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South Africa- The Greater Kruger

One of the world’ s greatest game viewing regions

Covering an area the size of Wales, Kruger National Park has all of Africa’ s iconic species- elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, hippo and zebra, as well as a supporting cast of 138 other mammals and more than 500 bird varieties. In Kruger National Park itself our featured accommodation varies from good value informal lodges to exclusive properties with every conceivable luxury. Most include three meals a day( some also include a variety of beverages) and many have African‘ bomas’ for a traditional outdoor dining experience. Most offer two game drives per day, which are usually early morning before breakfast and again later in the afternoon, although exact times can vary. Game drives are in open top four-wheel drive vehicles usually with just six guests per vehicle and are led by an experienced, knowledgeable ranger. There may also be the option of bush walks or walking safaris. Some lodges do not accept children and those that do may insist you pay extra for a private game drive if your children are under 7 years. Most lodges have no fences, so wildlife can be found within the grounds and all lodges insist you are escorted by a member of staff after dark. For those keen to keep costs down, we recommend staying just outside Kruger in either Hazyview or White River, which also give easy access to nearby small towns. Prices here include breakfast but not game drives; however, these can easily be added on. Memorable safari adventures aside, you may also wish to venture to the colossal Blyde River Canyon, one of South Africa’ s most impressive scenic wonders. Known for its rust-coloured sandstone cliffs and craggy buttresses, its most famous viewpoints are God’ s Window and the Three Rondavels. Other area attractions include the awesome moonscape of Bourke’ s Luck Potholes and the charming, gold rush town of Pilgrim’ s Rest.

MOZAMBIQUE

Getting there: Most people fly to either Nelspruit( Mpumalanga) for the southern properties or Hoedspruit for the northern part of the Park. Skukuza airport also gives excellent access to Kruger, particularly the Sabi Sands region. Both Nelspruit and Hoedspruit are an hour’ s flight from Johannesburg.

Best time to go: Kruger has a sub-tropical climate and is a year round destination as each season brings its own highlights. Game viewing can be at its best during the dry winter months( May- September); however, the wet summer season( October-April) brings full waterholes, lush bushveld, lots of newborn wildlife and also heralds the arrival of migrant birds.

Conservation / park fees: Applicable at selected game reserves and lodges and payable locally, details of which will be advised on quotations and at time of booking.

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KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Hoedspruit

• Timbavati Nature Reserve

Kadishi Tufa Waterfall • Blyde River Canyon •

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Pilgrim’ s Rest •

Sabi Sands Game Reserve • 8

1 Hazyview •

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• Bourke’ s Luck Potholes

Blyde River Canyon

1 Hippo Hollow Country Estate 2 Mdluli Safari Lodge 3 Makalali Private Game Reserve 4 Elephant Walk Tented Camp 5 Hamiltons Tented Camp

6 Jock Safari Lodge 7 Umkumbe Safari Lodge 8 Savannah Game Reserve 9 Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

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