Mad Mongoose | Pure SAfari II

In a nutshell

Number of nights:

Lodges:

Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge (4 nights)
Buffelshoek Tented Camp (4 nights)
nThambo Tree Camp (4 nights)

Price:

From R 45.000 / 2.500 £ 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

Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge

Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge lies deep within the Balule private reserve; about half ann hour away from the gate! The lodge is located in the south part of the reserve, and has the biggest traversing area of all lodges on the reserve. Its location and its traverse have some advantages;

◦ The deeper you are in the reserve, the closer you are to Kruger National Park borders and Klaserie Reserve borders, and the farther away you are from civilisation (and all the negative effects that come with it such as noise and light pollution).
◦ Mohlabetsi is not located at the Olifants River (which is located all the way north in the reserve), but they can drive there whenever they want. There's actually two stretches of the river they can get to. A game drive to a river that's flowing all year means seeing a larger wildlife diversity. You'll find many more bird species there, but also mammals that are very water-dependent (nyala, bushbuck, hippo, ...). And of course, crocodiles. Very few lodges can offer a river view; Klaserie and Timbavati reserves have smaller rivers which are not always flowing. Only the Sands River in the Sabi Sands reserve is similar to the Olifants River. But the lodges in Sabi Sands are usually much more expensive.
◦ Close to the river it becomes quite rocky, and there's a lot of bushes. The ideal habitat for black rhinos. And you guessed it; yes, these animals can be seen in Balule! Nineteen of them were reintroduced, and by now they already have three calves! There's only about 2,000 black rhinos left in the wild, spread across Africa. They are threatened with extinction. But in Balule they do well!
◦ The huge traversing area of Mohlabetsi mean that they can get to every sighting they want. They share their digital radio channel with other lodges such as Ezulwini (two lodges), Pondoro and Greenfire. If one of the vehicles spot something very interesting, then Mohlabetsi can always respond to that sighting (if time to get there permits it). This is very important; Mohlabetsi is the only lodge that can guarantee this. A direct result of their huge traverse is that they regularly see no less than six different lion prides!

Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge has standard rooms and family rooms (basically double rooms, so to speak). They are spread out in a shady garden, all just a few steps away from the central area (where the pool is).

All are in the typical rondavel-style: huts with thatch roofs, with a spacious bedroom and next to that a bathroom wash basin and toilet. The showers are "al fresco"; located outside behind a stone wall. Nothing more fun than towering underneath a starry sky. All rooms have air conditioning, a fan, and a safe.

Meals at Mohlabetsi are on a slightly higher level than most lodges in the same price range in the private reserves. They are served in the "boma" area, around a welcoming and cozy fire pit.

Buffelshoek Tented Camp

Buffelshoek is situated in the tranquil SE corner of Manyeleti Game Reserve close to the unfenced boundaries of Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand Private Nature Reserve. Migration of the wildlife between the three reserves is unhindered thus making this the perfect destination for visitors wanting to spend time in a game-rich area that is renowned for Big 5 animal sightings. Thanks to the low density of lodges, the wilderness experience is enhanced and it means that there is little to no waiting in line or jockeying for position at a sighting.

Offering an authentic bush experience, Buffelshoek achieves a balance between comfort and bushveld ambience and maintains a feeling of exclusivity with only five quaint two-sleeper thatch-roofed, canvass fronted tents with open-air en-suite bathrooms all on wooden decks.

The camp is un-fenced and electricity-free, and meals are often prepared over an open fire and enjoyed in the lantern-lit dining area or under the stars in the boma. Sitting around the campfire at night is when the sounds of the African bush come alive and this is when you will truly appreciate the ambience of the camp.

Relaxing in the cozy lounge allows you to interact with other like-minded travelers and sitting on the observation deck during the day gives an elevated view of the procession of wildlife and birdlife at the waterhole and across the open savannah. With the occasional elephant ambling through camp it means you don’t always need to go far for an incredible sighting.

Included in your stay are daily sunrise and sunset safaris with a guide in an open game viewing vehicle, which ensures excellent game sightings. Whilst the morning drives allow you to experience the awakening of the African bush, the evening drives provide sightings of the elusive nocturnal creatures with a spotlight being used after dark to locate the predators. The safaris give you an up-close encounter with the Big 5, other mammals, birds and the flora of this magic part of Greater Kruger.

The friendly hospitality of the local staff is a camp speciality, enhanced by the interesting stories, interpretations and explanations of your guide. Your experience of the African bush will not get more close and personal than this!

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 Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge
Afternoon: game drive on Balule Private Nature Reserve
Evening: night drive in Balule Private Nature Reserve, followed by dinner
Overnight at Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge

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 Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

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

Day 7

Morning: game drive on Manyeleti Reserve followed by breakfast
Noon: relax in camp and have a light lunch
Afternoon: game drive on Manyeleti Reserve
Evening: night drive in Manyeleti Reserve, followed by dinner
Overnight at Buffelshoek Tented Camp

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Morning: game drive on Manyeleti Reserve followed by breakfast
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 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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