Northern Kruger & Soutpansberg Safari
Manyeleti Game Reserve | Kruger National Park | Pafuri Walking Safaris | Soutpansberg
Details
Priced From
- Pricing subject to change based on travel dates and accommodation booked.
Back Road & Sand Track Driving
%
Enjoy the lesser traveled back roads of the Kruger National Park and the rugged terrein of the Soutpansberg.
Accommodation Mix
- Kruger Park Rest Camps 34%
- Tented Camping Safari 44%
- Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Chalet 22%
We use a range of accommodation types to make your trip more unique. All our itineraries are tailormade based on your travel prefernces.
Jimny Hire
10 Days Jimny Hire – Partially Equipped
Pick-up Johannesburg & Return Hoedspruit
Manyeleti Game Reserve
2 nights at Pungwe Camp in a tented room
All meals & game Drives
Kruger National Park
3 nights in two Satellite Camps in the Kruger National Park
Self-Catering
Pafuri Walking Safari
2 nights on a guided walking safari with Pafuri Walking Safaris
All meals & guided activities
Soutpansberg Mountains
2 nights at Leshiba Wilderness in a luxury chatel
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Trip Highlights
Guided Safari
Enjoy a fully guided safari in the Manyeleti Game Reserve for excellent wildlife viewing
Self-Drive Safari
Explore Kruger at your own pace on a self-drive safari in search of unique wildlife encounters
Guided Walking Safari
Go back to basics on a guided walking safari in the picturesque Pafuri region
Beautiful Scenery
Spend time in the Soutpansberg Mountains – the northern most mountain range of Southh Africa
Itinerary Description
Embark on an extraordinary 10-night safari adventure through South Africa’s wild and untamed landscapes. Your journey begins in the mystical Soutpansberg Mountains, where you’ll spend two nights at the beautiful Leshiba Wilderness. This private reserve offers a back to nature experience with its diverse flora and fauna, ancient rock art sites, and stunning vistas.
Next, venture to the northern reaches of the Kruger National Park for an unforgettable adventure with Pafuri Walking Safari’s. Your two night adventure is in unique tended accommodation where you’ll explore the remote and pristine Pafuri region on foot, guided by expert rangers who will introduce you to the area’s rich biodiversity and fascinating history.
Continue your safari with the freedom of a self-drive adventure through the Kruger National Park. Spend three nights in two of the parks satellite rest camps, offering a more exclusive self-drive safari. Here you can explore at your own pace, encountering Africa’s iconic wildlife in their natural habitat. Each day brings new opportunities to discover the park’s diverse ecosystems and witness unforgettable wildlife sightings.
Your journey culminates with two nights at an all-inclusive tented lodge in the Manyeleti Game Reserve. Nestled on the border of the Kruger National Park, Manyeleti offers a private and exclusive safari experience. Enjoy game drives and guided walks, savour delicious meals, and relax in iconic safari lodge accommodations, all while surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of the African bush.
This 10-night safari adventure promises an immersive and varied experience, from walking safaris and self-drive explorations to uique lodge stays, showcasing the best of Soutpansberg and Northern Kruger.
Interactive Map
Detailed Itinerary
Johannesburg to Soutpansberg – Leshiba Wilderness
Depart the city of Johannesburg and make your way north to Leshiba Wilderness in the Soutpansberg. The beginning of the trip is an easy drive, giving you time to get settled in and used to the vehicle for the adventures ahead. The last stretch to Leshiba Wilderness requires a high ground clearance vehicle, where the Jimny will shine.
YOUR STAY: leshiba wilderness
Nights: 2
Room: Standard Chalet
Meals Included: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Activities Included: One safari activity per day
ABOUT ESHIBA WILDERNESS
Leshiba Wilderness, located in the remote Soutpansberg Mountains, offers a truly back-to-nature experience. Surrounded by rugged mountains and diverse flora and fauna, Leshiba provides an idyllic retreat for nature lovers. The reserve is home to ancient rock art sites, rich biodiversity, and breathtaking vistas. Guests can enjoy the tranquility of the wilderness, exploring hiking trails, encountering wildlife, and experiencing the serene beauty of the Soutpansberg. Leshiba Wilderness is the perfect destination for those seeking peace, solitude, and a deeper connection with nature.
Soutpansberg Mountains to Pafuri Walking Safari
Today, your journey takes you away from the Soutpansberg Mountains and into the far northern reaches of the Kruger National Park. Drive through the Pafuri entrance gate, leading you to the meeting point for the Pafuri Walking Safari.
It’s time to leave the vehicle behind and embark on a once-in-a-lifetime two-night walking safari in the Pafuri region. This guided walk offers a unique way to experience the African bush, immersing you in its sights and sounds. Your rustic tented accommodation ensures a deep connection to nature, enhancing the authenticity of this unforgettable adventure.
YOUR STAY: Pafuri Walking Safaris
Nights: 2
Room: En-Suite Tent
Meals Included: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Activities Included: All scheduled safari activities
ABOUT PAFURI WALKING SAFARIS
Pafuri Walking Safaris by Return Africa offers an memorable adventure in the remote and pristine Pafuri region of the Kruger National Park. Over two nights, you’ll explore the African bush on foot, guided by experienced rangers who share their in-depth knowledge of the area’s rich biodiversity and cultural history. This unique safari experience allows you to observe wildlife up close and appreciate the smaller details of the bush, often missed on vehicle-based safaris. The rustic tented accommodation enhances the experience, providing a deep connection to nature and an authentic taste of wilderness living. Pafuri Walking Safaris promises an unforgettable African adventure.
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK SELF DRIVE
Having enjoyed your time on foot exploring Pafuri, it’s now time to get back into your Jimny for a self-drive adventure through the Kruger National Park over the next three nights.
A self-drive safari allows you to experience the Kruger at your own pace, focusing on the wildlife and experiences that interest you most. We have chosen two of the park’s more remote camps to provide a more exclusive and immersive safari experience. Your Jimny comes equipped with essentials like a fridge and a kitchen box, ensuring your self-drive adventure is comfortable and enjoyable.
YOUR STAY: Bateleur Bushveld Camp & Balule Satellite Camp
Nights: 3
Room: Chalets
Meals Included: Self-Catering
Activities Included: Explore on your own
ABOUT BATELEUR BUSHVELD CAMP & BALULE SATELITE CAMP
Bateleur Bushveld Camp and Balule Satellite Camp are both smaller rest camps in the northern region of the Kruger National Park. Nestled amid the rugged beauty of the African bushveld, these camps provide a traditioanl safari experience where wildlife roams freely. Encounter the Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros—alongside a rich diversity of birdlife and smaller mammals. The region’s diverse landscapes, from savannah to riverine forests, promise captivating self-guided game drives, revealing the park’s natural wonders. Whether exploring the ancient baobab trees or enjoying sunset vistas over waterholes, each moment at these camps offers visitors a taste of South Africa’s untamed beauty.
GUIDED SAFARI – MANYELETI GAME RESERVE
Your safari concludes with two nights in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, which shares an unfenced border with Kruger National Park. Situated near Orpen Gate in the central region, Manyaleti offers exceptional wildlife encounters during guided safari activities.
We recommend enhancing your experience by combining a self-drive safari with a stay at one of the private lodges. Guided safari drives with expert local guides add a deeper dimension to your journey, offering insights and sightings you might miss on your own.
Ending your safari at an all-inclusive lodge allows for relaxation as you reflect on your adventure amidst the Bushveld.
YOUR STAY: Pungwe Safari Camp (or similar)
Nights: 2
Room: En-Suite Tented Room
Meals Included: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Activities Included: Daily Game Drive
ABOUT PUNGWE SAFARI CAMP
Pungwe Safari Camp, nestled in the pristine wilderness of Manyeleti Game Reserve, offers a unique blend of comfort and adventure. The camp features spacious tented rooms that seamlessly blend rustic charm with modern amenities, providing a cozy retreat amidst the African bush. Each tent boasts en-suite facilities and private verandas from which to enjoy the bushveld scenery.
Guided safari experiences at Pungwe Safari Camp are excellent, led by knowledgeable guides who uncover the secrets of the Bushveld. From thrilling game drives to tranquil bush walks, encounters with the Big Five and other wildlife are abundant. As the sun sets, the camp comes alive with stories shared around the campfire, creating unforgettable memories of the African safari experience.”
Manyeleti to Eastgate Airport (Hoedspruit)
On your final day of safari, you’ll depart from Pungwe Safari Camp and head towards Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit to return your vehicle for onward travel arrangements. Enjoy a last morning safari in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, followed by a relaxing breakfast amidst the bushveld.
With Manyeleti’s proximity to the airport, there’s ample time to soak in the wilderness before your departure. We recommend extending your vacation with a scenic drive along the Panorama Route, where majestic views of canyons and waterfalls await. Alternatively, consider a flight to Cape Town to embark on a unique self-drive adventure along the famed Garden Route, starting with a new Jimny vehicle. Whether you choose to explore dramatic landscapes or coastal wonders, your African journey concludes with unforgettable experiences and memories.
Start Your Journey
Like what you see in this itinerary and ready to start planning your adventure! To get started, fill out our simple contact form and our team will be in touch with you to begin the planning process.
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We are looking forward to welcoming you to South Africa.
Regards,
Stuart and the Tread Lite team