4 Days Kruger Manyeleti Game Reserve Safari in South Africa

Facilities

Guide and Tracker

The game drives are conducted by the camp and the guides are all FGASA level 1 and higher. Bush walks are conducted by highly qualified rangers.

Type of Safari Vehicle 

Open sided vehicle

Schedule

DAY 1: JOHANNESBURG TO MANYELETI

You will depart early from Johannesburg or Pretoria and drive east towards the Kruger National Park; this route showcases some of the finest farmlands and mountain passes in South Africa. En route, you will have comfort stops, during which you can also buy snacks, drinks, and other food items.

After check-in at the Manyeleti Main Camp, your guide will brief you and provide you with some information about the camp and the program ahead. You will have time to freshen up enjoy a light snack before embarking on an exciting open-vehicle sunset game drive. Each game drive is conducted by a qualified ranger as well as a tracker.

You will return to camp at around 7 p.m. and will then have time to freshen up and prepare for dinner and spend time around the campfire. Spend the night in your comfortable chalet.

• Early Morning

You will be picked up in Johannesburg and have an overland drive to Manyeleti, Kruger with scheduled comfort stops en-route.

• Midday

Arrive at the lodge and check-in.

• Early Afternoon

Settle in and explore the lodge.

• Late Afternoon

Sunset game drive in Manyeleti Reserve

• Evening

Freshen up, have drinks at the bar, dinner, and enjoy your own time; spend the night at the lodge.

DAY 2: MANYELETI SAFARI

Enjoy early morning coffee or tea served with biscuits, you will then depart on an exhilarating sunrise and morning game drive. The Manyeleti Reserve is rich in wildlife and the elevated height of the open-sided vehicle makes for excellent viewing and photographic opportunities.

You will see a wide variety of wildlife while your guide and tracker also search for the Big 5, as well as Cheetah and Wild Dogs. During this game drive, you will stop for more tea and coffee served with a snack such as a muffin or a croissant. After this morning safari, you'll make your way back to camp for a hearty breakfast or brunch.

After a late breakfast, you will have time to relax at camp before enjoying high tea and a sunset game drive; in the evening, enjoy dinner and spend the night at your chalet.

• Early Morning

Have some coffee, tea, and biscuits followed by a sunrise game drive in Manyeleti Reserve.

• Late Morning

Return to the lodge and enjoy your breakfast/brunch.

• Early Afternoon

Relax at the lodge.

• Late Afternoon

Enjoy high tea before leaving for a sunset game drive.

• Evening

Freshen up, have drinks at the bar, dinner, and enjoy your own time; spend the night at the lodge.

DAY 3: MANYELETI SAFARI ACTIVITIES

Enjoy early morning coffee or tea served with biscuits. You will then depart on an exhilarating bush walk with an armed ranger. After your bush walk, return to camp for a hearty breakfast then visit an animal rehabilitation center. Have dinner and spend the night at the lodge.

• Early Morning

Enjoy coffee and tea before leaving on a bushwalk.

• Late Morning

Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast.

• Afternoon

Visit to Moholoholo Rehabilitation Center.

• Late Afternoon

Return to the lodge and relax.

• Evening

Enjoy a delicious dinner.

DAY 4: RETURN TO JOHANNESBURG VIA PANORAMA ROUTE

This is the last day of your African Kruger safari, you will enjoy a final sunrise game drive followed by a hearty breakfast. You will then depart and make your way to Blyde River Canyon for some scenic viewing. Make your way to the quaint town of Dullstroom where you will stop for lunch (own account). After lunch, drive back to Johannesburg and have a late afternoon drop off by arrangement.

• Early Morning

Sunrise game drive.

• Late Morning

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before departing.

• Afternoon

Have a scenic visit to Blyde River Canyon followed by a lunch stop in Dullstroom.

• Late Afternoon

Drop off by arrangement.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

The Kruger National Park is located in the low veld in the northeastern region of South Africa and spans across two provinces, the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces. It is not only the largest national game reserve in South Africa, it is also the most prestigious and impressive.

This world-renowned park occupies an area of around 2 million hectares (20,000 square kilometers) and is home to a large variety of fauna and flora. Kruger Park boasts the richest assortment of life forms in Southern Africa and, as such, offers one of the best Safari and game viewing experiences possible.

The park is about 360 kilometers long (from North to South) and about 65 kilometers wide (from East to West) and about the same size as Wales. The Kruger was formally proclaimed as a national park in 1926 and, today, it forms part of the Great Limpopo Frontier Park. This massive peace park links the Kruger with the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe and with the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique. %Zimbabwe lies to the North and Mozambique to the East of the Kruger Park. Kruger Park is famous for its abundant wildlife and it is also a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques. Several rivers flow through the Kruger in an easterly direction, including the Sabie, Olifants, Crocodile, Letaba, Luvuvhu, and Limpopo Rivers. It is about a 4.5-hour drive from Johannesburg to the southern part of the Kruger.

Areas of Kruger Park

Kruger Park can be divided into 3 main areas: the Northern Part, the Central Part, and the Southern Part.

• Kruger Park Southern Region

The southern region lies in the Mpumalanga province and is more lush and wooded than the drier central and northern regions. The region is densely vegetated with Marula, Leadwood, and Acacia trees, while the riversides are dominated by Sycamore and Jackalberries. Large concentrations of game and wildlife are found in the southern regions and most of the camps and private lodges are also located in southern parts.

Smooth granite koppies, scarce trees, and grass plains define the southern region’s topography. Here, you will also find many rhinos. The south-central region is densely populated by predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas as well as grazing animals such as zebra, wildebeest, and antelope.

• Kruger Park Central Region

The central region’s geography is defined by grassland plains and is alive with grazing animals such as the zebra, giraffe, and wildebeest. These herbivores attract the usual predators such as lion, cheetah, and leopard. The Central Region in the Kruger Park is by far the most game-rich of the three regions and also offers some of the best scenery.

• Kruger Park Northern Region

The northern regions are more arid and flat and covered by mopane shrub and trees. In some parts of the north, the landscape is defined by craggy sandstone hills and the unusual Baobab trees. Best game viewing is along with the river networks which are home to almost half of the park's hippo population. Buffalo and elephants are abundant while predators like lion, cheetah, and leopard are seen often.

The most northern regions are best for spotting rare birds and other animals such as the Nyala, Sable, Roan, and Eland buck. All the Big Five game animals are found throughout Kruger National Park, which has more species of large mammals than any other African Game Reserve.

Climate in the Kruger Park

The Lowveld has a subtropical climate with hot humid summers and generally mild winters. In summer, temperatures can rise to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The rainy season usually starts late October and lasts till May. June through September is the dry winter season; some consider this the best time to visit the park.

During the mild winter season, the sparser vegetation makes it easier to spot game. During the winter, the days are milder and there is less chance of contracting malaria.

Wildlife in the Kruger National Park

The Kruger Park is home to more species of mammals than any other reserve in Africa. Here, you will find the Big Five (Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo), as well as zebra, giraffe, cheetah, hippo, and countless antelope. Apart from mammals, the wide ranges of life forms found here include species of trees, plants, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and insects.

Archaeological Sites in Kruger

The Kruger Park is steeped in legend and history, man’s interaction with this region is evident and preserved in sublime archaeological sites such as Masorini and Thulamela.

Safaris and Activities in Kruger National Park

You are virtually guaranteed to see the Big 5 during a 2 or 3-day Kruger safari. Let Safari With Us help you explore the marvels and wonders of the iconic game reserve. During a private guided safari, you will experience first-hand the vast landscapes and the spectacular wildlife that is part of the Kruger Park.

Tthe game rangers and guides will help to make your safari experience an unforgettable one. You will enjoy adventurous game drives, intense walks in the wild, as well as comfortable accommodation combined with great food, excellent service, and memorable occasions. Apart from traditional safari attractions, there are also many other optional activities that you can partake in and enjoy.

These include activities such as hot air balloon flights, horse riding, and animal rehabilitation centers. However, not everything is wild and you can spoil yourself with celebrity-style spa treatments, massages, facials, or you can visit shops, restaurants, and more. You can select accommodations according to your budget, needs and preferences. Safari With Us offers private lodge accommodation, treehouse accommodation, or tented accommodation for the ultimate camping experience.

Safari With Us accommodates you in one of the private lodges surrounding the park. These lodges now share unfenced borders with the park and for all practical purposes, are part of the park.

Poaching in the Kruger Park

The KNP is home to between 8,500 to 9,500 wite rhinos and between 580 to 650 black rhinos. Poaching is a serious threat to wildlife and Rhino poaching in particular is a big problem. The use of rhino horns is becoming increasingly popular, pushing the species closer to extinction.

Ruthless and highly organized criminals are butchering South Africa’s rhinos at an alarming and escalating rate. Some 630 rhinos were killed by poachers between January and August 2014 and a shocking amount of 408 were killed in the Kruger National Park. The Kruger National Park’s eastern border is currently the most threatened part of the park and shares a border with South Africa’s neighboring country, Mozambique.

Most perpetrators cross into the park from the Mozambique side. Some anti-poaching campaigns and possibilities:

• Legalize the rhino-horn trade so that it can be regulated
• Relocate some rhino to safe havens
• In May 2014, South Africa had signed a cross-border hot pursuit agreement with Mozambique, granting each country the right to follow through in an attempt to capture suspected perpetrators
• Kruger border fence between SA and Mozambique
• Global efforts are being made to spread awareness on this illegal trade

Malaria in Kruger Park

Kruger National Park is a fantastic and superior safari and wildlife destination and attraction that is located in a malaria-prone region. However, your risk of contracting Malaria in Kruger Park is very small.

What is Malaria?

Malaria is a disease caused by the plasmodium parasite which is transmitted by infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria is only transmitted by the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes. These mosquitoes bite mostly at night. The plasmodium parasites can infect your red blood cells resulting in symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, and vomiting. Symptoms usually appear between 7 to 20 days after infection.

Malaria can easily be treated and it is vital that you obtain the necessary medical care if you develop such symptoms, especially after a visit to a Malaria-prone area. You must tell your doctor that you were in a malaria-prone area in order to avoid incorrect diagnosis. Your doctor can then test for the presence of the malaria virus. Not only is malaria curable, it is also preventable.

Most cases of malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa but infections also occur in Asia and Latin America. There is also some risk in the Middle East and parts of Europe.

Population Risk Groups

• Young children who have not yet developed protective immunity against the most severe forms of the disease
• Non-immune and semi-immune pregnant women since malaria can result in miscarriage and can lead to maternal death
• People with HIV/AIDS
• Very old or frail people
• Non-immune international travelers from non-endemic who do not take required precautions

Malaria Precautions

Just as you would take precautions against other greater travel risks, you should take certain preventative measures when you visit a malaria-prone region. There are several precautions you can take to prevent mosquito bites when in a malaria-prone area. Being aware of the risks and preventing mosquito bites are important in preventing malaria infection.

• Sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets
• Indoor spraying with residual insecticides
• Use of electric fans or air conditioning
• Malaria prevention tablets (check with your GP or pharmacist)
• Application of mosquito repellent on your skin especially around the ankles (available in sprays, roll-ons, sticks, and creams)
• Wear light trousers and long sleeve shirts in the early evening

Medical Treatment in the Event of Symptoms

If you plan to travel to a risk area, you should take precautions. No one has complete immunity, you often lose immunity when you move out of a risk area. Taking anti-malarial prophylactics is not compulsory but recommended. However, you should first consult with your GP or pharmacist if you intend to take them.

Low Risk of Malaria in the Kruger National Park

Do not let a fear of Malaria prevent you from enjoying a fascinating and memorable Kruger Safari. The risk of contracting malaria in the Kruger is really low. The most vulnerable times are during the wet-warm summer months (December to April) but even then, it is a very slight risk for the following reasons:

• Most types of mosquitoes do not carry the plasmodium virus and therefore cannot transmit malaria.
• Only mosquitoes of the anopheles genus can transmit the virus and then only if they have previously fed on an infected host.
• Due to precautions and effective vector control, the number of infected hosts has dropped dramatically.
• Taking personal precautions as discussed will also significantly reduce your risk
• Your Kruger Park hosts also implement various precautions in order to protect you. These include spraying your accommodation and the provision of mosquito netting, air conditioning, electric fans, and so on.
• Education and international cooperation has also helped to substantially reduce the risk of Malaria infection.
• Your own immune system.

With proper and sensible precautions, malaria does not pose a serious risk to Kruger Park visitors. However, if you are pregnant or traveling with very young children you may want to avoid malaria-prone areas, especially in the summer months. There are very few incidents of malaria among tourists due to the fact that the lodges take required precautions to protect their guests and most visitors are well educated and take personal precautions as well.

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All meals are social events and included in the package, the food is well prepared, wholesome, and tasty; vegetarian options are available.

• All park fees
• Guided game drives in an open vehicle
• Transfers in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle
• Afternoon and morning game drives
• Services of qualified guides and trackers
• 3 nights accommodation
• All meals at camp (Breakfast or brunch, high tea, and dinner)

• Bar drinks
• Snacks or purchases en-route
• Personal expenses
• Gratuities
• Airfare

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 21 days before arrival.