Wildlife safari, South Africa
A premier guided tour for visitors from overseas, from the white rhino of Mabula and the forests of Magoebaskloof to Thornybush and the southern Kruger.
Starts
OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg
Ends
Flight from Kruger Mpumalanga Airport to Johannesburg
Regions
Waterberg, Magoebaskloof, Greater Kruger
Group
Minimum of 2 people
Rate
On request
This guided tour links four very different wildlife areas: the Waterberg foothills at Mabula, the mountains and forests of Magoebaskloof, the private Thornybush Game Reserve and the southern Kruger.
A Tembele guide meets you at the guesthouse on day two. All lodging, meals, ground transport and the internal flight back to Johannesburg are arranged for you.
A private four-bedroom lodge overlooking an open plain and the Waterberg mountains, with spacious en-suite, air-conditioned rooms.
On the edge of a large forest patch, with gardens and lakes. The rooms look out over the forest, close enough for the dawn chorus.
A secluded private camp in prime game country, with thatched en-suite, air-conditioned bungalows and a waterhole with a sunken hide.
The Kruger's largest rest camp, on the banks of the Sabie River, with dinners at the Cattle Baron and the Shalati Train Restaurant.
Mabula has well over 300 bird species and mammals including elephant, hippo, Cape buffalo, giraffe, brown hyena, cheetah, red hartebeest and southern oryx. It is one of the best places in Africa to see good numbers of southern white rhino.
Magoebaskloof adds turacos, trogons and twinspots, with Sykes's monkey and bushbuck. The southern Kruger is good for all of the Big 5, wild dog and both black and white rhino, plus birds such as Martial Eagle, Saddle-billed Stork and Kori Bustard.
Day 1
Arrive at OR Tambo Airport, where a chauffeur from our selected guesthouse meets you for the 10-minute transfer. Dinner at the guesthouse.
Day 2
Your Tembele guide collects you after breakfast for the drive to Mabula Game Reserve, on the southern edge of the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere.
Day 3
A day at Mabula: guided drives in an open safari vehicle, short guided walks near the lodge, or game viewing from the veranda.
Day 4
North to Magoebaskloof, about three hours with stops, to Bramasole Boutique Hotel among the forests and lakes of the eastern escarpment.
Day 5
A full day in Magoebaskloof, with optional forest excursions on foot or by vehicle and rewarding birding around the hotel.
Day 6
Down the escarpment to the Lowveld and a 90-minute drive to Marula Camp in the Thornybush Game Reserve.
Days 7 and 8
Two flexible safari days at Thornybush, with a guide and vehicle available all day: early drives, brunch, siesta, afternoon tea and late drives after dark.
Day 9
Through the Kruger National Park via Satara and Tshokwane to Skukuza Camp. Dinner at the Cattle Baron.
Day 10
Sunrise coffee on Mathekenyane granite hill, then a day exploring the south, with brunch at Lower Sabie. Dinner at the Shalati Train Restaurant.
Day 11
An optional morning game drive, then a leisurely drive to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport for the one-hour flight to Johannesburg.
Your booking
What your ticket covers on the day, and what to bring yourself.
✓
All lodging from day 1 to day 10
✓
All meals from dinner on day 1 to brunch on day 11
✓
All ground transport
✓
Entrance fees and conservation levies
✓
Guide services
✓
Tipping at group meals and for drivers, porters and local guides
✓
The internal flight from the Kruger to Johannesburg
Not included
International flights to and from South Africa
Airport taxes and visa fees
Airline baggage charges
Alcoholic drinks
Optional personal tips
Phone calls, laundry and personal items
Best of SA Wildlife
Rate on request. Minimum of two people sharing
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