We hope that this example holiday will give you give some inspiration to help you begin to plan your own dream holiday to Africa.
The next couple of pages show a summary of the itinerary, followed by a detailed page on each destination.
Important travel information for visitors to South Africa and Seychelles is included at the back of this document.
All the holidays we offer to our clients are tailor-made so we can adjust this trip to fit in with your travel dates, interests, preferred accommodation...and of course your budget.
All our travel consultants have extensive knowledge of travel throughout Southern and East Africa, and our strong relationships with suppliers mean that our rates to you will always be competitive.
Let us take the hard work out of planning your trip: you can get in touch either by giving us a call on +44 (0) 1932 428380, completing the Enquiry Form on our website or emailing us at info@travelbutlers.com.
We look forward to hearing from you!
The Travel Butlers Team
Holiday Title: Classic Safari and Seychelles
Holiday Destination: Holiday to South Africa and Seychelles for 9 nights
Passengers: 2 Adults
*Excludes international flights from your home country - please ask us if you would like us to include these for you.
All monies paid by UK customers for the air package holiday shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 10245.
When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.
Arrive into Hoedspruit Airport. You will be met in the airport building by your driver and once you have collected your luggage you will then be transferred to the Balule Reserve.
Set on the cool banks of the Olifants River in the Balule Private Nature Reserve inside the Greater Kruger National Park, the award-winning Pondoro Game Lodge offers its visitors comfort, sophistication, elegance and a canvas on which to create an unforgettable African safari. Off-road driving enables the best possible view of any exceptional sighting and rangers are constantly in touch with each other to keep track of animal movements. Your experienced guide will not only use all their vast knowledge and bush craft to try and show you the notorious Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and other plains game such as zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, but they will do their best to paint memories of an Africa that will never fade away.
Balule Nature Reserve
After you return from your morning game drive, you will have time to enjoy breakfast before you are collected and transferred to the airport.
Airlink 4Z872 (Economy Class): Fly from Hoedspruit Air Force Base (HDS) departing at 11:20 to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), arriving at 12:20
Exit the terminal and make your own way to the shuttle terminus behind the InterContinental Hotel. Wait here for the Emperors Palace bus - the shuttle vans are black with the Emperors Palace logo on the sides and the drivers wear a black Emperors Palace Uniform. The complimentary shuttle service between the hotel and the airport terminals operates every 20 minutes between 06:00 and 23:00 daily.
Closely situated to OR Tambo International Airport, the Peermont Mondior Hotel features spacious rooms which are all fitted with cutting-edge technology and furnished in an elegant and contemporary African style. Hotel guests also have access to the casino, dining, entertainment and spa facilities at the Emperors Palace Entertainment Resort.
Johannesburg
After a leisurely breakfast, take the complimentary shuttle bus to the International Departure Terminal and check in for your flight to Seychelles. Passengers are advised to check in at least 2.5 to 3 hours prior to the flight departure.
Air Seychelles HM060 (Economy Class): Fly from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) departing at 13:50 to Seychelles International Airport (SEZ), arriving at 20:45
Once you have cleared Customs & Immigration at Mahe Airport and collected your luggage, you need to make your way into the Arrivals Hall to the Welcome Kiosk of our representative in Seychelles. Here, you will be welcomed to the island and then transferred to your hotel.
Le Meridien Fisherman's Cove is situated on 3 km of sparkling ivory sands at the western tip of Seychelles in the bay of the famous and picturesque Beau Vallon Beach.
You will need to check out of your room this morning but you can remain at the hotel and use all the facilities until you are collected for your transfer back to the airport. Alternatively, if you have an evening flight, the hotel can arrange a late check out for you (additional cost and payable directly to the hotel) subject to the availability of the room.
Pondoro is set on the banks of the Olifants River inside the Big 5 Balule Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Morning and evening game drives are done in open game drive vehicles, and regular Big 5 sightings (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard) are encountered during game drives.
Because the lodge is situated on a river, hippos and crocodiles are also regularly seen during bushwalks, and 3 bush hides overlooking waterholes can also be visited.
Between game drives, nature walks and peaceful afternoon naps, enjoy a dip in the sparkling rock pool, a spot of sun bathing or browse through the library. The Pondoro bar is the ideal spot to quench your thirst and grab a snack.
The Serenity Spa offers an escape to a place of sophistication and indulgence. Revitalize your mind, body and soul with classic spa treatments which range from a glass covered steam room, a spa bath under the wide African sky to a massage in the privacy of your room.
The lodge has 3 standard chalets overlooking the Olifants River. Each standard chalet has been beautifully decorated with an African theme, and all have en-suite bathrooms (with a shower overlooking the river), air-conditioning, mosquito nets and a wooden deck.
For guests looking for the ultimate luxury, there are 5 spacious suites, which are all air-conditioned and architecturally designed, offering modern comforts in an ancient setting. Each suite has a private wooden deck, a lounge area and an outside shower for those who are adventurous at heart.
Nights: | 3 Nights | ||
Adults: | 2 | Children: | 0 |
Room: | 1 x Luxury Chalet | ||
Includes: | Three meals daily; tea/coffee; mineral water; soft drinks; house wines; selection of spirits; daily morning and evening game drives; and nature walks accompanied by experienced armed trackers are included. Children over the age of 12 are permitted on nature walks. Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari. |
Closely situated to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, the Peermont Mondior is part of the Emperors Palace - a sensational resort that combines the timeless classical elegance of Rome with eclectic Monte Carlo architecture, providing a world-class entertainment experience for everyone.
Feast on a fabulous variety of dishes at the culinary parade of restaurants. With international buffets, fine dining, contemporary Asian to classic Mediterranean, chic cocktail bars and relaxed family eateries, the possibilities are endless.
The Palace also showcases a celebration of local and international shows, productions and musicals in a multitude of superbly appointed entertainment venues including the Centre Court arena, Theatre of Marcellus, Red Roman Shed and The Barnyard Theatre.
Peermont Mondior guests also have access to the majestic Emperors Palace Casino, where every turn of a card and spin of a wheel, deals a winning combination of excitement and thrills.
The 4* Peermont Mondior features 150 spacious rooms and suites which are all fitted with cutting-edge technology and furnished in an elegant and contemporary African style.
The chic Oriana restaurant offers breakfast and light meals and guests can enjoy a delectable cocktail at the Silver Moon Bar.
A complimentary shuttle service between the airport terminals and the hotel runs daily between 06:00 and 23:00.
Nights: | 1 Night | ||
Adults: | 2 | Children: | 0 |
Room: | 1 x Classic Room | ||
Includes: | Breakfast is included. |
Le Meridien Fisherman's Cove is located at the edge of 3 km of sparkling ivory sands on the western tip of Mahé in the bay of the famous picturesque Beau Vallon Beach. Lush gardens create an inspiring atmosphere for a romantic idyll or a serene getaway.
Beyond the simple relaxation afforded by the sand and sea, an exhilarating choice of water sport activities and spa awaits your discovery. All non-motorized water sports such as canoeing and snorkelling are offered at no extra cost to guests. A variety of water sports can also be arranged at an extra cost in the vicinity of the Beau-Vallon Beach. Additionally, the resort offers an outdoor swimming pool and a lighted outdoor tennis court.
The resort's Fitness and Zen Spa centre features a gym, steam bath, plunge pool, and 2 double massage rooms with open-air showers.
The 2 restaurants and bars allow you to explore innovative pairings of flavours and aromas, or else you can go for a short wander to the local bars and restaurants situated nearby.
The 68 tastefully furnished guest rooms and suites all offer views of the Indian Ocean and lush vegetation. The open plan Superior Ocean View rooms have magnificent views of the Beau Vallon Beach and either a private balcony or terrace. The spacious open plan Deluxe Ocean View rooms rest amongst verdant tropical fauna, with a private garden terrace with beachfront views. The Junior Ocean View Suites also have a private garden terrace. The Deluxe Garden View Suites have double doors opening onto a private balcony with sun loungers surrounded by pristine gardens dotted with vibrant Alamanda flowers.
The Executive Ocean Front Suites, all perched alongside the beachfront, offer the luxury of space and a private terrace with direct access to the beach just a few steps away, or choose an Executive Ocean View Suite with a private balcony.
Nights: | 5 Nights | ||
Adults: | 2 | Children: | 0 |
Room: | 1 x Superior Room (Early Bird 20% Offer applied) | ||
Includes: | Breakfast and dinner are included. The Early Bird 20% Offer (CEBB36) is applicable for bookings confirmed 90 days prior to arrival. |
Additional requirements and restrictions may apply for travel during the Covid-19 pandemic. Travel Butlers aim to highlight these requirements to affected clients, however the onus remains with the traveller to ensure they are aware of any requirements and restrictions that will apply to their own trip.
For up-to-date travel information from the UK government, please check:
UK Government Advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa
It is expected that these rules will be lifted and that the entry requirements will revert to normal as soon as the government of South Africa deems it safe to do so.
Normally, holders of the following passports do not require a visa to enter South Africa when travelling as a tourist for stays up to 90 days: United Kingdom; United States of America; Canada; Australia; Ireland; Belgium; Netherlands; Italy; France; Germany; Spain, Switzerland.
If you are a passport holder from another country, please contact your local South Africa High Commission or Embassy for up-to-date visa requirements, as citizens of certain countries (including New Zealand) are required to obtain visas before travelling. Please note that if you are applying to the Embassy for your visa, some visas can take a long time to be processed so please do take this into consideration, as it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa in place before you travel. The government will launch its new eVisa (Electronic Visa) system in March 2022. The system will simplify international visitors’ visa applications to South Africa.
Children under 18 years of age who require a visa to enter South Africa may be required to provide additional information when applying for the visa including an unabridged birth certificate and affidavit if travelling with only one parent. There are also additional rules for unaccompanied minors and/or South African children - details available on request or via the SA Department of Home Affairs at http://www.dha.gov.za.
Please note that anyone travelling to South Africa should have a valid return ticket and a valid passport. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 30 days from the date of exit from South Africa. However, some immigration officials still request that a passport should have at least 6 months validity from the date of entry to South Africa so to avoid problems on arrival, we advise that your passport meets this requirement instead. The passport must also have sufficient pages for entry/exit stamps - AT LEAST 2 BLANK PAGES.
South Africa has implemented biometric capturing at all ports of entry. This may result in some delays at land borders so you should allow additional time for border crossings.
PLEASE NOTE: Countries can change their entry requirements at any time. Travel Butlers try to ensure that the information displayed here is correct, but the onus remains with the traveller to verify the information with the relevant High Commission or Embassy and ensure that they can comply with the applicable entry requirements.
You are advised to contact your doctor or clinic around 4-8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations and to get their professional medical advice regarding travel to South Africa.
To help avoid heatstroke, drink plenty of bottled water/fluids, and keep out of the midday sun.
Tap water is purified and safe to drink in major cities and towns, however, we do advise that you do not drink the water in more remote places such as the camps in the National Parks - the water may be safe to drink, but it simply is not worth the risk, as bottled water is widely available.
Whatever you do, do not drink water from any river lake without firstly purifying the water. Always take water with you when you go on a hike, and have a bottle in the car on a long journey to avoid dehydration.
There is a risk of malaria in and around the Kruger National Park/Mpumalanga Province, the Limpopo (Northern) Province, and the north-eastern part of KwaZulu-Natal - check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets. Try to avoid mosquito bites wherever possible - wear loose long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and use a repellent on clothing and exposed skin.
There is no risk of yellow fever in South Africa, so a yellow fever vaccination is NOT required for travellers whose sole destination is South Africa. However, in accordance with International Health Reguations, South Africa requires all travellers over one year of age arriving from a yellow fever risk country, or having been in transit longer than 12 hours at the airport of such a country, to have a yellow fever certificate. These countries include Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda but it is up to the traveller to check the full list via http://www.who.int/ith/2015-ith-annex1.pdf?ua=1.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 10177 and ask for an ambulance.
The 11 official languages are Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana, Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Venda and Ndebele. Whilst many visitors will hear at least a couple of the tribal languages during the course of their stay, it is possible to travel extensively and comfortably with just English as a language.
The South African society is quite liberal, as gay marriage was legalised in 2006 nationwide and everyone’s rights are protected under the constitution. In some more rural areas, however, the local people may not be quite as liberal thinking, so whilst everyone is of course entitled to their own sexual preferences and gender identity, we would advise all clients of the LGBT+ community to refrain from public displays of affection (including kissing and holding hands) and to be as discrete as possible about their relationship if travelling to a rural/remote area.
Additional requirements and restrictions may apply for travel during the Covid-19 pandemic. Travel Butlers aim to highlight these requirements to affected clients, however the onus remains with the traveller to ensure they are aware of any requirements and restrictions that will apply to their own trip.
For up-to-date travel information from the UK government, please check:
UK Government Advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/seychelles
It is expected that these rules will be lifted and that the entry requirements will revert to normal as soon as the government of Seychelles deems it safe to do so.
Normally, irrespective of the nationality of the visitor and his or her family members (with some exceptions* - see below), there are NO VISA requirements to enter Seychelles. However, the following documents must be shown in order to obtain immigration clearance at the Seychelles International Airport:
A passport valid on the date of entry to and exit from Seychelles
Return or onward ticket
Proof of accommodation including contact details
Sufficient funds for the duration of the stay
Presentation of all of the above documents will grant you a Visitor’s Permit that will be issued upon arrival by the Seychelles Department of Immigration. The Visitor’s Permit is initially valid for the period of visit of up to one month.
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Seychelles and have sufficient blank pages for the Seychelles entry/exit stamps (at least 2).
* If you are a passport holder from certain African countries, please contact your local Seychelles High Commission or Embassy for up-to-date visa requirements, as nationals from certain countries are required to obtain temporary visas before travelling to Seychelles.
Please note that if you are applying to the Embassy for your visa, some visas can take a long time to be processed so please do take this into consideration, as it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa in place before you travel.
PLEASE NOTE: Countries can change their entry requirements at any time. Travel Butlers try to ensure that the information displayed here is correct, but the onus remains with the traveller to verify the information with the relevant High Commission or Embassy and ensure that they can comply with the applicable entry requirements.
You are advised to contact your doctor or clinic around 4-8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations and to get their professional medical advice regarding travel to Seychelles.
To help avoid heatstroke, drink plenty of bottled water/fluids and keep out of the midday sun.
Tap water meets W.H.O. (World Health Organization) specifications and is safe to drink nationwide. Because tap water is chlorinated, however, visitors are advised to drink bottled water but there is no imperative to avoid soft drinks, alcoholic drinks and ice. If you are in any way concerned about drinking water, bottled water is widely available in shops, restaurants and hotel bars.
There is NO risk of contracting malaria in Seychelles as the anopheles mosquito does not exist in Seychelles. However, some cases of dengue fever transmitted by mosquitoes have been reported. Try to avoid mosquito bites wherever possible - wear loose long-sleeved clothing and trousers and use a repellent on clothing and exposed skin.
There is no risk of yellow fever in Seychelles, so a yellow fever vaccination is NOT required for travellers whose sole destination is Seychelles. However, in accordance with International Health Regulations, Seychelles requires all travellers over one year of age arriving from a yellow fever risk country, or having been in transit longer than 12 hours at the airport of such a country, to have a yellow fever certificate. These countries include Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda but it is up to the traveller to check the full list via http://www.who.int/ith/2015-ith-annex1.pdf?ua=1.
There are 3 official languages in Seychelles: Creole (a lilting, French-based patois), English and French. Many Seychellois also speak fluent Italian or German.
We would ask that all travellers are respectful of the local culture as follows:
Topless sunbathing is uncommon and not tolerated on some beaches. Nudism is not acceptable.
Homosexuality is not illegal in Seychelles. However, local attitudes do and can vary, so whilst everyone is of course entitled to their own sexual preferences and gender identity, we would advise all clients of the LGBT+ community to refrain from public displays of affection (including kissing and holding hands) and to be as discrete as possible about their relationship.
Please resist the urge to collect seashells along the beaches as many are used as habitation by hermit crabs. Collecting shells is prohibited in nature reserves, marine parks and reserves in Seychelles. The unique and unusual tropical flora is beautiful and for it to remain so, it is important that you admire it, but leave it for others to enjoy.
Be considerate towards the fauna and sensitive to its sometimes fragile nature. Please walk carefully on the reefs and do not feed sea birds, mammals, turtles or tortoises or disturb them or their nesting grounds.
Travel Butlers have nearly 20 years of experience booking travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean for our clients from all around the world. In this time we have supported clients through disruptions caused by numerous unexpected events including natural disasters, localised disease outbreaks and airline cancellations. Nobody can be certain exactly what will happen in the future with the current Covid-19 pandemic, however Travel Butlers can offer you peace of mind and flexibility to ensure that you feel confident booking a holiday with us.
Our team are specialists in travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean, and we are constantly monitoring the changing situation regarding travel to the region. If your trip cannot go ahead due to specific travel restrictions related to Covid-19 then we will get in touch to offer you the choice of the following:
The specific Covid-19 travel restrictions are defined as follows:
We would not normally be able to confirm that your trip cannot proceed due to travel restrictions until a couple of weeks before the start of your trip, however should you want to look at postponing or altering your trip before then we would aim to be as flexible as possible in accommodating this.
If we confirm that your trip is unable to proceed due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, then we will not charge you an amendment fee if you choose to postpone your trip or move it to another destination. We may need to adjust the cost of your trip to reflect the new dates, particularly if those coincide with a more expensive season of travel or higher grade of accommodation. Equally, if the cost of your postponed trip is less, we will reduce the cost accordingly.
You should still take out travel insurance that includes Covid-19 to cover you in the event that your trip can go ahead but you are unable to travel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances. If there are no travel restrictions in place that mean your trip could not go ahead but you need to cancel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances then our normal terms and conditions would apply. You should ensure that your travel insurance provides adequate cover for cancelling due to illness, including Covid-19, and you may be able to make a claim against your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy.
We offer 24/7 telephone assistance to all our clients whilst they are away, and also have partners in each country that are able to assist with any PCR tests or other issues that might arise during your trip.
If you fall ill whilst you are away, or if your trip is disrupted due to Covid-19 whilst you are travelling, then our experienced team will be on hand to assist you in whatever way you need. You would need to pay any additional costs incurred due to illness or travel disruption whilst you are away, however you may be able reclaim these expenses on your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy. Travel Butlers will be able to assist by providing supporting documentation for your claim.
All of the holidays we sell are 100% financially protected through our ATOL and ABTOT bonding so your money is in safe hands when you book a Travel Butlers holiday. Furthermore, our business is well positioned to navigate through the challenges which the travel industry is currently facing.
Please read our Terms and Conditions for more information.
You can now get insurance that offers cover for disruption related to Covid-19, and these policies could include cover for:
Not all policies offer this kind of cover, not necessarily even all policies from the same provider, so you should ensure you check the policy details carefully before buying your insurance.
You can read more about choosing suitable travel insurance in the FCDO guide to travel insurance.