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The northern Drakensberg provide welcome relaxation after the excitement of a safari. This area of tumbling streams and waterfalls amongst indigenous woodland and forest plantations is only two hours drive from the Kruger Park or the private game lodges and three hours from Johannesburg. The panoramic drive alongside the Blyde River Canyon is magnificent. Pilgrim's Rest is a restored mining village that was the centre of a 19th century gold rush and the towns many preserved houses and museums bring this fascinating history alive. Many of our clients also enjoy the Cheetah Research and Breeding Centre at Hoedspruit and the Shangaan cultural village. The escarpment area has several convivial country lodges as well as some attractive guest lodges.
Accommodation in Drakensberg Escarpment |
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A number of private concessions have been granted within the park, which means that small private lodges are being built in new, game-rich areas. These operate similarly to the lodges in privately owned reserves. Otherwise, the game viewing in the Kruger Park is mainly self-guided, though day and night drives are available with park rangers at an extra cost, and the camp accommodation is comfortable but basic. This is an inexpensive way to enjoy the delights of the bush. Some country lodges and hotels are only minutes from the park gates and offer a more convivial alternative.
Accommodation in Kruger National Park |
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| Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve |
The 65,000 ha Sabi Sands private game reserve is considered by many to have some of the best Big Five game-viewing in South Africa. The Sand and the Sabie rivers supply much needed water to the region resulting in an incredible diversity of wildlife. Due to a long history of sensitive game-viewing, the animals are mostly relaxed allowing superb game-viewing, especially of leopards which, highly unusually, have become accustomed to safari vehicles resulting in extraordinarily close sightings. This is a unique feature of the Sabi Sands. However you have an excellent chance of seeing other members of the Big Five - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard - as well as many species of antelope, spotted hyena and cape hunting dog, jackal, and a variety of smaller mammals.
The Sabi Sands private game reserve comprises a number of private game lodges, whose owners cooperate in conserving their valuable heritage. Some of the world's finest game lodges are found here.
A Sabi Sands safari is an intimate and informative experience. You enjoy game drives in open-vehicle game drives with an experienced ranger and a local Shangaan tracker who work together to give you a deeper understanding of the wildlife and the natural cycles of the bush. Drives are in the early morning and late afternoon when game is most likely to be active. Tracking Africa's big game, the evening safari departs after afternoon tea. After enjoying the bush sunset, the evening holds a sense of anticipation as the rare and elusive nocturnal species begin to hunt. The evening meal is often enjoyed in a 'boma' or even in the bush around an open fire, which many guests feel is a particularly evocative treat. Morning walks are encouraged ensuring that the more fascinating aspects of the fauna and flora are not overlooked. Game walks offer the ultimate, close-to-the-wild experience, and a chance to focus on the smaller bush inhabitants.
Accommodation in Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve |
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The Kingdom of Swaziland, to the south of the Kruger National Park, provides a fascinating cultural and wildlife experience. Travel through undulating country dotted with Swazi villages and enjoy game viewing in the scenic Mkhaya and Mlilwane reserves. The Swazis are renowned craftsmen, and you can buy terrific examples of basket ware, colourful fabrics, carvings, and Mother of Pearl in friendly markets and roadside stalls. White-water rafting and hiking are on offer for the adventurous whilst others will prefer a round of golf or a gentle horse ride through the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.
Accommodation in Swaziland |
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| Timbavati, Manyeleti & Other Private Game Reserves |
The Timbavati and the Manyeleti private game reserves share an open border with the Kruger National Park so animals move freely. Other excellent private game reserves include Thornybush, Makalali and Balule.
The vast Timbavati Private Game Reserve of 46 000ha borders the Kruger National Park to the north and offers a pristine wilderness experience. The Timbavati supports a great diversity of large and spectacular wildlife - elephant, spotted hyena, giraffe, buffalo, leopard, white rhino and several prides of lion whilst cheetah and wild dog are also frequently seen moving through the reserve. The game-viewing vehicle density is lower in the Timbavati but your chances of seeing leopard are also lower than in the Sabi Sands.
The Manyeleti private game reserve, lies between the Timbavati to the north and the Sabi Sands to the south and has a similar animal distribution to the Timbavati. Leopard are less frequently seen at close ranges than in the Sabi Sands but the Manyeleti only has two private concessions allowing for a very exclusive game-viewing experience.
The game-viewing experience is very similar to that described in the Sabi Sands above.
Accommodation in Timbavati, Manyeleti & Other Private Game Reserves |
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Tzaneen, a beautiful region of tropical fruit orchards and tea plantations, lies four hours northeast of Johannesburg. Enjoyi the lush vegetation of this peaceful upland area, the magnificent views of the plains below and the distant Drakensberg peaks. The lovely Debegeni Falls near the awe-inspiring Magoebaskloof Pass is perfect for picnics. From Tzaneen, you can travel east to the Kruger National Park or south to the Drakensberg Escarpment or the Private game lodges. To the north-west Mashatu game reserve is only three hours drive.
Accommodation in Tzaneen |
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