Kruger Safari

Kruger

Day 2. Northern Kruger (Punda Maria)   We start the day with a good breakfast at 6am. After this we head north towards Zimbabwe. It is a 7-hour drive to the northern gate of Kruger national park and we will stop to have a picnic lunch on route. After a short check in at Punda Maria gate we travel to our camp. Our camp this evening is a beautiful camp in the north of Kruger, Punda Maria. The facilities found here include a swimming pool, a hide that overlooks a waterhole, a small shop and the flycatcher trail (a 20-minute trail famous for its birdlife and interesting vegetation). Whilst we set up camp you have time to enjoy these facilities, then it’s off for our first game drive. This afternoon we will take a drive along the Mahonie loop, one of Kruger’s most scenic gravel roads, searching for the animals that make this part of Kruger their home, including nyala, kudu, impala, zebra, buffalo and elephant. On our return we settle around the fire and enjoy our first evening in Kruger. The campsite does have power points and there are two ablution blocks with separate men’s and woman’s showers, toilets and washbasins. Those who choose to use the local accommodation rather than camp will stay in bungalows. Upgrade from camping to bungalow will add R285 per person sharing, or R560 for a single traveller to the camping price.    

Kruger

Day 4. North Kruger (Shingwedzi)   This morning you will go on a 3-hour open vehicle sunrise drive with a Kruger park ranger while we take down the camp and pack our Wild Planet Safari vehicle. You will return in time for breakfast after which we say goodbye to Punda Maria and head further south to our next camp, Shingwedzi. It is a 70 km drive that takes us on one of the most scenic routes in the park, with river views and enormous trees that will leave you stunned. This area is known to be home to many buffalo, elephant, waterbuck, impala and leopard. Shingwedzi is one of the quietest camps in Kruger and is located on the banks of a river. Facilities here include Swimming pool, a laundry, a small shop and viewpoints along the river. When we arrive we will have lunch and set up camp. You can spend some time relaxing by the pool or having an afternoon nap before we depart on another excellent game drive. This drive will take us along the Shigwedzi River past waterholes where spotted hyena like to rest, through very scenic landscape that is leopard habitat to 2 of the best lookout points in the park. Red Rocks, a breath taking sight where the Karoo sandstone has potholes that fill with water and trap fish during the dry season. Tshanga lookout is on a rocky outcrop and has a magnificent view over the valley below. We will take some time to visit both these viewpoints and then take a slow drive back along the river to our camp. If we are lucky we may see a leopard on the way back. Dinner will be back at camp. The campsite does have power points and there are two ablution blocks with separate men’s and woman’s showers, toilets and washbasins. Tonight’s accommodated guests will be sleeping in huts with communal facilities. Upgrade from camping to huts will add R255 per person sharing or R500 for a single traveller to the camping price.  

Kruger

Day 6. Central Kruger (Satara)   This morning you will go on a 3-hour open vehicle sunrise drive with a Kruger park ranger while we take down the camp and pack our Wild Planet Safari vehicle. You will return in time for breakfast after which we say goodbye to Letaba and head further south to our next camp, Satara. It is a 67 km drive to Satara which takes us through some excellent game viewing territory. This camp is situated in the heart of lion territory and also offers great opportunity to find wild dog. The camp has a very long fence line, which will allow us to set up our camp so we can view game from our tents. The camp facilities include a well-stocked shop, a view of a waterhole and a swimming pool. We will have lunch at camp and some time to relax. This evening you will go on a Kruger night drive which might give you a chance of seeing some of the big cats on the hunt, you could also see some of the smaller nocturnal animals like civet cats, owls, porcupines and genet. Dinner will be served before you leave. We will stay at this camp for 2 nights.   The campsite does have power points and there are two ablution blocks with separate men’s and woman’s showers, toilets and washbasins. Tonight’s accommodated guests will be sleeping in bungalows. Upgrade from camping to bungalows will add, R310 per person sharing and R600 for a single traveller, to the camping price.      

Kruger

Day 8. Southern Kruger (Skukuza)   This morning you will go on an exciting guided bush walk, a trained field guide will take you out into the bush where he will show you how to track rhino, elephant and lion on foot. Hopefully you will find the lions that roared all night. When you return we will have a full breakfast and then depart for our next camp, Skukuza. It is 92 km to Skukuza, which is the main camp in Kruger National Park. The Camp facilities include a hiking trail, library, laundry, many lookout points on the Sabie River, Swimming pool and a huge shop filled with crafts and curios. Lunch when we arrive and then it is time for you to enjoy yourself at Skukuza. There is a museum and a gallery of photos for you to see and then there is shopping to be done. We will go on a late afternoon drive along the Sabie River where we can see many Hippos’, and crocodiles. Then we head off on a loop, which will offer the best chance to see wild dogs. We will have dinner when we return and then its time to rest before our last day in the park. The campsite does have power points and there are two ablution blocks with separate men’s and woman’s showers, toilets and washbasins. Tonight’s accommodated guests will sleep in safari tents (comfortable luxury tents with 2 single beds, a fan and a small patio deck) Upgrade from camping will add, R130 per person sharing and R250 for a single traveller, to the camping price.      

Day 10. Johannesburg Today we have a relaxed start where you can go for a walk along the river or have a little extra sleep before we begin. After we have finished with breakfast we will pack up and start the 450km journey back to Johannesburg. We will have lunch on route and arrive in Johannesburg in the afternoon. Tonight you will stay at a comfortable guesthouse in the north of Johannesburg. We will have one more dinner as a group and discuss the highlights of your trip with Wild Planet Safari.