South Africa: northwest South Africa and the Botswana Tuli Block

Departure from Madrid with the flight destination OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa.

Arrival at the airport in Johannesburg in the morning. After the border formalities and collecting our luggage, we meet the local representative handing over the travel documents and assist us with the car rental. 

Departure to the Marakale National Park (02h30 - 03h00 hours travel).

Arrival at the game reserve, check-in followed by lunch.

At around 15h30 we join our first 4x4 safari in an open vehicle looking for the Big-5 (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino).

Just before sunset we stop at a safe and beautiful location for a snack and a drink enjoying the sunset.

Return to the lodge shortly after dark, time to freshen up followed by dinner.

Overnight including all meals and local beverages.

Overnight: Marataba Safari Lodge

Early morning wake-up call. After a rusk, tea and coffee we board the 4x4 safari enjoying the bush waking up.

Return to the lodge for breakfast.

Time at leisure to enjoy the lodge facilities until lunch.

Afternoon sunset safari and return to the lodge for dinner.

The overnight experience is unique, sleeping on a platform under the African starry sky dozing in while listening to the sounds of the bush.

Early morning safari, breakfast and check-out.

Today we travel to the border between South Africa and Botswana (around 05h00 travel).

After the border formalities we are met by the lodge staff for the 4x4 road transfer to the lodge.

Arrival at the lodge, check-in followed by lunch depending on your arrival time.

Thereafter 4x4 safari in an open vehicle exploring the reserve.

Return to the lodge for dinner.

Overnight in the Tuli Block at the Tuli Safari Lodge inlcuding local beverages and conservation fees.

Early morning 4x4 safari and/or bushwalk.

Return to the lodge for breakfast.

At leisure until lunch.

Afternoon 4x4 safari and return after sunset to the lodge for dinner.

Optional activities: 

• Additional 4x4 game drive
• A bush walk under supervision of an armed game ranger
• Additional night 4x4 safari
• A private 4x4 safari vehicle (without other guests joining)

Early morning 4x4 safari followed by breakfast at the lodge.

Check-out and transfer to the Pont Drift border post where we will meet the driver from Mashatu for a scheduled transfer to the lodge.

Arrival at the lodge, lunch and time to relax enjoying the lodge facilities until the afternoon 4x4 safari.

Return to the lodge for dinner.

Overnight in the Tuli Block at the Mashatu Safari Lodge including local beverages and conservation fees.

This morning we have a different safari experience...on foot!

While exploring the bush under supervision of an armed guard, we learn more about the biodiversity of the reserve.

Return to the lodge for breakfast.

At leisure until lunch and the afternoon 4x4 safari.

Optional for the fit and adventurous: 

• Morning or afternoon Mountainbike safari under the supervision of an armed game ranger
• Morning or afternoon horse safari with armed game ranger (at Mashatu Lodge and Euphorbia Villas only)
• Photographic hide excursion with a photo safari guide

Morning safari, breakfast and check-out.

4x4 transfer to the Ponts Drift border post where we pick-up our rental car.

Today we drive to the northern part of the world famous Kruger National Park (around 03h30 travel).

Arrival at the lodge, situated in a private concession (this means, only guests residing at the lodge are allowed to be in this Kruger Park section).

After lunch, 4x4 safari in the famous national park which has half the size of Belgium.

At sunset we enjoy a gin and tonic before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Overnight in the Pafuri region including all meals and local beverages.

Early morning wake-up call, enjoy a rusk, tea or coffee before the 4x4 safari in the 'baobab tree' section of the park.

Return to the lodge for breakfast.

At leisure until lunch followed by the afternoon 4x4 safari.

Enjoy your last morning 4x4 safari.

Return to the lodge for breakfast and departure to the subtropical area of Tzaneen (around 02h30 travel).

Lunch at leisure (not included).

Enjoy some of the interesting attractions in the area such as:

• The Big Baobab: a giant tree with a hollow trunk. Inside the tree trunk is a small bar
• The Modjadji Nature Reserve, residence of the famous African Rain Queen and the very rare Cycad or bread trees dating back to the days of the dinosaurs
• A visit to the Wegraakbosch organic cheese making farm
• The Tzaneen botanical garden
• The spectacular view over the Magoebaskloof
• A handmade nougat factory
• A small but beautiful botanical garden, banana farm and a collection palm trees at the foot of the Magoebaskloof Pass
• The Nahakwe Cultural Village where you can learn some local traditional craftwork
• Experience the thrill of sliding through the forest on a 2.5 hour Tarzan and Jane style adventure! Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour, Tubing or Abseiling in the kloof (kloof = ravine)

Overnight in Tzaneen including dinner.

Breakfast at the lodge.

Check-out and departure to the natural wonders of the Panorama Route...or enjoy an optional morning canopy tour in Tzaneen before heading to the Panorama Route!

Lunch at leisure (not included).

Arrival at the lodge, check-in and time to relax until dinner.

Overnight in the Panorama Route.

Breakfast at the lodge.

Day at leisure to explore the Panorama Route.

Lunch at leisure (not included).

Dinner at the lodge is included.

Overnight in the Panorama Route.

Breakfast at the lodge, check-out and departure to the southern Kruger area.

Check-in times is standard between 13h00 - 14h00.

Lunch at the lodge is included.

Afternoon 4x4 safari in the private concession.

Return to the lodge for dinner.

Overnight in the Kruger National Park - Skukuza region including all meals and local beverages.

Early morning safari in the Kruger National Park.

Return to the lodge for breakfast.

At leisure until the afternoon safari.

Return to the lodge for dinner.

Morning 4x4 safari, breakfast and check-out.

Departure to the Highlands of Dullstroom, a region famous for its trout fishing farms.

Check-in from 13h00 - 14h00.

Lunch at leisure (not included).

Dinner at the lodge is included.

Overnight in Dullstroom.

Breakfast at the lodge.

Depending on your departure flight from Johannesburg, relax at the lodge (03h00 travel).

Lunch at leisure (not included).

On arrival at the Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport, we return the rental vehicle and prepare for the flight home.

Arrival back in Spain.