Safari Rating
Gesa has selected three of her favourite areas in South Africa and within them her favourite camps which, in her opinion, give you best possible Kruger experience! A great mixture of luxury, authenticity and remote wilderness. These 3 different camps are lesser known hidden gems within the Lowveld of South Africa and boast some incredible wildlife!
Itinerary in Brief
Starting off in the Klaserie Nature Reserve, an area with plenty of big 5 activity and relatively low commercial activity! You will see yourself in a private, luxury and romantic setting, a great introduction to the Lowveld. Then moving just slightly South into the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, you change style of accommodation completely and, now find yourself in an authentic eco-friendly tented camp which blends in with its surroundings. Then lastly you find yourself heading to the very North-Eastern tip of South Africa and the Makuleke concession, a place that is very wild, remote and feels like home to Gesa who spent many months exploring this area on foot. A truly special ending!
This 10-night safari is well suited for anyone from single travellers to larger groups, who are seeking to truly experience this awesome wilderness. The accommodation is of high standard and you will find all the luxuries one needs to be comfortable out in the wild. All three locations are private and in prime locations so one can expect to experience this area without the mass tourism that the rest of Kruger is known for.
With excellent guides, great food, authentic camps and unspoilt wild locations, this is as good as it gets and is exactly why Gesa recommends it so highly! You can’t go wrong!
Detailed itinerary
1st, 2nd & 3rd Nights: Misava Safari Camp
The camp has recently been refurbished and offers five chalets, accommodating a maximum of ten guests. Misava camp is perfect for multi-generational family safaris or small groups. Three chalets are authentic African rondavels (chalets) set amongst landscaped gardens. Each chalet features an en-suite bathroom with large shower, and is tasteful decorated and named after a local artist from the area, along with a framed copy of the artist biography and artwork. There are also two larger river view chalets which have unmatched views and slightly fancier facilities than the garden chalets.
The main area provides a comfortable lounge, a dining area along with a modern, spacious open plan kitchen, scullery and laundry. The outdoor areas incorporate a beautiful handcrafted wooden bar and rim flow pool overlooking the reserve, boma and another dining area. Best views around by far!
Guest can enjoy two guided game drives per day which are scheduled at the guests’ leisure. The professional guides provide and insight into the ecosystem of the bushveld, the traits of the animals and the diverse terrain and plant life, from flat planes to rocky outcrops and hilly landscapes. The reserve is home to a wide variety of predators, including lion, leopard, smaller cats, spotted hyenas, jackals and wild dogs.
4th, 5th & 6th Nights: Bateleur Eco-Camp
One of Gesa’s all-time favourite camps in Southern Africa, this hidden gem is located in and amongst thick vegetation alongside a dry riverbed in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. This is an eco-friendly camp that’s power supply is entirely solar and the whole ethos of the camp is that of low impact.
The accommodation here is in the form of luxury tents with thatched roofs that have an en-suite toilet and gas heated shower. You can choose to sleep with the canvas all the way down or leave it open with only a mosquito mesh as a barrier. The camp has only a two-strand fence which is to keep elephants from destroying the vegetation and water pipes.
The guiding standard at Bateleur is of the highest in the area. The guides are excellent and are specialists in tracking animals on foot, an activity which is an absolute must-do according to Gesa! There is no better satisfaction than walking in the footsteps of a white rhino, seeing what they get up to by reading the signs in the sand, then finally finding and approaching them on foot. This is the pinnacle of guiding skill and makes for breathtaking and memorable safari experiences.
7th ,8th, 9th & 10th Nights: Pafuri Camp
Your last stop, typically the highlight, is the Makuleke concession. Set in the most North-easterly tip of South Africa it forms the border of three countries – South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique which, is also known as Crooks Corner.
The camp is stretched-out along the permanent Luvuvhu river. Each guest tent is on stilts and located on the edge of the river with fantastic views of the comings and goings of animals to the river. The tents are very luxurious with a large balcony, and both inside and outside showers! The accommodation definitely will not disappoint!
The wilderness here is massive, unfenced, unspoilt and wildlife is free to roam across the borders. The area has a number of long roads which take you on a journey through many different habitats and unique areas, each with their own appeal and intricacies. However, Makuleke also has huge sections of wilderness which one can only access on foot and this is where the secrets of its long history and beauty lies. The animals here are much wilder than the previous two locations and this allows for a glimpse into how wildlife was in old Africa before the commercialisation of wildlife viewing. You will find yourself enjoying the forests, the flood plains, the sand veld, the views and history both on and off the vehicle alongside local guides who know Makuleke intimately.
This ancient wilderness holds a special place in Gesa’s heart and is on her “must see and experience” list for Southern Africa.
When to go
jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec | |
Makuleke Concession Pafuri | ||||||||||||
Timbavati & Klaserie Nature Reserves |
The Accommodation
Ready for an adventure? Lets Talk!
Much like most of our tours, this itinerary serves as a guide line or example of what is possible and any part of this tour and be changed or additions added. We also create custom itineraries to suite your budget and the experiences you are after. Please contact us so we can create your own personally tailored safari!