ATC Travel

Arrival in Johannesburg and continue to Pretoria.
Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa and was named after Andries Pretorius, a Voortrekker leader who defeated the Zulu Impis (regiments) at the Battle of Blood River (Natal Battlefields). The city was renamed Tshwane (‘we are equal’) in 2005 while the city bowl remained Pretoria. Pretoria is a lively city, with long avenues, fascinating architecture and many historical buildings. Some examples of historical buildings are the Paul Kruger Museum in Church Street, the Union Buildings by Sir Herbert Baker, Church Square and Voortrekker Monument which is just outside the city.


Overnight: Pretoria
Distance today: ca. 60 km
Accommodation: Court Classique Suite Hotel

Today drive to the Mpumalanga province – ‘place of the rising sun’. Drive from Witbank to Belfast, Lydenburg and along the spectacular Long Tom Pass to Sabie, a region dominated by large forests. Three beautiful waterfalls can be seen in the area: Horseshoe, Bridal and Lone Creek Fall. Our final destination for today is Hazyview.

Overnight: Hazyview
Distance today: ca. 420 km
Accommodation: Hippo Hollow Country Estate

Day trip along the beautiful landscapes of the Panorama Route. Start with a visit to the formal gold mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest, where gold was discovered in 1873. Today, Pilgrim’s Rest is a National Monument where houses have been restored to their original status. The houses are now lovely pubs, bistros, restaurants, a hotel and a museum.
Our next destination is the Blyderiverpoort Nature Reserve where we can see one of the most fascinating natural wonders of on the African continent: the Blyde River Canyon, a 60 km long canyon and third largest of its kind in the world. Here you can see the Three Rondavels and more to the south Bourke’s Luck Potholes. In good weather, there is an unforgettable view from God’s Window over the Laagveld, several hundred meters below.

Overnight: Hazyview
Distance today: ca. 180 km
Accommodation: Hippo Hollow Country Estate

After breakfast we depart for the world famous Kruger National Park.
Kruger National Park was established in 1898 by the formal President of the Boer Republics, Paul Kruger. Today, the reserve has a surface of over 20.000 km². Kruger Park borders in the east to Mozambique, Zimbabwe in the north and many private game reserves in the east all forming the Greater Kruger Park. The best time to observe wild animals is during the winter months (May to September), when the landscape is dry and bare. The bush comes back alive after the first summer rainfall. This is the time when most animals have their babies born. Kruger Park has one of the most impressive game stocks on the African continent. With luck you will not only be able to see the ‘Big 5’ (elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard) during your drive but also other game such as giraffe, zebra, antelopes, warthog and many bird species.
The Greater Kruger Park offers a wide variety of accommodation. The many rest camps are state property, offering basic standard bungalows. Most of the rest camps have facilities such as a restaurant, small shops and some have a swimming pool. Game drives with your own rental car are possible using the many tarred roads which is an ideal way of observing game with your own eyes. Some of the rest camps offer safari game drives in open 4x4 vehicles and even bush walks.

Note:
Malaria Prophylaxes strongly recommended.
Children under the age of 6 are not allowed on open 4x4 safari vehicles
Children under the age of 16 are not allowed on bush walks

Private concessions and Kruger Park’s neighboring Private game reserves (for example Sabi Sand and Timbavati), both offer excellent quality and comfort. Overnight in a private game reserve will be without doubt a highlight during your stay in South Africa. Here you will experience the bush as in the old days. Lodges offer the ultimate comfort and in many occasions air-conditioning, full board and guided safari activities from sunrise to sunset.

Overnight: Kruger Park
Distance today: ca. 50 km
Accommodation: Skuzuza Rest Camp

Day at leisure. You have the opportunity to choose from many safari activities.

Rest camp: Game viewing drive through the reserve with your own rental vehicle or observe the game from the game viewing deck while drinking from the waterhole.

Lodge: Participate in one of the activities organized by the lodge. Enjoy the bush while waking up during sunrise. You will be welcomed by an excellent breakfast on return to the lodge. Time to relax in the pool or enjoy some down time until the next safari activity.  

Overnight: Kruger Park
Accommodation: Skuzuza Rest Camp

Departing Kruger Park after a last early morning safari and drive via Nelspruit to the airport in Johannesburg.
Distance today in South Africa: ca. 470 km  

Alternatives:
Guests who do not wish to do the drive twice to/from Johannesburg, can take a private charter by airplane from the lodge to the airport in Johannesburg. Guests staying overnight in a private game reserve can, if available, fly with a private charter directly from the Mpumalanga International Airport to the lodge.