Days
11
South Africa
You can choose from a rich range of activities: game drives by open vehicles, walking and mountain bike safari.
In the wilderness of the Tuli Block (Botswana), we might track spotted hyenas on foot.
In the Kruger, you can go on a morning river walk or join a mountain bike safari.
4×4: drive the 4×4 Mananga Trail, a circuit of about 50 km snaking through the bush, in an area near Satara closed to the public. The entry is subject to the authorization by the park’s management and can be denied in case of rain or muddy terrain. Probably the best 4×4 trail of Kruger NP-
Bush camp experience: spend your nights in a bush camp in remote and secluded areas. Live a wilderness experience in the heart of the Big 5 country.
Hyena tracking: track down spotted hyenas on foot, trying to approach their dens. Close encounters are very possible, but you will be always escorted by an armed and experienced ranger.
Mountain bike safari: you can book it at the reception of Olifants rest camp. But be sure to be in good physical conditions.
River walk: walk in the morning along Olifants River, from the Olifants rest camp.
Central Kruger: we will explore the regions of Olifants and Satara. From the Olifants rest camp you can book morning river walks and safari by mountain bike. Satara is known as the “the feline area“, for the abundance of big predators, and the large prides of lions. This is also the area of the park with the highest density of cheetahs. We’ll drive along the Timbavati gravel road, one of the most scenic of Kruger.
Manyeleti Game Reserve: arguably the wildest private reserve open to Kruger. During the Apartheid regime, this was the only reserve where black people were allowed. Because of a lesser tourist development comparing to other private reserves open or adjacent to Kruger, Manyeleti still looks pristine and with a very low density of vehicles.
Tuli wilderness: this is the land of giants; huge trees (baobab, mashatu), the largest antelope (eland), the largest land mammal (the African elephant), the big predators (lion, leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena).
Meeting at the Mpumalanga International Airport around 11 am with your guide. Self-drivers will pick-up their vehicle. We will head to Hoedspruit by driving along the Panorama Route and the Blyde River Canyon. Arrival to Hoedspruit by late afternoon. Dinner at leisure. Overnight in bushvilla or lodge.
After breakfast, we drive toward the Leshiba Wilderness, a gem nestled in the Soutpansberg mountains, in the mystic land of Venda. Game drive by open vehicle in the afternoon. As an optional activity, horse-back safari (not for beginners). Overnight in the remote Hamasha Bushcamp. (bushcamp, B / D)
Hiking in the morning, through the valleys and the mountains of the reserve. In the afternoon, activities at leisure. You can walk along one of the hiking trails, join a game drive or go for a horse ride. (bushcamp, B / L / D)
After breakfast we start our drive to the border with Botswana. From the border post of Platjan, where we will park our vehicles, we will be transferred to the Serolo Safari Camp, in a secluded area overlooking a dry river bed. First game drive in the afternoon, after lunch. Return to the camp after dark, for dinner. (bushcamp, B / L / D)
Safari in this private concession in the northern Tuli Block. A land with high density of elephants and big predators, especially lion and spotted hyena. Escorted by an expert and armed ranger, we will try track these latter on foot. Overnight and all meals at the Serolo Safari Camp. (bushcamp, B / L / D)
Once back from the morning game drive, breakfast and transfer to the border. The rest of the day will be devoted to the discovery of one the remotest and more fascinating national parks of South Africa: Mapungubwe. Part of a a huge transfrontiers wilderness at the confluence of 3 nations: South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. From November to February, the park is a haven for birdwatching. Some areas are accessible by 4×4 only. (wilderness camp, B / L / D)
Our destination today is the Kruger National Park. We will enter from the Phalaborwa gate. This mining town is also where the marula fruit is harvested, before being delivered to the winelands for being processed and produce the delicious Amarula cream. If we won’t run short of time, we can even stop at the Amarula for some tasting. Our accommodation in Kruger is at the Olifants restcamp, perched on a hill overlooking the main perennial river of the park. In the afternoon, you can book (optional) a mountain bike safari, where you well be escorted by an armed ranger. Dinner at the camp. (restcamp, B / D)
Accommodation at Olifants restcamp is in bungalow, with a braai for dinner. However, at your own expense, you can also dine at the restaurant.
Last chance for optional morning activities, like the river walk or mountain bike safari. After breakfast, we will head south, by driving along the scenic Timbavati gravel road. In the afternoon, we will explore the area around Satara, the ideal habitat for white rhinoceros and cheetah. Accommodation in bungalow at the Satara restcamp (restcamp, B / D)
At Satara too it is possible, always at one’s own expense, to dine at the restaurant of the restcamp.
This morning we will try to access into a no-entry area of the park, where there are no roads but only 4×4 tracks. The trail is about 50 km long, including also a couple of public gravel roads. Unlike anywhere else in the park, it is possible to get alight from the vehicle, at your own risk. Return to Satara at the completion of the trail and pic-nic lunch at a site along the Timbavati road. After lunch, we’ll exit the park from the Orpen Gate, to enter in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, just around the corner. Our accommodation is at the rustic Ndzaka Camp, in a thick forest. Game drive by open vehicle in the afternoon. Return to the camp after dark for dinner. (bushcamp, B / L / D)
Game drives in the early morning and late afternoon in the wildest private reserve open to Kruger. Large herds of buffalos and elephants are roaming in Manyeleti, which is also known for the abundance of white rhinos and large predators. Cheetahs and wild dogs are also often spotted. (bushcamp, B / L / D)
Morning game drive, breakfast and transfer to the Mpumalanga International Airport. (B)
For the passengers on the leading vehicles, the pick-up will be at the Mpumalanga International Airport (Nelspruit) or at Eastgate (Hoedspruit), according to their flght schedule. Depending on the arrival time, a quick visit to the Blyde River Canyon is possible. The first night will be spent in Hoedspruit, where we have our headquarter.
The stunning landscapes of the Leshiba Wilderness, the pearl of the Soutpansberg mountains.
We'll spend 2 nights at the self-catering Hamasha Bushcamp, in a remote area of the reserve, wedged between open grassy plains and dramatic gorges.
The breathless view over the gorge from the bushcamp.
Not only game drives. In the northern Tuli Block we'll have some short hikes as well. Looking for spotted hyenas.
The remote Mapungubwe National Park shares its border with Botswana and Zimbabwe. The landscapes are simply breathless.
The Olifants, especially in summertime, is a real haven for birdlife.
A common sight from the bridge over the Olifants river, just a few km from the Olifants rest camp.
Sunset over the Olifants, the main perennial river flowing through the Kruger National Park.
Game drives in the Manyeleti Game Reserve will be done by open and roofless safari vehicle.
In spite of poaching escalation, Manyeleti is still home to a healthy population of white rhinos.
A typical image of the grassy plains of Manyeleti in summertime. Breeding herds of elephants are very common.
Large herds of buffalos are frequently seen in Manyeleti and very often at the big dam, not far from Ndzaka Bush Camp.