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Collection in Jo'burg:
Departing at 7.00-7.30am
from any hotel in Johannesburg or off any early morning flight arriving at Jo'burg's
Oliver Tambo Int Airport (JNB) you safely travel East for approx 4 hours to 'Nelspruit' the capital of Mpumalanga Province.
At Nelspruit you have an
opportunity to do your last minute shopping, to stock up the
cooler box with some drinks, film, snacks, mosquito repellent etc.
Leaving Nelspruit your
journey continues for 1.5 hours to the game rich Southern region of Kruger Park and enter the park at Crocodile Bridge.
Collection from KMIA or
MQP:
Your Safari Ranger will meet you off your
midday flight arriving at Kruger Mpumalanga Int Airport (KMIA) or Mpumalanga Airport (MQP) and start your safari by driving for 1 hour to the game rich Southern region of Kruger Park and enter the park at Crocodile Bridge.
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Day 1: Johannesburg
- Kruger Park - Skukuza Camp (D)
On entering Kruger Park, you spend the rest of the day game viewing following
the Sabi River. The animals tend to move towards the Sabi River
in the afternoon to quench their thirst from the sun's heat -
you see herds of Impala or Waterbuck drinking at the waters edge.
A herd of Elephants cross the river, splashing, play fighting once
they arrive on the far side. Crocodiles are seen basking in the
afternoon sun; mouths open regulating their body temperatures.
A grunt from a Hippo is heard, we find them in a shallow section
of the river sleeping with the biggest male keeping an eye on
his territory and his females.
This first game drive up the Sabi
River sets up what's yet to come.
Arriving at 'Skukuza' camp just before the entrance
gates close for the evening, you check in, move into your chalet
to freshen up, ready for your first safari dinner.
Your dinner
is prepared, cooked and served outside under the stars. Traditional
South African meals are prepared by your Safari Ranger, giving you a taste of our delicious,
barbeque cuisine.
Day 2: Kruger Park - Sabi Sands
(B L D)
The day starts early with a wake up call at
5.30am. At 6.00am the camp gates open. We leave Skukuza camp and
head towards 'Satara' camp.
On the way your Safari Ranger finds a Leopard walking on the edge of the road, marking it's territory by scenting
trees and bushes. He's a big male, powerful. We slowly follow
him as he proudly walks along the edge of the road. Later you
see a White Rhino using a rubbing post then wanders off. Impalas always next to or crossing the road. Three Lionesses on the road
laying close to each other and then moving off into the bush.
Later a Hyena runs across the road making it's way back to its den.
We continue game viewing, stopping off at water holes, following
river lines, checking dams.
For breakfast, you stop off at a picnic site
at approx 10.00am. For the rest of the morning, we continue game
viewing on a few loops in the Satara region, focusing on the
Timbavati River loop. The area around Satara is also good for
Cheetah. Your Safari Ranger spends some time searching for this
splendid animal while making our way to 'Orpen Gate' where we
leave Kruger Park.
From 'Orpen Gate' you head
south to a private reserve the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. You pass through rural villages,
stopping to ask to take photos of native life and culture.
On entering this famous reserve, you then make our way to camp. You check in, move into your chalet
to freshen up, ready for lunch at approx 2.30pm. After lunch,
you have time for leisure - siesta, a swim or some socializing.
At 4.00pm afternoon tea and coffee is served. Afterwards, we make
our way to the open 4 x 4 Land Rovers and start your afternoon
game drive.
Being your first open vehicle game drive you are
given a 5-minute safety talk by your game ranger. The tracker
sits on the front of the Land Rover in his special trackers seat,
checking for fresh tracks and spotting the wildlife for us as
we drive around. During the night drives your tracker uses a powerful
spotlight, swinging left and right searching for the nocturnal
animals.
Your game ranger finds you all the general wildlife
- Impala, Warthog, Giraffe and Waterbuck whilst making our way
to a Lion Kill. During the morning a resident pride of 12 Lions (5 are cubs) had killed an adult Giraffe. We arrive and find all
the Lions sleeping under a shady tree with Vultures filling the
surrounding trees, waiting in anticipation. The Vultures have
been arriving all day. The big dominant male Lion rises and walks
over to the carcass for another helping. Starts to lick an area
of the carcass and then continues to eat. Three Lionesses join
him but eat at different positions.
You're only a few metres away from all of this
action - incredible!
A little later as the sun goes down, we stop
in the bush a little off from the Lion Kill, have a stretch and
enjoy 'sun downers' (drinks). Feeling more relaxed after a call
of nature, we continue with a night game drive. The tracker uses
his high-powered spotlight. There are Hyenas arriving in the area
due to the Lion Kill, but our focus is to see a Leopard. We stop
for a Night Jar, an amazing nocturnal bird. We see lots of smaller
nocturnal animals - Spotted Genet, White Tailed Mongoose, Owls and more Hyenas.
You finally return back to camp for approx 8.00pm.
You are escorted to your chalet to freshen up, ready to return
to the bar for drinks and then a full dinner is served, with further
socializing done later around the campfire. We hear Hyenas constantly
whooping in the direction of the Lion Kill. Later when you are
in bed you hear Lions roaring.
Day 3: Sabi Sands - Johannesburg
(B)
For your last game drive your game ranger decides to focus on Elephant. We find a big breading herd of Elephants. The females are protective of their young. The matriarch makes it very clear we are not wanted. A lot of noise with trumpeting and a few mock charges later, we are able to approach slowly with extra caution. Elephants are all over the place, so impressive. The 1-2 year olds are so cute. We spend time quietly taking photos and then only move off when the herd has moved on at their own speed.
On the way back to camp we come across a White Rhino.
He stares at us with his ears twitching, then proceeds to eat
the lush grass......
You return to the lodge at
approximately 9.00am. After breakfast you pack and load
suitcases, pay your bar bill and subsequently
leave the reserve.
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Drop-off back in Jo'burg:
On our homeward bound journey you enjoy the
'Panoramic Route' driving through the Northern Drakensberg Mountains.
En-route you will stop and
spend a few minutes at famous scenic spots such as
God's Window, World's View, Berlin Falls, Blyde River Canyon at
the Three Rondavels and if there is still time in hand, you
visit Pilgrims Rest.
From Pilgrims Rest it's a
relaxed 4 hour drive back to Jo'burg. During this time it's
great to reflect & chat about your safari with your Safari
Ranger or catch up on a little sleep!
Your Safari Ranger will drop you off at
any hotel in Jo'burg including Jo'burg's Oliver
Tambo Int Airport for approx 6.00pm.
Drop-off back at KMIA, MQP,
HDS:
Flying out on your last day
may mean having extended time in the Sabi Sands Reserve, with
you not having to depart
straight after breakfast. Time for one more walking safari! Your Safari Ranger will make sure you leave the Sabi Sands in time to catch your flight out.
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- Note
(B L D) refers to the meals included - Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Skukuza camp is used for explanation purposes
in this itinerary and may not be the camp you are booked into
as all accommodation is subject to availability.
Itinerary may vary slightly due to gate
opening times, game movements, weather etc....
Kruger
National Park | Sabi Sand Reserve | Kruger Park | Sabi Sands
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