$4,656 pp (USD)
This tour is offered in ZAR.
Show rate in ZAR
Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Hotel pickup, travel by road to Kruger National Park, first guided game drive
Hotel pickup, travel by road to Kruger National Park, first guided game drive
Guests will be picked up early from their Johannesburg hotel around 05h00 to avoid traffic. Travel is in a very comfortable closed 4x4 or equivalent on a major highway. We stop for a hearty breakfast on the way. We descend nearly 2000 metres from Johannesburg down the escarpment to the lowveld and the southern end of the Kruger National Park, a journey of about 6 to 7 hours, depending on conditions. We lunch before entering the park.
After Kruger entry formalities, we take a leisurely afternoon game drive up to Lower Sabie Camp, probably the prettiest of all the camps, where we view hippos and crocodiles in the river and birds fishing from the rocks. You can unpack and settle in. We join up again for a barbecue (braai) under giant trees or dinner in the restaurant overlooking the river. Then early to bed because it's early to rise tomorrow!
The early morning drive could easily turn up a solitary leopard after a night hunt, or lions looking for a place to rest in the heat of the day.
- Main Destination:
- Kruger National Park
- Accommodation:
- Lower Sabie Rest Camp
Wildlife in Kruger NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Long rewarding Game Drive to Satara Rest Camp stopping for breakfast at Tshokwane
Long rewarding Game Drive to Satara Rest Camp stopping for breakfast at Tshokwane
You'll realise safaris have an entirely different kind of itinerary. Rise before dawn to catch predators on the prowl, have coffee and rusks on the drive, and then enjoy a late breakfast at about 09h00 to 10h00. After that we continue to Satara Rest Camp, the land of the lions, but keeping an eye out for cheetah.
This is a fairly long drive north, but there is lots to see, including baboon, elephant, zebra, giraffe and many antelope. If we are lucky, we will see hyena or lion, and if we are very lucky, cheetah, leopard or wild dog. You have to keep your eyes peeled! At each sighting we stop in a good photographic position.
We eat a late lunch at Satara, check in, and go for a short sundowner game drive. We return before dusk. Enjoy a shower or some private rest time, or prepare for a group Night Drive with a game ranger. Lions are often spotted, prowling the dark plains or fighting off rivals. Hyenas are usually seen. Return and fall asleep to the sound of lions roaring.
- Main Destination:
- Kruger National Park
- Accommodation:
- Satara Rest Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Game Drive to Letaba Rest Camp and Sundowners overlooking the river's floodplain
Game Drive to Letaba Rest Camp and Sundowners overlooking the river's floodplain
We leave again at the crack of dawn with our baggage, coffee and rusks loaded. We break our game drive at the picturesque Olifants Camp for a sumptuous breakfast on the high restaurant deck, which provides unparalleled views of the Olifants River and gaze towards mysterious Mozambique.
From there we continue towards Letaba Rest Camp, approaching via the giant "upside-down tree", Von Weilligh's Baobab, and the secretive Matambeni Bird Hide.
Letaba is famous for elephants. There is a fascinating Elephant Hall which explains aspects of elephant life and has portraits of the main "tuskers" as well as an elephant skeleton. We do this before we lunch overlooking the flood plain of the Letaba River, teeming with game. After lunch, we check-in, and then go for a game drive winding along the Letaba River course.
We return for sundowners at the restaurant, and then braai at your bungalow, listening to haunting hippo honks, the eerie whooping of hyenas, and, if you're lucky, the roar of lions.
- Main Destination:
- Kruger National Park
- Accommodation:
- Letaba Rest Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Game Drive to Ba-Phalaborwa Gate, exit Kruger and travel to Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Game Drive to Ba-Phalaborwa Gate, exit Kruger and travel to Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
We leave Letaba at dawn and travel to Ba-Phalaborwa gate, where we exit the park, followed by breakfast nearby. We then travel down to Hoedspruit on our way to the private game lodge, listed here as Bateleur Private Tented Camp, or an equivalent-type private lodge, depending on available accommodations. We arrive late morning eat lunch and have time to have a nap, swim, or relax.
At about 15h00 to 16h00, we assemble for a snack and drink before departing on the game drive. The game drive is in an open 4x4 safari vehicle with a knowledgeable game ranger and a tracker on a special seat on the front of the vehicle so he can read the tracks and signs of the animals.
This game drive stops for sunset drinks in the bush, then continues into the early evening, allowing you to see predators beginning their night hunts, as well as various other nocturnal creatures. There is usually some excitement before returning for a tasty meal around a fire, before a ranger escorts you to your tent.
- Main Destination:
- Timbavati Nature Reserve (Greater Kruger)
- Accommodation:
- Bateleur Safari Camp
Wildlife in Timbavati NR
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Big Game Viewing Opportunities on Drives, Mentoring and Relaxation at the Private Lodge
Big Game Viewing Opportunities on Drives, Mentoring and Relaxation at the Private Lodge
The ranger wakes you at about 05h00. It is usually a bit chilly on the open game drive 4x4, but blankets are provided (sometimes with hot water bottles), and the game viewing will keep you shutter clicking. The rangers will show you smaller animals, birds and teach you about how the cycle of life works in the wild, from tiny termites to mighty elephants, and the role of trees and grass in this magical bushveld spectacle.
We return to camp for a hearty breakfast. After that you can have a lovely catch-up sleep mid-morning, relax, swim, or do bird watching until lunch-time. Or you can opt for some photo-mentoring with David. You can also walk in the bush with a ranger (an optional extra). We reassemble for the afternoon game drive at about 15h00-16h00, depending on the season. We get close to the animals, allowing for marvellous photographs. The drive extends into the early evening again before we return to camp for another delicious meal near the fire, and then off to bed.
- Main Destination:
- Timbavati Nature Reserve (Greater Kruger)
- Accommodation:
- Bateleur Safari Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Game Drive, Check-out and Return to Johannesburg
Game Drive, Check-out and Return to Johannesburg
Sadly, this is the last day of your safari adventure. The game drive will give you a last opportunity to grab that iconic photo. After breakfast, you bid a fond farewell to the ranger and tracker (not forgetting to give them a good tip for the wonderful sights they have turned up for you).
Then, they will take your luggage to our vehicle, and we will leave the lodge mid-morning for the journey back to Johannesburg. We should arrive before dusk.
We will be sorry to see you go, but we hope to see you again on the next safari, to new destinations, or back to the ones you have come to love.
There are many bugs that bite in Africa, but the worst bite of all is the Safari Bug! ;-).
- Main Destination:
- Johannesburg (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
