$3,038 pp (USD)
This tour is offered in ZAR.
Show rate in ZAR
Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Spectacular Panorama Route along the Northern Drakensberg Escarpment
Spectacular Panorama Route along the Northern Drakensberg Escarpment
Our route takes us through the agricultural and mining areas of the Highveld. We then continue to the Drakensberg escarpment in Mpumalanga, where we visit many attractions along the Panorama Route. The attractions include God’s Window, the Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the viewpoint over the Blyde River Canyon at the Three Rondavels. The Panorama Route is arguably one of the most beautiful destinations in South Africa! It leads through the rugged mountain range of the northern Drakensberg. Here, in the northeastern part of the Great Escarpment, the inland plateau declines and opens up fantastic views of the plains of the Lowveld, up to a thousand meters below. The Panorama Route offers the most remarkable vistas over the Lowveld and is home to several phenomenal geographical features such as waterfalls, canyons, gorges, and river-eroded potholes.
In the late afternoon, we arrive at our charming guesthouse on the edge of the escarpment. Dinner is at Westlodge Guesthouse.
- Main Destination:
- Panorama Route (Highlight)
- Accommodation:
- Westlodge Bed & Breakfast
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Blyde River Canyon and Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Blyde River Canyon and Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
After breakfast at Westlodge, we continue along the Panorama Route, descend the escarpment, and arrive at Moholoholo Forest Camp in time for lunch. Later this afternoon, we will visit the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. The centre is proud of its efforts in wildlife education, but is often faced with the difficult decision of what to do with an injured or poisoned animal that cannot be released back into the wild. As a result, the centre has several permanent residents who are ambassadors for their respective species—visitors can get up close to these incredible creatures. As the sun begins to set, we enjoy an open vehicle game drive on the Moholoholo Game Reserve. You can see some night creatures such as serval, African wildcat, African genet, porcupine, aardwolf, aardvark, nightjar, hyena, and various owls. Predicting what you will see is impossible, but every drive has surprises. Dinner is enjoyed in the Boma around a crackling fire (weather permitting).
- Main Destination:
- Moholoholo Wildlife Centre (Wildlife Sanctuary)
- Accommodation:
- Moholoholo Forest Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Morning Bush Walk and Boat Trip on the Blyde Dam
Morning Bush Walk and Boat Trip on the Blyde Dam
After an early morning bush walk on the Moholoholo reserve and breakfast at Forest Camp, we travel to the Blyde River Dam for a scenic boat trip among the crocs and hippos and other riverine creatures. The boat trip takes you to the rare Kadishi Tufa waterfall and the Three Rondawels, huge towering round rocks, thought to be reminiscent of the huts of the indigenous people. The canyon is famous for the Kadishi Tufa waterfall; at 200m in height, it is the second-tallest Tufa waterfall on earth. It resembles a face that is crying profusely and is thus sometimes known as the weeping face of nature. An abundance of wildlife will keep you interested while learning more about the natural history of the Blyde Canyon. After your boat trip we will visit the Glencoe Baobab, one of the largest in Africa and well over a 1000 years old, have a light lunch at the well known Mad Dog Cafe and travel south to the town of Hazyview arriving at at Hippo Hollow Country Estate for your overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve (Panorama Route)
- Accommodation:
- Hippo Hollow Country Estate
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Elephant Interaction and Late Afternoon Kruger National Park Game Drive
Elephant Interaction and Late Afternoon Kruger National Park Game Drive
After an early breakfast, (or a packed picnic breakfast if you wan to go early), we enter the Kruger National Park ( KNP) with your expert guide. He will drive you through the Kruger to the safari lodge. This is a private safari and he will take several detours so that you will see as much of the KNP as possible as the 3 hour game drives at the lodge will not reach these parts. A private drive not shared with others is a precious experince Upon arrival, check into your Premium River-View room with a private balcony overlooking the Crocodile River. Take time to relax and enjoy the views, as wildlife may be roaming nearby. Spend the afternoon at leisure, perhaps enjoying lunch at the restaurant (optional), taking a refreshing dip in the pool, or exploring the beautiful grounds. Later this afternoon, you will be collected for a 3-hour open-vehicle game drive in the Kruger Park. Dinner is enjoyed this evening at Pestana Kruger Lodge after your late afternoon/sunset open-vehicle game drive.
- Main Destination:
- Southern Kruger National Park
- Accommodation:
- Pestana Kruger Lodge
Wildlife in Kruger NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Early Morning and Late Afternoon Open Vehicle Game Drives in the Kruger National Park
Early Morning and Late Afternoon Open Vehicle Game Drives in the Kruger National Park
This morning, you'll arise early at dawn and go for your sunrise safari with the park ranger. This is a special time of day as the Kruger awakens and comes to life. By now, you should have heard the iconic fish eagles cry, common along the river. Hopefully, there will be a matriarchal herd of elephants with babies or a savage but necessary lion kill, perhaps a majestic giraffe or a herd of stern-looking African buffalo. There are thrilling encounters around every corner!
Afterwards, return to the lodge for breakfast and spend the middle of the day at leisure. Relax at the pool or spend time enjoying the views from your Premium River View room balcony or from the deck at the restaurant. Lunch can be enjoyed on the deck at Pestana Kruger Lodge, which overlooks the Crocodile River and the Kruger Park (at your own cost).
Later this afternoon, you will be collected for your late afternoon/sunset open-vehicle safari, and after your game drive, return to Pestana Kruger Lodge for dinner.
- Main Destination:
- Southern Kruger National Park
- Accommodation:
- Pestana Kruger Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Early Morning Game Drive and Return to Johannesburg
Early Morning Game Drive and Return to Johannesburg
Arise early and go for your last early morning safari drive at dawn in the KNP. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa.. Since this is a “Big Five” territory, encountering lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo, as well as all the other iconic wildlife of Africa, is possible on these game drives. After breakfast at the lodge, you will be collected by your guide and start your journey back to Johannesburg. Arrival back in Johannesburg is around 16h30. If you're going to Cape Town, there is a convenient flight leaving at lunchtime every day from a local airport, and we can drop you there (in which case we will refund or discount the cost of transfer back to Johannesburg).
- Main Destination:
- Southern Kruger National Park
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
