of personal nature e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar.
• Tips, gratuities, porterage fees.
• Any other optional tours and activities.

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