Karoo Gariep
On arrival in Bloemfontein, you will be met by your Pictus Safaris tour leader and local guide and transferred the four hours south to the delightful New Holme Nature Lodge. After a chance to settle in and perhaps catch up on some rest, this evening we will begin our game-viewing in earnest.
This conservancy might lack big game, but it offers superb viewing of rare nocturnal species, and we have an excellent track record in spotting aardvark and aardwolf here. If very lucky, we may even spy black-footed cat or African striped weasel as we traverse the area. The night drive will likely last for two to three hours and will be a wonderful introduction to some of the rarest mammals on the continent. Thereafter, we return to the lodge to overnight.
- Main Destination:
- Karoo Gariep
- Accommodation:
- New Holme Nature Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Karoo Gariep
The next two days will be spent exploring this little-visited corner of South Africa. The vast majority of our focus will be on nocturnal species here, with aardvark, aardwolf, black-footed cat and more all possible. By day, the birding in particular can be hugely rewarding, and our focus will also shift to smaller mammals, including sengis.
Our lodge here is very comfortable, and offers some of the best food anywhere in the country. We will overnight here after lengthy night drives each evening.
- Main Destination:
- Karoo Gariep
- Accommodation:
- New Holme Nature Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Marrick Game Farm
Today we transfer by road for the six-hour drive to the world-famous Marrick. Once we are settled in, we will tonight head out once more after dark to enjoy the pursuit of extremely rare nocturnal mammals that call this region of South Africa home. Aardvark, aardwolf, black-footed cat and even ground pangolin are regularly recorded on night drives here. We are hopeful of striking lucky this evening, before returning to our accommodation for some rest.
- Main Destination:
- Marrick Game Farm
- Accommodation:
- Marrick Safari
- Meals & Drinks:
Marrick Game Farm
We have two full days to enjoy the rare nocturnal wildlife found on Marrick. Each day will start slightly later than usual on a typical safari, taking into account the long nights spent in the bush. On one day, we will enjoy a full-day game drive in the nearby Mokala National Park, where white and black rhinos, buffalo, giraffes and much more can be seen. On the other hand, a daytime drive in Marrick allows for views of the eclectic species of antelope raised here.
Each evening, we will set out deep onto the wilds on the property at Marrick for the chance to view Africa's very rarest species. On one evening, we are excited to have secured access to a research vehicle in nearby Benfontein, which means we have a very high chance of encountering the elusive black-footed cat, Africa's smallest cat and most effective predator. Each evening, we return to Marrick to overnight.
- Main Destination:
- Marrick Game Farm
- Accommodation:
- Marrick Safari
- Meals & Drinks:
Upington
Today we leave Marrick behind, transferring the five hours or so west to the town of Upington, where we overnight at a very comfortable guest house. Your evening is at leisure after several long nights in the past few days, and ahead of our drive to the Kgalagadi tomorrow.
- Main Destination:
- Upington (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Three Gables Guest House
- Meals & Drinks:
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Today we will complete our drive with a three-hour journey northwards into the wilderness of the Kgalagadi. Arriving in time for lunch, our afternoon game drive will focus on the rich diversity of species that reside in this expansive desert park. Big cats are abundant here, with cheetah, lion and leopard well-seen, but more excitingly this is perhaps the best place in Africa to see both caracal and wild cat. Giraffe, oryx, springbok and more are all likely to be encountered this afternoon.
After returning to camp for dinner, we will head out on a night drive shared with other guests, with a focus on rare nocturnal mammals including honey badger, brown hyena and caracal.
- Main Destination:
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
- Accommodation:
- Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
The next two days are a rare chance to spend time deep in one of the wildest areas of South Africa. Our key targets include leopard, lion and cheetah, which are well seen here. But the park is also one of the most reliable spots for wild cat and caracal anywhere in Africa, and significant time will be spent seeking out these wonderful species. Even the more generic game-viewing can be rewarding, with giraffe, red hartebeest, gemsbok and springbok well-seen. On two of our nights here, we will also head out on lengthy night drives, which serve to greatly enhance our chances of spotting caracal, aardvark and wild cat.
- Main Destination:
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
- Accommodation:
- Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Upington
This morning we must sadly say goodbye to this lovely corner of Southern Africa, returning to Upington for homeward flights.
- Main Destination:
- Upington (Town)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks: