South Africa|Safaris in South Africa
5 Day Kruger Safari
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Fast Facts
Travelling to:
Balule Private Game Reserve and Hazyview
duration:
5 Days - 4 Nights
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This tour is an adventure tour of the Kruger National Park and Hazyview area and operates in an adventure truck.
The Mpumalanga area is one of great contrast, bordered in the west by the towering escarpment with lush indigenous forests, crystal-clear streams and plunging waterfalls, and then falling away into the flat Lowveld bushveld, home to one of the richest diversities of fauna and flora in the world. Well known private reserves and the renowned Kruger National Park located in this area. Spending time both in the park and in a private reserve that is unfenced to Kruger National Park, there is the freedom to get out on foot as well as travelling out in an open vehicle.
Outline Itinerary
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Day 1 - Balule Private Game Reserve
Staying at: Greenfire Bush Lodge
Departing from the Greenfire Lodge Johannesburg at 06h30, set off on the scenic road to Mpumalanga. Enjoy a lunch stop in the historic town of Dullstroom before we wind our way down the Drakensberg escarpment and into the untamed Lowveld. The road is filled with scenic beauty from mountain passes to the Acacia trees scattered across the African bushveld.
Spend the next two nights at the well-appointed private bush lodge, which is situated in a private reserve within the greater Kruger National Park; an area where animals roam naturally and unrestricted. Being on a privately owned reserve allows us the freedom to explore the wilderness in search of a variety of animals both on foot and in open game drive vehicles.
The tented lodge blends into the bush and offers comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, a refreshing splash pool, and stunning views over the surrounding wilderness. Dinner tonight is cooked in the traditional manner over an open fire.
Day 2 - Balule Private Game Reserve
Staying at: Greenfire Bush Lodge
As is custom in the bush, start the day with a light breakfast of coffee and rusks before embarking on a guided game walk within this Big 5 area. A guide and/or tracker will lead the way in the walk, taking around 3 hours. Although you may not cover much distance the aim is to search for animals and to focus on the smaller things that are often missed while out driving around in the bush. Returning back to the lodge before the heat of the day, a sumptuous brunch will be waiting for you. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure where you can enjoy your surroundings. There is a waterhole nearby that us frequented by many animals as they come to quench their thirst.
Later in the afternoon, travel out on an open vehicle game drive that carries on into the evening evening giving you the opportunity to spot nocturnal animals such as owls and bushbabies. Just before sunset we stop for a sun downer drink another great custom on a game drive. Returning back to the lodge once more, where you will enjoy a hearty bush “braai” (BBQ) cooked on an open fire.
Day 3 - Hazyview
Staying at: Greenfire Lodge Hazyview
Rising with the African sun, enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting off to explore the highlights of the Panorama Route. The first stop will be to view the impressive Blyde River Canyon, then on to Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Gods Window, and the cozy little town of Graskop. The Panorama Route offers guests some of the best natural wonders in the area and we will spend as much time as possible at each of the highlights.
Continue on to Hazyview this afternoon and check into Greenfire Lodge Hazyview. Here you will stay in a log cabin built on stilts in the indigenous forest on the banks of the Sabie River. If time allows you will be able to do a nature walk on the property.
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Day 13 - Pretoria
Staying at: Sheraton Pretoria Hotel
06:00 – 09:00 Breakfast is served on a first-come-first- served basis.
10:30 The Blue Train arrives at Pretoria Station - Butlers usher guests to the Arrival Lounge
On arrival into Pretoria train station you will be met and taken to your hotel in Pretoria for an overnight stay.
Days 14 - 15 - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Staying at: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
After breakfast you will have a road transfer to Johannesburg Airport for your flight to Victoria Falls. After arranging your visa for entry into Zimbabwe, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is for you do as much or as little as you wish. We do recommend a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, the scenery is spectacular and if you are very lucky you will see some wildlife. Of course, a visit to Victoria Falls is not complete without a tour of the falls themselves, these are easy to arrange either locally or in advance.
Day 16 - Johannesburg
Staying at: The Residence, Johannesburg
After your stay at Victoria Falls you will have a flight back down to Johannesburg Airport. On arrival you will be met and transferred by road to your hotel in Johannesburg for an overnight stay.
Days 17 - 19 - Madikwe Game Reserve
Staying at: Tuningi Safari Lodge
After breakfast you will be collected and taken to Johannesburg Airport for your light air transfer to Madikwe Game Reserve. You will be met at Madikwe Airstrip by a lodge vehicle and taken to your game lodge. Game drives in the Madikwe Game Reserve are absolutely amazing. Here you will probably see lions, elephant, giraffe, baboons and if you're really lucky leopard and wild dog. Alongside this you will see plently of birds such as the lilac breasted, fish eagles, yellow horn bills and the police of the bush - guineafowl.
Day 20 - Departure
After your morning game drive and breakfast you will be taken back to Madikwe Airstrip for your light air transfer to Johannesburg Airport which will connect with your overnight flight back to the UK.