Overview
A Kruger tour that combines the freedom you get in a South African private park with the essential safari experience of The Kruger National Park. Private Parks allow guided safari groups to follow in the spoor of and track the big 5 on foot, stay out after dark on a night drive with a spot light and even drive off road to get close up to a kill or photograph a leopard in a tree. The Kruger is an unsurpassed expanse of wilderness with diverse and dramatic landscapes and incredible species diversity- in wildlife, birding and all aspects of a bush experience.
This Kruger tour leaves Johannesburg in the early morning of every Monday and travels the 5 hours to a meeting point at the gate into the Private Parks where guests are greeted with a welcoming drink and transferred to an awaiting vehicle that will then head out to nDzuti Safari Camp some 25 minutes drive away. nDzuti Safari Camp is an oasis in the bush- a gem of lush lawns and sparkling pool where Brett and Sherie the hosts and rangers settle guests in before lunch is served in the shady garden. The open vehicle game drive leaves following afternoon tea. The nDzuti area is large and varied with the Klaserie River forming a large ox bow, cliffs and koppies and open plains. Brett is a skilled ranger guide with years of experience and a sharp eye for spotting game and creating incredible photographic opportunities. A cold box accommpanies the drive; packed with drinks for sundowners. The drive pauses at sunset to enjoy a drink and toast the setting sun. After dark; a hand held spot light facilitates the quest for nocturnal animal sightings. Back at nDzuti the camp fire is burning and dinner is served in the boma seated around the fire under the star-lit skies.
Each day brings a morning and afternoon/night drive exploring the nDzuti concession and working on that "Life List" of sought after wildlife and bird sighting. The pace is leisurely and the middle of the day is set aside for a siesta or sun bathing at the pool side. Occasionally a trip to a game viewing hide is planned with a picnic lunch and cold box of drinks. During the course of any particular game drive at nDzuti safari camp, spontaneous walks are always a possibility, as it is sometimes the best way to find animals. There is nothing quite like tracking a dangerous animal-out there on foot and somewhat out of your element; it is a thrilling and unforgettable process. A ranger that is cautious as well as armed with years of experience and a suitable weapon is of utmost importance and generally for safty reasons children under 16 may not accompany these walks.
In the early morning of day four after tea and rusks are served the tour departs for the Orpen Gate into Kruger National Park in the comfort of an air conditioned vehicle. Distances can be large and we find it better to use a closed vehicle for this leg. En route we drop off luggage and collect a packed picnic breakfast at Tom Cats Safari Inn. The day is spent in the Park stopping occasionally at waterholes, picnic sites and rest camps and with excellent photographic opportunities presenting themselves along the way. The overnight is at Tom Cats in en suite thatched chalets. The morning is at leisure birding a fishing in the great surrounds and meeting for breakfast before the shuttle back to the city just before noon.
Wildlife Encounters- Best of Both Worlds-Greater Kruger Park Tour- Mondays to Fridays
Day 1Guests are collected from OR Tambo for accommodation within 5 km of the airport and travel by micro bus to The Greater Kruger Park a 5 hour journey. They then change vehicles and enter the reserve to travel 20km to nDzuti Safari Camp. Lunch is served before the afternoon game drive. The drive stops for sundowners before continuing as a night drive with hand held spot light. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2
Tea and coffee with biscuits are served before the early morning game drive. After a 3-4 hour guided drive/walk guest return to camp for a hearty breakfast. Lunch is served and guests can relax at the pool or in the hide overlooking the waterhole. Tea and coffee and purified water is freely available all day. Afternoon game drive/ night drive. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3
Same as Day 2
Day 4
After tea and coffee in the early morning guests are collected for a journey into the Kruger National Park. The vehicle stops briefly at Tom Cats where luggage is off loaded and a packed picnic breakfast is collected. The full day is spent in the Kruger National Park, stopping at rest camps and picnic spots for refreshments and to stretch the legs. The tour leaves the Park before closing time and heads back to Tom Cats for drinks and dinner and a rest full night sleep.
Day 5
The morning is at leisure birding or fishing at the picturesque dam at Tom Cats. A relaxed breakfast is served before the Johannesburg shuttle leaves at noon to get back to the city at 17:00hr.
