8 Night combination of Safari in Kruger, beach and lakes
From only R 16,594 per person - valid until August 2011
Note - these costs are based on the lowest cost offered for this itinerary, and are subject to season of travel and whether you would prefer a self drive or fly in package.
Exact costs will be provided on quotation
DAY 1: Rhino Post Safari Lodge Kruger National Park
Rhino Walking Safaris is situated on a 12,000-hectare private concession in the Kruger National Park. It is approximately 10km northeast of Skukuza Rest Camp. The concession shares a 15km boundary with Mala Mala in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, with game moving freely between the two reserves and comprises of environmentally sensitive areas, previously unexplored, with a huge diversity of both fauna and flora.
Rhino Post Safari Lodge is built on the banks of the dry Mutlumuvi riverbed using natural materials of stone, wood, thatch & canvas. Stilts raise the 8 spaciously appointed suites along the riverbank, allowing views of the Mutlumuvi riverbed from your
TRAVELLING
Self Drive: Drive from Johannesburg to Rhino Walking Safaris (6hrs)
Guided Road Transfer: Pick up from KMIA by Transfer Company and drive to Rhino Walking Safaris (2.5hrs)
Air Charter: Transfer from main terminal to Federal Air terminal (10mins), then flight to Skukuza. At Skukuza, Rhino Walking Safaris will collect and drive guests through the Park in an open 4 x 4 vehicle to the lodge (25mins).bedroom, bathroom and private deck.
After settling into the suite, high tea will be served down at the lounge overlooking the water hole, before departing for an afternoon/evening game drive.
Game drive safaris at Rhino Post are conducted in specially adapted open Landcruisers, with professional guides. In addition to the private wilderness concession, they make use of the Kruger Public Roads. The Kruger National Park has strict gate closing times (before sunset) for their rest camps and access gates. Rhino Walking Safaris, however is allowed to utilise certain public roads for night drives well after gate closing times. At sunset the game drive will stop for sundowner drinks while watching an African sunset, before continuing on into the night, spotting nocturnal animals. Return to the lodge in time to freshen up, enjoy a drink before a sumptuous dinner on the deck or in the riverbed, as you recount the day’s events, all the while accompanied by the night sounds of the bush.
After an early morning wake-up and an invigorating cup of fresh coffee or tea with muffins in our lounge, you will set off for your morning game drive. Midway through the morning you will stop in the bush for coffee/tea/fruit juice before continuing to look for Africa’s finest wildlife. Upon returning to the lodge, enjoy a leisurely brunch. There is plenty of time afterwards to relax around the pool which overlooks the water hole, catch up on some sleep, or read some books.
DAYS 2 - 3: Plains Camp Kruger National Park
Travelling: After an early wake up call, the morning game drive, brunch and time to freshen up, you will be transferred by road to Plains Camp at 14h00. This transfer is done in the 4 x 4 game viewing vehicles, allowing more time to see animals and takes about 25 minutes.
Plains Camp is situated in the heart of the wilderness concession, overlooking the spectacular Timbitene Plain and waterhole.
After settling into your tent and exploring the camp, high tea is served followed by a brief “do’s & don’ts” of bush walking safaris by your guide. (Rhino Walking Safari guides meet the stringent requirements of the South African National Parks and senior guides hold the highest guiding qualification possible in South Africa). Following the brief, you will depart with your two armed rangers for an introductory walk, returning to the vehicle in time for sundowners and again enjoying a short night drive when returning to camp. The concession is an environmentally sensitive area previously unexplored, with huge diversity of both fauna and flora – an ideal setting for wilderness walking safaris in an internationally renowned Big Five area.
After an early morning wake-up, fresh coffee, tea and rusks (a South Africa tradition!), everybody departs with the guides for the next safari walk. Nothing is predictable in the bush, therefore each safari offers a potentially new experience. Our guides will share their wealth of “bush culture” - the identification of animals, trees, grasses, insects, birds, the medicinal uses of plants, local folk lore and basic tracking & survival skills.
All walking trails are enjoyed in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid the midday heat, with the average duration of the morning walk being between 3 and 4 hours. The guide will structure the trail taking into account the fitness level of the group and any special requests. After a stop for a light snack on the walk, you will be served a well deserved brunch on your return to the camp.
Relax in camp during the heat of the day, enjoying our small Africana book collection or cool off in the plunge pool overlooking the plain, which is often host to zebra, buffalo, giraffe, elephant, rhino and lion. The afternoon safari activity is a short drive in the game vehicle to a specific location, after which you will depart on foot for your trail. Upon returning to the vehicle, you will enjoy sundowners before returning to camp. Back at camp you will enjoy a homecooked dinner, all the while accompanied by the night sounds of the African bush.
Sleepouts - Optional Activity (Prior arrangement required)
Rhino Walking Safaris offer an unrivalled wilderness experience - sleeping out on elevated wooden platforms. This is the only place in the Kruger National Park offering this unusual accommodation. Leave Plains Camp in the late afternoon and arrive at the platforms in the early evening, carrying only a lightweight rucksack containing a change of clothes and refreshments. After hanging up mosquito nets, fly sheets (only if necessary) and preparing beds (yes! we do encourage you to be included in every aspect of this unique interactive experience of the bush), sundowners can be enjoyed on the platforms that also overlook a waterhole. The sleep outs even have hot showers and flush toilets. While dinner is being prepared on an open fire, enjoy the sounds and senses of the wild at night, while being safely guarded by our observant guides. The rumble of the elephant passing by, or the roar of the lion at the nearby waterhole, is some of the noises that might disturb you in this peaceful wilderness. The following morning, enjoy a light snack after which depart back to Plains Camp for a hearty brunch.
DAYS 4 - 6: Thonga Beach Lodge Isimangaliso Wetland Park
Thonga Beach Lodge is set on the secluded Mabibi Bay, in the heart of the Isimangaliso (formerly Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park, an internationally recognized World Heritage Site. With direct access onto the pristine shores of the Maputaland coast, this luxury lodge is the ideal place to discover one of the last unspoilt and undeveloped wilderness beaches left on the African continent. Mabibi is a magical place of tranquil swimming bays and snorkelling reefs, coastal forests, grasslands, bush, shimmering lakes and exquisite sandy beaches. Its crystal clear, warm waters offer superb snorkelling and fantastic offshore scuba diving.
There are no other developments within a 50km section of this pristine wilderness beach. It is 25 km North of Sodwana Bay and is the first private concession to have been granted by the Isimangaliso Wetland Park Authority. The swimming pool and
Travelling: After brunch, check out of Rhino Walking Safaris.
Self Drive: Drive from Rhino Walking Safaris to Thonga Beach Lodge (8hrs). Non 4 x 4 vehicles can be parked at the Coastal Cashew Factory and a pick up to the lodge occurs at 12:00 and 15:00. 4 x 4 vehicles can drive all the way through to the lodge.
Guided Road Transfer: Pick up from Rhino Walking Safaris, drive through the Kruger National Park to Thonga Beach Lodge (8hrs).
Air Charter: Transfer from Rhino Walking Safaris in open 4 x 4 to Skukuza (25mins). From Skukuza fly the Bushveld Spectacular to Thonga Beach Lodge (1hr15) and arrive at Manzengwenya airstrip. A Thonga open 4 x 4 vehicle will collect &drive to the lodge (25mins). central lodge area are 25m from the beach. Lake Sibaya (Southern Africa’s largest natural freshwater lake) is 9km from the lodge.
The 12 suites are Robinson Crusoe-chic! Thatched en-suite rooms have been carefully constructed in the coastal dune forest to ensure minimum impact on the environment and maximum guest privacy. Each room has a double vanity, stone bath, indoor/outdoor shower, bar fridge, air-conditioning, ceiling fan & mosquito net.
Activities at Thonga Beach Lodge include scuba diving, Open Ocean experiences, kayaking and sundowners at Lake Sibaya, guided snorkelling, seasonal turtle drives/walks, Tsonga Cultural tours and forest walks. Whether you are a walker or a diver, take advantage of the wealth of activities that await you in this beautiful hideaway, or simply relax by the swimming pool.
Scuba diving at Mabibi is phenomenal. The coral reefs along this protected stretch of coastline are home to several species of tropical fish, including Blue Surgeons, Moorish Idols and Parrotfish. Our professional lodge diving team accommodates all enthusiasts, from the beginner to the veteran. For those who don’t dive, we have an Open Ocean Experience. An exciting launch through the surf in front of the lodge takes you beyond the breakers to a world of dolphins, whales and snorkelling. The warm Indian Ocean supports a myriad of fish and marine life. You can sometimes swim with dolphins or whale sharks, or snorkel with Manta rays and giant turtles.
In Summer, there are nocturnal walks and drives along the beach in search of pre-historic turtles laying their eggs. Witness the culmination of an incredible journey as giant Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in carefully prepared nests. Turtle tracking is offered in the evening from November to end-January (for the laying season) and until the end of February (for the hatchlings). Every precaution is taken to ensure these magnificent creatures are not disturbed during the laying process. There is no limit to the number of guests that can participate in Turtle walks however Turtle drives are limited to a maximum of 10 guests a night.
In the afternoon spoil yourself at the Sea Spa, which offers a wealth of seaweed rejuvenation treatments, facials, massages, hot stone therapy and reflexology. Alternatively take a walk on the beach, or enjoy afternoon tea before departing on a drive to the inland freshwater lake, Lake Sibaya. Watch the sun go down, look for hippos and crocs, whilst enjoying an early evening drink.
DAYS 7 - 8: Kosi Forest Lodge Kosi Bay Nature Reserve
Travelling: After breakfast depart for Kosi Forest Lodge.
Self Drive: Drive from Thonga Beach Lodge to Kosi Forest Lodge. Non 4 x 4 vehicles can collect their car from the Cashew Factory (1hr drive), then 1/2hr drive to Manguzi where their vehicles can be parked at the Total Service Station. From here there is a 12:00 and 16:00 pick up to the lodge (25mins)
Guided Road Transfer: Interlodge transfer from Thonga Beach Lodge to Kosi Forest Lodge (1.5hrs)
Air Charter: Not available. Interlodge road transfer (1.5hrs)
The highlight of many a stay at Kosi Forest Lodge is the canoe trip on the Kosi Lakes. These take place early morning or late afternoon and go for approximately 2hours. Guides escort guests by canoe along the Sihadla channel where the bird life is very rewarding and the scenery peaceful and breathtaking. Alternatively there are walks through magnificent Raffia Palms – the tallest in the world! Home to the Palm Nut Vulture and Pel’s Fishing Owl, the area can be explored by keen birders at their leisure. No experience is required.
The Kosi Lakes are a series of interconnected lakes which stretch over some 18km. The best way to see the system is by boat. These full day excursions leave shortly after breakfast and travel through the lake system and estuarine waterways, stopping to see the famous Kosi Bay fish traps. A picnic lunch is served shortly after and then onto the secluded Banga Nek beach for a swim in the sea amongst beautiful coral reefs.
DAY 9: Back to Johannesburg
Travelling: After breakfast depart for Richards Bay
Self Drive: Drive from Kosi Forest Lodge to Richards Bay (3.5hrs)
Guided Road Transfer: Transfer from Kosi Forest Lodge to Richards Bay Airport (3.5hrs)
Air Charter: Road transfer from Kosi Forest Lodge to Richards Bay Airport (3.5hrs). Scheduled flight back to Johannesburg can be arranged – please contact our reservations office
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