Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrival at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you will be greeted by a local representative in the arrivals area, who will be holding a sign with your name on it for easy identification. The representative will assist you through immigration, baggage collection and customs. You will then be transferred directly to your hotel near the city. (This service is on a private basis.)

Johannesburg

Welcome to the City of Gold. Johannesburg is the pulsating heart of South Africa's industrial and commercial life, where more than a mile below the bustling city traffic, miners still dig for the world's most precious metal. This city may not be known for its natural beauty, but there is certainly enough to keep you entertained. From its botanical gardens, picturesque lakes, historic museums, art galleries and variety of cultural excursions to Soweto, Lesedi, Pretoria or the Cradle of Humanity, the possibilities are endless. Johannesburg is also known for its world class design in gold and diamond jewelry, ethnic fashion, arts and crafts.

Following a quick night in Johannesburg to kick off your African expedition, you will be picked up from your hotel this morning after breakfast and taken on the 3.5 hour drive to your next destination, the Marataba Trails Lodge. (This service is on a private basis.)

Hopefully, you will arrive in time to join the afternoon safari activity. Drop off your luggage, freshen up and waste no time to join in on the fun!

Limpopo

Located in the northeast region of the country, the Limpopo Province is named after the mighty Limpopo River, which borders Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique. The rocky terrain of mountains and outcrops here peak out over the grassy plains and Baobabs that stand against a backdrop of rich sunsets and arid stretches of scrublands. A vast diversity of wildlife is found in this area of reserves, which include Welgevonden, Marakele and of course, Kruger. The towns of Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa are important gateways into the Kruger National Park, while Tzaneen sustains the agricultural heart of this successful fruit-growing region. The majestic Waterberg Mountains are encompassed in the Waterberg Biosphere, one of the most scenic landscapes of the province. Taking these fascinating features into consideration, the opportunities for exciting action and exquisite photos here are simply endless.

Lodge Activities

Marataba Trails Lodge was designed and created for hikers who are looking for diverse and challenging trails in a spectacularly beautiful Big 5 private reserve, where a rich abundance of wildlife roams free. Perched on the side of the mountain, the property offers 180 degree views into Waterfall Valley. Within this utterly remote wilderness destination, your off-the-grid ‘Scandi-Safari’ style luxury lodge experience here will be nothing short of amazing. Challenge yourself to a digital detox, and truly soak up every bit of the experience.

While the key experience at the lodge remains the incredible hiking trails, they have also now expanded the selection of optional afternoon activities. This allows for the opportunity to enjoy a full hike in the morning, while experiencing a traditional vehicle safari on the Big 5 Marataba Reserve, or a Miss Mara boat safari later in the afternoon as well. Included with your stay at Marataba Trails Lodge are all meals, local brand drinks (soft drinks and selection of beers, spirits & house wines), a guided morning bush walk, and an afternoon game drive and/or Ms. Mara boat excursion and specialist activities, such as astronomy tours, wildlife lectures, bush breakfasts, picnic lunches and bush dinners.

For the next leg of your exploration, you will say goodbye to South Africa, as you head from the Marataba Trails Lodge, across the border to Mashatu Tent Camp in Botswana, where your voyage continues. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Marataba airstrip to board your charter flight to Limpopo Valley (via Polokwane).

Upon landing at the Limpopo Valley airstrip, you will be greeted by a local representative and transferred to the Mashatu Private Game Reserve for the ultimate one-on-one bush experience!

Tuli Block

The Tuli block is an attractive area on the southeastern part of Botswana, sandwiched between the borders of Zimbabwe and South Africa. Largely comprised of privately owned game farms, this region consists of impressive rocky outcrops and stretches of red sand, inter laid with stone and pebbles. Massive fever trees line the banks of the Limpopo Riverand baobabs proudly decorate the vast landscape scenery. Herd animals, wildebeest, eland, kudu, waterbuck and impala all migrate through the district, followed closely by the big cats. Large herds of elephant inhabit Tuli, and hippo and crocs wallow in the murky pools of the Limpopo. Exciting night drives reveal caracal, aardwolf and aardvark, among many other nocturnal beasts caught in the glow of the tracker’s light. With over 350 bird species in the vicinity, Tuli is also a bird-lovers paradise, home to even the rare Pel’s Fishing Owl.

Camp Activities

At the Mashatu Tent Camp, you are invited to become one with the environment. This unique lodge is the perfect leisure choice for those who seek the ultimate one-on-one bush experience and prefer a more intimate environment. The camp’s plunge pool invites you to cool off and escape the relentless heat, between safari activities, making the very most of everything the wild bush has to offer. At the shaded hide overlooking the resident waterhole, you are encouraged to sit quietly and observe animals going about their day, completely unaware that they are being watched. It is humbling indeed to be an observer, to be part of the perfect, natural world.

Alongside the traditional vehicle safaris on offer at the lodge, additional adventures such as cycling safaris, bush walking and cultural excursions are available at an additional cost, 2 of which we have already arranged for you. What will already be included with your stay is all meals, snacks, 2 scheduled safari activities daily and scheduled 1:00 PM transfers from/to Limpopo Valley Airfield and Pont Drift Border Post. The included lodge activities only represent game drives.

Walking Safari

For today, we have also arranged for you to join one of the organized Walking Safaris at the Camp. You can choose to enjoy this thrilling activity either in the morning or the afternoon, in addition to your already scheduled game drive.

When additional tours are on offer at a Safari Lodge like this, you never want to miss the opportunity for different ways to interact with the wildlife!

Cycling Safari

In addition to your scheduled game drive today, we have also arranged for you to join one of the organized Cycling Safaris at the Camp. You can choose to enjoy this fun excursion either in the morning or the afternoon.

Savor one last breakfast in Botswana before continuing to the unique geology and diverse terrain of Makuleke. Once you have checked out of the Mashatu camp, you will be transferred to the Pont Drift Border Post for the border crossing. After crossing the border and completing all formalities, you will continue your journey to the striking Outpost Lodge. (This service is on a group basis.)

Makuleke Concession

The Pafuri Triangle or Makuleke Contractual Park lies in the northernmost section of the Kruger National Park. With rocks dating back over 250 million years and early human habitation linked to the Great Zimbabwe ruins, it is an area of remarkable geological and natural heritage interest. The concession, run by the Makuleke people, comprises over 26, 000 hectares and is bordered in the north by the Limpopo River and Zimbabwe and to the east by Mozambique, forming part of the Transfrontier or 'Peace Park'. Scenically different to that of the rest of the Kruger (it contains 80% of the Kruger's diversity!), this is one of the last true wilderness areas left in South Africa - deep gorges, forests of yellow-fringed fever trees, unusually large baobabs, mopane woodland and open savannah. Home to an even greater variety of wildlife, with more unusual sightings like eland and the Sharpe's grysbok, this is also a birder's paradise and a must for walking enthusiasts. Remote and vast, this is nature at her very best.

Lodge Activities

Resting atop a hill overlooking the Luvuvhu River Valley in of the most diverse and scenically attractive areas in the Kruger National Park, The Outpost is designed with simple, clean lines; combining steel, concrete and open space. The camp blends into its surroundings and offers the most spectacular panoramic views of the river and bush below. There are many activities you can partake in during your stay at The Outpost. Morning and afternoon game drives are not restricted to park roads, bush walks and village tours. Game, including the Big 5, is plentiful, with nyala, buffalo and bushbuck more common in the riverine areas and dry terrain animals such as white rhino, in the uplands. The mountainous terrain is attractive to leopard and the region has resident prides of lion. The area is famous for its large herds of elephant and buffalo in winter, which come to drink.

Your fully inclusive stay includes all meals, local brand drinks, tea/coffee, 2 game drives with sundowners and snacks and laundry.

* Please note: Park Entrance Fee of R76 (subject to change without prior notice) per person once off - to be paid directly.

Sadly, your journey through the wild wonders of Africa must come to an end today. However, you will be leaving with unforgettable memories and the experience of a lifetime! After checking out of your lodge, you will be met by your driver and transferred to the Pafuri airstrip, to board your charter flight to Johannesburg. Upon landing at the OR Tambo Airport, you will connect with your international departure flight.

We hope you had an incredible trip and we wish you safe and pleasant travels onward!