This is a safari with comfortable accommodation in chalets in the Kruger restcamps, within the park. Game drives are in air-conditioned vehicles with the opportunity of night drives in open vehicles.
Day 1: Johannesburg to Kruger National Park Southern Kruger We are available to pick you up at the Outlook Lodge or at your hotel situated within Johannesburg or Pretoria. For guests flying into Nelspruit airport, we advise that guests arrange their flights to arrive around 11h00 on the morning their safari starts. Your guide will pick you up and continue your safari.
We depart from Johannesburg between 07h00 and 07h30 in the morning and make our way to the Kruger National Park, arriving around 12h00. Before entering the Kruger we will stop for lunch in one of the small town's en-route to the park. Your first afternoon will be spent driving inside the Kruger searching for wild animals; you will be accompanied by a professional guide, who will gladly divulge information on the parks amazing diversity of wild and plant life. We get to our first camp in the late afternoon where you check into your accommodation and have enough time to go for a swim, purchase necessary items at the camps shop, or simply take a stroll around the camp to stretch your legs after a long days driving.
Your guide begins preparing the evening meal just outside your chalet, under the stars and served by candlelight. Apart from the cooking your guide is of course available to identify all the nocturnal sounds you hear, and possibly entertain you with some amazing experiences encountered over many years of guiding in Africa. Wine is served and included in evening meals. Dinner included
Day 2: Kruger National Park The early morning knock on your door signals the start of your second day in the Kruger. After a cup of coffee and some snacks, your guide packs the vehicle and you begin your early morning drive. It's still really early in the morning, nice and cool, and a perfect time to spot elusive predators who at this time of the day are still very active.
After a successful morning drive you stop at a picnic spot to enjoy a relaxed breakfast.
After breakfast we continue driving, searching for animals. You will find your guide to be a wealth of knowledge not only concentrating on animals but also identifying birds, trees, insects and explaining some of the parks fascinating geology.
After a full morning's driving we reach our next camp where you check in and have a couple of hours to relax during the hottest part of the day, when animals are generally less active and hiding from the midday sun. All the camps we use also have restaurant facilities so you will be able to purchase lunch.
In the late afternoon you embark on sunset/night drive which gives you an opportunity to spot some of Africa's elusive, nocturnal animals such as hyena, leopard, owls, nightjars, civet, genet etc.
Upon your return, your guide has already prepared your evening meal. And has corked the wine which is now sufficiently aired and at the perfect temperature. Sitting outside on a balmy African night listening to lions roaring in the distance, or the whoop of a hyena is a fantastic experience and one which often brings our guests back to Africa. Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 3: Kruger National Park Central Kruger Like clockwork, your guide gently knocks to indicate another early start. As the day before, you start off with a fresh cup of coffee before heading out on the morning drive.
Time spent on game drives increases your chances of seeing unusual and spectacular animals, but we do not only cater to guests wanting to see the best Africa has to offer in terms of the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) For us, it truly is all spectacular from the huge elephant's and giraffe down to common antelope such as impala and kudu. Not to mention an amazing diversity of bird's. The privilege of being out in the African bush is not something we take for granted or are blasé about. This passion and dedication to Africa will be evident in your guide's behaviour and enthusiasm.
After the morning drive you return to camp and have an opportunity for a midday siesta or just general relaxation time. Kruger's camps are well established with large, old indigenous trees, housing many different bird's reptiles and even bats. So it's nice at this time of the day to also enjoy what the camps have to offer.
In the afternoon you head out again on a drive, returning just before the gates close.
In total you will do about 6-7 hours driving each full day in the Kruger. This allows us enough time to show you many different animals and birds.
Once again your guide cooks your meal out under the stars. Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 4: Kruger National Park to Johannesburg Safaris are all about early mornings, getting out there and seeing animals. This morning is no exception and whilst you are leaving Kruger today, there is still time for a couple of hours drive in the hope of seeing and possibly photographing animals you have not yet seen. Your guide knows the Kruger intimately and will focus on areas he knows produce animals you still need to see, it's not guaranteed but you stand a good chance.
Sadly after a couple of hours we depart Kruger and make our way back to Johannesburg. But not before showing you some of South Africa's most spectacular scenery.
The panorama route includes Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, Lisbon Waterfalls and Pilgrims Rest, where you stop for lunch.
After lunch it's a good four hours drive back to Johannesburg and you arrive back at the Outlook Lodge or your hotel around 18h00. Breakfast included
Accommodation Accommodation will always be in 2 camps; staying at camps like Crocodile Bridge, Berg-en-Dal, Skukuza and Lower Sabi all in the Southern area of the park and then at the more Northern camps like Satara, Olifants, Letaba and Mopani - which camps are booked will depend on availability.
Chalet and cottage accommodation is used for singles, couples and small families, while guest houses can be booked for larger groups. Each chalet has 2 or 3 single beds, with cottages having up to 4 beds. Both the chalets and the cottages have an open veranda/patio with a fitted kitchen. The bathrooms are en-suite with single shower, toilet and washbasin. Although the roofs of the chalets and cottages are grass thatched, they are also kept cool with air-conditioning. All the doors and windows are mosquito proofed.
Chalet, cottage and guesthouse accommodation is serviced and kept clean on a daily basis - clean bedding sheets and fresh towels are provided. A braai (barbeque) is provided for your safari ranger to cook all your meals, barbeque style. Each chalet, cottage and guesthouse has a fridge. Keep your purchased snacks, fruit, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks cold during the night ready for filling up the vehicles cooler box the next morning.
All the major rest camps have electricity, clean drinking water, a first-aid centre, a shop, a Laundromat/laundry tubs, a restaurant, self-service cafeteria and public telephones. Only a few camps have swimming pools.
Rate includes . Transport for the duration of your safari . Pick up and drop off in Johannesburg/Pretoria . Professional guides . Meals as indicated in the itinerary . All day drives in the Kruger National Park . All entry fees and daily conservation levies . Accommodation with en-suite facilities and air-conditioning (accommodation is also mosquito proofed) . Sunset/ night drive . Bottled mineral water during the day . Wine with evening meals . Panorama route on the last day
Rate excludes . International flights, internal flights (please enquire for a safari price including flights to Kruger from Johannesburg) . lunches . personal expenses . drinks and curios
Note Specialist birding safaris available upon request.
Those guests flying out of Johannesburg International on Day 4 are reminded to not book any flights earlier than 19h30 so that we have enough time to get you to the airport. Please note however that we cannot guarantee our arrival time in Johannesburg on the last day and can therefore not be held responsible for re-imbursements of flight tickets, should we arrive later than expected.
We are available to drop you off at the Outlook Lodge or any hotel in the Johannesburg/Pretoria region.
Guests flying out of Nelspruit on the last day may, depending on their flight details not have enough time to see the panorama route.
On our safaris, we make use of facilities and accommodation situated within Kruger National Park, and do not stay outside Kruger, unless forced to do so because of availability.
Guestbook
Our guide's knowledge of the flora, fauna, wildlife, insects, birds and cooking was extremely impressive. I thought that the service we received from him was above and beyond our expectations. He truly spoiled us and gave us an experience we will never forget... The only thing I would have changed is the night game drive experience.
When we went out on the night drive with the SANParks rangers in Kruger Park, they had us hold and shine flashlights to help spot the animals. A good while later, I asked if the light shining in their eyes could damage their eyesight and I was told that yes, it could actually completely blind some of them, especially the big cats ,to the point that they would no longer be able to hunt. I was then told that after they spot an animal, they shine the light away from it’s eyes. However we were never told the proper technique of shining the light on the animals until I inquired about it. I later talked to someone else who did the night game drive and they said they had the same concern when they went on their night drive which leads me to believe that this is a nightly occurrence. I believe that it’s irresponsible for the rangers to give flashlights to the tourists who are inexperienced and unknowledgeable of correct tracking techniques. It was also not that enjoyable of an experience. I would rather have had an activity with our guide from the Classic Kruger safari who was a lot more respectful and knowledgeable of the environment and the wildlife and was also a lot more personable.
Dee & Perry Mergelsberg (USA) May 2006
I loved Africa, the lush bush, the clear star filled skies, the peace at night apart from animal noises, the sunshine and of course all the animals; elephant, rhino, buffalo, lions, wildebeest, zebra, cheetahs, giraffe, hippo, crocodile, warthog, mongoose, baboons, monkeys, vultures etc. etc. etc.. The scenery on the way back to Jo'burg was also fantastic. So good to see a glimpse of a beautiful country that we so often only hear of in the UK re. HIV, poverty, car-jacking and unrest/warfare! I have some great photos and memories and would love to do more another time. I have and would thoroughly recommend it all.
Celia Mascall (UK), January 2006
We were greatly delighted with the operator and ranger, Robert. The trip was very enjoyable and the company a pleasure to be with. Their professionalism and sympathy was outstanding and we do recommend them for any other clients. The service & arrangements with ecoAfrica were great and went smoothly. First class assistance. Thank you very much.
Augusto Lamu from Spain, 4 day Classic Kruger Safari, Nov 2005
We have just returned from an amazing trip to Africa where the highlight without doubt was the safari you booked for us. We had one of the best experiences of our lives and we are so grateful to you for sorting this out for us. We saw nearly all the animals in the park in those superb 4 days and we wanted to especially mention Willem Pieterse who was so knowledgeable, courteous and just the best ranger we could have hoped for.
All the arrangements went like clock work and we believe this came down to how efficient and experienced Willem was. The schedule of the safari allowed for a compliment of sightings and relaxation. The camps were excellent, extremely comfortable and had brilliant facilities. We were especially overwhelmed by the breakfast and dinner arrangements, where Willem actually cooked all of them for us and they were gratefully received and enjoyed. It was this kind of extra effort and engagement with us by Willem that made this time and we are thoroughly recommending this experience to anyone who listens! We also liked the chance on the final day to do some sightseeing on our way back to Joburg. Well, thank you so very much - I think the word ‘perfect’ really sums it up for us.
Rachel Pavlou (UK), 4 day Classic Kruger, October 2005
Our guide and trip were excellent...fantastic introduction to animals in native habitat...arrangements were excellent...
Peter Pavan (USA), 4 day Classic Kruger Safari with Safari Rangers, Oct 2006
