Days
8
South Africa, Botswana
Escorted by a master photographer, we will explore part of the the central-southern section of the Kruger Park. This is real Rhino country, but you can find all big five and the large predators in particular. We’ll make a couple of stops at the Lake Panic Hide, the best of the all park.
From the Kruger we’ll head to the land of giants, in the wilderness of the Tuli Block, in Botswana. Elephant, Eland, Lion, spotted Hyena, Cheetah and Leopard will be on our target. In addition, Mashatu is also known for giving the opportunity to photographers to use its dedicated photography hides. Where you can shoot great photos of birds and other wildlife from a short distance and a different perspective. Accommodation will be at a nice tented camp.
Finally, we’ll complete this photography journey in the most exclusive of the private reserves of the Greater Kruger: Sabi Sands. We’ll have again a self-catering lodge at our sole use. Sabi Sands is one of the best places in all Africa for Leopard spotting.
We run this photographic journey all year-round, although there are differences according to the different seasons. November to February is the best for birdwatching. From November to December and part of January is also the season of the newborns among many species of antelopes. While from November to March is the rainy season, which means that some showers may occur, but nothing to do with the heavy rains of other countries in Southern Africa. However, the bush gets thicker and spotting animal more difficult. The dry season (June-October) is definitely the best for safari, but you can’t match with the colors and the magic that the bush gets after the rains. In other words, every season has its charme, just go when you can. And if you can, try to the dry and the rainy season: you may struggle to reckon the same places!
Meeting at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg in the early morning and transfer to Skukuza, the headquarter of Kruger National Park. Once at the gate, you will be met by one of our guides with an open vehicle.
We will spend some time at the Lake Panic Hide, arguably the best bird hide of Kruger, before returning to the camp for dinner.
An entire day of game drive by open vehicle, first in the southern area of the park, then with a further stop at Lake Panic Hide, before heading north to Satara and Orpen gate, from where we’ll leave the park and will get to Hoedspruit. Dinner at leisure in town.
On day 3, we leave Hoedspruit after breakfast, to reach the border with Botswana at Pont Drift by 1 pm. An open vehicle from the lodge will pick us up and transfer to the Mashatu Tent, on the Mashatu Game Reserve, part of the Tuli Block. Game drive in the afternoon, and return to the camp for dinner.
On day 4, we will spend the morning at a hide, while in the afternoon we’ll go again on a game drive.
Last hide session in Mashatu. After breakfast, transfer to the border, where we’ll pick up again our vehicle to drive back to Hoedspruit. Dinner at leisure in town.
This is our last chance to admire the Blyde River Canyon, from its best look-out point: Three Rondavels. An alternative option (at one’s own expense) might be to join a boat trip into the heart of the canyon. The departure is from Swadini at 9, about 45 minutes from Hoedspruit.
By the early afternoon we must reach our accommodation in Sabi Sands, in time for the first of our scheduled 4 game drives.
Our accommodation will be at private camp for sole use.
Last game drive in the morning, return to the camp for breakfast. After checking-out, long transfer to Johannesburg International Airport.