OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS GUIDES & TRIP LEADERS SCHEDULE INCLUDED TICKETS GALLERY VENUE TRIP TIPS FAQ

South Africa·September 1 - 11 2023

SAFARI FOR THE SOUL

Join us for an 11-day adventure in South Africa.

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Overview

Welcome to your dream safari trip.... we will be staying at a private lodge located in the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate close to Kruger National Park. In addition to daily game drives to see the Big Five and local wildlife, our trip will include bush walks, a visit to the Moholoholo Rehab Center, a river boat cruise through Blyde Canyon, a scenic drive along the Panorama Route, watercolor and photography workshops, wine tasting, movie nights, time to chill by our private pool, a massage, and a traditional starlit bush braai!

Highlights

GAME DRIVES

A game drive is an adventure that entails viewing wildlife in the comfort of a 4×4 open-sided safari vehicle, a sure way to give you that classical safari feeling!

BUSH WALKS

A bush walk is just that - a walk thru the African bush! Guests are taken into a Big Five nature preserve to view wildlife on foot rather than in a game vehicle. The guided walk is led by an experienced guide who can describe and interpret the many species of wildlife that they encounter along the way.

CREATIVE WORKSHOPS

Watercolor and photography workshops will be offered. Capture the magic of South Africa through your own eyes and hands...

INCREDIBLE MEALS

You will never be hungry after the delicious and hearty meals we will share at the lodge!

REST & RESTORE

We have built in time on this trip for deep relaxation and restoration. Massages are included.

Guides & Trip Leaders

MEET SAVERIA!

Saveria Tilden (she/her) is the brains behind AdventurUs Women! She has a ridiculous amount of outdoor experience. As an educator in a variety of fields over the past twenty years, Saveria has experienced first-hand the magic that happens when women come together to learn about and explore the outdoors! She is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Master Educator. Saveria lives in Bend, OR with her adventure pup @BettyBooInTheWild. This Africa adventure is a bucket list for her, so she is just as excited as YOU are!

adventuruswomen

MEET JEN!

Jen McVeay (she/her) is our resident safari expert! She has spent the last five years traveling to South Africa every chance she gets, to pursue her hobby as a wildlife photographer. Her passion is travel, and she has managed to combine her jobs as an event director and travel agent with her obsession for wildlife… and TA-DA!! …an AdventurUs Women South Africa retreat was born! When not traveling, Jen lives in Kailua, HI, along with her eyeless dog Toby. She is excited to be working with Saveria to make YOUR bucket list dream of a safari come true!

jennymactravel

MEET MARIA!

Maria Du Plessis (she/her) is our hostess with the mostest at Rafiki Bush Lodge! With a great passion for customer service, Maria has a fierce eye for detail and her focus is to create lifetime memories for the ones that want to discover wild Africa. She takes great care in the little things, and anticipates her guests' every need. By the end of your trip, Maria will feel like family - - making every guest feel extra special. We are so fortunate to be partnering with Maria and Rafiki Bush Lodge, and we know you will fall in love with her (and little Mara!) just like we did!

rafiki.bushlodge

Schedule

DAY 1

September 1

Arrive Johannesburg (JNB) Overnight at City Lodge Hotel. Meet & Greet at hotel bar.

Not Included

Dinner

Alcohol

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DAY 2

September 2: The adventure begins!

Fly from JNB to Hoedspruit. Transfer to Rafiki Bush Lodge where we will settle into our rooms and relax before our first game drive.

Included

Flight from JNB to Hoedspruit.

Transfers

Game drive

Afternoon Snack

Dinner

Not Included

Breakfast

Alcohol

DAY 3

September 3

Two Game Drives, Photography Workshop, Wine Tasting, Braai

Included

Game Drives

Photo Workshop

Brunch

Afternoon Snack

Dinner

Wine

DAY 4

September 4

Bush Walk or massage, relaxation at the lodge poolside as animals wander by, afternoon game drive, movie night

Included

Bush Walk or Massage

Game Drive

Brunch

Afternoon Snack

Dinner

Not Included

Alcohol

DAY 5

September 5

Today we will head out for a scenic drive. The Panorama Route is a scenic road connecting several cultural and natural points of interest. This route, steeped in history, has some of the most stunning views in the area.

Included

Brunch

Dinner

Entry Fees

Not Included

Lunch

Alcohol

Souvenirs

DAY 6

September 6

This will be a day to remember! Meet, feed, and bond with a huge African Elephant! Enjoy some free time, a massage or watercolor hike, followed by an afternoon game drive, wine tasting, and Braai.

Included

Elephant Moments

Watercolor Workshop or Massage

Game Drive

Brunch

Afternoon Snack

Dinner

Wine

Not Included

Souvenirs

Gratuities at Elephant Moments

DAY 7

September 7

Two Game Drives, a fun game night, and wine tasting.

We will also visit the Moholoholo Rehab Center, a unique experience to all nature enthusiasts. The centre rehabilitates injured animals and releases them back in the wild. Close encounters with Cheetahs & vultures to name a few.

Included

Two Game Drives

Moholoholo Rehab Center

Brunch

Afternoon Snack

Dinner

Wine

Not Included

Souvenirs

DAY 8

September 8

More game drive adventures, hiking, and free time.

Included

Two Game Drives

Brunch

Afternoon Snack

Dinner

Not Included

Alcohol

DAY 9

September 9

Morning Bush Walk, followed by a river cruise! The Blyde Canyon is surrounded by the majestic Drakensberg mountains and is an absolute gem. We will take a cruise and learn all about the Blyde Dam, then enjoy an afternoon game drive.

Included

Bush Walk or Massage

Blyde River Cruise

Game Drive

Brunch

Afternoon Snack

Dinner

Not Included

Alcohol

Souvenirs

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DAY 10

September 10

Our last full day will be full of game drives, a watercolor workshop, and a traditional Bush Braii on a Big Five preserve, under the African stars!

Included

Two Game Drives

Brunch

Afternoon Snack

Bush Braii Dinner

Wine

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DAY 11

September 11

One last game drive before heading to the Hoedspruit airport to fly back to JNB and head home.

Included

Game Drive

Brunch

Not Included

Lunch

Dinner

Gratuity for Safari Guide

Gratuities for Lodge Staff

Alcohol

What's Included

All flights & transportation within South Africa

Group Zoom call leading up to the trip

10 nights lodging

Game Drives & Bush Walks

In Room Private Massage

4 Wine Tasting Nights

90% of Meals

Entry fees to excursions

Elephant Encounter

1 on 1 planning call and check-ins prior to trip to help prepare for your adventure

Memories to last a lifetime!

What's Not Included

Trip insurance with medical & repatriation coverage (required). Cancellation insurance recommended.

Alcoholic beverages

Guide & Lodge Gratuities

Airfare to and from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)

Personal expenses

Souvenirs

Tickets

Leopard Room

Double Occupancy Room with Twin Beds; sign up with a roommate, or one will be assigned. Additional details about the room below. Please note: Our international trips require a deposit of 50%. 10% of the full trip price is non-refundable.

FROM$6,495.00/_pp

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Giraffe Room

Queen Bed - $6995 per person single occupancy rate if traveling solo; $6295 per person double occupancy - must sign up with roommate and you will be sharing one bed. Additional details about the room below. Please note: Our international trips require a deposit of 50%. 10% of the full trip price is non-refundable.

FROM$6,295.00/_pp

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Buffalo Room

King Bed - $7195 per person single occupancy rate if traveling solo; $6495 per person double occupancy - must sign up with roommate and you will be sharing one bed. Additional details about the room below. Please note: Our international trips require a deposit of 50%. 10% of the full trip price is non-refundable.

FROM$6,495.00/_pp

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Elephant Room

FROM$6,295.00/_pp

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Gallery

VIEW GALLERY

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Exploring South Africa

Discovering the beauty of Africa

Hoedspruit is located in the Limpopo province in South Africa. The town sits at the base of the Klein Drakensberg mountains. Hoedspruit is situated on the railway line from Tzaneen to Kaapmuiden. Hoedspruit's main advantage is its proximity to the Kruger National Park and the privately owned lodges of Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and Klaserie Private Nature Reserve.

This small town is one of South Africa's major eco-tourist destinations to visit game lodges and private reserves. The countryside rich in game and open spaces is an adventure lover's paradise. It is surrounded by the largest conservation area in the world and specializes in mango and citrus fruit production.

Most of the rainfall here occurs in the mid-summer months with it being its coldest in July. Spring is the height of the dry season which is when we will be visiting. Because the rivers and dams are low, high concentrations of game can be viewed at these areas and game viewing in general is good. The first rains may start towards the end of October and the signs of spring and a new wet season are evident.

Trip Tips

TRAVEL PLANNING ASSISTANCE

We are proud to partner with JennyMac Travel Adventures for all of your travel needs! Whether it’s booking airfare, lodging, or a rental car for your next AdventurUs Women trip, Jen is committed to making your next adventure as fun as can be. Let Jen do the planning so you can focus on the adventure! Explore travel options at www.jennymactravel.com or contact Jen@jennymactravel.com!

REQUIRED TRIP INSURANCE

Trip insurance with medical and repatriation coverage is required for our international trips. Cancellation insurance is also recommended. Our travel partner, JennyMac Travel Adventures, is happy to book travel insurance for you at competitive rates. Contact Jen@jennymactravel.com! (You are also welcome to book insurance on your own... please be aware we will require proof of insurance prior to the trip.)

DEPOSITS & CANCELLATIONS

Our international trips require a deposit of 50%. 10% of the full trip price is non-refundable. If the Participant cancels 91 or more days before the Activity, they shall receive a full refund minus a cancellation fee of 15% of the full trip amount; Within 61-90 days before the Activity, a 50% refund will be given; Within 60 days of the Activity, there are no refunds given, no exceptions. To ensure your experience is unforgettable much of our planning is finalized in the months leading up to the trip. Scheduling of guides, permits, accommodations, food planning, goodie bags, and all the little things that make our events great get finalized manually. Cancellations within the 90-day window incur costs that we cannot recoup. Last minute cancellations within 60 days are even harder as we often cannot fill the vacated spot on short notice. Our cancellation policy ensures the best possible experience for everyone. We strongly recommend purchasing "cancel for any reason" trip insurance.

You'll Be Staying Here

Rafiki Bush Lodge

We would like to introduce you to Hoedspruit's newest luxury Bush Lodge in the Wildlife estate, Rafiki Bush Lodge.

We’re getting back to the basics... nature, romance and African style, all combined into one incredible experience right in the heart of The Greater Kruger. Located within the safe and secure surroundings of the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate in Limpopo, South Africa. Welcome to Big 5 country!

The laid back atmosphere and surrounding bushveld makes it the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city and a perfect stopover to fill days during your Bush holiday. It's located very central to use as a base to explore the Lowveld and surroundings. Right in the heart of the Greater Kruger area.

Rafiki is located within a private Wildlife Estate in Hoedspruit and is home to all the usual suspects: wildlife, beautiful sunsets, majestic mountain views and rare sightings of leopards. Rafiki means "friend" in Swahili - and that's what you are to us, a friend, not just a guest.

Leopard Room

This stunningly stylish room can be set up with two twin beds, or converted to a king size bed for the romantic at heart. The Leopard room also has its own private patio providing an exclusive bushveld view. This room is special, since a family of Bush Babies lives just steps away from the porch! f you're lucky, you will spot these tiny adorable primates heading out into the night as the sun sets, or hanging out of their house to cool off on a hot day! This well equipped room offers free bath and pool towels, bathrobes and complimentary toiletries. The private en-suite bathroom offers a tub as well as an outside shower. Like all of our rooms, guests in the Leopard room enjoy air conditioning, a coffee station, complimentary high speed internet, and in room safe.

Giraffe & Elephant Rooms

These airy and well-appointed rooms are exclusively decorated with your convenience in mind. They have beautiful bush views. The Giraffe & Elephant rooms have their own private patios providing an exclusive view, as they overlooks the African bushveld of the secure Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate - you might spot the local wildlife cruising by! These well equipped rooms offer free bath and pool towels, bathrobes, and complimentary toiletries. The rooms have an outside shower and flyscreens to keep the room airy. The floor plan is open, with the toilet and shower as part of the main room - - so this room is ideal for couples, singles, or very good friends. (For privacy purposes, an alternate half bath with toilet and sink are located just steps away in the common living area.) The Giraffe & Elephant rooms boast a Queen size bed, air conditioning, coffee station, complimentary high speed internet, and in room safe.

Buffalo Room

This luxurious and spacious room is exclusively decorated with your comfort in mind, and offers stunning views. The Premier Buffalo Room has its own private veranda providing an exclusive view, as it overlooks the African bushveld and majestic Drakensberg mountains. This well equipped room offers free bath and pool towels, bathrobes and complimentary toiletries. There is also an outside shower for the adventurous traveller and mosquito netting. The Buffalo room boasts a King size bed, private en suite bathroom with tub and separate shower, air conditioning, coffee station, complimentary high speed internet, and in room safe.

FAQs

When should I arrive?

We will be meeting at JNB on September 1st and staying the night at the airport before flying to Hoedspruit the next day.

You should plan on leaving the U.S. on August 31st to arrive on September 1st.

Want help arranging your travel?

Where can I find trip insurance?

Insurance is mandatory for our international adventures. Therefore this trip requires that we all have trip insurance that includes medical evacuation and repatriation insurance, which covers medical costs and the cost to get home if needed. Our travel partner, JennyMac Travel Adventures, is happy to book travel insurance for you at competitive rates. Contact Jen@jennymactravel.com! (You are also welcome to book insurance on your own... please be aware we will require proof of insurance prior to the trip.)

Does your passport expire within 6 months of our trip?

Please check that your passport does NOT expire within 6 months of our trip dates. (There is a funny story behind how we know this that may be shared over a glass of wine!) Also, be sure that you have at least two consecutive blank pages in your passport.

Do I need special vaccines or medications to visit South Africa?

No vaccines or malaria medications are required for South Africa. The area where we are traveling is considered a low malaria zone. We encourage you to chat with your personal physician to make the decision that is best for you.

Am I required to go on every game drive or bush walk? What if I want to sleep in??

We get it - - morning game drives and bush walks require a very early wakeup! At any point if you don't feel like getting up, that is totally up to you - - this is YOUR adventure. Similarly, if you just need an extra afternoon nap and don't feel like doing the afternoon game drive, feel free to grab some extra zzz's or just hang by the pool. This goes for all of our workshops and excursions... (but we know you will have FOMO and will probably go to all the things)! We want you to have the best time possible, whatever that may be for YOU!

What if I have a food allergy or certain food needs?

No problem - - just let us know in advance so that the lodge is aware of any allergies or special food needs.

What's the weather like in September?

September is springtime in South Africa, and the days will be warming up! Daytime highs can range from 78 to 94, while nights and early mornings can still be quite chilly, so we encourage you to pack layers or a warm jacket. (Blankets are always available during game drives.) Good hiking boots and long pants are encouraged for bush walks, but you'll also want to pack your shorts, swimsuit, and flip flops! Also, neutral colors are encouraged for bush walks - - khaki, brown, green, tan - - nothing too bright. We will give you tips for a packing list when we do our 1 on 1 check-ins before the trip!

Is there a weight limit for my luggage for the local flight in South Africa?

Yes there is! We will be flying Airlink from JNB to our lodge in Hoedspruit. These are smaller planes so the weight limit is approximately 40 lbs. (22kgs) per bag. But don't worry - there is no need to overpack. You only need to pack for 5 or 6 days, then we can do laundry as needed at the lodge. We recommend you bring one mid-sized suitcase plus a backpack -- and pack an extra duffel bag just in case you buy too many souvenirs!

What is the cancellation policy?

Please note: Our international trips require a deposit of 50%. 10% of the full trip price is non-refundable.

If the Participant cancels 91 or more days before the Activity, they shall receive a full refund minus a cancellation fee of 15% of the full trip amount; Within 61-90 days before the Activity, a 50% refund will be given; Within 60 days of the Activity, there are no refunds given, no exceptions.

To ensure your experience is unforgettable much of our planning is finalized in the months leading up to the trip. Scheduling of guides, permits, accommodations, food planning, goodie bags, and all the little things that make our events great get finalized manually. Cancellations within the 90-day window incur costs that we cannot recoup. Last minute cancellations within 60 days are even harder as we often cannot fill the vacated spot on short notice. Our cancellation policy ensures the best possible experience for everyone.

We strongly recommend purchasing "cancel for any reason" trip insurance.

What are the COVID requirements?

All participants must show proof of vaccination and should be prepared to follow all government and international travel requirements. Current info can be found here.

What COVID protocols will be followed on the trip?

Face coverings may be required when physical distancing cannot be maintained, if traveling in shared vehicles, and in any location where use is mandated.

Do you have questions that aren't answered here?

Let us know if you have any specific questions that aren't answered here! Email us at info@adventuruswomen.com or jen@jennymactravel.com.

What is the group size?

We want each experience to feel intimate and special and as such, keep our adventure trips small. This trip requires a minimum of 5 participants to run and may have up to 8.

SAFARI FOR THE SOUL

South Africa· September 1 - 11 2023· 10 nights

FROM$6495/_pp

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