Safari in South Africa

Today is departure day, where you will fly to Johannesburg with connecting flights along the way.

When you arrive in Johannesburg, you will drive through the scenic South African countryside to the 4-star Kruger Gate. Located on the Sabie River, the hotel enjoys a colourful panoramic view of Kruger National Park. Spend the afternoon taking in the fantastic view from the large communal terrace or from the observation tower – or relaxing by the pool.

Early in the morning, you will be picked up from the lodge and you will head off on bush walk with an experienced ranger to guide you through the bush. Your guide has been specially trained in bush walks and will teach you how to decode Mother Nature’s signals, by smelling the air, listening intently, looking and observing like a real tracker. He will also talk to you about the various animals’ behaviour, and explain how to identify them by their tracks. As you walk, you will hear and learn about many of the small plants and animals you often do not notice when driving through the area in safari vehicles.

Not permitted for children under the age of 12.

Remember to read our practical information on clothing requirements for a bushwalk.

Full-day safari in open-topped vehicles, where you can experience the delights of Kruger National Park – one of the most important national parks in the world. Kruger National Park was established as a game reserve back in 1898, and was elevated to national park status in 1926. The park is around 350 km long from north to south, and around 65 km wide from east to west. Covering a total of approx. 20,000 km², it is the largest national park in South Africa. The park is home to 146 different species of mammal, around 520 species of bird and 120 species of reptile. Not only are many species represented, but they are also strongly represented. For example, it is estimated that there are 11,000 elephants, 2,000 lions, 1,000 leopards and 35,000 buffalo in the park, as well as 35,000 zebras and more than 150,000 antelopes. As regards plants, the park boasts 2,000 different species of flora, including everything from mosses to grasses, trees, creepers and cacti.

The wild animals are generally most active early in the morning, and then again towards the end of the afternoon. You will therefore be leaving the lodge early so as to experience as many animals as possible before they seek out shelter and shade to rest during the middle of the day. On account of the early start, the lodge will provide you with a packed breakfast to enjoy at a suitable time and in a suitable place. For lunch, you will stop at one of the authorised areas where you will find both a café and a minimarket.

You will return to the lodge at the end of the day – almost certainly with a camera packed with wonderful photos!

Today is given over to a beautifully scenic full-day trip along the Panorama Route through the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains. The mountains themselves are red, and form a magnificent contrast to the green trees and plants. On the trip, you will experience the breath-taking Blyde River Canyon. Measuring 700 m deep and 60 km long, it is the third-largest canyon in the world. You will stop at the three best vantage points along the canyon: God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and The Three Rondavels – three beautiful and remarkable rock formations whose shape calls to mind the round huts previously to be found in local villages in many parts of southern Africa. The Panorama Route will also take you past a number of waterfalls, and you will have the chance to stop to admire one of them. This could, for example, be the Berlin Falls, where the water cascades down into a lake from a height of 150 metres. Or you may stop at the Lisbon Falls, located where the Blyde river splits in two and then drops 92 metres down an almost vertical cliff, before coming together to form a single river once more. There are many other waterfalls, however, and your guide will decide where you stop. One of the most spectacular sights you will see during the day is sure to be the Bourke’s Luck Potholes – cylindrical holes carved into the rocks by the action of water and sand over thousands of years. You can see this amazing natural phenomenon right up close from bridges built over the peculiar holes.

The day is yours to do with as you wish.

You may wish simply to relax by the pool, but you can also choose to go on one of the extra excursions organised by TourCompass.

Enjoy two full-day tours in Kruger National Park in four-wheel-drive safari vehicles. The park features extensive grassy plains, as well as areas of rocky land, lakes and watercourses. Late in the afternoon, all kinds of animals flock to the lakes and watercourses to drink, and you may even be lucky enough to witness elephants bathing in the cool water. On the tour, your guide will attempt to spot as many animals as possible, and will almost certainly try to find antelopes – because where there are antelopes, there are sure to be predators. If you are really lucky, you may even see a shy leopard or two.

After breakfast, you will be driven back to Johannesburg to catch your flight back home.

You will fly home with connecting flights along the way.

After changing flights early in the morning or closer to midday, you will land at your chosen airport with all kinds of magnificent memories from your wonderful week in South Africa.