6 Day En-suite Chalet Best of Kruger National Park, Big 5 Safari with Air-con

Facilities

Itinerary

Day 1: Kruger National Park

The optional shuttle from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park leaves at 6:45 a.m. from the OR Tambo bus terminal behind the Intercontinental Hotel. Alternatively, you can be picked up from Nelspruit Airport (MQP) at 12:00 p.m. at an additional cost and Skukuza Airport (SZK) free of charge, for any arrival/departure time. This provides flexibility to get to the safari.

A scenic drive with fantastic photographic opportunities takes you through the escarpment and the Lowveld to the Kruger National Park when taking the shuttle service from Johannesburg. It is advised to buy take-out meals at the standard road stop (not included).

Safari goers taking the 6:45 a.m. shuttle will enjoy a SANParks sunset game drive continuing after dark, while the guests taking the later shuttle / arrival time will have a night game drive on an open-sided safari truck. Should guests arrive late, they will first have dinner before departing on the activity. Guests meet the guide and / or host to check into the accommodation.

Different delicious South African dinner (dinner and dessert) options are included to cater for various dietary needs. Should you eat at the restaurant (should our chef be off or not available), then we provide a budget of ZAR 250 per person per dinner (this budget can be used for meals and drinks, however anything over this budget is for guests' own account). Exchange stories of Africa and listen to the sounds of the immense wilderness around you while dining outdoors.

Day 2 to 5: Game drives in Kruger National Park

The day starts early after the game rangers or hosts’ wake-up call. The start time of your morning drive will depend on rest camp gate opening times (as it differs throughout the year) and you may still be able to see nocturnal animals.

From April to September, the rest camp gates open at 6 a.m. From November to January, the gates open at 4:30 a.m. And in February, March, and October, the rest camp gates open at 5:30 a.m. Enjoy hot beverages or juice with rusks/muffins. The morning game drive of approximately four hours offers guests the opportunity to cover vast distances and experience wild Africa like never before, to spot a vast array of interesting wildlife. Our itinerary is also flexible to offer a full day trip for the entire group (to be confirmed and approved by the entire group and also dependent on the weather on the day, as the guide will use discretion for extremely hot weather or possible storms).

After the morning game drive, brunch is a hot meal. Should you eat at the restaurant (should our chef be off or not available), then we provide a budget of ZAR 140 per person per brunch (this budget can be used for meals and drinks, however anything over this budget is for guests' own account).

The optional full day Panorama route can occur directly after brunch (available at ZAR 1500 per person) en-route out of the park. No game drives will take place on this day, if you choose to do this activity at an additional charge. Guests not taking the optional Panorama route excursion can have a rest break until the afternoon game drive at around 14:30 p.m approximately (flexible depending on the day). Animal sightings are not guaranteed, however, the chances to spot all of the Big 5 on this safari is very good!

Once more, you can enjoy a delicious traditional South African dinner with dessert. Should you eat at the restaurant (should our chef be off or not available), then we provide a budget of ZAR 250 per person per dinner (this budget can be used for meals and drinks, however anything over this budget is for guests' own account). Exchange stories of Africa and listen to the sounds of the immense wilderness around you while you dine outdoors.

Day 6: Morning game drive and departure

The day starts early after the game rangers or hosts’ wake-up call. The start time of your morning drive will depend on rest camp gate opening times (as it differs throughout the year) and you may still be able to see nocturnal animals.

Enjoy a variety of hot beverages such as coffee or tea with rusks/muffins. The morning game drive is the last chance to spot the Big Five, offering guests the last opportunity to explore spectacular wild Africa, to spot a vast array of interesting big 5 wildlife.

After the morning game drive, brunch is a hot meal. Should you eat at the restaurant (should our chef be off or not available), then we provide a budget of ZAR 140 per person per brunch (this budget can be used for meals and drinks, however anything over this budget is for guests' own account).

Guests are dropped off at Skukuza Airport (SZK) according to their flight time (included free of charge at any time), at Nelspruit Airport (NLP) strictly 13:30 p.m. and in Johannesburg between 17:00 and 18:00 pm (can be anytime from 16:30 pm, depending on the route).

Extra Itinerary Information:

• One optional bush walk is included to replace a standard game drive (if you like us to do so) on safaris 5 days/4 nights or longer or optionally at an additional ZAR 600 per person. It will take place depending on availability.
• An optional visit to the Panorama Route at ZAR 1500 per person (can take place on an available day in the middle of the safari, therefore not available on the day the safari starts or ends). Places visited are Gods Window, Bourke’s luck, Wonder view, Three Rondavels and one of the amazing waterfalls on route (time-dependent). Meal/lunch stop en route in Graskop (at your own expense). This excursion must be pre-arranged and booked with your safari and is availability dependent.
• Guests not wanting to take part in the Panorama route tour can continue with the standard safari itinerary (morning and afternoon game drive on the said day). Should you participate in this activity, you will miss your included game drives.

Afternoon to night or night game drive on the first day

Twice-daily game drives in open-sided safari vehicles

Optional bush walk

Breakfasts (a variety of hot beverages with muffins / rusks)

A hot Brunch

South African meal catering for various diets with pudding

Pick-up and drop-off to Skukuza Airport at any flight time

Bottled mineral water on game drives

Cool juice and water with meals

This safari takes place in Kruger National park, in one of the Rest camps, South Africa. On your visit to the Kruger National Park, you will find quite a variety of animals right at your doorstep. Below you will see only a few which you will often come across in the Kruger National Park rest camps.

The Kruger National Park is popular for it’s big variety of wildlife and different animal types, and offers such a fortunate experience as some of these animals move around you at your accommodation, whilst having lunch at a restaurant or visiting the shop in the Kruger National Park.

You get opportunity to see wildlife close-up in the Kruger National Park, not only by partaking in game drives or activities, but also through moving around within your rest camp. Elephants often eat Marula Fruit next to rivers, while you are dining at the restaurants of the rest camps.

Elephants

As one of the Big Five, elephants are regularly spotted in the Kruger National Park. Elephants can live up to 70 years in the wild and are herbivorous. They can also live in different habitats, including deserts and forests and normally found close to water.

There are two types of elephants, African elephant and Asian elephant. The elephant species found in the Kruger National Park is the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) and weighs up to 7 tonnes and reaches a height of 3.3 meters to the shoulder.

Bush babies

There are two types of bushbabies (Galagos) found in Kruger National Park, which are the Lesser bushbaby and Thick-tailed bushbaby. The Lesser bushbaby (Galago moholi), tree-dwelling and active by night, they can do remarkable distance between trees. When walking on the ground they can either walk on their hind legs or all four legs. Their diet consist of tree gum and insects and eating fruit is likely recorded. The thick-tailed bushbaby is a nocturnal with child-like cries, this is also where the English vernacular name originated due to its diet and larger body size and is the most social of all bushbabies. At dusk, groups disperse to feed alone while foraging for insects, but they will congregate with members of other groups at well-established gum licks and in fruiting trees.

Warthogs

The warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) found in the Kruger National Park are day animals and mostly spend their time looking for food and are normally found in family groups. Warthogs have the peculiar habit of kneeling on the front knees while feeding and foraging in a localized area.

They shelter in burrows at night, which they enter tail first. Socially, three main groups are encountered, namely solitary boars, bachelor groups, and matriarchal groups. Its diet is omnivorous, composed of grasses, roots, berries and other fruits, bark, fungi, insects, eggs and carrion.

Vervet monkeys

Vervet monkeys are commonly found in the Kruger National Park as well as surrounding areas. Also known as Cercopithecus Aethiops. The vervet monkey is classified as a medium to large monkey. Different types of vervets vary in colour, but generally the body is a greenish olive or silvery grey.

Fruit bats

There are three species of fruit bats found in the Kruger National Park and are quite large and can weigh up to 1.5 kilograms. They do not have a tail of a very short tail. Fruit bats require habitat where fruit trees bare fruit all year long.

The three species found in the Kruger National Park are: Peter’s Epaulette fruit bat (Epomophorus crypturus), Wahlberg’s Epaulette fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi), and Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus).

Glossy starling

In the Kruger National Park there are four species of glossy blue starlings, namely Cape glossy, greater blue-eared, Burchell’s and Meve’s starlings. These birds are actually quite commonly found especially in the Kruger National Park rest camp.

You will also notice that they normally surround areas such as restaurants and picnic spots in the Kruger National Park, to try and source any leftover food.

Blue headed tree agama

The blue-headed tree agama is also known as the Southern tree agama and are very commonly found in different habitats and you will most definitely come across this beautiful lizard in the Kruger National Park. Their diet mostly consist of ants and termites, although they also eat other insects.

The female will lay up to 14 eggs, normally in a hole in the ground which they cover. Be on the lookout in the Kruger National Park, in trees or on the ground as you will definitely spot them around your rest camp.

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Breakfast:

Rusks with hot beverages (coffee, tea ,hot chocolate, cappuccino, juice)

Brunch (a hot tasty South African meal)

For example (however can vary):

The hot breakfast can include scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, peri-peri chicken livers, sautéed mushrooms, potato roast, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, grilled onions, and toast with a selection of jams and butter.

Traditional South African Dinner is included (with pudding)

If you eat at the restaurant, guests are allocated 250 ZAR per person per night to choose a meal and drinks from the rest camp restaurant menu.

Drinks with meals (as part of meals):

• Water
• Juice
• Coffee
• Tea

Cool bottled mineral water is provided on game drive

The park has a restaurant with deck overlooking the Sabi river where you can enjoy additional snacks and drinks

A Souvenir shop (which is also a general dealer) is available inside the rest camp

The rest camp has a pool (free of charge)

A museum is open to the public

A golf course is at guests' disposal (to miss game drives)

Panorama route excursion

Additional bush walks, night drives or sunset drives

A fully-equipped spa offers the following:

hair cuts

nails

hot stone massage

pedicures

• 1 SANParks sunset or night drive on the day of arrival
• Open-sided safari vehicle game drives
• Services of FGASA qualified game rangers
• 3 nights private chalet with en-suite bathroom accommodation including beds with air-conditioning, linen, towels and electricity.
• A variety of hot beverages with muffins/rusks in the morning
• Hot brunch variety
• South African dinner and dessert
• Transport and activities in an open-side game drive vehicles (SATSA bonded)
• Airport shuttle service from and to Skukuza airports included at any time at no extra charge
• Bottled mineral water on activities
• Cold juice and water with meals
• A glass of wine with dinner
• Entry fees and taxes

• -Mosquito repellent
• -Tips (not compulsory)
• -Personal items
• -Souvenirs
• -Babysitting service
• -Alcoholic beverages
• -Transfers from OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg is ZAR 1700 per person return
• -Transfers from Nelspruit Airport (MQP) is R850 return per person return

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• 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 30 days before arrival.