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| Viewing: Simply Safari - A journey of a lifetime |
Package ID: 955 |
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| Simply Safari - A journey of a lifetime |
An exciting and varied once-in-a-lifetime safari experience in the world famous Kruger.The safari itinerary includes walking safaris, open vehicle games drives, and plenty of adventure
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I T I N E R A R Y
Day 1
travelling through time
You travel through living chronicles of the bush -- the legends of Africa’s ivory, gold and slave trade routes established more than 1 000 years ago by flamboyant Arab and African merchant traders.
You are taken back in time, deep into wild and untamed Africa for an eco-tourism experience that rivals the rugged adventures of the ivory hunters of old.
You will need to be drawn to the African wild and its wilderness to fully appreciate this world of majestic mountains, verdant valleys, a river steeped in history and endless vistas of virgin African bush where large herds of elephant still roam completely free.
A quick side-step and we pass a waking Pretoria on the N1 to deliver you into a land of history, cultural and ecological wonders. Not long after we pass the open stone quarries and you can relax and ponder that towards the west is a fig tree simply called wonderboom the wonder tree. – A description fitting enough for a tree with a trunk the size of a four-bedroomed house, still alive after 3 000 years.
While the wonder tree was growing to the west, a relatively small geological moment was being created to the east. – The Cullinan diamond, a 3 500 carat glass-like stone that has shaped this country’s history including war, world fashion and trade. The diamond – at least part of it – today rests firmly in the crown of the Queen of England.
Next we’re driving on gently undulating, rolling hills surrounded by the savannah grass of the bushveld – unchanged for 3 million years.
The northern tip of the Kruger is the crossroads to both history and biology. – On the banks of the Limpopo River – “The great, green, greasy Limpopo, all set about with fever trees,” as written by Rudyard Kipling in Just So Stories.
Night 1 & 2
Sirheni Bushveld Lodge, Kruger National Park
Sirheni Bushveld lodge is positioned on the banks of the Mphongolo river in a flat area, dominated by mopane and bushwillow trees.
The lodge’s luxury accommodation includes en-suite bedrooms.
The lodge nestles on the edge of Kruger's northern plains within the mopane veld of the region. Sirheni Dam on the Mphongolo River lies next to the camp.
Sirheni is the local Shangaan word meaning 'the grave' and remembers an elephant that died of anthrax and was buried nearby in 1959.
Sirheni is a small private lodge where only residents are allowed in the camp and on the access roads that lead to the lodge.
Activities and adventures at Sirheni
We’ll arrive after a long journey of fantastic sights and we’ve already been exposed to some of the African giants – the elephants of the north. On our arrival night we have a braai (barbecue) prepared by the chef and his assistant.
Day 2
We’re rested now and set to explore the Kruger. After breakfast we game drive through the mopane bush to see two fantastic aspects of the Kruger: Thulimela Hill and Crookes Corner. These are significant and wondrous historical mandates to the growth and development of the Kruger. Thulimela Hill one is an Iron Age excavation and Crookes Corner a home for thieves of old – it is the boundary between Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.
Lunch is waiting for us somewhere in the bush – under grand old mahogany trees on the banks of the Limpopo.
Our game drive back to Sirheni includes sundowners and a traditional meal under African skies awaits you.
Night 3, 4 and 5
Boulders Bushveld Lodge, Kruger National Park
Boulders Bush Lodge is nestled in close proximity to Ngodzi and Tsale hills that stand in majestic triumph over the otherwise flat, undulating mopane and bushwillow landscape. Situated 23km south from Mopani Rest Camp, which is the nearest public camp, Boulders Bushveld Lodge is very different to any other accommodation in the park.
The camp features a huge and luxurious thatched living area linked to five chalets, which are built on raised platforms. The camp is as close to nature as possible and the only camp in the park that does not have a fence. A simple gate, two trees and a wire barrier is the main entrance. With a gravel road leading to this camp access and privacy to residents is assured, and you can really enjoy the bush and all its splendour.
We spend three nights at this beautiful and exclusive lodge that has en-suite bathrooms in its five. You will spend the next couple of days walking in the bush.
Activities and adventures at Boulders
Three 3-hour walking safaris where you are personally guided through big 5 country.
Nothing quite matches the intense feelings you will experience walking in the bush with close encounters with lion, elephant, buffalo or rhino in their environment.
Night 6, 7, 8 & 9
Balule, Kruger National Park – under canvas under the stars
Under Canvas is a truly memorable experience in every way – your field guide, chef, camp master and camp assistant ensure that your every need is taken care of. From animal interpretation and adventure activities like big 5 walks and open vehicle game drives to all meals. We are famous for our outdoor cuisine. We offer all services including setting up camp, breaking down camp and all other camp duties– you do no work.
A stunning piece of out in the bush ingenuity and style is the mobile dining area and bush bar that is set to cater for splendid relaxation and sundowner moments on safari.
A roaring fire, the bush and the stars and great company around the fire make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience of the African bush.
Activities and adventures at Balule
1 day cycling (optional)
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for adventure seekers who want to explore the world-famous Kruger National Park on mountain bikes.
2 game drives a day
Night 10 & 11
Talamati Bushveld Camp, Kruger National Park
Talamati is a Xitsonga word meaning lots of water.
Talamati Bushveld Camp is located on the banks of the N'waswitsontso river in a sloping valley and hill area dominated by knob thorn and bushwillow trees. It is 30km from Orpen Rest Camp and Orpen Gate and 52km from Satara Rest Camp.
Talamati is a small private camp where only residents are allowed in and around the access roads to the camp. There are no restaurant, shop or fuel facilities in Talamati. Talamati is in a good game viewing region. Some of the animals to be seen in the area are giraffe, kudu, eland, impala, zebra, rhino, buffalo, lion and hyena.
The world we show you is a world of ancient mystery where Nature, in the wider sense, is infinitely more complex than mankind has to yet fully appreciate. This world, where the actions of man have tended to repeat themselves over and over again through the centuries until they become well documented and predictable, is also a world of new discoveries and of no final answers -- but a place of learning and a place that will stay in your heart forever.
Night 12 and 13
Biyamiti Bushveld Lodge
Biyamiti means a fence of sharpened wooden spears in Shangaan. And in the true spirit of the bush the camp blends into the natural bush with mixed woodland – typically dense with bigger tress at the water’s edge. The Mbyamiti river is seasonal with two waterholes directly in front of the camp to ensure plenty of great wildlife viewing opportunities.
Access to this camp is restricted to camp guests with reserved accommodation. Like most of the bushveld camps, Biyamiti is secluded and private, ensuring a pleasant and quite time.
The two roads leading from the camp are fantastic for either game viewing or birding.
Activities and adventures at Biyamiti
A night drive on the last night
A three-hour night drive on an open vehicle provides an excellent chance to view nocturnal animals and birds. Then back to camp to enjoy a well-deserved bush meal cooked on an open fire. Relax and enjoy the memories of your day while your guide takes you through the planned adventure for the next morning.
As thoughts of your day’s exploration, relaxation or game chasing and twitching activities dim with the setting sun, night in the Kruger brings on a whole new set of matters for you to attend to.
The stars are overwhelming – especially since there are so many of them. Knowing a bit about the stars transforms your enquiry into a tangible experience.
The sounds of Kruger nights combine in melodious song and your sense of the myriad of life around you can be a fantastic experience. Just understanding some of the noises and why they are there is the beginning of a story that will solicit your participation, and keep you riveted.
We don’t need to be astronomers, naturalists or ethologists to enjoy the Kruger. We do however, need to use our common senses – and ask questions – to truly feel like we are a part of this enormous book of life.
Day 14
We leave Biyamiti Camp and head out of the Kruger towards Johannesburg. We have breakfast en route. Reflections on this safari bring back memories of exciting wildlife encounters, fascinating discussions and in the true spirit of South African hospitality – a lifetime experience of one of the world’s great places where millions of years of history, people and wildlife combine to capture your heart and soul.
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