Off-Road Caravan Safari

Any combination of these destinations or even all of them! Kruger NP, Cape, Garden Route, Okavango Delta, Moremi NP, Chobe NP, Makgadikgadi Pans, Victoria Falls, Etosha NP, Kalahari NP, Mana Pools in Lower Zambezi NP, Lake Kariba, Kafue NP etc.etc.

ITINERARY

This is like a MOTORHOME camping safari but with a BIG difference! Instead of driving a motorhome (RV) which is often large and doesn’t have 4x4 to reach those “off-the-beaten-track”-places in Southern Africa, or having to share a vehicle / truck with other strangers and sleeping in small tents (often not even weatherproof and / or safe from wild animals) on an ‘overlanding’ safari, you stay in 1 of our own luxurious off-road caravans! And travel in your own (- or rental) 4x4 vehicle.

Now you can:

* Go where there is no traffic (except ‘elephant traffic jams’);
* Go where there are no crowds;
* Go where there are no tar (bitumen) roads;
* Have TIME to take your TIME.

This safari is suitable for the visitor with time available and wanting to see and experience the various wonders of Southern Africa with a large measure of flexibility! We are happy to customize a suitable safari and itinerary for your group of family / friends; you are welcome to provide us with your own recommendations and requirements and we will advise / assist accordingly- taking into account our own local knowledge and local conditions.

Our brand new July 2006 model caravans are suitable for the group / family who want to be able to go to the remote off-road places such as the NP’s mentioned above, whilst retaining the comfort and convenience of home (- or their motorhome RV)! Luxuries such as proper comfortable beds, en suite shower / basin facilities (optional ‘porta-potty’ can also be supplied), electricity and battery power, lighting, a fridge/ freezer, hot water geyser etc. are now standard- and these caravans are designed to go ANYWHERE the tow vehicle can go! They belong to our own company so you are always assured of a vehicle that is well-looked after and maintained.

This is a safari for a group of motorhome club members / friends / family / (minimum of 4 guests in at least 1 off-road caravan required for guaranteed departure) who would still like to camp in Southern Africa’s “wild places” but with a greater degree of comfort and luxury, and to visit their own choice of destinations on a self-drive basis and NOT with a group of other people (strangers) such as with an overland safari company. We offer you this safari with the benefits of comfort and flexibility.

This further is a guided self-drive safari with pre-booked campsites for any duration (your choice and subject to our guide’s availability), and an expert professional guide will accompany your group – you drive your own - (or rental) vehicles and the guide separately in lead vehicle.

Conqueror - Supra
Conqueror - Comander

Article
Wegsleep
April 2006
Page 1 | Page 2

Conqueror - Comander

The safari can cover any wildlife- and / or scenic area in South-Africa, Botswana, Namibia, or Zambia, etc. such as the Kruger National Park, Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula, Garden Route, Winelands, Okavango Delta, Moremi NP, Makgadikgadi NP, Chobe NP, Etosha NP and Victoria Falls, Kalahari NP, Mana Pools - Lower Zambezi NP, Lake Kariba, Kafue NP etc. etc.

These off-road caravans are fully equipped- all you do is hitch it up to the tow vehicle (4x4 or other tow vehicle rentals also available through us with Avis) and head out to your safari destination with our guide in his own separate lead vehicle leading the small convoy. The off-road caravan is called a “Commander” and is built by a company called ‘Mega Manufacturers’ who purpose-build these caravans (and other camping trailers) near Johannesburg RSA. Pictures and more detail of its features are available from this web link. More can also be supplied upon your further inquiry and request.

The safari is also a fantastic FAMILY Safari because of the space inside the off-road caravan (space for family of 4 with 2 double beds or converted to one double –and 2 singles; but with 3 small children a family of 5 can also sleep together in the caravan).

Collect your off-road caravan from us in Pretoria, RSA (and if needed also a rental tow vehicle as well - keep in mind we can also assist in arranging an Avis rental car for you with collection nearby). Special requests for collection from other main centres can maybe arranged at additional cost.

A wide range / choice of destinations and camping sites in many different areas is available – we can perhaps also assist you with advice as per your own itinerary and requirements. Cost of camping sites and entry fees into National parks are excluded, as well as your daily activities on safari, any transport related cost, meals, drinks, etc., which are flexible according to your own needs and requirements.

We provide the following camping equipment with the off-road caravan, included in the safari / caravan’s -price:

· A comfortable proper bed with matras and 2 sets of bedding (wildlife print) for each guest (up to 5 guests per off-road caravan if small children included) such as a sheet, pillow case, pillow and duvet with cover;
· Fridge/ freezer (large 80 liter) in caravan, camping chairs, table/s, lighting, gas stove, crockery and cooking equipment, en-suite (hot / cold) water geyser and shower and basin facilities in enclosed side tent connected to caravan, etc.;
· all windows and entrances have mosquito netting, and doors are lockable for safety etc.

With the comfort provided with the off-road caravan, setting up-and breaking up your camp is now as easy as ‘1-2-3’ (as easy as with a motorhome / RV); and not nearly as much effort as with any other ‘normal’ camping safari, so you therefore don’t need to spend much effort and can rather sit back and relax and have a great holiday! A big benefit above a motorhome is you can leave the off-road caravan in the campsite whilst you are out separately with the tow vehicle on gameviewing-, shopping-, sightseeing- or other activities etc. The caravan is also lightweight and tows very comfortably even at the higher legal highway speeds.

This option is suited for the younger - as well as the older age group with a sense of adventure and easy attitude.

From day 1 to YOUR choice of duration and destinations (minimum 7 days -to a maximum of 30 days):

Your group meets up with David Malan who will be your personal guide (he is the owner of this safari company), and then collect your off-road caravan from us (and if needed we can also assist you with a rental tow vehicle from nearby Avis), and after showing you briefly how everything operates, you depart on your guided safari with David separately in the lead vehicle, having the flexibility to go anywhere and for as long as you require. For those guests not experienced or comfortable with off-road towing and / or 4x4 driving, he can take you the day before the actual safari departure for some training on a proper off-road track or nature trail nearby Pretoria (additional cost). The time before the safari can also be used to stock up on food- again with David’s assistance and advice.

We will provide you with everything you need to camp in luxury and comfort, as well as having assisted you with advice on camp sites and perhaps even some bookings, so you basically just have to stock up on food, pack your clothing and go on holiday!

On your last day you return the off-road caravan to us (and also the rental tow vehicle to Avis) and head off to your next destination.

INCLUDED in price:

* Personal services of our experienced and registered RSA guide (David Malan- National Tourist Guide) for your own personal group of family – or club friends. He will drive separately in his own lead vehicle- providing you with local knowledge, route directions, game viewing knowledge, assistance with camp-set up and border crossings, any other necessary arrangements etc. etc. We will be fully equipped with recovery gear and he will be able to assist you should any vehicle gets ‘stuck’ along the way.

All his food, accommodation expenses, and travel cost is included / covered in our fee. Note guaranteed departures with a minimum of 1 off-road caravan (then with 4 guests minimum) and minimum 1 tow vehicle. Larger groups may have minimum 2 guests per caravan, etc.;

* Use of our fully equipped off-road caravan with comprehensive insurance (full list of included equipment will be provided upon your initial inquiry to us);

* Our assistance in planning a suitable safari itinerary and advice on camping areas / sites and even bookings for some places on your behalf;

* Relevant VAT (= sales tax of 14% in RSA) on caravan rental and on our guide’s service;

* At start of safari our ‘meet-and greet’ service and collection at Johannesburg International airport, then to collect our off-road caravan and even your rental vehicle if necessary, and drop off at end of safari again at the Johannesburg International airport.

EXCLUDED from price:

* Transport costs for your own tow car / 4x4 or rental vehicle for the safari duration (fuel, insurance, toll fees etc.). We can pre-arrange a rental car (with tow bar) from Avis Car Rental for you that will be ready at the airport / elsewhere upon your arrival;

* Collection / provision of off-road caravan from other main centres other than Pretoria RSA can be arranged but will be at additional cost;

* Optional ‘porta-potty’ for en-suite toilet facilities, as well as any other comforts / requirements you may have, can also be supplied;

* We recommend the use of 2-way radios for communication between the vehicles on the safari- this will be additional either to rent or purchase;

* Your own or escorted tours for daily excursions and activities;

* Entrance fees and cost of activities, any NP fees;

* Own meals and drinks (note we can also fully cater for your group – at extra cost and subject to group size and duration / destinations);

* Any camping fees, accommodation and nights before, during - or after the safari, etc;

* International and local airfare;

* Personal purchases and laundry;

* Other taxes (like any new taxes, tourism levy), travel insurance, other items not mentioned;

* Only if David is not guiding you personally, an additional security deposit of USD 1000 per off-road caravan will be required, and held by us until caravan is safely returned to us.

WHEN TO GO:

* Bear in mind- here in Southern Africa the summer months are September to April, and winter months are May to August.

* The region can experience very hot temperatures in summer and even warm temperatures in winter. Generally the region is hot by day, even in winter. Winter nights can be cool.

* The best time for general game viewing in most game parks of Southern Africa is in the dry season, from March/ April to September / October. The climate and daytime temperatures are moderate during the dry season. The rainy season starts in September or October, reaching its peak between December and February, dwindling again in March and April. Most of the rain comes from erratic thunderstorms (1- to 3 hr’s) mostly in the afternoons, often accompanied by spectacular displays of lightning. The hot / rainy season (spring and summer) has the benefit of greener landscapes, less dust, full and flowing rivers and dams, and the ‘lambing‘-season.

COST of SAFARI

COST of SAFARI, inclusive of all items listed above, depends on the size of your personal group you are booking for, and then also the number of days of the safari, the destination/s, the time of the year, the number of caravans required, etc.

Price to be advised upon further enquiry.

Prices are subject to confirmation once we have finalized your itinerary, caravan configurations, destinations and safari duration, as well as any new taxes being introduced (for instance an increase in VAT above current rate of 14%, etc.)


Call of Africa Tours by David Malan
PO Box 1863, Brooklyn Square 0075
Republic of South Africa
Cell: +27 (0)82 564 7377
Fax: + 27 (0)12 333 5799
callofafrica@icon.co.za