Upon arrival at Hoedspruit Airport on the flight, you are met and transferred by road to your lodge in the Sabi Sand Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park. You check in for your three-night stay.
You have time to settle in at your lodge before you set off on your afternoon game drive.
Transfer time: Hoedspruit Airport to Sabi Sand Reserve: approx. 2 ½ hours
Forming part of the Greater Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Reserve has no fences and the wildlife is able to cross freely between the Sabi Sands and the rest of the Greater Kruger National Park. The safari experience in the Sabi Sand is highly personalised because game drive vehicles have exclusive traversing rights in their area. The Sabi Sand Reserve is a remarkable natural sanctuary known for its exceptionally high concentration of animal and bird life.
Close contact encounters are guaranteed as the animals are not threatened by the presence of vehicles thanks to sound conservation management policies. Safaris are led by experienced rangers coupled with local Shangaan trackers. With exceptional sightings of leopard (usually the most elusive of cats), lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo during game drives, visitors are never lacking in exciting photographic content.
After your morning game drive and breakfast you check out of your lodge, you are met and transferred northwards to your game lodge in the Timbavati Game Reserve, also part of Greater Kruger where you check in for your three-night stay. There is time to freshen up before embarking on your afternoon game drive.
Transfer time: Arathusa Safari Lodge to Simbavati River Lodge: approx. 2 ½ hours
The Timbavati forms part of the two-million-hectare Greater Kruger National Park. It was the first private game reserve to be incorporated into the Kruger National Park and is part of one of Africa’s most innovative conservation partnership agreements. The Timbavati is 14 700 hectares (36 300 acres) and shares an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park. Track the Big Five, as well as a wide variety of other game such as antelope, zebra, warthog, giraffe and hippo, in the company of an armed ranger and local Shangaan tracker. Bird viewing is spectacular, with over 360 recorded species including various eagles, vultures, kingfishers, woodpeckers, buzzards, herons, egrets, owls, and weavers. The Timbavati is also home to the world-famous “White Lions of Timbavati”.
After your morning game drive and breakfast you check out of your lodge. You bid this African Wonderland Farewell as you are met and transferred to Hoedspruit Airport where you board a flight to connect with your international flight home.
Transfer time: Simbavati River Lodge to Hoedspruit Airport: approx 1½ hours
Arathusa Safari Lodge is a jewel within the heart of the Sabi Sand Reserve. The camp is an intimate one, completely open-plan and designed to harmoniously blend with the adjacent waterhole and African bush. The lodge flanks the bank of a large waterhole (approximately 250m x 150m), allowing for a 180-degree view of the water. An infinity swimming pool overlooks the waterhole and is the perfect spot for wildlife viewing on a smouldering African summer’s afternoon.
Massive herds of buffalo, antelope and elephant families gather at the waterhole and there is also a resident herd of hippos. 13 thatched suites are within the camp’s perimeter. Each has a bathroom en-suite (with bath and separate indoor and outdoor showers), and a verandah. Meal times at Arathusa are a sociable affair. Guests are treated to sumptuous dishes, fresh produce and home-baked confectionery.
In addition to the morning and evening game drives, unique walking safaris are offered daily giving guests the opportunity to discover the hidden treasures of the region. Arathusa prides itself on its leopard viewing. As leopards are territorial, their regular appearances in the area allow their movements to be plotted. Many of the animals become familiar and are easily recognized by the rangers.
Large herds of buffalo numbering in excess of 300 are often encountered. Elephants are also seen in large numbers. There are various lion pride in the area, as well as a few nomadic males. General “Lowveld” game is abundant in this section of the Sabi Sand Reserve, including giraffe, zebra, warthog, impala and more. Between game drives, lazy hours can be spent in the sparkling pool or having a massage at the Nature Spa.
Situated in the heart of the world-renowned Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park, this intimate, family-friendly camp is built on the banks of the Nhlaralumi River – a beautiful watercourse in the summer months when rain is plentiful, and a dry riverbed in the drier winter months. Simbavati takes its name from the local Shangaan language, translated as “the place where the lions come down from the stars”. The focus of the lodge is on the excellent big-5 game viewing, breathtaking views, and friendly and knowledgeable staff in an environment where guests are made to feel comfortable and relaxed from the moment they arrive. Simbavati River Lodge is situated in the northern sector of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, and is surrounded by 12,000 hectares of wildlife and rich wilderness in which you can experience an authentic and affordable African safari.
Shaded by age-old Jackalberry and Leadwood trees, Simbavati River Lodge is warm and welcoming, with a generous contemporary design and accommodation for guests in luxury tented rooms or thatched chalets. Accommodation consists of eight luxury tents and three chalets; all are privately situated, comfortably furnished and with en-suite facilities.
The design of this 4-star lodge is contemporary, warm and welcoming. Guest common areas offer a generously proportioned lounge, bar, boma and extensive decks with breathtaking views overlooking the Nhlaralumi river, where regular wildlife sightings take place and guests can unwind.
The lodge offers Big 5 game drives in the early morning and late afternoon/evening to ensure game viewing when the animals are most active. Nocturnal animals, including the big cats, are regularly sightings at night. Currently, there are over 40 mammal species in the Timbavati, including the Big 5 of lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant, as well as 360 species of bird life.
Upon arrival at your safari lodge, you are given a welcome drink, and your safari experience will be explained to you by your lodge host. There will be time to settle in before afternoon High Tea followed by your first game drive. Game drives take place in the early morning and evening to ensure game viewing when animals are most active. Night game drives provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the predators, particularly the leopard for which this area is renowned. You return to your lodge in time for a sumptuous safari cuisine dinner.
The next day after a light snack you are taken on a morning game drive. You return to the lodge for a grand brunch. There is time to relax around the sunny pool, do some bird-watching from the observation deck or read a book in the peace of your room’s private verandah. After High Tea you set off on another evening game drive, returning again in time for dinner. On your day of departure, you will do a morning game drive and will leave the lodge after brunch.
Upon arrival at your safari lodge, you are given a welcome drink, and your safari experience will be explained to you by your lodge host. There will be time to settle in before afternoon High Tea followed by your first game drive. Game drives take place in the early morning and evening to ensure game viewing when animals are most active. Night game drives provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the predators, particularly the leopard for which this area is renowned. You return to your lodge in time for a sumptuous safari cuisine dinner.
The next day after a light snack you are taken on a morning game drive. You return to the lodge for a grand brunch. There is time to relax around the sunny pool, do some bird-watching from the observation deck or read a book in the peace of your room’s private veranda. If you are feeling more active, you can go on a bush walk with your ranger. After High Tea you set off on another evening game drive, returning again in time for dinner. On your day of departure, you will do a morning game drive and will leave the lodge after brunch.
This is an actual itinerary, 100% tailor-made to meet this client’s expectations. We can use this itinerary as a starting point for you.
+27 87 353 7873
[email protected]
I am one of the owners of Pembury Tours and set up the company in 1996 with my husband shortly after our return from a 6-year stay in the United Kingdom, during which time I worked in London and also did a Master’s Degree in Linguistics at Cambridge University.
My principal function at Pembury Tours is ensuring that we maintain a consistently high standard of work. This means I work very closely with my tour consultants as well as my administration staff. I manage to spend about half my time tour consulting, something that I really enjoy! I love the challenge of compiling an itinerary for clients that meets all the criteria they have given me. My love of wildlife means that I especially enjoy working on safari itineraries but I also like drawing up itineraries that include a “bit of everything” for first-time visitors – Cape Town, beaches, game viewing, African culture and historical insight. As a mother with teenage children, I know the importance of looking for more adventurous activities that will keep them entertained and ensure a great family holiday. I am extremely well-travelled and particularly enjoy using my knowledge of travel to put together complex itineraries for discerning travellers.
+27 87 353 7868
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I first started with Pembury Tours as a Personal Assistant to the MD on a mornings-only basis way back in November 2004. This very quickly turned into a full time position and I gained extensive behind the scenes knowledge supporting the tour consultants in the office.
I took a short break in 2014, but realised that Pembury was so close to my heart and jumped at the chance of becoming a consultant in 2016. Until very recently I was based in the UK experiencing a little of the northern hemisphere way of life.
I simply love organising! Researching destinations, preparing itineraries, and taking care of clients’ arrangements are just some of the key aspects of my work. It’s also about getting to know my clients from the word ‘go’, to ensure that we create a holiday to meet their expectations.
Although I have a strong administrative background, I also studied tour guiding and this has given me a good understanding of local history and the sights. This has been really helpful when preparing tours for clients and I’m especially pleased to hear back from my clients after a tour with the highlights of their experiences.
+27 87 353 7872
[email protected]
My passion for travel began at a young age. I was fortunate enough to visit Mozambique when I was 10 years old and I fell in love with Africa and travelling. Not being sure what I wanted to study after leaving school, I decided to travel to Israel and work on a kibbutz. The travel bug bit and for the next 10 years I worked abroad in various countries.
Africa has always been in my heart and I returned home and began working in the travel industry. I have been in the travel industry since 2005. My career started as a travel consultant where I mostly focused on flight bookings and sending South Africans out into the world. After 10 years I was ready for a change and changed the direction of my clients travelling. I now have the privilege of bringing the world to Africa. I began my journey with Pembury Tours in 2015.
I am family-oriented and enjoy a good laugh. My passion is people and travel so putting together an African dream holiday tour is a joy and a blessing!
+27 87 353 7875
[email protected]
My love for wildlife, nature, travel and adventure began at a very young age. My parents used to take me to various game reserves within South Africa. I was immediately drawn to our country’s natural beauty and wildlife. I soon fell in love with the idea of travelling. I have been fortunate enough to travel through most of South Africa by road, go on a safari in Kruger, Madikwe, Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, relax on the beaches of Zanzibar and explore the United Kingdom.
I decided to take Tourism as a subject in school. This made me realise that Tourism is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life! I went on to study Tourism at college with the long term goal of becoming a Tour Consultant. I started at Pembury Tours straight out of college as an admin assistant. I assisted the tour consultants with documents, directions and basic admin. I was soon promoted to the position of Tour Consultant.
I may be young, but I am super-organised. The feeling I get when planning someone’s dream vacation, whether it is for a couple, a group of friends or for a family, cannot be put into words. Interacting with clients, catering for their needs and sharing my experience with the clients are all part of the joy this job brings me!
+27 87 353 7869
[email protected]
I have been with Pembury Tours since we started in 1996. Over the years I have taken on various roles within the company – from tour consulting, guiding, website design & marketing and general marketing. Apart from giving me a good grounding in all the sections of the company, it has also given me the opportunity to travel all over the world – always returning to this amazing country I call home.
Safaris are my passion and I am also qualified as a safari guide. I know from experience what you as a guest are looking for and what is important to you when on safari. I understand that this is most often the main reason for your trip to our part of the world and it is my job to ensure that your safari experience not only meets, but exceeds your expectations.
Family trips and safaris are also something that lies close to my heart – as a mother with two young children, I know the importance of finding child-friendly accommodation for family holidays.
+27 87 353 7870
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I joined Pembury Tours in 2002 as a trainee tour consultant after returning to South Africa from the United Kingdom. Whilst living in London I loved researching and planning holidays and sightseeing trips for myself, and I am now really enjoying planning memorable tours for clients. I did a degree in micro-biology, so I suppose, in tourism terms, I was a “blank canvass” when I started at Pembury!
I really enjoy the interaction with clients and I take particular delight in arranging itineraries for my repeat clients. One develops an intuition for someone’s likes and preferences and it is so rewarding getting feedback letters from clients once they have returned home.
I had great fun planning my own honeymoon in 2010 and have researched the numerous romantic getaways available in Southern Africa, so I especially enjoy assisting honeymoon clients who would like to plan their romantic holiday-of-a-lifetime.
+27 87 353 7871
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I have been involved in the hotel and tourism industry since 1993 and with Pembury since 2001. Since qualifying as a hotel manager, I have been fortunate enough to have worked in many of the best hotels and lodges in different areas of South Africa. This has given me a great local knowledge of my country. I have a lifelong dedication to travelling in Africa and, after having lived in game reserves for more than 4 years, they are still a passion for our family getaways.
As a natural progression, I joined Pembury Tours as a consultant, after settling in Port Elizabeth. My responsibilities include tailor-making itineraries to suit the client’s requirements. From making the reservation, compiling the travel documents, including maps and directions, to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable holiday, I know that the perfect holiday is made up of many facets and the effective combining of these services ensures the clients their “great African vacation”.
I am currently running our Botswana office and I specialise in holidays to this area.
+27 41 581 7801
[email protected]
