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Limpopo

Big-5 Experience Mid Range

Fully Guided
Self-drive
Cabin
4x2 Tour
10 Nights
exclusive tour by bonsai-sa

This wetland is the origin of the Matlabas River in Marakele National Park

One of many Baobab Trees in the Mapungubwe National Park

A mother and her baby at a waterhole in the Kruger National Park

The Blyde River Canyon is the biggest green canyon in the world

OVERVIEW

Big Five Experience

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

giraffe in marakele
leopard

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.

Our tours allow you access to remote areas in national parks and reserves that are not frequently visited. The surrounding wilderness, the remoteness and the seclusion of travelling through rarely seen areas are the main attraction of our tours.

A qualified 4x4 and overlanding adventure guide will lead the trail and will also assist with 4x4 aspects when necessary. The tour is aimed at true nature lovers and ones who enjoy the wilderness and is not designed as an obstacle course or endurance test.

You will drive your own 4x4 vehicle and you must make provision for your own provisions, including tents and camping gear, sufficient supply of water, firewood and food.

You will visit the following national parks.

Marakele National Park - The Marakele National Park in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains, as its Tswana name suggests, has become a "place of sanctuary" for an impressive variety of wildlife due to its location in the transitional zone between the dry western and moister eastern regions of South Africa.

All the large game species, from elephant and rhino to the big cats, as well as an amazing variety of birds including what is probably the largest colony of endangered Cape vultures (more than 800 breeding pairs) in the world, have settled here.

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 where archaeologists excavated the famous golden rhino and other evidence of a wealthy African kingdom.

Kruger National Park - situated in north-eastern South Africa, is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. Its high density of wild animals includes lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffaloes.

Hundreds of other mammals make their home here, including diverse bird species such as vultures, eagles and storks.

Mountains, bush plains and tropical forests are all part of the land-scape.

A deposit of 30% confirms the booking!

The balance is payable 60 days before the tour date. SEE MORE INFO

trail on top of the Drakensberg
Golden Rhino of Mapungubwe
TOUR FEATURES & FAQs

4x2 or 4x4 | Safari tents, Wilderness Cabins, Chalets

Have a look at the tour features and some of the frequently asked questions

A 4x2 vehicle is suitable for the road conditions on this tour.
A 4x4 vehicle is suitable for the road conditions on this tour.
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The total length of the off-road trailer/caravan may not to exceed 4,2m. The smaller the better.
The total length of the off-road trailer/caravan may not to exceed 4,2m. The smaller the better.
It is possible that vehicles will be scratched as we are in nature. It will be nothing serious.
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Meals | Drinks

Have a look at the meals and drinks plan for the tour

MEALS
YES / NO
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DRINKS
YES / NO
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wilderness cabin
ACCOMMODATION TYPE

Safari Tent, Wilderness Cabin, Chalet

Ablution facilities are available

You will stay in safari tents, wilderness cabins or chalets on wooden or concrete decks with linen and towels provided.

TOUR SIZE

Place for only 5
vehicles on the tour

Normally a minimum of three (3) vehicles are required to make the tour happen, but we would be happy to quote you for less than three vehicles.

We can also assist with additional bookings before and/or after the tour.

TOUR ITINERARY

Our Traveling Plans

We did a lot of research to bring you an exciting itinerary

Day 1

Meet your guide and depart for Marakele National Park.

Day 2

Explore the national park and visit the viewpoint near the nests of the endangered Cape vultures.

Day 3

Depart for Mapungubwe National Park.

Day 4

Explore the national park and visit the Mapungubwe Hill.

Day 5

Depart for Punda Maria in the Kruger NP and explore the Pafuri region and visit Crook's Corner.

Day 6

Explore the area around Punda Maria.

Day 7

Depart for the Sable Sleep over Hide near Phalaborwa.

Day 8

Depart for the Satara Rest Camp.

Day 9

Depart for the Berg en Dal Rest Camp.

Day 10

Explore the area around Berg en Dal Rest Camp.

Day 11

Depart for Pretoria.

itinerary elephant
INCLUDED & EXCLUDED

Plan For This Tour

Have a look at what is included and excluded in this exclusive tour

INCLUDED
  • Accommodation for two adults
  • Park fees for two adults
  • Hand-held radios
  • Professional field guide(s) where applicable
  • Professional 4x4 and overlanding adventure guide
  • Trail fees for one vehicle
  • Activities as indicated
EXCLUDED
  • Fuel - approximately 2 400 km
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • International flights
  • Domestic flights
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and\or park fees
  • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Tips
  • Vehicle
  • Toll fees
  • Snacks and beverages
  • Food
  • Medicine
  • Water
  • Cost of additional activities
OPTIONAL
  • Rental Vehicle
TRAIL GRADING

Grade 2

We use the following TRAIL GRADING.

Maintained dirt roads: these roads are graded and maintained year round. Typical non-paved country roads.

Easy 2WD/4WD: feature trails with obstacles that are easy to navigate. In optimum weather conditions, these trails may not require the continual use of 4WD.

Standard 4WD trails: demanding trails on which 4WD is required. You will encounter a variety of more difficult challenges (loose rocks, large potholes, steep inclines/declines and large rocks) on these trails. Possible with stock 4WD vehicle; however, traction device, off-road tyres and low air pressure are recommended. Higher than stock ground clearance is advisable. Low range often used. Moderate experience and driving skills advised. Paint damage and/or possible rocker panel damage is likely.

Difficult trails: these trails traverse very rugged terrain and low range 4WD is required. Higher than stock ground clearance is required. Aggressive tread and low air pressure are required. Traction devices, as well as lift and larger tyres are highly recommended. These trails require above average off-road driving skills. Hi-lift jacks and winches would also be helpful. Paint damage and possible vehicle body and/or mechanical damage are likely.

Impassable trails: these trails are for the extreme four-wheeler only. These trails require highly modified vehicles, including lift, excellent articulation, traction devices front and rear, large tyres with aggressive tread, winches and hi-lift jacks. A high level of off-road driving skills is required. Paint damage is virtually guaranteed, while body and/or mechanical damage is very likely. Roll-overs will be more common on these trails and a winch will be used on at least one obstacle.

BOOKING

Make This Tour a Reality!

A deposit of 30% is required to secure your place on the tour, with the balance due 60 days before the start of the tour. Full payment if booking less than 60 days before the tour start date. An invoice or request for payment will be sent. Payments must be made within 7 days of the invoice or payment request date.

Terms and conditions will apply.

REQUEST QUOTATION
Tariff 2025
From R47 925 per vehicle with 2 adults*

Tariff 2026
Not available yet

*Tariff indicated is for 3+ Vehicles
Tariff for 1 vehicle can be quoted

Request Quotation