Tour Features: "If you want to see the 'big five' this is the place to go - safari country at its best. The Kruger National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the world and the oldest one in Africa. It is 350 km long from North to South, at most 60 km wide and covers a surface area of 16 685 square kilometers (almost the size of Wales). At present the park boasts 148 mammal species, 500 bird species, 45 lizard and 34 amphibian species. Approximately 400 types of trees and shrubs have been recorded. There are more than 3000 km of roads to explore and 24 camps catering for rustic to luxurious accommodation styles."
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 area at 18h00.
Dinner will be taken in the restaurant where the guide will briefly discuss the tour. Overnight at the hotel (Included in tour package price)
Accommodation:
Johannesburg Airport or hotel in Sandton.
Day 2 07h30
Johannesburg to Protea Hotel Kruger Gate (or similar) - Hazyview ( Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
After breakfast we depart from the hotel for Mpumalanga. Travel out of Johannesburg on the N4 towards Maputo. We bypass Middleburg and near Belfast we leave the freeway. Continue 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 Hazyview in the early afternoon. We check in and there is time to freshen up before we depart at around 17:30 for a visit and dinner at the Shangaan Cultural Village.
We are given insights into the traditional Shangaan way of life, their culture and their dances as well as being treated to a fine dinner, which includes some traditional offerings.
Accommodation:
We overnight at the Protea Hotel Kruger Gate (or similar), which is situated on the border of the Kruger National Park. Dinner is taken at the Shangaan Cultural Village.
Distance:
Johannesburg to Kruger Park via the Panorama Route - 480km
Day 3
Protea Hotel Kruger Gate (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:
Protea Hotel Kruger Gate or similar
Distance:
Kruger Park - 100km
Day 4
Protea Hotel Kruger Gate (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
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.
Accommodation:
Protea Hotel Kruger Gate or similar.
Distance:
Panorama Route - 100km Sabi Sands Reserve - 50km
Day 5
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 in Johannesburg.
Distance
Kruger to Johannesburg - 480km
Passenger Information:
Tour Code
KNPL017
Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Departs
18h00 from Johannesburg Airport Hotel or Sandton Hotel.
Dates
Pre: 13th - 17th July 2010 Post: 24th - 28th July 2010
Vehicle
Air-conditioned Microbus, 16-Seater Mini Coach or Luxury Coach.
Minimum
5 passengers
Price
R14860.00 per person sharing R16975.00 Single
Included
SATOUR Registered Guide, a Sign Language interpreter, transportation as per itinerary, 1 beverage at the Shangaan village, accommodation, entrance fees, information pack.
Excluded
Gratuities, drinks, laundry and items of a personal nature.
Meals
As per itinerary.
Accommodation
Johannesburg Sandton or an Airport Hotel, Protea Hotel Kruger Gate or similar should the accommodation need to be changed.
Comments
Malaria precautions are recommended - Please consult with your GP. The tour is subject to minimum numbers being reached.
