Just 2.5 hours from Johannesburg you will find the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, one of the best places in South Africa to see the famous Big 5 (the elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard).
Pilanesberg Game Reserve is also one the most important geological sites on earth. The reserve has very unique geological features due to an extinct mega volcano which erupted 1.2 million years ago. Pilanesberg is also a paradise for bird lovers, with more than 370 bird species to be seen and heard.
Start your day early by arriving at the Pilansberg Game Reserve gate by 8:00 (8:30 at the latest). From here you will begin your game drive through the park. Along the way the tour will stop at points of interest. Stop at the Pilanesberg Centre for lunch where you will have the opportunity to photograph the animals that come to drink at the waterhole and maybe also purchase some typical African souvenirs.
After a delicious lunch, get back on game drive mode looking to spot more of the local wildlife.
In late afternoon the tour proceeds to the gate and exits the reserve. Make one last stop to stretch your legs and get ready before the ride back to Johannesburg. In the city, your driver will transfer you to your home/destination of your choice.
It was a great trip with fantastic game viewing and knowledgeable guides. The accommodation was unique & comfortable, but Rhino lodge at Kosi bay was the poorest -the rooms etc were lovely but there was a decidedly run down aspect to the site and the dinning room service was notable lacking -2-3hr wait after ordering but the food when it came was fine -very understaffed and pushed, not helped by sharing facilities with an inebriated wedding group. Wernan the guide was competent, knowledgeable and did all he could to facilitate the experience -including re driving thro the mountains so we could see Gods Window etc as our first journey was thro thick fog etc with no visibility. Great trip, especially for the kids.
What really made this trip special was how much variety it packed into 12 days. It never felt repetitive. One day we were out on a game drive in Kruger National Park, watching elephants cross the road right in front of our vehicle. Next, we were in a completely different setting, standing in front of Victoria Falls, feeling the spray on our faces. It was surreal to experience such different landscapes and wildlife in such a short span of time.
The weather also helped. It was nearly perfect throughout the tour. Mornings were cool and crisp, great for early safaris, and by afternoon it would warm up just enough without being uncomfortable. Every place felt timed just right. Our guide knew when to slow down and when to move on so we never missed anuything.
Cape Town, especially, stood out. Seeing the Table Mountain was unlike anything I’d seen before. We took the cable car up, which was an optional tour and the views of the city and coastline were incredible. There was also a nice balance of cultural activities. We also did Winelands tour which yet was another amaing experience.
I had some concerns before booking, but everything, from airport pickups to hotel check-ins was butter smooth. I felt safe and taken care of. You should surely give this one a try if you're traveling to South Africa for thr first time.
Leave Durban at 6.30am from your Hotel, Guest House or B&B and drive through the Timber and Sugar plantations and the beautiful Zulu villages which lies in the northern Zululand.
We take you to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve which lies 2.5 hours from Durban and is set in the heart of Zululand where Africa’s Big 5 (Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Rhinoceros) roam the flourishing savannah. Established in 1895 this is the oldest park in South Africa and is 98,000 hectares.
The Game Drive takes place in our Land Rover or our Toyota Quantum fully air-condition.
At the end of the tour we drop you back to your accomodation. We look forward to giving you a great and safe game viewing experience in Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve. Game drive has no specified time as we want to see as much animals as we can.
At additional cost, you can also visit The Emdoneni Wild Cat Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Centre, Isimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park or DumaZulu Cultural Park.
The tour departs from Durban heading northward along the coast to northern KwaZulu-Natal. The first stop is the town of St Lucia and the estuary inside the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. There you will board a riverboat for a 2-hour guided tour of the estuary. The local guide will inform you of the reserves history and its incredible wildlife.
Previously known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, iSimangaliso Wetlands Park was declared South Africa's first Natural World Heritage Site (UNESCO) and is considered South Africa's third largest park with 280km of near pristine coastline and 328 000 hectares of magnificent scenery. The protected area is home to one of the largest population of hippopotami in SA, an estimated 1000 crocodiles as well as a wealth of plant, bird and animal life. The park was proclaimed a world heritage site because of the rich biodiversity, unique ecosystems and natural beauty occurring in a relatively small area. Animals occurring in the park include lion, African elephant, leopard, black and southern white rhino, buffalo and in the ocean, whales, dolphins, and marine turtles including the leatherback and loggerhead turtle.
After the boat tour, you will travel to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve. Your experienced guide will show you around the park in search of the diverse wildlife and big 5.
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve is set in the heart of Zululand where Africa’s Big 5 roam the flourishing savannah. The Park contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is characterised by hilly topography. The list of animals at the park is long and varied. Today, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park is world-renowned for its White Rhino conservation and its Centenary Capture Centre is setting exceptional standards for animal capture and sustainable utilization in Africa.
Your guide will stop at Hilltop Camp restaurant giving you time to refuel and relax. The restaurant is situated at the top of the hill and gives visitors the chance to enjoy the scenery of the camp and surrounding areas. Afterwards, you will continue with your safari before leaving the park for Durban.
Three countries, eight national parks, 17 days, hundreds of animals, countless birds and a new group of lifelong friends all make this one unforgettable journey through the best of Southern Africa. Track rhinos at sunset in Zimbabwe, search for wildlife in Kruger National Park, laze in the lagoons of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and learn about ongoing rhino conservation in Zimbabwe. This overland camping trip brings you everything wild and wonderful about Southern Africa plus a crew of good pals to take it all in with.
Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Matobo National Park, Mapungubwe National Park, Kruger National Park, Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Maun, Okavango Delta, Caprivi Strip, Kwando River, Chobe National Park
Experience a 13-day adventure encompassing all corners of the island – North, South, East, and West with our North and South Island Explorer Package. Hike Le Morne Mountain, relish stunning views, explore the marine world on a catamaran, and dive into the city's vibrancy. Immerse yourself in Mauritius' diverse offerings, with ample leisure time for personal exploration.
Mauritius, situated in the Indian Ocean, is famed for its picturesque beaches, lagoons, and coral reefs. The island's interior boasts the Black River Gorges National Park, home to rainforests, waterfalls, hiking paths, and unique wildlife like the flying fox. The capital, Port Louis, showcases landmarks including the Champs de Mars horse track, Eureka plantation house, and the 18th-century Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens.
Please see our itinerary for more details.
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Tent, Guest House
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Johannesburg, Kruger National Pa
Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Great Zimbabwe, Matobo National Park, Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, Nata, Maun
Our tour was amazing, thanks to our fantastic leader Andrew.
Highlights of the trip: Drankensberg Moutains, Hippos in St Lucia and seeing the big 5. Loved the huts and horse riding in Eswitini.
Vegetarian options were much better than I expected them to be.
Accommodation was great. Lots of travelling but Andrew made the whole 10 days perfect. Thanks again :)
After being picked up from your hotel in Johannesburg, we travel to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve in the Northwest province, home to healthy populations of lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino.
Enjoy a closed-vehicle game drive, seeking out the Big 5 in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, which is abundant in various plains game and birdlife, followed by an orientation tour of the famous Sun City Resort. Sun City is not only a luxury casino and resort but is also a flagship structure associated with times during the Apartheid South Africa. Bordering this entertainment complex, you will find one of the world's outstanding geological phenomena: a crater of a long-extinct volcano and the result of eruptions some 1 200 million years ago - The Pilanesberg Game Reserve.
You will be returned to Johannesburg after an exciting, malaria-free safari.
Limited time doesn't mean you have to limit your African experience. Get the most of the safari experience in the least amount of time on this half-day tour. Visit three wildlife reserves: the Natal Lion Park, the African Raptor Centre and Tala Game Reserve, in under six hours to get a diverse, all-encompassing wildlife experience.
The tour's first stop is the Natal Lion Park, which is home to a variety of wildlife, including lion, African and Asian elephants as well as rhinoceros. Your guide will drive you around the park in search of the elephants before entering the lion’s enclosure to marvel at the pride of lions. This activity is very popular among tourists as it provides a rare opportunity of being so close to lions and admiring their size and beauty.
Next, visit Tala Private Game reserve that shelters diverse wildlife on its 3,000 hectares. The reserve is a rhino sanctuary and is home to over 370 birds and animals, including larger animals like giraffes, hippos and elands. Drive around the park in our closed vehicle to view all the wildlife and get a close look at the rhinos. Your guide will give you insights on the ecosystem of the area and the interesting facts about the animals.
Pick up at the quayside in the Port Elizabeth harbour and depart for the Addo Elephant National Park, approximately 35 minutes’ drive from the harbour to the entrance. After check in and a comfort break we immediately start the days game viewing experience.
The park is home to more than 600 free roaming Elephants and a wide variety of wildlife such as Zebra, Warthog, Ostrich, the elegant Kudu and many more including the traditional BIG 5, Lion, Buffalo, Leopard, Rhino and of course the Elephants.
Making our way through the park from south to north we stop for a light lunch at the parks restaurant before once again heading south, game viewing along the way in this world class facility before returning to the Port Elizabeth harbour and drop off at the quayside.