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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 - Satara Camp (B D)
The day starts early with a wake up call at
5.30am. At 6.00am the camp gates open so we can start the day's
game viewing. You visit Lower Sabi camp at approx
10.00am when it's time to have some breakfast and of course, have
a stretch.
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 crossed the road making it's way back to its den.
After breakfast at 'Lower Sabi' camp we continue
game viewing, stopping off at water holes, following river lines,
checking dams for the rest of the morning and early afternoon.
Your Safari Ranger spots you lots of wildlife - a herd of Buffalos at a water hole, Eagles in the afternoon sky, Giraffes grazing
off the Acacia trees with their necks stretched to the limit.
Birds are spotted all the time.
You stop off at Nkombi lookout
and enjoy this stunning view, seeing more Rhino in the distance.
Zebras and Wildebeest grazing the open grass areas keeping a watchful
eye out for predators. You see more Elephants passing near by.
You visit 'Tshokwane' picnic spot at approx 1.00pm
when it is time to have a cup of tea, have a stretch and use the
toilet facilities. We continue game viewing, stopping off at water
holes, following the river lines and checking dams for the rest
of the afternoon - you see loads of different wildlife.
You arrive at 'Satara' camp at 4.00pm. You check
in. You then have a chance to check the curio shop, stock up with
drinks and freshen up ready for your night drive, which departs
from camp at 6.00pm.A SANParks ranger in an open
sided truck conducts the night drive, which lasts for approx three
hours.
On your return from your night drive at 9.00pm your dinner would have been prepared, cooked ready for you to enjoy dinner out in the open, listening to the African night sounds, whilst we discuss the next day's exciting events.
Day 3: Kruger Park - Sabi Sands
(B L D)
The area around Satara is good for Cheetah.
Our second morning is spent driving around a few road loops around
Satara. Your Safari Ranger spends some time searching for this
splendid animal, stopping off at a few open plain areas, water
holes etc.
For breakfast, we stop off at a picnic site
at approx 10.00am. For the rest of the morning, you continue game
viewing on a few more loops in the Satara region, focusing on
the Timbavati River loop, then making our way to 'Orpen Gate'
where we leave Kruger Park. This area is good for all sorts of
game with Elephants and Buffalos being most common.
From 'Orpen Gate' we 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 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, you 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 had 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 Hyena arriving in the area
due to the Lion Kill, but our focus is to find 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 4: Sabi Sands (B L D)
The day starts early with a wake up call at
05.30am. At 06.00am tea and coffee is served in the thatched lappa. Afterwards
we make our way to the open 4 x 4 Land Rovers and start your morning
game drive. Your game ranger decides to check on the Lion Kill.
We smell the carcass before we arrive; it's two days old now and
starting to stink. The Lions are still there with a few Hyenas dotted around. A Black Backed Jackal is seen on the perimeter.
It's evident the Lions and Hyenas had clashed in the night but
the Lions still control the carcass.
You continue with the game drive seeing Elephant,
a bachelor herd of big tuskers. More Buffalo approx 350 number
moving in the direction of a waterhole. We drive through the herd
and stop in the middle for photos to be taken. Later you see Waterbuck,
Zebra, Warthog and more Impalas.
You return to camp for breakfast. After breakfast
another walking safari is provided. The rest of the day is at
your own leisure, sleeping, swimming and socializing until lunch.
At 4.00pm afternoon tea and coffee is served.
During your afternoon game drive you see loads
of different bird species and general game - Impalas, Warthog,
Baboons, Wildebeest and Zebra. A little later we stop for a stretch
and 'sun downers'.
Feeling relaxed, you continue with a night game
drive focusing on Leopard. This night we are lucky. We find a
Leopard at a small waterhole. It's a female and she is very relaxed.
We are able to approach close. After drinking she heads off back
into the bush. We follow keeping the spotlight on her as much
as possible. She's just so beautiful. Photos are taken. After
a while we decide to leave her but suddenly she crouches into
pounce mode. Moving the spotlight we can see a little Steenbok,
a small antelope, in front of her. She springs, two bounces and
she has the Steenbok. We lose her for a few seconds, as we have
to re-position the Land Rover. We move in close. The Steenbok is killed. She's looking around, panting a little. Finally she
picks up the Steenbok in her mouth and climb's up the nearest
Marula tree, positions the Steenbok in the tree so it will not
fall. She starts to pluck the fur off and eats. We watch and take
lots of photographs.
We return back to camp for dinner. The talk
is of the Leopard Kill - fantastic.
Day 5: Sabi Sands - Johannesburg
(B)
For your last game drive we pop to see the Leopard
Kill. The carcass is half eaten but she is not to be seen. She'll
be back to eat later in the day or during the night. We move off
to the Lion Kill viewing general game as we drive through the
bush. We arrive to find the Hyenas have pushed the Lions off the
carcass. With the Lion pride having cubs they would probably have
relinquished the carcass to the Hyenas earlier than normal. We
take a few photos and then move off leaving the carcass to the Hyenas and Vultures.
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 on the last few days & 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 or at Jo'burg's Oliver
Tambo Int Airport (JNB) for approx 6.00pm.
Drop-off back at KMIA or
MQP:
Flying out on your last day
may mean 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 and Satara camps are used for explanation
purposes in this itinerary and may not be the camps you are booked
into as all accommodation is subject to availability.
Itinerary may also 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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