Safari & Sea Shells
Duration: / 9 days / 8 nights including all transfers & guided activities
Routing: / Starts at Kruger Mpumalanga / Skukuza airport, ends at Maputo airport
Includes: / Accommodation, transportation and activities as per itinerary.
Meals as indicated B=Breakfast L=Lunch, Ht = High Tea, D=Dinner
Highlights: / Wildlife safari in a private concession in the Kruger National Park; followed by a Beach paradise in southern Mozambique
Excludes: / Flights, visas, all personal spending money, gratuities, meals not listed in itinerary, and any items of a personal nature.
Notes: / Minimum 2 persons travelling together.
This programme is flexible and can be lengthened / shortened if desired.
Accommodation: / 4* exclusive Safari Lodge, 4* magnificent Beach Lodge
Krüger Park Lodge options:
a)Rhino Post Safari Lodge
b)Lukimbi Safari Lodge
Day 1:
Arrival at Kruger Mpumalanga Int. Airport OR Skukuza Airport, Kruger Park. Transfer to your lodge – see below for Lodge options.
In the afternoon, your first game-drive: No matter which of the two lodges you choose, you will have an unforgettable safari in South Africa’s prime wildlife area. Your lodge is situated in the game rich, southern section of the world renowned Kruger National Park. The private concession offers a diverse array of habitats. Vast grasslands as well as more heavily wooded areas interspersed with lush riverine thickets provide ideal habitat for large herds of zebra, wildebeest and other plains animals. The white rhino enjoy the numerous pans and wallows, whilst the shyer and more elusive black rhino can be found in the more thickly wooded areas. Herds of buffalo roam through grasslands seeking the succulent grasses, before moving to the rivers to amble slowly through the reeds. Elephants can frequently be seen both on game drives and often also from your lodge.
Where you find animals, you find the predators. Tracking lions in open vehicles is one of the most exciting things to do and guests will never forget the spine chilling and awesome sound of a lion roaring at close quarters. Leopards are also found at in the area, more difficult to spot, but guests are rewarded with the sight of one of the most beautiful animals in the world.
Overnight: Rhino Post Safari Lodge OR Lukimbi Safari Lodge. (HtD)
Rhino Post Safari Lodge is a 16-bed lodge, set on the banks of the Mutlumuvi Riverbed, in a 12,000 ha private wilderness concession in the Kruger Park. This unique wilderness area offers eco-tourists the ideal place for encounters with the Big Five and allows visitors to track elephant and rhino on foot or view them from the comfort of open safari vehicles. In the spirit of wilderness areas worldwide, Rhino Post Safari Lodge has been specially designed and built to have minimal impact on the environment. Few permanent structures were used in the construction of this magnificent camp. Low energy lighting, natural materials, raised walkways and bedrooms are but some of the low impact measures taken.
Stilts raise the spaciously appointed suites from the riverbank, allowing guests to view the Mutlumuvi riverbed with ease from the bedroom, bathroom and private viewing deck. The suites are set in an open plan style with wooden floors, thatched roofs, canvas walls and a ceiling fan.Each en-suite bathroom includes a deep, freestanding bath, “his” and “hers” basins, a separate toilet and an outdoor shower protected by thick reed poles. The bathroom floor is attractively decorated with delicate mosaic designs, complementing the contemporary floor.
Following a game drive, guests can relax in the revitalising swimming pool, take in the views from their shaded patio and watch the abundant wildlife amble down to the waterhole. Sumptuous meals are served in the camp’s dining area, which is set under magnificent Tamboti trees. The lounge, with its extensive wine cellar, cosy fireplace and bar, is the perfect spot for a sundowner.
The utmost care was taken to minimize the environmental impact of the lodge and to that end, no concrete was used in the buildings. Careful consideration was taken in the layout of the lodge, walkways are raised, battery power is used for lighting, a special indigenous Reedbed system processes the bathroom water and other waste is sorted and recycled wherever possible.
Rhino Post Safari Lodge offers both early morning and evening games drives. Game drive safaris are conducted in specially adapted open vehicles with professional guides. To preserve this wilderness concession, no off-road driving is practiced.In addition to driving on the 12,000 hectare concession, the lodge has exclusive use of some of the Kruger National Park public roads at night.S.A. National Parks has allowed this lodge the added advantage of being able to utilise 170km of Park roads after gate closing time - when all the self-drive tourists have left and when the other concessions have to be back on their own property.
A typical day would include an early start, a cup of fresh coffee or tea, after which guests set out on their game drive. Guides at the lodge meet the stringent requirements of the South African National Parks and senior guides hold the highest guiding qualifications possible in South Africa, to ensure that your encounters with the African wilderness are exciting, informative and safe. In the late afternoon after a delicious high tea, you can enjoy an evening game drive, winding down with Sundowners, watching an African sunset and spotting nocturnal animals in the Park.
Rhino Post Safari Lodge is unique in offering an unrivalled overnight bush experience in the heart of the Kruger Park: a “Sleep Out”. All Sleep Outs must be arranged during the reservation process. If there are less than 4 guests booking a Sleep Out, a surcharge is applicable.
What is a “Sleep Out”? Your will depart as usual on your afternoon drive after high tea and eventually before the sun sets you will arrive at the Sleep Outs. After being shown around the structure you will choose your platforms and the guide will light a cooking fire. The Sleep Out platforms overlook a waterhole where you will enjoy the Sunset whilst sipping a refreshing sundowner drink. While your guide prepares a traditional South African braai (BBQ) on an open fire, you can relax and enjoy the sounds and senses of the African Bush as night settles..
After dinner you will retire to your individual platform and enjoy sleeping under the star studded sky – your experience heightened as you share the wilderness at night, while safely guarded by our observant guides. The rumble of the elephant passing by or the roar of the lion at the nearby waterhole, are the only noises that might disturb guests in this peaceful wilderness. The following morning, guests will enjoy a light snack after which they will depart back to the lodge for a hearty brunch.The Sleep Outs are highly dependent on weather conditions. PLEASE be aware that should the weather be unfavourable on the day of the Sleep Out (heavy rain) or if there has been heavy rain in the days preceding the Sleep Out, guests may have to remain at the lodge due to the platforms being inaccessible.
Lukimbi Safari Lodge is a popular safari lodge situated in the southern area of the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Kruger is home to the Big Five and a wide variety of other animals and birds, which roam freely in their natural habitat.
16 spacious suites combine luxury and modern African decor with private decks and river views. The lodge features carved plaster panels showing intricate mystical creatures and African patterns, in a subtle yet extremely decorative way. The main buildings are linked together with open wooden decks, making the most of the view, as the lodge meanders along the banks of the river Lwakahle.
The designer interior combines colours and specially created pieces artistically and imaginatively. There is something different and interesting to look at round every corner. Lukimbi is a photographers’ delight, both inside the surrounds of the lodge and out in the beckoning bush. The height of the lodge above the river provides viewing points with a feeling of safety. The raised walkways provide guests with clear and easy access to their suites.
Game-drives with informative Rangers are done on private roads in open 4x4 vehicles. The game-drives leave the lodge in the early morning and late afternoons. The guides enjoy sharing their extensive knowledge, and work closely with local community trackers to get the best sightings. There is great communication between the two and trackers are encouraged to share their knowledge of local uses of herbs and trees, animals and birds.
The drives can follow the Big 5 off-road in careful, controlled circumstances, this is an experience few guests would like to miss. Guests are able to get really close to the animals and experience truly fantastic photographic opportunities. Early mornings start off a little cold, but a stop is made later for warming drinks, or cold ones, if preferred.
During daily walks, the field guides fascinate guests with information on the smaller reptiles and insects, which may have been missed on drives. Inquisitive giraffe frequently amuse guests on walks, as they watch the guests watching them, their long, luxuriant eyelashes never failing to charm. Lukimbi is a birders’ paradise, as there are over 420 species of birds to be found.
A highlight of late afternoon drives is the time spent at sundowner time. This is the moment to appreciate the magnificence of an African sunset, whilst sipping sundowner drinks.
Full-day Walking Safaris: Anybody who is reasonably fit and healthy, and is looking for something adventurous will certainly enjoy "bushwacking" on foot. There are emergency evacuation points along the route if there is any kind of problem. The Wagon Trail, the Lwakahle Trail and the Gabro Trail depart at approximately 07h00 and guests will return back to camp around 17h00.A maximum of 8 guests, from 16+ years, can go out on a bush walk. Guests do need to request the full day walk at time of reservation, as it is subject to availability and there is a huge amount of logistics involved. There is an additional charge for this – details on request. If you love to walk, but not too keen on roughing it, this walk provide the best combination of exercise, fresh air, fabulous game viewing, all done in complete comfort, with rangers who clearly love the whole experience.
Day 2 & 3:
Two days to enjoy Africa’s wildlife. Your safari will be in open 4x4 vehicles which gets you as close to wildlife as possible. As you drive along you may see several varieties of mammals, birds and reptiles. Not knowing what will meet you around the next corner adds to the attraction of visiting Kruger Park. Your guide will give information about the species seen and answer any questions you may have.
The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals.
Overnight: Rhino Post Safari Lodge OR Lukimbi Safari Lodge. (BHtD)
Day 4:
Today you will be collected at your lodge, and transferred by road, first to the South Africa – Mozambique border at Komatipoort, and then continue to Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. From Maputo, board a transfer boat which will take you across the Maputo bay to the Machangulo peninsula, where your tropical beach lodge is located.
You will spend 5 nights at Machangulo Beach Lodge. Whilst at Machangulo Beach Lodge, included in your tour costs are:
- Accommodation
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all snacks either at the lodge or during activities)
- Teas, coffees, drinking water and selected juices; iced teas and iced coffees.
- High-speed WiFi internet service
- Non-motorised activities
- Laundry services
Transfers are done on the lodges’ own boats and arrival and departure times are custom-made for your booking. Tides, weather and the arrival or departure of other guests can influence transfer times. Private transfers are available on request.
Untamed and untouched, the Southern Mozambican coastline plays host to a unique interaction between the open Indian Ocean and the estuaries of Maputo Bay. Machangulo Beach Lodge is located at the channel between Inhaca Island and the dunes of the Santa Maria Peninsula. The ever present variance of the tides energizes the atmosphere and adds to the magic of this unspoiled and mysterious place.
The Lodge overlooks magic; endless white beaches, pristine and untouched dune forests, estuaries bursting with life and eternally wide open ocean – all in an energetic harmony. Hidden away amid the dunes and hiding amongst the forests, Machangulo Beach Lodge has a warm and inviting atmosphere, keeping its guests calmly protected from the epic nature outside.
Your boat journey through the endless channels of the bay ends on the Lodge’ssecluded beach. From here the beauty and magic will become more and more real. Walkways meander through the cool forest and bring you to the Lodge’s main building, inviting you to relax and become part of the calm. Your cabin is just around the corner and the staff of Machangulo Beach Lodge is at your service to ensure the adventure you’ve been hoping for…
Machangulo Beach Lodge features 14 private luxury chalets. Each chalet has an en-suite bathroom, air-conditioning, mosquito nets and private deck. Five chalets have a breathtakingview of the ocean and Inhaca Island, and the others are grouped into Villas. All the chalets are connected by walkways and staircases to the main buildings and the beach.
The unique main building includes a large inviting lounge with bar area and large dining area. Hidden behind the main building is the Boma area where evenings are spent beside the fire while enjoying the tranquil Mozambican nights.
Machangulo BeachLodge features a world of fun and exciting activities for the whole family. Whether you need to relax and soak up the sun or experience the thrill of having a great big game fish at the end of your fishing-line, the friendly activities staff will ensure that you are well taken care of and that your every expectation is met.
Some of the more popular activities include:
- Guided and unguided fishing (Rock & Surf; offshore and channel fishing)
- Inhaca Marine Reserve Snorkeling
- Snorkeling on the ledge in front of lodge
- SCUBA diving
- Tours of Inhaca Island – guided
- Cultural tour of Santa Maria with lunch and drinks at the famous TekaTeka bar
- Exploration of the Maputo Bay Estuaries
- Seasonal Whale Watching trips(Jun to Nov)
- Turtle nesting activities(late spring)
- Flamingo, Albatross and seabird trips
- Kids Rock pool exploration
Exploring the underwater universe with a mask and fins is certainly a favourite activity at Machangulo Beach Lodge. Being surrounded by thePonta do Ouro-Kosi Bay Transfrontier Conservation Area and being so close to the Inhaca Island Marine Reserve, allows for some amazing locations to snorkel. Young and old can enjoy the wide variety of snorkeling and we highly recommend that you combine your snorkeling trip with a Picnic on the amazing beaches on the Machangulo Peninsula or on Inhaca Island.Snorkeling trips are always guided and include all equipment.
The lodge offers amazing secluded beach and dune forest walks. It is a “Birders” paradise, and the swimming pool, Beach Bar and hammocks are popular for just relaxing.