Day 1 – 2 KRUGER PRIVATE GAME RESERVE [tented lodge Bx1, Lx2, Dx2] (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)

Our safari gets underway early in the morning as we head northeast towards the Greater Kruger National Park and our tented lodge on a private game reserve. Our camp is on the banks of the Greater Letaba River.

Our days are spent either on foot where we get to explore the reserve on game walks or on open 4wd game drives that get us closer to the wildlife. Excellent opportunities for spotting elephant, buffalo and giraffe. An afternoon watching the animals come down to drink at the river will leave you with lasting memories and excellent photos.

Day 1: Breakfast is not included

Day 1: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 1: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge

Day 2: Breakfast provided by the lodge

Day 2: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 2: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge 

Includes: 2x game drives and 2 x game walks

Overnight: Mtomeni Lodge – twin bed chalet en suite. There is no electricity, the camp operates on solar power WiFi not available

Distance/time: 530kms, ± 7 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing, breakfast & lunch

Day 3 MPUMALANGA [lodge BLD] 

The panorama route runs south along the escarpment, an area of beautiful indigenous forests, plantations, waterfalls and canyons which offer spectacular views. We visit the potholes created by the confluence of two rivers of Bourke’s Luck potholes and enjoy the views from Gods Window and over the second largest canyon in Africa the Blyde River Canyon as well as short walks to explore some of the forests and waterfalls.

Day 3: Breakfast provided by the lodge

Day 3: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 3: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge

Includes: Entrance fees to Blyde River Canyon, Bourkes Luck Potholes, Mac Mac Falls & Gods Window

Overnight: Gecko Lodge – Twin en-suite rooms. Restaurant & pool WiFi not available

Distance/time: 280kms, ± 4 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing, breakfast & lunch and any game drives

* Bold dates are guaranteed departures; all other dates are guaranteed from 4 clients.

We understand that there are several options available to you when choosing your African safari. We also know that you want to make the most informed decision about your safari, what you get, what’s included and what you see and experience. So these are just a few of the ICA qualities and facts:

Small groups

By travelling with a maximum of 12 people, you are able to witness Africa and have first-hand contact with this amazing continent and its people without being a negative influence. This has been a key factor in our continued success. Our trips appeal to a wide demographic of traveller. Our clients range in age from 25 to 65+ with the average being 45. The range of travellers gives a variety of perspectives which adds to the experience of each safari.

2 Safari tour guides

Departure dates on each itinerary shown as bold are guaranteed departure dates. All other departures operate with a minimum of 4 clients.

All inclusive price

When we travel ourselves, we always feel that if we’re in a country we should find and see the best it has to offer. So when planning the ICA routes we ensure that each trip provides the best inclusions and experiences. For example, if you go to Botswana – you have to visit the national parks in an open 4WD – it is the essence of the Botswana wilderness. When booking on an ICA Safari there are no hidden costs. All of the entrance fees are included, and a wide range of activities, and most meals. We have included many highlights in our tours, so that you will see and experience the highlights without having to pay extra when you get there. So when you decide on which safari company to book with, look carefully at what you’re actually getting. You may only visit a place once, make sure you get the most out of it.

Safety

Our fleet of vehicles are custom built to ensure comfortable and safe touring. Each is constructed, by an authorised passenger vehicle builder, to the latest safety requirements, with a safety shell, and every seat has a lap belt. This gives you peace of mind when travelling with ICA on the often demanding African roads.

Experience

We have more than 25 years’ experience planning tours throughout Southern Africa. As such, our itineraries and routes have been perfected over many years ensuring that your tour will run smoothly. We visit the highlights of Southern Africa, but ensure that you do not follow the well-trodden tourist track. All of us at ICA have extensive travel experience in Africa, and throughout the world. Being adventure travellers ourselves, we know how to plan trips that give you a broad experience of the countries that you will visit.

Based in Africa

Probably the most important part of a ICA safari is that we are an African company with offices in South Africa. We live in Africa, we travel in Africa and it is our passion for this amazing continent that makes ICA your best travel option.

Local Payment

A local payment is not required on this safari.

Recommended reading

Before you travel you might want to read any of the following books. While not specific to the ICA tour you will join, they do provide some background understanding of the countries you will be visiting.

• The Covenant by James A. Mitchener (The best and worst of two continents carve an empire out of the vast wilderness that is to become South Africa.)

• When The Lion Feeds by Smith Wilbur (Fictional story set in Natal, South Africa in the 1870’s)

• Jock of the Bushveld by J Percy FitzPatrick (Story of a trader and his dog set in 1880 around Pilgrim’s Rest and Kruger area)

• The Steps of the Sun by Joanna Trollope (Love story set during the Boer War)

• Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa by Kenneth Newman

• Sasol Birds of Southern Africa by Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey, and W.R. Tarboton

• The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, and Primates by Richard D. Estes and Daniel Otte

• Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa (Field Guides) by Braam Van Wyk, Keith Coates Palgrav, and Piet Van Wyk