Overview
- Big 5 safari in Greater Kruger park.
- Guided game drives in open vehicles.
- Two nights accommodation at Tom Cats Safari Inn at Timbavati Gate.
- Luncheon boat cruise in Blyde River Canyon- 3 largest world wide.
- Micro light flying over reserve.
- Self drive option or shuttle available.
Detailed Itinerary
This package is affordable and varied to give visitors an exciting but well balanced safari taking in the big 5 Greater Kruger and the Blyde River Canyon.
Access to the area is via flight from Johannesburg into Eastgate airport just 15 km from the base camp Tom Cats Safari Inn. The self drive option is available with a 5 hour drive on good tarred surface all the way. A daily shuttle in air conditioned mini bus is leaves the city at dawn and gets to the base camp at 11.30.
Tom Cats Safari Inn which serves as the base for this safari is conveniently located at the gate into the private reserves. Four en-suite bedrooms in a garden setting and alongside a dam make up the lodge with an open plan lounge, dinning and interactive kitchen area.
Lunch is served on the patio before the afternoon game drive sets off in search of some memorable wildlife encounters. The high density of game in the area makes for productive game drives, the "Big 5” are always in demand, however the ranger guide points out all species as well birds and includes fascinating details like insects and animal track interpretation. The game drive pauses for sundowners and then goes on into the night with a hand-held spotlight to sight nocturnal game. Back at base pre-dinner drinks are served with a lively discussion about game sightings. Dinner is served around the fire (weather permitting) to the sounds of hippo calling and a distant lion or hyena.
The planned morning activity is a micro-light flight over the Associated Private Nature Reserves with veteran pilot Bruce Mc Donald. Bruce is likely to spot some interesting game from the air; an elephant bull in the reeded river bed or a large herd of Cape Buffalo grazing on the plains. After a 20 minute flight we make our way back to base, game viewing as we go. Breakfast is served and there is time to refresh and relax before the trip into the canyon for a luncheon boat cruise. The Blyde Canyon is the 3rd biggest in the world and this exceptional way to explore it on the cool blue waters of the dam presents a very different view of the canyon. The cruise visits bird breeding sites on the water and is on the look out for hippo and croc as well as other species like baboon, kudu antelope and even leopard. The geology is fascinating and a rare tufa waterfall one of the attractions. After the transfer back to camp the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Fishing is one option for the restless and mountain bikes are available too.
The following morning is an early start with an open vehicle game drive in one of the reserves. After three hours or so return to camp for a hearty breakfast and to say good byes and to transfer out to transport to Johannesburg.
