Four Day Trips

Kruger National Park. 
Being as large as it is, this magnificent park is best explored during a four-day tour. In addition to our daily game drives, we offer a morning walk with an armed ranger (not to be missed) and two night drives.

Kruger National Park & escarpment. 
This is a variation on the tour above. On the way to or from Kruger, we spend a night at a resort in the escarpment at the dramatically beautiful Blyde River Canyon. Wagon riders of old descended the escarpment at this point into the Lowveld, then an area filled with fever and wild animals.

Limpopo northward bound. 
Spending an extra night in this area will allow us to explore this corner of genuine Africa more closely. Options include spending time at Mapungubwe in the lovely Limpopo valley and then ascending above the mist to Lesheba in the Soutpansberg mountains. Due to the rugged terrain, we travel by 4×4.

Madikwe game viewing safari. 
The Madikwe experience (described in 2-day trips) is even more memorable as a four-day stay. This time period can be slotted in during the week, when it is quieter, enabling the serenity and isolation of the wilderness to be appreciated even more.

Kwazulu-Natal Bush 'n Beach experience. 
This magnificent "double-feature" begins with visits to two game reserves (Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and Mkhuze or Ithala) where we go on game drives and watch animals from the superbly designed hides. From here we drive to St Lucia or Mtunzini for an unforgettable sunset cruise, a laze on the glorious unspoilt beach, and a walk in the lush coastal forest. Accommodation is in comfortable chalets.

Drakensberg mountains. 
For the avid hiker, no trip to South Africa is complete without a walk in "The Berg", with its spectacular crags and valleys filled with indigenous forests. On the planned hikes, we stay in hiking huts, tents or caves. If you're feeling less adventurous, an ideal alternative is to be based at luxury chalets at Royal Natal or Giant's Castle, from where you can go out on day walks. Essential hiking gear is provided and you will be advised what to bring for your comfort and convenience.

Golden Free State. 
The Golden Gate Highlands Park in the eastern Free State province is famous for its breathtaking sandstone cliffs and boulders. We visit this beautiful park and a nature reserve between the Orange and Caledon rivers. There is also the option of an overnight hike. Our accommodation is in comfortable chalets.

Specialist leopard viewing. 

Leopard sighting in the Kruger National Park

The graceful leopard is a sought-after member of the Big Five, yet is seldom seen by the visitor. We have therefore created several packages guaranteeing you plenty of sightings of this beautiful cat. Our first option is a visit to the Kruger National Park and Londolozi Game Reserve in Mpumalanga. We begin at Skukuza in the KNP which boasts the highest known density of all - one leopard per 6km2 - and spend the next two nights in luxurious Londolozi where you will experience the best leopard viewing in Africa! The leopards have no tracking devices and are simply located by expert local trackers.

Our second option is a visit to Mkhuze and Phinda in Kwazulu-Natal. At the former, the leopards are plentiful, but fairly shy. At Phinda (two nights) we spend time with a research team that use special tracking devices to detect the leopards. Your tour guide, John Power, will add particular value to this trip, having trained as a ranger in these parks. These are the only tours that can guarantee sightings of all the Big Five.

Wilderness game reserve trails. 

Wilderness trailists, learning about cheetah (click on the photo for a larger view)

For an experience of wild Africa at her most magical, these overnight trails are unbeatable. Three trails are offered, all led by armed and experienced trail rangers. Our venue will be either the Kruger National Park or the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. All nights are spent at a rustic base camp in the middle of the bush, and walks are undertaken daily. Apart from seeing large mammals, you will become acquainted with numerous birds, reptiles and insects, discover the differences between animal tracks and learn the names and uses of plants.

Each day ends in a traditionally African way: swapping yarns around a campfire and enjoying a cold beer and a delicious braai (South African barbecue). Then it's time to retire, serenaded by the eerie calls of hyenas and the roaring of lions…

Please note that you may have to may walk up to 15km per day and should therefore be reasonably fit. You should also be at least 12 years of age and no older than 60. Malaria prophylactics are essential. Depending on your interests, such as birds, the Big Five, trees or merely solitude seeking, we can select the trail to suit you best.