Collect your rental car at Phalaborwa airport (please contact us if you require flights from Johannesburg to Phalaborwa). Follow the Route Descriptions provided, drive to Kurisa Moya Forest Lodge in Magoebaskloof. The route goes through the town of Tzaneen, and up into the Magoebaskloof.
Driving distance: approx 160 km / 2.5 hours
The Forest Lodge cabins at Kurisa Moya Nature Lodge are in the indigenous forest - they are on stilts, so you have huge trees and nature all around. There are only 2 cabins, some distance from each other with a private walkway, so the tranquility and privacy are incredible. The only sounds you will hear will be of the Narina Trogon calling through the forest or the Bushbaby's haunting cry at night. You can enjoy a short stroll on your own before freshening up for the evening and enjoy a delicious home cooked dinner on the deck of your cabin under a million stars while the bushbabies call to the night sky.
Kurisa Moya is an Eco-Lodge. The Lodge comprises a variety of accommodation types, including forest cabins, a cottage or a farmhouse. Bedrooms have en-suite, or private bathrooms. There is solar electricity, and virtually no cell phone coverage.
Weather Conditions: Conditions during the summer months can be very hot and humid with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees. Winter nights can be very chilly with temperatures dropping to around 6 degrees.
Clothing – simple, comfortable clothing is advised, with ‘’layering’’ the best technique. A single ‘’all-weather’’ jacket is advised in case of sudden temperature drops. Modern ‘’puffy’’ jackets are very useful for this purpose because they are light and pack up small. Summers can be very hot and fabrics that breathe are more comfortable. This is a summer rainfall region and a lightweight rainproof jacket is recommended. For the game walks and drivers bush-neutral colours are requested – no white, red or other bright fabrics. The best colours are khaki, browns, dark greens and muted colours. There are no “clothing respect traditions’’ that need to be adhered to for visitors to Limpopo (e.g. headscarves are not required for women). A sunhat is always advised.
Children are welcome, understanding that children under 16 may not participate in the game walk at Mtomeni Camp in Letaba Ranch.
Safety Policy (Big 5 area - Mtomeni): The general rules and regulations of Letaba Ranch, apply to all guests. Guests depend on the trails guide for their safety and for guidance. For their own safety and that of the other guests, the instructions of the guide should be obeyed at all times. Failure to co-operate in this respect could lead to the immediate cancellation of the trail. For reasons of safety and sensitivity, excessive consumption of liquor is strongly discouraged.
Malaria: The tour is in a malaria area and prophylactics are essential. Travellers should consult their doctor.
Meals and dietary requirements: provide a list of dietary requirements at least a week before departure.
After a night serenaded by a Wood-owl duet, enjoy a delicious home-cooked breakfast on your deck overlooking the forest before taking a morning walk with a top bird and nature guide, in a forest of ancient trees, including a Champion Tree – the 2000-year-old Cabbage Tree. This guided walk will give you an opportunity to follow the trail through a corridor of towering trees clad in 'Old Man's Beard', ferns and orchids, where you may catch a glimpse of a shy bushbuck or the charismatic Samango Monkey. You will breathe in the earthy aroma of damp soil and leaf litter and linger to look at the myriad of mushrooms, butterflies and other forest-finds.
Drive the scenic George's Valley Road on to the Magoebaskloof Canopy Tours where you will enjoy an adrenalin-rush of 11 ziplines over gorges and waterfalls. Afterwards, take a drive towards the quaint hamlet of Haenerstburg for a ‘slow-food’ lunch at the charming Organic Cheese Farm where geese, goats and cows live a blissful free-range life and contribute to the award-winning cheeses OR a gourmet burger and home-made ice-cream.
Mid-afternoon, head north to Nahakwe Lodge for the night. You are likely to enjoy the swimming pool before or after dinner in the Lodge dining room. You’ll be heading to bed soon, because if you think the first day was busy – you are going to need a good night’s sleep to prepare for the fun of tomorrow!
Driving distance: approx 155 km / 3 hours
Nahakwe Lodge: a modern, 4* lodge with electricity and wifi. Rooms have en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning. The property has a swimming pool, and there is a pub and craft shop. (This is the only place on the route with mains electricity where all your electrical items can be charged.)
Enjoy the early morning stillness of a rural community. You’ll hear the cowbells in the distance as the cattle move through the communal grazing areas. The dawn chorus of a variety of shrub birds will serenade you.
Breakfast on the decks under the giant marula tree will set you up for the day. After breakfast head north to the village to the Ribola Art Route in Mbhokota, a local "hop on" guide will join you in the car and show you the way. This Route comprises a group of over 30 artists and crafters who will welcome you into their homes and studios to share their work with you. Come with a full wallet because you’ll be astounded at the beautiful work you have the option to take home. Your morning will include a visit to one group who will teach you’re their skills, allowing you to take home something you’ve made. You will also visit at least three other studios. At the time of booking you will be given options, based on your holiday dates and the morning’s itinerary will have been pre-planned. Before leaving the area your guide will take you to Chicken Caesar, a local road-side vendor of ‘’chicken dust’’ for lunch – good food, Limpopo style!
Baleni is the next stop in your adventure. Leave Mbhokota by 1.30pm to arrive at Baleni by 4pm.
Driving distance: approx 45 km / 1 hour
Your accommodation at Baleni is in en-suite rondawels – a facility constructed in the traditions of a Tsonga Chief’s homestead. Once you have settled in, the camp guides will take you up to the local village for an evening of dance and festivity. The local ladies will have prepared a traditional meal, served ‘’buffet style’’ while the guides explain the local catering and cooking traditions. After the meal you’ll be invited into the courtyard of a local home where you will be entertained with music and dance. Keen to participate? Your hostesses will be thrilled to teach you to ‘’dance like a local’’.
Return to camp, and digest all the experiences of the day while sitting around the camp fire.
Baleni Camp: Sleep in en-suite rondawels, with 2 x ¾ beds. There is 12v solar electricity, and USB charging facilities.
After a gentle wake-up and camp breakfast, the guides will take you on a walk down to the salt harvesters. Spend time with the women, learning and observing this ancient artisanal skill. Walk back to camp mid-morning, stopping at the sacred hot spring which is the source of the salts. Here you have an opportunity to wash away your bad luck – a wonderful offer from the spring’s ancient mythology.
Leave Baleni no later than mid-day and take a short drive to Letaba Ranch where you will stay at Mtomeni Camp. Mtomeni is in a Big 5 game reserve that is unfenced from Kruger National Park. The camp itself is also unfenced and for your time here you will be in true wilderness. Check into your safari tent on arrival, and mid-afternoon you will leave with the guide in an open safari vehicle for a game drive. Return to camp at sunset and have supper around the campfire.
Driving distance: approx 50 km / 1 hour
Mtomeni Camp: Sleep in en-suite safari tents, with 2 x ¾ beds. This There is 12v solar electricity, and USB charging facilities. This camp is on a Big5 area and is unfenced.
Get up at first light for a morning game walk experience. The routing and length of the walk will be dictated by the weather and game movements. A generous breakfast will be served back in camp after the game walk. The middle of the day offers that special holiday opportunity to relax and possibly indulge in an afternoon nap, while animals are sleeping. Rise mid afternoon to join the afternoon game drive, along the rivers and roads, experiencing the bush as the day cools down. Dinner will be back in camp – your last night under a blanket of stars.
Plan your departure from Mtomeni based on your forward journey. Breakfast will be served before you depart. Drive back to Phalaborwa in time for the onward part of your journey.
Driving distance: approx 50 km / 1 hour
