Travel Comments - Backpacker Guide through Southern Africa - The North South Travel Centre

4 (TW1) or 5 (TW2) day Kruger National Park Walking Safaris (Transfrontiers Walking Safaris)

Price per person (01/11/07 – 31/10/08):
5 day / 4 night : R5 300 (excl. drinks and entrance fees)
4 day / 3 night : R4 500 (excl. drinks and entrance fees)

Depature: Mon (5 day) and Fri (4 day)
Depart from: Johannesburg, Pretoria
End in: Johannesburg, Pretoria
Maximum: 8 people per trail, no minimum
Maximum: 12 people per camp
Included:
Transfers to and from Jo'burg and Pretoria
Two walk/drive combinations and night drive each day
All meals and accommodation as per itinerary
Coffee/Tea, tap water
Excluded:
Drinks
Conservation Fee of max R185 pp
[The max R185 is a once-off local payment for entrance fees that need to be paid directly to the Reserves that we operate in. The amount will depend on where you're going and this money goes back into conservation, used for purposes such as anti-poaching, animal monitoring and research. The Conservation Fee and the drinks consumed in our camps will be paid for on the day you leave the safari. Drinks like beers, wine, ciders, Smirnoff spins, gin & tonic, cokes, juices and bottled water are provided in the camps. Coffee, tea and water from the tap are free of charge.]

Daily itinerary 4 & 5 day walking safari
On the day of departure you will be collected from your hotel at first light and transferred to the reserve gate. The journey takes approximately 5 hours with stops along the way. You will meet your ranger at a lovely bush pub at the edge of the reserves, where you will sign the indemnity forms and have lunch together. After lunch, we transfer you into open safari vehicles to one of our bush camps in the Greater Kruger National Park making sure that you spend the maximum time out in the bush!

In the mornings we set off at first light after a snack breakfast of rusks and coffee or tea. Enjoying the cool morning air we may walk directly from camp or else use a vehicle to get further out. Your ranger will decipher the tracks and signs left by the passing animals during the night. The thrill of walking, tracking and getting up close to one of the creatures of the bush is an unforgettable experience. On the walks there is a lot of emphasis on all the interesting things seen such as trees, plants, insects and birds. A big breakfast is prepared back in camp and then there is time to unwind and siesta during the heat of the day. After lunch is served it is time to head out again.

The afternoon activity is a walk/ drive combination, looking for tracks and activity in other areas. After the walk we drive to a beautiful spot in the Reserve, where we'll have sundowners while waiting for a stunning African Sunset. As the diurnal animals and birds anxiously get ready for bed, the stage and sounds change and a whole new world awakens. This is when we connect the spotlight and night drive back to camp, looking for the nocturnal creatures that are so rarely seen during the day. Back in camp a hearty supper and a warm campfire will be waiting for you. After a long day in the bush there is nothing more rewarding then to sneak off to bed and listen to the sounds of the night under a blanket of the overwhelming African stars!

On the last day you will still go out for one last walk. Sniffing the typical scents of the bush you'll realize how much you've learned already! After breakfast it's time to pack up and go back to the bush pub, where you will pay the Conservation Fee and the drinks you've consumed in our camps. Then we say our goodbyes and transfer you back to the city.

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3day (VI1), 4day (VI2) or 6day (VI3) "The Treehouse Experience" Kruger National Park Tour (VIVA Safaris)

Price per person (2008):
6day sharing R5295 (single: R5495)
4day sharing R3995 (single: R4195))
3day sharing R3595 (single: R3795)

Departure: daily
Depart from: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Nelspruit
End in: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Nelspruit
Included:
all transfers
game drives
game walks
visits to wildlife projects
accommodation (linen, towels and soap provided)
dinners
breakfasts
Excluded:
lunches
drinks
personals

6day Safari
Highlights :
Three Rondawels and Blyde River Canyon
Sunset/ Night drive
2 full days in Kruger Park on open Gameviewers
Afternoon game hike in Kruger
Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre
Kapama Endangered Species Project
Bush Walk with armed ranger

Day 1 : Pickup from your guesthouse/hostel or Johannesburg Airport or Nelspruit and drive in air-conditioned vehicle to Tremisana Game Lodge in the Balule section of the Kruger National Park. After a short break, during which you can unwind at the bar or enjoy a quick swim, we board an open Landcruiser for a Sunset Drive. Toast the magnificent African sunset with your favourite liquid "sundowner" . After dark, your ranger will use a powerful spotlight to identify nocturnal animals. Drive to Marc's Treehouse Lodge where you will be accommodated in fascinating treehouses. Dinner will be held in our boma, around a crackling open fire.
Day 2 : After breakfast, we depart for the Orpen Gate of Kruger Park. From your open Gameviewer you are afforded an outstanding opportunity to fully experience Africa's wild animals. The elevated vantage position and absence of glass windows allow for truly unforgettable sight, sound and scent experiences and brilliant photographic opportunities. Spend the full day game-viewing and bird-watching in the company of a knowledgeable guide. Overnight in your romantic treehouse with the sounds of the African night to lull you to sleep.
Day 3 : After breakfast visit the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre, where orphaned and injured animals and birds are cared for . After lunch, we go on a 3-4 hour hike in the Kruger Park. Your armed Kruger Park rangers lead you into the African bush on foot following the spoor of big game. They will interpret spoor, scats and signs left by passing animals. The thrill of walking, tracking and eventually getting close enough to photograph big animals is an unforgettable experience.
Day 4 : Another full day of gameviewing and birdwatching from the open Gameviewer. Your guide will use his intimate knowledge of the Park and travel along different roads in an attempt to show you the Big Five. From your open Gameviewer, your chances of seeing the Big Five are greatly enhanced. Dinner and overnight at Marc's Camp.
Day 5 : Visit the Endangered Wildlife Project at Kapama, where a guided tour gets you close to cheetah, wild dogs and other endangered species. After lunch drive to Balule private Big Five Game Reserve for a late afternoon game drive on an open Landcruiser. After dark, your ranger will use a powerful spotlight to locate nocturnal animals. Return to Marc's Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 : Early morning game walk accompanied by your ranger, who will attempt to get close to the multitude of animals that have made their home at Marc's Treehouse Lodge. After breakfast, we drive to the Blyde Canyon where you view the breathtaking Three Rondawels. We return to Gauteng, arriving by 16h00. Airport dropoff by arrangement.

4 day Safari
Day One: As in day 1 of 6 day safari above.
Day Two: As in day 2 of 6 day safari above.
Day Three: As in day 4 of 6 day safari above.
Day Four: As in day 6 of 6 day safari above.

3 day Safari
Day One: As in day 1 of 6 day safari above.
Day Two: As in day 2 of 6 day safari above.
Day Three: As in day 6 of 6 day safari above.

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One Day/One Night Safari (Funky Safaris) FS1

Departure: daily
Depart from: Nelspruit
End in:Nelspruit
Included:
Transfers to and from Kruger
Conservation & entry fees
Qualified guides
Meals
Accommodation in our tented camp in Kruger
Game Drives in Open Safari Game Viewing Vehicles

Price per Person: R1950 sharing

You'll wake up really early in the morning, before sunrise, brush your teeth, take a moment to chill, and then suddenly WHABAM!! you'll see our friendly driver appear as if miraculously, to scoop you up and safely transport you to your African dream. As your eyes slowly start adjusting to the break of dawn, you'll catch your first glimpse of Africa's jewel, "The Kruger National Park". Once there, you'll hop onto our OPEN SAFARI VEHICLES and adventure truly begins. You'll be in the bush for most of the day; we'll feed you a spectacular, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, our guides will give you loads of valuable information about our wildlife and the area. You get to sit back and enjoy discovering the Kruger, learning about conservation, animal nature and all the while taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the African Bushveld. The evening is spend round the camp fire enjoying a traditional African meal under the stars. The following morning you wake up before sunrise and head off on our last game drive of the Safari before returning for a hearty breakfast and your transfer back to Nelspruit in time for all major bus departures.
What to bring along: Cameras, sunscreen, jacket for early mornings and evenings, swimsuit, insect repellent and a torch.

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Bestseller: Two Day Package (Funky Safaris) FS2

Departure: daily
Depart from: Nelspruit
End in:Nelspruit
Included:
TWO FULL DAYS IN KRUGER
Transfers to and from Kruger
Conservation & entry fees
Qualified guides
Meals
Accommodation in our tented camp in Kruger
Two Days of Game Drives in Open Safari Game Viewing Vehicles

Price per Person: R2850 sharing

It is day two now, and you don't have a bus to catch... YAY!. You've woken up before sunrise and the game drives begin! What to do after breakfast? You are on a safari, remember? Back into the bush with you, you couldn't possibly have seen it all in one day, there is a whole world to explore, more lions, more ellies, baby rhinos, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE! More great food, another whole day in the wild, exactly what you need, your dream... a reality.

On the morning of the third day you set off on your final game drive before breakfast and being transferred back to Nelspruit or the airport in time for all major bus services.
What to bring along: Cameras, sunscreen, jacket for early mornings and evenings, swimsuit, insect repellent and a torch.

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Three Day Kruger Bestseller (Funky Safaris) FS3

Departure: daily
Depart from: Nelspruit
End in:Nelspruit
Included:
THREE FULL DAYS IN KRUGER
Transfers to and from Kruger
Conservation & entry fees
Qualified guides
Meals
Accommodation in our tented camp in Kruger
Three Days of Game Drives in Open Safari Game Viewing Vehicles

Price per Person: R3750 sharing

So, we all know exactly what happens on day one and two, it Rocks, remember? But you've got time now, you are in Africa now, and you don't know when you'll be back again, so let me tell you about Day Three.

Day three will start off absolutely nothing like your average day at home. Yes, you guessed it, we start real early, early is good, especially in the bush and it is your last chance to see the BIG 5... The safari runs exactly like day one and two, but we head off in different directions through the park, so you get to see more landscapes, a bigger variety of fauna & flora and, you guessed it, MORE ANIMALS.
What to bring along: Cameras, sunscreen, jacket for early mornings and evenings, swimsuit, insect repellent and a torch.

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