South Africa | Optional Pre-trip Extension: The Big Five and the Cradle of Humankind

Depart Dulles for Johannesburg

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met by a by a representative name Prince holding a Holbrook Travel sign in the Arrival Hall, he will introduce you to your driver for the private transfer to the hotel. The hotel is located in Muldersdrift, about 50 minutes away between Johannesburg and the Magaliesberg Mountain Range. This countryside oasis, known as a hub for arts and culture, is perfect for travelers wanting an escape from the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg and Pretoria. The rest of the day will be at leisure to rest from your long flights. Dinner at the hotel restaurant. The hotel restaurant closes at 9:00 pm and serves their last guests at 8:30 pm. For those arriving into Johannesburg after 6:00 pm, a boxed dinner will be provided upon arrival at the reception desk. Guide will be accompanying the last transfer to the hotel. Check-in starts at 2 pm.

Meet your guide and the rest of your group at breakfast in the hotel restaurant at 7:00 am. Today, embark on the Malapa Human Origins Tour and Sterkfontein Cave Tour, where you will have the unique opportunity to experience first-hand two famous fossil dig sites - Gladysvale and Malapa - in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind. These sites are situated in a 22,000-acre nature reserve that protects some of the largest and most pristine areas of the remaining high-altitude dolomitic grasslands, which are second only to the Cape Floral Kingdom (fynbos) in terms of floral diversity. The reserve is home to leopard and brown hyena and antelope such as the magnificent eland, blesbok, kudu, blue wildebeest and red hartebeest, among other species. The area is an ancient landscape - truly primordial geology protecting and slowly revealing the ancient origins of the human species. Return to the hotel for a Welcome Orientation given by your guide followed by dinner.

Today visit the De Wildt Cheetah Research Centre for a two-hour guided tour. Here, you'll have the chance to witness a breathtaking high-speed cheetah chase. The Centre prides itself on its contributions to the conservation and survival of the cheetah species through meticulous breeding (ensuring genetic diversity) and the ability to release captive-born cheetahs as suitable space becomes available. It has also played an important role in the academic arena, and 80 research publications have been written and undertaken through the facility. Lunch at leisure. Dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, return to the airport for the flight to Hoedspruit. From here, travel to the lodge in Karongwe Private Game Reserve, located only 45 minutes from Kruger National Park and home to the Big Five as well as a wealth of other animals. Upon arrival, check in and have lunch. This afternoon, set out on a game drive in search of the Big Five - lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and the African buffalo. Game drives are conducted in open safari vehicles with qualified and knowledgeable guides. Have dinner at the lodge.

Start the day early with a wake-up call at 5 am, with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate served with rusks (a type of biscuit similar to a scone or biscotti and a South African treat). Depart on a morning game drive and return to the lodge for breakfast. During your down time, have the opportunity to visit a local school and interact withe the children. After lunch, meet for your mid-afternoon game drive. Dinner is served at the lodge.

Wake up before sunrise and prepare for an exciting day ahead. Meet your ranger and tracker for an early morning tea and coffee before heading out on your morning game drive. Return to the lodge for breakfast then spend the morning at leisure. This is a great time to do a bush walk for those looking to get up close with nature and look for the "Little Five" - the rhinoceros beetle, buffalo weaver, ant lion, leopard tortoise and elephant shrew. Have lunch at the lodge and then head out on your second game drive of the day as the African sun begins to plunge below the horizon. The animals become more active again, and the nocturnal animals get ready to hunt. As the sun sets, the ranger will find a nice spot for a "sundowner," where you will stop to watch the sunset and enjoy a drink of your choice. They might also stop for a little stargazing. Dinner will be enjoyed at the lodge.

Continue with morning and afternoon game drives.

Wake up before the sun rises. Meet your ranger and tracker for an early morning tea and coffee before heading out on your final morning game drive. Return to the lodge for breakfast before making the trip to Hoedspruit for your flight back to Johannesburg. Check in at the hotel, and then have dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning is at leisure, with breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Madagascar. Check-out is at 11 am.