Africa Safaris & Holidays

3 day tented safari experience - accommodation in permanent tents with beds and bedding

DAY ONE : We collect you from your hostel or Johannesburg Airport and travel via Dullstroom or Nelspruit to the tented Camp. There you transfer to an open Gameviewer for a Sunset Drive. After dark, spotlights are used to locate nocturnal animals. Your accommodation comprises tents along the Klaserie River. All the tents are supplied with bedding, soap and towels, lights and fans. Dinner in the open air Boma is enhanced by the calls of hyenas, jackals and bushbabies.

DAY TWO : After breakfast you travel on the open-sided Gameviewer to the Orpen Gate of Kruger. The added elevation and absence of windows allow for excellent viewing and photographic opportunities. Your qualified guide will show you various animals, large and small, that frequent this outstanding wildlife paradise. The zone of Kruger you visit has the highest percentage population of giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and impala that attract numerous lions and other predators. Dinner and overnight at the tented Camp.

DAY THREE : We have an early morning Bush Walk accompanied by an armed ranger. You will be shown various interesting details of the bush, including insects, spoor and scats. You have an excellent chance of encountering buffalo, nyala and other game on foot. After breakfast, we drive to the Three Rondawels of the Blyde River Canyon. We return you to your hostel or airport at around 17h00.

4 day tented safari experience - accommodation in permanent tents with beds and bedding

The itinerary is as for the 3 day tented safari with the additional day spent on the open Gameviewer in Kruger Park.

TARIFFS include all transfers, all entry fees, all game drives and game walks and accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. Excluded are lunches,drinks, gratuities and personal items

3 day safari itinerary  - with Treehouse accommodation

DAY ONE : Pick up from your hostel or Johannesburg Airport and travel in an airconditioned vehicle via Dullstroom or Nelspruit to the treehouse Camp. After a short break ( swim/ early Sundowner at the bar ) you board the open Landcruiser for a 3 hour sunset drive. Your qualified guide will facilitate your first sightings of Africa's varied fauna. We stop for photos of the magnificent African sunset. After dark, your guide will use a powerful spotlight to locate nocturnal animals. Dinner in the Boma around a crackling fire will be a typical South African meal. Overnight in your fascinating treehouse.

DAY TWO : After breakfast we board our open Gameviewer that provides unbeatable opportunities for a total sensual wildlife experience. These vehicles offer superior viewing and the absence of windows allows you to hear and smell the African bush and its denizens. Your experienced guide will show you many animals and birds that frequent this wildlife paradise. The Orpen/ Satara region has open plains with numerous herds of giraffe, zebra and antelope that attract the big cats. Dinner and overnight at the Treehouse Lodge.

DAY THREE : Early morning game walk accompanied by your armed ranger. You will attempt to get close to the numerous animals that have made their home at the camp, especially nyala, buffalo and rhino. After breakfast, you drive via the Blyde River Canyon on your return to Johannesburg where you arrive in the late afternoon. Airport dropoff by arrangement.

4 day safari  - with Treehouse accommodation plus 1 night lodge accommodation

includes:
3 hour SUNSET DRIVE at BALULE PLAINS Big 5 Reserve
4 hour BIG FIVE BUSH WALK
2 hour GAME DRIVE on BALULE
FULL DAY IN KRUGER ON OPEN GAMEVIEWER
BLYDE CANYON HIGHLlGHTS

DAY ONE : We collect our clients from all hotels and guesthouses in Gauteng as well as from Johannesburg Airport. We travel via farmlands to the picturesque Lowveld and on to our Game Lodge in the Balule Section of the Kruger Park. After a short break, during which you may unwind at the bar, have a swim or relax in the tropical gardens, we board the open Landcruiser for a 3h Sunset Drive. Your guide will show you various animals and birds and after darkness falls, we use spotlights to locate nocturnal species. Dinner will be a typical South African meal in our Boma. Overnight in comfortable air-conditioned en suite thatch-roofed chalets.

DAY TWO : Awaken at sunrise for an exhilarating day of unforgettable bush life. Drive to a remote part of the Balule Plains, where you enjoy a 4h Bush Walk. Your experienced field guide will lead you through the bush. The thrill of following Africa’s large animals until you can take a photo will remain with you forever. Adrenalin surges will be acute, notwithstanding the presence of your armed ranger. Return to the lodge for brunch. At 14h00 we go on an afternoon game drive. Transfer to the Treehouse Lodge where accommodation is in fascinating and romantic treehouses.

DAY THREE : We travel to the Kruger Park where we board our open Gameviewer. The absence of windows and elevated vantage position allow for excellent photographic opportunities. You will have an amazing chance not only to view game but also to listen to and smell the African bush and its denizens. There will be regular stops at picnic spots and rest camps. Your experienced ranger will show you many animals and birds that frequent this wildlife paradise. The Orpen-Satara region boasts open plains and supports large herds of zebra, giraffe and antelope that attract numerous predators. In fact the zones we visit have the highest concentration of lions in Africa !

DAY FOUR : Enjoy an early morning walk accompanied by an armed ranger. We then drive to the awesome Three Rondawels and the Blyde River Canyon. Return to Gauteng in the late afternoon. Airport dropoff by arrangement.

5 day safari - with Treehouse accommodation plus 1 night lodge accommodation

DAY ONE : Pick up from your hostel in Johannesburg or Pretoria or O R Tambo airport and drive to our Game Lodge in the Balule Section of Kruger. There is time for a rest in your air-conditioned chalet or a swim or a drink at the bar. Board our open Landcruiser for a 3h game drive on Balule Plains. After stopping to watch the magnificent African sunset, we use spotlights to identify nocturnal species. Dinner and overnight at the Game Lodge.

DAY TWO : Awaken before sunrise for a cuppa and rusks. We drive to the Olifants River where our armed ranger conducts a 4h Big Five Game Walk. Adrenalin rushes will be acute, notwithstanding the presence of your armed field guide. Return to the lodge for Brunch. At around 14h00 we enjoy a 2hr game drive on the open Landcruiser. Transfer to the Treehouse Lodge where accommodation is reserved in a charming and fascinating treehouse. Dinner and overnight at the Treehouse Lodge.

DAY THREE : Full day on an open Gameviewer in Kruger Park. Your ranger will attempt to show you all of the Big Five. The area we visit has excellent visibility of open plains, home to numerous herds of zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and other antelope, that attract many lions. Elephant, buffalo and rhino are also abundant.

DAY FOUR : Another full day of game viewing and bird watching in Kruger. Your guide will attempt to show you more of this truly outstanding game sanctuary. The diversity of mammals found in Kruger is unsurpassed anywhere in Africa.

DAY FIVE : Early morning game walk accompanied by an armed ranger who will show you spoor and droppings of animals big and small. The walk concentrates on plants, birds and insects that are not normally appreciated from a vehicle. From time to time, dangerous animals such as Buffalo, Black Rhino and Leopard are encountered. After breakfast, we drive via the Three Rondawels of the Blyde River Canyon en route to Johannesburg where we arrive in the late afternoon.  Airport drop off by arrangement.

6   Day  Safari - with Treehouse accommodation

DAY ONE :  We  collect  you  from  your  home/hotel/hostel  or  JNB  Airport  and  drive  to  our  Game  Lodge  in  Kruger.  There  you  board  an  open  Landcruiser  for  your  first exciting  experience  of  African  wildlife.  After dark,  spotlights are  used  to  identify  nocturnal  animals.  Transfer  to  the  Treehouses   in  time  for  dinner  around  a  crackling  fire  in  our  open  Boma.

DAY TWO :  Transfer  to  Orpen at  Kruger  Park  where  you  board  the  open  Gameviewer.   Your  guide  will  attempt  to  show  you  the  wonderful  diversity  of  Kruger’s  fauna  and  flora.  The  zones  we  visit  are  renowned  for  large  herds  of  zebra,  wildebeest,  giraffe  and  buffalo  that  attract  many  predators.  Return  to  the treehouses  after  a  full  day  of  exciting  game-viewing  and  bird-watching.

DAY THREE : Another  full  day  in  this  wonderful  wildlife  paradise.  Your  guide  will  attempt  to  show  you  some  of  the  animals  and  birds  that  you  have  so  far  not  yet seen.  Your  elevated  position  in  the  open  Gameviewer  allows  for  excellent  viewing  and  photographic  opportunities. 

DAY FOUR : After  breakfast,  we  drive  to  Moholoholo  Rehabilitation  Centre.  Here  you  are  given  a  talk  on  conservation issues  relating  to  the  orphaned  and  injured  animals  and  birds  that  are  cared for.  After  lunch  at  Cheetah  Inn,  we  return  to  Marc’s  for  a  short  siesta.  After  tea,  we  board  the  open  Gameviewer  and  enjoy  a  4h  drive  on  Motlala  Game  Reserve,  home  to  a   very  high  concentration  of  game,  including  Black  and  White  Rhino  and  Buffalo.

DAY FIVE :  There  is  another  opportunity  of  seeing  different  parts  of  Kruger,  which  is  always  delivering  new  and  exciting  sightings  and  experiences.  No  two  days  are  ever  the  same !  Return  to the treehouses  in  the  late  evening.

DAY SIX :  Your  armed  ranger  will  conduct  a  Bush  Walk.  You  will  be  shown  many  secrets  of  the  bush.  After  breakfast,  we  drive  to  view  the  Three  Rondawels  of  the  Blyde  River  Canyon.  We  return  to   your  home/hotel/hostel  or  JNB  Airport  at  around  17h00.

3 day Lodge safari - with accommodation at a game lodge in an ensuite chalet

Our 3 day safari itinerary has the same itinerary as the 4 day safari without Day Two.

4 day lodge safari - with accommodation at a game lodge in an ensuite chalet

DAY ONE : We collect our guests from all hotels, guesthouses and private homes in Gauteng as well as from Johannesburg International Airport. We travel via the Highveld farmlands to the picturesque subtropical Lowveld and onwards to our Game Lodge in the Balulue Section of the Kruger Park. During a short break, you may rest in your room, have a refreshing dip in our sparkling pool, unwind at the bar or relax in the beautiful gardens. At around 17h00 you board the open Landcruiser for a Sunset Drive. Your qualified guide will facilitate your first exciting opportunity to experience the varied African fauna and flora. Watch the magnificent African sunset, and, after darkness falls, use spotlights to locate nocturnal animals. Dinner in the Boma will be a traditional South African meal. Overnight in comfortable, air-conditioned en suite thatch-roofed chalets.

DAY TWO : Awaken at sunrise for a cuppa and rusks before an exhilarating day of bush experience. Drive to the mighty Olifants River, where you enjoy a four hour “ walk in the wild ”. Your experienced field guide will lead you through the bush at a pace you can handle in search of the Big Five. The thrill of following Africa’s large animals in a quest to approach close enough to take a good photo will remain with you forever. Adrenalin surges will be acute, notwithstanding the fact that your ranger is adequately armed in case of potential danger.

Return to the lodge for brunch, after which you may swim or sleep in your airconditioned chalet. The new Lapa has extensive wildlife books and magazines. A snooze on a hammock might also do the trick ! For the very keen, we offer a game-viewing Hide (with ablutions) overlooking the Dam, where animals and birds often come to drink. At around 15h00 we drive to Tshukudu Game Reserve, where a scrumptious tea is served. We may even be joined by the tame Cheetahs! We then go on a 3 hour Game Drive where the chances of seeing the Big Five are especially good. All the rangers are in constant radio contact and great sightings are guaranteed !

DAY THREE : Drive to the Orpen Gate of Kruger, where we transfer to a custom-built open-sided Gameviewer. The open vehicle allows for a total wildlife opportunity - you will not only have an amazing opportunity to view game, but also to listen to and smell the African bush and its denizens. The absence of windows and your elevated vantage position allow for excellent photographic opportunities. Your experienced guide will show you many animals and birds that frequent this wildlife paradise. We have regular stops at picnic spots, rest camps and places of interest. The Orpen-Satara-Nwanedzi regions have open plains and support large herds of zebra, giraffe and antelope that attract numerous predators. In fact, this zone has the highest concentration of lions in Africa !

DAY FOUR : Enjoy an early morning Sunrise Drive on Balule on the open Landcruiser. After a hearty breakfast, there is an opportunity to purchase some memorabilia from our shop and take your last photos of the luxuriant lush gardens at Tremisana. We then drive to the awesome Blyde River Canyon and view the Three Rondawels. We return to Gauteng in the late afternoon. Airport dropoff by arrangement.

5 day Lodge safari itinerary - accommodation at a game lodge in an ensuite chalet

Our 5 day safari follows the same itinerary as the 4 day safari with an additional day spent on the open Gameviewer exploring Kruger Park. Our guide will endevour to show you any animals that you may have thus far missed.

6 day Lodge safari itinerary - with accommodation at a game lodge in an ensuite chalet

Our 6 day safari follows the same itinerary as the 5 day safari.

The additional day’s itinerary is as follows: After breakfast, we drive to Moholoholo Rehabilitation Project. Here you will learn about the sterling work being done in rehabilitating injured and orphaned animals. You will have an opportunity of getting really close to some of Africa's large animals.  Your understanding of conservation issues will be greatly improved.  After lunch at the Inn, there will be time to rest. At around 15h00 we go on a 3h Game Drive on Motlala Game Reserve, where we hope to get a close-up sighting of Black and White Rhino. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Safari Facts:

Rates 2012 - Tented Safari:

3 days: EUR 399 pp sharing; EUR 469 single; EUR 299 child  u/12
4 days: EUR 469 pp sharing; EUR 539 single; EUR 329 child  u/12
5 days: EUR 499 pp sharing; EUR 589 single; EUR 349 child  u/12

Rates 2012 - Treehouse Safari:

3 days: EUR 499 pp sharing; EUR 529 single; EUR 339 child  u/12
4 days: EUR 559 pp sharing; EUR 589 single; EUR 369 child  u/12 - first nights accommodation is at Tremisana Lodge
5 days: EUR 619 pp sharing; EUR 649 single; EUR 399 child  u/12 - first nights accommodation is at Tremisana Lodge

Rates 2012 - Lodge Safari:

3 days: EUR 599 pp sharing; ZAR 629 single; ZAR 399 child  u/12
4 days: EUR 699 pp sharing; ZAR 729 single; ZAR 439 child  u/12
5 days: EUR 799 pp sharing; ZAR 829 single; ZAR 479 child  u/12
6 days: EUR 859 pp sharing; ZAR 889 single; ZAR 499 child  u/12

TARIFFS include all transfers, all entry fees, all game drives and game walks and accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. Excluded are lunches,drinks, gratuities and personal items

Facts about the tented camp:
consists of four equipped canvas tents with beds, bedding, lights and fan. Guests at the Camp are adventurous and young at heart. They are prepared to forfeit certain luxuries in the pursuit of a real African bush experience. They certainly are not afraid of frogs and spiders.

Facts about the Treehouse Lodge:
Imagine.. inhale the fresh balmy air of African Bushveld. Fall asleep to the gurgling of the river, interrupted by the eerie whoops of hyena, spine-chilling wails of jackals and the plaintive cry of the thick-tailed bushbaby. Awaken to the melodious chorus of birdsong and watch the activity of wildlife drinking at the river or at our spotlit waterhole. Walk along the pristine banks of the perennial Klaserie River amongst huge Sycamore Figs and giant Matumi trees: This is the Treehouse Lodge.

Accommodation is secure, comfortable and relaxed. We offer 12 treehouses: four original units built in the trees with designated private ablutions on the ground below and eight en suite units built on stilts within the tree canopy. Three treehouses overlook an illuminated waterhole, often frequented by our resident buffalo herd while nine treehouses are discreetly nestled in gallery forest along the river. Each treehouse is equipped with beds and linen, soap and towels, overhead fan, mosquito nets and wooden viewing deck.

The Treehouse Lodge has a swimming pool, a bush bar and a rustic boma where 3 course meals are served. After the evening meal, which always has a typical African flavour, you can relax around the crackling campfire and share your impressions of the day’s wildlife highlights and adventures.

The treehouses at the Treehouse Lodge are made of canvas and reed walls. As a result there is reduced climate control in the treehouses. If it is cold and windy, then the reed walls offer limited protection. But the fans and mosquito nets in the  treehouses are very effective. The treehouses are not completely insect-proof or even frog- proof insofar as there are  small gaps between the reeds and the thatched roofs, but this adds to the adventure! The windows of the treehouses have a roll-up canvas cover.