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Day 1: Johannesburg - Kruger Park - Skukuza Camp (D)
Your Safari Ranger will meet you at
any Jo'burg or Pretoria hotel between 7.00 - 7.30am or meet you off your early morning flight, arriving at Jo'burg's Oliver Tambo Int Airport
(JNB).
After the initial vehicle
inspection and
briefing, you self-drive East, in convoy, for 4 hours to 'Nelspruit' the capital of Mpumalanga Province. At Nelspruit you have an opportunity to do
your shopping, to stock up the Land Rovers fridge or cooler box with a few alcoholic drinks, buy loads of film, some snacks, insect repellent etc.
Leaving Nelspruit, you continue driving for approx 1 hour to the game rich Southern region of Kruger Park and enter the park at Crocodile Bridge.
On entering Kruger Park, you spend the rest of the day game viewing following
the Sabi River. The animals tend to move towards the Sabi River
in the afternoon to quench their thirst from the sun's heat -
you see herds of Impala or Waterbuck drinking at the waters edge.
A herd of Elephants cross the river, splashing, play fighting once
they arrive on the far side. Crocodiles are seen basking in the
afternoon sun; mouths open regulating their body temperatures.
A grunt from a Hippo is heard, we find them in a shallow section
of the river sleeping with the biggest male keeping an eye on
his territory and his females.
This first game drive up the Sabi
River sets up what's yet to come.
Arriving at 'Skukuza' camp just before the entrance
gates close for the evening, you check in,
drive to the campsite, erect roof top tents, freshen up
ready for your first safari dinner.
Your dinner
is prepared, cooked and served outside under the stars by your
Safari Ranger. Each night traditional
South African meals are prepared giving you a taste of our delicious,
barbeque cuisine.
Day 2: Kruger Park - Skukuza Camp (B
D)
The day starts early with a wake up call at
5.30am. At 6.00am the camp gates open so we can start the
day's game viewing. We visit 'Lower Sabi' camp
at approx 10.00am when it's time to have some breakfast and of
course, have a good stretch.
On the way your Safari Ranger finds a Leopard walking on the edge of the road, marking it's territory by scenting
trees and bushes. He's a big male, powerful. We slowly follow
him as he proudly walks along the edge of the road. Later you
see a White Rhino using a rubbing post then wanders off. Impalas always next to or crossing the road. Three Lionesses on the road
laying close to each other and then moving off into the bush.
Later a Hyena crossed the road making it's way back to its den.
After breakfast at 'Lower Sabi' camp we continue
game viewing, stopping off at water holes, following river lines,
checking dams for the rest of the morning and early afternoon.
Your Safari Ranger spots you lots of wildlife - a herd of Buffalos at a water hole, Eagles in the afternoon sky, Giraffes grazing
off the Acacia trees with their necks stretched to the limit.
Birds are spotted all the time. We stop off at Nkombi lookout
and enjoy this stunning view, seeing more Rhino in the distance.
Zebra and Wildebeest grazing the open grass areas keeping a watchful
eye out for predators. You see more Elephants passing near by.
Arriving back at camp for 4.00pm you have
a chance to stock up with drinks for your night drive, which departs
from camp at 6.00pm. A SANParks ranger in an open
sided truck conducts the night drive, which lasts for approx three
hours.
On your return from your night drive at 9.00pm your dinner would have been prepared, cooked ready for you to enjoy dinner out in the open, listening to the African night sounds, whilst we discuss the next day's exciting events.
Day 3: Kruger Park - Satara Camp (B D)
Your Safari Ranger heard of a 'Lion Kill' happening
the day before on the road to Satara camp. We make our way directly
to the kill, we are one of the first to arrive. We position perfectly.
A pride of seven Lions are still surrounding the carcass - a Buffalo.
Two Lionesses are feeding with the remaining Lions lazing with
full stomachs, a few meters off. A Hyena arrives but does not
have the strength in numbers to irritate the Lions and push them
off the kill. He'll have to wait till more Hyenas arrive. We wait
and watch for an hour or so viewing the integration of the Lion pride with their kill. A Black Back Jackal arrives and darts in
and out, picking up a few scraps of meat.
We visit 'Tshokwane' picnic spot at approx 10.00am
when it is time to have breakfast.
After breakfast we continue game viewing, stopping
off at water holes, following the river lines and checking dams
for the rest of the morning - you see loads of different wildlife.
We arrive at 'Satara' camp at 1.00pm. You
check in. You may wish to stay in camp and siesta the afternoon
away or continue on game viewing with your Safari Ranger.
At this time of the day it's hot but as you are in an air-conditioned vehicle it's still worth checking a few water holes and waiting
for the sun to cool a little later in the afternoon.
After sinking a few beers or a
glass of wine and after seeing more game, you return back to
'Satara' camp just before the gates close for the evening/night.
You freshen up, ready for
dinner and relax with discussing
the next day's exciting events.
Day 4: Kruger Park - Satara Camp (B D)
Your day starts with a morning walking safari. This casual walk in the bush is approximately four hours long in duration and is conducted by two very experienced South African National Parks (SANParks) game rangers, one armed with a .458 rifle.
It's your opportunity to get a closer look at some of the smaller animals, the flora and fauna and to learn a little about bush survival and tracking. On your return to camp your breakfast will be served.
The area around 'Satara' is good for Cheetah.
After breakfast, your late morning game drive is spent driving around a few road loops
around Satara. Your Safari Ranger spends some time searching for
this splendid animal, stopping off at a few open plain areas,
water holes.
Some time later we find two Cheetahs lying on
a termite mound. Fantastic! It's not often you see Cheetah. We
spend time with them taking photos each time they re-position
on the termite mound.
Back at camp for 2.00pm you can stock up with
drinks and freshen up ready to continue with the game drive.
We decide to focus on the parks bird life. We see so many different
birds of all sizes and colours.
After enjoying a very different day you return back to camp before the gates close, knowing your last full day was indeed maximised.
Day 5: Kruger Park - Johannesburg (B)
We start the morning's game viewing - loads
of Impalas are found. A troop of Baboons block the road. We slowly
drive through the troop with our windows shut. More Elephants,
close and in the distance, being destructive with their eating
habits. A Steenbok standing in the middle of an open area. More
Lions lazing around a base of a wild fig tree, the cubs playing
with each other.......
On your homeward
bound journey you enjoy the 'Panoramic Route' driving through
the Drakensberg Mountains. En-route you will stop for a surprise
breakfast at Graskop and then go on to spend a few minutes at
famous scenic spots such as God's Window, Worlds View, Berlin
Falls, Blyde River Canyon at the Three Rondavels and if there is
time in hand, visit Pilgrims Rest.
From Pilgrims Rest it's a
straight 4 hour drive back to Jo'burg or Pretoria. Your Safari Ranger will
lead-drive you directly to your hotel in Jo'burg or Pretoria or
to Jo'burg's Oliver
Tambo Int Airport, arriving for approx 6.00pm.
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Note
Interested in our 5 Day Kruger Park Expedition Safari,
email
us right now - we'll check availability and reply within 48 hours.
(B L D) refers to the meals included - Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Our Expedition Safaris
are the only safaris that allow YOU to drive in the Kruger Park.
During the game drives you will learn to best position your vehicle at sightings
and of course learn more on different animal attitudes towards vehicles!
For big groups (i.e. 4
Land Rovers) drivers for each Land Rover must be allocated, for
driving in convoy to and from the Kruger Park. A Safari Ranger
will always be in the lead Land Rover.
Using air-conditioned Land
Rovers does not limit your game viewing to just two game drives a day - early
morning and late afternoon. It means you can drive around all
day, if so required.
After checking into camp we always drive to the campsite to
set up the roof top tents, visit the curio shop, then freshen up ready for dinner.
Skukuza and Satara camps are used for explanation
purposes in this itinerary and may not be the camps you are booked
into as all accommodation is always subject to availability.
Itinerary may also vary slightly due to
gate opening times, game movements, weather
etc....
Kruger
Park Expedition Safaris
Land
Rover Safari to Kruger National Park
Land
Rover Defender Safari | Land Rover Discovery Safari
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