Pre Trip: Highlights of the Kruger Park

Pre –Trip: Highlights
of the Kruger Park
09 April – 13 April 2016
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SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa is often described as “a world in one country” and is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world.
South Africa is enriched with fascinating experiences, world renowned people and a variety of places that must be visited! From
watching the big five in one of the world’s biggest national parks to enjoying a relaxing time at our blue flag beaches. You can
choose to sift through our unmatched cultural and wine routes or you can opt to learn a lot through our world heritage sites.
You can watch whales doing acrobatics at the world’s whale watching capital or come up close and personal with the great
whites or simply take part in any of the endless adrenalin pumping adventure sports that we offer in the air, sea or on land.
South Africa has a wide range of world class accommodation available to the discerning traveler.
Geography of the Country
Located in the extreme south of the African continent, between 22° and 35° south
latitude, South Africa extends all the way from the Limpopo River at north until the
Cape Peninsula to the southwest for 2000km and east to west from the
Namaqualand Desert until the subtropical coast of Natal for 1500km. The country
covers 1,221,000 km² (equivalent to twice the size of France). South Africa shares its
borders to the west with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Two
independent states are found internally in the South African territory: Lesotho and
Swaziland. These territories have never been part of the country and have remained
under British protection until their independence in the 1960s. The country was
divided after 1994 into 9 provinces.
Climate
The seasons of the year are inverted in comparison with those of the northern hemisphere. The country has a very strong sun,
and the resorts around Cape Town enjoy 300 hours more sun than those of the Canary Islands every year. In general, South
Africa is characterised for its relative dryness, because the percentage evaporation is always superior to that of precipitation.
Two thirds of the country gets less than 500mm of rain per year. In the interior, the awaited rains, fall mainly during the summer
months (between October and March) normally in the form of precipitation.
Formalities
Foreign travellers must hold a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the return date, and must have at least two full
blank pages available on the passport, they must also be in possession of a return ticket and sufficient funds for their stay. Other
documentations includes: a valid visa, if required, as well as yellow fever certificates if the journey stars or entails passing
through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.
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TRIP OVERVIEW
DAY
ROUTE
AM
LUNCH
PM
8
DINNER
OPTIONAL
OVERNIGHT
Aboard
Aboard
Hotel
Royal Hotel,
Pilgrims Rest
Departure to South
Africa
9
Arrival in Johannesburg
/ Pilgrim’s Rest
Trip to Pretoria
OWN
ACCOUNT
Trip to Pilgrim’s Rest
Greenway
Woods
OR
10
Pilgrims Rest / White
River
Panorama Route
Drive to Hazyview
Drive to White River
OWN
ACCOUNT
Afternoon at own
leisure
Hotel
Casterbridge
Hollow
OR
Jatinga Country
Lodge, White
River
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White River
Morning at leisure
OWN
ACCOUNT
OR
Or
** Optional full day
Kruger National Park,
Safari**
** Optional
Picnic lunch
with full day
safari**
12
13
White River/Airport
White River /
Johannesburg
OWN
ACCOUNT
** Optional half day
Kruger National Park,
Safari**
Trip back to
Johannesburg/Cape
Town
**Optional full day
safari**
Hotel
OR
OR
Casterbridge
Hollow
**Option of
Shangaan
Village**
Jatinga Country
Lodge, White
River
OR
OR
**Optional afternoon
activities Chimp Eden
OR Elephant
Interaction**
OR
Greenway
Woods
Afternoon at own
leisure
Morning at leisure
OR
Greenway
Woods
Hotel
Casterbridge
Hollow
OR
Jatinga Country
Lodge, White
River
OWN
ACCOUNT
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DAILY ITINERARY
Saturday, 09 April 2016 – Arrive Johannesburg/ Pilgrim’s Rest
09h00 Depart OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg. Upon arrival you will be met by an English speaking Tour guide in
the arrivals hall with a meeting board.
Proceed to the vehicle, luggage to be loaded, we continue to Pretoria for a short visit to the Voortrekker Museum and Paul
Kruger House before we proceed to travel to the Mpumalanga Provence.
Pretoria
The Voortrekker Monument, at the entrance of the South of Pretoria, honours the founders of the Afrikaner nation and their
expedition, the Grand Trek. Behind Church Square we can find the Paul Kruger House. The president of the Transvaal from 1883
to 1900 before he went into exile in Switzerland. This mansion is now a museum where some of Paul Kruger’s belongings are on
display.
Mpumalanga
Is one of the most scenic provinces: its landscapes vary with rocky savannahs, forest slopes and the oldest National Park in the
world (created in 1898) – the Kruger National Park. The economy of the region concentrates mainly on the mining of coal,
agriculture, forestry and tourism. This province is the doorway to entrance to both Swaziland and Mozambique.
En-route to Pilgrim’s Rest we will stop to stretch our legs, Lunch for own account (excluded).
Arrive at Pilgrim’s Rest, complete check-in formalities and enjoy the afternoon at own leisure to explore the town of Pilgrims
Rest or enjoy a few refreshments in the nostalgic bar at the Royal Hotel.
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Pilgrims Rest
Pilgrim's Rest - situated on the magnificent Panorama Route in the Kruger Lowveld region of the Mpumalanga province of South
Africa. The area is richly imbued with a diversity of natural, cultural and historic gems. The uniqueness of this historic village is
vividly evident in its museums and historic sites. It offers the visitor a fascinating window into the past, and captures the spirit
of a bygone era and its people in their quest for gold.
Evening at own leisure, dinner at the Hotel.
Meals for the day include : Dinner
Overnight at Royal Hotel, Pilgrims Rest on a Dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Sunday, 10 April 2016 – Panorama Tour, Mpumalanga/ Lodge
Breakfast at the hotel.
08h00 After breakfast meet your English speaking Tour guide in the lobby and proceed on a morning Panoramic tour which
includes visits to Three Rondavels, Bourkes Luck Potholes and God’s Window.
Panorama Tour
Panorama Tour - Stop on the site of " Three huts " (Three rondavels), taking the form of three huts overlooking the heights of
their imposing stature. "pots of giants" (Bourke's Luck Potholes), deep cavities of cylindrical shapes formed by fluvial erosion
and action of floods, the "window of God" (God's Window) where we discover a panorama which stretches for kilometres of
covered mountains dense forests.
We proceed to Hazyview and stop to stretch our legs, Lunch for own account (excluded). After our stop we proceed to White
River for our respective Hotels.
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Kruger National Park
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, the Park is unrivalled in the
diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies.
Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians - , 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147
mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic
archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the
cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the
park's natural assets.
Evening at own leisure, dinner at the Hotel.
Meals for the day include : Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight at either Greenway Woods Resort OR Jatinga Country Lodge, White River on a Dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Monday, 11 April 2016 – Full day at leisure or ** Optional Full day Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga**
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day at leisure OR ** Optoinal Full day Kruger Park Safari with picnic lunch**
Lunch for own account (excluded).
Dinner at the Hotel ** Optional – supplement for Shangaan Village dinner**.
Meals for the day include : Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight at either Greenway Woods Resort OR Jatinga Country Lodge, White River on a Dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
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Tuesday, 12 April 2016 – Morning at leisure or **Optional Half day morning Kruger National Park safari/ Afternoon at leisure,
**Optional Chimp Eden OR Elephant interaction** Mpumalanga
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day at leisure OR **Optional Half day morning safari AND Optional early afternoon Chimp Eden OR late afternoon
Elephant Interaction**
Lunch for own account (excluded)
Dinner at the Hotel.
Meals for the day include : Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight at either Greenway Woods Resort OR Jatinga Country Lodge, White River on a Dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Wednesday, 13 April 2016 – Depart White River/ Johannesburg
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast meet your English speaking Tour guide in the lobby and proceed back to the Airport.
Lunch for own account (excluded)
18h00 Arrive OR Tambo International Airport
END OF OUR SERVICES
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PRICES
NET COST PER PERSON SHARING IN DOUBLE/TWIN OCCUPANCY
Costs based in USD:
Description
Per Person Sharing (Twin/Double)
Single Supplement
3 STAR
GREENWAY WOODS RESORT
USD 395
USD 60
4 STAR
JATINGA COUNTRY LODGE
USD 540
USD 125
OUR PRICE INCLUDES:
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Meet & Greet and assistance with an English speaking guide during group’s stay.
Transport in an air-conditioned bus/coach throughout.
Accommodation in hotels of the above mentioned categories (variety of star grading).
Meals mentioned on programme.
Flights, accommodation, meals and transport of guide.
Activities and entrance fees as mentioned on programme.
Tourism levies.
Porterage.
OUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE :










Domestic and International flights.
Airport taxes.
Visas.
Meals not mentioned above and marked in bold.
Personal expenses.
All Drinks, water and beverages.
Tips (guide, driver, etc) to pay directly.
Optional activities.
Travel, repatriation, luggage and cancellation insurances.
Other services not mentioned on the programme.
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OPTIONAL PRICES
PRE JOHANNESBURG HOTEL OPTIONS
Metcourt Hotel - http://www.emperorspalace.com/hotels/peermont-metcourt-hotel
Cost From: USD 90 per person sharing in a twin or double room on a bed and breakfast basis
Single supplement: USD 70.00
Including: complimentary shuttles to and from OR Tambo International Airport
Mondior Hotel - http://www.emperorspalace.com/hotels/peermont-mondior
Cost From: USD 95 per person sharing in a twin or double room on a bed and breakfast basis
Single supplement: USD 55
Including: complimentary shuttles to and from OR Tambo International Airport
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Full day OR Half day (morning only) : 11th of April 2016
Kruger Park 4 x 4 Safari
Full Day with Picnic Lunch – Cost: USD 85 per person (approx. 10 hours)
Depart from the hotel: 05h00 Arrive back at the hotel: 16h00
Includes: Return transfers, Full day Kruger Safari, Picnic lunch and Park entrance fees
Half Day – Cost: USD 70 per person (approx. 5 hours)
Depart from the hotel: 05h00 Arrive back at the hotel: 11h00
Includes: Return transfers, Half day Kruger Safari, Park entrance fees
Discovery of Kruger National Park’s animals. Full Day or Half Day safaris will
take the guests on a journey through the wildlife of the park and maybe
even to the “Big 5”.
The biggest and oldest National Reserves in South Africa, bordering with
Mozambique to the east, Zimbabwe to the north and Private Game
Reserves to the west. Divided between the province of Limpopo and
Mpumalanga, the Kruger National Park extends for more than 350km in
length and 60km in width. Imagine a land of almost 20,000km2.
Evening only: 11th of April 2016
Shangaan Village Dinner supplement – Cost: USD 30 per person (approx. 5 hours)
Depart from the hotel: 16h00 Arrive back at the hotel: 21h00
Includes: Return transfers, Buffet dinner and Shangaan cultural show
The Cultural Village of Shangana (a tribe from Mozambique) is located in the heart of the Mpumalanga Forest. The Shangan
tribe chose this location strategically near both the Kruger Park and Mozambique. The village distinguishes itself by the way they
welcome their guests. They invite the guests to come and understand and live their traditions. At sunset guests will be
introduced to the traditions and customs of this tribe – in a visit where they may enjoy a Shangan dance and music
performance. In the Kraal the guests will be introduced to their traditional cuisine prepared by the village families, where the
guests cannot pass on the opportunity to try the local beer!
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Half day (morning only) : 12th of April 2016
Kruger Park 4 x 4 Safari
Half Day – Cost: USD 70 per person (approx. 5 hours)
Depart from the hotel: 05h00 Arrive back at the hotel: 11h00
Includes: Return transfers, Half day Kruger Safari, Park entrance fees
Discovery of Kruger National Park’s animals. Full Day or Half Day safaris
will take the guests on a journey through the wildlife of the park and
maybe even to the “Big 5”.
The biggest and oldest National Reserves in South Africa, bordering with
Mozambique to the east, Zimbabwe to the north and Private Game
Reserves to the west. Divided between the province of Limpopo and
Mpumalanga, the Kruger National Park extends for more than 350km in
length and 60km in width. Imagine a land of almost 20,000km2.
Half day (Early afternoon only) : 12th of April 2016
Chimp Eden – Cost: USD 95 per person (approx. 3.5 hours)
Depart from the hotel: 11h00 Arrive back at the hotel: 15h00
Includes: Return transfers, Chimp facility tour, Park entrance fees
Situated within the beautiful 1,000 hectare Umhloti Nature Reserve, 15 kilometres outside Nelspruit, the Jane Goodall Institute
(JGI) South Africa Chimpanzee Sanctuary is home to chimps that have been misplaced from their natural habitats in Africa.
The chimpanzees at Chimp Eden are the lucky ones, living out their lives in a risk free environment and being provided with the
necessary attention to recover from the trauma they have experienced. The chimpanzees spend their days in semi-wild
enclosures, and show normal social interaction and behavioural patterns as group members. There are currently three
different chimp groups and enclosures at the South African sanctuary. There are viewpoints overlooking the forest and
“foraging areas’ from which visitors and volunteers can observe and study the chimpanzees.
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Half day (late afternoon only): 12th of April 2016
Elephant Interaction - Cost: USD 100 per person (approx. 2.5 hour)
Depart from the hotel: 15h00 Arrive back at the hotel: 18h00
Includes: Return transfers, Elephant Interaction, entrance fee
- Explore the rough contours of the elephant’s wrinkled skin, stroke the velvety skin
under their ears, and enjoy the breeze from the cool air being circulated when the
elephant gently flap their ears.
- Offer a tongue massage to an enthusiastic elephant!
- Have your photograph taken standing under the impressive six ton Tembo.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Pilgrims Rest – only one option of hotel in this small town.
The Royal Hotel – 3* (http://www.royal-hotel.co.za/)
Pilgrims Rest, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa is situated in an historic and unspoiled gold mining village. Proclaimed as a
National Monument in 1986, Pilgrims Rest has succeeded in preserving the quaint atmosphere of yesteryear. Trapped in a time
warp, the lounge reflects an epoch of time honoured hospitality and elegance so typical of the late Victorian era. Upon entering
the Royal Hotel, visitors are immediately taken on a nostalgia-filled trip into the past. The reception walls are lined with the
most interesting photographs and artefacts providing vivid glimpses of Pilgrim's Rest's history.
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White River – 2 options of star grading on offer.
Greenway Woods Resort – 3* (http://www.threecities.co.za/hotel/greenwaywoods/)
Outstanding accommodation, top-notch service, delectable cuisine and an enviable setting. Three Cities Greenway Woods Golf
Resort is an ethnic inspiration, a perfect and refined destination to explore Mpumalanga’s spectacular scenic beauty and
abundance of wildlife. The resort is located near the small, eccentric town of White River in the Lowveld, 27km from Nelspruit,
18km from the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, and 30km from Kruger National Park’s Numbi Gate.
Jatinga Country Lodge – 4*Deluxe (http://www.jatinga.co.za/)
Deluxe is situated on the banks of the White River, close to Kruger Park, KMI Airport, The Panorama Route, Nelspruit and many
other Lowveld attractions. Jatinga is a country retreat where guests have the opportunity to escape into bygone era of colonial
luxury. Built in the 1920's the lodge is still serving both local and international guests in fine dining, hand-picked estate wines,
personalized service and luxurious rooms that offer guests every comfort.
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