Welcome to your South African Wildlife Adventure : Thrilling Animal Encounters Daily

Your guides will arrange the daily activities according to weather, previous animal sightings, or other factors. This itinerary is representative of what your days will be like,but exact order and activities may vary.

We keep you busy and fill the best game viewing times of the day - morning and evening, with excellent wildlife encounters and photographic opportunities.

Most days will have an early start with a game viewing activity including a break for morning tea, afterwards, returning for a full breakfast. The mid morning to mid afternnon is your free time to work on your images, relax, or enjoy the lodge. After a light, late lunch we depart for another game drive or activity. Dinner is served at 7pm each evening and served under the stars in our authentic boma.

On the day we visit Kruger National Park we will leave early and stay in the park all day until they close at sunset. It takes around 30 minutes to drive to the park entrance. On the day we visit the nearby canyon and wildlife rehabilitation centre we will have an earlier breakfast and depart afterwards.

Some of the game drives will have a focus such as finding rhinosaurus. We make the best attempt to present photographic opportunies according to the interests of each guest.

Day 1: Your South African Adventure Beings

All guests meet up at the Johannesburg airport where you will be greeted and everyone will board the minibus for transfer to the game lodge in Limpopo Province.

You will travel northeast to arrive at the tree house game lodge. Now is the time to unwind and unpack the photo gear. Depending on arrival time, you will be served an afternoon tea (a light meal) and given an orientation by the lodge staff and your guides. If possible, you will have your first afternoon game drive on the lodge’s reserve followed by dinner.

Day 2 : The African animals are ready to impress

We rise early then depart on a morning game drive on a private reserve capturing the “golden hour” light . We may see predators finishing their night of hunting and catch the daytime animals as they start their day. A scenic spot or observation blind will be our spot for a morning tea and coffee break. We return to a full English breakfast. Following the meal you will have the mid day to relax.

We meet up again at afternoon tea for a light meal then depart for an afternoon game drive on a nearby private reserve. Our animal encounters keep us busy until sunset when we pull over to enjoy a cocktail or refreshment while watching the sky change color and listen to the lions roar at the start of their evening of hunting. It is getting dark now and we return to the lodge slowly using a spotlight to carefully watch for leopards, lions, and other nocturnal creatures that may be just emerging.

Day 3 : Kruger; Amazing and Beautiful

We need an early start today because we are heading out to Kruger National Park and arrive just as the gates open at sunrise. Many exciting encounters await us today. Our experienced drivers work with your guides to choose the most promising areas of the park given the weather and movement of the animals in the previous days. We will spend the whole day in the park and not return until the park closes at dusk. In the park are concession stands where you can purchase gifts and food items to supplement our packed lunch.

Day 4 : Relaxation, Conservation Awareness, and Close Encounters

Today we leave the lodge in the morning to take a relaxing  a cruise of the Blyde Canyon. The carved red rock formations are impressive but no less impressive are the hippopotamus and Nile crocodiles that coexist in this waterway.

In the afternoon we  visit the Moholoholo Wildlife rehabilitation center. They have many birds of prey to observe up close as well as big cats and other animal ambassadors.  The staff and the centre educate the visitors as to their role in wildlife conservation and on the current issues effecting the animals of this region.
Before dinner we have time to gather for photo critiques or to discuss digital photography topics such as white balance management,  post processing, or backups.

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Day 5 : The Bush From an Elephant's Prospective

This morning we travel to a nearby reserve to experience a safari on the back of an elephant. The elephants are a herd of rescued and orphaned elephants and their handlers will introduce you to each one and their story. Guests can touch and feel this incredible animal then mount their ride on a comfortable saddle and enjoy a relaxing and unique bushveld experience. You will have a unique chance to photograph plains game who are completely relaxed in the presence of the elephants.
            The afternoon will be open for guests to relax. The time can be used to learn and exchange photography techniques. Today may be a good day to prepare for some sunset and starscape photography from the lodge. Our evening will again be occupied by an evening game drive with a return after dark for our evening meal.

Day 6: Tracking the Big 5

This afternoon we take an exciting game drive into one of the most famous private big 5 game reserves. The guides in our vehicle really know their animals and can find lions, elephants, and rhinos very quickly. You will not believe how close they can get - you may want to bring a shorter lens in addition to your long lens. We stay until after dark and often catch smaller preditors such as caracals and shervals on the way back. What a thrill to turn out the lights and listen to the rhinos munching under the Southern Hemisphere starscape.

Day 7 :

Awaken to Big 5

This morning will be our second chance to experience the reserve with all of the Big 5, this time in the morning. Expert guides are out early before the guests arrive reading the tracks from the night before and they often find the predator still snacking on its kill. This afternoon is another opportunity for catching up on your photos and learning some new techniques from your guides. We will also use this time to schedule an activity such as a game walk or canopy tour.

 

Day 8 : Kruger, Never the Same Twice

Today is our second outing to Kruger National Park. Never the same experience twice, we will explore a different area. A hot day may lead us down to the grass filled riverbeds where elephants wade, or a cooler day may be excellent for finding large herds in the open grass plains.

Day 9 : Focus on Conservation

Not far from our reserve is a family owned lodge on a big 5 reserve where they have been running succesful lion, caracal, and cheetah breeding programs for decades. Animal embassadors often visit while guests relax and enjoy the their wonderful European style cuisine. We will participate in their game drives and learn about their programmes while getting some great shots of big cats and other big 5.

Day 10 : All Good Things Must End

But not before a huge breakfast and some final photos. Your transportation will get you back to Johannesburg in plenty of time to catch your evening flight back.