An experience that is a must for any nature-lover: seeing the Big 5 in their natural habitat.

During this tour, you will visit three national parks in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa.

This is what the iconic Kruger NP is famous for. An abundance of wildlife means you are more than likely to spot lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Marakele NP, in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains, has become a "place of sanctuary" for an impressive variety of wildlife. Discover an ancient African Kingdom, Southern Africa's first, established at Mapungubwe Hill between 1200 and 1290 AD.

Map

South Africa

Start Point: Pretoria

Day 1 - 2

Marakele NP Bontle Rest Camp

Day 3 - 4

Mapungubwe NP Leokwe Camp

Day 5 - 6

Northern Kruger NP Punda Maria Rest Camp

Day 7

Central Kruger NP Letaba Rest Camp

Day 8

Central Kruger NP Satara Rest Camp

Day 9 - 10

Southern Kruger NP Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Day 11

Pretoria (No accommodation)

End Point: Pretoria

Day 1

Marakele National Park

This is the moment when your journey begins. By choosing South Africa, you've almost guaranteed yourself an incredible safari experience, with so much wildlife to look forward to. After a few brief formalities, you'll head out to begin discovering just what we mean.

One of South Africa’s newest national parks, malaria-free Marakele protects a dramatic sandstone landscape capped by the 2,088m-high Kransberg, the tallest peak in the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. The main attractions of this 530km² park are the spectacular scenery and prolific birdlife (more than 400 species recorded, including the world’s largest breeding colony of the endangered Cape vulture). Wildlife viewing on the self-drive road network is erratic, but all the Big Five either occur naturally or have been reintroduced, so you never know what you might encounter.

Activities Day 1

Morning

Meet your guide. The meeting place in Pretoria will be communicated before the start of the tour., Pretoria
You collect your vehicle from the vehicle rental company when applicable., Pretoria
Buy provisions, water, etc. for your stay at Marakele and Mapungubwe National Parks., Pretoria

Rest of Day

We drive in convoy following gravel roads to the Marakele National Park. Your guide will drive in front in his vehicle while you follow him in your vehicle. Communication will be using the provided two-way radios. Your guide will tell you about the interesting facts along the way, such as a pass that is not actually a pass.

Around Lunchtime

We will stop at this unique and renowned farm stall for something to eat. The onsite restaurant is fully licensed, which, among many other things, has pap & “kaiings”, “skilpadjies”, jaffels, bobotie, “vetkoeke”, etc. If you don’t stop here, you are going to miss something extraordinary!

Evening

Discuss the planning for the days ahead of us while you prepare your dinner., Marakele National Park

Night

You must not be surprised if wild animals visit the camp tonight., Marakele National Park

Accommodation Day 1

Bontle Rest Camp

Self catering accommodation

It's no coincidence that bontle means "beautiful" in Setswana. This pleasant rest camp consists of 10 tented units for those who would prefer a permanent structure more than putting up a tent and camping themselves.

Each tent has two or four beds and a private bathroom (shower with hot and cold water, wash basin and toilet), a fully equipped kitchen, complete with a refrigerator/freezer, two-plate stove and electricity, which ups the luxury level. Guests can also laze on a private veranda with a table, deck chairs and barbeque facilities. One tent offers wheelchair access.

Day 2

Marakele National Park

We return to Marakele National Park to enjoy the scenery, wildlife and birdlife.

Activities Day 2

Early Morning

Join an early morning drive on an open-game view vehicle. Morning drives leave a half hour before official gate opening times, which vary according to the time of year, which means you will be the only guests driving around at that time. The drive’s duration is 3 to 3.5 hours and you will be able to watch the sunrise over unspoilt bush. On your morning drive you will be able to enjoy the tranquility of the sunrise. You will be transported on an open-game view vehicle from your camp of residence or entrance gate for an approximately three-hour drive. An experienced guide will interpret the natural bush as well as offer further insight into the ways of the national park or nature reserve.

Activities are for people aged 12-65. Guests over the age of 65 require a letter from a recognised medical practitioner, not older than 30 days, confirming their health.

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast., Marakele National Park
Drive the Lenong Pass up the Waterberg Mountain. Lenong is a tarred but difficult pass located within the boundaries of the Marakele National Park near Thabazimbi. This very narrow road clings precariously to the side of a mountain, with extreme unprotected drop-offs – if you suffer from acrophobia, then this pass is definitely not for you! If you do make it to the summit, the wonderful scenic vistas over the reserve and the Waterberg massif from the various viewpoints make all of the effort worthwhile. A 4x4 is not required, but you will need to negotiate some gravel roads as part of the access route.

Rest of Day

Explore the park on your own., Marakele National Park

Evening

Discuss the day's adventures while cooking your own food., Marakele National Park

Accommodation Day 2

Bontle Rest Camp

Self catering accommodation

Return to Bontle Rest Camp.

Day 3

Mapungubwe National Park

South Africa's most remote national park, Mapungubwe flanks the Limpopo River as it meanders past the three-way border with Botswana and Zimbabwe. It is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on account of Mapungubwe Hill, which served as the capital of an indigenous medieval state that exported locally sourced gold to the East African coast. As you explore the park, scan its wild baobab-studded slopes for lion, elephant, white rhino and the boulder-loving klipspringer antelope, and the riparian woodland along the Limpopo for forest birds.

Activities Day 3

Early Morning

Prepare your own breakfast., Marakele National Park
Drive to Mapungubwe NP, Mapungubwe National Park

Around Lunchtime

It's time for lunch in Polokwane.

Evening

Discuss the day's adventures while cooking your own food., Mapungubwe National Park

Accommodation Day 3

Leokwe Camp

Cottage

Mapungubwe’s main camp, located in the eastern section of the Park, 11km from the Main Gate, in the spectacular sandstone hills. Close to the camp, guests can enjoy the Treetop Hide and the Confluence View Site & Picnic Area. The camp itself has a swimming pool and sundeck, as well as a central braai area.

The chalets have a fully equipped kitchen and an en-suite shower with hot and cold water, basin and toilet.

Day 4

Mapungubwe National Park

Discover an ancient African Kingdom, Southern Africa’s first, established at Mapungubwe Hill between 1200 and 1290 AD. Home to a powerful tribe that flourished on trading with Eastern cultures such as China and India, Mapungubwe saw the rise and fall of this great civilisation more than 700 years ago. This is the place where archaeologists excavated the famous golden rhino and other evidence of a wealthy African kingdom.

Beyond its historical significance, the park is home to elephants, leopards, and an abundance of birdlife, set against the stunning backdrop of riverine forests, towering cliffs, and the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers. With scenic viewpoints, cultural heritage sites, and diverse ecosystems, Mapungubwe offers a unique blend of history, nature, and adventure waiting to be explored.

Activities Day 4

Early Morning

Prepare your own breakfast., Mapungubwe National Park

Morning

Join a guided heritage site and museum tour. As part of this tour, you will be allowed to visit the elite graveyard at the top of Mapungubwe Hill, view a natural amphitheatre and the entire spectrum of the region, and traverse the territory once walked upon by the ancestral Mapungubwe People – now roamed by four of the Big 5.

The age requirement for participating in this activity is from 12 to 65 years. Older people above 65 years who are physically fit can only be allowed to participate if they provide a medical certificate confirming their fitness.

The museum houses historical artefacts, images and information that tell the story of Mapungubwe’s incredible history. The holy grail of the museum is the Golden Rhino, which was discovered in a grave in 1932, more than seven centuries after the civilization inhabited the area. The museum tour ends with a short walk to a lookout point where you will be able to see the hill that was, according to legend, the inspiration behind architect Gerard Moerdijk’s Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria.

Rest of Day

Explore the national park on your own., Mapungubwe National Park
Be amazed with the "personality" of each Baobab., Mapungubwe National Park

Afternoon

Visit the point where the borders of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe meet., Mapungubwe National Park

Evening

Discuss the day's adventures while cooking your own food., Mapungubwe National Park

Accommodation Day 4

Leokwe Camp

Cottage

Stay for longer at Leokwe Camp.

Day 5

Northern Kruger National Park

Most of the extreme north-west of Kruger is classified as sandveld, which, as the name suggests, consists of very sandy, well-drained soils supporting a complicated mass of plant communities in which no particular tree or plant is dominant. Unlike other geological formations in the Park, some sandveld sediments are not part of the original landscape, having been deposited in northern Kruger by raging wind storms blowing in from the Kalahari several million years ago.

Activities Day 5

Early Morning

Prepare your own breakfast., Mapungubwe National Park
Join an early morning drive on an open-game view vehicle. Morning drives leave a half hour before official gate opening times, which vary according to the time of year, which means you will be the only guests driving around at that time. The drive’s duration is 3 to 3.5 hours and you will be able to watch the sunrise over unspoilt bush. On your morning drive you will be able to enjoy the tranquility of the sunrise. You will be transported on an open-game view vehicle from your camp of residence or entrance gate for an approximately three-hour drive. An experienced guide will interpret the natural bush as well as offer further insight into the ways of the national park or nature reserve.

Activities are for people aged 12-65. Guests over the age of 65 require a letter from a recognised medical practitioner, not older than 30 days, confirming their health.

Rest of Day

Drive to the Punda Maria Rest Camp in the Kruger NP, Punda Maria Rest Camp

Evening

Prepare your own meal at the fully equipped chalet or eat at the local restaurant., Punda Maria Rest Camp

Accommodation Day 5

Punda Maria Rest Camp

Chalet

Up in the north of Kruger National Park, which sees far fewer visitors than in the rest of the park, Punda Maria Rest Camp is a fine base for exploring this bird- and animal-rich terrain. As with all of the Kruger rest camps, Punda Maria has simple, self-contained bungalow-style accommodation, as well as campsites, a restaurant, a shop for souvenirs and supplies, and a swimming pool. It's a good place to get park information too.

Day 6

Northern Kruger National Park

Activities Day 6

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast or have breakfast at the local restaurant., Punda Maria Rest Camp

Rest of Day

Explore the area around Punda Maria, Northern Kruger National Park

Late Afternoon

Join a sunset drive on an open game-view vehicle. These drives, which last around three hours, leave the camp before dusk and return after sunset. In the cool afternoon, search for grazers and predators starting their nightly hunts. Sunset is a time when night animals emerge, and a drive during this period is the perfect opportunity to witness the beauty of the bush as it changes from day to night. Learn about fauna and flora from your expert guide and return to camp with a spot-lit night drive.

Activities are for people aged 12-65. Guests over the age of 65 require a letter from a recognised medical practitioner, not older than 30 days, confirming their health.

Evening

Prepare your own meal at the fully equipped chalet or eat at the local restaurant., Punda Maria Rest Camp

Accommodation Day 6

Punda Maria Rest Camp

Chalet

Extend your stay at Punda Maria Rest Camp for another night.

Day 7

Central Kruger National Park

It's not difficult to see why the central Kruger National Park, which runs northward from the Sabie River to the Olifants, is a favorite with many seasoned South African safari-goers. The relatively open grassland here often supports large mixed herds of zebra and wildebeest, and it's a great place for carnivores such as lion, cheetah and black-backed jackal. Look out for elephants and buffaloes grouped along the region's many rivers and waterholes, as well as the elusive and solitary leopard and rhino.

Activities Day 7

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast or have breakfast at the local restaurant., Punda Maria Rest Camp

Rest of Day

The drive to Letaba provide excellent game viewing opportunities., Central Kruger National Park

Around Lunchtime

Enjoy lunch at the restaurant in the Mopani Rest Camp., Mopani Rest Camp

Evening

Prepare your own meal at the fully equipped chalet or eat at the local restaurant., Letaba Rest Camp

Accommodation Day 7

Letaba Rest Camp

Cottage

Ask any Kruger regular to choose their favorite rest camp, and Letaba is bound to make the shortlist. Partly this is down to the restaurant's memorable setting on a forest-lined stretch of the Letaba River, but it also has something to do with the remote and quiet location on the border of northern and central Kruger. The camp itself supports a flourishing birdlife, and the surrounding roads are great for wildlife viewing.

Day 8

Central Kruger National Park

Activities Day 8

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast or have breakfast at the local restaurant., Letaba Rest Camp

Rest of Day

Drive to Satara Rest Camp, Satara Rest Camp

Evening

Prepare your own meal at the fully equipped chalet or eat at the local restaurant., Satara Rest Camp

Accommodation Day 8

Satara Rest Camp

Bungalow

Satara is the largest and most strategically located rest camp in central Kruger Park. Surrounded by open savannah and grassy plains, it is sometimes referred to as the ‘cat camp’, due to the high incidence of lion and cheetah sightings in the area. As the park’s third-largest rest camp, Satara boasts good amenities, including a well-stocked shop, a restaurant, a swimming pool and a filling station.

Day 9

Southern Kruger National Park

Time to head into southern Kruger, which is the most accessible part of this world-famous national park, and the most consistently rewarding in terms of overall wildlife viewing. Bounded by the Sabie River to the north and Crocodile River to the south, southern Kruger is renowned for its large herds of elephant, buffalo and impala. Other wildlife you're likely to see on any given game drive here includes giraffe, warthog, hippo, zebra, wildebeest and greater kudu. Southern Kruger is also home to high concentrations of lion and rhino, and it enjoys a higher success rate than most other national parks when it comes to leopard encounters.

Activities Day 9

Early Morning

Join an early morning drive on an open-game view vehicle. Morning drives leave a half hour before official gate opening times, which vary according to the time of year, which means you will be the only guests driving around at that time. The drive’s duration is 3 to 3.5 hours and you will be able to watch the sunrise over unspoilt bush. On your morning drive you will be able to enjoy the tranquility of the sunrise. You will be transported on an open-game view vehicle from your camp of residence or entrance gate for an approximately three-hour drive. An experienced guide will interpret the natural bush as well as offer further insight into the ways of the national park or nature reserve.

Activities are for people aged 12-65. Guests over the age of 65 require a letter from a recognised medical practitioner, not older than 30 days, confirming their health.

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast or have breakfast at the local restaurant., Satara Rest Camp

Rest of Day

Drive to Berg en Dal Rest Camp, Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Evening

Prepare your own meal at the fully equipped chalet or eat at the local restaurant., Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Accommodation Day 9

Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Chalet

An Afrikaans name meaning Mountain and Valley, Berg-en-Dal is the most southerly rest camp in Kruger, and the hilly surrounds include the national park’s highest peak. It opened in 1984, making it relatively modern by Kruger standards, and unlike older camps, the natural vegetation was largely preserved during construction. Relax in the restaurant and enjoy views over the Matjula Reservoir, or stretch your legs on a short walking trail that offers much to bird-watchers.

Day 10

Southern Kruger National Park

Activities Day 10

Early Morning

Join a guided morning walk. Experienced (and armed) guides share their knowledge of the fauna and flora to explain natural wonders. The walks are relaxed and don’t take longer than a few hours, so no over-exhaustion will take place.

Two armed field guides accompany you on the walk to ensure your safety. They will focus on the things that you will usually not be able to see from a vehicle. By being out on foot, you cover an area more intensely, and you can experience nature using all of your senses. If there is any large game in the area, you are more than likely able to encounter them and have the exhilarating experience of approaching them on foot.

Activities are for people aged 12-65. Guests over the age of 65 require a letter from a recognised medical practitioner, not older than 30 days, confirming their health.

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast or have breakfast at the local restaurant., Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Rest of Day

Explore the area around Berg en Dal, Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Late Afternoon

Join a sunset drive on an open-game view vehicle. These drives leave the camp before dusk and return after sunset, lasting around three hours. In the cool afternoon, search for grazers and predators starting their nightly hunts. Sunset is a time when night animals emerge, and a drive during this period is the perfect opportunity to witness the beauty of the bush as it changes from day to night. Learn about fauna and flora from your expert guide and return to camp with a spot-lit night drive.

Activities are for people aged 12-65. Guests over the age of 65 require a letter from a recognised medical practitioner, not older than 30 days, confirming their health.

Evening

Prepare your own meal at the fully equipped chalet or eat at the local restaurant., Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Accommodation Day 10

Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Chalet

You return to Berg-en-Dal, with its hilly setting in southwest Kruger.

Day 11

Your last day with us

As our time together draws to a close, we say goodbye to our new friends and head back home. You will continue your journey to your next destination on your own, whenever you feel ready to leave. We hope that you will cherish the unforgettable memories you have made during your time with us and that you will have plenty of beautiful photos to share with your loved ones and friends.

Activities Day 11

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast or have breakfast at the local restaurant., Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Rest of Day

Drive back to Pretoria, Pretoria

Ready to Share

11-Day Big 5 - Marakele NP, Mapungubwe NP, Kruger NP

An experience that is a must for any nature-lover: seeing the Big 5 in their natural habitat.

Marakele National Park

Activities Day 1

Morning

Rest of Day

Around Lunchtime

Evening

Night

Bontle Rest Camp

Marakele National Park

Activities Day 2

Early Morning

Morning

Rest of Day

Evening

Bontle Rest Camp

Mapungubwe National Park

Activities Day 3

Early Morning

Around Lunchtime

Evening

Leokwe Camp

Mapungubwe National Park

Activities Day 4

Early Morning

Morning

Rest of Day

Afternoon

Evening

Leokwe Camp

Northern Kruger National Park

Activities Day 5

Early Morning

Rest of Day

Evening

Punda Maria Rest Camp

Northern Kruger National Park

Activities Day 6

Morning

Rest of Day

Late Afternoon

Evening

Punda Maria Rest Camp

Central Kruger National Park

Activities Day 7

Morning

Rest of Day

Around Lunchtime

Evening

Letaba Rest Camp

Central Kruger National Park

Activities Day 8

Morning

Rest of Day

Evening

Satara Rest Camp

Southern Kruger National Park

Activities Day 9

Early Morning

Morning

Rest of Day

Evening

Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Southern Kruger National Park

Activities Day 10

Early Morning

Morning

Rest of Day

Late Afternoon

Evening

Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Your last day with us

Activities Day 11

Morning

Rest of Day

Pricing

Detailed Price Information

Overview Tour