Christmas Special - December 2012.
5-day safari 24 to 28 December ideal for a small group or family up to 8 people. All your activities conducted by your own safari guide and all home cooked meals prepared by our chef.
Meet and Greet – arrival day You will be transferred from Nelspruit airport by our preferred road operator who will transfer you to the Kruger to meet your guide and your chef.
After settling into your accommodation it’s onto our open-sided safari game viewing vehicle for your first memorable game drive conducted by your guide and your introduction to the world-famous Kruger National Park.
Biyamiti Lodge (private bushveld lodge/south eastern Kruger) 24-28 DECEMBER 2012 (4 NIGHTS) Nestled on the banks of the Biyamiti river, this private bushveld lodge plays host to some of the biggest buffalo herds in the Kruger. Elephants, lion and leopard are frequent visitors to the water pools in front of the lodge, as well as rhino (both white and black rhino) and hyena. Our game drives meander in and out of the river system, up and down rolling hills, and through the mixed thornveld and riverine areas of the Crocodile River.
Accommodation at Biyamiti consists of a private en-suite two-bedroomed cottage that sleeps five people (two single beds in one bedroom and three single beds in the other bedroom), plus two separate bathrooms, which is fully serviced under beautiful thatched roofs and very comfortable. For a group larger than 5 people we have an extra cottage that sleeps three people. A morning guided bushwalk will be conducted by armed rangers on one of the mornings.
Your guide and chef take up residence in another unit in Biyamiti from where they will host your meals, fireside conversations and great hospitality.
Departure day On your last day after breakfast and an early morning gamedrive (5am) you will be collected at 10am and transferred back to Nelspruit airport.
Safari includes: Return road transfer from Nelspruit to Kruger return. All accommodation in private en-suite accommodation in three locations (fresh linen and towels). Conservation and entrance fees. All private guiding and game drives in our open-sided game viewing vehicle (see pic below). All breakfasts, dinners, gamedrive snacks and refreshments courtesy of your own private hospitality chef. Refreshments include: Limited South African wine and beer and sodas at dinner, plus all bottled water and fresh juice. All safari activities as per itinerary (including two gamedrives a day and one morning guided bush walk).
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As with any internet sourced holiday experience there is always a degree of hesitation about the final choice. Will it live up to expectation? Will it be value for money? Will it ... all travelers know the myriad of questions associated with these decision making processes.
The operator gets our vote for being all that we had hoped for and more. Neil and Tina in the pre-departure phase could not have been more helpful. Their communications were prompt, friendly and detailed and they gave a lot of time to ensuring that our unique queries were also answered in full. They also suggested an add on walking tour with another company, in the Timbavati region of the Greater Kruger that provided another dimension to our holiday.
On meeting Niel and Gordon at the start of the safari it was obvious that we were going to experience a level of knowledge about the bush as well as hospitality that exceeded our expectations. Neil's extensive knowledge of savanna ecosystems and his specialised knowledge of the Kruger National Park in particular, provided us with levels of insights that would not have been gained through a self drive / travel book tour around the Kruger. Traveling with Niel is much much more that seeing African wildlife; it is about about environmental sustainability, bird and animal behaviour, and an immersion into a world that he loves and delight in sharing with a passion.
The small size of the group means that their safaris are also about personal individualised touches and 'butler-like' service. Excellent home cooked meals shared with Neil and Gordon also gave us an opportunity to find out a lot more about modern South Africa through their eyes. Our accommodation, in permanent camps in the Kruger Park, enabled many a conversation with ( mostly South African) fellow travellers. Our meal time chats will be fondly remembered.
Our game drives and morning walk have given us a huge insight into one small part of Africa. At all times Neil was extremely safety conscious, though this did not mean that some very up close encounters with the animals of his world did not happen. Our safari allowed us to see, learn and recognise that being part of bush life on a daily basis is about cycles of life and death yet above all survival. Any safari is definitely about luck and being at the right place at the right time (we waited 10 days to see a lion yet chanced upon a leopard climbing a tree to devour its kill). It is also about an ever present anticipation about what might be around the next corner. With this safari another dimension was added to that mix - Neil's skill in the bush, his affinity with it and his knowledge of its complexities.
2
Client:
Liz - from Australia
Trip:
This trip: Classic Kruger National Park Safari
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
Our Kruger Safari was a truly memorable experience and exceeded our expectation with the number of animal sightings and knowledge gained.
We encountered a couple unusual happenings, one with a small group of Impala and another with some Baboons, which added to our experience.
We found in Neil, a person with a vast knowledge of the Kruger, not only in the animal and bird life, but the environment as well.
The service provided was excellent and would not hesitate in recommending this operator.
3
Client:
Bev Whitley - from United Kingdom
Trip:
This trip: Classic Kruger National Park Safari
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
I cannot possibly say enough about Neil & Doug to really portray what an amazing time we had with them.
Neil spent a lot of time, even before we had committed to go with them, developing the perfect safari itinerary for us, based on his knowledge and our preferences. On the trip, they could not have done more. Every tiny detail was thought of, and we were thoroughly pampered from the minute we woke to the time we went to bed.
Most importantly though, Neil's knowledge of everything that is Kruger was astounding, and he shares ths knowledge with such enthusiasm that it's contagious. The safari experience felt so unique, as rather than rushing round ticking off animals against a checklist, we spent many hours just sitting watching and observing the behaviour of the animals - we were never in a rush. And we saw just about every creature we could ever think of.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone that was even thinking about a safari.
4
Client:
Linda and Angela - from Sweden
Trip:
This trip: Classic Kruger National Park Safari
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
The safari with Neil and Doug was perfect from the beginning 'til the end.
We were only two people and that's quite something that they specialise the safari just for you. Thank you so much, we'll recommend you to all our near and dear ones and others when chance given.
5
Client:
Catherine - from United States
Trip:
This trip: Classic Kruger National Park Safari
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
Our safari was 1st class from the moment we were met by Doug at the airport until Neil safely returned us a week later.
We were treated to a cosy night at the 5th Ave. Guesthouse before meeting up with Neil in the Kruger by lunch Saturday. Roadside elephant ettiquette, grounded hornbills and a couple of impala later we settle into our lodge. Lions basking in the early rays of dawn; rhino, buffalo and graceful giraffe by morning tea. Elephants bathing in the afternoon heat, zebras prancing, lilac-breasted rollers and a tree full of vultures. After a brief encounter with a leopard, we milk the purple African sunset all the way back to our lodge, to be greeted by Mr Doug, a pink G'N'T and a gourmet dinner
....... Just another day on our Safari. Already planning our next Adventure"
6
Client:
Richard E. Triemer, - from United States
Trip:
This trip: Classic Kruger National Park Safari
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
The safari operator provided all we had hoped for and more.
From the very first moment we were treated as special guests. The transport and accommodations were all first class, but what made the trip really special was the knowledge and expertise of Neil, our guide and leader. His knowledge of animal behavior and his interest in transmitting that knowledge to us was marvelous and made seeing each of the individual species extra special.
I also cannot end without thanking Doug, our chef, for providing marvelous cuisine in the bush. I can recommend this operator without reservation, and if we do get the chance to return to Africa, we will certainly use their services again.
Thanks for a great safari!
7
Client:
Mike and Irene Snelling - from United Kingdom
Trip:
This trip: Classic Kruger National Park Safari
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
We thoroughly enjoyed our safari.We were looked after very well from the moment we arrived in Johannesburg.
The accommodation and food were very good throughout our trip. Kruger was beautiful and impressive and we would very much have liked to stay longer. Neil and Doug were very good company and organised everything very well.
Shimuwini was a beautiful place and very atmospheric (with the background of Hippo grunts and the male lion roaring and the Spotted Hyena calling near the camp each night).Talamati was also a great place to stay.There was a profusion of animals, birds, butterflies and even fish and reptiles and Neil made sure we were able to enjoy them in comfort.
8
Client:
Ingun Laupet - from Norway
Trip:
This trip: Classic Kruger National Park Safari
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
We had a great time in the Kruger!
They had booked us into excellent accomodation, and when our plans had to be changed due to heavy rainfall, flooded camps and closed roads, Neil found great replacement accomodations. When it came to animals and wildlife we saw more than we expected, and Neil's knowledge of animal behaviour and the bush in general made it an unforgettable experience.
We had an adventure-filled high luxury holiday, unmatched in the life of these two backpackers. :)
9
Client:
Michele John - from Australia
Trip:
This trip: Classic Kruger National Park Safari
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
When I think of Safaris in South Africa I think of this one. I wont be able to try another operator for fear it cant live up to my expectations having just completed the 'Classic' 5 day Kruger National Park Safari.
From the knowledge and commitment of the Tour operator, to the excellent accommodation sites chosen, the fantastic Chef created meals to the wonderful itinerary planned ..... the 'Big 5' were only one part of a truly enjoyable and memorable experience!"
