Mpumalanga Explorer

( 5 Days / 4 Nights )

Mpumalanga Explorer10

Where will it take me

The Mpumalanga Province which hosts the world renowned Kruger National Park – nestled in the eastern part of South Africa, sharing borders with Mozambique and Swaziland AND the world renowned Sabi Sands Game Reserve.

What is there to see

An exceptionally mix of wildlife, scenic beauty of the Northern Drakensberg Mountain range and the great Kraal of Chief Soshangana, a dramatic fire-lit circle of royal huts under the boughs of ancient trees.

You should know

All the graves in the Pilgrims Rest cemetery face one direction except the grave of an unnamed robber who was banished from the town after stealing a tent.

What is there to do

Join a Shangaan hostess for traditional dinner at a cultural evening festival while watching cultural dancing. Amongst other things……..

Do not miss

Watching an African sunset while enjoying your favourite sundowner drink and when the dark sets over the Bush you start the search for nocturnal animals at night with spotlight. Dinner served around campfire listening to the crazy crackling of hyenas.

Bonus

Guided Bushwalk  where you will have the opportunity to take a closer look at animal tracks, birds, different types of grasses and trees, as well as any smaller details of the bush that might fascinate you AND a boat trip on the Blyde dam nestled in the largest green Canyon of the world.

Something to consider

Spending an additional night in Johannesburg and arrange a tour to Soweto, one of the townships in the area. Here you will find former homes of Nelson Mandela and Artsbishop Tutu. Here you can swop stories with the locals in typical shebeens (African bars) or try authentic African cuisine in a township restaurant.

Itinerary

Mpumalanga Explorer7Day 1: Johannesburg – Hazyview

With the city of Gold as our departure point, we travel to the ancient village of gold – Pilgrims Rest where the biggest gold rush of the time was initiated with some 1500 fortune seekers flocking to the site from all over the world during the 1800’s. En route we visit Gods Window viewpoint, waterfalls and Graskop. Arriving in Hazyview during the course of the afternoon.

Day 2: Hazyview

After a scrumptious breakfast we head for a boat cruise on the Blyde dam nestled in the largest green canyon in the world. Enjoy an interpretation tour by a local guide who will take you to the rare living Kadishi Tufa waterfall and view the Three Rondavels. A light snack basket will be packed to enjoy on the boat trip. Hereafter we visit Bourke’s Luck potholes – cylindrical holes in the limestone riverbed formed over centuries by swirling waters. In the late afternoon, we arrive back in Hazyview, have time to freshen up and get ready for a cultural evening festival.   The Chief and his family host the Evening Festival, where choirs, actors and dancers gather to tell the story of the Shangaan people. During the show, traditional beer is passed around and wooden trays with local delicacies are passed around.

Day 3: Hazyview – Kruger National Park

Entering the Kruger Park, you will be introduced to the Southern part of this vast reserve which covers almost 2 million hectares of unspoilt terrain, including some 490 species of birds, 147 mammal species, 94 different reptile species, 33 types amphibians and a magnificent array of at least 336 different kind of trees.

The Southern half consists of small hills and rocky outcrops dominated by Knob thorn, Marula and Bush Willow trees. We enjoy a full day of game viewing, stop at waterholes, lookout points and picnic spots, at regular intervals to enjoy meals and refreshments.

Day 4:  Kruger National Park – Private Game Reserve

We depart early morning to the Northern side of the Kruger Park where surroundings areas are sparse, arid and Mopani bush predominates en route to a Private Game Reserve. On arrival, a light lunch is served. You will experience a new dimension of the bush as we conduct a late afternoon / evening game drive with sundowners and dinner.

Day 5:  Private Game Reserve – Johannesburg

Freshly brewed coffee will set the mood for a brisk morning Game drive or bushwalk, awarded by a scrumptious breakfast whereafter we return to Johannesburg.

It includes:

  • Return transfer from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park in air-conditioned vehicles except for Game drives
  • Accommodation and all entrance fees into the Kruger National Park The service of fully qualified and knowledgeable Place of Rock Tour & Field guide.
  • Meals as per your itinerary
  • Game viewing on-board Open Safari Vehicles.

It excludes:

  • Drinks, gratuities, telephone calls and items of a personal nature
  • Optional Kruger Park bushwalks and sunset drives
  • International and domestic flight (more information available on request)