SMALL GROUP JOURNEYOFFERS

The Red Sands & Malaria-Free Giants

2026▾
10
Days
9
Nights
Private
Charter / Transfer

Black-maned Kalahari lions, habituated meerkats, sleeping under the Milky Way, and elephant super-herds at Madikwe

See Pricing & Inclusions ↓
10 Days
Small Group
from $13,100 pp
Home  ›  South Africa  ›  The Red Sands & Malaria-Free Giants

OverviewDesigned for sophisticated safari connoisseurs seeking rare wildlife species, absolute privacy, and stunningly unique landscapes. This circuit contrasts the vast terracotta sand dunes of the southern Kalahari Desert with the rugged volcanic ridges of Madikwe — South Africa's largest private reserves, where crowds simply do not exist. Travelling via private aviation, you track highly elusive creatures including the desert black-maned lion, pangolins, aardvarks, and African wild dogs. Signature touches include sleeping under the Milky Way on an open-air luxury star-bed and floating over the desert dunes at dawn. This package is perfect for seasoned travellers who have already experienced the classic safari and now seek something truly unique and exclusive — and being entirely malaria-free at Madikwe, it is also ideal for families.

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Tswalu Kalahari: South Africa's largest private reserve, tracking black-maned lions, pangolins, and aardvarks

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Whisky and gin sundowner atop a brilliant red Kalahari dune as the sun dips below the desert horizon

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Sitting quietly beside a habituated meerkat colony as they forage and play around your feet at dawn

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Sleeping on Tswalu's luxury Malori star-bed deck under an unpolluted Milky Way

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Sunrise hot-air balloon over the sprawling ancient red dunes of the southern Kalahari

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Madikwe Game Reserve: malaria-free, with famous wild dog packs and large rhino populations

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Tracking elephant super-herds of over a hundred individuals converging at Madikwe's dams

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Exclusive Batswana cultural heritage tour with traditional folklore storytelling and dance

The Red Sands & Malaria-Free Giants

Why Choose the Red Sands & Madikwe Circuit

Tswalu: the rarest wildlife in Africa — black-maned lions, pangolins, aardvarks, and wild dogs in total privacy

Habituated meerkat colony encounter — one of the most charming wildlife experiences in Africa

Sleeping under the Milky Way on a luxury open-air star-bed — a genuinely unforgettable night

Madikwe's elephant super-herds — sometimes over a hundred individuals at a single waterhole

Madikwe is malaria-free, making this circuit ideal for families and malaria-sensitive travellers

Exclusive Batswana cultural tour with traditional storytelling and dance performance

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South Africa

Johannesburg · Tswalu Kalahari Reserve · Madikwe Game Reserve

Day by Day

Your Itinerary

Johannesburg, South Africa

Day 1 | Arrival in Johannesburg & Diamond Era Luxury

VIP tarmac handling expedites you through customs at OR Tambo. private guide transfer to a high-end boutique estate. Early arrivals enjoy a private tour of the city's high-end art galleries or a diamond-tasting experience. An intimate fine-dining welcome dinner, where you meet your private pilot for a briefing on the journey ahead.

Dinner
Arrival in Johannesburg & Diamond Era Luxury
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve

Day 2 | Flight to the Green Kalahari

Private charter west to Tswalu Kalahari Reserve — South Africa's largest private reserve. Flying over changing landscapes from urban Johannesburg to the expansive desert-adapted paradise of the southern Kalahari. Check-in at Tswalu Motse, designed to blend seamlessly with the desert. Late afternoon private game drive on the reserve's vast red sand dunes. Premium South African single-malt whiskies and locally infused gins served atop a brilliant red dune as the Kalahari sun dips below the horizon.

Tswalu Motse, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Breakfast, Dinner
Flight to the Green Kalahari

Day 3 | Tracking the Elusive Desert Species

A full day with your private tracker team exploring the vast expanse of Tswalu — tracking some of Africa's most elusive and rare species: black-maned Kalahari lions, cheetahs, aardvarks, pangolins, and endangered African wild dogs. Unmatched opportunities to see these creatures far from any other vehicles. Your safari vehicle is stocked with an espresso machine, crystal glassware, and an artisanal picnic lunch.

Tswalu Motse, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tracking the Elusive Desert Species

Day 4 | Meerkats & Star-Deck Sleepout

Rising before dawn to sit quietly beside a habituated meerkat colony, watching them emerge from burrows to forage and play around your feet — a completely undisturbed natural encounter. A luxury continental breakfast basket served directly on the Kalahari sand dunes. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight: Tswalu's luxury Malori star-bed deck, sleeping safely under the unpolluted night sky with the Milky Way stretching endlessly above.

Tswalu Motse, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meerkats & Star-Deck Sleepout
Madikwe Game Reserve — Molori Safari Lodge

Day 5 | Flight Above the Kalahari & Transition to Madikwe

Rising before dawn for a hot-air balloon flight over the sprawling ancient red dunes of the southern Kalahari, watching geometric desert vegetation patterns unfold beneath you in golden light. After landing: a champagne toast and gourmet bush brunch. Afternoon: private charter northeast to Madikwe Game Reserve, malaria-free and set against the rugged Dwarsberg mountains. Check-in at Molori Safari Lodge.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Flight Above the Kalahari & Transition to Madikwe

Day 6 | The Volcanic Ridges of Madikwe

Morning and evening game drives across the rugged volcanic terrain of Madikwe — tracking famous packs of African wild dogs and large populations of black and white rhinos against the dramatic Dwarsberg backdrop. Exceptional crowd-free game viewing. Late afternoon: a panoramic ridge sundowner with premium cocktails and gourmet canapés as the sun sets over the vast bushveld.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Volcanic Ridges of Madikwe

Day 7 | Conservation Behind the Scenes

A private behind-the-scenes briefing with the reserve's anti-poaching or ecological monitoring team on rhino conservation. Direct access to experts on the front line of protecting these endangered species. Afternoon at leisure: a luxury spa treatment back at the lodge, followed by a private dinner on your suite's deck overlooking the waterhole.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Conservation Behind the Scenes

Day 8 | The Super-Herds of Madikwe

Tracking the elephant super-herds that gather at Madikwe's large dams — sometimes numbering over a hundred individuals converging at the water's edge. The day culminates in a majestic open-air bonfire dinner around a roaring fire pit on a panoramic viewing deck overlooking a high-traffic waterhole, the sounds of the African night surrounding you.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Super-Herds of Madikwe

Day 9 | Exclusive Batswana Cultural Heritage Tour

A carefully curated cultural experience interacting privately with Batswana community elders and historians — traditional Tswana customs, cattle-centric history, and basket-weaving techniques. The highlight: a private performance of traditional folklore storytelling and dance — vibrant and deeply moving. A dignified, educational encounter ensuring total privacy and mutual respect. Farewell multi-course dinner paired with vintage wines.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Exclusive Batswana Cultural Heritage Tour
Return — Johannesburg

Day 10 | Return to Johannesburg & Complementary Spa Day

A final relaxed game drive and luxury breakfast overlooking the African bush. Charter back to Johannesburg. Complementary spa session at your city hotel. International departure the following day.

The Saxon Hotel, Johannesburg (day use)
Breakfast
Return to Johannesburg & Complementary Spa Day

Want to adjust the pace, swap a lodge, or extend this journey?

We are here for that. Every Finders & Keepers Safaris itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed departure — the pace, the lodges, the length, the dates and the party travelling can all be reshaped around you. Tell us what you would change and a specialist will rebuild the journey and price it honestly, before you commit to anything.

Tailor This Journey →
Safari experience
Your Accommodation

Two of South Africa's Largest Private Reserves

Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa
NIGHTS 1 & 10
Johannesburg

Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa

★★★★★ — Boutique luxury estate offering VIP arrival services and complementary spa on departure
View Details
Tswalu Motse
NIGHTS 2–4
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve

Tswalu Motse

★★★★★ — South Africa's largest private reserve, designed to blend seamlessly into the desert
View Details
Molori Safari Lodge
NIGHTS 5–9
Madikwe Game Reserve

Molori Safari Lodge

★★★★★ — Malaria-free luxury lodge against the dramatic Dwarsberg mountain backdrop
View Details
Why This Journey

What sets this journey apart

The Kalahari’s red dunes and meerkats at Tswalu, then malaria-free Madikwe for wild dogs and rhino.

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Tswalu, up close

South Africa’s largest private reserve, for tracking black-maned lions, pangolins and aardvarks, and sitting beside a habituated meerkat colony at dawn.

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Dunes, whisky and stars

A whisky and gin sundowner atop a red Kalahari dune, a night on the star-bed deck beneath the Milky Way, and a sunrise balloon over the ancient dunes.

03

Malaria-free Madikwe

Molori Safari Lodge in a malaria-free reserve famous for its wild dog packs and large rhino populations, with a look at conservation work behind the scenes.

Best ValueJan – MaySummer rains in the bush, whale season on the coast
Peak SeasonMay – SepDry winter — prime Big Five viewing
Shoulder SeasonSep – DecSpring bush walks, mild coastal weather
Best forMalaria-free familiesStargazersWildlife enthusiasts
Plan this journey with us →

Inclusions & Pricing

Deposit Offer

Hold 2027 for half the usual deposit

Confirm any 2027 departure with a 15% deposit instead of the usual 30%, booked before 31 December 2026.

  • Your balance is not due until 60 days before departure.
  • The reduced deposit holds your camps, permits and internal flights at today’s rates, so a mid-year price movement does not reach you.
  • Applies to new 2027 bookings only and cannot be combined with a group discount on the same booking.
Solo Travellers

30% off the single supplement

Travelling on your own? We cut the single traveller supplement by 30% across selected 2027 departures.

  • The supplement covers the sole-occupancy cost a camp charges when a room sleeps one rather than two.
  • Available on selected camps and dates — your specialist will tell you which of your nights qualify before you commit.
  • Nothing changes about the journey itself: same guide, same vehicle, same rooms.
Group Offer

Bring three, the fourth travels free

Book four guests on a 2027 group departure and the fourth guest’s safari cost is on us.

  • The waiver covers the land portion — camps, meals, guiding and game drives.
  • International flights, visas, gorilla and chimpanzee permits and personal spending are excluded, as those are paid to third parties per head.
  • All four guests must travel on the same departure date and book together.
What's Included
  • VIP meet and greet at OR Tambo / Cape Town International Airport
  • All private charter flights or chauffeur transfers as specified
  • Luxury accommodation at all properties
  • All meals as specified — breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • All private guided game drives, tours, and tastings
  • All activities listed in the itinerary
  • All park, reserve and heritage site fees
  • Complementary spa session on final day
  • Private guide throughout
  • All transfers between airports and properties
  • Tswalu private tracker team for rare species tracking
  • Habituated meerkat colony encounter
  • Star-bed sleepout at Tswalu Motse
  • Hot-air balloon sunrise flight over the Kalahari
  • Behind-the-scenes rhino conservation briefing at Madikwe
  • Exclusive Batswana cultural heritage tour
  • ✓Travel insurance facilitated on your behalf (adjusted in your quote if you are already covered)
What's Not Included
  • International flights to and from South Africa
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Personal shopping and souvenirs
  • Premium imported alcohol beyond what is provided
  • Optional activities not listed
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Visa fees where applicable (most nationalities visa-exempt for short stays)

Package Pricing

Per Person Sharing$14,900
Single Traveller SupplementOn Request
ⓘ Price is per person based on two guests sharing. All charter flights, accommodation, meals, park fees, hot-air balloon, and activities are included. International flights to Johannesburg are not included.

2027 Season Pricing

The same unforgettable journey, priced by season.

Jan – May Best ValueSummer rains in the bush, whale season on the coast
$13,100
May – Sep Peak SeasonDry winter — prime Big Five viewing
$17,300
Sep – Dec Shoulder SeasonSpring bush walks, mild coastal weather
$15,200

Flexible Payment Plan

1

Reserve today with a low early deposit to lock in your 2027 dates and pricing.

2

Spread the rest across convenient instalments, at a pace that suits you.

3

Final balance due one month before departure — nothing more to pay once you fly.

Speak To Us

Journey Details

Minimum Age

Varies by camp, activity and national park

  • Camps and lodges — Most safari camps accept children from six years, with shared game-drive vehicles usually from eight to twelve. Many properties will take younger children on a privately booked vehicle.
  • Walking safaris — Guided walking safaris carry a firm minimum of fifteen or sixteen years across most reserves. This is set by the licensing authority, not the camp, and is never waived.
  • Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking — Uganda and Rwanda both enforce a strict minimum of fifteen years. It is a national park regulation and there are no exceptions.
  • Hot-air balloon safaris — Operators generally require children to be at least seven, and tall enough to brace unaided in the basket on landing.
  • Family and exclusive-use camps — A number of our camps run dedicated family units, child-minding and tailored activity programmes, and will relax their usual age limit for a sole-use booking.
  • Talk to us first — Age limits vary from property to property and from activity to activity. Speak to our experts before you book, and we will pre-arrange the details with each lodge around the ages of the children travelling with you.

Safari Duffel

Duffel, safari hat, vest and hooded jumper

  • Your duffel — A soft-sided Finders & Keepers Safaris duffel, sized for the 15 kg limit on the light aircraft that move you between camps. Rigid suitcases cannot be carried on those flights at all.
  • What is inside it — A branded Finders & Keepers Safaris safari hat, a safari vest, and a hooded jumper for cold dawn starts and balloon mornings.
  • Yours to keep — The bag and everything in it is a gift, not a loan. Nothing is returned at the end of your journey.
  • Packing around it — Soft luggage, neutral colours, and layers. Laundry is included at nearly every camp, which is why 15 kg goes further than it sounds.

Note

Malaria-risk areas are limited and avoidable

Cape Town, the Garden Route and the Winelands are malaria-free year-round. Only the low-lying Kruger and northern KwaZulu-Natal reserves carry seasonal malaria risk — your specialist will advise if prophylaxis is needed for your specific route.

  • Early starts — Safaris begin very early in the morning. Your guide will confirm what time you will be collected from your camp or lodge.
  • Tailoring this journey — If you would like this package with more or fewer days, arranged for a group, a family or a solo traveller, or with add-ons, reach out and we will tailor it for you.
  • Route changes — Your guide or driver may alter the route in certain circumstances, but every destination set out in the itinerary will be covered.

Documents

Visa-free for most nationalities

  • Passport — Valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended departure, with at least two entirely blank facing pages. South Africa refuses entry over insufficient blank pages more often than anywhere else on our circuit.
  • Visa — Visa-free for up to 90 days for UK, EU, US, Canadian and Australian passport holders, and for most SADC nationals. Others apply in advance or through the eVisa system.
  • Travelling with children — South Africa enforces the strictest child documentation rules of any country we operate in. Every traveller under 18 needs an unabridged birth certificate naming both parents. Where a child travels with one parent, or with neither, a sworn parental consent affidavit is also required. Families are turned back at the airport over this every week.
  • We file it for you — Whether you are flying in from overseas or travelling from elsewhere on the continent, we complete and submit your visa application on your behalf. You hand us your documents once. We do the filing, chase the approval, and carry the confirmations in your travel pack so nothing rests on you remembering a reference number at a counter.
  • Most of Africa is open to you — The great majority of our African destinations are now either visa-free or issue a visa on arrival, so an embassy queue is rarely in your future at all. Where a visa on arrival does apply, we prepare and lodge the paperwork ahead of you — you reach the desk with a finished file rather than a blank form and a biro.
  • Before you travel — Entry rules change frequently and without much notice. Your specialist confirms the current requirements for every passport in your party at the time of booking, and checks them again before you fly.

Guaranteed Departures

Private, tailor-made departures on your dates, or join a small group

  • Once confirmed, you travel — When your departure date is confirmed, it is guaranteed. We do not cancel, merge or reschedule a confirmed departure for commercial reasons, however the final numbers fall.
  • What confirms a departure — A departure becomes confirmed once the agreed number of travellers has been reached and paid for in line with the agreed payment schedule. Places held without payment do not count towards it.
  • If the minimum is not reached — Where a group departure has not reached its agreed numbers, we tell you early rather than late, and you choose: move to the next available date, continue at a revised small-group rate, or take a full refund of everything you have paid.
  • Solo journeys — Solo and tailor-made itineraries carry no group minimum at all. Your dates are confirmed the moment your deposit is received.
  • Visas — We prepare and submit your visa application on your behalf. Please note that the granting of a visa rests solely with the immigration authority of the country concerned, and is never guaranteed by us.
  • Medication — We arrange malaria prophylaxis, together with anti-nausea and anti-anxiety tablets, for your journey. Any prescription medicine should be confirmed with your own doctor before you travel — they remain the final authority on what is suitable for you.
  • Africa is not always hot — Despite the stereotype, Africa moves through distinct seasons and mornings at altitude can be genuinely cold. A hooded jumper is provided for cold conditions, and for every guest joining a hot-air balloon safari.
  • Dietary requirements — If you have strict dietary needs, please tell us at the time of booking. This includes vegans, guests in recovery, non-drinkers, and anyone following a prescription from their doctor.
  • Travel insurance — We facilitate travel insurance for our clients. If you are already covered, please say so during booking so we can take it into account in your final quote.
  • Tailoring your quote — Some of our inclusions — hot-air balloon safaris, for example — may not be what you want. Point these out and we will adjust your final offer accordingly.
  • The Maasai massage & spa recovery — Guests travelling the safari circuit by road rather than by air should expect long and tiring days. The rough terrain of the jungle gives the vehicle a constant jolting ride, known affectionately as the Maasai massage. A spa session is provided at the end of your safari to recover.
  • What to pack — Neutral colours are the rule on safari: khaki, olive, stone and brown. Avoid black and dark blue, which draw tsetse flies, and leave camouflage at home entirely — it is reserved for the military and illegal for civilians in several African countries. Bring layers for cold dawn game drives, long sleeves and trousers for dusk when the mosquitoes are out, closed walking shoes, a sun hat and sunglasses. Lodge dinners are smart-casual; nothing formal is needed.
  • Your safari duffel & kit — The duffel bag is used when flying into the parks, where luggage is limited to 15 kg per person. A branded Finders & Keepers Safaris safari hat and safari vest are also provided.

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