Day 1
Your safari begins at Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) were you will be met by on arrival by a member of our team and transferred to Rukiya Safari Camp just 25 mins away.
Eastgate Airport is the established gateway to the heartland of South Africas wildlife game viewing reserves and has three daytime flights arriving each day from Johannesburg, that are scheduled to assist international visitors to easily connect with Hoedspruit.
You will arrive at Rukiya Safari Camp in time to settle in and rest and relax. Rukiya is a small luxury tented camp within the Wild Rivers Reserve and is a key area for our leopard research team. The camp nestles along the banks of the Blyde River among age old trees, a truly stunning location.
Later in the day, before the sun sets, we can take a short stroll along the river bank and enjoy a sundowner, returning to the lodge for dinner.

Day 2
You are woken with an invigorating cup of coffee before setting off on a morning game drive. Your morning game drive will take you through the Wild Rivers Reserve and into the adjacent Balule Reserve (part of the Greater Kruger Park) where you will be able to enjoy your first big five game drive. Lunch is followed by time to relax and enjoy the views from your private deck with river views, before your afternoon game drive in the Wild Rivers Reserve, before returning home for a sumptuous dinner.

Day 3
An early morning game drive will take you through the Wild Rivers Reserve and into the adjacent Balule Reserve (part of the Greater Kruger Park), breakfast will be served in the bush before return to Rukiya. There will be time to rest and relax and enjoy lunch, before your afternoon game drive in the Wild Rivers Reserve
Return to camp for drinks and dinner.

Day 4 & 5
After a morning bush walk or game drive and leisurely breakfast you will transfer to the nearby Thornybush Game Reserve, famed for its exceptional game viewing and a favoured location for movie stars and the rich and famous, providing a lovely sedate bush atmosphere, with personal and friendly service. Even on bush roads it takes only 45 mins to transfer to Thornybush so you will have plenty of time to settle in and relax before afternoon high tea and game drive. Again returning to your lodge for dinner.
Your second day in the Thornybush Game Reserve starts with an early morning game drive, returning to you lodge in time for a late breakfast/brunch. After which guests may have the option of taking an accompanied big five bush walk. An opportunity to trail in the Thornybush Game Reserve is an experience that will never be forgotten. The trail will return for a well-deserved rest during the heat of the day, where there will be time to relax and enjoying watching animals passing by. The afternoon game drive will start after high tea and will cover previously unseen areas of the reserve, followed by dinner often taken around the fire in an outside boma.

Day 6
After a morning bush walk or game drive and leisurely breakfast you will transfer to Nzumba safari lodge in the nearby Klaserie Game Reserve which is also part of the Greater Kruger Park. On arrival there will be time to settle in before an evening game drive, returning to the lodge after the sun has set. nZumba is also a key location for our leopard research program, offering an extra insight into the resident leopard population.

Day 7
An early morning wake-up and an invigorating cup of fresh coffee, will start your first full day in the Klaserie reserve, followed by a game drive before returning to the lodge for breakfast. You will have plenty of time for a well-deserved rest during the heat of the day, where there will be time to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the African bush. The afternoon game drive will cover previously unseen areas of the reserve, again returning after dark in time for dinner. There are no boundary fences between the Klaserie and Kruger Park, therefore the bush dynamics are constantly changing which means every walk or drive may offer new and exciting events. As we always say snooze and you loose.

Day 8
On your last morning in Klaserie, your game drive aims to visit those parts of the concession that we haven’t had time to reach previously, offering an opportunity to get those final photographs, before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Then transfer back to Rukiya Safari Camp. Guests often remark that returning to Rukiya “feels like going home” and makes an ideal end to your safari.

Day 9
An early morning game drive will take you through the Wild Rivers Reserve and into the adjacent Balule Reserve (part of the Greater Kruger Park), breakfast will be served in the bush before return to Rukiya. There will be time to rest and relax and enjoy lunch, followed by an late afternoon game drive.

Day 10
A final morning bush walk in the Wild Rivers Reserve followed by brunch. Then you will then transfer to Hoedspruit Airport (25 mins) which marks the end of your safari. Arriving in time for your connecting flight to Johannesburg. Alternately, if you prefer a road transfer (5 hours, taking in part of the Panorama route through the Drakensburg mountains), then again, we can arrange this for you. In which case your arrival at Johannesburg Airport will be around 17:00.

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South Africa | On Track Safaris | Kruger Park Birding

South Africa | On Track Safaris | Kruger Park Birding

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