This area is home to the world famous Kruger National Park as well as some of the best private game reserves that border the park. In this region there is exceptional game viewing and photographic opportunities, especially for the big five: elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and cape buffalo. In traveling to this area, visitors travel through some of the most spectacular country on the escarpment above the game areas. While in the high country we visit Gods Window, Blyde River Canyon, Pilgrims Rest and some awesome waterfalls and cave systems. Visits are also made to an Ndebele village and a Shangan village. These are two of the tribes found in this area.

Day 1:

We will meet you at the Johannesburg airport and from there we will travel to the first traditional village. This is an Ndebele village. These people are known as the artist people, due to the painting of their houses and the bright crafts that they produce. Craft articles are able to be bought at the village. The group can choose to overnight here or we can move on to the Sudwala caves where we normally spend the first night.

Days 2&3:

After breakfast we visit the caves which are very interesting and you will view the unique formations within the caves. The caves have been used over eons by all types for inhabitants for shelter, both animal and human. From here we travel higher up on the escarpment to visit Pilgrims Rest. This is an early mining town with a lot of history and sites. Restored now, it is a living attraction where numerous early craft types can be purchased. Visits are also undertaken to some of the waterfalls; Panorama falls and Lisbon falls to name a few. We will also visist Bourke's Luck Potholes. These potholes are found at the confluence of two rivers and formed by swirling, pebblebearing flood waters. Finally we will visit Blyde River Canyon for some beautiful views. We will spend both nights at the Mount Sheba Hotel which is a very luxurious establishment.

Days 4&5:

Today we will travel to the southern section of Kruger National Park. We will stay in the town of Malelane at the River House, which is situated on the banks of the Crocodile River. This is the boundary of Kruger National Park. In the evening, sitting on the deck over looking the park, you will have an opportunity to view game that comes to the river to drink. We will travel into the park on a daily basis while here and picnic baskets are taken for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast can be taken at the River House if clients choose not to leave early for the tour. We return each evening and dinner is served at the River House. This is a very upscale and unique establishment and the cuisine here is fantastic.

Days 6&7

We next travel further north to Hazy View where we stay at either Hippo Hollow or Shingalana Guest House B&B. Hippo Hollow is more like a small country hotel while the B&B is more intimate. We spend the next two days taking daily trips into a different section of Kruger National Park where we will observe some different scenery and game.

Days 8&9

Venturing even further north, we head to the luxurious Gwalagwala Tented camp. Here visitors can choose to take short walks and short game viewing drives or they can relax next to the pool. Often by this stage of the tour, people are ready to relax after all the traveling. Staying here gives us access to Thornybush private reserve where clients are taken on drives where it is almost guaranteed to see the big five, including lions and leopards. Close encounters with elephants are part of the experience. Drives can be arranged for daytime, late afternoon or early evening. The night drive is usually what visitors choose. We are still close enough to Kroger National Park to do day drives into the park. Apart from the luxury safari tents where clients sleep, this camp offers a unique dining experience with the dining room situated up in a huge forest tree.

Day 10:

We will awake early and share our last breakfast together and review the highlights of the tour. We can visit some curio shops where you will be able to make some last minute purchases of local treasures for yourself and your friends at home. Lastly, we will bid you farewell as you are returned safely to the Johannesburg Airport for your flight back home.

This tour can easily be extended to 12 or 14 days as there are somany additional attractions in this area

Port of arrival and departure is Johannesburg, followed by a 4 hour drive to the region.