9 Day Kruger Private Game Lodge Safari Tour

This tour provides 9 days in a selection of Private Game Lodges including a walking safari trail and sleep out in the world famous Greater Kruger National Park. This combines the luxury of private lodge accommodation with the adventure of trekking and sleeping out under the stars in the famous African bush.

Kruger National Park is one of the world's most famed protected areas, known for its size, history of conversation, diversity of wildlife and ease of access. The park is the same size as Israel and has large tracts of acacia, sycamore figs and bushwillow interspersed by open savanna, flowing rivers and rocky bluffs. Home to the Big 5 as well as cheetahs, giraffes, hippos and a plethora of smaller wildlife it's a place where the drama of life and death is played out on a daily basis.

The private lodges we have selected provide the very best safari and wildlife viewing experience available. All game drives are conducted in 4x4 open vehicle landrovers with a dedicated guide and tracker and the vehicles travel off road in search of the wildlife. This allows you to view the wildlife up close & personal in their natural environment, a truly wonderful experience.

Package Details 

Note:
1. Price does not include return flight from Johannesburg to Greater Kruger National Park ($195 excluding taxes and subject to change) 
2. Price is valid until 31 October 2012. If travelling after this date please contact us for revised prices.
3. Daily departures 

Package Includes:

• 3 nights accommodation in a luxury air conditioned en-suite bungalow at Motswari Private Game Reserve with daily buffet breakfast, lunch and bush boma dinner Twice daily open vehicle game drives with experienced guide
• 2 nights accommodation in a luxury en-suite tent at Honeyguide Mantobeni Tented Safari Camp with daily buffet breakfast, lunch, bush boma dinner and all local beverages
• 1 nights accommodation in an en-suite safari tent at Plains Camp with daily buffet breakfast, lunch and bush boma dinner
• 1 nights accommodation in Rhino Walking Safaris Sleep Out on raised wooden decks with daily buffet breakfast, lunch and bush boma dinner
• 1 nights accommodation in a en-suite suite at Rhino Post Safari Lodge with daily buffet breakfast, lunch and bush boma dinner
• Twice daily open vehicle game drives with experienced guide in both Motswari Private Game Reserve and Manyeleti Game Reserve 
• Daily bush walk with experienced guide in both Motswari Private Game Reserve and Manyeleti Game ReserveAll local beverages 
• Evening and early morning game drives with experienced guide from Rhino Post Safari Lodge
• Guided walking trails in Plains Camp
• Transfer from Hoedspruit airport to Motswari Private Game Reserve
• Transfer from Motswari Private Game Reserve to Honeyguide Mantobeni Tented Safari Camp
• Transfer from Honeyguide Mantobeni Tented Safari Camp to Rhino Plains Camp
• Transfer from Rhino Post Safari Lodge to Nelspruit Airport

Itinerary

Day 1
Depart Johannesburg for Hoedspruit Airport where on arrival you will be met and transferred to your lodge in the Timbavati Nature Reserve. The Timbavati Nature Reserve runs unfenced along Kruger National Park allowing the animals to move freely between the two and is home to the famous white lions of South Africa. Late afternoon you will taken on your first open vehicle game drive with your experienced guide before returning to your lodge for a sumptuous bush boma dinner under the African stars.

Day 2 - 3
Your days can be as adventurous or as relaxing as you wish as you have the option of early morning, late afternoon and night game drives as well as daily bush walks with experienced guides through the park. You can also relax and wile away your time in the comforts of your lodge with its reading room, safari deck, bar, restaurant and swimming pool. A perfect opportunity to have the ideal "Out of Africa' experience.

Day 4 
This morning after an open vehicle game drive and breakfast at the lodge you will be collected and transferred to Manyeleti Game Reserve and your lovely lodge in the reserve. After lunch you will undertake on your first open vehicle game drive in the reserve before returning to the lodge for a bush boma dinner.

Day 5 
A full day to enjoy Manyeleti Game Reserve as you undertake early morning and late afternoon game drives as well as bush walks with experienced guides.

Day 6 
This morning after your open vehicle game drive and breakfast you will be transferred south to a 12,000 hectare private wilderness that shares an unfenced border with Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Here you will commence your 3 day Rhino Walking Safari experience. Your first night is spent at Plains Camp and you will enjoy an open vehicle night game drive using high powered spotlights to find the nocturnal animals of the bush.

Day 7 
This morning you have an early rise as your guide takes you on foot following rhino trails & elephant paths, exploring riverine forests, open savannahs and the African bush in search of wildlife stopping along the way for refreshments and snacks. You will return to the lodge for a sumptuous brunch. In the late afternoon you will leave the lodge with your guide, carrying a light rucksack with a change of clothes, and walk to your sleep out in the bush. On arrival you will enjoy a sundowner on the platform overlooking the waterhole before enjoy dinner by the open fire listening to the sounds of the bush.

Day 8 
This morning you will enjoy a light snack before walking back to the Plains Camp for a hearty brunch. You will then be transferred to Rhino Post Lodge, which is set on the Mutlumuvi Riverbed. In the late afternoon you will be taken on an open vehicle game drive before returning to the lodge for a bush boma dinner.

Day 9 
This morning after an open vehicle game drive and breakfast you will be transferred to Nelspruit Airport for your flight to Johannesburg.

Accommodations

Motswari Private Game Reserve
Open to the Kruger National Park and playing host to Africa's Big Five is Motswari Private Game Reserve. One of South Africa's jewels nestled within the Timbavati Nature Reserve, this family-owned and operated four-star lodge prides itself on its warm atmosphere.

The name Motswari means "to conserve and protect" in Tswana and the owners have held the name to be a promise to each of their future friends who arrive to share in the splendour of an African sunset.

The understated luxury of this traditional, vintage lodge promises an authentic safari experience to all of its visitors from the world over. The 150 square kilometres that make up the reserve are part of the larger Kruger Park and guests will be treated to wildlife in their natural habitats as part of their unforgettable view of Southern Africa. Ideally situated and exclusive, Motswari holds the best of everything for the traveller to the untamed majesty that is Africa.

Motswari is exclusive in that the lodge never has more than 30 guests present at any one time, providing a more serene environment for our visitor's African experience. With 15 luxury-appointed en-suite bungalows, each with air-conditioning, and all offering unrivalled bush views, guests enjoy a high level of comfort which complements our level of service excellence. The naturally-furnished interiors of each bungalow reflect the wonders of nature that exist just outside the windows.

Honeyguide Mantobeni Tented Camp
Bordering the Kruger National Park and situated between the Timbavati and the Sabi Sand Reserves lies the 23 000 hectare Manyeleti Game Reserve.  Manyeleti means, "The Place of the Stars" in the local Shangaan language.

The Manyeleti Reserve is home to Honeyguide Mantobeni Camp.  Mantobeni camp is set among a grove of Tamboti trees on the banks of a riverbed. From the sundeck of the sparkling pool you have a view of the waterhole and may see elephant enjoying their own cooling off time. The lounge, dining and bar areas all have lovely views of the African bush.

Each en-suite tent is carefully positioned on a wooden deck to afford an unrestricted view of the bush. The king-sized or twin bedded tents are comfortably furnished in old world colonial style and each has a welcoming leather couch. Each tent has its own private but open air en-suite bathroom with large custom made bath, double shower and separate toilet.

Rhino Post Safari Lodge
Rhino Post Safari Lodge is situated at the southern end of our 12,000 hectare private wilderness concession in the Kruger National Park.  The concession is noted as an excellent game viewing area with encounters with the Big Five and good sightings can be expected. 

Rhino Post Safari Lodge is an elegant 16 bed lodge from where you embark on twice daily game drives.  As well as making use of the private concession roads you have exclusive use of some of the Kruger National Park's public roads for evening game drives, well after gate closing times (sunset), ensuring guests an unforgettable experience.

The nature of a wilderness area is that there are no permanent structures, so Rhino Post Safari Lodge was built using natural materials of stone, wood, thatch and canvas to create an authentic bush ambience. Each luxury suite is exquisitely decorated and includes a spacious bedroom with impressive views of the riverbed from the bathroom, outdoor shower and decked patio.

Plains Camp
Plains Camp has four luxury African explorer-style tents with en-suite (hot running water) and all the comforts of home, plus the African Wilderness on your doorstep.  Built in authentic pioneer tradition it has the serenity of a 19th century naturalists retreat, nestled in an Acacia Knobthorn thicket and overlooking the spectacular Timbitene plain and waterhole. An Africana book collection and antique treasures are reminiscent of a golden era.

Sleep Outs
Guests wanting to enjoy a unique experience will be able to walk out to our "Sleep Outs" on elevated wooden platforms (weather permitting).

This is the only place in the Kruger National Park offering this unusual accommodation. Guests will leave Plains Camp in the late afternoon and arrive at the platforms in the early evening carrying a lightweight rucksack containing a change of clothes and refreshments.

After hanging up mosquito nets, fly sheets (only if necessary) and preparing beds (yes! we do encourage our guests to be included in every aspect of this unique interactive experience of the bush), sundowners can be enjoyed on the platforms that also overlook a waterhole.

Other recommendations

Wild Africa Travel Company has access to a wide range of other private game lodges in Kruger National Park such as Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, Lion Sands Private Game Reserve, MalaMala, Simbambili Game Lodge, N'Kaya Game Lodge, Serondella Game Lodge, Shumbalala Game Lodge, Chapunga Tented Camp, Thornybush Game Lodge, Singita Private Game Reserve, Exeter Private Game Reserve, Leopards Hill, Imbali Safari Lodge, Hoyo Hoyo Tsonga Lodge, Hamiltons Tented Camp, Ngala Tented Camp, Ngala Safari Lodge, Kirkmans Camp, Kings Camp, Tanda Tula, Djuma Game Reserve, Gomo Gomo, Chitwa Chitwa, Shishangeni Private Lodge and Nyala Safari Lodge.

Please contact us for a quote and information on these lodges.

A very popular addition to this tour is pre or post tour accommodation in either Cape Town or Victoria Falls. Please contact us for information on packages to both these famed African destinations.

Flights

Wild Africa Travel Company has excellent return airfares from Australia to Kruger National Park.

Prices for return economy class flight with South African Airways from Australia to Kruger National Park start from:

Ex Perth $1,570
Ex Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide $1,660
Taxes approximately $485
Actual prices and taxes will depend on dates of travel. Please contact our office on free-call 1800 615 524 or by email for an exact quote

 
Our preferred airline to Africa

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is highly recommended for the 9 Day Kruger Private Game Lodge tour to cover for irrecoverable prepaid travel costs incurred as a result of unforeseen circumstances. For example, if the passenger becomes unexpectedly ill and is unable to travel then the passenger will be able to recover the total costs of their 9 Day Kruger Private Game Lodge tour.

Please note every year Wild Africa Travel Company have passengers needing to cancel for many unforeseen reasons. Unfortunately Wild Africa Travel Company is helpless if the passenger has not taken out the appropriate travel insurance.

Travel Insurance is also very important for passengers on their travels as there can be situations where things may go wrong and travellers find themselves needing urgent medical assistance, help with replacing lost luggage, or assistance in making an urgent trip home. Travel insurance can provide coverage for these unforeseen circumstances and also provide peace of mind for the traveller.

Cover can be purchased at time of booking. Please contact for a quote.

Note: Pre-existing conditions are not automatically covered, please make sure the Travel Insurance Policy wording is read and fully understood.