$4,102 to $4,512 pp (USD)
This tour is offered in ZAR.
Show rate in ZAR
Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Hotel pickup, travel to Kruger National Park, first guided game drive
Hotel pickup, travel 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 comfortable closed 4x4 or equivalent. We stop for a hearty breakfast on the way. We proceed to the southern end of the Kruger National Park, a journey of approximately 6 to 7 hours, depending on conditions. We stop for lunch before entering the park.
We enter Kruger and have a leisurely afternoon game drive on the way to Lower Sabie Camp, looking at animals. At Lower Sabie, probably the prettiest camp, we view at the hippos and crocodiles in the river and birds fishing from the rocks. Then, you can unpack and settle in. We join up for a barbecue (braai) under giant trees or dinner in the camp restaurant. It's early to bed because it is early to rise the next morning!
The early morning game drive the next day could easily turn up a leopard after a night's 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 Game Drive to Satara Rest Camp
Long Game Drive to Satara Rest Camp
Safari tours 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. We continue the game drive to Satara Rest Camp, the land of the lions.
This is a fairly long drive north, but there is plenty to see on the way, including baboons, elephants, zebras, giraffes and many antelopes. If we are lucky, we will see a hyena, lion, and elephant, and if we are very lucky, cheetah, leopard or wild dog. You have to keep your eyes peeled!
We have a late lunch on arrival at Satara, check in, and go for a short sundowner game drive. We return to camp before dusk. Enjoy a shower or some private rest time, or prepare for a Night Drive with a game ranger. This is when lions are often spotted, prowling the dark plains looking for prey or fighting off intruders. Hyenas are also usually seen. Return for a well-deserved rest, falling asleep to the sound of lions roaring.
- Main Destination:
- Kruger National Park
- Accommodation:
- Satara Rest Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Game Drive to a New Camp and Sundowner Game Drive
Game Drive to a New Camp and Sundowner Game Drive
We leave at the crack of dawn again with our baggage, coffee and rusks loaded. We stop off at the picturesque Olifants Camp for a sumptuous breakfast on the high restaurant deck, which provides unparalleled views of the Olifants River and the view towards mysterious Mozambique.
From there we continue our game drive towards Letaba Rest Camp, approaching via the giant "upside-down tree", Von Weilligh's Baobab, the Engelhard Lookout over the sweeping bushveld plains, and the secretive Matambeni Bird Hide.
Letaba is famous for its elephants. So, after lunch at the restaurant overlooking the flood plain of the Letaba River, usually teeming with game, we check-in and then go for a game drive winding along the Letaba River course.
We return for sundowners and a braai at your bungalow, listening to the haunting honks of hippos, 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 and Travel to Timbavati Nature Reserve
Game Drive and Travel to Timbavati 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 Tanda Tula Safari Camp, but will be an equivalent-type private lodge, depending on available accommodations. We arrive late morning and are given lunch and time to rest, 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. The driver is a knowledgeable ranger and a tracker sits on a special seat on the front of the vehicle so he can read the tracks and signs of the animals. This game drive continues beyond dusk into the early evening, allowing you to see predators on the prowl, as well as various other creatures that are lively at night. You then return for a tasty three-course meal around a fire, nightcaps and bed, escorted to your tent by a ranger.
- Main Destination:
- Timbavati Nature Reserve (Greater Kruger)
- Accommodation:
- Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Wildlife in Timbavati NR
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Game Drives and Relaxation at the Private Lodge
Game Drives and Relaxation at the Private Lodge
We have a game drive early in the morning that begins with the ranger waking you at about 05h00. It is usually a bit chilly on the open game drive 4x4, but blankets are provided, and the game viewing will keep you active. The rangers will show you smaller animals, birds and teach you about how the cycle of life works in the wild, from the tiny termites to the mighty elephants, and the role of trees and grass in this magical 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. You can also go for a walk with the ranger, if you wish. 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 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 and Return to Johannesburg
Game Drive and Return to Johannesburg
Sadly, this is the last day of your safari. 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 the vehicle, and we will leave the lodge mid-morning for the journey back to Johannesburg. We should arrive before dusk, allowing you to wash the dust of the bushveld off and get ready for supper at your hotel. 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 is the Safari Bug! ;-).
- Main Destination:
- Johannesburg (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
