You will be picked up from your home by a Landscape Tours representative and transferred to the airport where you will meet your guide and your travel companions. We arrive in Johannesburg by midday and board our minibus to set off across the West Rand towards Krugersdorp. At Maropeng we visit a famous World Heritage site, “The Cradle of Humankind”. This archeological site has produced large numbers of some of the oldest hominid fossils ever found, some dating back as far as 3.5 million years. The state of the art visitors center explains the importance of the fossils discovered in over three dozen limestone caves in the area. Later we check into a nearby hotel to rest up for the journey ahead.
This is South Africa's northernmost province, lying within the great curve of the Limpopo River. It is a region of contrasts, from true bushveld country to majestic mountains, primeval indigenous forests, unspoilt wilderness and patchworks of farmland. We stay tonight at Magoebaskloof Hotel, in the northernmost section of the Drakensberg mountain range and bordered by part of the famous Magoebaskloof indigenous forest. The area offers spectacular mountain and forest views. Bird life is plentiful and includes the Knysna and Purple-Crested Louries, several species of Eagle, the Narina Trogan and the Black-Fronted Bush Strike. Tonight we enjoy a delicious dinner in the stylish restaurant.
We continue our northward journey through bushveld country, reaching the Limpopo River by midday. We check into our chalets in Mapungubwe National Park. The name derives from the capital city of a powerful kingdom dating back to the 11th Century. This is now a World Heritage Site, South African National Heritage Site, national park, and archaeological site, and we can explore the remains of the ancient city on a tall hill. There are wonderful views of the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers, a good variety of bird- and wildlife and a peaceful bushveld atmosphere to enjoy. We spend two nights in this scenic wonder-world doing some relaxed game drives with our minibus and visiting various view sites.
We resume our northward route, to enter the Kruger Park near Palaborwa. We do a game drive, pausing en-route to enjoy the varied animal sightings. We travel through several different eco zones, with vegetation ranging from mopani forest to grasslands and riverine bush. Serheni is a small camp, and you don’t have to venture further than your veranda to watch the wildlife come and go. There is no restaurant in camp - but no problem - your guide knows his way around a kitchen and a campfire! Tonight we have a braai under the stars, and later head for bed with the night sounds of the African bush to lull us to sleep.
The following day we have the luxury of a laid back day in the bush, using our comfortable camp as base. Simple, alfresco style meals and snacks prepared by your Landscape guide keep us going during the day. We do a game drive to water holes in the vicinity of the camp, and have time to look out for birds and smaller animals. Take a stroll and enjoy the varied bird life, or sit at the hide overlooking a watering hole and watch the animals come and go. Elephant and buffalo are frequent visitors. Tonight you will have the opportunity to do an optional night drive with a national parks open vehicle (an optional extra). There are chances of seeing nocturnal animals like aardvark, porcupine or even some of the larger predators on the move.
We head southward through Kruger National Park, exploring the varied landscapes. We enter the sprawling scrub mopane flatlands of the Shingwedzi area, well-known for its large elephant population. Over and above the more common ungulates, we stand a good chance of sighting elusive roan antelope and also tsessebe, one of Africa’s fastest antelopes. Crossing the Letaba and Olifants Rivers we enter Central Kruger Park, with its rolling savannah plains. It is here that large herds of blue wildebeest and Burchell’s zebra are found, together with predators such as lion, cheetah and wild dog.
The area between Satara and the Crocodile River is colloquially referred to as the Southern District, becoming more hilly and dense as one travels further southward. Granite domes, wooded hills, valleys and dry stream beds characterize this area, and although the habitat is not suited to very large herds of animals, the region does contain the highest diversity of wildlife in the park. White rhino are regularly seen, as are lion, leopard and elephant. We will leave the Kruger through the Orpen Gate and head for our overnight stay in Dullstroom.
After breakfast we will leave Dullstroom and head for Johannesburg for our flight. As usual Landscape staff will be on hand to assist you safely home.
