Extraordinary family vacation!
PLEASE NOTE: While most TravelMaven tours are very small groups (limited to 12 adults), our March Break Special was created for a larger group and is open to all ages, especially kids. In fact, our goal is to “take over” the Rio Vista Lodge, creating an action packed and exciting atmosphere for everyone. Rio Vista has a variety of room types, including family suites and chalets, so suitable accommodation is available regardless of the number in your family. As such, this would be the perfect multigenerational vacation!
FLIGHT PLAN OPTIONS: There are at least a dozen ways to fly from Toronto to Johannesburg. That’s because there are connecting routes through major airports all over the world. For most, the best option is probably KLM Airlines, which departs Toronto Friday evening and returns the following Sunday evening. For those who cannot depart on Friday, the alternative is Ethiopian Airlines which departs Toronto Saturday morning and returns the following Sunday morning.
Finally, for those with extra time, there are multiple options for adding another destination. In 2020, one family flew with Etihad Airlines and did a 6 day stopover in Abu Dhabi & Dubai. Another family booked a 2 day stopover in Amsterdam on the way over and 3 days in Paris on the way home. Two friends spent a week in Paris, and a retired couple is talking about a week or so in England visiting relatives when they go. The best part is that these stopovers don’t usually cost any more than direct connections. If you’re interested, Barry would be happy to help.
Who hasn't dreamt of riding across the African savannah in an open vehicle, checking out the elephants, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and a few big cats? I think everyone had this dream as a kid, but for many Canadians, an African safari has always seemed too far, too expensive, too dangerous, or just too much to seriously contemplate.
Well, here's some good news: TravelMaven wants to make this dream a reality for you and your family!
This tour is a TravelMaven March Break Special, meaning it was put together specifically for teachers, education workers and families who get a March Break, but cannot leave early or return late. And, in a travel world set up mostly for double occupancy, this tour has been structured for couples, solo travellers and larger families too.
Unlike most TravelMaven tours, our March Break Special was created for families. If you want to take your kids, let us know, and we can figure out accommodation that works for you. There are multiple room options (including family rooms for 4 persons), and there's sure to be one available for every requirement.
Some may say "South Africa is too far to go for one week". While we agree that more time is almost always better than less time, (e.g. our two week CAPE TOWN & KRUGER SAFARI tour), one week is still plenty of time to see a single destination. In fact, travelling from Toronto to Kruger will take about the same time as driving from Ontario to Florida - a trip Ontario families have been making for decades. But in this case, at the end of your 24 hour journey, you'll get a real African safari rather than a contrived experience at Disney!
Our home-away-from-home in the Kruger will be the Rio Vista Lodge, overlooking the Crocodile River. From here, we will enjoy five day trips, including three safaris into Kruger National Park. The first safari will be all-day (departing at 5 am!), the second will be an evening safari that starts in the daylight and ends after dark, and the third will be a chance to take a more relaxed attitude and hopefully see whatever we may have missed the first two times!
In addition to our safaris, we will also do a few more awesome things. For example, we will make a full day tour to the Panorama Route to see the Blyde River Canyon, considered by some to be Africa's Grand Canyon. We will also visit Jane Goodall's Chimp Eden, the Sudwala Caves, and even the i'landa Mall in nearby Nelspruit to see how South African families live and shop today.
It's important to note this is an "almost all-inclusive" package - even beer and wine is provided with dinner. Guests only pay for some lunches and souvenirs. Prices in South Africa are very reasonable (e.g. beer $3), so this could easily total as little as $200 for the week.
I am confident this will be the trip of a lifetime for whomever joins us. If you've read this far, you must have an African safari on your bucket list. Here's your chance to scratch it off!
TOUR DETAILS
TYPE: March Break Special
HOTEL: 3 star (2)
PACE: Hectic
LENGTH: One week
HIGHLIGHTS
City Lodge Hotel, Johannesburg Airport
Rio Vista Lodge, Malelane (Kruger)
Kruger full-day (10 hr) safari
Kruger half-day (6 hr) safari
Kruger sunset (4 hr) safari
Panorama Route full-day tour
Jane Goodall's Chimp Eden visit
Sudwala Caves tour
PRICE INCLUDE:
1 night City Lodge Hotel, 6 nights Rio Vista Lodge, including breakfast and dinner; 1 lunch; Welcome Reception; 10 hr Kruger safari, 4 hr Kruger sunset safari, 6 hr Kruger safari; Panorama Route day tour; Jane Goodall's Chimp Eden, Sudwala Caves, full time Canadian Tour Concierge & local safari guides, all ground transportation; all taxes.
This tour is guaranteed to depart. These Land Package prices are quoted in Canadian dollars and only guaranteed when a $250 deposit is received.
FLIGHT OPTION ONE
KLM AIRLINES
START OF TOUR
FRIDAY Depart Toronto
The KLM flight for Amsterdam departs Toronto at 18:40. As such, travellers should arrive at Pearson about 15:00. For those interested, TravelMaven gets a special rate at the Holiday Inn that includes parking for a week or more. Ask Barry or Leighanne for details and prices.
SATURDAY Arrive in Johannesburg
After a short stopover in Amsterdam in the morning, the KLM connecting flight arrives in Johannesburg at 22:05. Barry will be at the airport, and walk travellers over to City Lodge Hotel (within the terminal) to check in and flake out.
SUNDAY Sudwala Caves, Transfer to Kruger (B, D)
After a nice breakfast, our group will head east towards Kruger National Park. Along the way, we will make two stops. The first is the Alzu Welcome Centre for lunch. The second is Sudwala Caves, a place where we will begin to understand the Kruger region. After check-in at Rio Vista Lodge, we will enjoy a Welcome Reception and brief presentation highlighting the history of Kruger National Park.
END OF TOUR
SATURDAY Depart South Africa (B)
Travellers will enjoy a relaxing morning that includes an easy breakfast and maybe a last dip in the pool. After checking out of the Rio Vista Lodge before noon, we will head west towards Johannesburg, making a couple of stops along the way. Before arriving at the airport, we will have a casual dinner. We will arrive at the airport about 20:30 and our KLM flight departs for Amsterdam at 23:05.
SUNDAY Arrive in Toronto
After a short stop in Amsterdam about noon, travellers will board their connecting flight to Toronto, arriving at Pearson at 17:35.
(B-breakfast; L-lunch; D-dinner)
FLIGHT OPTION TWO
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES
START OF TOUR
FRIDAY Arrive in Toronto
Given the Saturday morning departure, travellers from out of town may want to take advantage of the special rate TravelMaven has arranged at the Holiday Inn at Pearson’s Airport that includes parking for the week. Ask Barry or Leighanne for details.
SATURDAY Depart Toronto
The Ethiopian flight for Addis Ababa departs Pearson at 10:00. As such, travellers should arrive at Pearson about 07:00.
SUNDAY Arrive in Johannesburg, Transfer to Kruger (D)
After an early morning stop in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian connecting flight arrives in Johannesburg at 13:05. Travellers will be met by Barry or an agent, loaded aboard our private shuttle and head east towards Kruger Park, making a stop at the Alzu Welcome Centre mid-way, arriving at the Rio Vista Lodge in time for our Welcome Dinner.
END OF TOUR
SATURDAY Depart South Africa (B)
After an early breakfast, travellers will depart the Rio Vista Lodge about 08:00. After a midway stop at the Alzu Welcome Centre, guests will arrive at Johannesburg Airport by noon to catch their Ethiopian Airlines flight departing at 14:05. After a short stop in Addis Ababa, travellers will catch their connecting flight to Toronto.
SUNDAY Arrive in Toronto
After a short refuelling-only stop in Dublin about dawn, our Ethiopian flight will arrive in Toronto at 08:45.
(B-breakfast; L-lunch; D-dinner)
DAILY AGENDA
MONDAY Kruger Full Day Safari (B,D)
For many, this will be the most exciting day of the tour. We will leave our hotel at 5 am in open safari vehicles to catch sunrise in Kruger National Park. This is a full-day safari includes morning coffee at Afsall Trader’s Rest and lunch at Skukuza, the largest rest camp in the park. Before returning to Rio Vista, we will also stop at a local supermarket to stock up on snacks & drinks, and see who South African grocery stores compare to Canada.
TUESDAY Chimp Eden & i’langa Mall (B, D)
In the morning, we will visit Jane Goodall's Chimp Eden. This mountain-side facility rehabilitates and provides a refuge for abused chimpanzees. Afterwards, we will stop at the i’langa Mall for lunch and some free time. Once again, travellers will get to see a little slice of life for middle class South Africans. Dinner is back at the Rio Visa Lodge.
WEDNESDAY Free Day & Kruger Sunset Safari (B, D)
Guests will have most of the day to relax around the pool, read a book, or enjoy a massage or treatment in the on-site Eagle View Spa. Those interested can also join Barry when he visits a local elementary school to deliver gifts of friendship from Canada. in the late afternoon we will head back to Kruger for a sunset safari with National Park staff. Dinner will be at a local sports bar & restaurant, the Duck & Dive.
THURSDAY Panorama Route & Blyde Canyon (B, L, D)
We will leave early, headed north to experience the world-famous Panorama Route. This spectacular drive overlooks the Blyde River Canyon, sometimes called Africa's Grand Canyon. There will be several stops for photographs, and lunch will be provided. There’s even a chance to bungee jump, for those so inclined.
FRIDAY Kruger Half Day Safari (B,D)
On this day, guests will experience their final Kruger safari in the morning, followed by some free time back at the Rio Vista Lodge. Those interested can also make a final shopping trip to the nearby Inkwaze Shopping Centre. In the evening, we will treated to our Farewell Dinner, a South African braai (bbq).
SATURDAY Transfer to Johannesburg (B)
Departure times from Rio Vista Lodge will vary depending on travellers’ flight plans, Please see flight options (above) for details
