- South Africa
- Kruger National Park with 3* Mauritius Beach Stay
Kruger is one of the biggest, oldest, and quite simply one of the best wildlife parks in the world. Our multi-centre offers you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Big Five on safari and then relax in Mauritius, where you can lay back and unwind in a place where the glistening, golden sands meet the crystal clear waters.
Depart on your overnight flight to Johannesburg.
Dinner
Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to Kruger. On arrival, you will check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast & Dinner
An early morning start allows you to take advantage of the best time to enter the national park on what is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the tour. Kruger is one of the biggest, oldest and quite simply one of the best wildlife parks in the world. Covering an area of more than 19 square kilometres, Kruger boasts vast landscapes and the greatest variety of animals in any other park including the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) as well as giraffe, cheetah, hippos and many species of antelope and smaller animals. Accompanied by an experienced game ranger, you will tour specific areas of the park in an open-sided vehicle offering the very best safari experience with a clear view of the game from an elevated position. Return to your hotel late this afternoon to relax and recall the day’s events with your travel companions.
Breakfast & Dinner
Today is at leisure to relax at your hotel or explore. Alternatively, why not book a second day 4x4 experience in Kruger National Park? This can be booked locally.
Breakfast
After breakfast you will transfer to Johannesburg where you will spend the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Breakfast
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Mauritius. On arrival, you will be taken to your beach hotel. The rest of your time here is at leisure.
Breakfast
Enjoy your time in Mauritius, where the choices are as diverse as the island itself. Create lasting memories with morning walks along the dreamlike golden sands, or relax and soak up the sun’s rays. Choose from a range of island excursions including a wander through lush, green forests on long exploratory strolls or visit the tea plantations for a serene experience.
Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.
When you're looking for the perfect holiday, it's nice to have some assurances. As well as being a three star plus hotel, the Casuarina Resort and Spa at Trou aux Biches is a member of the Worldhotels Comfort Collection – another guarantee of its quality.
It's certainly perfectly situated, just a short stroll from a lovely white sandy beach and an enclosed lagoon (with its own coral reef). And, in keeping with its environment, the Casuarina Resort and Spa features beautifully thatched roofs and a design aesthetic that helps it blend into its beautiful surroundings.
Let's take a look around. The thatched restaurant (one of three restaurants at the Casuarina Resort and Spa) is a good place to start. With its grand pillars and wonderful views, you won't want to hurry any meal here. It's an immaculate setting, and leads out onto the pool area.
It really is an incredible pool, and features a wide perimeter that's perfect for sunbathing. It's just one of the features of the beautifully laid out grounds with garden groves and attractive porticos. It's a beautifully designed hotel, both inside and out.
Venture a little further into the tropical gardens and you'll discover the spa – a series of treatment cabins featuring an oriental hammam steam bath as well as a beauty parlour and swimming pool.
Inside, your air conditioned twin or double room features a balcony or terrace. (You really must try and spend some time each day taking the air on the terrace). You'll also find a satellite TV, telephone, hairdryer, safe and minibar. Tea and coffee making facilities are available at a fee. You can also enquire about taking a thatched bungalow on a self-catering basis.
When you're not taking it extremely easy at the Casuarina Resort and Spa, there's plenty to do –and lots of watersports, you can go kayaking or snorkelling, or take a turn on a glass bottomed boat. There's even a diving initiation if you fancy it. Bicycles are also available to hire for getting around on dry land. The Casuarina Resort and Spa really is perfectly placed in beautiful Trou aux Biches. There is so much to see and experience here and so much wonderful relaxing to be done too!
The Casuarina Resort & Spa is a member of Worldhotels Comfort Collection, and occupies an idyllic spot a short distance from a white sandy beach beside a coral reef in an enclosed lagoon at Trou aux Biches. The delightful traditionally thatched restaurant opens onto the pool area. A harmonious spa is nestled in the heart of a tropical garden and consists of an oriental hammam, beauty parlour, chiropodist, manicure and 4 treatment cabins around a swimming pool for relaxation (fees will apply).
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
South African entry requirements
Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 3 blank pages.
British passport holders are not currently required to obtain a visa to travel to South Africa. This will be granted on arrival.
For clients travelling to South Africa with children under the age of 18: Children travelling with both biological parents must travel with: • Valid passport of travelling parent and child • Visa, if required • Birth certificate listing both parents (note: these must be the original documents, or certified copies of the originals) A child travelling with just one of the parents listed on his or her birth certificate must also present: • Parental consent affidavit not older than 4 months or • Letter of special circumstances issued by director-general of home affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased, and no legal guardian has been appointed as yet. For full details of requirements for travel to South Africa, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Mauritius visa requirements
A visa is not required for British citizens visiting Mauritius. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations’ Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.
We work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote 'Mercury Holidays'. When calling the Travel Visa Company, they will advise you of any changes to the fees or the procedure, they will also advise you of all information they will require in order to apply for the visa. We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up to date guidelines regarding these.
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, early mornings, long days of driving, some days with lots of walking and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR). Credit cards are widely accepted and ATM’s are available in most town/cities. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. Some local banks will not change money back into Pound Sterling, so do not exchange too much. It is advisable to carry smaller note denominations as some outlets and vendors may not accept the larger notes.
The currency in Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR, however it is possible to pay in Euros at larger establishments. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK.
You will need to take extra money with you to cover any dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases. Approximately £300-£400 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour.
Tipping
It is customary to tip both your driver and guide. We would recommend tipping your guide and driver approximately £6 per person per day in total and £6 (150ZAR) per person per day for the ranger. It is customary to tip your guides/rangers/drivers at the end of your time with them. Tipping for restaurants (recommended 10%) and the porters at your hotels will be at your discretion and done on-site. Tips are accepted in the local currency, US dollars, Euros and British pounds for the guides/rangers/drivers however for waiters, porters etc, please tip in local currency.
We have no minimum number of passengers to run this holiday. If we are not able to operate your departure date for any other reason, then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
For your tour portion, you will have a guide/driver with you during your excursions. For the beach portion of your holiday, you will not be escorted by a tour guide. Your time here will be free to do as you wish. Details of your departure transfer will be confirmed by your guide at the end of your safari or by a representative in the hotel.
Western and international food will be served however some establishments will serve traditional meals giving you a chance to experience local flavours. Vegetarian and Vegan options available, please request prior to departure. Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. Bottled water will be available at shops and hotels/lodges.
On your arrival you will be met by a representative from our local agent, African Eagle, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/African Eagle representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.
On arrival in Mauritius, after collecting any hold luggage and passing through Customs, please make your way directly to gate 5 where one of our friendly representatives will welcome you and lead you to your chosen transfer. The representative will be holding a Mercury Welcome Board.In the event of a problem with your hold luggage, please send a member of your party to arrivals to advise our representative of the delay. If you are travelling alone, please call one of the numbers below.
If you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are:
African Eagle:
Telephone Number 0027 82 325 0201
E-mail duty@ae.co.za
Emergency contact details for African Eagle 24 hour: 002782 325 0201
Mercury Holidays Representatives will be available throughout your stay in Mauritius, you will also be provided with local contact information by your representative but just in case of an Emergency please contact:
Bisham: +23052511881,
Rama: +23052525087,
Pamela: +23059436872