Wild Cat Conservation
On safari you will be hosted by Ben and Kahlia Britton, the dynamic husband-and-wife duo and committed conservationists who founded the Wild Cat Conservation Centre in Wilberforce, Australia – an oasis for conservation efforts focused on wild cats from around the globe; one that notably runs a successful conservation breeding and rewilding program for Cheetahs. They are a pioneering force in understanding and protecting smaller wild cat species, and by joining them on this safari you become a vital part of their mission to safeguard these remarkable creatures.
Your safari commences with an overnight stay in Johannesburg before departing by road early the following morning bound for Botswana. Ben and Kahlia will travel with you as you drive through South Africa’s varied landscapes before arriving in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve in Botswana, a pristine conservation area known for its rugged landscapes, diverse wildlife, and striking rock formations. From your base in Mohave Bush Camp, you will spend four days exploring the surrounding big cat territory! You will have the opportunity to carry out field observations at a Spotted Hyena den, track animals on foot, visit a local village to learn firsthand about human/wildlife conflict and spend afternoons searching for the elusive African leopard or caracal.
Ben calls Mashatu Game Reserve his second home, having visitied and worked at Mashatu for over 15 years, and it will be your home for the following four nights. Widely regarded for its captivating cat sightings – lions, leopards, and cheetahs it is also home to no less than seven of Africa’s “giants” – the African elephant, the lion, giraffe, the baobab tree, the eland, ostrich and the kori bustard.
Throughout your safari Ben will share his experiences in Africa and provide firsthand insights into the challenges faced in conserving wild cats in Southern Africa. And by joining this safari you are directly contributing to ongoing conservation efforts.
This trip is strictly limited to 8 guests so don’t miss out!
You will love
- Big cat central!
- Breathtaking landscapes
- Insight into ecology & conservation
- Game walks, tracking & epic sightings
- The biodiversity of wildlife
- Down to earth & authentic safari camps
- Local community interaction
- Hosted by Ben & Kahlia Britton
10 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS
BEFORE DEPARTURE - DATE TO BE ADVISED
WILD CAT CONSERVATION CENTRE – WILBURFORCE
Your safari commences with the opportunity to meet your hosts and fellow adventurers at the Wild Cat Conservation Centre in Wilberforce (NSW) over light refreshments before exploring the centre itself.
Note: This is not compulsory, just a wonderful opportunity to meet one another and visit the centre.
DAY 1 | SAT 19 APRIL 2025 | ARRIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA | PEERMONT MONDIOR - 1 NIGHT
Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa today. On arrival you will be met, assisted with Customs & immigration and privately transferred to the Peermont Mondior for overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.
The Peermont Mondior is a stylish and modern hotel offering a comfortable blend of contemporary elegance and traditional African decor. There is a gourmet restaurant inhouse should you wish to dine this evening, or you may simply prefer a tipple, or a cup of tea, before heading to bed for a good night’s sleep in preparation for your safari ahead.
DAY 2 | SUN 20 APR | BOUND FOR BOTSWANA | MOHAVE BUSH CAMP - 4 NIGHTS
Enjoy an early breakfast this morning before meeting your hosts, Ben and Kahlia, at 7 am in the Peermont Mondior foyer. Board the transfer bus bound for the Tuli Block – the narrow fringe of land on Botswana’s eastern border between Zimbabwe in the north and South Africa in the south. Your journey will take approximately 6 hours with rest stops along the way. On arrival at Mohave Bush Camp settle into your tent before joining Ben and Kahlia for afternoon tea, an activity overview, and a Q&A session to discuss your next 8 days on safari and to highlight any of your specific interests.
If time permits you will enjoy a quick game drive in the African wilderness.
MEALS : Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner
DAY 3 | MON 21 APR | WILD WALK & BROWN HYENA
After spending your first evening under canvas in the African bush, you will wake early to depart on foot into the Reserve. This is the perfect way to start your trip and let you truly immerse yourself in the Botswana bush. Learn how to decipher animal tracks and ID African wildlife as you take in the surroundings. Then return to camp to listen to a talk by Ben, outlining the current projects and the work being done in the region to conserve and better understand African wildlife.
The afternoon will be spent carrying out animal observations and monitoring Brown Hyenas in their den. Learn about these elusive carnivores and what makes them truly unique in their environment.
MEALS : Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, & Dinner
DAY 4 | TUES 22 APR | EAGLE ROCK & CAMERA TRAP INSTALLATION
Set out on foot this morning bound for Eagle Rock, a beautifully distinctive precipice overlooking the reserve. From this vantage point you will gain a whole new perspective of the vast African wilderness!
Reconvene back at camp and over afternoon tea enjoy your host Ben’s tales about his wild adventures with National Geographic.
Following afternoon tea head off to carry out large predator field observations and set up camera traps within the reserve. This may include observations of Spotted Hyena, carried out on foot, as they rest at their den site in the late afternoon light. This is truly a very unique and special experience.
MEALS : Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner
DAY 5 | WED 23 APR | VILLAGE VISIT & CAMERA TRAP COLLECTION
Spend the morning at one of the nearby villages learning how the local people live with the surrounding wildlife, and learn about the pressures that come with human-wildlife conflict. The ongoing future of African wildlife depends on finding a way for people to live with wildlife, by embracing the local villages and working alongside them it assists in conservation efforts.
The afternoon will be spent in the reserve collecting your camera traps before heading back to camp to see what images you have captured! A great final evening at Mohave Tented Camp!
MEALS : Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner
DAY 6 | THU 24 APR | MASHATU GAME RESERVE | MASHATU TENT CAMP - 4 nights
Following breakfast at Mohave Bush Camp you will hit the road and transfer to Mashatu Tent Camp.
Mashatu Game Reserve is widely regarded as one of the best locations in Africa to view big cats. Here you will immerse yourself in the rustic intimacy of the wild, spending four nights in Mashatu Tent Camp with its eight spacious, comfortable and completely private tents. Tucked under the branches of enormous trees, accessible via meandering pathways the tents are mounted on raised platforms each with private outdoor en-suite facilities. Ben has been visiting and working at Mashatu for over 15 years – welcome to his second home!
Upon arrival you will be shown to your tent where you can settle in and enjoy a siesta. Later this afternoon join Ben and your fellow travellers for afternoon tea before embarking on a game drive and to view one of many sunsets you will NEVER forget!
MEALS : Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner
DAY 7, 8 & 9 | Fri 25, SAT 26 & SUN 27 APR | MASHATU
Over the next three days, you will enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in Mashatu, and you may choose to spend a morning in one of Mashatu’s famous photographic hides* (at additional cost) to capture stunning images of African wildlife drinking at the waterhole.
Mashatu is renowned for its captivating cat sightings – lions, leopards, and cheetahs! It is also home to no less than seven of Africa’s “giants” – the African elephant, the lion, giraffe, the baobab tree, the eland, ostrich and the kori bustard. And with the largest elephant population in a private game reserve in all of Southern Africa, Mashatu will not disappoint!
MEALS : Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner
DAYS 10 | MON 28 APR | SAFARI ENDS
Following a final morning breakfast at Mashatu Tent Camp, you will pack your bags and return to Johannesburg by road, with drop off at OR Tambo International Airport, where your tour ends.
For those who wish to extend their stay in Botswana please don’t hesitate to ask about travelling to the Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Savute or Chobe National Parks or further afield to Victoria Falls, Cape Town and beyond – the options are endless!
MEALS : Breakfast & Morning Tea
NEED TO KNOW
10 Nights / 11 Days
19 April 2025 - 28 April 2025
10 Nights / 11 Days
19 April 2025 - 28 April 2025
AUD $8,490 per person Twin Share
AUD $8,490 per person Twin Share
START: JOHANNESBURG | Finish: JOHANNESBURG
Inclusions
- Peermont Mondior – 1 night
- Mohave Tented Camp – 4 nights exclusive use
- Mashutu Tent Camp – 4 nights
- All meals as specified
- Game viewing at Mashatu Tented Camp
- Road transfers between Johannesburg Airport & camps in Botswana
- Hosted by Ben & Kahlia Britton ex Johannesburg
Exclusions
- International flights
- Gratuities & items of a personal nature
- Tourist Visas – if required
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance
- Alcoholic beverages & any meals not specified
- Conservation levies at Mashatu Tented Camp
- Any item not specified
Minimum – 8 (to confirm the departure)
Flights & Insurance – on request
Recommended Routings to Johannesburg : Qantas ex Sydney | South African Airways ex Perth | Singapore Airlines via Singapore
YOUR HOSTS
Ben Britton
Ben Britton, Director and Founder of the Wild Cat Conservation Centre in Sydney's Hawkesbury Valley, is a devoted wildlife advocate with 30+ years of experience in animal husbandry and conservation. His passion for wildlife has led him to work in various locations, from African reserves to Asian sanctuaries. Ben's conservation efforts have been highlighted in several documentaries, particularly his ongoing research on wild cats in Southern Africa, where he collaborates with conservation partners to safeguard big cats and other African wildlife.
Kahlia Britton
Kahlia Britton was born in Sydney, Australia, and spent her early years seeking out as many opportunities as possible to surround herself with animals. This love of wildlife led her to work in a variety of institutions across NSW with a range of animals from native birds, mammals, and reptiles, through to big cats and primates. She has spent the last 7 years establishing the Wild Cat Conservation Centre with her husband, which focuses on the conservation of
smaller, lesser-known wild cats. Now a bonafide wild cat lover she finds watching their range of natural behaviours fascinating!
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