Tour Features: Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets.
Tour Details:
Day 1 18h00
Johannesburg Airport or Sandton Hotel (Dinner)
Make your own way to the hotel (to be advised). Meet your guide in the hotel reception at 18h00. Dinner will be taken at the hotel and your guide will discuss the tour with you.
Accommodation:
Johannesburg Airport or Hotel in Sandton.
Day 2 07h30
Johannesburg to Hazyview (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
After breakfast we depart from your Sandton hotel for Mpumalanga. We travel out of Johannesburg on the N4 towards Maputo. We bypass Middleburg and near Belfast we leave the freeway. We pass through Dullstroom and take a break at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey centre where a light lunch is taken and there are demonstrations by falconers of various raptors. We proceed to Lydenberg, which, was established in 1849. The English translation of this name is the 'Town of Suffering' and it was named after its founders who had suffered greatly as a result of malaria and floods in the original town of Ohrigstad. From here we take the scenically spectacular Long Tom Pass over the Mpumulanga Drakensberg to Sabie. The pass is 57 km long with a summit of 2149 metres. The origin of the pass goes back to 1871 when a wagon track was built to connect Lydenberg with Lourenco Marques (Maputo).
In September 1900 the British recaptured Lydenberg during the Anglo-Boer war. The Boers used a 15cm cannon to shell the British and the gun was nicknamed 'Long Tom' by the British troops - a name which, has survived to this day.
We travel via Sabie down the escarpment to reach our hotel in or near Hazyview in the early afternoon. We check in and there is time to freshen up before an evening of traditional Shangana dances and a fine dinner, which includes some traditional offerings.
Dinner is taken at the restaurant.
Accommodation:
Kruger Park Lodge or similar which is situated in Hazyview.
Distance:
Johannesburg to Hazyview via the Panorama Route - 480km
Day 3
Kruger Park Lodge (or similar) - Hazyview (BLD)
A full day today with an early start. We board the open vehicles for a full day game drive in the world famous Kruger National Park. More than 2 million hectares in extent - we have excellent game viewing opportunities with a good chance of encountering the 'big five' as well as a wide variety of mammal, bird and insect species. We enter the park as soon as the park gates open and breakfast is pre packed and eaten 'on the road'. Dress warmly and take hats and sun creams for later on in the morning.
We spend three to three and half-hours out with the chance to see many of the exciting animals.
Around lunch we stop for a picnic affair at one of the venues where it is safe to leave the vehicles.
In the afternoon we board the vehicles again and spend the rest of the day game viewing and searching for that elusive leopard perhaps! In the late afternoon we make our way back to the hotel, freshen up and discuss the sighting of the day.
Dinner is taken in the hotel restaurant.
Tomorrow is a full day so make sure you get your beauty sleep!
Accommodation:
Kruger Park Lodge or similar
Distance:
Kruger Park - 100km
Day 4
Kruger Park Lodge (or similar) - Hazyview (BLD)
After an early breakfast we board the coach for a half-day trip to view the famous Panorama Route. We travel via Graskop, the centre of a substantial timber industry and travel Northwards along the edge of the escarpment with highlights being the view sites at the Pinnacles, Gods Window and the Bourkes Luck Potholes.
We take time to view some of the traditional arts and crafts of the area before taking a light lunch in Graskop on our return journey.
There is also the option to do another game drive into the Kruger National Park for the morning.
Back at the hotel there is time to freshen up before we are transferred to the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. We board our open vehicles, each with their specialist driver/guide and spend the next few hours taking in the nightlife of this pristine area.
Sundowners will be taken deep in the bush, under the watchful eye of your guide, and dinner is taken in the reserve under the stars around the fire before departing for our journey back to the hotel which is reached at about 22:00. This is weather dependent.
Depart for Johannesburg (Breakfast & Lunch)
A leisurely start to the day after our previous early mornings. A relaxed breakfast and then we leave the park and start our journey back to Johannesburg. Lunch today will be at a restaurant en-route. The tour will end at approximately 16h30 when you will be dropped off at OR Tambo (Johannesburg) International Airport or your hotel near Johannesburg Airport.
Distance:
Kruger to Johannesburg - 480km
Passenger Information:
Tour Code
Pre-KNPL-05 - Post-KNPL6
Dates
Pre: 7 - 11 April 2011 Post: 16 - 20 April 2011
Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Depart
18:00, Guide briefing and overnight in Johannesburg
Vehicle
Air-conditioned vehicle to suit group size.
Minimum
5 passengers
Price
ZAR 13130.00 per person sharing ZAR 15375.00 Single
Included
SATOUR Registered Guide, transportation as per itinerary, accommodation, entrance fees, information pack.
Excluded
Gratuities, drinks, laundry and items of a personal nature.
Meals
As per itinerary.
Accommodation
Hotel in Sandton or Airport Hotel - Hotel to be confirmed. Kruger Park Lodge or similar.
Comments
Malaria precautions are recommended - Please consult with your GP. The tour is subject to minimum numbers being reached.
