Mad Mongoose | With Pano Route

In a nutshell

Number of nights:

Lodges:

Chacma Bush Camp (4 nights)
Rio Dos Elefantes (4 nights)
nThambo Tree Camp (4 nights)

Price:

From R 38.500 / 2.200 £ per person

Includes local flight from Johannesburg to Kruger area and back
Includes all transfers to and from the airports, and all inter-lodge transfers
Includes two safari activities per day at all lodges
Includes all day trips in and around the Panorama Route

International flights:

Not included
Count at least about 400 £ per person from UK
Ask us for more info

Strong points

◦ Safari in private reserves with open borders to Kruger National Park
◦ Off-roading, bush walks and night drives allowed
◦ Qualitative wildlife encounters; maximum two vehicles per sighting meaning no "bush jams"
◦ Very experienced guides and trackers
◦ Qualitative and very comfortable lodges
◦ "Lowveld" day trips included, to the panorama route and more. No need to rent a car and drive yourself.

LODGES

Chacma Bush Camp

Chacma Bush Camp offers the perfect big five safari experience in 8000 hectares of undulating landscapes dotted with rocky outcrops. This family-friendly camp in the Maseke Balule Game Reserve, part of Balule reserve, sleeps a total of 10 people, and thus offers an authentic and intimate safari experience. Deep caves on the traverse and the Olifants River coursing through the region provide the perfect diverse landscape for game drives.

There are 3 chalets at Chacma Bush Camp, constructed from a mix of stone and natural boulders. Each of the rooms is similar in its decor, amenities and finishing’s but differs slightly in its layout and views. All rooms have air-con, plenty of cupboard space and en-suite bathroom with shower. The camp has a swimming pool overlooking a waterhole.

Chacma Bush Camp is led and guided by Luan Oosthuizen, former head guide of nThambo Tree Camp, and his girlfriend Em Gatland, famous wildlife photographer. He is a proper “bush boy” who’s knowledge and experience can hardly be beat by anyone in the industry. Em can provide some photography tips, if needed.

Rio Dos Elefantes

This lodge is situated on the Olifants river in the Balule Nature Reserve between Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa. Balule is part of the Kruger National Park; there are no border between the reserve and the National Park. The Olifants river serves as a highway for migratory species such as elephants and buffalo, and water/forest loving species such as bushbuck, nyala and waterbuck. A resident pride of lions passes the lodge regularly. And of course let’s not forget; bird life especially on the river is profoundly represented.

The lodge sleeps 14 quests with en suite rooms and has an outside lapa on the banks of the river. Your room is one of the brand new ones, with a large deck overlooking the river. There’s a swimming pool and big lawns where children can play safely; the lodge is fenced, to keep out the wild animals.

Rio Dos Elefantes is the former home of Mr. Van Reenen – Van Vuren, ex-warden of Kruger National Park. As such, the lodge literally breathes history as it is jam-packed with paraphernalia. Your host Agnes has some amazing stories to tell.

This lodge will be your vantage point to explore the Kruger National Park itself, but also to explore the famous Panorama Route and the most important lowveld-attractions like Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre and Jessica The Hippo.

nThambo Tree Camp

nThambo Tree Camp is situated in the "Ross" block within the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, not far from sister camp Africa On Foot. Both camps have the same owners; Courteney en Cecilia Blunden. nThambo Tree Camp's location is just perfect; on the highest point of a plain and with view on the Drakensberg mountains. Because all huts are on stilts, the view on the mountains is simply spectacular.

All huts are made from wood and canvas. No bricks are used. The lodge's central part has a high ceiling and contains a lounge, bar, swimming pool with sun deck, dining area, boma (fenced area with fire where the typical braai "barbeque" is done) and kitchen; all on a raised wooden platform.

The rooms are very romantic; made from wood, canvas and thatch roof. They are spacious with a queen sized bed and sufficient storage space. All rooms have an en-suite bathroom. with shower, washbasin and toilet. As far as we're concerned, nThambo's rooms are close to perfection.

Meals are hearthy and delicious. nThambo holds our record of "best Bobotie". Desserts are - unfortunately - delicious as well. If you have any dietary requirements, just let them know in advance.

nThambo Tree Camp employs the most legendary tracker ever; Isaac. He takes the nThambo guides behind the steering wheel to a lot of big cat sightings. Important is that nThambo also has perfect traverse on Klaserie; they share with other lodge in the neighbourhood, but also traverse on farms/properties that those other lodges do not. As a result, there’s always something to see on a game drive from nThambo, and whatever sighting you get; it’s never a crowded affair.

SAFARI
ITINERARY
IN DETAIL

Day 1

Afternoon or evening; international flight to South Africa.

Day 2

Morning; arrival in Johannesburg
Noon: flight from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit and transfer to Chacma Bush Camp
Afternoon: game drive on Balule Private Nature Reserve
Evening: night drive in Balule Private Nature Reserve, followed by dinner
Overnight at Chacma Bush Camp

Day 3

Morning: game drive in Balule Private Nature Reserve followed by breakfast
Noon: relax in camp and have a light lunch
Afternoon: game drive on Balule Private Nature Reserve
Evening: night drive in Balule Private Nature Reserve, followed by dinner
Overnight at Chacma Bush Camp

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Morning: game drive in Balule Private Nature Reserve followed by breakfast
Noon: transfer to Rio Dos Elefantes, relax in camp and have a light lunch
Afternoon: Short sunset drive with sundowner stop at a hippo pool in the river, followed by dinner
Overnight at Rio Dos Elefantes

Day 7

Morning: breakfast at Rio Dos Elefantes
Full day: Panorama Route tour with private guide and vehicle
Dinner & overnight at Rio Dos Elefantes

Day 8

Morning: breakfast at Rio Dos Elefantes
Full day: Kruger National Park tour with private guide and vehicle
Dinner & overnight at Rio Dos Elefantes

Day 9

Morning: breakfast at Rio Dos Elefantes
Full day: Visit Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre and Jessica The Hippo with private guide and vehicle
Dinner & overnight at Rio Dos Elefantes

Day 10

Morning: breakfast at Rio Dos Elefantes
Noon: transfer to Nthambo Tree Camp, relax in camp and have a light lunch
Afternoon: game drive in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve
Evening: night drive in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, followed by dinner
Overnight at Nthambo Tree Camp

Day 11

Morning: game drive on Klaserie Private Nature Reserve followed by breakfast
Noon: relax in camp and have a light lunch
Afternoon: game drive in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve
Evening: night drive in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, followed by dinner
Overnight at Nthambo Tree Camp

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Morning: game drive on Klaserie Private Nature Reserve followed by breakfast
Noon; transfer to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport and flight to Johannesburg
Evening; international flight to UK

Day 15

Morning/noon: arrival in UK

Included / not included

Included

◦ Local flight Johannesburg to Hoedspruit and back
◦ All accommodation as summarized above
◦ All activities as summarized above
◦ All entrance fees of Panorama Route attractions
◦ Entrance fees of Kruger National Park
◦ Entrance fees of Moholoholo and Jessica The Hippo
◦ All meals in the lodges, except lunches during day trips
◦ Accompanied by experienced wildlife guides and trackers

Not included

◦ International flights
◦ Travel insurance
◦ Personal expenditure
◦ Medical expenditure (vaccinations, malaria tablets)
◦ Tips & gratuities
◦ Meals during day trips while staying at Rio Dos Elefantes
◦ All drinks (but prices are rather low. For example; a soft drink is about 1,5£)
◦ Conservation levies. Private reserves ask for a small contribution per person and per vehicle, either payable at the gate or added to your bill at the end of your stay at every lodge. These are small amounts of 15 to 20£.

Additional info

There is a single supplement for any person traveling alone.

This is just a sample itinerary, which can be adapted to your wishes. For example;

◦ Extra nights in the same or additional lodges
◦ Swap out safari lodges for other safari lodges
◦ Add an extention to Cape Town
◦ Add an extention to the Garden Route
◦ Extentions can be added anywhere in the itinerary

Ask us for the possibilities!

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