Kruger Safari – 2 nights Timbavati | 2 nights Sabi Sand | 3 nights Cape Town
Overview
My wife and I have just had a fantastic holiday in South Africa, all arranged by Melanie at Pembury Tours. I wanted to surprise my wife for her 40th birthday so I had to do all the planning by myself. This is where Melanie was so helpful as she suggested things that she thought Jane would like. She was also very helpful in making sure we fitted the maximum amount of things into the short time we had available. The whole holiday went according to plan thanks to Melanie’s organisation and we had a stress-free time. We especially enjoyed the safari and are glad we stayed at two different lodges because we got the chance to stay in a tented camp and also in a thatched lodge. Notten’s made a big fuss of Jane’s birthday, which was nice. The game viewing was good and the rangers and trackers were very knowledgeable. We saw so much in just four days. It was nice to end off in Cape Town and we enjoyed having cocktails on the outside patio at Winchester Mansions, watching the sun setting over the sea. Magical. We owe a big thank you to Melanie.
You are met at Johannesburg O R Tambo International Airport by our representative and assisted to your domestic flight to Hoedspruit, gateway to the central part of the Great Kruger National Park in the north-east of the country. You are transferred from Hoedspruit airport by road to your lodge in the Timbavati Game Reserve. There is time to settle in before you set off on your first game drive.
The Timbavati forms part of the 2 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 rich 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, weavers. The Timbavati is also home to the world-famous “White Lions of Timbavati”.
After your morning game drive, you are collected from your lodge and are transferred by road southwards to the Sabi Sand Reserve, also part of the Greater Kruger National Park. There is time to settle in at your new lodge before setting off on the afternoon game drive.
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, you are collected from your lodge and are transferred by road to Nelspruit Airport for your direct flight to Cape Town. You are met at Cape Town Airport and are transferred to your lodge on the Atlantic seaboard for a 3-night stay.
Explore the Mother City and the Fairest Cape – from the oldest buildings in South Africa to trendy waterfront shopping; from majestic Table Mountain to sun drenched beaches; and from dramatic seascapes to verdant vineyards. Cape Town regularly tops many lists of world must-visit destinations and Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain has recently been voted one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Cosmopolitan and fashionable, the relaxed atmosphere and pavement café culture give Cape Town a Southern European feel – but with a distinctive African twist.
Today is at leisure in Cape Town for sight-seeing or some last minute souvenir shopping at the trendy V&A Waterfront. You could also catch a ferry across Table Bay to tour Robben Island or you could visit the Two Oceans Aquarium. You are transferred to Cape Town airport for your flight home.
