4 and 5 Day Greater Kruger National Park

Safari -  Greater Kruger, Private Reserve

This trip is highly recommended. I'm a guide and has done this myself - I had a fantastic time!

Prices 1 Nov 07 – 31 Oct 2008 Rates excluding drinks and entrance fees 4 day - Friday to Monday R4 500  5 day - Monday to Friday R5 300  + 5 % credit card charge + estimated R200 (Conservation Fee) The R200 or less fee will be collected while on tour. ** Departs 2 x a week: Monday and Friday guaranteed from Pretoria/Jo'burg. Nelspruit pickup or drop off if possible at an extra charge. Highlights:  Greater Kruger National Park and a Private Reserve, several  night drives, Daily walks on Private Reserve. Guaranteed for 1 pax.

**The Mon-Fri trail (5 day 4 night) will visit two camps in two different reserves, changing camps on Wednesdays. As a result of this the total of entrance fees for this trail is R195 at the moment, R100 for the Timbavati and R95 for the Klaserie. We will inform everyone as soon as we hear of any increases.
The Fri-Mon trail (4 day 3 night) will remain in one camp in one reserve, so our guests will either pay R100 or R95, depending on which reserve they will go to.
We are providing towels for each guest now, so towels no longer need to be brought with them. Please also note that sleeping bags are not needed – linen and blankets are also supplied

Note that these are the departure days. If you want a special transfer; it will cost you R2500 one way. The next best priced walking safari is going at R2500pp/day sharing & you have to get there yourself.

The tour leaves Johannesburg and Pretoria first thing (5am) in the morning and after a 5 hour journey arrives at our base camp. After introductions and lunch we leave for one of the bush camps.
As above some trail will spend time in 2 different bush camps, one being thatched buildings and the other tented. The different areas lend some diversity to the tour.
The mini bus trip on the public roads in Kruger falls away and once in the bush we use only open safari vehicles.

Sleeping bags are required for the tented camp and we do have for hire at R10 per day if need be.
There is an R200 conservation fee which is payable upon entry into the reserve and some cash is also needed for drinks and extras. Conservation fee normally increases 1 May every year.
 

Detailed itinerary for the Wildlife walking safaris.

We leave Johannesburg/Pretoria at first light and travel for about 4 hours before dropping down into the" lowveld ". The base camp is a total of 5 hours out of the city.
Then meet your ranger/ guide and share a drink at the pub before lunch. After lunch the vehicles are loaded and we head out for one of the bush camps. We change over from the mini bus into the open safari vehicles once we enter the reserves (about half and hour from base camp) and from then on we are looking for the game as you make your way through the bush.

Each trail will spend time in 2 different bush camps, one being brick and thatch and the other being tented. The tented camps require sleeping bags but the lodges have linen supplied. (We have sleeping bags for hire). The tents are large walk-in bow tents with twin beds and their own private veranda.
Each camp has a unique situation and ambience and the diversity of the areas adds hugely to the trail experience.

Afternoons are a walk /drive combination and sometimes we use a vehicle to get out to a spot and at other times you may do a night drive en route back to camp.
Meals are prepared by a camp cook and the menu follows that of al fresco and traditional South African cuisine.

We serve 3 meals a day with an extra early morning snack of " rusks" and coffee or cereal before the walk. There's a big brunch waiting for you back in camp after the morning outing and we serve a light lunch after siesta and before the afternoon game viewing. Tea and coffee is always available and there is a selection of drinks for purchase.

Morning walks start at first light. This is to beat the heat but also because that is when the animals are most active. The walk may be as long as 4 hours or much shorter depending on the season. The guides will pace the walk to match that of the group and an average fitness level is adequate. The group size is kept to a maximum of 8 for safety reasons and also so that everyone can experience what ever they may encounter while on trail. We regret no children under 16.
On the days when we move camps this is done after brunch and the drive between the camps is part of the whole experience. The open vehicles have a canvas cover for these trips.

Monday to Friday

Four nights at tented bush camp on the Klaserie River.

Friday to Monday

Three nights in tented bush camp on the Klaserie River.

Tour Includes: Transport to safari and back, accommodation in a private reserve, meals except when in transit, walks, night drives.

Tour Excludes: Alcohol and soft drinks, meals in transit.

Pickup Points:
In Pretoria @ Word of Mouth @ 4h30 to 5h00 - several others
In Johannesburg @ Park Plaza Sandton, Road Lodge Rivonia or JI Airport area, Airport Accommodation - The French Guesthouse @ about 6h00

Please note that you won't be able to fly in the day you want your tour to start. Clearing customs take at least an hour and flight lands late. With return the Jo'burg drop offs are currently 1st. As the operator hates the Jo'burg afternoon traffic as much as we do, we will offer you a free night in Pretoria when booking with us; also a free pickup at JIA when you land.

Age Group: This trip seems to appeal to the middle 30's and up, the more serious travellers. About 30% are from the UK, 20% each from Germany and Oz, 15 % Dutch

Suggestions: Bring your own camera, binoculars, towels, pillows and torch. Walking shoes for the trail. Warm jacket for the evening game drive. Anti malaria precautions are recommended. Please limit your baggage to one small bag.

Web masters note: We have 2 backpackers hostels and have send an estimated 4000 people to Kruger over the last 11 years. We have only dealt with this operator for the last 5 years. This is probably the trip with the best constant feedback we have ever had. The difference seems to be the combination of walking and driving. In Kruger budget operators have to use closed vehicles. Here is the opportunity to be in an open vehicle most the time. You also learn an incredible lot about other things like birds, trees and habits of animals while walking. And there is nothing like coming up close to an animal. I can personally vouch for the last 2 statements!! This trip is highly recommended. This is the one I would want to go on. Look at it this way: Anyone can go to Kruger; very few are privilege enough to be allowed to walk! It is dirt cheap at this price - the going rate for a walking safari is R2500 plus/p/day.

Recommendation:

Subject:  Huge Thank you
Date:  Thu, 18 Sep 2003 18:33:11 +0000
From: Lone Konradsen

Dear Jaco,

Well have finally arrived mentally anyway back in London and thought I would send a huge thank you. The safari with Transfrontiers was beyond anything I expected. We had a brilliant time, saw loads of animals both on foot and whilst driving around and felt totally safe with the ranger. The tented camp was superb and taking a shower under the stars was a first!

One bit of advise, unless you are planning to go back again in the very near future don't do the 4 day trip because you leave wanting to stay! I will definitely be back and have not stopped talking about it.

One little picture attached of our favourite rhino Short Horn, which was our first "on foot" encounter! WOW

All the best

Lone

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From: JANET SALTER/JANET KENNEDY
To: Adventure Travel Africa <mailto:wom@mweb.co.za ?subject='Q from ATA site's
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2002 6:09 AM
Subject: Re: Walking safari
Hello Zia I just want to let you know what a wonderful trip we had with Transfrontiers safaris. It was the highlight of our vacation in South Africa. The walking tour was such a unique experience. It was a wonderful way to see not just the big 5 animals, but all kinds of variety of plant, animal and bird life. Our ranger was exceptionally knowledgeable and we felt completely safe in his care.
The accommodations at the various camps was excellent. The entire staff at transfrontiers were so welcoming and friendly. They all went out of their way to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. Our ranger upon pick up told us "don't worry about anything for the next 5 days, we will make sure you see everything you want and take care of everything you need". He was so right. It certainly was the most worry free adventure we have ever been on.
For most Canadians a trip to any part of Africa is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The experiences of the walking safaris is one we will always remember and we have the photos to prove it.
Thank you for a wonderful vacation.
Sincerely,
Janet & Janet

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2006 -  WILDLIFE WALKING SAFARIS

STOPS WEDNESDAY DEPARTURE

From the 1st of November 2005 we will focus entirely on the Mon-Fri (5 day) and Fri-Mon (4 day) safaris. The Wed-Mon (6 day) safari has proven to be much less popular than the Monday and Friday departures and is considered to be very interruptive for the guests as well as Transfrontiers, as incoming guests on Wednesday are being joined with Monday and Friday departures.

All confirmed bookings on Wednesday departures that have been made already will be honoured. Until the 1st November no more bookings for less than 2 people will be accepted and after the 1st November the Wednesday departure will discontinue completely.

We believe that by phasing out the Wednesday departure we will offer more value for money as:

There will be 16 spaces available on both Monday and Friday departures,
Each trail stays the same from start to end with no interruptions on Wednesdays,
The week– and weekend trail can be combined into an 8 day 7 night safari on request,
Both trails will be offered as part of new and exciting packages, to be released shortly!

. Walking Safaris excluding transfers between JNB - Hoedspruit:

" Mon - Fri 5 day 4 night R5 300 pp sharing (rack)
" Fri - Mon 4 day 3 night R3 975 pp sharing (rack)

o Inclusive of accommodation, all meals and all walks and drives
o Exclusive of drinks and entrance fees
o Single supplement n/a as long as the guest is willing to share - if a single tent is required the surcharge is +50%
o Min age 16, if in a group of 4 people or more the min age is 12
o Reasonable fitness is required
o Each walking trail consists of a maximum of 8 people
o The 5 day 4 night safari visits both camps for 2 nights each; the 4 day 3 night safari stays in one camp for 3 nights.

Safari transfer fees:

" R250 pp one-way (net rate)

o Road transfers between JHB/Pretoria and Kruger
o Mondays and Fridays only
o Pick-ups from a selected list of hotels only

Overnight Rate

" R1.325 pppn sharing
" R1.750 pppn single

o Meeting point for self-drives at Josmacs Bush Pub on the Timbavati Road
o Rate includes transfers between Eastgate Airport or Josmacs and the bush camp they will visit (Klaserie or Timbavati Reserve)
o Rate includes accommodation, all meals and all drives and (optional) walks
o Rate excludes drinks and entrance fees
o Due to the remoteness of the camps and to increase the amount of game sightings, we strongly recommend a minimum stay of two nights
o Min age 12 unless the whole camp is booked

 Car Rental,  Soweto,   Pilanesberg,  Kruger National Park,  Lesedi, Backpackers, Groups
Adventure Travel Africa, 430 Reitz Street,  Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0002, ZA
Word  of  Mouth  Rules - Updated  April  2008
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