Safari through the north of South Africa (luxury)

At the airport of Johannesburg you will be met by a driver and brought to your accommodation for the night.

You will stay one night in African Rock Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis. This exclusive boutique hotel is located in a quiet suburb of Johannesburg; Kempton Park. Relax in the lush tropical garden or by the pool. The interior is a wonderful combination of African, Western and Eastern design trends and offers a warm, cozy and relaxed atmosphere. Would you prefer to take a day longer from your trip? We are happy to book an extra night for you at this luxury hotel.

Today you may not have the real Africa feeling, but you are still in the South African business center. This will soon change. After breakfast you will be brought back to the airport and you can receive your Europcar category M car (Renault Duster or similar). Would you rather have the car delivered? This is also possible at an additional cost.

Then you head north to the Welgevonden Game Reserve. After a journey of approximately 230 kilometers you will be in the African Bush. This 37,000 hectare private game reserve is home to the Big Five (lion, buffalo, elephant, rhino, leopard), and is known for its large population of white rhinos. The luxury Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway lodge is located in this reserve.

You stay two nights at Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway in a suite based on accommodation, all meals and local drinks and two game drives with a 4×4 per day. Indulge yourself in this beautiful accommodation. Game drives are conducted under the guidance of expert rangers and last approximately three to four hours. In the winter months (May-August) the morning game drive leaves at 6:30 am and the afternoon safari at 3:30 pm. In the summer months (September April) the game drives depart at 05:30 and 16:00, these are the times when the game is active (especially predators), so you are more likely to spot them.

After this first encounter with the wildlife in South Africa, you will travel further north today. Your next destination is located between beautiful mountains and green forests. You drive back to the N1 highway in the direction of Polokwane and from there you travel to your final destination near Tzaneen (day distance: 320 km). This environment is characterized by beautiful mountains (the Wolkbergen or Wolkberg Mountains), the Tzaneen Dam and the plantations with (sub) tropical fruits such as mangoes, bananas, oranges, avocados, lychees, tea, macadamia nuts and pineapples.

No long distance to drive today (117 km), but please note that not all roads in this area are in good condition, adjust your speed as needed. After breakfast you drive in the direction of Hoedspruit and the Greater Kruger Park where your next accommodation is located: Chacma Bush Camp.

After the last game drive and and breakfast it is unfortunately already time to check out again. You leave the Balulu game reserve and, if you have enough time, can visit a number of sights along the Panorama Route. Today you have a good distance to drive (almost 460 kilometers from your accommodation to the airport of Johannesburg, +/- 6 hours), so don’t leave too late. From the lodge you drive towards Hoedspruit and then via the R36 in a southerly direction to Ohrigstad and Lydenburg (nowadays called Mashishing). Along the way you get a turn to the R532, this road takes you to the northern point of the Panorama Route and here you can visit the special Three Rondavels and the Blyde River canyon, an absolute must in clear weather! After viewing the Three Rondavels, you can drive back to the R36 or you can choose to drive the rest of the Panorama Route in a southerly direction to Graskop. Here you can visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window, among other things, but this takes more time. If desired, you can book an extra night in this area.

In Johannesburg you hand in the rental car at the airport, after which you check in for your return flight. Or you can extend your trip with one of our other travel options in, for example, the south of South Africa.