Mad Mongoose | Pure Safari I

In a nutshell

Number of nights:

Lodges:

Rukiya Tented Camp (4 nights)
Shindzela Tented Camp (4 nights)
Africa On Foot Camp (4 nights)

Price:

From R 40.000 / 2.300 £ 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

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

LODGES

Rukiya Tented Camp

Located between Drakensberg mountains and Greater Kruger Area, on the banks of the Blyde river (Which also flows through Blyde River Canyon).

This lodge is located in Wild Rivers Estate, a reserve just north of Hoedspruit. The airport is a mere twenty minutes away. The reserve is on the west side of the R40, which of course is a difference compared to reserves on the east side of the R40. The latter usually have open borders towards Kruger National Park. However, all wildlife can reach Wild Rivers Estate, via the Blyde- and Olifants rivers which flow under the R40. In other words; even though Wild Rivers is not known as a big five reserve, animals have made it their home. They haven't seen lions yet, but have heard them on the other side of Blyde River, across from Rukiya Camp. It is only a matter of time.

At Rukiya Camp your accommodation is a safari-tent with en-suite bathroom (with shower, wash basin and toilet), a fan, and a terrace with view on the Blyde River. The Camp is brand new (launched April 2016).

The owner of Rukiya Camp is a very experienced wildlife guide (FGASA level 3), and has hired equally knowledgeable guides. They are the ones accompanying you during all other safari activities.

Their safari activities are;

- A very long morning game drive on Balule reserve. This is a private reserve with open borders to Kruger. Rukiya has got traversing rights on a superb section of Balule, which features a long stretch of riverfront (the Olifants River runs through the reserve). These morning game drives last almost twice as long as a regular game drive at any other lodge. That is because Rukiya has a breakfast in the bush, somewhere on Balule reserve, and they only come back to the lodge after that.

- Short afternoon bumbles on Wild Rivers Estate, or an afternoon safari on foot, typically along the edge of the Blyde river. These walks are one of the things that set Rukiya apart from most competitors; not only does one get lots of wildlife sightings when walking along a river, but the knowledge of the guides lift the experience to an even higher level.

Shindzela Tented Camp

Shindzela safari camp is a 12 bed tented lodge, situated in the middle of Timbavati Private Reserve, right next to the known Ngala concession from AndBeyond (where a night's stay is a lot more expensive; just google it) and very close to the Kruger National Park borders.

The camp was established by Dave, an old-school FGASA level 3 guide (of which there are only a few). He learned the ropes from the old hands in the safari business and from legendary game rangers in the Kruger National Park like Bruce Lawson. Shindzela used to be owned by the Transfrontier group, an well known safari company. When the owners separated, Dave bought the lodge and continued on his own. Dave kept the old-school approach; for him the number of sighting is less important than the quality. There's nothing in between you and nature!

By now Dave is enjoying his well deserved retirement and the camp is now owned by three brothers. These gentlemen put the first Gomo Gomo Lodge on the map (now called Simbavati River Lodge) and repeated that success with the current Gomo Gomo lodge (in Klaserie Private Reserve). Shindzela is their third (and if you ask them; their final) project, and it seems they got it to perfection.

They also managed to persuade legendary guide Johan Smalman to join them. Together with Sam, a tracker that has been working in that area for 15+years, and some other great and knowledgeable guides, they created an awesome team that simply takes your safari to the next level.

Shindzela tented safari camp is certainly a hidden gem. Extra attention has been paid to bush walks; each morning you can opt between a game drive or pure bush walk. During bush walks you learn a lot about tracks, animal droppings, plants and trees and the finer details of nature's ecological web. This is the guides' way to take you as close to nature as possible.

Meals are home cooked and hearty; this is another plus for Shindzela tented safari camp; their chef's ability to create awesome meals with simple ingredients and served with pride!

Africa On Foot Camp

Africa On Foot camp is situated in the south part of Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, where you can also find its sister lodge; nThambo Tree Camp.

This camp specialises in Big Five safaris and walking safaris in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve; a wildlife rich region in the heart of the Greater Kruger. The Klaserie shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park which means predators and other wildlife roam freely throughout.

The focus of the walking safaris is on animal tracks and droppings, trees, grasses, insects,… But you can also experience a big 5 encounter.

On a walking safari guests will be led by experienced and professional game rangers through a wildlife area rich in game. The game rangers are obliged to take a rifle on the walks, to be able to protect guests if needed (which would be highly unusual).

Please note that children younger than 16 are not allowed on walks. They have the option to do a game drive instead.

Africa On Foot Camp has 5 chalets ensuring an intimate and personal safari experience. On hot summer days guests can relax at the splash pool and enjoy a traditional South African barbecue (braai) around the camp fire area in the boma.

This camp has regular rooms which accommodate 2 guests, but they have two family rooms as well. These sleep 2 adults and 2 children. All chalets are with thatched roof. They have an en-suite bathroom which have an outside shower in the regular rooms.

For the more adventurous there is a treehouse which can be booked at no extra cost.

It is a real bush camp, they’re off the grid and supply power by means of solar panels and a generator. There’s no A/C on the room but each room has a fan. You can recharge your phone and batteries in the main area.
Free wifi is available.

Meals (buffet style or plated) are served at set times but the atmosphere is casual. They offer a style of dining where all the guests eat together and talk about their safari experience.

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 Rukiya Tented Camp
Afternoon: game drive or -walk on Wild Rivers Estate
Dinner & overnight at Rukiya Tented Camp

Day 3

Morning: game drive with breakfast in Balule Private Nature Reserve
Noon: relax in camp and have a light lunch
Afternoon: game drive or -walk on Wild Rivers Estate
Dinner & overnight at Rukiya Tented Camp

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Morning: game drive with breakfast in Balule Private Nature Reserve
Noon: transfer to Shindzela Camp, relax in camp and have a light lunch
Afternoon: game drive on Timbavati Reserve
Evening: night drive in Timbavati Reserve, followed by dinner
Overnight at Shindzela Tented Camp

Day 7

Morning: game drive or -walk on Timbavati Reserve followed by breakfast
Noon: relax in camp and have a light lunch
Afternoon: game drive on Timbavati Reserve
Evening: night drive in Timbavati Reserve, followed by dinner
Overnight at Shindzela Tented Camp

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Morning: game drive or -walk on Timbavati Reserve followed by breakfast
Noon: transfer to Africa On Foot 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 Africa On Foot Camp

Day 11

Morning: game drive or -walk 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 Africa On Foot Camp

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Morning: game drive or -walk 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 meals in the lodges
◦ Accompanied by experienced wildlife guides and trackers

Not included

◦ International flights
◦ Travel insurance
◦ Personal expenditure
◦ Medical expenditure (vaccinations, malaria tablets)
◦ Tips & gratuities
◦ 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 the Panorama Route
◦ 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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Need more info?

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