This South Africa tour is a great opportunity to see the Big 5 in South Africa. Visit the metropolis of Johannesburg before setting out to observe wildlife in game rich Kruger National Park on this 9 day South Africa trip. This South Africa trip highlights Johannesburg, one of Africa's oldest reserves in KwaZulu-Natal, the beaches of Dolphin Coast, and culminates with a stay at Rhino Post Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park.
Highlights
Take a bush walk to spot smaller animals & learn about the flora and fauna
Enjoy a game drive for opportunities to spot the Big 5
Explore the wildlife rich waters of the Dolphin Coast
Search for wildlife as you travel through Kruger National Park
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Welcome to Johannesburg! You will be met at the airport and assisted through immigration, baggage collection and customs. You will then be taken to your hotel for a relaxing evening.
With extra time, we can arrange a longer stay in Johannesburg. Johannesburg stems from gold and diamond mining, dating back to the 1800’s, and the city’s local name, Egoli, means The City of Gold. Today Johannesburg is the powerhouse of Africa and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. Johannesburg is a wealthy and fast-paced city earning its reputation as the “New York of Africa”, while also being considered as one of the largest man-made forests in the world!
Fly this morning to Richards Bay airport and meet the transfer to the lodge. Rhino Ridge is located within Africa’s oldest proclaimed Game Reserve – Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park in northern KwaZulu Natal. The lodge is the first private concession within the 237,000 acre park in the quiet western boundary, offering spectacular scenery and excellent safari opportunities for Big 5 game viewing.
The lodge offers game drives twice everyday, as well as a daily bush walk which allows you to spot the smaller creatures and learn more about the flora and fauna of the bush. The lodge is also ideally situated for off-site activities in the nearby Isimangaliso Wetland Park (off-site activities have additional cost). Isimangaliso is a world heritage site containing 3 major lakes systems, 8 inter-linking ecosystems, 700 year old ancient fishing traditions, 526 bird species, and is Africa’s largest estuarine system. Whale watching cruises during June through November, walking or swimming at the beach, horseback riding, and kayaking are some of the activities you can do in the Lake St Lucia area. Further north at Sodwana, the marine reserve offers extensive coral reefs for pristine diving. Contact us for rates for off-site excursions.
Transfer to the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, also known as the Dolphin Coast, that stretches north from Durban to the mighty Thukela River. This Indian Ocean coastline of warm waters is rich in marine life as its name suggests. Optional boat excursions offer close encounters with bottlenose dolphins, which are visible close to the shore all year round.
This region is a mixture of Zulu and Indian cultures, reflected in the settlements started by indentured Indian laborers on the many sugar cane farms. The north coast is famous for its golden beaches, good restaurants, and pubs in seaside towns such as Umhlanga Rocks. It is also home to the Natal Sharks Board and historic battle sites of Fort Pearson and the Ultimatum Tree.
Transfer to the airport and board a flight from Durban to Kruger, you will be transferred into the park where you will settle in at the Rhino Post Safari Lodge.
The enormous Kruger National Park was established in 1899 thanks to the vision of President Paul Kruger. Its size continues to expand as private reserves on its borders remove fence lines and recently, international borders between Mozambique and Zimbabwe have been removed to create the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park. This effectively doubles the protected game reserve area.
The topography and vegetation changes dramatically from south to north within Kruger, which influences the wildlife found in various areas. The southern region sees the most rainfall so animal numbers are most dense. Moving north within Kruger, the rainfall becomes more scarce and animals are more concentrated around rivers and waterholes. The far north offers typical African scenery with baobabs and grassland, and game such as cheetah and wild dog are more likely to be seen.
Day 7 transfer to the Plains Camp where you will take par in a unique walking safari (approximately 4 hours) led by 2 armed rangers who are knowledgable of the park and where the animals might be located. Also, take part in an amazing opportunity to stay overnight in a luxurious Sleep Out Platforms. Overlooking a waterhole where you will enjoy the Sunset whilst sipping a refreshing sundowner While your guide prepares a traditional South African braai on an open fire, you can relax and enjoy the sounds and senses of the African Bush as night settles.
Day 9: Depart Kruger National Park
1 Breakfast
Transfer from Rhino Post Safari Lodge to the Skukuza airport for your flight to Johannesburg and then homeward.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for Mar 27, 2025 not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for Mar 27, 2025 are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,813
Notes
$952 Single Supplement Additional Cost for Private Room when traveling with others. Traveling Solo? Contact us for a custom quote.
Rates based on current exchange rate ZAR/US dollars. Please contact us for exact quote in US dollars.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum) + internal flight cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
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