“Big Five” Heaven!

Kruger has a stellar reputation for being one of Africa's great wildlife reserves. It harbors a huge variety of animals in astonishing numbers, including the celebrated "Big Five" (elephant, leopard, lion, rhino, and Cape Buffalo) and many other predators. Since Kruger also attracts lots of visitors, we take this classic safari—a "must" for any visit to Southern Africa—one step further.

You will visit a private reserve adjoining the park (part of the Kruger ecosystem). No fences encircle these areas, so the animals roam freely. Here you'll go on early morning and evening game drives, take short bush walks, and in between enjoy the ambiance of a deluxe intimate lodge. And because these are private reserves, you'll be far from the crowds and have the special opportunity for night drives.

Choose between Simbambili Game Lodge or the more upscale Leopard Hills: each lodge boasts gorgeous views of the surrounding African veld, while thatch-roof chalets feature a deck leading to individual plunge pools (not quite big enough to do laps in, but great for cooling off!).

Combine this trip with other journeys in Africa to create the ultimate dream safari vacation.

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Activities

Game viewing by vehicle, optional nature walks and night tours

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• See the "Big Five" in one of Africa's greatest wildlife reserves
• Bypass the crowds and visit a private reserve adjoining the park where the animals roam freely
• Choose between two beautiful safari lodges
• A great way to extend your South Africa, Botswana or Zambia journey!

Duration: 4 days Start Location: Johannesburg End Location: Johannesburg

BRIEF Itinerary

• Day 1 : Kruger National Park

  You will be met at Johannesburg international airport and assisted with your conecting flight to Sabi Sand Game Reserve. From here you will be transferred by road to the lodge of your choice in Sabi Sand, a private game reserve bordering Kruger National Park.

• Days 2 - 3 : Kruger National Park

  Each morning you’ll awake early for a game drive in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. Sunrise is a magical moment in the Kruger bushveld and the game is active. You’ll have the chance to see a tremendous variety of birds and wildlife: lion, elephant, giraffe, leopard, antelope, hippos, rhinos—the works.You’ll also have the chance to see wild Cape hunting dogs, one of the rarest predators in Africa.

  Kruger’s habitats range from mopane red bushwillow scrub and open savannas to the deep bush of mixed forest—the full range of low veld habitats. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Afterwards, game walks are available to see the park's endemic birds, ungulates, and small mammals. Lunch is served at the lodge, and you may wish to take a dip in the plunge pool during the heat of the day or just relax and take a nap.

  In the late afternoon, you’ll enjoy another game drive that develops into a night drive during which a spotlight is used to reveal some of the nocturnal creatures, such as aardvarks, aardwolves, porcupines, and bushbabies. Predators are also more active at night. Back at the lodge, you’ll enjoy dinner served around the campfire under the stars.

• Day 4 : Depart

  This morning, enjoy a morning game drive or walk. Road transfer to the regional airport to connect with your flight to Johannesburg and your next destination.  If departing from Johannesburg, please schedule your flight for after 6:00pm.

• 

  Leopard Hills Lodge

  Kruger National Park South Africa

  Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve is situated in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, bordering the world famous Kruger National Park. Here the Big 5, Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard abound, and viewing them from open game drive vehicles with our experienced rangers at close proximity is our speciality. Our five star luxury lodge, with fine dining, outstanding cuisine and extensive wine cellar, is situated on a hilltop sanctuary overlooking a natural waterhole, and each of our eight glass fronted air-conditioned suites with private plunge pools have spectacular views out into the bush. Our professional and friendly staff awaits your arrival, and look forward to introducing you to “our world” and taking you on a safari experience of a lifetime.
   

• Simbambili Game Lodge

  Kruger National Park, South Africa

  Located along the meandering Manyeleti River in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve within Kruger, eight sophisticated yet simple Moroccan-style suites have spectacular views over an extensive savannah grassland that teems with wildlife.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Our knowledgeable and experienced safari guides are some of the best in the business.  Each safari lodge or camp has its own guides and trackers to take you on early morning and late afternoon/evening game drives in search of Africa's big game.  

photo credits: ©Blaine Harrington/MTS