Kruger Wildlife Experience
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 6 days | PFKP |
Countries Visited |
|
| South Africa | |
Start City |
End City |
| Johannesburg | Johannesburg |
Immerse yourself in Africa's wildlife at this world-renowned safari destination – Kruger National Park. From stretching your legs on game walks to spending the night in a specially-built treehouse, this trip is designed to captivate the animal lover in you.
Why we love it:
- Meet the locals, including zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, a variety of antelope, elephant, buffalo and hopefully, the Big Five!
- Cosy accommodation, including our own private camp sleeping in comfortable chalets with en suite facilities; and in a private guesthouse near Hazyview.
- Night wildlife spotting by torchlight all from the comfort of an open 4WD vehicle.
- Sightseeing in Blyde River Canyon's Three Rondavels, Bourke's Luck Potholes and God's Window.
- Spend a thrilling night in Umlani's treehouse by a waterhole, looking for wildlife at night (this is optional, at no additional cost, but needs to be booked in advance)
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Johannesburg
Accommodation: Falstaff Hotel or similar, Johannesburg
Activities:
- On arrival in Johannesburg you’ll be met at the Arrivals Information Desk (at the international terminal) and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll have the rest of the day to settle in and spend at your leisure.
- Please note, this is just an arrival day, but your accommodation tonight is covered and has already been booked for you.
Day 2: Timbavati Game Reserve (Greater Kruger National Park)
Travel time: approx 6 hours
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Umlani Camp (Or Alternative), Timbavati Game Reserve
Activities:
- We’ll meet our guide between 7.00am and 7.30am before we head off on our journey.
- Once we’ve settled into our accommodation, we’ll go on a late afternoon/early evening game drive for our first chance to glimpse the local wildlife. A pre-dinner drink will await us on our return, served under the stars around a blazing fire in an open-air boma.
- A sumptuous South African dinner awaits us in the intimate dining area of the camp. This is a private camp and our overnight accommodation is in comfortable chalets, complete with en suite facilities.
Optional activity: A very special feature of this camp is the tree house. About two kilometres away from the main camp, the tree house overlooks a watering hole. The camp staff will set up your bedding so you can spend a night among the tree tops (please note there are no bathroom facilities). You will be dropped off at the tree house after dinner and collected in the morning, before the game drive. For peace of mind, you’ll have a two-way radio so you can stay in touch with camp staff. You’ll also get a spotlight so you spot any thirsty wildlife coming to drink at the waterhole overnight. The tree house experience is offered at no extra cost, but must be booked in advance. It is also dependent on weather, therefore not guaranteed.
Day 3-4: Timbavati Game Reserve (Greater Kruger National Park)
Travel time: two safaris per day - times variable
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Accommodation: Umlani Camp (Or Alternative), Timbavati Game Reserve
Activities:
- Two full days in the reserve allows for morning and afternoon wildlife activities, with time for relaxing back at camp during the warmer middle hours of the day. As well as game drives, we also offer a walking safari accompanied by a highly experienced, armed guide. This is a fascinating and unique way to experience the African bush.
- We depart with our local resident guides on morning and afternoon drives in open 4WD vehicles, searching for zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and a variety of antelope. We may see elephant, buffalo and, hopefully, some of the predators too. There’s a good chance of seeing all of the 'Big Five', including the endangered rhinoceros.
- On the afternoon game drive, a “sundowner” drink is usually served before our return to camp. On the drive back to camp we use spotlights, to try and catch a glimpse of some of the many nocturnal animals that are seldom seen during the day.
Day 5: Blyde River Canyon - Hazyview
Travel time: approx. 8 hours including sightseeing excursions
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Chestnut Country Lodge or similar, Hazyview
Activities:
- This morning we leave Timbavati behind and travel to the nearby Blyde River Canyon area. This is the largest green canyon in the world and our drive offers spectacular views of the breathtaking gorge from different vantage points.
- We stop at the Three Rondavels viewpoint, explore Bourke's Luck Potholes and peer out through God's Window, before checking into our cosy private guesthouse near Hazyview where we’ll enjoy a delicious sunset dinner.
Day 6: Johannesburg
Travel time: approx 4½ hours
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Accommodation: Johannesberg Airport, Johannesberg
Activities:
- After checking out of our guesthouse we make our way back to Johannesburg, stopping for lunch en-route. This is a great chance for you to get out and explore the local cuisine.
- Our tour comes to an end on arrival at Johannesburg's Oliver Tambo International Airport. Additional accommodation in Johannesburg and transfers can be booked. Please inquire with us or your travel agent.
- If flying out of Johannesburg today, please do not book your flight to depart before 4pm
Your Trip
What to know
You may choose to fly from the Hazyview to Johannesburg on Day 6 at additional expense.
What's Included
- An experienced, English-speaking local Peregrine leader and specialist local guides at some sites
- Game walks accompanied by an armed guide
- Transport in an open 4WD vehicles
- Most meals (except those specified in your itinerary)
- Authentic accommodation in Umlani private camp chalets with en suite facilities, and in a private guesthouse near Hazyview.
- Arrival transfer
Non-included Meals
Most meals are included on your trip (except for North America trips - please refer to your day-to-day itinerary). However, sometimes we think you'll benefit from getting out and discovering the local cuisine. So when a meal is not included, it's a great opportunity to try something new. For group trips, ask your leader for tips on where to get the best meal, or you might decide to dine out as a group and experience the fun together.
Not Included
- International flights
- Airport departure taxes
- Departure transfer
- Visas
- Meals unless specified in the itinerary
- Insurance
- Laundry - but there will be opportunity to do some hand-washing in the camps where we stay for two or more nights.
- Optional tours or activities during free time
- Tips - this is something to consider, and it might be worthwhile speaking to your group about making a group contribution at the end of the trip
- Daily budget
Optional Extras
We have chosen some great optional activities to enhance your travel experience. You will need to cover any additional costs yourself. For group trips, speak to your leader if you are interested in any of the following:
- Timbavati Treehouse Experience
Free (Must be pre-booked)
What to know
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
South Africa
Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders do not currently require a visa for South Africa. Upon arrival you will be given a free three-month multi-entry visa stamp. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent. Please note that you require six blank pages and your passport needs to have a minimum of six months validity to enter South Africa. Also note that to enter South Africa you may be required to show proof of onward travel plans and a valid yellow fever certificate (especially if entering or re-entering from East African countries).
You are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information or Travel Dossier (provided upon booking a trip) provides tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a link to your Travel Dossier which will contain detailed Pre Departure information.
Further Reading
South AfricaSouth Africa - Lonely Planet The Covenant - James A Michener Cry My Beloved Country - Alan Paton The Power of One - Bryce Courtenay Long Walk to Freedom - Nelson Mandela White Thorn - Bryce Courtenay
Important Information
The tour ends upon arrival at Johannesburg's Oliver Tambo International Airport. Additional accommodation and transfers required for Johannesburg is at additional costs and need to be booked in advance. Please do not book flights out of Johannesburg prior to 4pm on Day 6 of the tour.
About this Information
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
18 October 2012