Kruger National Park Safari Holidays Kruger Park Safari South Africa

Sterkfontein + Mapungubwe + Kruger Park (self drive)
SCW12J

12 NIGHTS
FROM $869
International flights and car hire quoted separately
This self drive holiday explores three significant archaeological sites in South Africa - Maropeng & the Sterkfontein Caves in the Cradle of Humankind near Johannesburg, the ancient ruins at Mapungubwe, and an iron age site in the Kruger National Park. Drive along the "great grey-green greasy Limpopo River" with its astonishing baobab trees and enjoy a self drive safari.
HIGHLIGHTS
Self Drive Safari South Africa Self Drive Safari Kruger National Park Mapungubwe Soutpansberg
• Johannesburg • Waterberg Safari • Louis Trichardt • Soutpansberg
• Mapungubwe • Golden Rhino • Pafuri • Shingwedzi
• Satara • Hazyview
Day 1
Arrive at Johannesburg Airport, collect your hire car and drive to your hotel in this thriving city.
 
Check in and relax by the swimming pool under warm blue South African skies, or enjoy the many shops and restaurants.
Day 2
Today view some of South Africa’s greatest archaeological treasures as you drive to the Maropeng Visitors Cente and Sterkontein Caves situated in the Cradle of Humankind - a World Heritage site dating back billions of years. Dr Broom found one of the first ape-men in these caves, which have since yielded many incredible archaeological treasures.
 
On your way home you will pass the Lion Park where you could stop and see lions up close in an enclosed area, as well as antelope and other plains game. At certain times of the year it is possible to touch recently born lion cubs.
Day 3
Today enjoy the stark beauty of Limpopo Province and the far northern Transvaal, home of the gigantic and unusual baobab tree, on your scenic 5-hour drive to Mapungubwe.
 
Pass through Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa and renowned for its jacaranda trees that flower from September to November and travel northwards through Polokwane.
 
Mapungubwe is situated at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers, which forms the border for three countries – South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Check into your lodge in baobab country.
Days 4 To 5
We recommend you start your visit with a guided tour of the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site.
 
Over a thousand years ago Mapungubwe Hill (“The Place of Jackals”) was the centre of the largest kingdom in Southern Africa, populated by the Shona people and forerunner of the Great Zimbabwe civilisation. Its highly sophisticated people had a well-developed class system and traded gold, ivory, copper and exotic beads with China, India & Egypt. A small gold foil rhinoceros was found in a royal grave at this important archaeological site, as well as other artefacts from this advanced African civilisation, which flourished before colonisation.
  
Afterwards there is the option of visiting Mapungubwe National Park to view game; tracking endangered wild dogs at Venetia Game Reserve; or walking to view ancient Bushman rock paintings.
Day 6
Leaving Mapungubwe, today we travel 2-hours along the Limpopo River with its giant baobab trees to Honnet Nature Reserve, where we make a brief stop. After travelling another 2-hours we enter the world famous Kruger National Park, entering at the far northern Pafuri gate.
 
Game viewing opportunities should present themselves almost immediately and hopefully we will see several species of antelope, zebra, wildebeest and maybe even giraffe before we check into our rest camp.
 
The Kruger National Park offers a choice of nine rest camps, each situated in a different section of the park with its own unique flora and fauna - Pafuri, Shingwidzi,  Letaba, Olifants, Satata, Lower Sabie, Pretoriuskop, Skukuza and Berg-en-Dal. Accommodation is in simple but comfortable thatched game park bungalows, with your guide having an allowance to purchase breakfast and dinner at the camp restaurant. After checking in, settle in and relax in the atmosphere that only the African bushveld can provide!
Day 7
Today is devoted to self drive game viewing in the Kruger National Park. We recommend setting off early each morning as the camp gates open (05h30 to 06h00 depending on the season), to take advantage of the best game viewing conditions of the day.
   
Explore the famous Kruger National Park, which offer magnificent game viewing opportunities and the highest concentration of lion in the whole of Africa. Hope to see several of the Big Five today - Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard and Rhino - as well as many other species before returning to camp for breakfast (or buy provisions at camp and cook breakfast at a picnic spot such as Tshokwane).
 
The rest of the morning is free to relax by the swimming pool or enjoy bird watching at camp, before setting out again at the time of your choice (usually the late afternoon) for another game drive. With nearly 150 different species of mammals and over 100 species of reptiles in the Kruger National Park, you can hope to see cheetah, giraffe, hippo, kudu, crocodiles, sable antelope, waterbuck, warthogs, baboons, wild dogs and many other interesting animals. With over 500 different bird species including eagles, kingfishers, vultures and storks, outstanding bird watching is also guaranteed.
  
After a beautiful African sunset, enjoy the balmy evening and pristine stars of the Milky Way as you have never seen them before – as well as the spectacular Southern Cross.
Day 8
Today check out of your Kruger Rest Camp and enjoy a full day of game viewing, as you drive to your next rest camp, stopping at various picnic spots and view sites along the way.
 
With its many differing habitats, the vast Kruger National Park offers superb game viewing and a wide variety of different species of wildlife (both large and small) as well as a wonderful display of bird life.
Day 9
Enjoy another full day exploring the magnificent wildlife and birds of the Kruger National Park in another region of this amazing game reserve, which boasts so many diverse habitats - each with its own flora & fauna.
 
Explore the many side roads, dams and waterholes to discover more of the wildlife riches of this national park.
Day 10
After some final game viewing in the Kruger National Park explore the splendour of the Drakensberg Panorama Route, as you drive 2-hours through the green Blyde River Canyon, the third largest in the world.
  
Places of interest along the route include Mac Mac Falls, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the historic mining village of Pilgrim’s Rest. Enjoy the panoramic views from God’s Window before checking in to your lodge for overnight.
Days 11 To 12
At leisure to relax on the beautiful Panorama Route.
 
Explore the region further or participate in one of the optional local activities, such as an Elephant Safari or an exciting pre-dawn Hot Air Balloon ride. Other optional activities in the region include horse riding, fly fishing and golf. Alternatively simply relax by the swimming pool and enjoy the wonderful bird life!
Day 13
Drive 4-hours through the farmlands of the Transvaal to Johannesburg Airport to drop-off your hire car and connect with your flight home.