Spirit of Adventure

Beyond the excitement of the football there is so much more to discover in stunning Africa – home to amazing cultural experiences, first-class wildlife reserves and spectacular scenery. Why not combine a small group adventure with your football plans for a complete African experience!

Standing in quiet awe as you meet the gaze of one of the world’s few remaining mountain gorillas has got to be one of the most amazing encounters with the animal kingdom one can have! Due to the importance of protecting these amazing creatures, trekking permits to see the gorillas are limited. So if you want to book yourself onto a trip that is guaranteed to depart, without the stress of worrying whether you will be able to secure a gorilla permit, the 2 January 2010 departure of the 8-day Uganda’s Gorillas & Chimps or 19 February 2010 departure of the 11-day Preserving Primates, are safe bets as we have guaranteed permits for these two trips.

Undoubtedly the ultimate highlight of the 8-day Uganda’s Gorillas & Chimps journey occurs the moment we enter the realm of the majestic mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. To be able to witness the strong bond within the gorilla family and the quiet, regal nature and awesome dignity of the silverback, is a rare privilege. Uganda – a country boasting equatorial rainforests, acacia savannahs, great lakes and soaring mountains, also has a number of national parks that offer some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Africa. We trek to see the chimpanzees of Kibale Forest National Park – an outstanding opportunity to enter the world of these cheeky primates, while two nights in Queen Elizabeth National Park and a further night in Lake Mburo National Park, deliver a feast of wildlife viewing opportunities, as well as a glimpse into Ugandan life.

The 11-day Preserving the Primates, which visits both Uganda and Rwanda, is a collection of fascinating primate experiences like no other. Against the backdrop of the spectacular Virunga volcanos in the Parc National des Volcans, we undertake two treks – one to visit families of mountain gorillas and one to seek out the rare Golden Monkeys. In Uganda, we also set out on two primate treks, starting with a gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and then undertaking a very special, full day chimpanzee habituation experience. We spend time with the rangers of Kibale Forest National Park and a chimpanzee family, to gradually habituate the apes to the presence of humans.

For more information about these and our other African wildlife experiences, visit our website.

Peregrine’s Copywriter Erin Aldersea recently returned from an African adventure and came home with many questions about her wildlife encounters!

A lot of us dream about seeing African wildlife at least once in our lives. We imagine how we will feel when we meet the gaze of a lion or cross the path of a herd of elephants. Some of us are lucky enough to even have that lion pee on the vehicle we are in – so close you could touch his velvety fur – or have the largest male elephant in that herd charge your vehicle so you come eye-to-eye with him. Well that was my experience anyway and I wouldn’t change it for the world!

Recently on the 8-day Tanzania Lodge Safari I had these close-up encounters and so many more! From watching sleeping leopards in trees to witnessing the amazing wildebeest migration in the Serengeti, I can honestly say I have never been so in awe of a region before. Knowing these experiences were possible certainly made the dawn wake-up calls a lot easier to handle!

One highlight which took up a big chunk of my camera’s memory card, with endless video footage and photographs, was when a herd of about 20 elephants strolled right up next to our vehicle and proceeded to enjoy a mud bath for half an hour. It was on for young and old in the mud puddle, only ten metres away from us, they were having the time of their lives!

So if you’re looking for a wildlife experience like no other, consider visiting the wilds of Tanzania – I can guarantee you will have some close encounters you will never forget.

If you love golf, here’s your chance to combine a golfing holiday with the spectacular wildlife and scenery of an African safari. It’s an adventure that not too many golfing trips will offer – 18 holes at a world-class course one day, and lion and rhino watching on the savannah the next day! Our special golfing trip starts with a round at the famous Lost City Golf Course at Sun City, near Johannesburg. Here, your motivation to keep the ball on the fairway are the two-metre-long crocodiles living in the water hazards! As our trip continues we’ll play at South Africa’s best courses, including the links-style Humewood Golf Club (where antelopes and monkeys share the course with us!), the Jack Nicklaus-designed Simola Golf Course, and the world-class Royal Cape Golf Course with stunning views of Table Mountain.

In between rounds, we’ll explore the best that South Africa has to offer. On game drives in Kruger National Park, we’ll hope to see lion, elephant, white and black rhinos, leopard, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, jackal and the many species of antelopes. We’ll also visit the Blyde River Canyon, monkey and elephant sanctuaries, and travel the famous Garden Route to the beautiful Cape Town region, where we’ll enjoy the fabulous local food and wine. It will be a golfing adventure with so much more!

West Africa Expedition

Do you want to getaway to a region that few travellers get to experience in a lifetime? We have an expedition which takes you deep into the mysterious heart of West Africa, a destination that has captured the imagination of travellers for centuries.

Our incredible, one-off 22-day West Africa Expedition explores the ancient fabled towns and historic kingdoms of Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo and Ghana. You will get an in - depth look at the rich and diverse history of these fascinating countries - from the tragic slave - trading past to the influential empires of the Dahomey and Ashanti people. The incredible warmth and exuberance of the locals will undoubtedly be a highlight, with the vibrant, colourful and impressive markets coming a very close second! West Africa is also renowned for its world-class musicians whose hypnotic beats and haunting rhythms and these are sure to leave a lasting impression.

The West Africa Expedition has one departure next year on 7 November. To find out more and to be sure to secure your place on this ground-breaking journey click here.

Essence of Tanzania

This stunning journey through Tanzania’s rich and diverse wilderness combines amazing wildlife viewing opportunities with unique cultural experiences, offering you an unforgettable 11-day adventure!

The Essence of Tanzania trip is full of up close encounters with the incredible wildlife of East Africa. From days spent in the great game parks of Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti and the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater you will witness lions, zebras, giraffes and so much more. A superb feature of this safari is the unique flexibility of our private mobile camp which allows us to follow the path of the great migration of wildebeest in the Serengeti.

With your nights spent in a fully-equipped private mobile camp with ensuite toilets, ensures many of you will have all the comforts of home but the view from your front door will be completely removed from anything you have ever experienced! An encounter with the Hadzabe bush people, the most ancient tribe in Tanzania, will overwhelm you with the timeless simplicity of their daily lives and the warmth of their welcome.

The Essence of Tanzania has departures throughout the year, to find out more about tours to this stunning region please visit our website.

Classic Botswana

There is so much that makes Botswana the perfect country for a classic African journey. Starting with the spectacular wildlife on show here, you can witness cheetahs stalking their prey and elephants playing in the waters of the Okavango Delta. You can also experience one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World at the stunning Victoria Falls in Zambia.

The 8-day Classic Botswana journey will take you into the pristine natural wonderland of the Okavango Delta to discover these picturesque wetlands on a traditional mokoro, and explore the Khwai river region and the Chobe National Park in open safari vehicles. Immerse yourself in one of the greatest wilderness regions on the planet, in complete comfort, on this short but sensational safari that showcases a true African gem!

This unforgettable Botswanan journey departs between June and November, visit our website for more information.

With exceptional national parks and a great diversity of wildlife, Kenya is undoubtedly one of the world’s top nature destinations. On the 12-day Essence of Kenya adventure you will explore by foot, in boats and in extended 4WD vehicles the remarkable spectrum of landscapes Kenya has to offer. From the arid scrubland and snow-capped mountains to lush valleys and shimmering lakes, Kenya will leave an impression on any traveller looking for a unique experience.

This epic safari provides incredible highlights such as Mount Kenya, the Samburu/Laikipia ecosystem and Laikipia Plateau, Lake Naivasha, World Heritage Listed Lake Nakuru and the majestic Masai Mara. Be sure to watch Getaway, Channel Nine, on Thursday 1 May at 7.30pm as Lake Naivasha features in their Kenyan story. This was filmed on a Peregrine trip so it will give you a great insight into this adventure.

Even our Web Administrator, Chris Johnson, gets away from his computer once in a while. As a lifelong Africa addict, Chris tells us about his favourite place for a sundowner – the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

We walked out from the lodge with cocktails in hand, stood on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater and looked across at the vast expanse before us. Way below we could see specks against the greens and browns of the crater floor that we knew must have been animals. The sunset was spectacular to our left, and an enormous stillness descended over everything as the light faded. A rustle in a nearby bush reminded us that we were still in the realm of the animal kingdom and on their home turf, and with that it was time to head into the restaurant for dinner.

The following morning we renewed our acquaintance with the crater and, with the sun rising to our right, we could hardly wait until after breakfast to get into the vehicle and down into the crater to see the animals at up close. The crater’s high walls seem to hold captive every kind of species, and we had close-up experiences with several lions, hippos in a mud pool and a mother and child rhino. We searched in vain for a leopard that the guide was well-acquainted with, but were rewarded with witnessing a mother eagle train her young to skim fish from the surface of a lake.

The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is unlike any other wildlife experience in Africa. The steep walls of the crater make for a dramatic backdrop, and the unique eco-system within the crater is the perfect habitat for a profusion of wildlife. The sunset is pretty spectacular too – especially when accompanied by a cold drink!

When most people think of Kenya they picture rolling plains populated by huge herds of wildebeest being overlooked wistfully by Robert Redford and Meryl Streep. The 11-day Essence of Kenya trip has been specifically designed with exclusivity and a touch of luxury in mind, and will certainly give you your ‘out of Africa’ experience.

With a small group size of between four and seven clients, the entire trip is about getting as much out of your Kenyan experience as possible. After a day walk on Mt Kenya we head up to the exclusive El Karama Lodge, an old cattle station, situated on a private concession. With a maximum of 18 guests and 14,000 acres to explore, there is plenty to keep you busy. As well as the usual suspects of lions, cheetah and leopard, there are also reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich and Grevy zebra that are all endemic to this part of Kenya. Being a private concession we are also able to enjoy night game drives and game walks with our qualified naturalists - something that cannot be experienced in the adjoining Samburu National Reserve.

We then stop at the Menengai Crater where our overnight accommodation is in a beautiful permanent tented camp. Peregrine is very proud to be supporting this tented camp as all profits from the camp are used to support the Ujima Foundation. The Ujima Foundation is a training institute that prepares young adults for employment in Nakuru, giving the poor access to employment. The foundation strictly targets orphaned youngsters between the ages of 17 and 23 years and who take care of their siblings. The trainees hone their skills in the permanent tented camp that we will be staying in. Rest assured though that the camp is excellent, the food incredible and the service impeccable!

Our final stop is three nights in the Peregrine private camp in the Masai Mara, East Africa at it’s finest. Also located on a private concession and with a maximum of 16 guests, we have all the advantages of ‘the Mara’, but all the exclusivity of a private camp. Game walks and night drives are possible here where they are not elsewhere in the Mara.

On the third day we take a long game walk to an intimate bush camp where we will spend the night. Picture dinner served under the stars next to the campfire whilst being guarded by Masai tribesmen. The view from the bush camp is of rolling plains populated by huge herds of wildebeest, the only thing we cannot guarantee is a visit from Redford and Streep.