“Remember the quality of your Safari has EVERYTHING to do with the quality of the guide who leads your experience…”
Highlights:
Kruger Tented Safari Tour Overview:
The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience second to none. At nearly 2 million hectares, it is the largest game reserve in South Africa, stretching 350km along the Mozambican border and is, on average, 60km wide. It is unrivalled in its diversity of species and is a recognized leader in environmental management techniques and policies. Kruger is one of the premier game-watching destinations in the world. Approximately 145 mammal species occur in the park. It is possible to see all the classical African big game, including elephant, black and white rhino, hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog and many antelope species. Large carnivores include lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena.
What to expect on your Kruger Tented Safari Tour:
The Kruger National Park is truly the flagship of South Africa’s game reserves and offers a Big Five wildlife experience that ranks among the best in Africa. This “Wildlife Explorer & Heritage” Tented Safari Tour takes place in one of the Kruger’s biodiversity hotspots, home to some of the largest elephant and buffalo herds in the park and promising exciting opportunities to see leopard, lion and incredible bird life.
Northern Kruger’s’ Punda Maria and Pafuri area is a striking contrast to the rest of the Kruger National Park and features stunning mountain views, forests of fever trees and groves of Baobabs. These trees are 50% taller than anywhere else in South Africa. Explore the remote region on this 5-day Safari Tour that takes in the very best of this unique region.
Day 1 (Tue): Transfer from Phalaborwa to Kruger. (Dinner included)
There are two ways of getting to Phalaborwa town situated in South Africa’s Limpopo Province. You can book an early morning flight or a shuttle service from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport to Phalaborwa Gate. We recommend flying into the area as our accommodation is situated in the far northern part of the Kruger Park.
We have a 4-hour journey ahead of us from Phalaborwa Gate to Punda Maria where we will stay for the remainder of the tour. We will stop for lunch en-route. We will arrive at Punda Maria in the late afternoon for check-in. Our tented accommodation is situated in the safety of the camp on a slight hill which will give you a beautiful view over the bushveld.
Day 2 (Wed): Start exploring Northern Kruger National Park. (Brunch & Dinner included)
Depending on the time of the year – it could be as early as 04h30 in the morning – we will depart on our early morning game drive. We will spend the early morning around Punda Maria camp exploring Mahoney Loop and Shomgonbye watering hole. We will not venture too far away from Punda Maria camp today.
We will return to camp for a late brunch at approximately 11h00. The best game viewing time is early mornings and late afternoons. After brunch, enjoy a siesta or make use of the swimming pool in the camp. In the late afternoon, we will depart for another game drive. Your guide will interpret for you all the spoor, sounds and smells you come across. We will return to the camp at gate closing time.
Day 3 (Thu): Discover the Pafuri Region of the Kruger National Park. (Brunch & Dinner included)
Today, it’s another early start as we head to the Pafuri area. On the way, we will stop at Klopperfontein watering hole, and hopefully, we will be in time to see herds of animals drinking and wallowing in the water. From here we will head to Nyala Loop which runs along the Luvuvhu river – a birding hotspot. Along the Nyala Loop, we will encounter different species of animals and also see the most impressive Baobab trees.
We will stop at Pafuri picnic spot where your guide will prepare a scrumptious hot English breakfast on a gas "skottel" (gas cooker). Here is your chance to see if you can spot the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl as well as many other bird species. You will be expected to assist your guide with setting up your breakfast table and also to do guard duty keeping the monkeys away from eating your meal.
From here we head to Crooks Corner along the Luvuvhu river. Crooks Corner has a fascinating history, and this is also where you will see the mighty Limpopo river. After leaving Crooks Corner, we head back to Punda Maria Camp. You can spend the remainder of the afternoon at the swimming pool or at the bird hide in the camp which attracts many animals, especially large herds of elephant. This is also an excellent spot for close-up photos.
Day 4 (Fri): Visit the Dzundzwini Spring. (Brunch & Dinner included)
Once again, another early departure from camp. The Kruger Park is a vast area (as big as a small country), and you need time to not only find animals but to watch them. It is up to you and your guide to decide if you are having breakfast again on a skottel (gas cooker) – this time at Babalala picnic spot – or to return to Punda Maria for breakfast in the restaurant. You will also go to the Dzundzwini Spring and lookout point. From here you will see how large the Kruger Park is. We will return to camp by 11h00 again. You can spend some time at the bird hide or laze around the swimming pool. We will head out on an afternoon game drive looking for wildlife and those elusive night creatures and return to camp at gate closing time.
Day 5 (Sat): Bid farewell to Kruger... (Brunch included)
Unfortunately, this is our last day in this beautiful game reserve. We will be leaving relatively early to head back to Phalaborwa where you will either catch your flight or shuttle back to Johannesburg. On your way, you will still encounter more animals for that last photo opportunity.
Important Kruger Tented Safari Tour Information:
Departure point: Hendrick van Eck Airport Phalaborwa / Phalaborwa town / Hazyview Return details: Hendrick van Eck Airport Phalaborwa / Phalaborwa town / Hazyview Departure time: 13h00 Day 1 (on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month) Return time: 13h00 on Day 5 (approximate) Duration: 5 Days and 4 Nights
Kruger Tented Safari Tour - What is included?
All entrance and conservation fees, mineral water, services of fully qualified and registered Safari Guides, round trip Phalaborwa to Kruger transport (terms and conditions apply), 4 nights’ sharing Tented accommodation at Punda Maria public Rest Camp situated inside the Kruger Park, 1x Half day Afternoon Open Vehicle Safari, 2x Full day Open Vehicle Safaris, 1x Half day Morning Open Vehicle Safari, 4x Dinners, 4x Brunches
Kruger Tented Safari - What is not included?
All lunches, soft and alcoholic drinks, expenses of a personal nature, optional extras, tips and gratuities (it is customary in South Africa to tip your guide, a general rule of thumb is to tip 10% of your excursion price per person if you were satisfied with the services received).
Additional info:
Cancellation policy:
Please note that the deposit is non-refundable. Cancellation 30 days prior to arrival date and/or commencement of Safari/Tour/Activity - deposit plus 25% of total bill; 14 to 29 days - deposit plus 50% of total bill; 0 to 13 days - 100% of total bill.
Notes:
Guests need to make their own way to/from Phalaborwa Town/Hendrik Van Eck Airport Phalaborwa situated just outside of Phalaborwa town and right on the doorstep of the Phalaborwa Gate entrance into the Kruger Park in order to join this Safari Tour. Speak to us about joining this Safari Tour from Hazyview town and/or about road transport options to/from Phalaborwa town.
Recommended Flights:
SA8853 Departing Johannesburg (OR Tambo) 11h45, Arriving Phalaborwa 12:55
SA8854 Departing Phalaborwa 13h15, Arriving Johannesburg 14h35
Please note own flight arrangements to be made and cost of the flights are for guests own account.
Related Activities:
3 Day / 2 Night Southern Kruger Tented Safari Tour
Booking Enquiry
+27 (0) 82 556 1223 [email protected]
Chacma baboons are numerous in the Kruger National Park and live in huge troops numbering up to 200 animals (typically between 30-40). Troops consist of a family group of males, females and their young. Young baboons depend on their mothers for transportation, initially the little “pink foots” cling to the underside of the mother. At around 3 months of age they start riding “jockey style” on mommy’s back (leaning against the tail for support) as seen in this footage...
There are approximately 10000 Giraffes in the Kruger National Park. They are gregarious and live in nonterritorial loose groups of up to 20 at a time, a behaviour that apparently allows for increased vigilance against predators. They have excellent eyesight, and when one giraffe notices approaching danger it will keep staring until the others look in that direction too. Giraffes live up to 26 years in the wild and slightly longer in captivity.