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Fly In Safaris

Kruger National Park
Sabi Sands Fly-In Safaris
Timbavati Game Reserve Fly-in Safaris
Overland guided  or self-drive Safaris

Greater Kruger Park Accommodation

It is all about the wildlife experience !
We offer a variety of “fly-in” wildlife safaris from Johannesburg to our preferred luxury private game lodges in the world renowned Sabi Sands Game Reserve and  Timbavati Private Game Reserve which are open and  adjacent to the Kruger National Park as well as the concession lodges within the Kruger National Park itself.
These safaris are ideal for the discerning traveler who does not have time to spend on the road driving between the city and the reserve, and who wishes to experience the best that a wildlife safari in Africa has to offer.

One is able to fly directly from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport into the various Lodge airfields. You will be met at the Johannesburg International Airport upon your arrival by a representative from Federal Air who will escort you to the Federal Air departure lounge for your light aircraft flight into the Sabi Sands. Upon arrival at Sabi Sands you will be met by your Ranger and driven to the lodge – on departure your Ranger will drive you back to the airfield for your flight to Johannesburg.

Alternatively you may take a regional flight from Johannesburg or Cape Town into Nelspruit’s Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) for the southern Sabi Sand and Kruger Park Lodges, and into Hoedspruit for the northern Sabi Sand and Timbavati venues. We arrange road transfers from the regional airports to the Lodges. Flights to and from these centers to Cape Town and Victoria Falls are limited.

Sabi Sands Fly In Safaris

There are a number of lodges in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve and surrounds, an area which is renowned for having the best “Big Five” game viewing in South Africa, if not the world. Nowhere in South Africa will one find game viewing quite like one can experience within the Sabie and Sand River systems. These two perennial rivers supply the game reserve with a valuable water source. The Sand River flows through the reserve for 50km (31 miles) from north-west to south-east whilst the Sabie River flows on the southern boundary. The sustenance of these rivers ensures that this area enjoys one of the highest and most bio-diverse wildlife populations of any area in South Africa. Sharing a 50km unfenced border with the Kruger National Park, this immense (65 000 hectare/ 153 000 acre) tract of land is home to The Big Five, where numerous species live in abundance, whilst the ever-changing bird life provides even the most experienced ornithologist excellent viewing with rare finds. Such is the environment, that the majority of wildlife, save for the migratory birds, remain in their territories all year round.  The Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve and neighboring properties enjoy quality viewing of leopard (the most elusive of predators), elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and numerous antelope and other species. In fact, a checklist of the reserve would yield no fewer than 330+ tree, 110+ reptile, 500+ bird and 145+ mammal species.

A day at a Lodge

As the sun rises and the bush stirs to life open safari vehicles, seating between 4 and 10 visitors each, head out in to the bush veld,  under the expert guidance of experienced rangers. These rangers search for animals by tracking their spoor and by listening for tell-tale signs of activity. The bush has its own language, and it is fascinating to watch and benefit from those who possess the tools to interpret it. Guests are thus able to get within close contact of various animal species, and are consequently presented with unparalleled photographic opportunities. With the late afternoon game drive, the animals become more active, many preparing to hunt after dark. After sundowners, the drive continues with the aid of powerful spotlights that reveal some nocturnal species. On average, approximately 6 hours a day or more are spent out in the bush on these guided safaris. Game drives traverse large areas with strict vehicle limits at sightings which ensure the exclusivity of your safari activities and game viewing experience. Off-road driving ensures that you have the best possible view of any exceptional sighting and rangers are constantly in touch with one another in order to keep track of animal movements.

Most of the lodges in the Sabi Sands area follow the following wildlife safari format, which is to arrive for lunch on the first day. Check in, orientation and introduction to the lodge. Lunch or high tea after which  it is out on a game drive from about 15h30. During the drive, sundowners are enjoyed in the bush, followed by a ‘night drive’ where spotlights are used to find nocturnal species. You then return to the lodge for dinner. Early next morning you are awakened at dawn, tea/coffee and rusks are served and out on a game drive again, returning for a late breakfast. After breakfast there is an opportunity to go on a guided walk in the bush with an armed ranger. This usually focuses on the tracks, insects, birds and the smaller animals. Alternatively you may choose to relax at the lodge and enjoy its facilities. Many of the venues have Spas, gyms, libraries or swimming pools. Most lodges have a lovely outlook into the bush and possibly a water hole at which a variety of animals visit during the day. Lunch or high tea is then served and then the cycle repeats itself with the afternoon safari game drive. On your last day there would be the early game drive, followed by breakfast after which you would depart.

The Sabi Sand area boasts a selection of superb game lodges that are noted for their excellent hospitality - perfecting the ultimate photographic safari experience. Beautiful accommodation, fine cuisine, skilled and personable guides and rangers are but a few of the aspects that a visitor may expect to enjoy. Each lodge has something unique to offer and we recommend any of the following lodges in the Sabi Sands area:

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Timbavati Game Reserve Fly-in Safaris

Typical program – all venues may not offer the same program as described.

Day One:
Upon arrival at Eastgate Airport, Hoedspruit or your Timbavati Game Reserve airfield you will be met by your guide and driven to the lodge to check-in.
After lunch / high tea, you have the opportunity to relax before your afternoon tea/coffee/juice and game drive, which continues after your sundowner stop into the evening, making use of a spotlight to search for the nocturnal species. At the conclusion of your drive it’s back to the lodge for dinner and a well-earned sleep.

Day Two:
An early wake-up call is followed by tea, coffee, juice, biscuits and rusks, before you depart on your morning drive, which can be anything from 3-5 hours, before returning to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast you have the option of a short guided walk with an armed ranger to learn more of the smaller animals, tracks, nests, etc. There is also the option to relax by the pool, stretch out in the gym, enjoy a Spa treatment or just relax before lunch. (Options dependent on venue facilities)
This afternoon the programme follows that of the previous day, i.e., tea, game drive, sundowner drinks, night drive, dinner and bed.

Day Three:
Here you have a choice to extend your stay in the Timbavati Game Reserve by any number of days, or you can choose to transfer to another lodge after breakfast, or even end your tour – the choice is yours. Should this be your last day, you would then do the morning game drive, enjoy breakfast and then be transferred to the airstrip for your flight back to Johannesburg.

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Kruger Park Fly-In Safaris

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,  the Kruger National Park,  nearly 2 million hectares in extent, is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Truly the flagship of the South African National Parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals.
There are a number of concession lodges within the Kruger National Park. These are all fully hosted and catered for facilities.
Here one is able to enjoy comfortable accommodation, fine cuisine and guided game activities conducted by experienced Rangers in ‘open sided’ game drive vehicles.

Day One
Upon arrival at the airport you will be met by your transfer chauffer or Ranger and driven to the lodge to check-in.
After lunch you have the opportunity to relax before your afternoon tea/coffee/juice and game drive, which continues after your sundowner stop into the evening, making use of a spotlight to search for the nocturnal species. At the conclusion of your drive it’s back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day Two:
An early wake-up call is followed tea/coffee/juice and something to eat such as biscuits or rusks before you depart on your morning drive, which can be anything from 3-4 hours, before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Here to relax by the pool, work out in the gym or just relax before lunch. (Dependent on venue facilities)
This afternoon the programme follows that of the previous day, i.e., tea, game drive, sundowner drinks, night drive, dinner and bed.

Day Three:
Here you have a choice to extend your stay by any number of days, or you can choose to transfer to another lodge after breakfast, or even end your tour – the choice is yours. Should this be your last day, you would then do the morning game drive, enjoy breakfast and then be transferred to the airstrip for your flight back to Johannesburg.

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Overland guided  or self-drive Safaris

We offer fly-in safaris to the Kruger National Park for our standard guided safaris. This is for those persons who do not wish to drive to the area, choosing instead to fly to the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) which is situated in Nelspruit near the Kruger National. There are regular flights from Johannesburg and one flight daily from Cape Town to KMIA.
We could arrange the accommodation for your self-drive tour or for the guided Safari  our guide will collect you at the airport and drive the short distance into the Kruger National Park where our tour commences immediately upon entering the gate. These tours can then be anything from three days and longer. At the conclusion of the tour you then have the option of flying to either Johannesburg or Cape Town from KMIA, (flights to Victoria Falls also an option) or extending your tour to link up with any of our other tours.  A suggestion is to end your Safari on a ‘high’ with a night or two at any of the lodges in the Sabi Sands, the Timbavati Private Game Reserves or any concession lodge within the Kruger National Park.

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