A safari can be a day beyond Cape Town, or a journey of its own.
Fellow Concordian Siddika Jafer has been arranging safari journeys for travellers from around the world. Through Safari Circle, she has brought together these options for fellow Concordians.
Guided game drives and time to settle into the Eastern Cape landscape.
Siddika’s sample itinerary brings together lodge options around Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Addo Elephant National Park is another Eastern Cape option to discuss when shaping your journey.
Fly from Cape Town to Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, then continue by road. Driving via the Garden Route is a longer alternative, around nine hours or more before sightseeing stops. Allow extra days to enjoy the route.
Siddika recommends combining a wellness retreat in the Eastern Cape with guided visits to Shamwari or Addo. She recently stayed at the property herself and recommends it for a quieter break.
Ask her to shape the balance of rest and game drives around the time you have available.
A private-reserve safari with lodge-based guiding.
Siddika’s Sabi Sands selection focuses on lodges with access to private game-viewing areas in the Greater Kruger region. It is the higher-budget option among her suggestions, with an emphasis on attentive guiding and conservation.
Travel arrangements and access depend on the lodge. Discuss flights, transfers and the length of stay directly with Safari Circle.
Siddika’s selection · Greater Kruger and Eastern Cape
Kariega and Greater Kruger
More lodges to choose from, at lower nightly rates.
Siddika’s newest selection covers four reserves: Sabi Sands, Timbavati and Kapama in the Greater Kruger region, and Kariega in the Eastern Cape. Nightly rates are well below those in her Sabi Sands itinerary, even for the four Sabi Sands lodges it includes.
Kariega is a malaria-free private reserve near Gqeberha, and Siddika suggests it for a gentler first safari. Kapama is close to Hoedspruit Airport, which makes it easy to reach for a short stay. She suggests three or four nights for the trip.
Discuss flights, transfers and current rates directly with Safari Circle.
A safari day trip, with the option to stay longer.
Approximately two hours’ drive from Cape Town, Aquila offers day-trip safaris and overnight stays. The reserve can also arrange Cape Town pickup and return transport; confirm availability, collection area and any additional charge when booking.
A practical option when you want to return to Cape Town that evening, or spend a little more time at the reserve.
Safari Circle and Aquila arrange these trips independently. They are separate from Salaam’s Cape Town excursions and official Concordia Forum programming. Confirm current availability, inclusions and dietary arrangements with the organiser. Aquila’s own booking link is in the Aquila tab.
