Hoedspruit (Eastgate) Airport is the established gateway to the heartland of South Africa's wildlife game viewing reserves and has three daytime flights arriving each day from Johannesburg, and one from Cape Town, that are scheduled to assist international visitors to easily connect with Hoedspruit.
We can arrange for your internal flight from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit (50 mins), or alternately there is a scenic road transfer available (approx 6.5 hours with a comfort break stop). A road transfer is more cost effective for a small group or family travelling together.
On landing at Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport you will disembark the flight and walk to the terminal building where your OTS representative will be waiting to meet and greet you. You will then proceed to collect your luggage and board the vehicle for your road transfer to Rukiya .
The route out of the airport will take you past 'game fences' so do watch out for your first wildlife sightings !
You will receive a complimentary On Track Safaris metal water bottle to help reduce the use of plastics during your safari. You will also be presented with a spoor card which will help you to identify animals and their tracks. You will have the use of this gift to refer to during game drives and walks.
Whichever route to choose to get to Hoedspruit, you will arrive at Rukiya Safari Camp in time to settle in, rest and relax. Rukiya is a small luxury eco tented camp within the Wild Rivers Reserve and is a key area for our leopard research team. The camp nestles along the banks of the Blyde River which flows all year and among large mature trees, a truly stunning location.
On arrival there will be a welcome drink, indemnity form signing and the chance to meet your hosts. Depending on your time of arrival you will be offered an afternoon game drive (do remember to order sundowner drinks) on the Wild Rivers Reserve. You will return to the lodge for dinner, no doubt retiring early to your tent in preparation for your first early morning rise.
Be prepared for tomorrow mornings 'big 5' game drive as there will be a short journey along a tar road in an open vehicle so you WILL need to wrap up due to the wind chill.
Your days at Rukiya start with a wake-up call and a warm drink and rusks (local biscuits) before setting off on a morning game drive. Your morning game drive will take you through the Wild Rivers Reserve and into the adjacent Balule Reserve (part of the Greater Kruger National Park) where you will be able to enjoy your first game drive on a 'big five' Reserve. These game drives may be longer than the norm as they may also include a bush breakfast, returning to the lodge late morning. Lunch is served at the lodge, followed by time to relax and enjoy the views from your private deck.
During your time at Rukiya there will be an opportunity to experience our unique bush senses activity. This involves a short bush walk and an activity that we have developed over many years and has proven to be very popular with our safari guests. In a fun way it encourages you to use all of your senses when in the bush. Not just sight, but also smell, hearing and touch. Some of our senses are dulled by modern living, but this simple and fun exercise quickly hones one's bush senses, ideal preparation for any safari.
During your time at Rukiya there may also be an opportunity to listen to a presentation on the work of the Ingwe leopard research team.
Dinner will be served in the evening.
Be prepared for tomorrow mornings 'big 5' game drive as there will be a short journey along a tar road in an open vehicle so you WILL need to wrap up due to the wind chill.
Depending on your departure time this morning you may have time to join the morning 'big 5' game drive (with bush breakfast) or have a sleep-in and take a leisurely breakfast.
You will then be collected by your OTS representative who will transfer you to Nzumba Lodge in the near by Klaserie Game Reserve which is also part of the Greater Kruger Park.
On arrival there will be time to settle in before lunch/high tea and an evening game drive, returning to the lodge after the sun has set. Nzumba is also a key location for our leopard research program, offering an extra insight into the resident leopard population.
Be prepared for game drive’s in open vehicles. You WILL need to wrap up due to the wind chill.
Rukiya Safari Camp / Wild Rivers Reserve Conservations fees of R275 per person per night have been pre-paid and included in your safari rate.
Don't forget to settle your bar bill before leaving.
If you wish to leave gratuities these are usually offered in cash on departure. Tips for general staff are pooled to share with all those on duty during your stay. Guides and a Tracker (if there is one) are usually tipped separately.
An early morning wake-up and warm drink, will start your first full day in the Klaserie Reserve, departing for your morning game drive before returning to the lodge for breakfast. You will have plenty of time for a well-deserved rest during the heat of the day, where there will be time to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the African bush. After lunch your afternoon game drive will cover previously unseen areas of the reserve, again returning after dark in time for dinner.
Be prepared for game drives in open vehicles. You WILL need to wrap up due to the wind chill.
On your last morning in Klaserie, your game drive aims to visit those parts of the concession that we haven’t had time to reach previously, offering an opportunity to get those final photographs, before returning to the lodge for breakfast.
It will then be time to check-out and your vehicle will arrive to transfer you to Shimungwe, Thornybush Game Reserve.
Thornybush Game Reserve is famed for its exceptional game viewing, providing premium wildlife viewing.
You will travel through the Reserve and arrive at your Lodge for a welcome drink and indemnity form signing after which you will have plenty of time to settle in and relax before afternoon high tea and afternoon game drive taking a break for sundowner drinks and once the sun has set, after dark and using a lamp, you will seek out those nocturnal animals. Returning to the lodge for dinner.
Be prepared for game drives in open vehicles. You WILL need to wrap up due to the wind chill.
Nzumba / Klaserie Conservation fees of R480 per person per night have been prepaid and included in your safari rate
Don't forget to settle your bar bill before leaving.
If you wish to leave gratuities these are usually offered in cash on departure. Tips for general staff are pooled to share with all those on duty during your stay. Guides and a Tracker (if there is one) are usually tipped separately.
No two days are ever the same on safari. Your next two days in the Thornybush Game Reserve start with an early morning game drive, returning to your lodge in time for breakfast. There will be an opportunity to rest and relax during the heat of the day, enjoying watching animals passing by. The afternoon game drive will start after high tea and will cover previously unseen areas of the reserve, followed by dinner often taken around the fire in an outside boma.
Be prepared for game drives in open vehicles. You WILL need to wrap up due to the wind chill.
On your last morning in the Thornybush Reserve, your game drive aims to visit those parts of the concession that we haven’t had time to reach previously, offering an opportunity to get those final photographs, before returning to the lodge for breakfast.
You will then be collected by your OTS representative who will transfer you to Hoedspruit Airport (approx 45 mins) which marks the end of your safari. Arriving in time to check-in for your departure flight.
Game drives will be taken in an open vehicle so you WILL need to wrap up due to the wind chill.
Thornybush Reserve Conservations fees of R850 per person per stay have been pre-paid and included in your safari rate.
Don't forget to settle your bar bill before leaving.
If you wish to leave gratuities these are usually offered in cash on departure. Tips for general staff are pooled to share with all those on duty during your stay. Guides and a Tracker (if there is one) are usually tipped separately.
