Both of our South African Big 5 Safari Lodges are about 8 hours’ driving time from Johannesburg, and part of the drive is on unmarked two-lane gravel roads where GPS can be unreliable. It can be confusing when you are exhausted from a long flight and on the “back side of the clock.”
When you add together the cost of a hotel, car rental, petrol, toll roads, gate entrance and conservation fees combined with the exhausting driving schedule, it will be more than you bargained for. Please trust us with that advice.
Our two-night schedule allows you to adapt to the time change, get a good night’s sleep, have a few excellent meals, and arrive at the Lodge refreshed and ready for safari. Read our Trip Advisor reviews for advice from other clients, and you’ll be assured that our supplemental package is essential for the best experience.
Normal Itinerary
Minimum 2 days prior to safari: Arrival night in Johannesburg with airport pickup and overnight at a cozy, quiet, family-owned Guest House not too far from the airport so you can recover from your long flight — breakfast and lodging included. Dinner is available with prior notice ($15-20) and dietary needs can be accommodated.
If you are coming from Cape Town, you can use your Johannesburg B&B night after the safari. Because this is a pre-paid package, refunds cannot be offered for unused portions such as hotel nights, and we are unable to arrange alternate accommodations in Cape Town.
The day before your safari: You’ll fly to Nelspruit after a mouth-watering, made-to-order breakfast; there are direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town. We’ll provide airport pickup and overnight in Nelspruit at a top B&B Guest House with an incredible view, luscious garden, outstanding service, and exquisite rooms. Arrive by noon, and you can enjoy the 2pm tour of Dr. Jane Goodall’s rescue/rehab facility, Chimp Eden. You’ll be back at the Guest House by 4:30. Watch the sun set over the valley with a cocktail in hand, then dine at Orange Restaurant across from the hotel. It’s one of the finest dining experiences to be had in Africa (dinner not included), or you can UBER elsewhere for your meal. Settle into your comfy bed for a good night’s rest. Wake up refreshed and ready for safari!
The morning of your safari: You’ll have plenty of time for a decadent buffet and made-to-order breakfast (included). The vehicle will depart for the Safari Lodge around 10:30-11:00 with you and possibly other safari guests. There is a planned stop about 1.5 hours into the drive at Perry’s Bridge Reptile Park, which includes a curio shop, craft shop, coffee shop, brewery, and a Belgian Patisserie combined with a wine shop. You’ll have a few minutes to buy snacks or drinks.
The total drive to the Safari Lodge is 2.5-3 hours. Our service uses clean, new vehicles with safe, friendly, English-speaking drivers who will be happy to tell you about the sights and culture of the areas through which you will travel.
You’ll arrive at the Lodge rested and relaxed, with plenty of time to settle in before our delicious lunch, after which we will hop into the safari vehicles for the afternoon game drive. You are finally on safari!
The last day of your safari: We’ll enjoy the morning game drive, have our last yummy breakfast, and the vehicle will depart at 10:30-11:00am to transport you back to Nelspruit Airport or a Nelspruit hotel if you want to stay longer. Please do NOT book a return flight earlier than 16:40. You’ll miss the morning drive and there is an extra cost for early departures. You’ll be back in Joberg well before all international departures.
Karen can help you plan your flight itinerary, please ask!
Flight Information
You may use your night in Johannesburg at the beginning or end of your safari.
If coming from Johannesburg or Cape Town, you’ll need to arrive in either city TWO days before safari in order to be in Nelspruit on time. Your routes will be either JNB-MQP or CPT-MQP when searching flights. Please choose a flight that arrives prior to 11:00 am.
For those coming from/going to Cape Town, there is generally one direct flight daily. There are several connecting flights through Johannesburg. They typically add an hour to your travel time but are up to half the cost.
You can search flights through Expedia or any similar booking site. If you can, book directly at flyairlink.com
Karen can advise you on flights, just ask!
Included:
- 1 B&B Night in Johannesburg near O.R. Tambo Airport including in-airport pickup (may be used at the end of safari instead of arrival night) with separate or queen beds, full breakfast
- 1 B&B Night in Nelspruit including airport pickup, with separate or queen beds, full breakfast
- 2:00 p.m. guided tour of Dr. Jane Goodall’s Chimp Eden
- Round-trip transportation to the Safari Lodge with all booked safari guests. Return drop-off at the airport on the last day of safari is 2:00-3:00 p.m. (drop-off at other Nelspruit locations are an option, please inquire)
- Gate fees, conservation fees, community fees as applicable
Excluded:
- Meals and snacks prior to safari other than breakfast.
- Drinks outside of breakfast
- Alcoholic drinks
- Airline flights
- Extra activities other than Chimp Eden tour
- Personal purchases
- Gratuities – suggested gratuity for the driver is $10-20 each way per person
You may use your night in Johannesburg at the beginning or end of your safari.
We are happy to arrange additional nights for you in Johannesburg or Nelspruit as needed.
As this is a pre-paid package, we are unable to deduct costs for any unused portions of the Lodging and Ground Transportation Package or make any substitutions.
Johannesburg Accommodations:
Nelspruit Accommodations:
Chimp Eden:
