The Kruger ecosystem stretches evocatively across northeastern South Africa, offering a complete suite of safari experiences. This classic itinerary blends the activities and reserves, offering a rounded experience in the fabled Kruger landscape. Luxury and charm in Sabi Sands, inspiring scale in the main Kruger park, then intimacy and thrills in Mala Mala. It's complemented by some of Africa's finest safari accommodations; picture treehouse villas and private pools with sweeping views of the...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Sabi Sands – Luxury Safari Welcomes
Touch down in Sabi Sands and you can smell the animals. It's certainly an intriguing smell. A lingering waft of the wild, an enticing breeze of clean air that confirms you're hundreds of miles from the world of cities and pollution. It only takes a few minutes before the animals confirm their attendance. Two white rhinos slowly wander past; elegance personified as their horns point skyward in defiance. An elephant bashes his rump against an acacia, and then a whole herd seems to copy. Zebras watch you pass before an alerted female initiates a short gallop across the savannah. Buffalo, springbok, giraffe, eland, baboons; it's easy to tick more than ten off the list just on the journey from the airstrip to the lodge.
Sabi Sands provides the quintessential first-time experience, the landscape's two permanent rivers attracting huge wildlife numbers to a comparatively compact area. Everyone arrives on a safari with feverish anticipation, expecting to find all the four-legged characters from the documentaries. One game drive in Sabi Sands, and you'll have encountered a large majority of the popular favorites. Head out in the afternoon, winding along the Sabie River, following the rhythmic cycle of life. And when you return to the lodge, the encounters continue, a great cast of animals drinking from the river below. Diversity and ease make Sabi Sands so special, ensuring you're quickly immersed in all the fabled wonders of an African safari. Close your eyes at night and you can hear the herds munching nearby.
What's Included:
Day 2
Sabi Sands – Classic Game Drives Through the Savanna
Day 3
Sabi Sands – Walking Through the Wild in Kruger
Day 4
Kruger National Park – Exploring the Gargantuan Scale of Kruger
Day 5
Kruger National Park – More Evocative Impressions
Day 6
Mala Mala – Enhancing the Intimacy at an Exclusive Private Reserve
Day 7
Mala Mala – Getting Closer than Ever at Mala Mala
Day 8
Johannesburg – Final Game Drive and Departure
Trip Highlights
- Settle into the untrammeled luxury of Africa's finest safari camps and lodges, with beautiful accommodation overlooking the wild game of Kruger
- Spot the big five and much much more, the Kruger home to an astonishing profusion and diversity of wildlife; including lion prides, leopards, elephants, and the world's largest rhino population
- Spend three nights in the Sabi Sands, a compact and abundant private reserve sharing unfenced boundaries with Kruger National Park
- Enjoy two days discovering the monumental scale of Kruger, with long game drives through remote stretches of the iconic bushland
- Complete the itinerary with three days of safari in Mala Mala Private Reserve, where you travel off road and enjoy a heightened intimacy with all the animals
- Admire the wildlife from different angles by taking a walking safari in Sabi Sands and a nighttime drive in Mala Mala
- Discover that the safari never stops, with vast herds and delightful species roaming past your camp throughout the evening and night
Starting Price
$10,800 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.95 stars based on 1173 reviews.
The trip was the best we have ever had. Africa is a very special place. Zicasso's travel expert did a fantastic job of organizing the itinerary. The only disappointment was that we were not scheduled to see the mass migration across the river.
Reviewed By Andrew K.
Zicasso’s travel agent put together an amazing trip for our family. This travel agent was incredibly responsive.
Reviewed By David W.
We had an amazing trip, planned by Zicasso's travel partner. This is the first time I've ever used a travel agent and I'll admit, I was nervous. She took all of our feedback into consideration while planning. I highly recommend!
Reviewed By Kris C.
This was a well-planned trip that was personally rewarding and fulfilling.
This trip provided a great balance of the diverse locations from both countries (Namibia and South Africa).
I chose Zicasso as, at this stage of life, when taking well-deserved vacations, I just want to pay, pack, show up and have everything (accommodations, transportation, domestic and international flights, tours, attention to safety, and additional recommendations) accounted for. And that is exactly what the Zicasso's travel expert provided via her tour agency.
I was able to share my must-haves/nice-to-haves and she customized a vacation package that tended to every detail. It was a wonderful balance of rustic and luxury. It was also our July “birthdaycation” for my aunt and me, and we were surprised at multiple locations with surprise birthday acknowledgements. Birthdays are very special to me, so this was a major “icing” on the cake for me on this vacation.
Although there was a minor “hiccup” on the day of arrival, the travel specialist's “on-the-ground” (local) staff pivoted and quickly and professionally found another option for us for our airport pickup. This shows the mark of a company interested in ensuring the complete satisfaction of their clients.
For the destinations the travel expert specializes in, they will be my first point of contact when looking to make my next vacation destination.
Well done!
Reviewed By Andrea +.
The trip was carefully planned and we received optimal assistance throughout the trip and constant availability and monitoring during the journey. Our Zicasso travel agent was very professional and always available to respond to our requests and needs. The choice of hotels was excellent and reflected the expectations. The activities offered in the different locations were very well structured and the guides were of high quality, particularly those in Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta.
Reviewed By Roberto B.
Our family had a blast in South Africa, thanks to Zicasso's travel designer. She was meticulous in the planning and gave some good suggestions that worked well for our group. From fast-track tickets up to Table Mountain to food recommendations, she curated an itinerary that made the trip a breeze.
The guide in Cape Town was a wellspring of knowledge. We learned so much about the country from her, from history to economics and culture.
The safari portion of the trip was most memorable. The resort in Hoedspruit was just what the family needed.
We will definitely look up this travel company for future trips.
Reviewed By Lauren L.