Ultimate South African Mammal Safari

This 16- day Ultimate South Africa Mammal safari offers you the best chance to see all the classic big game species of Africa, also including the nocturnal mammals along with superb scenery, incredible birds, fantastic cuisine, excellent accommodation and much more.

The “rainbow nation” of South Africa is known not only for its multi-ethnic society that encompasses a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions. It is equally famous for its stunning natural beauty and incredible fauna and flora. South Africa boasts 22,000 different higher plant species (9% of all the known species on Earth), 297 species of mammals (including Africa’s famed Big Five), a bird count of at least 858 species, 447 species of reptile and 132 species of amphibians.

Top Attractions:

Kruger National Park – one of the top wildlife reserves in the world

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary – the jewel in eSwatini’s Conservation crown

Mkuze Game Reserve – beautiful reserve with the Big Five and more than 500 bird species

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park – lots of hills, rhinos and rare species, and SA’s oldest reserve

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – a pioneering, trans-country masterpiece arid park

Marrick Safari – privately owned reserve incredibly rich in nocturnal animal life

Karoo Gariep Conservancy – experience nocturnal mammals at their best

Mokala National Park – home to rare and beautiful antelopes and other great fauna and flora

Top mammals:

Lion (Black-maned), Leopard, Cheetah, African Buffalo, Black and White Rhinoceros, Elephants, aardvark, Black-footed Cat, Bat-eared Fox, Porcupine

Top birds:

Lappet-faced Vulture, White-headed Vulture, Martial Eagle, Verreaux’s Eagle-owl, Red-necked Falcon, Pygmy Falcon, Kori Bustard, Burchell’s Sandgrouse, Sociable Weaver, Ludwigs Bustard

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What to expect:

Day to Day Itinerary

DAY 1:
Start of safari in Johannesburg; drive or fly to Kruger National Park – Welcome to the “rainbow nation” of South Africa! Your fantastic Ultimate South African Mammal experience will start today in Johannesburg at the O.R. Tambo International Airport. You will be met by your Nature Travel guide and after a quick meet-and-greet we will either:

• fly to the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (45 minute flight), situated about an hour outside the Kruger National Park, where we will pick up our comfortable vehicle to use for the duration of the safari, or

• pack our bags into our comfortable vehicle and drive to the Kruger National Park, about 4 and a half hours away.

Either way, once in our vehicle we will have some time to get to know each other and share some stories of our previous travels around South Africa and the rest of the world. We will probably enter the park at the Phabeni or Kruger gate and make our way to our home for the next two nights, Skukuza rest camp.

*Please note: We suggest you arrive at the O.R. Tambo Airport as early in the morning as you can, as this will lengthen the time we can spend on our first day in the park. If you would like us to help with your travel arrangements, let us know and we will gladly assist.

“Kruger”, as the locals call it, covers a vast area of 19,485 km² , extending 360 kilometres from north to south and 65 kilometres from east to west. It is the tenth largest game reserve on earth and welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors every year yet never feels crowded. The park is a true conservation showcase with the ecosystems functioning with minimal human intervention. Few places in the world can compete with Kruger on a diversity level. All the famous Big Five game animals (Buffalo, Elephant, 2 species of Rhino, Lion and Leopard) are found in Kruger, which has more species of large mammals than any other African game reserve (at 147 species). Over 520 species of birds have also been seen in the park, along with vast numbers of reptiles, insects and other fauna and flora. We should tick about 30 to 40 mammal species and over 250 bird species during this trip!

Skukuza, where we are heading, is the park’s administrative headquarters, its largest camp and sometimes feels like a (very) small town compared to the other camps in Kruger. It is situated on the southern bank of the Sabie River and the habitat here comprises riparian zones, with large trees lining the river banks, and Sabie River thickets away from the river courses. The permanent water source here attracts large numbers of Impala, one of the main prey items of Leopard, and we will be on the lookout for these and other predators such as Lion, African Wild Dog and Spotted Hyaena. African Elephant and African Buffalo are also common in the area, usually heading down to the river as the day heats up. The area is, however, not really suited to large numbers of grazing animals and small herds of browsers such as Greater Kudu and Bushbuck are more common here.

We will hopefully arrive in time for a late lunch at the beautiful restaurant overlooking the Sabie river and then check into our comfortable bungalows. We will have some time to relax before we head out again in the afternoon for a game drive.

During our time in Kruger we will traverse the southern section of the park,  bordered by the Crocodile River in the south, the Sabie River in the north, and the Lebombo mountains in the east, along the border with Mozambique. The western border is a fence with the Republic of South Africa. We will chat during our drive here and decide on our plan of action for the time we have in Kruger, making sure that all our target species for the safari are seen.

This afternoon we might visit the famous Lake Panic hide near Skukuza nursery; a great spot from which to see aquatic bird species and animals drinking from close up. This is normally a good spot from which to see your first Nile Crocodile and Hippopotamus on safari in Kruger, although even Leopard and Lion have turned up here in the recent past! Make sure your camera batteries are charged – this is a great place for some excellent shots. We will return to camp to freshen up and then we will enjoy dinner in the restaurant. The chefs are rightly proud of their fare and you will get a taste of some of South Africa’s very good traditional dishes along with some more “continental” options.

After dinner we will head to our bungalows for a good night’s sleep in the African bush. Remember to look up as you walk back to your room, the stars out here in the bush are truly spectacular.

DAY 2:
Kruger National Park (Skukuza) – Today we have a full day to explore the far southern section of the park. We will head out as soon as the gates open and go on our first game drive of the day. We will enjoy coffee and rusks (a traditional South African dunking biscuit) in our vehicle during our drive and return to camp after 2 to 3 hours for a late breakfast.

Later we could head west on the Doispane road towards Pretoriuskop Camp. There are many roads to follow and many species of fauna and flora to see, so we guarantee you won’t be bored! We will not only look for the Big Five and other big game, but also enjoy our fantastic cast of feathered friends here in Kruger. The riverine vegetation in the Skukuza area plays host to huge numbers of bird species, and some uncommon and special ones like Crowned Eagle, African Finfoot and Pel’s Fishing Owl have been seen here.

Other birds we will look for in this area of the park include Terrestrial Brownbul, Bearded Scrub Robin, Green-backed Camaroptera, Kurrichane Thrush, Grey Tit-flycatcher, Black-headed Oriole, Brubru, Retz’s Helmetshrike, Marico, Collared and White-bellied Sunbird, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Southern Black Tit, Pied and Giant Kingfisher, Red-billed and African Firefinch, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Cardinal and Bearded Woodpecker, Coqui Francolin, Brown-crowned and Black-crowned Tchagra, Burnt-necked and Yellow-bellied Eremomela and many others.

We will have some down time in Skukuza in the warm hours of the day, and it is usually a good idea to walk around the camp grounds in search of interesting fauna and flora. Skukuza is well foliaged and there are some lofty trees along the river’s edge. Birds like Crowned Hornbill, Grey-headed Bushshrike and African Green Pigeon are regularly seen in the camp, along with Bushbuck and various squirrel species.

The camp also houses the Stevenson-Hamilton Memorial Library And Museum (James Stevenson-Hamilton was the first warden of Kruger National Park) which has some fascinating artefacts on display. You’ll get to know some things about Kruger Park that you’d never imagined! There are also very engaging stories to read, like the miraculous tale of Harry Wolhuter, one of Kruger’s very first game rangers, complete with real-life props showing his escape from a lion attack while patrolling on horseback.

We will go out on another game drive in the afternoon, choosing a route that will not only give us a good chance to spot some members of the Big Five, but also some good opportunities for great sunset photos. This might entail venturing a little north, on the road towards Satara. The habitat in this area changes quickly from riparian to savannah, and it is normally a great area for the traditional grass eaters like Common Wildebeest and Plains Zebra. These are inevitably followed by predators like Lion, Spotted Hyaena and Cheetah, and we’ll do our best to spot one or more of these.

We will again have dinner at the restaurant upon our return to camp and chat about our great time in Kruger so far. Keep an eye out when you walk back to your room tonight, as the camp is a great place to spot the dove-sized Wahlberg’s Epauletted Fruit Bat and the very cute South African Thick-tailed Galago.

Tonight might be a good opportunity to partake in probably one of the best optional activities one can do here in the park, namely a night drive with one of Kruger’s knowledgeable rangers. On this drive you may encounter some of the rarer nocturnal mammals such as African Civet, genets, Side-striped Jackal, the beautiful Serval, White-tailed Mongoose and even African Wildcat, along with several species of owl and nightjar. These include Spotted and Verreaux’s Eagle-owl, African Scops Owl, Southern White-faced Owl, and Square-tailed and Fiery-necked Nightjar. Please inform us well in advance of the trip if you plan to do a night drive, as this is a very popular activity that is normally filled up as soon as bookings open.

DAY 3:
Kruger National Park (Skukuza to Berg-en-Dal) – We will start our day with a later breakfast, before we head out of to Berg-en-Dal rest camp (often referred to as the “rhino camp”) and our home for tonight.

We will explore some of the smaller dirt roads and thereby keeping off the main tar roads, for the best game viewing and birdwatching experience. We will decide on the best route to take, maybe enjoying the famous Biyamiti road or the equally legendary Voortrekker road.

Some of the bird species we might see during our drive today include Grey Penduline Tit, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Groundscraper Thrush, Red-headed Weaver, Mocking Cliff Chat, Croaking and Lazy Cisticola, Lizard Buzzard, Bushveld Pipit, Flappet Lark, Pallid Flycatcher, Striped Kingfisher, Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow and many more. We will have lunch at a picnic site, or maybe at Berg-en-Dal’s restaurant if we arrive in time.

The scenery in the area closer to Berg-en-Dal is characterised by beautiful rocky outcrops and small hills, so it’s a hotspot for Leopard! It also makes for some fantastic photographic opportunities. The area hosts White Rhinoceros, Greater Kudu, Impala, Giraffe, some African Elephant, Southern Reedbuck, Klipspringer, Grey Rhebok and Common Warthog. Large packs of African Wild Dog are also regularly seen in the region.

Upon arrival at Berg-en-Dal, we will have some time to explore the camp itself. There is a very popular Rhino Perimeter Trail walk that skirts the camp fence all the way around. Not only is it a beautiful, relaxing and informative exercise, you might get to see something interesting! Recently on this walk there have been sightings of the rare White-backed Night Heron, the ferocious Honey Badger and the sought-after Thick-billed Cuckoo, to name just a few. Birds seen almost always on the walk include Scarlet-chested Sunbird and White-browed Robin-chat, while mammals might include Bushbuck, Hippopotamus and several squirrels and monkeys. Also look out for the beautifully coloured Southern Tree Agama.

The camp has a swimming pool to cool off in, as well as good restaurant facilities and a nightly video show with some interesting local nature programmes. The main restaurant area overlooks a beautiful water feature that is the perfect setting for just sitting down and relaxing with an ice cream and a pair of binoculars.

We will gather for sundowner drinks, update our mammal lists and then enjoy dinner, and afterwards retire to our bungalows for our last night in magical Kruger. If there is time, we might make a social fire at one of our bungalows. Nothing beats sitting around the fire with a drink in hand in the African bush, with only the night sounds and millions of stars for company. A truly magical experience!

DAY 4:
Kruger National Park to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary – We will do a last walk in camp before breakfast, and then head to the nearby Malelane Gate to exit the park after a wonderful few days.

We are heading south towards our next destination. It will take us about 3 to 4 hours to reach Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary in eSwatini (The Kingdom of Swaziland’s new name), but the drive is incredibly scenic, with amazing mountain ridges and lush green valleys in between.

We will reach Mlilwane at about midday and have lunch at our chosen accommodation. We will either be staying at the main Mlilwane Rest Camp (with its traditional beehive huts and beautiful waterhole) or the luxurious, colonial-style Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge a short drive from the main camp.

The sanctuary only covers 4,560 hectares in the Ezulwini Valley, or “valley of heaven”, but it is breathtakingly beautiful here. It is rightly known as “eSwatini’s outdoor lover’s paradise”, with an array of activities on offer, from mountain biking, hiking, 4×4 trails, horse riding, cultural tours and more. Mlilwane is almost entirely granite based. The granite is hard-weathering, providing for extensive rocky outcrops and deep red loam soils rich in iron, associated with large-leafed trees. The southern section is predominately open grassland savanna plains with middleveld vegetation stretching up onto the striking lone sentinel of Nyonyane Mountain with its exposed granite peak known as the “Rock of Execution”. Mlilwane North is highveld grassland with ravine forests and rocky outcrops. The perfect mix of lakes, forests and grasslands!

Mlilwane’s diverse habitats support a surprisingly extensive fauna species list. Although unable to support large herds of game, there are several animal species to be seen including Hippopotamus, Plains Zebra, Common Wildebeest, Greater Kudu, Nyala, Waterbuck, Hartebeest, Springbok, Steenbok, Klipspringer, Impala, Blesbok, Bushbuck, Common Duiker, Southern Reedbuck and Common Warthog. Mlilwane also boasts several rare antelope species, including Oribi, Suni, Grey Rhebok, Blue and Natal Red Duiker, and Roan Antelope. Seldom seen, but present in the sanctuary are the ever-elusive Leopard and a variety of smaller mammals like Aardvark, Genets, Cape Porcupine, Honey Badger, African Civet and at least 3 species of mongoose.

Reptiles are well represented in Nile Crocodiles, Nile Monitors, lizards, skinks and the Southern Tree Agama, with a good selection of snakes.  Amphibians let their presence be known after rains, including Painted Reed Frog, Common Caco and at least 4 species of toad.

From a birding perspective, Mlilwane has surprising diversity for such a small reserve. Colourful highlights include Narina Trogon, Purple-crested Turaco, African Green Pigeon and three species of robin-chats. Also on the list are Crested Guineafowl, Southern Bald Ibis, Marsh Owl, Crowned, African Fish and Verreaux’s Eagle, Black Sparrowhawk, Lanner Falcon, Jackal Buzzard, Olive Woodpecker, 5 species of kingfisher, weavers, bishops, Cape and Fan-tailed Grassbird, Red-backed Mannikin and many others.

We will enjoy a game drive in Mlilwane this afternoon, marvelling at the stunning landscapes and hopefully ticking some new species for our growing trip list. We will return to our chosen accommodation to freshen up and then enjoy dinner before heading off for a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow we are back in South Africa to continue our safari in some fantastic reserves in the Kwazulu-Natal province.

DAY 5:
Mlilwane to Mkuze Game Reserve – Our day will start with breakfast and a short morning game drive, then we pack our bags and leave the beautiful Kingdom of eSwatini.

Our journey will then continue southeast, to one of the KwaZulu-Natal province’s premier wildlife viewing spots, Mkuze Game Reserve. Our drive of about 3 and a half hours will see us either skirting the eSwatini border on the west, or driving all the way through this small country, before reaching our destination.

We should arrive in the Mkuze area mid to late afternoon and we will waste no time finding some of the spectacular animals and birds that call this remarkable area home. Mkuze is a 40,000-hectare (150 sq mi) game reserve that was proclaimed a protected area in 1912. It constitutes the northwestern section of the greater iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mkuze has a wide diversity of natural habitats which include acacia savannah, mixed woodland, sand forest, riverine forest, rivers and pans, grassland, cliffs and rocky ridges.

We will drive to the sand forest; this dry and localized type of forest is home to several spectacular species of birds that are difficult to see anywhere else in South Africa, including Pink-throated Twinspot, Gorgeous Bushshrike, Neergaard’s Sunbird, African Barred Owlet, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Crested Guineafowl and Rudd’s Apalis.

In terms of big game, Mkuze is also home to several fantastic mammal species, including Africa’s Big Five: African Elephant, African Buffalo, Black and White Rhinoceros, Lion and Leopard. We hope to see some (or all) of these during our time here, plus maybe some nice photographs of them! Once we have seen some nice species and enjoyed the beautiful green scenery of Mkuze, we will head to our accommodation just outside the park. We will enjoy a good meal and chat about our awesome trip so far, and maybe start planning our next trip somewhere on the planet… Then it’s off to bed for a good night’s sleep.

DAY 6:
Mkuze Game Reserve – We will enjoy an early breakfast at our lodge before returning to Mkuze.

We have a full day ahead to explore the incredible diversity of Mkuze, not just mammals but also a whole host of fascinating birds. The reserve boasts one of Africa’s smallest antelope, the Suni, as well as the largest land mammal on the planet, the African Elephant!

Mkuze is a typical bushveld area, with great beauty, contrast and fantastic mammals. We will hope to tick several species here, including Hippopotamus, African Wild Dog, African Buffalo, Cheetah, both Black and White Rhinoceros, Giraffe, Chacma Baboon, Vervet monkey, Honey Badger, Common Warthog and a multitude of plains game. These include Impala, Nyala, Common Wildebeest, Plains Zebra and Greater Kudu. Amongst the less common, small antelope to be found are Common Duiker, Steenbok, Natal Red Duiker and the diminutive Suni. There are also a wide variety or tortoises, terrapins, snakes and lizards.

Birding wise Mkuze is undoubtedly one of the top birding spots in South Africa, with a list of way over 450 species, and an unpredictability that makes birders return here time after time. It boasts several special and range-restricted species, and we’ll keep an eye out for Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Sooty Falcon, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Green Malkoha, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Broad-billed Roller, African Broadbill, Eastern Nicator, Olive-tree Warbler, Black-bellied Bustard, Senegal Lapwing, several vulture species, Martial Eagle, White-crested Helmetshrike and Grey Penduline Tit.

We will have a packed lunch today and enjoy it somewhere in the park where there is a nice view of one of the dams or surrounding hills.

At one of the large wetlands, we will look for bird species such as Pink-backed and Great White Pelican, African Openbill, Yellow-billed and Woolly-necked Stork, African Pygmy Goose, Lesser Jacana, Dwarf Bittern, Goliath Heron, Water Thick-knee, Lesser Masked and Thick-billed Weaver, African Wattled Lapwing and Whiskered Tern. Several good hides are situated in the park, mostly overlooking waterholes and these can be worth a visit, sometimes producing memorable moments. Just don’t wander too close to the water’s edge, as there are some monstrously huge Nile Crocodiles here!

We will return to our lodge outside the reserve for doing our lists, having dinner and enjoying a good night’s rest.

DAY 7:
Mkuze Game Reserve to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park – We will start our day with an early breakfast and then we are off to our next destination, the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. But first, we are going to do a detour to the nearby iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This 3,280 km² (1,270 sq mi) park was created to protect the vital wetland of Lake St. Lucia, South Africa’s most important breeding area for waterbirds. iSimangaliso is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site (South Africa’s first, listed in 1999) and a Ramsar Wetland of Importance.

The reason for the huge diversity in fauna and flora in the park is the great variety of ecosystems, ranging from coral reefs and sandy beaches to subtropical dune forests, savannahs, and wetlands. Animals occurring on the park include African Elephant, Leopard, Black and White Rhinoceros, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Nile Crocodile and in the ocean, Whales, Dolphins, and marine Turtles.

We’ll arrive in the park after a short while and drive around, taking in the stunning beauty and maybe even see some birds and mammals. Top birds here include Caspian, Swift, Sandwich, Common and Little Tern, Great White and Pink-backed Pelican, Lesser Flamingo, Yellow-billed and Woolly-necked Stork, Ruff, Ruddy Turnstone, Grey Plover, Pied Avocet, Goliath Heron and many more. It is also a rarity hotspot, with recent records of Great Frigatebird, Eurasian Oystercatcher and Brown Noddy, so keep those eyes peeled!

We will continue towards the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, where we will head straight to our chosen accommodation for the next two nights. We will check in and have lunch while we enjoy the stunning landscape around us. On our afternoon game drive we will be looking for the amazing fauna and flora species that call this fantastic reserve home.

The park is the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa and officially opened in 1895 – yes, that’s 1895! It is 960 km² in size and known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts. 

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is home to not just Africa’s Big Five, but almost 90 other species of mammals. These include Nyala, Hippopotamus, Giraffe, African Wild Dog, Cheetah, Greater Kudu, Impala, Common Warthog, Waterbuck, Spotted Hyaena, Common Wildebeest, Bushpig, Common Eland, Suni, Mongoose, Baboons and Monkeys. There is also a variety of tortoises, terrapins, snakes and lizards, along with some massive Nile Crocodiles. The park is world renowned for its White Rhinoceros conservation and its Centenary Capture Centre is setting exceptional standards for animal capture in Africa.

After an exciting drive we will return to camp and freshen up. We will have dinner and chat about our wonderful trip. By now you would have realised why, despite some problems, South Africa should be high on every wildlife lover’s must-visit list. We will then retire to our rooms for a good night’s sleep.

Tonight might be a good opportunity to partake in a night drive with one of the park’s knowledgeable and friendly rangers. On this drive you may encounter some of the rarer nocturnal mammals such as Leopard, Chameleons, Bushbabies, Aardvark, Spotted and Water Thick-knee, Bronze-winged Courser, Spotted Eagle-owl, Fiery-necked and European Nightjar and maybe even White-backed Night Heron. Please inform us well in advance of the trip if you plan to do a night drive, as this is a very popular activity that is normally filled up as soon as bookings open.

DAY 8:
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park – Today we have a full day to explore Hluhluwe-Imfolozi. We will do an early morning game drive, followed by a late breakfast and a camp walk. Then it’s time for some down time, lunch and a short siesta.  We will go out again in the afternoon.

The park is not all about the Big Five and other mammals. Should you be an avid birder you will also not be disappointed, with up to 340 species found within the area, mostly due to the varied topography and range of habitats. The Hluhluwe river floodplain is one of the only areas in the whole of South Africa where Yellow-throated, Pink-throated and Cape Longclaw species can be seen together. Other avian highlights include Southern Ground Hornbill, Bateleur, Lappet-faced Vulture, African Finfoot, Southern Bald Ibis, Black Coucal, Brown-headed Parrot, Narina Trogon, Woodland Kingfisher, Crowned and Trumpeter Hornbill, Bearded Scrub Robin, Gorgeous Bushshrike and Yellow-billed Oxpecker to name just a few.

The park boasts an extensive road network, with several beautiful viewing hides and picnic sites, two main tourist camps and several bush camps. As always, it is a worthwhile exercise walking in the camp where we will be staying, and we will try to fit that into our plans for the day. There is a beautiful trail in camp, and along the lush paths we could see Suni, Natal Red Duiker, Bushbuck, Crested Guineafowl, Green Twinspot, Lemon and Tambourine Dove, Green Malkoha, several cuckoo species in summer, Sombre Greenbul, Terrestrial Brownbul, Black-backed Puffback, various sunbirds, barbets and shrikes among many others.

After an exciting day we will return to camp for dinner.

DAY 9:
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park to Umhlanga Rocks – We will have breakfast this morning, then pack our bags and check out of our accommodation.

We will take a slow drive out of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, heading south to Umhlanga Rocks, situated just north of the coastal city of Durban. Here we can soak in the sea breeze of the Indian Ocean. We will have a delicious meal and be ready for our early flight to Upington tomorrow morning.

DAY 10:
Flight to Upington; drive to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – We will fly toJohannesburg first and then onwards to Upington, arriving early afternoon. Interestingly, the runway at Upington International Airport is, at 5,100 metres (16,700 ft), one of the longest in the world. Upon arrival we will pick up our comfortable, airconditioned vehicle for the trip and make our way to one of the shopping malls in town to pick up supplies. Upington is situated on the fertile banks of the Orange river, and is known for its export-quality grapes, raisins and wines.

We will have lunch in town and then head towards the Kgalagadi.

The Kalahari is a large, semi-arid, sandy savannah desert, extending for a massive 900,000 km² (350,000 sq mi), covering much of southwestern Botswana, parts of Namibia and the northwestern regions of South Africa. The surrounding Kalahari Basin covers over 2,500,000 km² (970,000 sq mi), extending further into Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, and encroaching into parts of Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The name Kalahari is derived from the Tswana word Kgala, meaning “the great thirst”, or Kgalagadi, meaning “a waterless place”.

The high iron oxide content in the soil is what makes the sand of the Kalahari that characteristic red, and especially in the correct light, it is a sight that stays with you forever. It also gives the Kalahari an otherworldly, almost Mars-like, feel and look.

The flora of the Kalahari includes camelthorn, blackthorn and silver cluster-leaf trees (acacia species) and many other herbs and grasses, and even flowers like the Devil’s thorn flower. The Kiwano fruit, also known as the African horned melon, is endemic to a specific region in the Kalahari desert, and is just one example of a feast of edible plants that include wild cucumbers and the creeping tsamma melons, favoured by traditional tribes of the area as well as all sorts of animals.

On our drive north we will also see our first Sociable Weaver nests; huge structures built on anything from telephone poles to windmills, and another of the iconic Kalahari sights. We will almost certainly see Pale Chanting Goshawk, Common Ostrich and Northern Black Korhaan. Mammals should include Gemsbok, Springbok and Greater Kudu.

We will reach the Twee Rivieren gate of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the late afternoon. There is some paperwork to be done, but soon we will check into our accommodation at the Twee Rivieren (“two rivers”) Rest Camp.

Twee Rivieren is the park’s largest rest camp and administrative headquarters. It is situated on the banks of the dry Nossob riverbed. Twee Rivieren has a shop, fuel, restaurant, information centre and swimming pool. This is the only camp with 24 hours electricity and cell phone reception. We will do a quick walk in the camp at dusk to try and spot some crepuscular animals (bats and maybe a Southern White-faced Owl), and then have our first dinner together. Our dinner will be in the restaurant in camp and should include some delicious local fare.

We will then retire for a good night’s rest. Tomorrow, we go into the park to explore.

DAY 11:
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – Today we have a full day to explore the wonders of the Kgalagadi!

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a huge park of about 38,000 km² (15,000 sq mi), one of the last vast conservation areas left on earth.

Despite the seemingly lifeless arid conditions and habitat, the park has abundant, varied wildlife. It is home to large predators such as the famed black-maned Kalahari Lion (450 at last count), Leopard (150), Cheetah (200) and hyaenas (600 Brown Hyaena and 400 Spotted Hyaena). In fact, people in the know say it is easier to see these large predators here than in the Kruger National Park or its adjacent private game reserves!

The Kgalagadi mammal count is at 62 different species now. Herds of large herbivores such as Common Wildebeest, Springbok, Common Eland and Hartebeest also live and move seasonally within the park, providing sustenance for the predators, along with Greater Kudu and of course the iconic Gemsbok. Giraffes have also been introduced recently and are thriving in the park.

Smaller mammals include African Wildcat, Bat-eared Fox, Black-backed Jackal, Meerkat, Honey Badger, Temminck’s Ground Pangolin, Yellow Mongoose, South African Ground Squirrel, Brants’s Whistling Rat and Damara Mole Rat. Other interesting fauna include 48 reptile species, like Common Barking Gecko (Whistling Gecko), Ground Agama, Bradfield’s Dwarf Gecko, Kalahari Tree Skink, Puff Adder and Cape Cobra.

We will go back to camp in the early afternoon, to have a light lunch. We will then relax in our chalets in the heat of the day and then head out in the late afternoon for a short game drive again.

We will return to camp for dinner, but this time it will be in the shape of a traditional South African “braai”, or barbeque, on an open fire. Nothing beats sitting around the fire with a drink in hand in the Kalahari desert, with only the night sounds and millions of stars for company. A truly magical experience!

DAY 12:
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park to Marrick Safari – Today we have a long but beautiful drive of about 6 hours ahead of us. We are heading south to the town of Upington again before turning east towards the city of Kimberley. We will have a packed breakfast and enjoy lunch in the town of Upington.

We will drive through Kimberley in the afternoon. Kimberley is of course famous for its diamond mining past. British businessmen Cecil Rhodes and Barney Barnato made their fortunes in Kimberley, and Rhodes established the De Beers diamond company in the early days of the mining town. Kimberley is also home to the Big Hole, an open pit mine that claims to be the deepest hole excavated by hand in the world.

We will reach the privately-owned Marrick Safari in the mid-afternoon and check into our accommodation. Marrick Safari is located approximately 12km out of Kimberley and nestled in 3,000 hectares of unspoilt wilderness, almost free from human interference. The property itself sustains a range of ecosystems, from flat savannah to rocky hillscapes to thicker thorny bushveld and there is also an ephemeral wetland.

This family-run undertaking has as its main aim the establishment of a world-class eco-tourism operation, focusing on the provision of a home-style service. At Marrick, there truly is something for everybody. We will go on a guided 4×4 game drive in the afternoon, including having some sundowners. Sunsets at Marrick are extraordinary and there is nothing more relaxing after a hot day in the bush than sipping an ice-cold drink next to the pan.

Mammals we will look for on our game drive include African Buffalo, Giraffe, Greater Kudu, Common Eland, Blesbok, Gemsbok, Black and Common Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Steenbok, Common Duiker, Plains Zebra, Nyala, Mountain Reedbuck, Waterbuck, Impala (including Black-faced subspecies normally found in Namibia), Springbok, the rare and beautiful Roan and Sable Antelope, and Common Warthog.

Tonight, after dinner we are going to do something special; a night drive! Marrick’s night drives offer a particularly unique and exciting insight into the world of nocturnal animal activity. Marrick is known for its unique nocturnal animals such as the rare Aardvark, Aardwolf, Cape Porcupine, Bat-eared Fox, Black-footed Cat, Southern African Spring-hare, Scrub Hare and South African Hedgehog. Additionally, African Wildcat as well as the Striped Polecat, also known as the “zorilla”, can be seen. Birds might include Western Barn Owl, Spotted Eagle-Owl and Rufous-cheeked Nightjar.

DAY 13:
Marrick Safari – Today we have a full day to explore Mokala National Park.

Mokala is SANParks’ newest national park, proclaimed in 2007, and is known as the park “where endangered species roam”.

The park is in the transition zone of the savannah (Kalahari and Nama Karoo) biomes; the former being flat and sandy dotted with tall grasses, along with Camel Thorns, Umbrella Thorns and Puzzle Bushes, and the latter characterised by rocky outcrops and flat areas with grass and scrub. The overall flat landscape lends itself to some incredible sunrises and sunsets; get those cameras ready!

Mokala is home to several endangered species and the main purpose of the park is to actively protect these species. These sought-after species are then relocated for use in other national parks and game reserves all over the southern African area. The park might not have any large predators, but this makes the other animals far more relaxed, allowing us to get really close to them and enjoy them thoroughly.

Mokala’s mammals include Black and White Rhinoceros, disease-free African Buffalo, Sable and Roan Antelope, Tsessebe, Hartebeest, Common Eland, Greater Kudu, Common and Black Wildebeest, Plains Zebra, Giraffe, Steenbok, Common Warthog, Impala and Gemsbok. Although there are no large predators, some smaller carnivores do inhabit Mokala. They include African Wildcat, Cape Fox, Caracal and the elusive Brown Hyaena.

After our day spent in Mokala we will make our way back to Marrick in time to freshen up for dinner and enjoy another night drive, we will be looking out for the same mammals as the previous night and anything we missed.

After this exciting excursion we will return to our accommodation for a good last night’s sleep at magical Marrick.

DAY 14:
Marrick Safari to New Holme Guest Farm – Today after breakfast we will make our way further South to Karoo Gariep Nature Reserve situated in the town of Hanover. This will be about a 4-hour journey but is worth the distance.

After settling in we should have time for our first Sunset drive. We will look for Cape Buffalo and Hippo.

We will enjoy dinner at the lodge, and then head out for our first night drive. We will be on the lookout for Aardvark, Aardwolf, Cape Fox, Bat-eared Fox, African Wildcat, Cape Porcupine, Striped Polecat, African Striped Weasel, both Small and Large spotted Genet. If we are lucky, we might even spot the rare Black Footed Cat.

After the exhilarating night drive, we will be ready for a good night’s rest.

DAY 15:
New Holme Guest Farm – On our full day in the wonderful Karoo Gariep Nature Reserve we will be able to explore the reserve, on foot and on game drives, in search of its diurnal mammals and birds. Karoo birds include Burchell’s Courser, Blue Korhaan, Blue Crane, Pale Chanting Goshawk and Spotted Eagle-Owl.

Of course, the focus of our stay here will be the nocturnal mammals. Over the last few years, this reserve has proven to be especially reliable for Aardvark, perhaps the most sought-after of Southern African rare mammals. Although widespread in Africa, Aardvarks (which means ‘earth pig’ in Afrikaans) are rarely observed, in most areas being strictly nocturnal in their habits and emerging from their burrows well after sunset. We will be in search of any species missed tonight after a wonderful dinner.

DAY 16:
New Holme Guest Farm to Bloemfontein Airport and departure – Unfortunately, our ultimate mammal tour has come to an end. After breakfast we will make our way to Bloemfontein Airport for our flight back to Johannesburg and then home.

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