DAY 1:
Arrive at Johannesburg International Airport where you will be met by us and transferred to an hotel in Pretoria. Once you have settled in, we will go out to dinner and get to know each other.
Touring Time: Nil. Airport transfer only. |
DAY 2:
After an early breakfast, we set off on the Great North Road, travelling through small Bushveld towns such as Bela-Bela (Warmbaths), Modimolle (Nylstroom), Mookgophong (Naboomspruit) and branch off from Polokwane (Pietersburg) to Alldays. From there we turn east to the Mapungubwe National Park where we will overnight and which is situated
Giant Baobab Tree Elephant dust bath
on the Limpopo River where the borders between South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe come together at the confluence of the Shashi and Limpopo Rivers.
This a relatively long day of travel, but is more than made up for by sundowners in the evening.
Touring Time: Full Day |
DAY 3:
The morning will be spent game viewing and visiting the very important Iron Age site of Mapunubwe. Mapungubwe means “The Place of the Jackal” and the settlement dates from about AD 900 to AD 1150. A place of wonder and mystery.
Mapungubwe
We then set off eastwards again and make our way to Musina from where we turn southwards and travel over the beautiful Wylies Poort Pass to overnight in the picturesque lowveld town of Tzaneen.
Touring Time: Full Day |
DAY 4:
From Tzaneen we make our way eastwards to the jewel of National Parks; the Kruger! We enter the park at the Phalaborwa Gate and wend our way slowly through the park and game spotting as we go to the lovely, rustic Olifants Camp which overlooks the Olifants River.
Touring Time: Full Day |
DAY 5:
Today we leave Olifants Camp and make our way southwards, exploring and game viewing as we go, to the Lower Sabie Rest Camp. Hopefully we will encounter some wonderful surprises, but, alas, wild animals are totally unpredictable and we shall see what we shall see.
The wonder of the Kruger National Park is the thrill when, coming around a corner in the road, one encounters a herd of buffalo, or a pride of lions, or a breeding herd of elephants (exciting stuff!). We accept whatever the wilderness offers.
The camp itself has everything that the weary traveller might ask for.
The restaurant A Kingfisher opportunist!
Touring Time: Full Day |
DAY 6: (Sunday, 27 July 2008)
After an early breakfast we go exploring – with a capital ‘E’! We will hive off on as many of the back roads as we can with our eyes wide open - 
Elephants foraging
and see what exciting surprises nature has in store for us!
Touring Time: Full Day |
DAY 7:
At this time we bid the Kruger Park farewell and make our way southwards and then north-eastwards to the very historic village of Pigrims Rest. We exit the Kruger Park at Komatipoort and work our way up to White River and to our next overnight stop. This little village has a very special place in our history as it is the stopover for teamsters from Mozambique and is one of the more prominent gold-finds in our past. All things being equal, we will overnight at the Royal Hotel where you can easily lose your shirt in a poker game! If you want to try your hand at panning for gold, you may just be lucky enough to break even if you find that thrilling feather of gold peeping out from under the gravel.
Touring Time: Full Day |
DAY 8:
Today we take in the natural wonders of the Mpumalanga Highlands, visiting scenic sites all along the Blyde River such as Gods Window, Bourkes Luck
Potholes, the Mac Mac and Bridal Veil Falls and much, much more.
The area is also rich in history and the peaceful villages that we will pass through were the scenes of serious battles during the Anglo-Boer War. The Long Tom Pass for example is named after a cannon used to defend the pass.
Little Genet Ndebele beadwork
The local people are of the Ndebele tribe and famous for their beadwork which they fashion into patterns that contain messages.
All along the way we can keep an eye open for wildlife but especially for the birdlife in the region.
After a long day of sightseeing we head back to Pilgrims Rest for the Night
Touring Time: Full Day |
DAY 9:
After a leisurely breakfast, we set of westwards on our return journey to Johannesburg, climbing up the escarpment from the Lowveld to the cooler Highveld and arriving at our destination in the late afternoon.
Touring Time: Full Day |
DAY 10: (Friday, 31 July 2008)
Depending on the departure time of your flight home, you may have a little leisure time before we (sadly) transfer you to the airport to check-in for your flight home.
Touring Time: Nil |
GENERAL NOTES
All Tours are subject to our Standard Terms and Conditions.
The Tour Rate as quoted is inclusive of superb Bed & Breakfast Accommodation, Dinners where indicated, Air-conditioned Vehicle, Qualified Ranger/Tour Guide, all South African National Parks Conservation Fees, Entrances to all Game Reserves, all Game Drives and all activities per Itinerary.
Excluded are all Lunches and Dinners unless otherwise indicated, all liquid refreshments, any additional Entrance Fees or Activities, any items of a personal nature and any activities not forming part of the Itinerary.
Please note, the Itinerary may vary to accommodate your particular Interests, local weather conditions, road conditions or other factors beyond our control. The localities we will be visiting are well known for their varying weather conditions, going from very hot during the day to cool in the evenings, with possible rain. Don't forget a sunhat, comfortable walking shoes, your camera and binoculars. A Warm Windbreaker Jacket and Ear Warmer for the Open Game Drives are highly recommended.