We Love —
- The incredible experience of staying in a private game reserve in the heart of the South African bush.
- Game drives in the hope of spotting the big five - buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, as well as the cheetah, wild dog, giraffe, zebra and kudu!
- Sitting out at sunset with an aperatif, watching the Golden Hour light shimmer across the surrounding landscapes.
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your Itinerary In Brief —
South Africa as you have never seen it before!
On this 7-night, 8-day tour, you will be amazed by the multitude of wonders South Africa has to offer, from Big 5 sightings on unforgettable safaris, to exploring the Blyde River and its immense canyon.
Your itinerary during the tour:
Day 1: Arrival in Johannesburg
Day 2: Johannesburg - Makalali Private Game Reserve
Day 3: Makalali Private Game Reserve - 2 game drives per day
Day 4: Makalali Private Game Reserve - Blyde Canyon Scenic Drive
Day 5: Makalali Private Game Reserve - Blyde River Tour
Day 6: Makalali Private Game Reserve - 2 game drives per day
Day 7: Makalali Private Game Reserve - morning game drive and return to Johannesburg
Day 8: Depart Johannesburg
Please note that the itinerary of your tour is subject to change without affecting the programme.
Your Itinerary In Detail —
Day 1: Johannesburg
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by a representative of Sense of Africa, South Africa, who will escort you to the bus terminal for a shuttle transfer to the Premier Hotel OR Tambo (or equivalent).
Overnight stay and breakfast at the hotel.
DAY 2: JOHANNESBURG TO MAKALALI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Depart early in the morning at 06:45 for Makalali Main Lodge, arriving at approximately 13:30.
Welcome to aha Makalali Private Game Reserve, located to the west of the Kruger National Park and offering guests an authentic stay in 26,000 hectares of savannah in the north-east of the country. You can spot the Big 5 (buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, rhino), as well as cheetah, wild dog, giraffe, zebra and kudu. Enjoy an afternoon game drive departing around 16:00 and return to the lodge around 19:00 (duration 3 hours).
Lunch, dinner, overnight stay and breakfast at the lodge.
Day 3: Makalali Private Game Reserve
Enjoy early morning and afternoon game drives in the Makalali Private Game Reserve. The morning game drive departs at around 06:00 and returns to the lodge at around 09:00 (duration 3 hours).
The afternoon game drive departs at approximately 16:00 and returns to the lodge at approximately 19:00 (duration 3 hours).
Lunch, dinner, overnight and breakfast at the lodge.
DAY 4: SCENIC TOUR
After breakfast, you will depart for a scenic drive to visit the wonders that the 'Panorama Route' has to offer. The 60-km-long Blyderiver Canyon is the third-largest canyon in the world.
The Berlin Falls can be reached via a path along the river, where the water of the Berlin Creek plunges 150 metres into a large pool. The Lisbon Falls are located at the point where the Blyderiver splits and large pools form before the water rushes down the steep rock face into a pool 92 metres deep.
The Mac Falls viewpoint offers spectacular views and is named after the number of Scottish-born miners who lived in the area. The Bourke's Luck Potholes are deep cylindrical pits formed by the action of sand and rock transported by the raging river. Visitors can see them up close from bridges built over the potholes. Also visit the historic town of Pilgrim's Rest, now a national monument. It was founded in 1873, when the first major gold discovery in South Africa was made in the area.
Lunch is not included, but you will stop at one of the many local restaurants in the area.
Dinner, overnight and breakfast at the lodge.
DAY 5: CRUISE ON THE BLYDEDAM
Enjoy an early morning game drive and breakfast. In the afternoon you can enjoy a cruise on the Blydedam.
The start time of the cruise depends on availability (departure at 09:00, 11:00 and 15:00). This is a one-hour cruise on the Blydedam where you can admire the beauty of the Blyderiver Canyon. This tour, led by a qualified guide, will take you to the Kadishi Tufa Waterfall, the Three Rondawels and many other scenic spots along the banks. Hippos, crocodiles and an abundance of birds, including the African osprey, are among the wildlife you can see as you learn about nature.
Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to stop for lunch at one of the local restaurants on the way back. Lunch is at your own expense.
Dinner, overnight and breakfast at the lodge.
DAY 6: MAKALALI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in the Makalali Game Reserve.
Lunch, dinner, overnight and breakfast at the lodge.
Day 7: Makalali Game Reserve to Johannesburg
Enjoy an early morning game drive and breakfast at your lodge, before the transfer back to Johannesburg, departing at 10:45am and arriving between 5:15pm and 5:45pm.
Overnight stay and breakfast at the hotel.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE FROM JOHANNESBURG
After breakfast, depart for the airport by shuttle bus.
End of services.
Important information about your tour and visits: The hotels, which meet local standards, are indicative and may be changed for hotels of a similar category. The tour programme is subject to change due to compelling reasons such as delayed flights, weather conditions or other cases of force majeure. The order of the visits may also be changed.
Your Hotels —
HAND-PICKED JUST FOR YOU
Maximum room capacity
Your selected hotels:
In Johannesburg: Standard Room at Premier Hotel O.R. Tambo 4* (or equivalent)
In Makalali Private Game Reserve: Superior Room in Makalali Main Lodge (or equivalent)
Your Dining Choices
For your meals, begin your day with breakfast during your stay at the Premier Hotel O.R. Tambo in Johannesburg. At Makalali Lodge, enjoy the ease of Full Board dining (breakfast, lunch and dinner - excludes drinks). Please note, on both days of the Blyderiver and Blyde Dam trip, lunch is not included and is at your own expense at a local restaurant
Your Destination —
Kruger National Park
Home to all of South Africa's iconic wild animals, including the big five, the Kruger National Park is one of the best destinations to see wildlife. The park extends across nearly two million hectares and offers a range in landscapes from the granite hills of the South and the Lembombo mountains and savannah of the East and the tropical forests of the North.
Beyond biodiversity, the Kruger National Park has many historical and archaeological sites. The park was created in a bid to protect South Africa's wildlife and holds the stories of many cultures and explorers. One of the park's best features is its accessibility, and it's easy to navigate the vast network of roads. There are many ways to explore the wonders of the Kruger Park, from self-driving tours to private safaris. Adventure into a world of wildlife and incredible nature when you visit the Kruger National Park.
