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4 Days from$1,119 p/p in USD -
DeparturesYear Round
Destinations
South Africa,
Tour Type
Guided
Safari Standard
Mid Range
Tour Overview
Enjoy staying at a four-star privately-owned lodge with your family in Greater Kruger National Park, a huge tract of land made up of private and state-owned lands managed as one entity. Spend three nights/four days at Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge and experience six game drives during your stay. Being on privately owned land, but within the Greater Kruger National Park, means there is more freedom on game drive routes and staying out later at night. For your convenience fly from Johannesburg or Cape Town to the lodge then on the last day take a private road transfer back to Johannesburg, which includes a stop to see the impressive Blyde River Canyon.
General Information
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Safari types:Big Five Safari, Family Safari, Wildlife Safari
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You will visit:Kruger National Park
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Wildlife:Birds, Big Five, Cheetah, Antelope, Zebra, Giraffe, Hyena, Warthog
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Activities:Game Drive
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Getting around:4x4 Safari Vehicle, Transfer Vehicle
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Start/end:Start in Hoedspruit Airport, end in Johannesburg
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Minimum age:6 years old
The Greater Kruger National Park
There is now a huge area on the South African side of the Kruger National Park being called the Greater Kruger Park. This is an area of land that is owned by private individuals whereas the main Kruger National Park is state-owned. There are no intervening barrier fences between the two areas and animals are able to move freely throughout this vast area. Over many years the process of taking down fences between the original Kruger Park and the privately owned land adjoining the park has been taking place. This started with the well-known Sabi Sands Reserve, then Timbavati Game Reserve and slowly more and more privately owned game farms have dropped their fences and thus joining the ‘Greater Kruger Park’ increasing the area of the original Kruger Park by 20,000,000 ha (or more than 20,000 km²). This is a win win situation for both the animals and visitors to these lodges. The privately owned game lodges may not actually be in the original Kruger Park itself but now that there are no fences between them and the original Kruger Park, all the animals have access the this entire area so you do have the same chance of seeing the big animals as you do if you stay in the Kruger – effectively you are. To be honest these private lodges ‘outside’ the Kruger are better as they drive around in the smaller 9 seater 4×4 vehicles, they just use tracks and there is a much better network of tracks and they even go off road in certain sightings and areas so you can get close and see the animals, they can stay out later at night.
When to Visit
June, July, August, September and even October are good months to go to the Kruger Park area for a safari. It is our winter months and the dry season so dense bush foliage thins out which allows you to see further into the bush. There is also limited access to water so the animals generally congregate around the areas where water is available. It is cold in the mornings and evenings but warm during the days so comfortable for us humans and the animals. There are fewer bugs and almost zero mosquitos around, all of this makes for good game viewing and a great safari experience. During our summer months November to April it’s the rainy season so the bush looks green and great, there are lots of baby animals and birds around and you will always have the chance of seeing the big five. The green grass and flowers do make nicer photographs. The days are longer and nice and warm, you will have more time at the lodge relax around the swimming pool. Overall the Greater Kruger Park is an all year round destination.
Price Per Person – ZAR
From ZAR 19,989 per person sharing based on a minimum of two people.
What's Included
- Three night’s accommodation at Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge
- All meals at Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge
- Private road transfer from Hoedspruit Airport to Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge
- Services of a qualified driver/guide and game ranger
- Two game drives conducted in open game viewing vehicles per day, 6 in total
- Balule Reserve entry fee
- Private road transfer from the lodge back to Johannesburg including a visit to Blyde River Canyon
- VAT @ 15% and tourism levies
- Great memories and hopefully good pictures
What's Excluded
- International flights
- Flight from Cape Town (or Johannesburg) to Hoedspruit
- All drinks
- Meals not specified – lunch while traveling
- Travel & medical insurance
- Telephone calls, items of a personal nature, side excursion & anything not noted
Day by Day Overview
On your arrival at Hoedspruit Airport you will be met and then a private transfer to a private game lodge, Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge. It is a 45 minute drive to the Balule Reserve and your safari starts once you enter the reserve gate with a 7 km game drive through the reserve to Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge. After enjoying a welcome non-alcoholic drink on arrival and a briefing on the lodge program, it’s time to settle into your rooms then enjoy a light lunch looking out over the reserve.
Late afternoon is “safari time” – meet your ranger and board an open game tracking vehicle to explore the African bush looking for some of the many species that make this area home. The ranger will point out and explain the many animals found, and hopefully you will be lucky enough to see the elusive cats. Just before sunset the ranger will stop for you to enjoy sundowners accompanied with tasty snacks in the bush and time to stretch your legs. The drive back to the lodge will be a night drive using spot lights to look for the elusive nocturnal animals. Once back at the lodge meet fellow guests at the bar area while dinner is served in a traditional boma.
Early morning wake-up call (+-5:00 am) and a welcome cup of hot coffee before embarking on the morning game drive with your ranger. At least three hours later return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. After breakfast there is time to freshen up then enjoy the lodge surroundings and spend time in or around the swimming pool or on your private deck, waiting to see which animals or birds come to visit the water hole, or have a siesta. At 2:00 pm enjoy lunch looking out over the reserve and then a little more free time before getting ready for the afternoon safari.
Late afternoon is “safari time” – meet your ranger and depart on the afternoon evening game drive, stopping in the bush for sundowners while watching the splendor of the African sun setting over the mountains. Drinks are accompanied by snacks and some South African specialties. After the sunset stop the drive is continued with the aid of spot lights looking for any animals not yet seen as well as nocturnal species. Return after your adventure to the lodge for a delicious dinner.
Early morning wake-up call and a welcome cup of hot coffee before embarking on the morning game drive with your ranger, you will stop during the game drive for a coffee break and then return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. After breakfast, check out and we will meet you the lodge at 10:00 am for the drive back to Johannesburg. Drive up the spectacular Abel Erasmus Pass back onto the Highveld and then along part of the panorama route along the escarpment of the Drakensberg mountains. Stop at Blyde River Canyon to experience the breathtaking view of this magnificent canyon, the third largest canyon in the world. Drive back to the main road and drive to Ohrigstad, Lydenburg and then Dullstroom where we can stop for lunch (own account) at one of the many good restaurants. After lunch it is a two and a half hours drive to Johannesburg Airport, arriving around 6:00 pm.
