“Enjoy safari experience with a good atmosphere!”
6 Day The Ultimate Big 5 Experience in Balule Nature Reserve and Kruger National Park
Baluleni Safari Lodge, Plot 13, Grietjie, Balule Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Wonderful Safari South Africa
Enjoy a unique African Safari experience; go on guided open vehicle safaris, inside the Greater Kruger National Park and the public sector of the Kruger National Park, panorama route, or endangered species center, learn about the wilderness on a bushwalk, listen to the sounds of the African Bush while dining under the stars around the fire. This safari will be a lifetime safari and an unforgettable one for you and maybe your loved ones.
Key Information
- Group and private safari possible, rates will vary depending on this.
- Minimum 2, maximum 6 persons in a safari vehicle
- Children policy: no children under 12 are allowed; children (12 and older) should always be under parental supervision since this is an unfenced Big Five area.
- Starting point and ending point: Balule Nature Reserve
- Languages: Afrikaans, German, and English speaking guides
- All park entrance fees are included
Highlights
- Opportunity to see the Big Five, various wildlife, and birds
- Full-day guided trip to the public sector of Kruger National Park
- 3 x 3-hour guided safaris in an open 4x4 safari vehicle (Landrover Defender)
- Visit either Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre or Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre
- Full-day guided trip to the Panorama Route with God's Window and Blyde River Canyon
- 5 nights' accommodation in an unfenced Safari River lodge
- Lovely honeymoon chalet available on request
- Full board meals
Styles
6 activity days in English
The organizer also speaks: Afrikaans, German
Group size: 2-6 participants
Airport transfer available:
Air Force Base Hoedspruit (US$ 51 per person)
Air Force Base Hoedspruit (US$ 51 per person)
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
13:00
Check-out Time:
10:00
Facilities
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Bar
- Dining area
- Garden
- Multilingual staff
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet access
- Laundry
- Parking lot
- Wireless internet
The tranquil and peaceful, owner-managed, and full-catering Baluleni Safari Lodge is situated on the banks of the Olifants River, in the 50,000-hectare Balule Nature Reserve inside the Greater Kruger National Park, and offers the splendor of the natural African bush with breathtaking sunsets, wildlife which includes the Big Five, bird watching, safaris and bush walks, and boma dinners under the stars. Baluleni Safari Lodge is often referred to by guests as a "paradise" or "heaven on earth".
The lodge is a completely unfenced camp with frequent visitors such as elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, giraffes, and a variety of antelope species such as bushbuck, impala, duiker, kudu, and waterbuck that move in and out of camp. You can enjoy sitting on your veranda or at the pool spotting animals strolling through camp.
Luxury safari tents
Baluleni Safari Lodge has two luxury safari tents and each consists of two three-quarter beds with an en-suite bathroom, shower, washbasin, and toilet. They are equipped with a wardrobe, fan, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, dressing table with mirror and hairdryer, bathroom amenities, and a private patio where guests can enjoy nature, birds, and animals or relax in tranquility.
Chalets
Baluleni Safari Lodge has six secluded thatched chalets, and each chalet consists of a two-meter queen-size bed with an en-suite shower, washbasin, and toilet. The chalets also have a lounge area with a comfortable sleeper couch (except honeymoon chalet) and a private patio with a view to the Olifants River where guests can enjoy nature, birds, and animals or relax in tranquility.
They are equipped with a built-in wardrobe, air-conditioning, fan, mosquito nets, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, dressing table with mirror and hairdryer, and bathroom amenities.
Program
This five-night package includes a variety of safari activities, both on Balule Nature Reserve inside the Greater Kruger Park, and a full-day safari in the Kruger National Park itself. Also included is a day trip to the Panorama Route, showcasing some of South Africa’s most scenic natural attractions. Additionally, guests will visit the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, which is an excellent local rehabilitation center. Throughout the five nights, guests will be accommodated at Baluleni Safari Lodge, which occupies its own plot on the banks of the Olifants River.
Open vehicle safaris inside the greater Kruger National Park on the Balule Nature Reserve
Safaris depart from the lodge either in the early morning or late afternoon during the cooler hours of the day. Guests enjoy a three-hour drive in an open safari vehicle with drinks (at extra cost) and snacks for sundowners or an early morning coffee stop with homemade rusks. The Balule Nature reserve shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park, inviting free movement of all wildlife through the reserve.
Kruger National Park full day trip in a safari vehicle
Guests will leave very early in a safari vehicle with a qualified guide, on a full-day trip to the Kruger, to reach the gate of the Kruger Park at opening time. All entrance fees, packed breakfast, packed lunch, tea, coffee, water, and juice are included. Breakfast and lunch will be served at a picnic spot or other rest area in the Kruger. Enjoy nature, wildlife and birds in the national park. The guide will return with the guests before the closing of the gates of the Kruger and guests will have time to refresh before joining together in the boma for a three-course dinner around the fire under the stars.
Panorama route tour
The Panorama route is one of the Lowveld’s most famous attractions and is located within driving distance of Baluleni. The Drakensberg Mountains set the scene and the tour takes guests on a leisurely drive to various scenic stopping points along the route, which include the Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, a variety of waterfalls, and valley views.
Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre
The Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre is home to many of South Africa’s abandoned, injured and poisoned wildlife. Visitors are able to get an up-close and personal experience of these incredible creatures and with the Centre’s hands-on approach they have the ability to demonstrate to visitors the threats and problems South Africa’s wildlife is facing today.
Itinerary
Day 1: Greater Kruger National Park (arrival day)
- Arrive for lunch at 13:00 in the restaurant
- Relax at pool or chalet / safari tent
- Enjoy high tea / drinks and see animals in and around the lodge
- Depart at 15:30 in an open 10-seater safari vehicle for a guided safari in the Greater Kruger National Park
- Return at 18:30 for drinks and a three-course dinner around the fire in the boma under the stars
Day 2: Kruger National Park
- Depart at 05:00 in an open 10-seater safari vehicle for an unforgettable guided full-day journey in the public sector of the Kruger National Park
- Packed breakfast and lunch will be served at picnic spots
- Entrance fees included
- Return at 18:30 for drinks and a three-course dinner at the boma around the fire and under the stars
Day 3: Greater Kruger National Park
- Depart at 06:00 in an open safari vehicle for a guided safari in the Greater Kruger National Park
- Return at 09:00 for a full breakfast at the restaurant
- Relax at the pool
- Lunch at 13:00 in the restaurant
- Relax at pool or chalet / safari tent
- Enjoy high tea / drinks and see animals in and around the lodge
- Depart at 15:30 in an open 10-seater safari vehicle for a guided safari in the Greater Kruger National Park
- Return at 18:30 for drinks and a three-course dinner around the fire in the boma under the stars
Day 4: Blyde River Canyon / Panorama Route Tour
- Depart at 05:00 in a closed safari vehicle for a guided panorama day trip to the mountains / Blyde River Canyon
- Experience awesome scenic views on a day trip to the mountains
- Packed breakfast and lunch will be served
- Entrance fees are included.
- Return at 18:00 to lodge for drinks and a three-course dinner at the boma around the fire and under the stars
Day 5: Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
- Enjoy an early breakfast at 07:00 in the restaurant
- Depart at 07:30 in a closed safari vehicle to the famous Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
- Entrance fees included
- Return for lunch at 13:30 in the restaurant
- Relax at pool or chalet / tent
- Enjoy high tea / drinks and see animals in and around the lodge
- Depart at 15:30 in an open 10-seater safari vehicle for a guided safari in the Greater Kruger National Park
- Return at 18:30 to the lodge for drinks and a three-course dinner in the boma around the fire and under the stars
Day 6: Departure day
- 09:00 a full breakfast at the restaurant
- Depart from the lodge after breakfast
Location
Balule Nature Reserve is a protected area in Limpopo Province, South Africa, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park as a member of the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR). As part of a wildlife conservation initiative, all fences separating APNR reserves - Balule, Timbavati, Klaserie, and Umbabat - and the Kruger National Park have been removed.
The ecological benefits of this initiative has made the region a popular ecotourism destination, and conservation efforts have ensured that the wildlife population includes all of the Big Five game such as lions, African elephants, African buffaloes, African leopards, and white rhinoceros.
Features
Activities
- Spa
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
General
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Bar
- Dining area
- Garden
- Multilingual staff
- Restaurant
- Patio
Services
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Hair dryer
- Internet access
- Laundry
- Mosquito net
- Parking lot
- Wireless internet
Food
Early morning snacks/tea/coffee at your accommodation. Full cooked English and continental breakfast, lunch, high tea, three-course dinner under the African stars around the fire at a traditional boma. There will be packed breakfast / lunch for day tours.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
- 3 Hour guided Bush Walk
- Half Day Olifants River Boat Trip
- Full Day Panorama Route Trip
- Full Day Kruger National Park Trip
- Half Day Cheetah Rehabilitation Centre
- Road transfers to and from Hoedspruit
- Horse Riding Safari
- Hot Air Ballooning (advance booking is required, subject to availability)
What's included
- 1 visit to either the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre or the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre
- 1 full-day guided tour to the public sector of the KNP, packed breakfast and lunch
- 1 full-day guided tour to the Panorama Route, packed breakfast and lunch
- 3 x 3-hour open vehicle safaris inside the greater Kruger National Park
- All entrance- and conservation fees included
- 5 nights’ accommodation
- Coffee / tea / Baluleni’s flavoured water, juice
- Early morning snacks / tea / coffee, full breakfast, lunch / high tea
- 3-course dinner under the African stars around the fire at our traditional Boma
What's not included
- Any other activity or excursion not specified
- All beverages (alcoholic)
- Airport transfers to and from Baluleni Safari Lodge
- Gratuities
- Any items of personal nature
How to get there
Recommended Airports
HDS
Air Force Base Hoedspruit
26 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 51 per person
Driving directions from Johannesburg
- Take the N12 (or N4 from Pretoria) towards Witbank (Emalahleni), Middelburg Plaza.
- Turn to Belfast, Dullstroom, Lydenburg (Mashishing), Ohrigstad, Abel Erasmus Pass, and J.G.Strijdom Tunnel.
- 10 kilometers from the tunnel, turn left at fuel service station towards Tzaneen / Phalaborwa.
- Travel another 10 kilometers to the signboard "Phalaborwa" and turn right towards Phalaborwa.
- Travel 27 kilometers to T-junction and turn left towards Phalaborwa R40.
- Pass the Balule, Parsons Gate sign, and continue on R40 (about 20 kilometers) until Grietjie signboard.
- Turn right into the dirt road.
- Follow the dirt road for 2.7 kilometers to the gate.
- After 1.8 kilometers, go straight at the crossing.
- After 2.8 kilometers, keep left on Y-crossing.
- After 450 meters, turn left into Baluleni Safari Lodge, Plot 13 Grietjie.
- After 800 meters, you have reached the lodge.
Driving directions from Hoedspruit
- Follow the R40 from Hoedspruit for 51.2 kilometers.
- At the Grietjie signboard, turn right and follow the dirt road (2.7 kilometers) to Balule Gate.
- Follow another 1.8 kilometers overcrossing.
- After 2.8 kilometers, keep left on Y-crossing.
- After 450 meters, turn left into Baluleni Safari Lodge, Plot 13 Grietjie.
- After 800 meters, you have reached the lodge.
Driving directions from Phalaborwa
- From Phalaborwa, turn left on the road towards Hoedspruit.
- After about 20 / 25 kilometers, turn left at the Balule Grietjie signboard.
- Follow the dirt road to Baluleni Safari Lodge, plot 13.
Driving directions from Polokwane
- Follow the R71 from Polokwane to Tzaneen through to Gravelotte and continue on straight.
- Do not turn to Phalaborwa at Gravelotte but continue straight for another 30 kilometers until T-junction.
- Turn left towards Phalaborwa and continue for about 20 kilometers.
- Turn right at Grietjie signboard onto the dirt road to Baluleni Safari Lodge, plot 13.
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Hoedspruit Air Force Base Airport (HDS). Transfer from and to this airport is available upon request. The transfer will cost 525 ZAR per bus.
Arrival by bus
There is a transfer service available from Three Bridges to Baluleni at ZAR 700 per bus.
Airport: Air Force Base Hoedspruit
Airport transfer available:
Air Force Base Hoedspruit (US$ 51 per person)
Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 7 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookAllSafaris.com. All major credit cards supported.
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