6 Days Classic Safari in Balule Nature Reserve and Kruger National Park, South Africa

Facilities

Day 1: Gauteng - Kruger National Park

Today, you will be picked up from your hotel in Gauteng or O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and travel via the Highveld grasslands to Tremisana Game Lodge in the Kruger Park. Board an open land cruiser for a three-hour sunset drive, your first opportunity to experience the fauna and flora of Africa.

Watch the magnificent African sunset and, after dark, use a spotlight to view nocturnal animals. Dinner in the Marula Tree Boma will be a bush braai. After dinner, continue with your night drive and overnight in en-suite air-conditioned chalets.

Day 2: Olifants River - Balule

At sunrise you will be driven to the Olifants River for a four-hour bush walk. Your rangers will show you many secrets of the bush. Adrenaline surges will be acute even if your rangers are adequately armed. You will return to Tremisana for brunch.

Later, you may sleep in your air-conditioned chalet, swim, or read wildlife magazines in the lapa. A light lunch will be served, and at around 3:00 p.m., you will enjoy a four-hour drive on Balule. You will stop for sundowners and toast the splendor of Africa. Dinner and overnight will be at Tremisana.

Day 3: Kruger National Park

You will be driven to Kruger Park in your custom-built open-sided game viewer. You will game view without intervening glass windows, and also listen to and smell the denizens of the bush. The Orpen-Satara-Nwanedzi region has open plains that attract large herds of zebra, giraffe, and antelope that, in turn, attract many predators. In fact, this zone has the highest concentration of lions in Africa.

Day 4: Moholoholo Rehabilitation Center - Tshukudu Game Lodge

After breakfast, you will be driven to Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre. There, you will learn about the sterling work being done in rehabilitating injured and orphaned animals. You will get close and personal to some of the residents, including lions and leopards. Your understanding of wildlife conservation will be greatly improved. Return to Tremisana for a light lunch.

At around 3:00 p.m., drive to Tshukudu Game Lodge. Enjoy a three-hour game drive in the enclosed big five reserve where the chances of seeing the big five are very good. You will return to Tremisana for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Kruger National Park

Enjoy another full day of game viewing in the Kruger National Park.

Day 6: Panorama route - Three Rondawels - Blyde Canyon - Gauteng

Enjoy a sunrise drive before breakfast. Then you will be driven via the Panorama route to see the scenic splendors including the Three Rondawels and the Blyde Canyon. You will return to Gauteng in the late afternoon. Airport drop-off can be arranged as per your request.

Bush walks

Bush walks are very popular as guests are afforded a brilliant opportunity to get really close to nature on foot. Guests may experience an acute adrenaline charge when in the presence of big five animals such as elephant, lion, rhino, and buffalo. Guests on the bush walks are always accompanied by two armed rangers.

Although there is no legal limit to the minimum age of participants, Viva Safaris is informed by the recommendations of FGASA (Field Guides Association of S.A.). FGASA recommends that the minimum age be 16. Tourists aged between 12 and 16 may be permitted to participate in the bush walks as long as their parents take full responsibility in ensuring their children strictly obey all instructions from the rangers.

Safari in Kruger Park

Safaris conducted on nine-seater open game viewing vehicles. The open game viewers offer elevated vantage positions from where your game viewing and photographic opportunities are greatly enhanced. All game viewing vehicles are 4x4 conversions with access to all roads in all weather conditions.

Stop at the Three Rondawels in the Blyde Canyon

The Blyde River Canyon, including the Three Rondawels, is visited on the last day of the safari.

Sunset game drive

The sunset game drive gives tourists their first opportunity of seeing Africa’s animals. A qualified guide will take you in an open 4x4 land cruiser game drive. Stops will be made to photograph the stunning sunsets and to listen to the night sounds and admire the clear Southern hemisphere constellation. Spotlights are used to locate elusive nocturnal animals.

This safari will take place in Kruger National Park, Balule Nature Reserve, and Thsukudu Nature Reserve in South Africa.

Breakfasts and dinners are included in the price as per itinerary.

Bush braai

The bush braai is held on the first night of the safari. Viva Safaris has acquired a 20-hectare property deep in Balule, in fact over 10 kilometers from the main gate. A beautiful boma was built under a magnificent Marula Tree which protects tourists against elephants by a ring of sharp-edged rocks. It has a flush toilet and a wash hand basin. Armed rangers will patrol while you enjoy a bush braai in this remote piece of Africa.

• 2 full-day at Kruger on an open game viewer
• 3 hours game drive at Tshukudu Nature Reserve
• 3 hours of sunset drive at Balule Nature Reserve
• 4 hours of bush walk with an armed ranger
• 4 hours of game drive at Balule Nature Reserve
• 5 nights accommodation
• All park entry fees
• Breakfasts and dinners
• Transfers from and to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)

• Drinks
• Gratuities
• Lunches on certain days
• Personal items

Recommended Airports

• 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 on arrival.