- Day 1
- Personal pick up from Johannesburg International Airport (JNB) Evening flight from the UK on the day before arriving in the morning the next day.
We will then drive to Eswatini (Swaziland) for our first camp, about 6-hour drive including breaks.
Mhkaya Game Reserve is a sanctuary for endangered species and home to other large mammals that once inhabited the plains of Eswatini, a modern success story for the conservation of Rhinos of both black and white species, Sable, and Roan Antelope.
The Stone camp at the Mhkaya Game Reserve is an exclusive lodge,
the camp is comfortable, quiet, and relaxing; the restaurant is a minimal structure with tables positioned directly on the sand and there is no electricity, so you can dine by candlelight.
The structure of th cottages has a base and a wall about one meter high made of stone, while the roof is made of thatch, but the characteristic that makes these lodges unique is the between the stone wall and the roof they are completely open; this feature allows you to immerse completely in the surrounding nature.
Each cabin has en-suite toilet and shower with hot water using solar power.
During the night the atmosphere is magical: the open cottages allow you to hear the noises of the bush, you can hear the typical vocalizations of the Hyenas in the distance and the calls of nocturnal birds in a safe environment. The paths are lit with paraffin lanterns at night creating an extremely romantic and slight retro atmosphere of the first explorers.
Overnight guests are requested to pack a smaller overnight bag as space for larger luggage is limited. Your other bags are left in your vehicle that is parked at the Ranger base station.
Our afternoon safari departs at 16.00 and returns at 18.30.
Dinner is served at 19.00, the bar closes at 23.00.
A quiet walk up to Kirky’s Hide provides the opportunity of sitting back and observing nature, including Black Rhino, Nyala, Kudu and many forest birds.
Day 2
Wake up call by housekeepers with tea & coffee room service at 6.00 and the safari drive departs at 6.30.
Return from the safari drive at 8.30 for breakfast. We then check out for the current day at 9.15 to depart at 9.20. To arrive at the Ranger base to collect our vehicle for our next stop.
Ngwenya Glass ngwenyaglass.co.sz
The Ngwenya Glass complex, located near the Ngwenya border post comprises of the famous Ngwenya Glass factory and selection of other artisan outlets.
From here we will drive to Mlilwane Nature Reserve for our next accommodation. The beehives are all en-suite with 2 people sharing.
The Hippo Haunt Restaurant
Located within Mlilwane Rest Camp which overlooks a picturesque bird pool where guests can admire Hippos, Crocodiles and prolific birdlife while enjoying delicious meals. This is where we shall have dinner and breakfast.
Day 3
After breakfast, we shall take the short drive to the culture village to watch culture dancing and how the people live.
www.thekingdomofeswatini.com/eswatini-experiences/culture/
Around 12am we shall leave for our drive to Tatenda Guest House, this is about 4 hours.
Our home from home and 8 minutes from Kruger National Park
Cold drinks and a warm welcome from our hosts Brian & Gerda and of course the cats. Over 60 species of birds can be seen in the beautiful gardens.
Day 4
Our first full day Safari in Kruger National Park using the Phabeni Gate, this is one of the best entrances into the park.
You are provided with a breakfast pack, as we leave at 5am, So that we get the best time to see big cats that are most active in the cool mornings.
Our specialist vehicle is only for us and has gimbal heads to support your lens on your camera body. Trevor is an excellent guide and loves his photography too. Putting us in the right position for your images, his favourite animal is leopards. (I say no more!)
We have lunch in one of the rest camps that have excellent restaurants and facilities. We return mid-afternoon to Tatenda for sundowners on the patio deck as the sun goes down over the mountains before our evening meal. You can then relax before going to bed in your air-condition rooms with excellent wi-fi to load your pictures on social media.
Day 5
Breakfast on the patio deck at 8am, before going to Elephant whispers for that special encounter with elephants and learning the conservation work that they do, or you can relax in the gardens.
In the afternoon we will do a very special sunset safari in Sabi Sands with evening meal at this is a totally difference Safari as we can go off road with special permission and have a sundowner as the sunsets across the Kruger.
Day 6
Breakfast at 8am on the patio deck and pick up about lunchtime, so that you can relax in the gardens. Sit in the bird hide overlooking the reflection pool.
We then leave for the Kruger Park, so we can come back later to catch the sunset as we leave the park.
Day 7
Early morning start, so that we can have lunch at Lower Sabie Rest Camp.
You never know what’s around the corner for this great park and anything is possible whilst your still in the park.
We return to Tatenda for our evening meal.
Day 8
We leave after breakfast to Antares Bush Camp which is about 3 hours drive away. We will stop in Hoedspruit for shopping as the nearest supermarket is 90 mins and time to stretch the legs before the game drive to Antares Bush Camp.
We will have this private lodge to ourselves and of course the famous Umgede Hide, which is floodlit and only 90 steps from your accommodation. But you can sleep or stay in the hide all night!!
We can go on game drive if anything special is seen in this private reserve
My special YouTube video of the camp and what makes it so special
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctsFpes8TAI
A gin tasting evening can be arranged too
Day 9
Full Day at Antares Bush camp, where you can just relax around the pool and watch what comes down to the waterhole or sit in the cool hide ready for the action. An evening baari for your last night on safari can often be disturbed with wildlife coming down to drink.
Day 10
You can be in the hide before breakfast watching the sunrise come up,
Then its packing for the trip to the airport.
You have several options here, giving you more time at the camp there is airport at Hoedspruit and transfer back to Johannesburg (JNB)
Or drive back to Johannesburg which is about 6 hours
Total Price for the 10-day safari £2275 per person 4 people going (dates upon request)
This includes all transfers, park fees, conservation fees, meals, drinks
Not included in the price is international and internal flights, tips, insurance (Wildlife Dreams now has partnered with covered2go)
