Safari Odyssey

Kruger National Park Safari

$ 1616 / per person

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KRUGER NATIONAL PARK SAFARI

5 Days / 4 Nights
1 January – 31 December 2022

The Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this National Park of nearly 2 million hectares is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms, and holds its place as a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies.

To the west and south of the Kruger National Park are the two South African provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. In the north is Zimbabwe, and to the east is Mozambique. It is now part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a peace park that links Kruger National Park with the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe, and with the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique. The park is part of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere, an area designated by the United Nations Education and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) as an International Man and Biosphere Reserve (the “Biosphere”).

Big Five game animals (lion, buffalo, elephant, rhino & leopard) are found at the Kruger National Park, which has more species of mammals than any other African Game Reserve. Over 450 species of birds, and a vast plethora of reptiles, insects and smaller game are found.

The Kruger National Park is divided into six eco-systems: Baobab sandveld, Mopane scrub, Lebombo knobthorn-marula bushveld, mixed acacia thicket, Combretum-silver clusterleaf woodland on granite and riverine forest. Altogether it has 1,982 species of plants.

Out of the 517 species of birds found at Kruger, 253 are residents, 117 non-breeding migrants, and 147 nomads.

There are almost 254 known cultural heritage sites in the Kruger National Park, including nearly 130 recorded rock art sites. There is ample evidence that prehistoric man, Homo erectus, roamed the area between 500,000 and 100,000 years ago. Cultural Stone Age artefacts have been found for the period 100,000 to 30,000 years ago. More than 300 archaeological sites of Stone Age man have been found. Evidence of Bushman Folk or San and Iron Age people from about 1,500 years ago is in great evidence, with numerous examples of San Art scattered throughout the park. There are also many historical tales of the presence of Nguni people and European explorers and settlers in the Kruger area. Most significantly are the archaeological ruins at Thulamela and Masorini.

INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE:

4 Nights’ luxury accommodation.
Meals as specified.
All transport in air-conditioned or open game-viewing vehicles.
All excursions, sightseeing and game viewing activities as described in the program.
All entry fees, park fees and conservation levies.
The services of a qualified and registered tour guide / driver.

5 Days / 4 Nights

14+ Age

Packages

South Africa

Destination

South Africa
Departure

Johannesburg
Departure Time

06:30 and 08:00
Return Time

18:00

Tour Plan

Day 1 – Mpumalanga Province - Kruger National Park Border

Your day will start with an early departure from Johannesburg, travelling east towards the Mpumalanga Province, passing through the open grasslands and agricultural areas of the “Highveld”. The journey continues via the scenic Schoemanskloof Pass into sub-tropical citrus farming and forestry areas. Visit the many attractions along the “Panorama Route”, including God’s Window, the Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the viewpoint over the Blyde River Canyon at the Three Rondavels. The Panorama Route along the Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga is arguably one of the most beautiful and popular travel destinations in South Africa. It leads through the rugged mountain range of the northern Drakensberg. Here, in the north-eastern part of the Great Escarpment, the inland plateau declines abruptly and steeply and opens up fantastic views of the plains of the Lowveld up to a thousand metres below. In the afternoon, descend the eastern escarpment and travel through the warm “Lowveld” to a beautiful country lodge, located just a short distance from the nearest entrance gate to the Kruger National Park. Accommodation: Country Estate or lodge dinner, bed & breakfast basis.

Day 2 – Mpumalanga/Limpopo Province - Kruger National Park

Depart before dawn and travel the short distance to the entrance gate of the Kruger National Park. Once inside the Park, excitement will mount as you will start seeing some of the numerous animals that inhabit this magnificent wildlife sanctuary. Kruger National Park is home to the Big 5 and an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers an ultimate wildlife experience. Breakfast packs will be provided, which will be enjoyed at a picnic spot inside the Kruger Park. Spend virtually the entire day on a game drive, arriving at a Kruger Park “rest camp” in the late afternoon. Accommodation is in comfortable en-suite bungalows or cottages, and dinner is enjoyed in the camp restaurant. Accommodation: Satara, Olifants, Skukuza or Letaba Rest Camp, Kruger National Park dinner, bed & breakfast basis.

Day 3 – Mpumalanga/Limpopo Province – Private Game Reserve

Depart after breakfast from the rest camp, and spend most of the morning inside the Kruger Park, game-viewing as you go. Exit the park around mid-day and travel to an exclusive lodge in a nearby private game reserve, where you will enjoy your first exhilarating game drive in specially adapted open 4X4 vehicles. At dusk sundowners are enjoyed deep in the bush, after which the drive continues, making use of spotlights to search for nocturnal animals. A final highlight today is a specially prepared dinner at the lodge. Enjoy a night at a smaller and more intimate game lodge in one of the private game reserves that lie directly west of the Kruger National Park. The specific game lodge used will depend on availability, but should be one of the following: Jackalberry Game Lodge, Chapungu Luxury Tented Lodge, Thornybush Waterside Lodge or Kapama River Lodge. Accommodation: Private Game Lodge fully inclusive of all meals & game-viewing activities.

Day 4 – Mpumalanga/Limpopo Province - Private Game Reserve

An early wake-up call signals the start of yet another exciting day in Big Five territory. Depart on an early morning safari in open 4x4 vehicles after which you return to the lodge for a late breakfast. After breakfast you can embark on a guided bush walk with an armed ranger, who will identify spoor and droppings and share with you some of the fascinating secrets of the bush. If you are lucky you may come across the Big 5 - a truly exhilarating safari experience. This evening another safari in open 4x4 vehicles is undertaken, followed by a scrumptious South African dinner. Accommodation: Private Game Lodge fully inclusive of all meals & game-viewing activities.

Day 5 - End of safari

After a final open vehicle game drive and late breakfast, travel back to Johannesburg via the scenic Abel Erasmus Pass, and the interesting country towns of Lydenburg, Dullstroom and Belfast. Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you will be dropped off in the late afternoon at the location of your choice.