Arrive in Johannesburg by 6pm, where everyone gathers for a welcome dinner.

Fly and drive to Mashatu Game Reserve in the remote eastern corner of Botswana. The Limpopo River, which Rudyard Kipling made famous in his “Just-So Stories,” crosses into South Africa near here. More than 700 elephants live on this reserve, the largest single population on privately owned land in Africa, as well as impressive numbers of lions and cheetahs. Along the river, huge Mashatu trees provide shade for wildebeest, giraffes and zebras, while at night, bat-eared foxes, African wildcats and leopards search for prey. Stay in the center of it all at Mashatu Tented Camp, an intimate accommodation offering unexpected amenities.

En route to Kruger, stop at Mapungubwe, South Africa’s newest national park and a World Heritage Site. This scenic land of sandstone gorges and riparian woodlands provides a sanctuary for endangered large mammals, including black and white rhinoceros and wild dog. Your destination, Pafuri Camp, is in the northern sector of Kruger National Park, one of the last tracts of true wilderness left in South Africa. This remote region, the ancestral home of the Makuleke people, is the most ecologically diverse in Kruger, with 75% of the park’s flora and fauna found here. The game viewing and birding are excellent, with large herds of elephant and buffalo, and more elusive leopard and lion. The Luvuvhu River sustains massive baobab and ebony trees and many animals not found in the drier southern reaches of the park, such as eland, nyala and Sharpe’s grysboks. Your tented camp overlooks the Luvuvhu River, where elephant and bushbuck drink. The area is rich in human prehistory, boasting ancient fossils, rock engravings and stone tools.


Stay: Pafuri Camp

Fly to Sabi Sands, South Africa’s premier safari destination. This private reserve is renowned for some of the best Big Five viewing in Africa. These famous five – elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, lion and leopard – were once favorite hunting targets. While many were hunted nearly to extinction, reserves like this one have made exciting strides in bringing them back. Sabi Sands is famed for its leopards, which we often see quite close, making for extraordinary photography opportunities. Stay at Londolozi Varty Camp on the Sand River. This classic lodge began as a bush camp in 1926 and offers some of the finest safari accommodations in Africa.


Stay: Londolozi Varty Camp

South Africa has a fabulous coastline, and we leave safari country by air today for natural and cultural encounters on the Indian Ocean. Rocktail Bay Lodge is in the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve, a World Heritage Site with 24 miles of undeveloped coast. Though this is not big-game country, you may see antelope, hippos in freshwater lakes, a myriad of birds and sea turtles on the beach. South Africa’s wildlife wealth continues offshore, where we watch for humpbacks and dolphins on a whale-watching excursion. Your “treehouse” bungalows on stilts rest in the trees behind a row of sand dunes, a short walk from the beach. You may have the opportunity to enjoy a cultural event with a local Zulu people.

Fly back to Johannesburg to connect with flights home in the evening, you could add on an extension to Cape Town, or our Secluded Botswana itinerary. Please ask us at Blue Lizard Travel for more details and bespoke costings.

On this trip, we utilize some of the most unique and exciting safari camps in South Africa. We chose them for their proximity to wildlife as well incredible natural ambiance. Mashatu Camp consists of seven tents and, while slightly rustic, provides many unexpected amenities in a spectacular setting.

Londolozi, on the other hand, is quite luxurious and consists of unique chalets each with an en suite bathroom and outdoor shower. Some of our dinners may be served outside in a traditional African boma.

Our walking activities are usually short and optional. We do, however, recommend that travellers who participate in these programs be of an adventurous spirit, as they will often enjoy the very closest of animal encounters. A number of game walks will be offered. Snorkeling, swimming and diving will be available at Rocktail Bay and require swimming ability, comfort in the water and diving experience for those interested in diving (not included in trip cost).