Rhino Rescue + Safari - Man Expeditions

6-day experience

Africa

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Rhino Rescue + Safari

Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

Who's going

Not into group travel? Book privately Here

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Deposit

$500

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Benefiting the Upmost Foundation (@URhinoProject )

Deposit

$500

See options HERE

Overview

Dates: April 10-16, 2022
- Get hands-on with rhinos in the wild and be part of an immersive wildlife conservation experience to help protect rhinos from poachers.
- Help care for baby orphaned rhinos.
- Join our veterinarians in the wild to help ear notch rhinos, take blood/hair samples and trim down their horns to protect the rhinos from poaching attacks.
100% of the cost of this trip directly funds the @URhinoProject (Upmost Foundation) Non-profit.

Itinerary:

Day 1 At 1pm we depart from the lobby of the Premier hotel Umhalnga Rocks on a 3 hour drive for our host safari lodge in Zululand (located 10 minutes from where we run our rhino rescue operations) followed by dinner and some local entertainment. We recommend that you arrive into Durban a day earlier as most connecting flights wont get you into Durban before 10.30am which is the time you would need to land in order to not miss the road transfer today. We recommend you book your hotel at the Premier Hotel Umhlanga Rocks since this is a great location close to a wide variety of resturants, the gym etc. and its where the road transfer pick up will be.

Day 2 Rhino Rescue Expedition: Today you will join our Wildlife Management Team bright and early for a rhino dehorning, ear notching and medical check-up procedure. Rhino dehorning has proven to be an effective measure to deter rhino poaching. You will participate in a hands-on experience with rhinos in the wild. You will get up close to wild rhinos whilst assisting the team in collecting DNA samples (hair and blood samples) and taking measurements, all of this contributing to the protection of the species. The procedure is not harmful in any way and our veterinarians and wildlife management team are highly experienced ensuring the welfare of the rhinos during the procedure.

Day 3 Rhino orphange volunteer day. Activities include:
1) Mixing milk and feeding any baby orphaned rhino's currently under the care of the orphanage.
2) Weighing and letting the rhinos into the exercise boma.
3) Dropping feed off with orphans that were released.
4) Cutting fresh green grass for Leko (orphanged rhino) and Dorothy the goat (Leko’s companion).
5) Taking teff and Lucerne to the hippo boma.
6) Cleaning and sterilising pens and picking up dung.
7) Planting trees at the orphanage and boma areas.
8) Wildlife Tracking in the park (Cheetah, Wild dogs, Elephant etc)
Note: Activities may change depending on what help is needed at the orphange at the time of your visit.

Day 4 Today is a day for relaxation and exploring more of the Kwa-Zulu Natal region. Activities include:
1) Zulu Cultural tour: A unique experience and one of authenticity, the Zulu Cultural Experience includes a visit to a local homestead as well as the chance to interact with members of the Myeni family. Experience traditional Zulu Stick fighting, and/or a sampling of traditional food and drink. Finish the experience with a drive through the Lebombo Mountains taking in some of the area’s awe-inspiring views as well as the rural life that surrounds you.

2) Umkuze Fig Forest Walk: Spoil the senses to a remarkable fig forest walk as you explore the spellbinding beauty of natural Africa.
Although the Fig Forest Walk is only about two hours long, the walk itself is situated deep in the uMkhuze Game Reserve so the activity includes a game drive to and from the walk. This walk is not strenuous but does require traversing two short swing bridges over the beautiful uMkuze River. The walk meanders under the magnificent canopy of giant sycamore figs, the oldest of which is estimated at 450 years. The silence of the forest is broken by a multitude of bird calls typified by the wail of Trumpeter Hornbills, while special sightings have included the Pels Fishing Owl, the African Broadbill and the Blue Mantled Flycatcher.

Day 5 After breakfast you will be transfered to our luxury safari lodge (but only if you booked the rhino rescue + safari package). If you did not, you will be transfered to the airport in time to catch your flight home. Please make sure your return flight from Durban does not depart before 3.30pm.
If you decided to stay an extra day to do the safari extention, you will be staying at our luxury Safari lodge. All your meals, alcohol and 4 x4 safari game drives, walking safaris etc. are all included. You will also have the option to "sleep under the stars" to experience the soothing sounds of Africa while sleeping on comfortable luxury beds out on the savannah. This can be booked separately for an additional fee.

Day 6 After your sunrise safari drive and breakfast, you will be transfered back to Durban in time for your return flight back home. Again, please make sure your flight out of Durban does not depart before 3.30pm.

Pricing:

Deposit:
$500 is required to guarantee your space on this trip
Payment Installment Schedule:
-Rhino Rescue (5 days): $2,995 plus c/card fees (Due within 7 days after deposit is paid)

-Rhino Rescue + safari (6 days)- $3,995 plus c/card fees (Due 7 days after Installment 1 is paid)

*Pricing is based on a group of 10 people. The cost will increase incrementally for smaller groups as per the below: Group size: 6-9: $350 plus c/card fees extra per person Group size: 2-5: $750 plus c/card fee extra per person

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Dates

April 10-16

Group size

6-20 people

Accommodation Type

Rhino Rescue host lodge: 4 star (4 nights) PLUS optional add-on luxury Safari (1 night) booked separately for $995 which includes all meals, alcohol, luxury accomodations, Safari drives, land transfers, conservation levies etc.

Meeting point

At Premier Hotel Umhlanga Rocks

Difficulty

Easy 1/5. This is rated easy.

Deposit

$500 is required to guarantee your space on this trip

Payment Installment Schedule:

Rhino Rescue (5 days): $2,995 plus c/card fees (Due within 7 days after deposit is paid)

Rhino Rescue + safari (6 days)- $3,995 plus c/card fees (Due 7 days after Installment 1 is paid)

*Pricing is based on a group of 10 people. The cost will increase incrementally for smaller groups as per the below:
Group size: 6-9: $350 plus c/card fees extra per person
Group size: 2-5: $750 plus c/card fee extra per person

If you prefer not to pay more should your group size be less than 10 people, you will have the option to either join another travel group of your choice but within 1 year of your original booking. Requests to join another group can not be made 45 days prior to the start date of your trip. If you transfer your booking to another travel group after 1 year you will be subject to our annual inflationary price increases.
Please ensure you have adequate travel insurance in the event you need to cancel your trip as payments are final and non-refundable. Your trip ticket is transferable with name changes allowed up to 48 hours before the start time of your trip. Payment Installment's have Covid-19 protection. See terms HERE ).

Accomodations

The first 4 nights will be spent at our Rhino Rescue host lodge (4-star). If you choose to do the safari extention you will stay at our luxury safari lodge in the heart of the game reserve where you will feel totally immersed into the African wilderness with wildlife roaming freely all around you.

Activities

Safari Game Drives
Duration: 3-5 hours

Enjoy twice-daily game drives that set off early in the morning or late in the afternoon (continuing after nightfall), in the company of local career guides and trackers who will do their best to ensure that all your wishes are met. You will be encouraged to not only go in search of the Big Five but to also appreciate the wonderful array of flora and fauna dotted across the savannah. Our safaris can be tailormade to suit a wide range of interests. These specialist safaris ensure an incomparable interpretive wilderness experience and range from private safaris, to birding, and/or photographic, each unique in their offering. What’s more, you can even choose to spend the night sleeping directly beneath the stars in the heart of the bush on a thrilling overnight adventure, surrounded by Africa’s night sounds and kept safe by an armed guard.
This is only included in the rhino rescue + safari (6 day) package.

Big Game Viewing Walks
Duration: 2-3 hours

Experience the thrill of viewing animals on foot, as you engage all your senses to discover a world where each sound, scent and bent blade of grass has a meaning. Led by an expertly-trained ranger and tracker team, a Big Game Viewing Walk offers the chance to track and view certain Big Five animals on foot. Done in such a way that the animals never know that you are there, Big Game Viewing Walks ensure an undisturbed natural experience viewing these creatures in their natural habitat while ensuring safety, as they never feel threatened by your presence. An unparalleled way to experience Africa, a Big Game Viewing Walk is a uniquely mix of the excitement of tracking big game and gaining an understanding of one’s place in the natural order. Walks are done by qualified and well-experienced guides, trained in tracking and viewing Big Five wildlife. A maximum of six guests at a time can do this walk.
This is only included in the rhino rescue + safari (6 day) package, but subject to the availability of a qualified guide.

Zulu Village Tour
Duration: 2-3 hours

A unique experience and one of authenticity, the Myeni Cultural Experience includes a visit to a local homestead as well as the chance to interact with members of the Myeni family. Experience traditional Zulu Stick fighting, and/or a sampling of traditional food and drink. Finish the experience with a drive through the Lebombo Mountains taking in some of the area’s awe-inspiring views as well as the rural life that surrounds you.
This is included in your package.

Maputaland Ocean safari
Duration: 2-3 hours

Whilst enjoying the exceptional Big Five, why not treat yourself to an Ocean Safari that offers the opportunity to encounter some of South Africa’s most beautiful marine life? Set off on board a semi-rigid inflatable boat in the company of a certified Dive Master and enjoy the prospect of encountering and swimming with sleek, silvery dolphins. Snorkel amongst some of South Africa most magnificent coral reef, viewing a bevvy of iridescent tropical fish. Marvel at the colossal forms of humpback and southern right whales. The temperate waters are awash with a plethora of diverse aquatic life, including the ancient walnut-hued leatherback and the white-bellied loggerhead turtles, the slow-moving, yellow-spotted whale shark, a variety of shy eels and hundreds of minute, kaleidoscopic fish that flit in and around the corals. Marvel at the iridescent colours of a variety of tropical fish as they streak through the aquamarine waters, from the bright yellow of the butterflyfish to the topaz triggerfish and the distinct shapes and vivid colours of a variety of wrasse. Marvel at the medley of colours of the flourishing marine species beneath the calm, azure surface as you swim amidst the infinite hues of blue that stipple the sky and sea.
Available at an additional cost for those who booked the rhino rescue + safari (6 day) package.

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Reviews

Dave Z

AMAZING! This was very a unique experience and something I would have never been able to do on my own. The food was so good, the safari lodge is beautiful and the staff all super friendly. This experience was more than I expected and is something I will remember forever. Thank You Team @URhino and Man Ex.

Hugo T.

I loved every second of this experience. This is something I could never have experienced on my own and I am so appreciative for everything the team at Man Ex and URhino are doing to help preserve the remaining rhino populations. If you are looking for an authentic African wildlife experience this is it...Oh and the Safari lodge is mind blowingly luxurioius and the food spectacular.

Paul T

This was an experience I will never forget. Being able to help rhinos in the wild was a surreal experience and I am proud to have been part of the mission to help save this incredible species.

What's included

Terms

In order to give our guests greater comfort, we will offer the following terms and conditions below in addition to our standard booking terms (See here: https://manexpeditions.greenrope.com/booking-terms-registered). This Covid-19 Cancellation policy will remain in place until the World Health Organisation declares the COVID-19 pandemic over.

COVID-19 CANCELLATION POLICY

We will offer a full credit should your trip be cancelled based on the following reasons:

1) The South African Government imposes a travel ban making it impossible for you to travel.
2) We have to close operations due to COVID-19 reasons making it impossible for us to fulfil our obligation to deliver your trip. The Man Expeditions standard cancellation terms and conditions apply for any reason for cancellation not listed above.

Between Confirmation and 48 hours prior to arrival

A full credit will be issued for you to use on a future trip within 2 years. Any price increases after 2 years will need to be paid in addition to your credit value.

IMPORTANT: We still recommend you take out travel insurance with specific Covid-19 cancellation and curtailment provisions which is now available from many reputable providers.

Booking terms:

To secure and confirm a reservation, a $500 deposit is required.
Full payment must be received on the due date specified on the trip page in order to secure the reservation. Failing to remit your final payment by the due date may result in us releasing and canceling your reservation without any refund of your deposit.

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